UNION-Castle Line claims to have sold all the top grade and most of the middle grade cabin accommodation on its 66-day millennium voyage around Africa.
“The cruise has sold heavily from the top down,” said managing director Leslie Ruecroft. “In the middle and lower range we still have some space.”
The voyage departs from Southampton on December 11, celebrates the millennium in Cape Town, and returns to Southampton on February 15. The cruiseline has chartered Victoria from P&O Cruises for the voyage, which is intended to celebrate both the millennium and the centenary of the now defunct Union-Castle Line mail service.
Lead-in prices range from £11,685 for the whole trip to £970 for a five-night sector between Southampton and Las Palmas.
An 18-night cruise between Cape Town and Mombasa starts at £3,185, while a 12-night cruise from the Seychelles to Piraeus costs from £2,125. No prices include flights.
Meanwhile, Union-Castle Line is offering a flat commission-rate of 15% to all agents.
“We have tried to create a level playing field, otherwise the independent agents don’t get a chance,” explained Ruecroft. “If a multiple was offering a big discount because it had got a special deal with us, it would cut the independents out.”