p14 News feb6 4/2/09 20:39 Page 14
news cruise
ttglive.com
JTA branches into
cruise bookings
FLIGHT consolidator JTA has announced it will
launch an online cruise booking system later this
month.
The system, described as “revolutionary” by
JTA, has taken six months of development with
global travel wholesaler Tourico Holidays.
JTA managing director Wayne Darrock said:
“We have had an excellent start to 2009 as more
agents are using JTA to take advantage of some
great air deals.
“Our cruise booking system will allow JTA’s
agents to fully book cruises online.
“It is a natural progression for us; we can now
offer both air and sea availability that is easy for
agents to access and use.”
Kathryn Bell, JTA marketing executive, said:
“By making it as simple as making an air booking
we hope to attract even more agents to JTA who
Cunard tops consumer
wish to increase their cruise business.”
The JTA system will offer online bookability,
live availability, itineraries, detailed ship plans
and details of ships’ onboard facilities, cabins
reviews on
Cruise.co.uk
and port information.
THE BEST, and the worst, of the cruising
Cruise.co.uk, which had 2.5 million visitors in
industry – according to 12,000 consumers – has 2008, was styling itself as the TripAdvisor of the
been revealed by
Cruise.co.uk. cruise industry.
The online cruise retailer, one of the UK’s “In 2009 we hope to continue the growth on
largest, has published results of its customer the site as the UK’s number one information site
reviews for the first time. for cruise holidays,” he said.
Managing director Seamus Conlon said Carnival-owned Cunard, which won TTG’s best
cruise line award last September, came out top
Cruise ratings
Cruise.co.uk survey
of the table for best cruise line.
But it was lesser-known operator Oceania
Best ship – Oceania Insignia Cruises, which entered the premium cruise
Best cruise line – Cunard sector just five years ago, that fared best overall
Best accommodation – Costa Mediterranea with a hat-trick of accolades. Oceania Insignia
Best entertainment – Independence of Seas was considered by reviewers to be the best ship,
Best food – Oceania Insignia offering the best service and the best food.
Best service – Oceania Insignia Royal Caribbean International’s Independence
Best for families – Independence of the Seas of the Seas was a double winner, rated as best
Best shore excursion – Star Princess for families and having the best entertainment
The line also claimed five of the top 10 places
Worst ship – MSC Poesia in the best ship category.
Worst cruise line – MSC Cruises UK market leader P&O Cruises had four ships
Worst accommodation – Thomson Discover in the top five places in families category, but
Worst entertainment – Costa Allegra was only seventh in the best line category.
Worst food – MSC Musica In the best accommodation category Costa
Worst service – MSC Musica Mediterranea won, while Star Princess won for THE HAYS CRUISE SHOP in Sunderland
Worst for families – MV Discovery best shore excursions. marked its first birthday last week.
Worst shore excursions – Oceania Nautica The full results, down to 50th place for each Pictured enjoying the celebrations are the
category, can be viewed at
cruise.co.uk. store’s cruise specialist agent Jan O’Connor
Results based only on ships with 20-plus reviews (left) and Complete Cruise Solution’s
■ Costa Cruises in web push, p22 regional sales executive, Kirsty Brook.
14 06.02.2009
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