New research suggests that cruise customers remain positive about taking a cruise holiday in 2022.

The findings, which follow changes to government advice around testing and travel due to the Omicron variant, come from Panache Cruises.

The agency recently sent an email to its 15,000-strong customer base asking if they were considering taking a cruise in 2022.

More than 3,000 responses were received, with 70 per cent stating ‘yes’. A total of 22 per cent said ‘maybe’, and only eight per cent ‘no’.

According to Panache, only a “very small percentage of those saying no the variant as a major factor in their decision”.

The vast majority of those who said that they would be cruising in 2022 added that they were waiting until the new year to book.

Panache Cruises founder and MD James Cole said: “There continues to be a massive appetite to cruise, and we can only hope that when the current hysteria over the new variant dies down and more facts are known, bookings will return.

“During the time we have been trading we have developed close relationships with our customers, and they have become highly responsive when we ask for feedback.

“It’s great that we can very quickly gauge customer sentiment, especially in these volatile times.”

Back in September 2021, Panache reported strong booking levels, with Cole stating at the time: “Customers are treating themselves for 2023. People are focusing on safety now and then exploring bucket-list locations for 2022 and 2023.”

A recent CTN Investigates feature found a high degree of optimism in the cruise sector, with lines and agencies reporting strong demand for 2022 and beyond.

For example, Barrhead Travel president Jacqueline Dobson said: “I believe that if confidence continues to grow… 2022 could set a very strong foundation for a faster and more efficient recovery in the years that follow.”