renaissance cruises ceases trading

FLORIDA-BASED cruiseline Renaissance Cruises has ceased trading.

The company has filed for bankruptcy claiming the situation in the US had damaged business severely.

Holidaymakers aboard its eight ‘R series' ships, which were operating around the Mediterranean and South Pacific, have had their holidays cut short and are being repatriated.

The cruiseline made a major effort to boost UK trade sales in February when it invited agents to see its new 698-passenger vessel, R8, at Portland, Dorset. But it had always encouraged direct-sell, and urged clients to book by credit card via its offices in Fort Lauderdale.

Clive Howard, sales manager for Renaissance general sales agent The Cruise Collection was unable to confirm how many UK passengers were booked to travel with the cruiseline.

"The first we knew about the bankruptcy was an e-mail message on Wednesday. It is a disappointment, because the product was excellent.”