Three cruise lines serving distinct segments have announced significant sales gains and strengthened travel advisor relationships. Celestyal reported a 51% revenue increase during wave season, HX Expeditions posted record U.S. growth with advisor-booked sales up 57% and Century Cruises exceeded its first-year North American booking expectations by 300%.
Celestyal
The boutique cruise line has extended its Unmissable Sale after reporting strong early wave campaign performance. Global revenues increased 51% compared with the same period last year and exceeded the company's initial wave season targets by 23%.
North American results proved particularly robust, with revenues up 63% year over year. The cruise line saw a 40% increase in active travel advisors and more agencies booking the brand than previously, resulting in a 92% year-over-year increase in travel advisor bookings.
"Wave is always a critical trading period for us, and this year's performance clearly shows the appetite for sailings that offer genuine destination immersion and strong value," said Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal. "The response from both our travelers and travel trade partners has been exceptional."
Century Cruises
The river cruise line reported that new bookings to China exceeded expectations in its first year in the North American market.
"Thanks to the overwhelming support of travel agents worldwide, our China product outperformed expectations by 300%," said David Fredericks, president of Century Cruises. "With China reopening to the world and its new visa-free policy with Canada, we anticipate continued traction and growth. We're also thrilled by the strong bookings in the last quarter of 2025 for Century Star, our first electronic propulsion ship launching in Europe."
HX Expeditions
The expedition cruise company reported a 31% increase in U.S. sales intake for 2025, driven by a 57% rise in advisor-booked sales. Internationally, the company delivered an 11% year-over-year increase in sales intake.
The company completed a major ownership transaction at the start of 2025 that established it as a fully independent expedition cruise operator.
"Independence gave us the flexibility to move faster, invest with intention and begin executing a clear, long-term growth strategy," said Gebhard Rainer, CEO of the line.
HX expanded its partnership with cruise technology provider Versonix, implementing the Seaware Touch platform to improve booking efficiency. The company also introduced a partnership with Approach Guides, providing U.S. travel advisors with a co-branded digital platform to share itineraries, access real-time pricing and capture client leads.
The cruise line completed major refurbishments of MS Fram and MS Spitsbergen and repainted its five expedition ships with a new livery. In Antarctica, HX increased kayaking capacity by 188% and doubled camping capacity. Greenland emerged as a fast-growing market, with U.S. passenger volumes up 129% year-over-year driven by flight-inclusive voyages from Newark to Nuuk.
HX will mark its 130th year of operation on July 8. The company is planning a second travel advisor roadshow spanning eight U.S. and Canadian cities this spring.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on press releases distributed by Celestyal, Century Cruises and HX Expeditions. It was fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
