Topic: Information About Gills Cruise - ABTA UPDATE

Gills Cruise Centre is being treated as a financial failure by ABTA - UPDATE

We have offical information from ABTA that they have withdrawn Gills Cruise membership, and they are being treated as a financial failure.
Should you have a current booking with them, please be aware that you have no reason to worry.
Gills were fully ABTA protected which means your money is completely safe. Your booking will not be lost, but will be transferred directly to the cruiseline or to a cruise specialist agent of your choice.

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Some of your customers are mad about cruising too.

QUOTE:

Some of your customers are mad about cruising too.

Others are just 'mad'!

The bells, the bells

Gill’s Cruise Centre has has ceased trading. The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the collapse after Abta announced this afternoon that it was treating the company as a financial failure.

It is understood that Gill's had informed Abta that it could not meet its liabilities.

The association said any cruise booked through Gill's would be fully financially protected and cruise companies would "honour all paid-for cruises as normal".

Abta said: "Customers should expect to hear from their cruise line shortly. Customers who wish to contact their cruise line can do so using the contact details on their confirmation invoice."

The association added: "We understand a very small number of customers may have booked their flight and cruise directly with Gill's under its Atol licence. Customers whose invoice references ATOL 10178 should contact the CAA.

"If the cruise has been booked with the cruise company, and a flight with another supplier, customers should contact the cruise company."

The Civil Aviation Authority said it was aware of only three forward bookings with Gill’s where customers would be unable to take their holiday as planned. All other bookings would be protected on an Atol-to-Atol basis.

The three customers in question will be entitled to refunds from the Air Travel Trust fund.

The company's failure comes after Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises and Carnival UK stopped accepting bookings from Gill's Cruise Centre over the past few days.

The company trades as Gill's Cruise Centre, Gill's Travel and Cost Kutters and has branch offices in Rhiwbina, London and Llanishen, Cardiff.

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Makes you wonder who will be next - 45 years in business - and a excellent reputation to boot.

QUOTE:

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Makes you wonder who will be next - 45 years in business - and a excellent reputation to boot.

Gill’s Cruise Centre goes bust: what are the consequences? - News & Advice, Travel - The Independent


If you allow turn over to take over your business plan then you are on the road to go bust

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Makes you wonder who will be next - 45 years in business - and a excellent reputation to boot.

Well if cruise.co.uk go under, I hope they keep someone on to maintain the website!!

QUOTE:

Well if cruise.co.uk go under, I hope they keep someone on to maintain the website!!

Aaah, a cheerful soul.

Don't be daft

I got this off another cruise forum and here is a link to the source 'travel weekly news'
fyi
Gills Cruise Centre assets bought by Stevenage group - www.travelweekly.co.uk

Stevenage-based P&P Associates issued a statement confirming it had purchased Gill's assets late on Friday. P&P Associates already owns web retailers WeFly.co.uk and WeHoliday.co.uk. It has flight consolidator Guildfare in its portfolio and, in the business travel sector, Chelsea Travel management. The company also provides travel fulfilment for retail giant Asda.

“Gill’s reputation for excellent service, knowledgeable staff and loyal customer base will be enhanced by our technological back-up and the broader opportunities offered by our organisation.”

P&P Associates said Gills had been “a victim of over-rapid expansion in recent years, with management structures and technology struggling to keep pace with growth despite a major restructuring in March”.

So, it might look as good staff and competition will prevail and as always the customer will have choices and decisions to make.