Staycation Afloat in 2021

We are now approaching June 2020, week 10 of Lockdown with a slight easing of restrictions And it feels like the green shoots of travel are starting to appear. Most people I have spoken to fall into 2 categories, those who will be jumping on the first airplane out of the UK heading to the sun and those who are seriously worried and have no plans to leave this year. This got me thinking about next year, if like me, you LOVE cruising, and I know the lengths the ships go to, with cleaning, hygiene and safety measures normally, and this will be upped 100%, but you don’t wish to leave the UK & Eire. Well, next year 2021 there are in excess of 30 cruises which precisely do that, departing from 10 Regional ports, such as Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Hull, Newcastle, Dover and Southampton. Calling into some fantastic ports, like Tobermory, isle of Mull, the Isles of Scilly, Kirkwall & Waterford Wonderful cities, like Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, Newcastle, Plymouth & Glasgow And the more unusual destinations of Iona, St. Kilda, Portree, Skomer Island & Killybeg How about travelling to Edinburgh in August for a few nights and seeing The Military Tattoo or Edinburgh Fringe Festival, then board Fred Olsen’s Balmoral and sail overnight to Newcastle, where you can stay and visit Segedunum Roman Fort, Sage Gateshead or The Metro Retail Centre 8th April – Magellan is acting as a Flotel in Liverpool for 3 nights, with excursions to Aintree to see the premier Horserace – The Grand National, this has got to be a winner! Carnival Legend, ( American style cruising with plenty of activities, entertainment and eating venues) has 2 sailings out of Dover for 9 nights, calling into Edinburgh, Invergordon, Portree, Belfast, Liverpool & Cork Those of you with young kids or young at heart, Disney Magic has one, 7 night sailing from Dover with all the Disney characters, Kids Clubs, Waterslides and those all important Adult only Hot Spots. Stonehenge is one excursion available on this cruise Golf Fanatics! Don’t miss out on Azamara Journey’s British Isle & Golf Voyage, 16th July, for 12 nights from Edinburgh to Southampton, with the opportunity of purchasing a 7 – Course Golf Package to Tee off at St. Andrews, Carnoustie & Royal Birkdale plus more, and for the non-golfers the chance of seeing the Giants Causeway. White Star Service, on board Cunard’s Queen Victoria’s 13 nights around Britain in May 21, immerse in traditional, 5star luxury cruising at its best. Don the formal dress, and savour exquisite dining. P&O’s Arcadia sails to Guernsey on a couple of party cruises and one 12 nights British Isles calling into Kirkwall, Oban, Belfast & Liverpool Oceania’s Sirena, probably my favourite cruise line, is offering 3 x 10 night cruises from Southampton around UK & Eire, Boutique sailing, personalised service, top cuisine served on Versace plates, (no tie, required) Updated contemporary & relaxed atmosphere.