Holiday panic as leading cruise travel agent stops taking bookings

Thousands of holidaymakers have been left wondering about their money and their getaway after a cruise travel agent's future hangs in the balance.

Gill's Cruise Centre has stopped taking new bookings following concerns over mounting debts.

The move came after the country's leading cruise operators, Carnival UK, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, refused to accept new bookings from the firm.

The travel industry trade body, ABTA, insisted that people who have booked with Gills can be guaranteed that their money and holidays are safe.

However, it suggested that people who are worried about the status of their booking should contact their cruise company direct.

According to the Daily Mail, a statement posted on the company's website said: 'Gill's Cruise Centre regrets that it is currently unable to accept new booking enquiries.'

The company was established as the first suburban travel agent in Wales in 1957 by Robert Gill and has grown to become a major player in the market.

Royal Caribbean associate vice president and general manager Jo Rzymowska said the decision to refuse new bookings via Gills was 'the best thing to do for customers'.

She told Travel Weekly: 'We have pipeline monies outstanding that we are owed.

'We have been collecting money direct from customers for a couple of weeks as we didn't want that debt to increase.

'Now the priority is our customers and to assure them our holidays are safe.'

A statement from RCL Cruises Ltd said: 'RCL Cruises Ltd has agreed this morning with Gills Cruise Centre that the cruise retailer will no longer sell any Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises holidays.

'Any guest who has booked a cruise with Gills Cruise Centre will now be dealt with directly by RCL Cruises Ltd.

'Guests are being contacted individually to reassure them that in almost all cases their cruise remains booked and safe.'

An ABTA spokesman said: 'We are aware that Gill's Cruises is not taking further bookings.

'Any holiday booked through Gill's is fully protected financially and the cruise companies providing these holidays will honour all paid-for travel arrangements.'

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