Mundy Cruising has hailed a “record” start to 2024 for its Mundy Adventures brand, reporting a 140% growth in expedition cruise sales compared to this time last year.

The company has attributed the success to its staff training programme, called Polar Pioneers, which requires all staff members to cruise on an expedition ship in a polar region free of charge, create training programmes for their colleagues and write content for the company’s digital activity.

The programme also aims to boost staff knowledge so they can explain a polar trip to a customer.

Managing director Edwina Lonsdale praised the performance of Mundy Adventures, saying it has driven new-to-brand sales.

“An expedition cruise is not an impulse buy,” said Lonsdale. “Potential clients start to research the options well in advance of travel.

“However, they soon become confused by the choice and the prices and need expert advice to ensure their money is well spent. Interestingly, our new-to-Mundy business has risen to an amazing 49% of our business, largely driven by our Mundy Adventures division.”

Mundy Cruising said customer data shows there is currently a “surge in demand” for bucket list trips, which marketing director Alex Loizou put down to a sense of urgency and guilt around travelling.

“There are two forces coming into play here,” he said. “The first reflects post-Covid attitudes combined with the geopolitical situation creating a sense of urgency. A ‘now or never’ impetus is driving people to actually commit to a trip they have been dreaming of for years.

“The second is a by-product of eco-guilt, with people feeling that if they are going to travel, it needs to really count.”