Very First UK Cruise Lands Passengers At Portland
A momentous day for the UK travel and cruise industry. With the arrival of the first cruise passengers in the country.
Passengers on the MSC Virtuosa will be the first to step ashore. They will spend the day at Portland in Dorset after being at sea for a day and a night.
After 14 months of the Coronavirus lock down cruising at last has restarted. With the ship is running what have been named ‘Seacations’.
These are stay in home water’s cruises and only around the British Isles.
The very first UK passenger cruise ship MSC Virtuosa gets a water salute at Portland.
With travel restrictions around the EU and the world still in a complicated situation these stay at home cruises offer a chance to get aboard a ship and cruise once again.
Several of the cruise lines will be operating similar such cruises. However, MSC are now in the record books as being the first to get away back to sea cruising with passengers.
MSC Virtuosa the very first UK cruise ship after Cove-19 arrives at Portland.
Very First UK Cruise Stops At Key Covid-19 Anchoring Site.
Of all ports that the cruise industry settled on as the very first. It was very much centre stage during the Covid-19 lock down as at one stage 10 cruise ships were laid up at anchor in nearby Weymouth Bay.
Passengers on this trip have been posting on social media the delight of being back on a cruise ship and back at sea.
Many on this first trip have been travel writers and journalists eager to pass onto their readers what it’s like to be on a post Covid cruise.
Many new protocols and processes have been brought into help stop any spread of Coronavirus.
MSC Virtuosa the very first UK cruise ship after Cove-19 arrives at Portland.
The experience is sure to be different than it was 15 months ago.
However, just getting away from land will be enough for many. Even if they have to travel in ‘Bubble groups’.
This is where for off ship excursions the passengers are placed in small groups. They then have to travel and stay together whilst away from the ship.
Chance To Explore Off The Ship
Passengers had the chance to explore a little of the county away from Portland. Some opted for yet more coastal exploration and headed to Weymouth.
Weymouth Esplanade lined with palm trees.
A town with a charming old harbour and long sandy beach lined by regency buildings. Was made popular by George III who brought sea bathing to the UK.
Georgian style bathing machine with behind the Royal Hotel used by George III.
A slightly longer trip took visitors to Minterne House. The home of the Digby family with connections to Nelson and the battle of Trafalgar.
Minterne House, Dorset home of Lord and Lady Digby.
Stopping en route to view the Cerne Giant a huge chalk figure carved into the hillside.
The Cerne Giant, Cerne Abbas.
A statement issued by the MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato said “We are very proud that MSC Virtuosa’s first ever sailing marks the resumption of cruising from British ports after an enforced break of more than a year and effectively heralds the next phase of restart for our industry.
