We are sailing again – but it’s unchartered waters

Cruise lines are planning tentative steps back to service in the next few weeks – but with no buffets, crew in masks and gloves, and tight controls on physical distancing, it’s not going to be the sociable experience passengers know and love.

Norway’s Hurtigruten has scheduled its first cruise – a voyage along the Norwegian coast – for June 16, but for domestic travellers only. It says other departures will follow, but with no dates set, it presumably wants to see how things go. The company warns that passengers must be prepared to keep their distance from others and self-isolate if they feel ill.

River cruise line A-Rosa had hoped to restart sailing on the Rhine and

Danube at the end of May, but restrictions on border controls have forced it to delay until June. It is marking out one-way “streets” on its ships and says crew will have to wear face coverings in public areas.

This week Swiss operators Scylla announced sailings would start again on June 1, while Silversea put its return to service back to mid-July. It will introduce ships one by one, starting with Silver Muse on July 16. The last, Silver Wind, won’t sail until Nov 11.

Small ships and cruises that start and end in the UK or stay close to home are expected to appeal mostly as cruising gets back on its feet. Peter Shanks, Silversea’s UK and Ireland managing director, says round-Britain cruises are its top sellers for 2021. Bookings for 2021 are “doing well”, especially among the older generation.

UK-based Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) is seeing “interest” for 2021 holidays from British ports that offer excitement and discovery. “We all want something to look forward to after lockdown,” says Mike Hall, the

ON THE MOVE Silver Muse will be the first Silversea Cruises vessel to set sail