Cruise major Royal Caribbean Group is putting its best face on disruption from the Covid-19 Omicron variant, saying the virus is producing milder symptoms and causing fewer cancelled bookings than the earlier Delta version.

The Miami company said the Omicron spike has so far resulted in only 16 destination calls out of 331 to be modified or cancelled. It added that bookings in the year's second half "continue to be booked within historical ranges, at higher prices with and without future cruise credits, with strong demand from the critical US market".