Travel agency Mundy Cruising has closed its GSA arm The Cruise Portfolio after Crystal Cruises ceased operations.
Managing director Edwina Lonsdale said The Cruise Portfolio “still exists to meet the liabilities of the defunct Crystal Cruises” but now “operates simply as a vehicle for refunding all outstanding Crystal client refunds”.
She added: “Mundy Cruising and Mundy Adventures continue as a successful cruise-only specialist.”
Lonsdale confirmed all staff employed by The Cruise Portfolio had been made redundant.
In addition to Crystal Cruises, The Cruise Portfolio also represented Paul Gauguin Cruises, owned by French operator Ponant, and Windstar Cruises. Windstar confirmed The Cruise Line as its new GSA on Thursday, while Paul Gauguin has no plans to use another UK-based GSA.
Ponant has transferred existing Paul Gauguin Cruises bookings made via The Cruise Portfolio into its booking system, said Stephen Winter, Ponant’s international sales director.
He added: “While The Cruise Portfolio has ceased trading, its parent company Mundy Cruising –one of Ponant’s key partners – is still going strong.
“Paul Gauguin Cruises’ travel agents and trade partners are invited to get in touch and book directly with [Ponant head office in] Marseille.”
In the US, a website – called CrystalCruiseClaims.com – was set up by executive vice-president Mark Healy of Michael Moecker & Associates earlier this year to facilitate customer refunds or monies owed to creditors. Healy is managing the liquidation of the Crystal Cruises, Crystal AirCruises and Crystal Holdings US brands.
Two weeks ago, Travel Weekly reported that a major cruise firm had expressed an interest in Crystal Cruises and former Silversea Cruises owner Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio was understood to have submitted another bid.
In February, he confirmed he had made two “fully-funded” offers to acquire the luxury line.