Royal Caribbean Cruises will remain a “full and dedicated” member of the Passenger Shipping Association despite joining ABTA yesterday.
As a first move, the cruiseline is switching bonding for cruise-only holidays with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises to the ABTA protection scheme. At the moment, they are bonded under the PSA scheme. The cruiseline’s existing CAA bonding for flight-inclusive cruise packages will continue under the ATOL scheme.
Royal Caribbean Cruises vice-president and managing director Robin Shaw said the decision to join ABTA was prompted by a belief that businesses involved in travel and tourism should speak with one voice through one body. “ABTA is taking on the challenge to be the main lobbying body. We look forward to having our say and being able to make a positive contribution on behalf of the cruise sector.”
He said the ABTA brand is a well-known sign of reassurance among consumers so it made sense to switch bonding for cruise-only business.
Royal Caribbean Cruises will now sign up to ABTA’s Codes of Conduct, although Shaw said the business was already complying with all regulations as part of its everyday operations.
Carnival UK, Noble Caledonia, MSC Cruises and All Leisure Group, which owns Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery, and Hebridean Island Cruises, are among other cruiselines with dual ABTA/PSA membership.