The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces resulted in a raft of changes across the cruise industry as itineraries were altered to remove stops in the likes of St Petersburg, Sochi and Odessa.

Since the invasion began last month, cruise lines have been working to support staff from the affected areas whilst a number have elected to make use of their ships to help people fleeing the conflict.

One such line is Holland America, which has delayed the return to service of the Volendam in order to provide aid alongside the city of Rotterdam.

The ship had been due to start sailing in mid-May but will now not set sail again until early July, leading to the cancellation of three planned voyages around Northern Europe and the British Isles.

Instead, the ship has remained in Rotterdam where it is now being used as a temporary home for around 1,500 people who have fled Ukraine - with those people onboard being provided with three meals a day as well as access to the various facilities onboard.

“We are in a unique position to accommodate the immediate need for food and housing, so we felt it was very important to work with the City of Rotterdam and charter this ship,” Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, said.

“Our company was founded in Rotterdam around the mission of helping immigrants find a better life. So today we’re proud to be a small part of a similar mission for Ukrainians who have tragically been displaced.

“We are very sorry for the inconvenience this will cause to guests booked on the three canceled cruises, but we hope they understand the unprecedented nature of this situation and why we felt it was important to work with the government on this initiative in support of these families in need.”

As well as offering the Volendam for use by refugees, Holland America Line is also raising money through the 'On Deck for a Cause' programme; the charitable initiative it launched back in 2013.

Guests on the Holland America fleet will be invited to take in a noncompetitive 5k fundraising walk, with any money raised going to Direct Relief - which has been medical aid to people in Ukraine.

Both Costa Cruises and AmaWaterways have also made ships available to house refugees.