Cruises to and foreign ports to England can resume on 2 August, the British government said in a statement.

The move is part of a wider reopening of international travel. “From 4am 2 August 2021, passengers who are fully vaccinated in the EU with vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or in the USA with vaccines authorised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or in the Swiss vaccination programme, will be able to travel to England without having to quarantine or take a day 8 test on arrival,” the government said

“Following the close monitoring of epidemiological evidence, gained through the restart of the domestic cruise industry earlier this year, the UK government has also confirmed the go ahead for international cruise sailings to restart from England in line with Public Health England guidance. International cruise travel advice will be amended to encourage travellers to understand the risks associated with cruise travel and take personal responsibility for their own safety abroad,” it concluded. The principal ports to benefit from the news are Southampton (picture), Portsmouth, Dover, Newcastle and Liverpool.

Domestic cruises from ports in England restarted on 17 May and several cruise lines are operating programmes of cruises in British waters as a result. There was some confusion about the rules as first due to the fact that Scottish government did not allow even domestic cruises until recently.