Radisson breaks sales agent tie

Radisson breaks sales agent tie

RADISSON Seven Seas Cruises is to sever ties with its UK sales agent, The Cruise Portfolio, and consolidate all its operations at a new office in Southampton.

The deluxe cruiseline, which is adding a fifth ship next March and has more in the pipeline, will be run from its new premises by January 2.

Currently, Radisson runs its sales and marketing from an office in St Paul’s in London, while The Cruise Portfolio, an arm of specialist cruise agency Mundy Cruising run by Edwina Lonsdale, handles reservations and administration.

Radisson marketing manager Jo Moran said its forthcoming cruise ship, the 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner, would put it in direct competition with Crystal Cruises, which is also represented by The Cruise Portfolio.

“We have got a conflict of interest there,” said Moran. “The change is also for the sake of passengers. It will make everything easier for them if we are all under the one roof.

“We should be able to offer a better standard of service to passengers.”

Mundy Cruising managing director Edwina Lonsdale said she supported Radisson’s decision and claimed that its investment in raising its UK profile would benefit the deluxe cruising market as a whole.

The agency arm of her company will carry on selling Radisson cruises.

Lonsdale: supports Radisson’s decision