Thomas Cook the 178-year old British Tour Operator has ceased trading with immediate effect after failing to secure further funding during its recent debt refinancing.
The company, which announced it is now in liquidation this morning has had a week of being shrouded in bad news with many customers taking to social media asking if their flights, hotels and cruises would be safe in the event of a collapse of the company.
This morning it was announced the UK Government have plans in place to fly home stranded customers from around the world.
Below is a list of what help is available to you if you have booked a flight, hotel or cruise with them:
If you booked a package holiday and you are already on it
If you are already on a package holiday (for example flight + hotel) then you are automatically covered by the ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence scheme).
The scheme will pay for your accommodation abroad, but you may have to move to a different hotel or apartment. The scheme will also pay for your flights home too.
If you booked a package holiday and have not travelled yet
If you booked a package holiday and are yet to travel to it, then your holiday will be cancelled and you will be refunded by the scheme.
If you booked just a flight only and have already flown out
Your flight home will possibly be replaced if you are in Europe. The UK Government has said it will fly everyone home, even if they aren’t under the ATOL cover as there is unlikely to be room on scheduled flights.
However, if you are a long-haul flight away you may have to purchase a one-way ticket via British Airways, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta or others. These will be steeply discounted airfares known as ‘rescue fares’ and you can claim back the cost via your credit card provider when home. These fares will be announced by airlines within 24 hours.
If you booked a flight only and have not flown yet
If you have booked a flight-only with Thomas Cook you will need to apply to your travel insurance company or credit card/debit card provider to seek a refund.
If you booked a cruise
As cruise line operators are ABTA members then your booking should be safe with your chosen cruise line. The booking will now be taken over by the cruise line in question and you’ll be contacted with further details.
Complications may arise if you have flights booked with your cruise via Thomas Cook. Although you’ll be covered by ATOL (as it is part of a package) you may have to rebook flights and/or be offered different flights depending on the airline.
Official Cruise Line Responses
Celebrity Cruises
“You may have already seen the news that Thomas Cook has been placed into administration. If you booked your holiday through Thomas Cook, please be assured we will be doing everything we can to ensure you still have an amazing trip. We are currently in the process of contacting all guests affected by the news, in sail date order – hold tight and we’ll speak to you as soon as we can. For more information, visit https://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/travel-alerts/thomas-cook/“
Cunard Line
“We are sorry to hear the news regarding Thomas Cook. We will be contacting all guests who have current or future Cunard voyages booked through Thomas Cook. All Cunard voyages booked through Thomas Cook will be going ahead as planned.”
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
“We would like to reassure Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines customers that any Thomas Cook, Freedom Travel or Future Travel bookings will go ahead as planned. All F.OCL bookings are ATOL and ABTA protected, for your reassurance.
However, If you have any concerns, please contact our Guest Services team on 0800 0355 145 or guest.services@fredolsencruises.co.uk”
MSC Cruises
“This morning you may have seen the news that Thomas Cook has been placed into administration. If you booked your MSC Cruise through Thomas Cook, please be assured we will be doing everything we can to ensure you still have an enjoyable cruise and we will honour all elements of the booking which Thomas Cook made through MSC Cruises.
Today we will start the process of contacting all guests affected by the news and with whom we have contact details (in sail date order) – please be patient and we’ll speak to you as soon as we can. For more information, we will post a FAQ shortly.”
Updated statement from MSC We are incredibly sorry to say that today, 23rd September 2019 our valued partner Thomas Cook has ceased trading. Our priority is to ensure that guests who have booked with MSC Cruises through Thomas Cook are still able to travel on their cruise holiday.In order to give up to date information to these guests we urge those travelling in the next 2 weeks to get in contact with us directly on 0207 660 8423. We have extended our contact centre opening hours in order to deal with these calls and as a result the contact centre will be open from 9.30am – 8.00pm for the rest of this week.From Wednesday 25th September we will be addressing all other bookings in sailing date order, therefore request that those guests contact us on the above number from Wednesday.
P&O Cruises
“We will be contacting all guests who have current or future P&O Cruises holidays booked through Thomas Cook. All P&O Cruises holidays booked through Thomas Cook will be going ahead as planned. Those travelling on a Thomas Cook aircraft on our Fly-Caribbean or Fly-Mediterranean cruise holidays will also be updated as soon as we have confirmed alternative aircraft. All other flights remain as scheduled.
If you have a future booking through Thomas Cook there is no need to contact us at this stage but in order to make sure we contact you without delay please ensure that all of your contact details are up to date on Cruise Personaliser. This can be accessed by going onto our website and selecting ‘Already Booked?’ in the top right of the page.”
Princess Cruises
If you have a booking with Thomas Cook Group plc, please be assured your booking with Princess Cruises is safe. We will contact you in due course, but please ensure your contact details are up to date on Cruise Personaliser.
If you require any further assistance with your booking please call 0344 338 8662 where we will be more than happy to assist. https://bit.ly/31Ib0qB
Royal Caribbean International
“You may have already seen the news that Thomas Cook has been placed into administration. If you booked your holiday through Thomas Cook, please be assured we will be doing everything we can to ensure you still have an amazing trip and we will honour all elements of the booking which Thomas Cook made through Royal Caribbean. We are currently in the process of contacting all guests affected by the news, in sail date order – hold tight and we’ll speak to you as soon as we can. For more information, visit our FAQs“
This page is being updated – 23/09/19 – 16:08
