Azamara Club Cruises launched its 2017-18 Destination Guide this week, with 14 maiden ports of call around the world in 2018, from Aarhus in Denmark to Exmouth in Australia.

Larry Pimentel, president and chief executive, said this January the line had its “greatest start to the year in company history.”

He added: “Two-thirds of 2017 [capacity] is already sold. Our four major markets, the UK, the US, Canada and Australia, are all simultaneously up, with very robust bookings.”

The destination-focused line will visit Cuba, the Cayman Isles and Mahe in the Seychelles for the first time this year. As well as introducing guests to new areas of the world, the line aims to give them more time on land, through its destination immersion programme.

Together its two ships this year will operate 197 late night stays. “Fifty per cent of our deployment is a late night or an overnight stay,” said Pimentel. “That’s the highest percentage of any line.”

About 70% of Azamara’s deployment this year will be in the Mediterranean and Europe. Pimentel admitted the region had been challenging last year owing to the rise of terrorism in Europe, but he said it was more “robust” this year, with less capacity on offer, as ships had moved away from the region.

“The Med is our bread and butter,” he said. “My number one rule – fish where the fish are at, and travellers like the Med.”

He predicted a capacity increase in the Caribbean would make it harder to fill ships there and he advised agents to think about other regions around the world, as he saw huge growth potential in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific regions.

“Get to know more about New Zealand, Australia and Asia,” he urged agents. “They are growth areas, they fascinate people and they deliver in rich content.”