An award-winning Highland travel agent has moved quickly to reassure cruise passengers that their holidays are safe after news broke that P&O Ferries had made 800 of its staff redundant with immediate effect.
Murray Travel, which was recently named the UK’s best luxury travel agency at the TTG Luxury Travel Awards 2022 in London, responded to the news with a message on social media pointing out that P&O Cruises is a separate business and its cruise ships would remain unaffected by the dispute.
“P&O cruises is part of the Carnival cruise line group, which also owns the likes of Cunard, and nothing at all to do with the ferry company,” the Inverness-based business wrote.
“Those with P&O cruises booked need not worry – it is very much business as usual.”
The message concluded: “Our thoughts are with the 800 staff who were subject to appalling dismissal without notice, and truly hope that the company in question are held to full account for their inexcusable actions.”
Director Scott Murray, who runs the business alongside his wife Sarah, said that while Inverness Travel had not been approached by many anxious customers, he knew that other agents had and that a lot of concern had been expressed and questions asked on online travel forums.
“We just thought it would be easier to address it before it became an issue,” he said.
The concerns come as the cruise industry worldwide recovers from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, a recovery which is also set to be felt in the Highlands with the Port of Cromarty Firth anticipating a record cruise season.
“The whole travel industry is bouncing back,” Mr Murray added.
“It’s pretty phenomenal, to be honest, and it’s been pretty full on.”
Safety fears raised as P&O Ferries replaces seafarers with agency workers