International cruises are now able to restart from England on August 2, following a 16-month break.
On Wednesday, July 28, the UK's Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office lifted its advisory against international sailings.
People arriving at UK ports who've been fully vaccinated in the USA and the EU will also not have to quarantine, according to the UK government. It is part of the plan to relax isolation rules for US and EU arrivals.
Domestic cruises were allowed to run from May 2021 but international cruises were prohibited.
The UK government said that international cruise travel advice would be amended "to encourage travelers to understand the risks associated with cruise travel and take personal responsibility for their own safety abroad."
Now under the new rules, from 04:00 BST on Monday, August 2, fully vaccinated US and EU travelers who arrive from amber countries will not have to quarantine/take a test on day 8 of their arrival.
However, they'll still have to take a pre-departure test and a PCR on the 2nd day after arrival.
Arrivals will still need to complete a guest locator form. Under-18s are exempt from isolation, and some won't have to test, depending on their age.
Separate rules continue to apply for those arriving from France. Travelers who've been in France in the 10 days prior to arriving in England have to quarantine for 10 days following arrival, and take a COVID test on/before day 2 and on/after day 8, even if fully vaccinated.
However, international voyages are unlikely to be available from August 2.
On its website, P&O UK announced that following their UK summer staycations (cruises to nowhere from Southampton), MS Britannia ship would start Western Mediterranean itineraries (on September 25), while MS Iona ship would launch on the same date.
The company said that due to the current traffic light system, a number of itineraries had to be canceled.
MS Ventura ship is paused until October 3, MS Azura - until December 10, 2021. Some other sailings (on the boats Aurora and Arcadia) have been delayed through March-April 2022.
Cunard Line's first UK voyage will sail on August 13 with international sailings beginning in October.