Online travel agent Dreamlines is in talks with Cruise 1st about “a potential transaction” of Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited’s stake in the agency.
A joint statement issued on Tuesday evening confirmed discussions were ongoing and “the parties hope to reach a deal in the future”.
Manchester-based agency Cruise 1st, launched in 2000, and underwent a management buyout in 2015. Royal remained a part-owner of the business.
The size of Royal stake has not been disclosed.
Stuart Leven, managing director of Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, told Travel Weekly: “We are in the middle of a transaction and there are confidentiality agreements in place.
“Royal Caribbean is a minority share holder and we are supporting both sides.”
Dreamlines has operations in seven countries across the world but is understood to want to invest in the UK market.
Last month, Cruise 1st opened an interactive concept store in Manchester, claiming it was the first of its kind in the country.
The store is aimed at attracting more new-to-cruise customers and features virtual reality headsets that allow shoppers to explore different cruise lines.