Swansea-based Marella Cruises has become the first cruise operator to permanently retire one of its cruiseships as a direct result of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

The company, a subsidiary of the TUI UK travel conglomerate, confirmed on Thursday that its 33,900-gt cruiseship Marella Celebration (built 1984) was to leave the Marella fleet with immediate effect.

It cited the need to adjust capacity against expected demand once it is able to resume cruise operations.