Health care staff offered free cruise holidays

Royal Caribbean is offering Emergency Services, NHS, Social Care Sector, and armed forces free spaces onboard.

Author: Chelsie KealeyPublished 31st Mar 2021
Last updated 1st Apr 2021

Royal Caribbean International has announced it is giving away 999 free cruise holidays to UK health care staff.

The cruise line company said it is in recognition of the “tremendous” effort workers have made throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Those employed in the Emergency Services, NHS, Social Care Sector, and armed forces will be eligible to apply by pre-registering through the company’s website from April 13.

Those who are successful will be offered a free stateroom on its first Ocean Getaways.

This includes visits to destinations such as Belfast, Liverpool, England, and Kirkwall in Scotland.

All the sailings will be onboard Anthem of the Seas, which offers onboard skydiving simulator, pools, and West End shows

President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, Michael Bayley, said:

“The UK is a place we hold near and dear to our heart at Royal Caribbean. We miss our UK guests and are as eager as they are to get back to cruising from Southampton.

"We are delighted with the UK government’s recent announcements regarding cruising and excited to set sail again with a phenomenal ship and favorite such as Anthem of the Seas.

“After a tough year, we all need a holiday, but no one more so than the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces who will have the long-awaited opportunity to get away and relax with total peace of mind.”

Pre-registrations will be entered into a ballot to be drawn by the end of next month.

The offer will be available to health care staff over the age of 18 and who can show proof of an official Blue Light Card.

Passengers will also need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Those under the age of 18 will still be eligible to sail, but only with a negative Coronavirus test result.

Crew members will also be fully vaccinated.

Details on the health and safety measures to be implemented for the summer cruises in the UK are still to be finalized by the Government.

However, the organization said: “ A comprehensive, multilayered health and safety measures will continue to be led by science and leverage expert guidance from the Healthy Sail Panel, Royal Caribbean Group’s Head of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer, and local government and health authorities.”

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