As most Britons are today finallyfree to take their much-longed-for summer holidays without facing a 14-day quarantine upon their return, thecruise industry remains paralysed.

The UK Government has updated its guidance for cruise ships, advising all British people to avoid travelling on them. Minister Caroline Dinenage indicated this would stay in place "probably until October", and a government rep told The Telegraph today it was to avoid the risk of repatriations.

"In a week when weve quite rightly seen financial help for the struggling hospitality sector, the cruise industry, worth 10 billion a year to the UK economy and responsible for almost 90,000 jobs when you factor in cruise line employees, travel agencies, port staff, catering companies and more, gets a sharp boot in the teeth," argues Telegraph Travel's cruise expert Jane Archer, dismissing the stance as a "lunatic" ban.

Meanwhile,mandatory self-isolation hasbeen dropped for arrivals into England, Wales and Northern Ireland from a list of 75countries, including Spain, France andItaly. Scotland similarly eased restrictions but has notably left Spain off its quarantine exemption list, to the ire of many, thanks to its "significantly higher prevalence" Covid-19 infections.

These policies are subject to change, the Government has warned.Already, Serbia has been removed from England's list of quarantine-free countries on the very day the policy came into force.

Still, for many holidaymakers, this day marks a major step towards freedom in the new normal. Early flights todayincluded Malaga from Stansted, Palma from Gatwick and Barcelona from Heathrow.

What will this new normal look like? Muzzled. Yesterday, thechief executive of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), saidface masks should be mandatory for all forms of travel and in any indoor spaces from hotels and restaurants to cruise ships and bars.

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Travel updates: Backlash against 'lunatic' cruise ban as other holiday restrictions ease - The Telegraph