Leven who is also Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines vice president Europe, Middle East and Africa, was speaking yesterday at the annual Clia UK and Ireland conference.

He told delegates that there were three key areas in which Brexit could impact the cruise sector.

“Number one is freedom of cruise passengers and guests to cross the borders, two is freedom of staff to cross the borders and three is the impact of what will change with the Customs Union, and whether cruise lines will be allowed to carry goods [without paying individual countries’ duties],” he said.

Leven added that ex-chairman of Carnival UK David Dingle “was taking charge on the maritime side as to can we physically operate the ships”.

“On the passenger side and the staff side, I [Leven] am on the Abta committee and we have made sure that we in the cruise industry are represented.

“I think we will get done what we need to get done,” he added but stressed that there would be a period of uncertainty when customers may need encouragement in booking.

“People will be booking holidays in 2019 and there will be uncertainty and we need to reassure them,” he said.

“We need to reassure them that as an industry we are doing the right things to make sure that we are represented in government.”