Start-up cruiseline Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) has taken more than 4,000 bookings since going on sale at the beginning of September.
The cruiseline said an Essex agent booked its 4,000th passenger on the afternoon of Friday September 25. The booking was for a 12-night cruise to the Baltic on Marco Polo in July 2010.
Sales and marketing director Chris Coates said there has been an “incredible response” from the trade for CMV’s ex-UK cruise programme launching next year.
CMV is offering year-round cruises from Tilbury on Marco Polo starting on January 2 and from Tilbury, Hull, Newcastle, Leith, Greenock, Liverpool and Plymouth on Ocean Countess in April.
He said: “The interest and enthusiasm from agents, keen to promote their local departure point, has surprised us all. We knew the regional departures would sell well but not as quickly as they have.”
Starting in January, passengers on Marco Polo will need to be at least 16 years old, so customers can be sure of child-free cruising, even in school holidays. Ocean Countess will have no minimum age limit, but has no children’s facilities.