Holidaymakers left high and dry as leading cruise travel agent stops taking bookings over mounting debts
Thousands who have booked holiday cruises have been left in limbo tonight amid questions over the future of one of the countrys leading travel agents. Gills Cruise Centre has stopped taking new bookings following concerns over mounting debts.
Themove came after the countrys leading cruise operators, Carnival UK, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, refused toaccept new bookings from the firm.
Cruise crunch: Gill's Cruises has ceased taking new bookingsThe travel industry trade body, ABTA, insisted that people who have booked with Gills can be guaranteed that their money and holidays are safe.However, it suggested that people who are worried about the status of their booking should contact their cruise company direct.
Astatement posted on the companys website today said: Gills Cruise Centre regrets that it is currently unable to accept new booking enquiries.
The company was established as the first suburban travel agent in Wales in 1957 by Robert Gill and has grown to become a major player in the market.
More...
- Scrap manual airport security checks, MPs urge EU
- Ryanair returns to Manchester: Budget airline makes up with the airport it publicly spurned to offer 26 new European routes
- Conservation group slams lucrative whale-watching tours as 'harmful to whales'
Earlier this week, Thomas Cook issued a profits warning, while many other holiday firms are also struggling.
Web announcement: Gill's gave a helpline number for worried customers Royal Caribbean associate vice preside! nt and g eneral manager Jo Rzymowska said the decision to refuse new bookings via Gills was the best thing to do for customers.
She told Travel Weekly: We have pipeline monies outstanding that we are owed.
'We have been collecting money direct from customers for a couple of weeks as we didnt want that debt to increase.
Now the priority is our customers and to assure them our holidays are safe.
Astatement from RCL Cruises Ltd said: "RCL Cruises Ltd has agreed this morning with Gills Cruise Centre that the cruise retailer will no longer sell any Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises holidays.
Any guest who has booked a cruise with Gills Cruise Centre will now be dealt with directly by RCL Cruises Ltd.
'Guests are being contacted individually to reassure them that in almost all cases their cruise remains booked and safe.
An ABTA spokesman said: We are aware that Gills Cruises is not taking further bookings
Anyholiday booked through Gills is fully protected financially and the cruise companies providing these holidays will honour all paid-for travel arrangements.
Comments