We are excited that our Hull to Rotterdam Mini Cruises are setting sail again from the 1st August following coronavirus lockdown restrictions being lifted. As always, when you sail on a P&O Ferries Mini Cruise, you can expect entertainment, great dining options, and a clean, comfortable cabin, so you can be sure that your post-coronavirus lockdown trip to the Netherlands will be one to remember.
Mini Cruise entertainment options
With our Mini Cruises, your time on board is part of your holiday, which is why we offer a range of entertainment options for you to enjoy during your crossing. Listen to some live music performed by our talented guitar soloist as you enjoy your favourite drink in the Show Lounge, or head to the cinema where you can see one of a number of new releases. All entertainment venues have been prepared for social distancing, so you can feel comfortable whatever you choose to do.
Our onboard World Duty Free shop is also bound to keep you occupied during your crossing, and you can spend time picking out gifts (or treats for yourself) from a range of fragrances, make-up products, sunglasses, toys, and confectionery. Only a limited number of people are allowed in the shop at one time, so you can browse at a safe distance from others. Screens have been put up at the tills for peace of mind, and we ask for passengers to use contactless payment where possible.
Dining on a Mini Cruise
Following the coronavirus lockdown, we are still offering two great restaurant options, but The Kitchen will be operating in a different way. Previously, The Kitchen was run as a buffet option, but to ensure the safety of our crew and passengers this has been changed so that you’ll be served your food instead. We’ll still be offering a wonderfully varied selection of cuisines to choose from, including our famous curries, delicious carveries, and a choice of desserts and cheeses, and these will be packaged up or covered so that you can enjoy your chosen meal at a table or in your own cabin.
For a la carte dining, as always, you can head to The Brasserie. Offering a full restaurant experience with uninterrupted sea views, The Brasserie will continue to offer a whole range of options for both breakfast and dinner, with your meal being served to you at your table. This summer, we are pleased to introduce some fantastic new buddha bowls to our Brasserie menu, which include a massaman duck and a honey glazed salmon option. The Brasserie also offers vegetarian and vegan options, including our popular vegan Cambodian curry.
Social distancing on Mini Cruises
Our ships offer plenty of room to move around, and their spacious outdoor decks mean that you can enjoy fresh air and sea views whenever you like. This makes a Mini Cruise ideal for practising social distancing, as you can confidently move around the ship whilst staying the advised 1m+ away from others. Due to having your own cabin during one of our Mini Cruises, you always have this personal space to go to if you’d like time away from the rest of the passengers, and all cabins will be thoroughly cleaned using European regulation approved products to ensure optimum hygiene levels.
Coronavirus safety precautions on our Mini Cruises
Keeping our crew members and passengers safe is our number one priority, and you will notice a number of safety precautions in place when you travel on your Mini Cruise. Our air ventilation system has been set to maximise external circulation which means that there will be fresh air circulating the ship, and everyone on board is required to wear a face mask in line with government regulations. You will not need to wear a mask when you’re eating or drinking, or when you’re in your own cabin, and children under the age of 11 are not required to wear a face covering.
You will find hand sanitising stations in all public areas, including at the entrances and exits of all bars and restaurants, and are encouraged to use these where necessary. There is signage in place to remind you to stick to the 1m+ social distancing rule, and there is a one way system in place around the cabins and in the stairways to avoid congestion. Touch points, such as door handles, bars, and light switches are frequently cleaned using approved cleaning products throughout every crossing, and the restrooms are limited to 2 people at a time – with very regular cleaning taking place. Tables, chairs, and their surrounding surfaces will be thoroughly cleaned after each use, and crockery, glassware and cutlery will be washed at a high temperature, with cutlery being distributed to passengers in sealed pouches.
When it comes to your cabin, you can be confident that this has been sanitised before you occupy it, and all laundry, including bedsheets and towels, are laundered in line with NHS and Public Health guidelines. We want you to feel at home in your cabin and you can be rest assured that all necessary precautions have been taken to ensure that you feel perfectly comfortable.
Now that you know what to expect on a P&O Ferries Mini Cruise post-coronavirus lockdown, book your Hull to Rotterdam crossing and get ready to enjoy a fun-packed trip across the North Sea.
