Cruise trade body Clia has postponed its Cruise Forum and Winter Ball, which had been scheduled for December 16.
Andy Harmer, Clia UK and Ireland managing director, said: “We made this decision following feedback from our travel agent partners.
“We are sorry that the cruise industry will not be able to mark the end of the year together, but hope that everyone can understand our decision.
“We will look to host the Forum and Winter Ball again next year, with details to be announced in due course.”
He added: “We will continue to work alongside the government and other relevant authorities in 2022 to allow the ongoing safe and responsible return of cruise; and we will continue to offer resources, learning and support to our travel agent partners.
“On behalf of the Clia Executive Committee we extend our thanks and appreciation to the whole travel community for their incredible hard work and support of the cruise industry in 2021 and we look forward to coming together again in person in 2022.
“In the meantime, we would like to wish everyone in the industry a very happy Christmas and a happy new year.”
The postponement comes after the government has urged people to work from home from next week where possible amid rising concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Many travel agents and tour operators have vowed to carry on working from shops and offices, however.
More: ‘Fed-up’ agents plan to keep shops and offices open
Travel bosses vow to defy Plan B working from home advice