Costa Crociere has given all customers with bookings on its ships the chance to cancel if they feel apprehensive about taking a cruise.

The company said its decision was motivated by Costa Crociere’s sense of ethics, fairness and responsibility.

Notice of cancellation must, however, be given by February 7.

All travel agents who take bookings for the company were informed of this decision a few days ago.

Sources in the industry say the impact on cruise bookings may not be as negative as feared following the tragedy of the Costa Concordia. Pricing in general is up – even for Costa Crociere.

However, the line has been forced to amend its itineraries to the Western Mediterranean.

From April 13 through to May 25, Costa neoRomantica will make seven-night cruises that include Malta in its regular stops.

The ship will then change for the rest of the season to an itinerary of eight-night cruises from Amsterdam to the European capitals from June 1 through to August 28.

The cruise line’s 102,587-tonne Costa Magica will use Grand Harbour as one of its home ports between May and November, docking weekly and offering cruises out of Valletta.

It will make a total of 24 calls and carry more than 100,000 passengers throughout this period. The Magica will then be moved to the Sunshine Cities itinerary which includes Catania, Naples, Savona, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca.