User:Crociera01/Bolsover Cruise Club

Bolsover Cruise Club

Bolsover Cruise Club is an independent UK ‘cruise only’ specialist Travel Agent.

Company History

Founded by A. L. Wilson - the late father of Derek Wilson - in the 1960's as a joint travel and estate agency, Bolsover Cruise Club quickly emerged as a thriving local travel agent, which serviced the needs of Bolsover and the surrounding villages. By the time the travel business had passed to partners Derek, Michael and Audrey Wilson, and Julie Straw, in the late 1970's, it was already developing into the region's most prominent independent agent. Initial achievements centred on late offer type holidays; quite a conventional way to travel nowadays, but at that time a pioneering concept on which we were able to capitalise.

But this was not destined to be our last innovation. Indeed, its success merely paved the way for an even more radical step. Recognising the opportunities in the cruise market, we began to distance ourselves from the standard package holiday and, instead, rapidly gained a reputation as a leading name in the UK cruise industry. By the late 1980's, Bolsover Cruise Club had become the number one individual agent for P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises - our most prized accolades and positions that we've held proudly ever since.

The company expanded to support all major cruise lines during the early part of the 1990's, ultimately evolving into a 'cruise only' travel agent and necessitating the construction of 'The Cruise Centre' at Barlborough Links, three miles north of the original Bolsover site. The completion of that project, in October 1998, represented a pivotal moment in our history and marked the first purpose-built Cruise Reservation Centre of its type in the UK. Unprecedented levels of progress required two major extensions to the building in later years - but it eventually became clear that we had outgrown the first Cruise Centre and in March 2005, therefore, commenced an exciting new chapter in our story by moving into even larger premises.

The Development and Growth of the Cruise Industry. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. 1999. p. 91. ISBN 0750643846. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

In 1987 Bolsover Cruise Club was awarded as the number one individual agent for P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises which they have held continuously for 24 years. Peak District News (February/2011). "Bolsover Cruise Club retains unbeaten title, marking 24 years at the top". Peak District News. Retrieved February 7, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Bolsover does not deal in the ‘package’ type of cruise but in a more traditional product, an area that requires specialist knowledge. The Development and Growth of the Cruise Industry. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. 1999. p. 91. ISBN 0750643846. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

In 1998 the company moved to new purpose-built premises, in recognition of the fact that many customers liked to make a personal visit. The Development and Growth of the Cruise Industry. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. 1999. p. 91. ISBN 0750643846. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) Further expansion saw the company move into even larger premises in March 2005, ‘The Cruise Centre’ at Barlborough Links, Chesterfield, three miles north of the original Bolsover site. The brand new Cruise Centre accommodates up to 70 Cruise Sales Consultants and incorporates an in-house Cruise Bureau to cater for those members who prefer to book in person.