Panache Cruises launches guide amid Middle East conflict

Panache Cruises has launched a free guide addressing the impact of the Middle East conflict on the cruise industry.

James Cole, chief executive and founder of Chorley-based Panache Cruises, said the ‘Safe to Sail’ guide aims to reassure the public and answer common questions.

Cole said the guide offers clear information to travellers in light of the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

Some cruise lines have already changed their itineraries to avoid the region while one online travel agent has reported a drop in demand for holidays to Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Egypt in particular.

Cole, who founded Panache Cruises in 2020, said: “Whenever you get major global events like this you get an information vacuum.

“As soon as the conflict started our priority was helping any stranded passengers get home and we’ve been working side-by-side with the cruise lines.

“However, we know from the feedback we’re getting from customers that people just want to speak to someone and get accurate information so we felt we had to do more.”

Cole said the ‘Safe to Sail’ guide followed the success of their ‘Great Restart’ guide which they produced during Covid.

“More than 12,000 people contacted us during Covid with questions about the cruise industry and we were able to provide answers and reassurance,” he said.

“Nobody knows how long the situation in the Middle East will last so people are anxious about booking holidays.

“The Middle East isn’t a big luxury cruise destination but several hundred thousand air passengers transit through the region’s hubs on a daily basis so that has a knock-on effect for people’s onward journeys and the cruise industry.

“Anyone who calls Panache Cruises will have their call answered within 10 seconds. We will provide clear guidance, expert advice and personalised support for customers with existing bookings or customers looking to travel in 2026 or beyond.

“The Safe to Sail guide takes that a step further. We’ll be sending it to the 200,000+ names on our database and sharing it on our website and social media platforms.”

Cole, who has worked in the cruise industry for more than 25 years, said Panache Cruises had managed to maintain its sales since the conflict started.

“We’ve been very fortunate,” he said. “We’ve returned to a more regular trading pattern.

“We’ve seen an increase in demand for Mediterranean cruises, European river cruising and Expedition cruises. We’ve also seen an increase in demand for Caribbean cruises.”

The ’Safe to Sail’ guide can be viewed here https://www.panachecruises.com/en-gb/information