North East businesses are preparing for a boost on the back of soaring demand for 海角视频 cruise holidays.
While travel restrictions are beginning to ease, fewer people are currently booking international holidays because of travel uncertainties surrounding Covid-19.
However, the cruise holiday sector is experiencing a boom, with the Port of Tyne experiencing unexpected demand for its services to cruise operators in advance of 海角视频 passenger sailings between English ports being permitted.
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In most cruises, everyone on board will have been vaccinated and tested before boarding and physical distancing means ships will not be filled to capacity so won’t be overcrowded.
So far, seven operators, including Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and Saga have confirmed they will be sailing into and from the Port of Tyne as they launch new 海角视频 cruise trips for summer 2021 and beyond.
Over the last 20 years, the Port of Tyne has welcomed more than 700,000 cruise passengers on average per year to its multimillion pound passenger terminal.
Based on current bookings and interest levels from cruise operators, the port said that summer 2021 looks set to become a busier season than anticipated.
Fred Olsen Cruise Line has announced 21 new sailings from the Port of Tyne from summer 2022, as part of a new 126 cruise programme which takes in 82 countries and the Port will also play host to Saga’s Spirit of Adventure as she embarks on her maiden voyage. Other interesting 海角视频 staycation holiday opportunities using the Port of Tyne include a luxury tall-ship experience with Tradewind Voyages, which operates Golden Horizon, the world’s largest square-rigged sailing vessel.
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Kate O’Hara, commercial director at Port of Tyne said: “Cruise operators using the port are an intrinsic part of our service offering and we are delighted to see the imminent return of sailings after a very difficult year.
“We are well versed in Covid safe working, the port has been open continuously since the outset of the pandemic and we go to great lengths to ensure the safety of everyone on site who uses our facilities.
"Now this means doing everything possible to help cruise operators restore public confidence and get people back out enjoying the amazing holiday experiences they offer.
“On a practical level, this has involved the cruise industry and stakeholders including the Port of Tyne working together with the DfT, CLIA, the 海角视频 Chamber of Shipping and cruise operators and cross industry partners, to produce a new framework to ensure the safe restart of cruise.”
Meanwhile, Sunderland based Hays Travel, the 海角视频’s largest independent travel agent, has been taking bookings for ‘seacations’ for the world’s top cruise operators since last month.
As more cruise operators announce their Round Britain itineraries, Hays Travel has been inundated with thousands of enquiries and has launched extra helplines and online registration for those who want the most up to date information.
“We have had thousands of enquiries already,” said Dame Irene Hays, owner of Hays Travel. “Our customers are desperate to have a holiday and to be able to have a staycation in the 海角视频 combined with the luxury of a cruise is a real addition to the 海角视频 holiday offer."