UK Cruise Passengers Want Assurance of Covid-19 Vaccination Proof

According to new study, the majority of UK cruise passengers want evidence of Covid-19 vaccination.

When asked what health and safety steps they expect to see when sailings resume next week from the UK, more than 88 percent of 6,500 cruise.co.uk customers said this was one of their top three responses.

Viking Cruises, P&O Cruises, MSC, Royal Caribbean International, Virgin Voyages, Fred Olsen, Saga, and Cunard are among the cruise lines that will be sailing in UK waters this season.

The report, which is said to be one of the largest of its kind this year, revealed the must-haves for passengers to feel comfortable and secure onboard.

The following were the top three responses:

• Covid-19 vaccination proof (88.44 percent )
• At the time of embarkation, a health screening is performed (87.58 percent )
• Virus-filtering modern air conditioning (86.28 percent )

The cruise ship buffet remains popular, with less than half of those polled (45.39 percent) preferring table service only.

A similar number (46.03 percent) demanded that face masks be made mandatory.

Nearly 90% of respondents said they have booked or are planning to book another cruise.

Tony Andrews, deputy managing director of Cruise.co.uk, said: “Cruisers have spoken and, understandably, tangible health and wellbeing measures are the priority as they anticipate stepping back onboard again.

“The good news is, we know cruise lines are actively putting these in place, so the additional levels of reassurance passengers want to see are being prepared for.

“Interestingly, some of the more traditional features of a cruise, such as the restaurant buffet, remain comparatively popular and will be missed by many loyal passengers if they are removed.”