Cruise ship passengers who meet vaccination criteria will be able to disembark in Douglas over the summer.

There had been a question mark over whether the Isle of Man would be a destination for the 2021 cruise season.

A government spokesperson said: ’We have a number of vessels visiting us over the summer. Ability for passengers to come ashore will be in line with the prevailing pathways.’

Passengers who want to step foot on shore must follow the same rules as visitors arriving by ferry or plane.

They should have had both doses of vaccination, two weeks before arrival, and not been outside the common travel area in the 10 days before arrival.

The ships will have their own stipulations depending on transmission rates in the destinations they visit.

Visitors have flocked to the island since entry rules were changed on June 28.

There were over 15,000 arrivals in the three week period between June 28 and July 19, with numbers increasing week on week.

Meanwhile, there’s increased activity from locals wanting to go on holiday but bookings are still down 80% on pre-Covid levels, according to the Online Regional Travel Group, which includes local operators Mann Link Travel and Richmond Travel.

Managing director Brian Kelly said: ’Certainly, there’s more activity compared to this time last year. Bookings are being made for late summer and we have a lot of activity for next year, as well as an influx of people coming into the Isle of Man in 2022.

’Cruising is probably the most popular booking at the moment. We’ve got people coming in every day to book cruises for next year and 2023.

’The Covid rules from our government are based on coming home and rules of entry of a destination you might choose are going to be different. It can be confusing. But we are in recovery. People are starting to travel again.’