Steam Packet vessel Ben-my-Chree leaves Douglas in heavy weather

The races this year were called off because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The company also says demand for new deposit bookings for TT 2021 was high when reservations opened.

Additional staff were drafted in to help handle calls to the call centre and the website was also busy with 2,374 bookings processed throughout the first day.

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward said:

’It is pleasing to see that, despite the initial disappointment many felt when this year’s event had to be cancelled, the enduring popularity and demand to travel to the TT remains high.

’Once the Isle of Man Government made the decision on the grounds of health and wellbeing, we contacted passengers who were due to travel with us this year and worked promptly to confirm provisional sailing schedules for TT 2021 to make the transfer process as seamless as possible.

’We are delighted so many passengers opted to transfer their bookings but also to see such great demand for TT 2021 with a number of new deposit bookings processed both online and over the telephone this week. The website and reservations team coped with the high number of enquiries well and assisted thousands of TT fans in securing their travel.

’I would like to thank our hard-working staff for their fantastic efforts this week and we look forward to welcoming back TT travellers and motorcycling enthusiasts to our island in safer times next year.’

Confirmation of sailings and fares will be sent out towards the end of 2020, with final balance payments due by the end of February 2021.