After being rocked by waves of coronavirus over the last two years, it finally appears that smoother waters are beckoning for the cruise industry. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents the industry’s major players, has branded 2022 a “pivotal year”, bullishly forecasting that all 289 ships of its member lines will be sailing by August. Pent-up demand, bolstered by the gradual rolling back of restrictions, is fuelling bookings, and though cruise operators are braced for more omicron-style bumps in the road, there is rising optimism that the worst is over. But that doesn’t mean things have returned to normal quite yet. So what can you expect? Read our answers to the most common cruise questions here…

Will I have to wear a mask onboard?

Many rules, including those governing testing and mask wearing, remain in place, though this could quickly change. Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises have already returned to their no-mask policies on US sailings, with Virgin Voyages following from next Sunday. Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have also announced that masks will be optional on their US sailings from March 1.

What about going ashore?

Some Covid rules on ships, and particularly those governing trips ashore, are determined by the regulations of each country that ships call at. 

“It is a constant challenge because the whole point of cruising is that it is a global experience,” said specialist cruise expert Edwina Lonsdale, managing director of the cruise agency Mundy Cruising. “The ships really have to abide by the protocols of the territories they are in as opposed to being a stand-alone island.” 

Some cruise agents have also reported increased interest in smaller ships where passenger numbers are in the hundreds rather than thousands, thus cutting social contact and making it easier to navigate rules restricting trips in ports of call.

Which cruises are my best bet this summer?

So far, many customers are opting to stay closer to home this summer and booking cruises to the Mediterranean and northern Europe, which are additionally served by sailings from UK ports, thus cutting out the need to fly.

What about the Caribbean?

Despite recent instances of cruise ships being turned away from some islands due to the omicron outbreak, the Caribbean is seen as a fairly safe bet. CLIA UK & Ireland director Andy Harmer stresses that only a small proportion of cruises were affected by itinerary changes.

“People can book with confidence and understand that cruise lines are working very closely with the ports they visit,” he says. “It is a situation that is constantly evolving and updating. If itineraries do change, guests can still continue to enjoy their holiday on board and visit other ports.”

And further afield?

Anyone wanting to sail to South America, Asia and Australasia needs to bide their time as these destinations are not expected to return to cruise schedules until next winter at the earliest, especially as several countries including Japan and China are still restricting entry to international visitors.

What about river cruising?

River cruising is attracting more attention at the moment. European riverboats hold an average of 190 guests, which limits social contact. They also provide relatively easy access to embarkation points, with lines such as AmaWaterways, Uniworld and APT promoting Eurostar or self-drive as alternatives to flying.

How quickly will the rules change?

This is one of the biggest challenges facing cruises. Cruise companies are continuing to offer flexible “peace of mind” cancellation policies, with some enabling customers to cancel as late as 48 hours before departure with a full refund or future cruise credit (FCC).

Giles Hawke, UK chief executive of Avalon Waterways, said the company was seeing increased confidence among customers as UK travel rules waned. However, he stressed that forward planning was vital. Guests need to be aware of stricter mask rules on the Continent, the need to show Covid passes to enter many indoor venues, and completing the Passenger Locator Form (PLF), which must be done before returning to the UK.

“If you’ve done the PLF once, you know what’s involved and it’s a matter of having the information available and ready,” he explained. “Some of this comes down to people being properly briefed by their travel agent or cruise line, so preparation is key.

“People should book the holiday they want and get themselves ready to go. By using a reputable company if you cannot travel or the rules change, you will be looked after.”

10 cruises for 2022 that offer peace of mind

Treasures of the Nile

Egypt is this year’s hot ticket thanks to the February 11 release of the new Death on the Nile film, the centenary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, and the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. After a decade-long downturn, Nile cruises promise to be back in vogue this year, so beat the crowds to Luxor’s Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, where the mummified body of the boy king remains for now before its transfer to the museum.