HAYS Travel has begun taking bookings for round-the-UK cruises for Summer 2021 as the owner confirms thousands have already enquired.

The Sunderland-based travel firm, which has stores right across the UK, is taking bookings for what has recently been coined as "seacations."

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

The Northern Echo previously reported that at least three major cruise line companies were taking bookings for the "seacations," as some Newcastle ports were listed.

SEE MORE: Cruise ship firms are offering tours of the UK for 2021

But Dame Irene Hays, owner of Hays Travel, said it had already been inundated with thousands of enquiries and has launched extra helplines and on-line registration for those who want the most up to date information on what is available.

She 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."

On 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.

P&O's new ship, Iona will make its maiden voyage and its flagship Britannia will be among the fleet around Britain's shores this summer.

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth will be offering twelve new voyages, exclusive to UK guests.

On some cruises, Saga will sail out of British waters to the Norwegian Fjords but will not dock at any international ports.

Fred Olsen has two ships making maiden voyages - Borealis will be island hopping in the Hebrides and Bolette will head for the Channel Islands.