Cruise & Maritime Voyages, the UK based destinational operator of three ships, says it has sold 70% of its inventory for 2014. The company, which added a third ship in its portfolio last autumn by chartering the 20,606 gross ton Astor for part of the next three years, also expanded to the Australian market by basing the ship in Fremantle in Western Australia. It also offers sailings between the UK, South Africa and Australia twice a year on the 600 berth ship.

Chris Coates, commercial director of the line, said in the line's new Compass customer publication that the company had carried 160,000 passengers since starting its operations in 2010 and that it anticipated to carry 60,000 in the year 2014. So far, about 45% of the line's passengers are repeaters. As a new step, the company will launch this summer a series of European river cruises under the CMV Signature brand.

"There will be more exciting news in the New Year, so stay tuned," Coates said, but did not elaborate.