Specialist agency The Cruise Room is expanding by opening a premises in Belfast in addition to its existing office in the Wirral.
Directors Robbie O’Grady and Jonathan Howitt, who opened their Hoylake shop in June 2021, will unveil their second store this month.
Located in the southern wing of the former Harland and Wolff headquarters, the new shop will operate on an appointment-only basis.
In a statement confirming the plans, O’Grady and Howitt wrote: “With many guests across Ireland already choosing to book with us, along with our large social media following in Ireland, this move is the next logical step in our growth.”
They added: “Not only do we plan to grow our own business, but we will passionately continue to play our part in growing the wider cruise industry focusing on the wonderful value and huge range of cruising experiences available today specialising in helping first-time cruisers step on board.”
The pair said they were proud to be moving into a site formerly occupied by the largest shipyard in the world, where Olympic, Titanic, Britannic and HMS Belfast were among the ships produced.
“Among our many neighbours we have the historic SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line ship in the world,” they added.
They said picking up the ‘One to Watch’ award at the 2022 Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards gave them the confidence to build their business.
“It was this special moment that gave us the belief that we really did have something different to offer and could make an impact on the industry,” they said.
Further details on the new store would be revealed in the coming weeks, they added.
Photo (from left): Robbie O’Grady and Jonathan Howitt of The Cruise Room