Speaking during the 2022 Clia Conference onboard MSC Virtuosa on Friday (20 May), Bouldin praised agents – and the wider industry – for their resilience during the pandemic.

"We are back, and that is old news – now it is all about looking forward," he told delegates. "There is a level of product diversity across the industry and between cruise lines, which is one of our greatest assets.

"This is an opportunity for us to attract new customers. We have new ships coming, and soon the industry will be back to full capacity."

Bouldin claimed consumers have a "greater degree of respect" for how safe it is to travel on cruise ships, following increased safety protocols implemented during the pandemic. 

"We have proved to ourselves, and governments around the world, that we can get through these situations," he added. "But we still face challenges, we have airlines unclear on their schedules and customers uncertain about flying. It is a clear issue we are going to have to face.

"To get back to this place where we are now is no mean feat. Right now the industry is strong." 

Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line holdings chief executive Frank del Rio said he hoped to start announcing plans for new ships by the end of next year.

He acknowledged the pandemic had led to an understandable “slowdown in thinking ahead”, but added: “I hope to start making decisions at the end of this year or early next.

"I’m in no rush to start ordering new ships,” he continued. "But at some point we’ve got to think about 2029, because from the moment you start thinking about a new vessel to the time when you cut the ribbon on that ship is about five years.

"So right now I’m OK, but by the end of next year I reckon I’ll be ready."