Cruise ship 'car parks' could continue for some time, as families catch boats for a glimpse of loved ones in emotional scenes
The giant cruise ship 'car parks' as some locals have dubbed them are expected to continue off the UK coastline into next year.
Last updated 26th Oct 2020
That's according to Dave Monk, editor of award-winning blog shipmonk.co.uk, who says 'the ships have nowhere else to go at the moment' and believes it'll be sometime before operations can resume.
In Torbay, where there's been a large gathering of cruise ships, day and night-time boat tours are now being offered for locals and visitors to get up close to the giant ships.
The ships are paying a fee to the Tor Bay Harbour Authority, but the council has not revealed the cost - citing commercial confidentiality.
Ashley Lane, from Paignton Pleasure Cruises, said: "Some family members have phoned us up to go and say hello to loved ones who they've not seen for maybe a month or two.
"We're actually getting close enough that they can see them from the balconies and give them a wave, which is emotional at times - especially for the families."
Much like a car, the cruise ships are being moved around the UK coast at times to keep them ticking over.
Mr Monk added: "Since cruising was suspended in the light of the pandemic obviously passengers have not been able to get onboard.
"The cruise lines have not been able to operate, the ports have been closed, countries have closed their borders. There's nowhere for the ships to go.
"At the moment, within Britain, the Foreign Office is advising against travel by ocean cruise ship and in the US there's a 'no sail' ban in place until October 31.
"There are a few (cruises) beginning in France and Germany and Italy for example, but relatively low key compared to the normal operations.
"The cruise lines do seem to be grouping ships together where they can.
"They do move them around, obviously they have to dock occasionally, take on food, relieve crew or whatever.
"At the moment they're moving along the coast. They have to take them for a run sometimes like you would with a car.
"I don't think there's going to be a very quick end to this. The lines such as P&O, Cunard and Saga have extended their suspension of cruising into next year.
"Although some ships, hopefully in America, will start sailing before the end of this year, I think in terms of the UK brands or the UK-based brands that we know they won't be sailing anywhere soon on normal services.
"I think they will be around the coast for some months to come."
When asked what he thinks the onboard skeleton crews would make of the small boat tours to see the ships, Mr Monk joked: "I'm sure they're grateful for the company. It must be nice to have some distraction when you're on board a ship with not much else to see.
"I understand one of the ships, they've developed a giant hand to be able to wave to the visitors as they pass by in these boats."
A Torbay Council spokesperson said: "We are glad Tor Bay can offer the cruise ships safe anchorage which means we can ensure their staff can be supported if any health or safety issues occur.
"We can confirm that we are receiving fees from them but due to commercial confidentiality we cannot disclose the amount."
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