Royal Caribbean is gearing up for a "UK homecoming" this summer, with Anthem of the Seas set to sail a series of UK domestic voyages from Southampton starting early July.
Anthem will be based in Southampton and will sail a range of four-night ocean getaways and five- to eight-night British Isles cruise, featuring calls in Liverpool, Kirkwall and Belfast.
The line will reserve 999 free staterooms on its initial ocean getaways for NHS and social care staff, as well as emergency services and armed forces personnel with an official Blue Light Card.
Royal’s new summer itineraries will open for bookings on 7 April.
They will sail with fully vaccinated crew, and will be available to UK residents aged 18 and over who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Guests under the age of 18 will be required to test negative for Covid-19 prior to embarkation.
Pre-registration for guests eligible for one of the 999 free staterooms opens on 13 April; places will be balloted by the end of April.
Michael Bayley, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean International, said the UK was a place held dear to everyone at the line’s hearts.
"We miss our UK guests and are as eager as they are to get back to cruising from Southampton," said Bayley.
"We are delighted with the UK government’s recent announcements regarding cruising and excited to set sail again with a phenomenal ship and favourite such as Anthem of the Seas.
"After a tough year, we all need a holiday, but no one more so than the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces, who will have the long-awaited opportunity to get away and relax with total peace of mind."
Royal has said details of the health and safety measures and protocols under which cruises will operate will be announced at a later date, and has stressed these "may evolve as they are evaluated on an ongoing basis".