Oceania Cruises has set a new single day booking record, surpassing its most recent record by nearly 60 per cent.

The success was driven by the introduction of new ship Vista’s inaugural season.

Vista is set to debut in April 2023. Voyages opened for sale on 15 September 2021 and by 10:30 ET that day the number of bookings had surpassed the company’s most recent record from March 2021.

The ship will operate a total of 18 voyages spanning from April 2023 to November 2023, with itineraries ranging from 10-24 days in length.

Highlights of the programme include visits to the Greek Isles, Turkey, Israel, the Canary Islands, and Portugal. Overnight stays will be available in Lisbon, Venice, Istanbul, and New York.

Oceania Cruises president and CEO Bob Binder said: “The tremendous wave of bookings we saw on the day we opened sales for Vista underscores the extraordinary demand for our acclaimed small ship, destination-focused vacations.

“We are seeing exceptional demand from both our loyal Oceania Club repeaters and new-to-brand guests who are attracted to Vista’s new restaurants and culinary concepts, residentially styled staterooms and suites, and unique itineraries that present the destinations from a new perspective.”

Oceania added that 30 per cent of all bookings came from new-to-brand guests, “with no dilution from credit issued for cancelled cruises in 2020/21”.

The most in-demand destinations were the British Isles, Canada, the Mediterranean, the Holy Lands, and Panama Canal, the line said.

Vista will feature 12 dining options, two crew members for every three guests, eight bars, and lounges, as well as entertainment venues and spas.

Oceania Cruises resumed operations in August 2021 on Marina, following a pause of 524 days caused by the pandemic.

Riviera will resume sailing in the Greek Isles on 18 October 2021, and Insignia from Miami on 21 December 2021, to start the line’s six-month Around the World in 180 Days voyage.