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CCS cuts ties with Amadeus

Complete Cruise Solution (CCS) has announced it will end distribution through Amadeus Cruise at the end of November saying the GDS was no longer necessary.


The trade arm of UK market leader P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises said 95% of its cruises are sold via its own site completecruisesolution.com.


Other brands in the Carnival Corporation group including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Costa Cruises will continue to feature on the GDS for UK agents.


Travel Weekly sister title Travolution revealed in April that CCS parent Carnival UK and Amadeus were in talks about their future relationship with most agents fully expecting the operator to come off the GDS.


Carnival, which cut agent commission to 5% this year, is keen to take any additional costs out of its sales channels and says it is committed to a no fee distribution model.


A Complete Cruise Solution spokesperson said:


“With almost 95% of travel agent online bookings now being made on completecruisesolution.com, Complete Cruise Solution will no longer be working with GDS providers from the end of November 2011. From 1st December 2011, all bookings will be made via completecruisesolution.com, by calling our reservations team or by connecting via our published API.


A letter to agents from Amadeus said it would continue to work closely with Carnival to continue its longstanding relationship but that GDS distribution would cease on November 30.


Meanwhile, CCS has promised further upgrades to its system to help agents sell its cruises though completecruisesolution.com.

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