Advantage Travel Partnership says there is positive momentum for cruise bookings and enquiries, with its new cruise platform showing 70 per cent growth.

In October last year, Advantage enhanced and rebranded its cruise product community as Latitude, to ensure that members “had all the tools they need to maximise their earning opportunity”, the company said. 

As part of this, Advantage boosted its communication with members, sharing exclusive supplier news and video content, and relaunched its Facebook group.

According to the company’s latest figures, average spend for cruise holidays across Advantage’s members is up 25 per cent within mainstream cruise bookings, compared to 2022. 

Mediterranean cruises are “proving popular”, a statement said, while short cruises to the Channel Islands, Le Havre and Amsterdam, departing from Southampton, are “selling well even into 2024”.

Demand for river cruise is also strong, while Advantage members have also seen more expedition and luxury cruises being booked.

Cruise bookings ‘bouncing back’

Advantage cruise commercial manager Jonny Peat said: “Cruise bookings are bouncing back, and we are really encouraged by what we are seeing.

“Advantage recognised early on that the cruise industry is ever evolving, with new ships, routes and investment every day, and we have stepped up our cruise portfolio to our members to ensure we make the most out of the lucrative cruise business.

“Since the launch of Latitude last year, we have had fantastic feedback from our members who have said that it’s transformed their cruise offerings.

“Many travel agents specialise in cruise, however it’s impossible for one agent to keep track of all the information out there, – that’s where Advantage has stepped up and considered the right approach for members by creating Latitude and enhancing our overall cruise focus.

“Engagement across our members has been higher than ever and we are seeing the results of their hard work in strong cruise bookings as they convert even more of their customers to cruise.”