Thought you might like to know the latest on the GCT -PG subject. Today we received in the mail a large brochure entitled "GCT Presents Small Ship Travel" I was intrigued by the omission of the PG in the listing of their upcoming cruises and also the fact that there was no picture of the ship included with all the others in the back of the brochure. So I called GCT to find out what the story was. I was told that GCT is no longer booking the PG. Further questioning determined that they were still owners of the ship but Radisson would be doing all the booking henceforth. And furthermore, (I'm quoting) after April of next year (I may have the month wrong), they will no longer be booking any small ship cruises. In other words, they are going back to the river cruises for which they are mostly known. Interesting, huh??

Thanks, Jean. Here's hoping RSSC finds a situation more conducive to cooperation than appears to be the case with GCT. Thanks again for passing it along. Cheers, Anne

Jean - I find your post very interesting since we just returned from our PG cruise where we met several GCT guests. Demographically they raised the average age on the ship from what it was when we were on last year. The ones we met were all very nice folks but the ship earned fewer dollars on excursions from the GCT group, as they were not as active a group as the regular PG cruisers. This had its good points for us (snorkel excursions not as full) but also its bad points (it was difficult to find an available lounge on the pool deck).

Jean, thanks for sharing, sounds like gct/rssc are gravitating towards the business models that serve themselves and customers best...r/wes

I received that brochure too.. I had no idea that
they had anything to do with Radisson..( what do I know ? lol)
In any event.. the small boats in the brochure were weird kind of old looking boats for Gallopogas <sp?> islands and Eqypt.
None looked close to elegant. They were pushing river cruises too.
I threw it out..

About all I can add to this subject is that I did receive a GCT communication via mail a number of months ago which stated that GCT was going to changethe PG itinerary from FP to S. America and Antarctica! Anybody who knows how rough the waters are in those areas, and who also knows the shallow-draft PG just wouldn't make it there probably had a good laugh! Yeah, GCT would do such an itinerary with the PG ---- once! And then there was the recent news article out of FP indicating that GCT and the FP government were unable to reach agreement to keep the ship there.

It appears (at least to me) that GCT has purchased a ship, and has no idea what to do with it.

Thanks,
Richard

I wonder about Vantage Travel. On Pip week #1, there was a large group of GCTers, and people with Vantage travel. I was given to understand that these two companies are owned by brothers who fight most of the time, and cooperate once in a while.

So, I wonder if Vantage is going to keep booking the PG. They have a cruise listed on their website for September right now.

Well, I had understood that GCT and Vantage were partners in ownership of the PG. I know that GCT is not a TA but is a "tour packager", and I don't know what Vantage is! Apparently the same thing, as Vantage has some August and September 7 day PG cruises packaged with land stays during that period.

I find it most interesting that GCT (apparently the primary owner) has been unable to agree with the FP government on terms to keep the PG in FP past '06. And, at the same time, GCT's proposed alternative itineraries are in waters way to rough for the PG.

It's clear to me that GCT and all have bought a ship, and have no practicle idea on what to do with it.

This will be a fun story to follow.

Thanks,
Richard

That is really great news..I couldnt imagine how GCT was going to have Radisson and themselves sell the PG at the same time..