Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has revealed a 30 per cent jump in trade sales for the third quarter of this year.

Sales made between July and September, inclusive, include a number of increases from the same quarter in 2017, including a 21 per cent rise in the number of guests booked; an increase in trade sales by 29 per cent; and an 81 per cent increase in the number of guests booked onto a fly-cruise holiday, with revenue up by a total of 26 per cent.

In addition, the company’s Warmer Cruising campaign – which runs until 17 October – has seen a 74 per cent rise in revenue based on the same period in 2017.

The number of guests who booked a holiday as part of its ‘free all-inclusive upgrade’ is also up by 31 per cent. 

This upgrade is available on more than 40 2019 cruises, departing from all five of the company’s regional departure ports of Southampton, Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle and Edinburgh (Rosyth), when booked on or before 31 October.

Justin Stanton, director of sales and marketing at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We know that our guests love what we do, from our closer style of cruising to the smaller and more intimate size of our ships, but – as they say – actions speak louder than words, and that is clearly demonstrated in these figures.

“This result is extremely encouraging in what is a fiercely competitive time in the travel market. I want to personally thank our trade partners, who continue to sell and recommend our cruise holidays to their customers time and time again.”