CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association, has issued a statement responding to the latest government travel advice.

The advice, posted today (9 July 2020) on the official government website, has advised British nationals not to go on cruise ships.

The new FCO issued cruise travel advice states: “The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against cruise ship travel at this time. This is due to the ongoing pandemic and is based on medical advice from Public Health England.

“The government will continue to review its cruise ship travel advice based on the latest medical advice.

“If you have future cruise travel plans, you should speak to your travel operator, or the travel company you booked with, for further advice.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office continues to support the Department for Transport’s work with industry for the resumption of international cruise travel.

Responding to the new advice, a spokesperson for CLIA said: “We have noted the advisory issued today.  The health and safety of guests and crew is an absolute priority for our member lines.

“Since the voluntary suspension of operations, we have been working collaboratively with the Government on the road map to resumption involving a ‘door to door’ strategy – from the time of booking through to the passengers’ return home – with enhanced health protocols.

“We look forward to completing this planning exercise with the Government and for the advice to be updated.”

The latest advice was issued just a week after the government announced a list of 59 countries that it is now possible to travel to, without having to quarantine.

British nationals travelling to these countries and territories will not have to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival or on return to the UK – helping to get the travel industry back up and running.

Countries on the list include Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Australia and many island nations in the Caribbean.