The Scottish government said that domestic cruises can only restart when restrictions in all of Scotland reach level one.
Specifically, Scotland insisted the decision was based on the risks “between both cruises and the wider travel context”.
However, the decision caught the passengers of MSC Virtuosa off guard, as they were told they will not be allowed to disembark in Scotland.
The shipd had left Liverpool earlier this week for a seven-night cruise, carrying 900 passengers. c
The Scottish Passenger Agents Association (SPAA) said the situation meant Scots on board the vessel were effectively “barred from setting foot in their own country”.
The association also added tha it understood 75% of passengers on board were fully vaccinated, and had recently tested negative.
In fact, the organisation’s president, Joanne Dooey, told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme she believed the decision was “ludicrous” when people can travel into Scotland by train or car without obstacles.
Releasing a statement on the decision, the Scottish government said it fully understood “the impact of the current restrictions on domestic cruises”.
We explained our concerns about the transmission risks posed by cruise vessels in an update to industry on the 24 May and confirmed that we would clarify the position in June. Following extensive engagement with stakeholders, we have now confirmed that domestic cruises can restart when all of Scotland reaches level one and we have made industry, including the operator, aware of this