Charter operator for Jane McDonald’s Sail Away cruise goes into administration
Cruise charter company Floating Festivals, which partnered with TV star Jane McDonald for her upcoming Sail Away cruise has gone into administration.
Sail Away with Jane McDonald had been due to take place next month on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, but was postponed for a year because of coronavirus, before being cancelled altogether last week.
The company said it was forced to cancel its planned charters after being unable to reach agreement with Royal Caribbean on terms for 2021.
At the time of cancellation, Jane McDonald said: "I’m so sorry and upset about today’s awful announcement, which is that Floating Festivals have had to cancel all their cruises, including Sailaway With Jane McDonald.
"I’m devastated this has happened as I know you were all looking forward to it as much as I was. I know this is especially sad and frustrating because this year’s cruise had already been postponed because of Covid-19.
"Unfortunately it’s completely out of our control. This is as much information as they are able to give out just now."
Yesterday, the charter company announced it had gone into administration, with Richard Williamson and Christopher Brindle of Campbell Crossley & Davis appointed joint administrators.
A statement on the Floating Festivals website said: "On 20 August 2020 Floating Festivals Limited (‘the Company’) was placed into administration.
"Unfortunately, the company was not ABTA bonded. Customers who have paid for cruises by credit or debit card should contact their card provider in the first instance to enquire as to their eligibility for a refund."
The ex-Southampton cruise had planned to visit Cherbourg in France, Vigo in Spain and Lisbon in Portugal, with Jane onboard for the duration, making special appearances throughout the ship and performing a special ‘Audience With’ evening.
By Lisa James, Deputy Editor (UK)
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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