River cruise operator A-ROSA and Cosmos Tours & Cruises have formed a strategic partnership, which enables Cosmos to sell the A-ROSA product portfolio.

Designed to simplify the booking process for agents and provide them with a ‘one-stop-shop’ for bookings with the cruise line, the new partnership means agents can now book full A-ROSA river cruise packages for any itinerary or departure, from 27 airports around the UK.

Until now, agents could either book a cruise only product in Euros, where flights and transfers had to be added separately, thus requiring an ATOL license and the agent taking the principle status. Alternatively, they could book through a range of specialist tour operators who successfully sell a selection of A-ROSA products on specific routes and dates. This new partnership will open up the entire portfolio and makes the product more accessible in the UK market.

Lucia Rowe, head of A-ROSA UK said: “This new partnership is a major step forward for us and forms part of our strategic growth plans. We know that demand for our product in 2017 is high, as globally we are already 50% sold and we want agents to be able to capitalise on this. In the UK we plan to continue, long-term to work only with agents and tour operator partners and this is why working with Cosmos is so important. They are extremely trade friendly and it felt like the perfect partnership to get our products out more widely into the market.”

Giles Hawkes, CEO of Cosmos Tours Ltd said: “This partnership is all about making things simple and easy for agents – they can now buy a full A-ROSA package without worrying about arranging flights and transfers. Agents can trust our brands and company for quality and service and know that we will deliver for their customers. This will mean they can sell A-ROSA through Cosmos happy in the knowledge that their customers will come back having had a great holiday from leaving their front door to returning home. We are delighted to partner with A-Rosa as this also strengthens our product offering and gives agents and customers another reason to book with us. All of our packages include a VIP home chauffeur service, travel to and from the ship and the full A-ROSA experience.”

The companies will be working with agents this year on activity such as educationals, roadshows and advertising to educate them as to the benefits of booking with A-ROSA and Cosmos.

Prices will lead in at £599pp for a four-night mini cruise – Romance on the Rhine including four night’s onboard A-ROSA BRAVA in an outside cabin, breakfast, lunch, dinner and all drinks whilst onboard, return flight from Luton to Cologne, transfers and taxes plus a VIP home pick-up service from home to airport (within 50 miles). Based on two sharing.

Bookable through Cosmos Tours & Cruises – 0800 440 2797; cosmostoursandcruises.co.uk