Hays Travel, which has many different offices located across Cumbria, has already started taking bookings for 'seacations'.

The travel company has seen an influx of bookings for the world's top cruise operators.

Following uncertainty over when international holidays will be allowed, cruise ship companies are now offering UK cruises for the Summer holiday period.

But following an easing of restrictions, ships are getting ready to set sail from destinations across Britain from May 2021.

Hays Travel has offices in Carlisle, Workington, Whitehaven, Ulverston, Kendal and Barrow.

Dame Irene Hays, owner of Hays Travel, said: "We have had thousands of enquiries already.

"Our customers are desperate to have a holiday and to be able to have a staycation in the UK combined with the luxury of a cruise is a real addition to the UK holiday offer.

"We are working with some of the best operators and cruise ships in the world, so there’ll be first class service, hospitality and entertainment on board, as well as shore excursions.

"At the same time there is peace of mind – the government is only allowing this within the highest standards of health and safety."

In most cruises, everyone on board will have been vaccinated and tested before boarding and physical distancing means ships will not be filled to capacity so won't be overcrowded.

As the UK holiday market reaches its full capacity, with inflated prices due to the huge demand, taking a cruise is a viable option.

Ranging from three to 14 nights, there will be a huge variety of cruises setting sail from ports all over the UK including London, Southampton, Liverpool, Glasgow, Portsmouth, Edinburgh, Hull and Dover.

Among the operators that have already confirmed cruise schedules are P & O, Princess, Cunard, Saga, Riviera Travel, Hurtigruten, MSC, Viking and Tradewind Voyages.

Not all details are available yet, so customers can contact their local branch, register for updates with Hays Travel online at https://www.haystravel.co.uk/staycation-pre-registration, call the cruise helpline on 0800 408 4229 or visit www.HaysTravel.co.uk