Owner Laura Hibbert told TTG she had initially set up Cruizing in 2016, at the same time as Travel Zing, but decided to delay the brand’s launch so she could fully focus on the agency business. 

But she explained: “Cruise has been the biggest growth sector for us over the last 12 months, so we decided it was the right time to bring Cruizing to the surface and start using that brand."

Cruizing was officially launched with a small celebration at Travel Zing’s Duke Street store on Tuesday (3 June).

Hibbert noticed how the cruise market was growing more rapidly than other sectors, with lines adding more ex-UK departures and, in particular, sailings from Dundee – a 90-minute drive from the agency’s Duke Street shop. 

Hibbert said Cruizing would target customers with discounted cruise offerings and tailor-made marketing campaigns. She confirmed it would sell "all types of cruises" including ocean, expedition and river sailings. 

The brand will be managed by a new member of staff – a role Hibbert was currently recruiting for but didn’t yet know if they would be a homeworker or someone working in the shop as that would depend on the successful applicant and their circumstances. 

“We have four members of staff that are here and are already qualified and we need another person to have the same level of experience,” she said. “We’re not in a position to take somebody that is not qualified.”

Hibbert told TTG she had already made two bookings, both Mediterranean cruises each worth more than £10,000, off the back of posting the launch on Facebook earlier this week.

“There are cruises for everyone these days. there are huge ships hosting more than 7,000 people with roller coasters and swimming pools,” she said. “But there are also small, intimate ships so there’s an alternative for everyone.”

Hibbert predicted that Cruizing would take at least another year before it rivals Travel Zing as the agency’s primary revenue source. 

“It will depend on how we structure it but we’re looking for it to run side by side with Travel Zing,” she concluded.