| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 25/09/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 3 |
| Copyright: Other |
The Cruise Collection
Specialist flies stranded cruise clients home
SPECIALIST cruise agency The Cruise Collection was forced to fly a group of 60 passengers home from the US following the collapse of Premier Cruises.
The Cruise Collection managing director Andrew Gardner flew to New York to make arrangements on behalf of his clients when their two-week cruise on Rembrandt was cut short after four days.
He got the passengers’ flights brought forward and is now helping them claim refunds on their cruise. Premier is understood to have had a $15 million bond.
It is not believed that any other UK passengers have been hit by the collapse of Premier. The cruiseline has not had a general sales agent in this country since The Cruise Collection resigned the account after five months last March.
The previous UK agent, Globe Corporate Travel, cut its ties with Premier last year (Travel Weekly August 16).
Rembrandt was one of four vessels seized by the Premier’s principle creditor, investment bank Donaldson Lufkin and Jenrette. The other vessels were Oceanic, Big Red Boat III and Seabreeze. The ships are now expected to be sold off so that the bank can recoup its money.
Seawind Crown, which was chartered to Spanish tour operator Pallmantur, continues to operate in the Mediterranean and its fate is uncertain. Big Red Boat II, formerly Edinburgh Castle, which was chartered by Premier, has been reclaimed by owner Oceanic Marine.
SPECIALIST cruise agency The Cruise Collection was forced to fly a group of 60 passengers home from the US following the collapse of Premier Cruises.
The Cruise Collection managing director Andrew Gardner flew to New York to make arrangements on behalf of his clients when their two-week cruise on Rembrandt was cut short after four days.
He got the passengers’ flights brought forward and is now helping them claim refunds on their cruise. Premier is understood to have had a $15 million bond.
It is not believed that any other UK passengers have been hit by the collapse of Premier. The cruiseline has not had a general sales agent in this country since The Cruise Collection resigned the account after five months last March.
The previous UK agent, Globe Corporate Travel, cut its ties with Premier last year (Travel Weekly August 16).
Rembrandt was one of four vessels seized by the Premier’s principle creditor, investment bank Donaldson Lufkin and Jenrette. The other vessels were Oceanic, Big Red Boat III and Seabreeze. The ships are now expected to be sold off so that the bank can recoup its money.
Seawind Crown, which was chartered to Spanish tour operator Pallmantur, continues to operate in the Mediterranean and its fate is uncertain. Big Red Boat II, formerly Edinburgh Castle, which was chartered by Premier, has been reclaimed by owner Oceanic Marine.