Star Clippers said it saw “record-breaking” sales in the UK for the first week in January, “topping all previous years”.

The specialist tall-ship cruise line, which has been trading for more than 30 years, is represented in the UK by general sales agent Fred Olsen Travel.

It has seen a mixture of agent and direct bookings, with strong demand both for late departures as well as for sailings up to October 2024.

Fay McCormack, Star Clippers UK GSA’s general manager, said: “We are all delighted with this news, and can feel the uncertainty and upheaval of the last few years fading further behind us.

“With more and more people seeking bucket-list experiences, we are seeing both returning passengers and new guests alike looking for the experiential, once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities that our tall ships offer.”

“Consumer confidence is growing again [and] knowing that their holidays are protected is vital in this current climate,” she commented.

The Monaco-based cruise line operates in Central America, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean with three vessels: Star Flyer, Star Clipper and Royal Clipper.