CAPE TOWN – South Africa's status as a cruise destination is gaining momentum as 2015 sees an unprecedented number of world-class international cruise lines visit South African shores as part of their cruise itineraries.

Cruising has become one of the fastest-growing holiday choices around the world, with over 21 million people cruising each year on over 400 ships from the luxury Silversea explorer carrying 132 passengers to explore Antarctica to Royal Caribbean's entertaining 5,400 passengers in the Mediterranean.

In 2015, South Africa will see ships from Cunard, MSC, Costa, Seabourn, Crystal, Oceania, Holland America and Silversea visit its most popular ports, including Cape Town, Durban, Richards Bay, Port Elizabeth and East London.

Cruise lines are responding to the increasing demand from international cruise travellers for South African destinations, says Imagine Cruising MD Robin Deller. “Cunard for example has led the way with its famous Queen Mary 2 with Cape Town acting as a key staging post. Cruises from Cape Town to London, Cape Town to Dubai and Cape Town to Sydney have proven increasingly popular among South Africans in recent years.”

According to Deller, a cruise holiday often costs far less than a business class airfare and is an exceptional way of starting or finishing a longer holiday in Australia, Dubai or Europe. “Our 17-night Cape Town to Southampton voyage in April 2015 for instance is advertised from R34,999 including the return flight and taxes from London, a two-night hotel stay and a range of luxurious amenities on board Cunard's regal Queen Mary 2.”

Imagine launches travel concessions within Stuttafords

Deller says the value and all-inclusive nature of cruising today makes it a fantastic holiday experience representing terrific value-for-money. “It's an exciting time for cruising in South Africa and Imagine are well placed to support the growth that's coming our way.”

This especially in the light of this week's launch of a second travel concession store within well-known luxury retail group, Stuttafords.

Stuttafords and Imagine, have signed a pioneering concession deal giving travel shoppers in-store access to a range of sensational cruise destinations and holiday hotspots, incredible cruise and holiday deals and expert knowledge to craft the best leisure breaks.

The second Imagine travel store launches in Canal Walk on 4 September, the first having opened in Sandton on 8 August with rave reviews.

Stuttafords is a luxury brand offering an elegant, aspirational shopping experience to discerning customers seeking exclusive, quality ranges. This perfectly matches the product and experience offered by Imagine, says Deller. “By aligning our brand with Stuttafords, Imagine benefits from a captive audience of loyal shoppers who are the right target market for its cruising and holiday packages, while Stuttafords offers its existing customers and prospective customers an additional, convenient, and classy travel consultation service in-store, combining its successful formula of unbeatable travel deals, exclusive product and quick turnaround.”

Shoppers visiting Imagine's in-store travel concessions can expect a modern, relaxing environment with a wide range of holiday and cruise options and engaging, knowledgeable travel experts helping to guide their holiday decisions.  

For more information about Imagine, please visit www.imaginecruising.co.za or www.imagineholidays.co.za or contact Natalia Rosa at natalia@imaginecruising.co.za or 083 449 4334.

Contact:          Chantal Nieuwenhuizen

Tel:                  +27 11 702 9601

Email:              chantal@lloydorr.com