Cruise1st packages go on sale via trade Lucy Huxley


Cruise specialist Cruise1st is launching a trade hub this week to open its ‘Experiences’ programme up to travel agents across the UK. The Cruise1st Trade Hub will


allow independent agents to sell the Manchester-based online agency’s signature travel packages, which feature itineraries that combine cruises with land-based experiences. Managing director Ashkan


Ghasemi said: “As a pioneer in combining cruise itineraries with air and land arrangements, Cruise1st has always had cruise travel packages embedded in its DNA. “With more than 25 years of


experience, we have perfected the art of crafting itineraries that


deliver unforgettable experiences. “Building on this legacy, we are


now making our signature packages accessible to travel agents, allowing even more customers to experience our expertly curated journeys.” Leveraging its Iata and Atol


licences and direct contracts with cruise lines, airlines and destination management partners, Cruise1st has developed itineraries that already contribute significantly to its sales, Ghasemi explained. With the launch of the Cruise1st


Trade Hub, the company aims to drive further growth while supporting high street and independent agents. “Our experts skilfully design


these packages with customer experience at the heart of every detail,” he said. “We want agencies to


Baldwins Travel ‘devastated’ by Abta appeal loss


Travel Weekly reporters


Baldwins Travel lost its appeal against expulsion from Abta this week, with termination of its memberships reinstated from Tuesday. Abta initially terminated


Baldwins’ membership on February 17 for “failing to provide financial information”. However, the association later


confirmed it had granted a request for an appeal, noting: “Baldwins’ termination of membership is suspended from February 20 and they remain a member pending the outcome of the appeal.”


4 3 APRIL 2025 Abta members were informed


of the decision to reinstate the termination on Tuesday. An Abta statement said: “In


February 2025, Baldwins Travel Agency Limited’s membership was terminated by Abta’s Members’ Committee. The company appealed the decision, and their membership was reinstated pending the outcome of the appeal. The termination has now been confirmed following the appeal. With effect from April 1, 2025, Baldwins Travel Agency Limited is no longer a member of Abta, and bookings taken by the company after that date are not covered by Abta’s scheme of pipeline protection.”


It added: “Pipeline protection for


Abta principal members continues to apply to bookings that were made by Baldwins Travel Agency Limited during the period that it was in membership; this includes bookings made on April 1, 2025.” Baldwins Travel director Nick


Marks said: “We are obviously devastated by the news. But we are still trading and we would like to still work with suppliers that want to deal with us, so please get in contact. My main priority now is the wonderful staff at Baldwins and our clients.” Lawyers for Baldwins had argued


that an appeal should be allowed in order to challenge the grounds on which its membership was terminated. They argued it was in breach of undertakings made to Abta and the relevant article of association allowed an appeal. The agency chain had already


appealed once, last autumn, against termination of its membership. That decision was revoked in light of undertakings made by Baldwins. Two directors of the company,


finance director Christopher Hatfield and chief commercial officer Dan Shaw, subsequently resigned.


travelweekly.co.uk We aim to build


meaningful, long-term partnerships that drive mutual growth


have the opportunity to book these curated journeys for their clients while retaining full ownership of their customers and managing all communication directly.” Travel agents can also white-label


Cruise1st’s Experiences content as their own exclusive offers. A brochure featuring the curated


tours is currently in production, with the option for agents to receive customised versions tailored to their businesses.


Cruise1st will offer the packages


at a special net trade price to provide participating agents with access to rates that are more than 50% lower than customers booking direct with suppliers, Ghasemi claimed. Additionally, agents will have full


pricing flexibility, allowing them to set their own margins. “We don’t dictate the final price –


agents are free to mark up itineraries as they see fit,” he said. “We aim to build meaningful,


long-term partnerships that drive mutual growth for both Cruise1st and our participating agents, while also expanding the range of products available to our partners’ customer bases, enabling them to offer more diverse and tailored travel experiences.”


The agency’s branch in Tonbridge


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