Launched in early March as the coronavirus crisis first took hold, the programme means guests can cancel their cruise for any reason up to 48 hours prior to sailing and receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit for the amount paid.

The FCC can then be redeemed up to two years from the date of issue, with the ultra-luxury cruise line saying the new extension in the policy was designed to give travellers peace of mind on making future cruise bookings.

In what the line called a “demonstration of ongoing support to travel advisors”, commission will also continue to be protected, when guests opt for the FCC.

Where clients have paid in full, a travel advisor’s commission is protected for both the cancelled booking and the future reservation on which the correlating credit is applied.

“Extending Cruise with Confidence continues to demonstrate our commitment to our travel advisor partners, as we continue to protect their commission in the event of cancellations,” said Peter Shanks, Silversea’s managing director for UK, Ireland, Middle East & Africa.

He added that for 2021, ‘closer to home’ sailings were proving popular, with the Mediterranean and Northern Europe proving most popular with European and British guests. Further afield destinations, including the Galapagos and Antarctica, are also expected to rebound strongly as guests search for nature, wildlife and open spaces, Shanks said.

“There are definite green shoots ahead as our regular cruisers yearn to get back to sea,” he added. “Recent booking trends indicate travellers have growing confidence in departures for summer 2021 and winter 2021/2022. The extension of Cruise with Confidence provides them with greater confidence.”

Silversea’s Double Bonus offer has also been extended, meaning agents can offer a reduced deposit requirement of £750 per suite for any new booking made before the new expiration date of 31 August, 2020.

Guests who redeem this offer then also receive $1,000 Onboard Spending Credit per suite. The Double Bonus offer applies to all Silversea voyages with the exception of full World Cruises and Grand Voyages.