Renowned operator’s reputation helps attract additional prestigious cruise work.
Well-known North West of England coach operator Eavesway is acquiring additional coaches to cope with its expanding cruise ship work.
From January 2015, the Ashton-in-Makerfield-based firm will become the official UK domestic supplier to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines – and next month, it will begin its role as the UK coach supplier to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
In what Eavesway MD Mike Eaves called “a resounding endorsement” of the firm’s coach operation, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has chosen Eavesway to provide both RoyalConnection and CelebrityConnection services from around the UK to the ports of Southampton and Harwich for both the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises brands.
“We are particularly pleased to have been awarded this prestigious three-year contract in recognition of the quality of service we will bring to these cruise transfer services,” enthused Mike.
“We will be working closely with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to drive sales out of both Southampton and Harwich from 2015 onwards. It will give passengers the opportunity to witness the standards we have been setting during the past 23 years on our Cruiselink services to Southampton.”
In readiness for the new contract, and to service its existing 2014/15 commitments, the Eavesway fleet will initially grow by an extra three vehicles to 37. Arriva Bus and Coach is to supply five Van Hool TDX21A Altano coaches. Of these, two are due to arrive before the end of the month, while the remaining three are expected by the end of April or early May. A Mercedes-Benz EVM X-Clusive 16-seater VIP minicoach is also expected to enter service by early June.
Meanwhile, the first of Eavesway’s 2015 coach intake, a Euro 6 Van Hool TDX21A Altano is now on order with Arriva Bus and Coach. As Eavesway’s first Euro 6-compliant coach, it is due to be delivered in time to appear at the Euro Bus Expo show at the NEC, Birmingham during early November. Built to Eavesway’s Cruiselink specification, it will feature free onboard WiFi and as with the firm’s 2014 deliveries, a new Hanover destination display in the upper front windscreen will be able to display the cruise line and destination of the journey.
The new Eavesway services also coincide with the introduction of Royal Caribbean International’s new ship ‘Anthem of the Seas’ which will sail out of Southampton from April 2015.
Adam Sharp, Northern Europe Port Services manager, of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines commented: “For both Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises we realise the holiday begins the moment you close the door and we wanted to make sure our partner understood this – and more importantly, could provide a service that matched this expectation. In partnering with Eavesway Travel we know our guests will have a great start and end to their cruise with us travelling on a fleet of young, luxurious coaches and we look forward to building on this valuable partnership.”
Full details of all Eavesway’s existing, and the new Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, services can be found on its updated and expanded website at www.eaveswaytravel.com
