Voyages to Antiquity has revealed a 38 per cent increase in year-on-year UK ocean cruise sales for forward bookings for the 2019 season – its best ever trading figures.

The company, which celebrated the results with High Tea on the River Thames in Oxford, is also ahead 82 per cent in the US, following the creation of a dedicated sales team and restructured Fort Lauderdale office.

Jos Dewing, managing director, Voyages to Antiquity, said: “I was unsure if we would be able to match the incredible results in the UK for our 2018 programme, but to have smashed them year-on-year for 2019 forward sales is fantastic.

“Our Oxford office is the most focused and engaged team of sales and service professionals I have ever worked with and whilst we are a small, niche and single ship operator, we seem to have carved out a totally unique place for ourselves in a busy and vibrant industry. Our recently promoted head of commercial (Global), Michelle Daniels, is also leading an exciting charge in the US.

“I am immensely proud of my team and there is nothing better than finding the time to escape the office together, have some fun and focus on a different vessel for a change.”