Royal Caribbean International's Legend of Seas was due to call at Mumbai on November 30 but instead stayed on in Dubai because of the attacks, which have left at least 174 dead in the Indian city.

The company is also considering alternatives for its sister ship Azamara Quest, which is due to call at Mumbai on December 7 and 8 and Cochin on December 10. Passengers who have purchased shore excursions for Mumbai are likely to be refunded in the form of onboard credit.

Carnival-owned Yachts of Seabourn has also altered the itinerary for its ship Seabourn Spirit, which was due to call at Mumbai on December 7. It leaves Dubai today and will now call at Mormugao in Goa instead on December 8 following an extra day at sea as it makes its way to Singapore on an 18-day cruise.

Andrew Magowan, director Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "We follow the advice of the Foreign Office very closely and plan to bypass Mumbai. We will keep an eye on what's happening in India."

The Oceania Nautica, which was also chased and shot at by pirates on Sunday in the Gulf of Aden, will also bypass Mumbai, where it is due to stop on December 9. The ship will stop at Mormugao in Goa instead.