First coach party in five months as passengers return to enjoy cruise on Windermere

Windermere Lake Cruises has welcomed its first coach party in five months as lockdown restrictions relax in line with latest Government guidelines.

The return of coach parties and group travel is seen as vital to help the tourism industry and local businesses in the area which have been hard hit by the economic impact of lockdown.

Windermere Lake Cruises’ Sales & Marketing Director Jennifer Cormack says: “Today has been a very special day and we are delighted this moment has finally arrived. Our last coach party was in December so it’s wonderful to see visitors returning after all this time.”

As the country’s third lockdown eases, Windermere Lake Cruises is again working closely with coach and tour operators, group travel organisers and travel trade professionals to ensure they are safe in the knowledge that the attraction is once again very much open for business, with all safety measures in-place.

The first coach to arrive in Bowness since lockdown was operated by Roy McCarthy Coaches. Max McCarthy, the company Director, says: “It’s wonderful after all these months to finally be able to bring passengers back to this lovely part of the country and to see them enjoying themselves in the Lake District once again. It’s a really special day.”

Further coach parties arrive including one operated by Ellen Smith (Tours) Ltd. Pam Wharton, from the company, says: ‘We are delighted to be travelling again, our passengers have been chomping at the bit to get started!

“Our Lakes Rail & Sail is one of our most popular Day Excursions and today we are fully booked, socially distanced of course! We are certainly looking forward to many more visits this year and beyond.”

In-line with government advice, procedures at Windermere Lake Cruises remain in place to make sure all coaches are pre-booked, with coach parking available exclusively to parties which have booked a cruise. Covid-secure measures also mean all passengers must be pre-booked onto their preferred sailing due to onboard seat allocation plans to ensure social-distancing is adhered-to for those not part of the same household or support bubble.

Jennifer Cormack says, “After the end of the first lockdown measures in 2020, we quickly adapted to ensure we were well-placed to be able to safety open as soon as legislation allowed. Now, as the third lockdown comes to an end, we are again fully resourced and able to build on our strong track record of being ready to operate in whatever Covid19 secure ways are required. Upon re-opening last summer, we operated safely and welcomed many groups throughout the season, as well as into the autumn and the beginning of the winter. This will continue to be the case.

“Our goal is simply to make sure that all our passengers can enjoy a cruise on Windermere following the easing of England’s third lockdown, whilst following government guidelines for the safety of our visitors and staff.”

Windermere Lake Cruises is also continuing to work in close collaboration with several local businesses including its sister-attraction, the Lakeland Motor Museum. The ‘Transport Trio’ package includes entry to the museum, a cruise on Windermere and a journey on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway.

Jennifer Cormack continues, “We’re delighted to be working with other great businesses in the area, but it is important to note that each element of a combined itinerary must be pre-booked and adhere to the Covid secure procedures in place at each attraction.

“We’re really excited to be in a position to welcome our valued group travel and coach parties back, and by working with other award-winning family attractions dotted around the lake, we can make sure a visit to The Lake District, Cumbria in 2021, will be a memorable one for everyone.”

Windermere Lake Cruises is a 3x finalist at the British Coach Tourism Awards for its work to accommodate coach parties and their drivers, winning top honours twice in recent years. The Lakeland Motor Museum also boasts an extensive, free car park with more than enough room for multiple coach parties with a shuttle-bus service which transports visitors between the museum and Windermere lake, at Lakeside.

Further details and full information on our Covid secure operating procedures can be found here and for further questions please do not hesitate to contact Windermere Lake Cruises’ friendly team on 015394 43360.