JUST days after its senior managers spoke optimistically about the future of the company – Purfleet-based Cruise and Maritime Voyages has gone into administration today.

The company, which owns six cruise ships and employs several thousand people – including staff at its headquarters off Stonehouse Lane, Purfleet, has been badly hit by the coronavirus situation and the complete cessation of trading.

It continued to sell holidays for 2021 and reported buoyant sales – but this afternoon the company posted an announcement that it had entered administration and all holidays that have been booked are cancelled.

A statement from the company says: "We are sorry to inform you that South Quay Travel Limited ("SQTL") – which traded under the name Cruise & Maritime Voyages – was placed into administration on 20 July 2020.

"Paul Williams, Phil Dakin and Edward Bines of Duff & Phelps Ltd. were appointed Joint Administrators of SQTL. At present the Administrators are evaluating SQTL's financial position.

"The information below sets out specific advice for customers who booked in the UK. This advice varies depending on which holiday and travel arrangements you have booked and how you paid."

The company sold mainly cruise packages which are protected by ABTA.

They also sold a small number of flight-inclusive packages which are protected by the CAA's ATOL scheme.

The statement continues: "Customers that have booked a package holiday provided by SQTL through a travel agent should contact the travel agent in the first instance for further advice and assistance as they may have made alternative arrangements for you.

"If you booked directly with SQTL you should follow the advice below.

Non-flight packages

"If you booked a non-flight package holiday (eg a cruise without flights) through SQTL these are protected by ABTA or by your credit or debit card issuer. You should visit www.abta.com/failures for further advice on how to claim.

Package holidays with flights included (UK Customers Only)

"If your booking included flights, you will need to contact the CAA as your booking is protected by the CAA's ATOL scheme. Further information and advice on how to claim is available on the ATOL website here.

Several of CMV's ships are currently berthed at the Port of Tilbury where several hundred foreign members of the ship's companies have been staying on board.

Their future – which had already attracted concern for the crews' health and well-being – is not further in doubt.

And CMV was the major customer at the London International Cruise Terminal at the Port of Tilbury - where a significant number of its UK-based cruises sail from and return to.