The Department for Transport (DfT) has updated its guidance to allow cruise operators running fully vaccinated sailings to operate at 50 per cent capacity.

The DfT said in an update that “cruise operators with a Covid-19 vaccination policy in place can operate at 50 per cent capacity”.

Those who are not running fully vaccinated cruises “can operate with up to 1,000 passengers or 50 per cent capacity, whichever is lower”. This capacity limit applies to passengers only.

The move follows the news that MSC Cruises had updated its policy to require all adults to be fully vaccinated to cruise with the line on its summer domestic voyages.

CLIA UK & Ireland managing director Andy Harmer said: “We welcome the news that as of 19 July, if the next step of the government roadmap goes ahead, the 1,000-passenger limit on domestic cruises can be lifted to enable larger ships to sail at 50 per cent capacity.

“As the cruise industry’s phased return picks up, this is another positive development. We continue to work with the government on the regulations for domestic and international cruising, with the view to ultimately achieving a full return to service.”