Celebrity Cruises’ UK boss says the recent easing of restrictions has boosted consumer demand for European and Caribbean sailings as passengers become “more confident” about travelling.

Jo Rzymowska, vice president and managing director EMEA, reported how the line had seen late bookings for winter sailings in the Caribbean where several Celebrity ships – including Celebrity Edge – are currently operating.

She explained that the day two Covid test for those returning to the UK – which the government has said it will scrap for fully vaccinated travellers from February 11 – had caused passengers “some concern”. The government also ditched pre-departure tests last month.

Rzymowska said: “Now we’re seeing restrictions lifted, we’re definitely seeing a difference in demand overall for the summer for Q3 onwards. We’re seeing good demand.

“We’re definitely seeing demand closer to home – we’ve got six ships sailing around Europe.

“We’re seeing late demand for the Caribbean, in particular, as people become more confident in travelling long-haul as well.”

Asked when cruise would return to normal and all protocols would be removed, Rzymowska said the industry was constantly learning about how to operate in the pandemic.

“The good news is that the Omicron variant has definitely shown that it’s less aggressive,” she said. “We need to continue to be vigilant and sensible and make sure that we keep our guests and crew safe.”

Rzymowska echoed recent calls from the sector’s leaders to simplify Covid travel rules, adding: “It just makes sense. The more we can make things easier and uniformed – the better for all of us.

“We’re working with the UK government, and governments around Europe, to make sure that the cruise industry is not treated differently [from other sectors].”

She pointed to the cruise sector’s strict vaccination rules for both stafff and passengers. Celebrity insists all crew and passengers must be fully vaccinated to be eligible to  sail with the line.

“We’re showing how cruise holidays do offer one of the safest holiday options for consumers,” said Rzymowska.

But she believes cruises present a different challenge to health authorities, compared with other holiday types. “It’s more complex when you’re on a holiday sailing from country to country,” she said. “You need to understand the protocols of the country you’re going to.”

And Rzymowska said travel agents who stay “one step ahead of the game” add value to their bookings when they help customers understand existing Covid protocols both domestically and abroad.

Celebrity Millennium became the first vessel in the fleet to return last summer and now eleven of the line’s 14 ship-fleet have returned.

Celebrity Silhouette (pictured) will be the next ship to resume sailings, in mid-April, before Celebrity Beyond – the line’s 15th vessel – debuts from the UK later that month.

Rzymowska said the line was looking forward to operating ships again in Australia and Asia next winter.