Virgin Voyages, Richard Branson’s epic new cruise line, celebrated the long-awaited grand opening of Terminal V at PortMiami yesterday, ringing in the occasion with a mermaid-studded soiree.
After 12 lost months, the next year will see holidays at sea return
Credit: GETTY
After months of waiting, it’s time to find your sea legs again and feel the ocean breeze on your face.
The countdown to cruising has begun – starting in the UK, where six new ships will debut this summer, with a seventh due to launch in December. Around the world more than 400,000 people have already sailed since last July but the round-Britain cruises starting next month – most of them requiring passengers to be fully vaccinated – herald a confident renaissance.
Although the major operators are still lobbying to be allowed to use US ports, they have begun announcing itineraries from Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and Iceland, as well as the UK. Pent-up demand is huge despite the difficult steps out of lockdown both here and abroad, including the current Foreign Office advice against overseas cruises.