Unperturbed by all the ways in which the coronavirus has rocked the cruise industry - with passengers stranded for weeks in the early days of the spread and worldwide sailings now cancelled for the foreseeable future - bookings for next year are on the up.

In the past month and a half, there has been a 40 per cent increase in reservations made for 2021, compared with 2019, according to CruiseCompete.com.

NSW Police Rescue officers look on as the virus-hit Ruby Princess docks at Port Kembla on April 6. AAP

Only 11 per cent of these bookings were made by those who had their cruise cancelled this year, indicating a surge in new interest, reports The Los Angeles Times.

Furthermore, Adam Coulter, UK managing editor of Cruise Critic, said: "We're seeing many cruisers eager to return to cruising once travel restrictions get back to normal.

"According to a recent member poll posted on Cruise Critic's forums, answered by more than 4400 travellers, 75 per cent of respondents would cruise 'as much as' or 'even more' once they're able again. It's a testament to the popularity among cruisers, and highlights just how keen many are to get back onboard."