Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Royal Caribbean's UK restart cruise includes key workers

CRUISE_Anthem_UK_key_workers.jpg
Among the key workers treated to a free cruise on Anthem of the Seas are Sheree and Lee Barnes with children Toby and Logan. Sheree works for the South East ambulance service and Lee is a paramedic
Royal Caribbean International's first UK cruise in more than a year sailed today from Southampton with key workers among the travelers.

Anthem of the Seas will be carrying a total of 999 workers from emergency services, NHS, the social care sector and armed forces on multiple sailings this summer. They're traveling free of charge, courtesy of the line.

'We are delighted to once again sail from the UK, and it’s an honor to host some of the country’s many key workers on board our first sailings. It’s thanks to these individuals, who have worked so hard to see our country through this tough time, that this moment is finally here,' said Ben Bouldin, VP EMEA, Royal Caribbean.

Cruises to nowhere and to UK ports

Anthem will be offering four-night cruises to nowhere and five- to eight-night British Isles cruises along the UK coastline, from Liverpool, England, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Kirkwall, Scotland

These sailings are open to UK residents only. Those 18 and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and those under 18 are required to have negative test results. Crew are fully vaccinated.

Anthem back after six years afield

Anthem’s return to UK shores comes after six years in the US and Caribbean. This second Quantum-class ship was named in Southampton in April 2015

It is one of two Royal Caribbean vessels to resume sailing in Europe this week, along with Jewel of the Seas from Limassol, Cyprus.