UK coastline summer cruises big hit with Wirral families

With holidays abroad consistently thrown into doubt this year, thanks to the pandemic, the Globe has followed two families from different ends of Bromborough, who still found a way to get off British land without ever leaving UK territory.

Both families had trips abroad booked for this year and last, but like many others, had to cancel all their plans due to Coronavirus.

Instead, the Martin family booked onto the Disney Magic cruise ship, which departed from Liverpool on July 27 and returned on July 30 and the Wilson family sailed on the MSC Virtuosa cruise liner from Southampton on July 31, eventually docking in Liverpool this morning (August 3).

Danny Martin, who travelled with his wife Lynne and son Joe, told the Globe: "We had a different cruise holiday and some trips abroad cancelled thanks to the pandemic so when we saw this 'staycation' advertised on our doorstep we were immediately interested.

One of pools on the Disney cruise

"We were concerned that there could be too many restrictions that would hamper enjoyment but it turned out that was not the case!

"All adults had to be double vaccinated, test negative on the day, paid PCR test for children, masks at all times other than eating and drinking indoors and restricted character experiences and shows.

"It was all handled wonderfully though."

The Martin family are huge Disney fans and have visited the theme parks many times but they weren't left disappointed by their cruise along the UK coast.

Danny said: "The food was incredible. Literally as much as you wanted 24 hours a day.

"Formal or buffet style breakfast and lunch with modifications made such as not helping yourselves to the food but instead having whatever you fancied plated up for you."

Danny Martin ready to tuck into another amazing meal on board the Disney cruise ship

Formal dinners were on offer each evening in different, beautifully restaurants, themed on a variety of Disney films.

Danny said: "You were followed each night by your allocated service duo, who literally could not do enough for you.

"If you still had room after your perfectly cooked fillet steak then ordering the lighter option of lobster salad was not a problem.

"If you wanted two of the starters and three of the desserts from the menu, just ask!"

Various pizza, burger kebab and ice cream stations remained open late into the night around three pools on deck, along with all inclusive soft and hot drinks.

Joe meets his favourites, Chip n Dale on board

Danny and Lynne have taken their son Joe to Disney land since he was very small and were concerned by how character experiences would play it with Covid still an obstacle.

On the ship, characters would appear on balconies or stages and wave and pose in order for people to get selfies.

Danny added: "If you were lucky, you could find them wandering around the ship though I get some slightly better photos. It was the best that could be done under the circumstances!"

The Martins enjoy one of the on board shows

When it came to on board activities, there was a lot to do for a three night cruise.

Swimming pools, water slides, hot tubs, outdoor movies, indoor cinemas, two theatres, rum tasting and SPA experiences were all part of the deal.

The Martins got to see a show called 'Disney Dreams - An enchanted classic', which has won an award for the best show ever on any cruise ship.

Danny said that after watching it, they understood why.

Three generations of the Wilson family on board the Virtuosa cruise liner

Meanwhile, Michael Wilson, who had been given no option but to cancel summer holidays to Turkey two years on the run, hired a people carrier and drove his wife Helen, their two daughters Robyn and Brooke and his parents to Southampton to join the MSC Virtuosa ship for a three night cruise back up the coast to Liverpool, finally returning today.

The cruise had actually started in Liverpool on a seven day round trip, stopping off at Greenock, Belfast, Southampton and Portland before returning to the River Mersey.

The MSC Virtuosa cruise ship arrived in the River Mersey on Tuesday morning. Photo: Andrew Eaton

Michael told the Globe: "It's an all inclusive cruise with plenty of entertainment on board for the kids, with both indoor and outdoor pools and water slides."

Proof of two vaccines was required to travel for adults and kids must have evidence of a negative lateral flow test 72 hours before departure.

Everyone was tested before boarding the ship - a process that took about an hour from start to finish.

Michael said: "It was very well organised, with hand sanitising stations all over the ship and temperature checks on entering the restaurants."

The inviting indoor pool on the Virtuosa cruise ship

The Virtuosa boasts a full size gym

There's even an indoor five-a-side football pitch on the Virtuosa

To say the array of facilities onboard the 160,000 tonne ship is vast would be putting it mildly, with 10 restaurants, 21 bars and lounges, a casino, a full size gym and even an indoor five-a-side football pitch.

When it came to the bars, Michael quipped: "Me and my dad have only found 20 of them!"

The Virtuosa pool area illuminated at night

On Sunday, the Wilsons enjoyed good weather off the Dorset to coast before their vessel slowly made its way north, finally arriving in Liverpool this morning, affording incredible elevated views from the middle of the Mersey that you are unlikely to experience any other way.

Danny Martin also praised their captain on the Disney Cruise for finding good weather - the one thing you're not guaranteed in Great Britain.

He said: "We had seen a path that the ship would follow, heading up towards Ireland then back down towards Wales, knowing that we would not be stopping or getting off.

Early-riser Michael Wilson gets a stroll in around the top deck before anyone else

"In reality, the captain did a fantastic job of following the sunshine, meaning sunbathing around the pool was something we managed to fit in each day.

"The only rain we encountered was getting on and off in Liverpool!"

Both families admitted that they had only considered cruises around Britain due to the ongoing fall-out of the global health pandemic, but they were all the better for their experiences.

The view from Michael Wilson's cabin balcony, arriving in Liverpool this morning

Danny said: "I can't emphasise enough how great it was," while Michael added: "You may never get another chance to do a cruise around the UK on ship of this size. If you can, get it booked!"