NOTHING entices like a relaxing cruise holiday. WA people feeling the lure now have a specialist retail agency dedicated to national and international cruise booking services, with the opening of Cruiseabout’s first WA store in Cottesloe Shopping Vil
Cruiseabout is part of the growing travel group Flight Centre Limited and one of eight new stores opened nationally in a major expansion for the company.
Cottesloe agency manager Tina Kordys has more than 14 years’ experience working for Flight Centre in WA and holds a masters certificate from the Cruise Council of Australia.
She said the cruise sector was a diverse and rapidly growing part of the WA travel sector.
“The Cruiseabout team has long-term relationships with the major cruise companies, which ensures our people are fully informed on the latest and greatest pro-ducts,” Ms Kordys said.
“Our staff also have access to special deals that aren’t always publicised.”
Cruiseabout Australia brand manager Joell Ogilvie said despite global economic fears, there had been no noticeable downturn in people interested in cruising.
“In fact, we’ve had an increase in our enquiries, particularly in WA,” she said.
“Cruise packages close to home are really hot at the moment.
“Europe’s very popular, particularly the Mediterranean, and Canada and Alaska are always popular.”
Ms Ogilvie said the market for cruises had been opening up in recent years and was definitely not the sole domain of the wealthy.
“The great thing about cruises is they are all-inclusive,” she said.
“You also don’t have the hassles associated with airports and luggage and so on.
“We get enquiries from young people, families, retired people, all sorts.
“We make sure the right people get put on the right cruise.”