Panache Cruises is now offering eligible employees 26 weeks’ maternity pay at full basic salary, and then a further 13 weeks of statutory maternity pay.

Those eligible for paternity leave, meanwhile, will be offered six weeks’ paternity pay at full basic salary, which can be taken in weekly blocks during the first 12 months following the birth.

The new policies are also available to those who adopt.

Partnerships director Anna Perrott, who has been leading a review of the brand’s maternity and paternity offering, said: “We are constantly reviewing our pay and remuneration package to make sure we are offering the best in the industry.

"These new maternity and paternity packages are, from what we can see, the best you can get across the travel industry and have been welcomed by the team at Panache Cruises," said Perrott.

"We are confident our new approach to maternity and paternity leave will also be attractive to new joiners. We want to support working parents and having financial support can be a huge relief to new parents."

Perrott added: “Our people are our most important asset and what drives our success, so ensuring that they feel valued and well rewarded is central to our growth strategy."