Cruise fans are still eager to hit the high seas after deadly Covid-19 spread like wildfire on passengerships and shut down the sector for most of 2020, according to an industry outlook.

Almost 370 ships have been tied up since March amid numerous outbreaks, including 135 passengers catching the virus while on 2,670-berth Diamond Princess (built 2004) in February.

A vast majority of cruisers plan to sail again in the next few years despite strict US protocols such as onboard virus testing, according to a Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) study.