Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cruises: Covid-19 Travel Advice

Thursday 29 April 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department for Transport engages regularly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the cruise industry on the global travel taskforce and cruise restart.
  • Travel advice for countries is the responsibility of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
  • A framework drawn up by the cruise industry informs health protocols on board ships, recognised as good practice by the UN's International Maritime Organisation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North
Transport Foreign Affairs
Context

The cruise industry is a significant economic contributor, particularly in areas like Southampton. The MP seeks to understand the discussions on amending travel advice for cruises.

Question

What recent discussions has the government had with (a) the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and (b) representatives of the cruise industry on amending the COVID-19 travel advice on cruises?

Answer from Robert Courts

The Department for Transport engages regularly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the devolved Administrations and the cruise industry on the global travel taskforce and cruise restart. Travel advice is the responsibility of the FCDO.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions and details about amending the current travel advice for cruises were not provided.

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Q2 Ronnie Cowan SNP
NHS
Context

The cruise industry significantly contributes to local economies. The MP inquires about the travel regime for countries with emerging variants of concern.

Question

With health considerations, how does the travel regime operate under the traffic light system with countries that have emerging variants of concern or prevalent spread, and what measures will be taken to prevent transmission?

Answer from Robert Courts

My Department continues to work closely with the FCDO and with the Department of Health and Social Care. A framework drawn up by the cruise industry informs health protocols on board ships, recognised as good practice by the UN's International Maritime Organisation. We will see a safe restart of international cruises in accordance with those protocols.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about how the travel regime operates under the traffic light system were not provided.

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Q3 Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North
Transport
Context

The cruise industry is a major employer in areas like Southampton. The MP questions the alignment between travel advice for cruises and aviation.

Question

Given that British travellers are advised against cruising despite easing restrictions on flying, can the Minister work with colleagues to align international travel advice for cruises with that for aviation?

Answer from Robert Courts

A home port call generates approximately £2.95 million, highlighting the importance of cruises for employment in Southampton and other ports. The restart of domestic cruises has been confirmed, and international cruises will restart alongside wider travel. I am committed to working with colleagues at the FCDO and across Government to see a safe restart of international cruises as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or timelines for aligning cruise advice with aviation were not provided.

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