Homeworking agency Not Just Travel has seen a fivefold year-on-year increase in Christmas Day cruise bookings.

The firm said the first booking took place “very early” on Christmas morning, with sales throughout December increasing by nearly 30% on the same period last year.

Not Just Travel co-founder Steve Witt said: “With the Boxing Day sales now in full swing, customers with lots of time on their hands and, with it being a payday weekend for many, we can expect clients to be celebrating the end of the year by bagging a booking bargain.”

Top destinations booked with the agency include Spain, the Balearics, Canaries, Greece, and Florida, with customers seeking warmer climates as temperatures plunge in the UK.

“However, cruise bookings saw a big increase in December, with nearly 20% of bookings being for cruise,” co-founder Paul Harrison added.

Not Just Travel predicts ‘even bigger increase’ in sales in 2024

Not Just Travel also reported an uptick in sales for other destinations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UK, Italy, Cyprus, Australia, Cape Verde and Lapland.

“Right now, couples and solo travelers are making the most of the holiday bargains, with just 30% of bookings being made by families,” Witt added.

“With Christmas being very much a family holiday, the normal trend is for family holiday sales to increase in the new year as operator TV campaigns increase and ‘free child places’ are more prevalent.

“We expect to see the biggest ever increase in holiday sales for Not Just Travel in 2024. With more and more clients wanting the advice, support and quick and easy access to a personal travel consultant that is all part of the standard service.”