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Clipper Cruise Line and INTRAVOfficially Join First Choice Holidays
On January 17 2006, Clipper Cruise Line and INTRAV Has Officially Joined UK-based First Choice Holidays PLC (First Choice) following the completion of the purchase of the deluxe-tour and small-ship cruise operator from Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd., originally announced last month. The 2006 INTRAV and Clipper Cruise Line trips remain as scheduled. The company will operate under the Grand Expeditions group, based in Florida and recently purchased by First Choice, with INTRAV President David Drier reporting to Grand Expeditions Chief Operating Officer Hans Birkholz. Under Grand Expeditions, INTRAV and Clipper Cruise Line will focus on expansion in upscale niche markets and development of new luxury and expeditionary trips. To facilitate this strategy, INTRAV also announces today that Cruise West has acquired the two coastal cruise vessels — the Yorktown Clipper and the Nantucket Clipper — previously part of the Clipper Cruise Line fleet."Grand Expeditions is excited to add the highly respected INTRAV brand to its family of U.S. companies," Birkholz said. "INTRAV has long been a leader in the U.S. travel market, and I look forward to working closely with David and his management team to develop new and innovative programs for the luxury private-jet, escorted tour, worldwide river and expeditionary cruise markets, where we anticipate a great deal of growth." INTRAV and Clipper will operate more than 100 unique itineraries, with over 300 departures, throughout the globe this year. INTRAV programs include relaxing river cruises; in-depth, land-based explorations; and top-of-the-line safari arrangements and private-jet journeys. Clipper itineraries encompass every continent, offering exotic expeditionary cruising with a high degree of comfort. Customers already booked on — or those who are looking to join — any journeys for 2006 can rest assured that each trip will operate at the high-level to which they have become accustomed. "With the solid backing that First Choice brings, and the great support that the Grand Expeditions family offers, INTRAV is poised to bring to the U.S. market more of the outstanding travel experiences we are long-recognized in providing," Drier noted. "It is reassuring that First Choice and Grand Expeditions are interested in investing into the expansion of our style of travel, fully understanding the unique and enriching experiences our customers seek. The withdrawal of the Yorktown Clipper and Nantucket Clipper from the fleet is bittersweet, but we move forward with the understanding that the Clipper Odyssey and Clipper Adventurer are vital assets in our plan to reach the enormous potential of the niche markets we serve." Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, with offices throughout the United States, Grand Expeditions operates six companies that specialize in a variety of segments in the North American premium-leisure travel market. Additional information on Grand Expeditions is available at Grandex.comHeadquartered in Crawley, West Sussex, England, First Choice is the market leader in activity adventure holidays. Founded in 1973, the company operates in 17 countries and has a strong presence in the North American market with a variety of brands. Additional information on First Choice is available at FirstChoice.co.ukFor additional information Clipper Cruise Line and INTRAV, please visit their respective websites at ClipperCruise.com or Intrav.com
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