Operators announce re-booking discounts for customers of failed Diamond Holidays

River cruise and rail operators have stepped in with rebooking discounts for consumers who have bookings with Diamond Shortbreak Holidays.

The company, which includes The River Cruise Line, ceased trading today due to “financial difficulties”.

It currently has 7,000 forward bookings comprising around 16,000 passengers.

Saga, Cosmos Tours, Great Rail Journeys and Emerald Waterways are offering discounts on any future bookings with Diamond Holidays, Diamond Rail and The River Cruise Line customers.

They have also offered their support to agents with customers on future bookings.

Great Rail Journeys is giving a £50 discount to any Diamond Rail customer on Great Rail or Rail Discoveries tours and Emerald Waterways is offering savings of more than £200 when agents quote RCL when rebooking customers.

Cosmos Tours is offering a rebooking discount of £50 per person on cruises, tours and beach holidays across its three brands; Cosmos Tours& Cruises, Avalon Waterways and Archers Holidays.

Saga Holidays is offering £100 discounts for long-haul holidays and river cruise customers, £50 off on European holidays and £20 on UK breaks.

Customers booking an Avalon river cruise with a Panorama Suite will be eligible for a £100 discount. The offer is valid until April 20.

Cosmos Tours chief executive, Giles Hawke, said: “Unfortunately, in the same quarter of this year, another travel company has gone into administration leaving thousands of customers without a holiday to look forward to.

“Once again, as availability of customers’ carefully chosen holiday could be an issue, we are here to help disappointed river cruise or touring holiday passengers re-book as soon as possible.”

Others joining the stampede to offer alternatives to holidaymakers who have lost their holidays through the collapse include CroisiEurope, which is offering a £60 per person discount until May 1 on any 2017 European departure.

Emerald Waterways UK brand manager, David Winterton, said: “We are saddened to hear the news that one of our river cruise family has ceased trading.

“The River Cruise Line was an active member of Clia and played a positive part in promoting river cruising here in the UK.

“When guests are affected by the collapse of a business, it is a very upsetting and stressful time for all concerned.

“In light of this, we want to help those affected by offering an easily-booked alternative river cruise option.”

Sharon Smith, head of sales and distribution at Great Rail Journeys, said: “We understand that this is going to be a very upsetting time for Diamond Rail holidaymakers, and our team will do everything they can to assist customers who have lost out.”

A Saga spokesman said: “It’s a real shame that The River Cruise Line and Diamond Shortbreak Holidays have gone into administration and it is devastating news for customers who have their holidays booked with them.

“Our specialist UK sales team will do their utmost to find a suitable replacement for the holiday the traveller has lost.

“We know this can be a very worrying time for many, however passengers have been reassured they will get their money back thanks to the protection afforded by Atol and Abta and we want to be able to help passengers rebook their holiday as soon as possible.”