It would take up to three months to restart cruise operations in the UK and the industry would need a signal this month to res7ume operations by Easter, media reports said.

“The UK Chamber of Shipping and CLIA said the restart of cruises would take up to three months, meaning that a signal was needed in January to allow the industry to get ready,” Travel Weekly said in a report.

Ministers were told that 35% of advance bookings were usually made during December and January, underlining the need for a clear statement in favour of reopening the industry, The Times reported.

Government and industry officials are due to meet in the coming weeks to discuss a possible reopening.

In the autumn, Frank del Rio, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said it would take about 60 days to bring a ship back into service from cold lay up.

Photo: P&O Cruises took delivery of Iona in the autumn, but the ship has not been able to enter service yet