Following the collapse of charterer Travelscope, Club Cruise has announced the formation of a new subsidiary, Van Gogh Cruises, to continue to operate the popular Van Gogh in the UK.
After Travelscope entered administration, Club Cruise, together with the ABTA, was able to take over operation of the ship’s world cruise, which departed Falmouth on 4 January. Now its new wholly-owned subsidiary will take over all of the ship’s existing bookings for 2008.
In a press statement, managing director Mark Horwood said the following:
“The m/v Van Gogh is a popular cruise ship within the UK cruise market, which has become well established over the last 6 years. We were grateful that Club Cruise, in conjunction with ABTA, were able to step in at the last minute and save the Round the World Cruise, which departed from Falmouth on the 4th January 2008, following the collapse of the ship’s previous UK Tour Operator – no small task given the timescale involved. Club Cruise were keen to remain in the UK market, having established a loyal and committed following over the years – hence the decision to establish a subsidiary company in the U.K for that purpose.”
“We have a small dedicated team, all with previous knowledge of the m/v Van Gogh, working hard to get this exciting new venture off the ground. Bookings for the 2008 programme are already off to an excellent start, many passengers had made bookings through the ships previous operator and travel agents and we are delighted that we will enable these passengers to continue with their holidays plans. We will continue to sell the m/v Van Gogh via third party channels including national and regional newspapers, consumer publications, closed user groups and travels agents. We have decided to continue with the itineraries as previously advertised, to ensure no passengers are let down by the collapse of the previous Operator.”
“Being a wholly owned subsidiary of Club Cruise, Van Gogh Cruises is in a unique position to continue operating and promoting the m/v Van Gogh in the U.K.”
“Club Cruise, which is a Dutch public company, is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Their commitment to the cruising market is second to none – which together with their financial strength is so important in this market sector. We at Van Gogh Cruises are totally committed in helping them achieve that goal within the UK market.”
Club Cruise asks anyone interested in further information about Van Gogh to contact Sarah Brooks at 01242 633803 or Tim Fleming at 01242 633802.
Several of my friends from the UK have sailed in Van Gogh and found her to be a delightful, friendly and unpretentious ship, so I am delighted to hear that she will continue to be available on the UK market. Indeed, a very favorable review of the ship is featured in the latest edition of the Ocean Liner Society journal Sea Lines.
Update 22 January: Thanks to Van Gogh Cruises for the photo of Van Gogh in Miraflores Lock, Panama Canal, on her world cruise.
I remember seeing this ship laid-up in Montreal in 1996 after her Ukrainian owner, Black Sea Shipping Company, went under. At the time she was covered in rust and looked like she might never sail again. It’s great to see that, nearly 12 years later, she’s still going strong!
