Your Holiday Booking agent lands £125k cruise sale

Your Holiday Booking homeworker Neil Smith has secured a booking worth £125,000 for an 85-night Cunard cruise for three people on Queen Victoria.

The industry veteran hailed the support of Your Holiday Booking and its parent, the Vertical Travel Group, which in turn paid tribute to his “exceptional service and expertise”.

Smith has worked in retail for 50 years, in travel for 30 years, and with the Vertical Travel Group for 26 years.

He had planned to retire after the “nightmare” of Covid but did resume selling once clients were confident to return to overseas holidays.

“The amazing Cunard booking came from a client who I have looked after for over 20 years,” he said.

“I missed out on her last cruise booking in 2023 as I was having radiotherapy for cancer.

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“She had contacted the company that she used for that booking but they reported to her that the 2025 Cunard sailing from Southampton to South America was fully sold out.

“She rang me to see if I was back working and asked my advice on whether it was worth wait-listing the suite she was after.

“I knew that particular cruise could be booked from Hamburg with its own cabin allocations and I was able to secure the suite she wanted with club class flights from Heathrow and return airport-to-ship transfers.

“The customer is happy and I am obviously over the moon with such a fantastic booking.”

He continued: “There have been many changes over the last 26 years in the travel homeworking industry but I have remained loyal to the Vertical Travel Group mainly because of the brilliant people who work in the company.

“From technical support in Laindon, to the sales support team, the admin team, the commercial support and all the management team right up to our chief executive Peter Healey they have all been magnificent.

“I should also mention the amazing friendships that I have made with other homeworkers spread out all over the country – great friends for life.”

A statement from the group added: “This recent booking is a testament to Neil’s dedication and the high level of trust his clients place in his services.

“As a seasoned travel professional, Neil continues to provide unparalleled travel advice and support, ensuring every journey is memorable from start to finish.”