Cruise start-up agency hits £1m sales in four months

The founder of cruise start-up Cruise Monks has nearly surpassed his first-year sales target in just four months.

The agency, set up by Wael Seliman in November 2024, has already exceeded £1.1 million in sales – putting it on track to smash its initial target of £1.4 million.

Seliman previously ran Cruise Kingdom before leaving the business last year, and prior to that worked at Ahoy Cruises for nearly 10 years. 

He said his new business had hit the £1 million milestone “far earlier than planned” and is now “on track” for £2.9 million in sales for the first year, more than double the forecast.He is projecting £3.5 million in sales in the agency’s second year of trading and £6 million in year three.

Seliman has been running the agency single-handedly so far but plans to take on two staff this month and four more by the end of the year. He also aims to move into an office by the firm’s anniversary in November.

Cruise Monks focuses on offering “unique itineraries that most people have not seen or done before” and that appeal to both regular passengers and new-to-cruise customers.

Seliman added: “There is a gap in the market for such a company where it is customer and destination-focused, and I have proved so far that Cruise Monks can fill it.”

He reported longer cruises were the agency’s most popular with its bestselling products being packages of 20-plus nights, including a 20-day French Polynesia and Hawaii voyage with Norwegian Cruise Line.

Most of the business’s itineraries are tailor-made and combine land stays and cruise, with Asia, South Africa, Mexico and South America among the most popular destinations. 

“I don’t sell many short itineraries or typical Mediterranean or northern Europe cruises,” Seliman said. “I am trying to be different. Offering luxury at affordable prices has always been the message since the start.”

Seliman added that Cruise Monks was able to offer “heavily discounted rates” thanks to the agency’s “good relationship with close partners”.

Cruise Monks’ target audience is people aged 50+ who want to “explore more but not necessarily spend more”, said Seliman, who commented that the agency looks to add value in the form of inclusions such as drinks packages, Wi-Fi and onboard credit.

The agency is a member of The Advantage Travel Partnership.