Hays Travel Expands by Acquiring Cruise.co.uk
Deal News | Jul 31, 2025 | Muckle LLP
Hays Travel has acquired the Victoria Travel Group, the parent company of Cruise.co.uk, marking its significant move into the online cruise retail industry. This acquisition includes the Seascanner brand and Kreuzfahrtberater.de, signifying Hays Travel's first foray into international markets, particularly Germany. The deal underscores Hays Travel's commitment to expanding its reach and influence within the travel industry. Muckle LLP, a longstanding partner of Hays Travel, provided legal advice for this transaction. The acquisition aligns with Hays Travel's growth strategy and is supported by the company's strong recent performance. The managing partners at Muckle, Stephanie Brown and Philip Clare, alongside solicitor Ben Evans, played crucial roles in facilitating the deal.
Sectors
- Travel and Tourism
- Legal Services
Geography
- United Kingdom – Hays Travel is a UK-based company, and the transaction involves UK entities.
- Germany – The acquisition includes Kreuzfahrtberater.de, a German cruise platform, marking Hays Travel's entry into this market.
Industry
- Travel and Tourism – This article centers on Hays Travel, showcasing its expansion through the acquisition of a travel and cruise company.
- Legal Services – Muckle LLP provided legal advisory services for the acquisition, emphasizing the role of legal expertise in corporate transactions.
Financials
- 252 million – Total transaction value posted by Victoria Travel Group in its latest financial year.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hays Travel | Acquirer | Company | A leading travel agency in the UK expanding its online cruise retail operations. |
| Victoria Travel Group | Target Company | Company | Parent company of Cruise.co.uk, recently acquired by Hays Travel. |
| Cruise.co.uk | Subsidiary | Company | An online cruise retailer, part of the Victoria Travel Group. |
| Muckle LLP | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal advice for the acquisition and has a longstanding relationship with Hays Travel. |
| Dame Irene Hays | Owner and Chair | Person | Chair of Hays Travel, overseeing the strategic acquisition. |
| Stephanie Brown | Lead Partner | Person | A partner at Muckle LLP who led the legal team for the transaction. |
| Philip Clare | Partner | Person | Partner at Muckle LLP involved in the deal. |
| Ben Evans | Solicitor | Person | Supported the legal team from Muckle LLP in the acquisition. |
| Ken Campling | Financial Director | Person | Financial director at Hays Travel praised Muckle LLP's role in the transaction. |