Royal Caribbean International will operate Anthem of the Seas on the UK domestic cruise market this summer, making it the latest vessel to join the rapidly expending range of ships catering for this market.

The ship will operate a series of cruises of five to eight nights from Southampton, including calls at sports such as Belfast, Liverpool and Kirkwall. The first cruise will sail on 15 July.

Royal Caribbean International said in a statement that it would make 999 cabins available free to key workers in health and social care plus the armed forces in recognition of their efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. The number to dial emergency services in the UK is 999.

The cruises would be available only to fully vaccinated UK residents and the crew would be fully vaccinated as well, the company said.

Royal Caribbean International is bringing Anthem of the Seas back to the UK this summer to run domestic cruises.

The line is making 999 cabins available free to NHS, social care sector and armed forces workers in recognition of efforts of the emergency services in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.