The locations of the new cruise stores are Aberdeen, Harrogate, Gateshead, Merryhill, Liverpool, Maidstone, Darlington, Bolton, Newport, Plymouth and Fareham. Each town or city has more than one Thomas Cook branch.
‘Retail is such an important part of Thomas Cook’s omni-channel approach,’ said retail director Joanna Wild, referring to the company’s strategy that places online, in store and mobile channels on an equal footing. ‘We know holidays are important to our customers, and cruise holidays are valued for offering a particular sense of adventure and security that everything will be taken care of as soon as our customers depart from port.’
Each store has been designed to offer customers a personalised cruise retail experience, combining modern technologies with the personal touch and expertise of dedicated cruise specialists. Team members have undergone robust training to ensure expert cruise advice is provided, she added.
Ben Bouldin, sales director UK & Ireland, Royal Caribbean International, said: ‘When the opportunity to work with Thomas Cook on the introduction of dedicated Cruise Stores arose Royal Caribbean jumped at the chance to be involved.’
Gerard Tempest, chief commercial officer of Carnival UK said: ‘We have had a relationship with Thomas Cook dating back to the 19th century and we know our customers appreciate the face-to-face expert service Thomas Cook provide.  These new dedicated cruise stores will play an important role opening up the wonderful world of cruising to even more UK holidaymakers.’
Thomas Cook is one of the UK’s biggest cruise retailers.
