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About us

ROL Cruise was founded in 1995 as Reader Offers Ltd with a small team of four. Offering a range of land-based holidays, Reader Offers predominantly promoted and sold through regional newspapers. As the company expanded, Peter Beadles, Founder and Former Chairman of Reader Offers, began to consider selling cruise as a project and placed a full-page advert for Queen Elizabeth II in the Evening Standard.

Today, with over 120 employees, Reader Offers has rebranded as ROL Cruise, the UK’s No.1 Independent Cruise Specialist, and works closely with all major cruise lines. For 25 years we have been looking after your holiday as if it were our own, striving to deliver excellence in everything we do. Here’s to the next 25 years!

Experience the Difference with ROL Cruise

ROL Cruise customer experience rating 4.8/5

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The History of ROL Cruise

1995

Inception of Reader Offers Ltd

Reader Offers Ltd started life in Colchester as a general travel agent selling a range of land-based holidays. A team of four sold mainly through regional newspapers, hence the name Reader Offers.

Reader Offers Limited founder

2002

Cruise is the future

By 2002, Reader Offers were working alongside Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Cunard, with Cunard’s sister brands (Princess Cruises and Holland America Line ) soon to join as partners.

P&O Cruise Arcadia

2005

Jeremy Dickinson joined Reader Offers Ltd as Marketing Manager

Alongside celebrating 10 years of Reader Offers, Jeremy Dickinson joined as Marketing Manager and Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises entered as cruise line partners.

Jeremy Dickinson, ROL Cruise CEO

2005

Blue Horizons launched

Blue Horizons, the No.1 Monthly Cruise Magazine (as voted by all leading cruise lines), launched in 2005, providing subscribers with the best cruise deals, most up-to-date cruise news, unique features and exclusive value.

Blue Horizons

2008

Reader Offers Ltd moved to Lexden House, Colchester

Following rapid growth, Reader Offers quickly outgrew the office on East Hill, Colchester and exchanged contracts for Lexden House, Colchester, providing the company with much better facilities and the opportunity to improve efficiency.

ROL Cruise HQ

2009

Academy of Cruise Excellence (ACE) was introduced

As part of an ongoing strategy, Jeremy Dickinson introduced Academy of Cruise Excellence (ACE), with a clear goal: to deliver excellence in everything we do.

ACE Awards

2010

The birth of Cruise Miles

In March 2010, Cruise Miles was born. Each member was given an opening balance of 2,500 Cruise Miles with the ability to earn them with every future booking.

Cruise Miles

2010

Reader Offers very first Cruise Show

Alongside the introduction of Cruise Miles, Reader Offers held the first Cruise Show at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in Colchester. The packed event brought together many leading cruise lines and guests and showcased a wide array of cruise itineraries, ships and packages to those new to cruise travel, as well as seasoned cruising enthusiasts.

Jennie Bond & ROL MD

2014

Jeremy Dickinson takes over as CEO

In 2014, Peter Beadles, Founder and Chairman, retired, leaving Reader Offers in the hands of Jeremy Dickinson as CEO and his Board of Directors.

ROL Cruise Chairman

2015

Celebrated Reader Offers 20th Anniversary

20 years of Reader Offers.

Champagne

2016

Reader Offers rebranded as ROL Cruise

In 2016, Reader Offers rebranded as ROL Cruise and a new website was launched.

ROL Cruise logo

2018

Jeremy Dickinson becomes Chairman

…and promotes Ellie Fielder, Rosie Cairns and Sarah Wikevand as joint Managing Directors of ROL Cruise.

ROL Cruise MDs & CEO

2020

Celebrated ROL Cruise’s 25th Anniversary

25 years of ROL Cruise.

Celebration glasses

2020

ROL Cruise win Best Ocean Cruise Agency 2020

ROL Cruise named as the best agency for booking ocean cruise holidays in the UK and Ireland.

TTG Top 50 Awards

2020

ROL Cruise raise £100,000 for NHS Charities

ROL Cruise raises £100,000 for NHS Charities by donating £25 from every new booking made.

ROL Cruise raise £100,000 NHS Charities

2022

Sarah Wikevand announced as godmother of Emerald Azzurra

Joint Managing Director Sarah Wikevand announced as godmother of Emerald Azzurra, Emerald Yacht Cruises’ first ocean-going superyacht.

Sarah Wikevand announced as godmother of Emerald Azzurra
1995 Inception of Reader Offers Ltd
2002 Cruise is the future
2005 Jeremy Dickinson joined Reader Offers Ltd as Marketing Manager
2005 Blue Horizons launched
2008 Reader Offers Ltd moved to Lexden House, Colchester
2009 Academy of Cruise Excellence (ACE) was introduced
2010 The birth of Cruise Miles
2010 Reader Offers very first Cruise Show
2014 Jeremy Dickinson takes over as CEO
2015 Celebrated Reader Offers 20th Anniversary
2016 Reader Offers rebranded as ROL Cruise
2018 Jeremy Dickinson becomes Chairman
2020 Celebrated ROL Cruise’s 25th Anniversary
2020 ROL Cruise win Best Ocean Cruise Agency 2020
2020 ROL Cruise raise £100,000 for NHS Charities
2022 Sarah Wikevand announced as godmother of Emerald Azzurra

Why choose ROL Cruise?

Book with confidence - ABTA & ATOL Protection

We look after your holiday as if it were our own and can happily reassure you that your holiday is fully protected. Our ABTA membership protects all package or tailormade holidays booked through ROL Cruise and our ATOL license protects all package or tailor made holidays where there are flights involved. This ensures you can book with confidence knowing you are fully protected.


Exclusive Cruise Miles rewards programme

Over 400,000 U.K. Members are benefiting from our exclusive Cruise Miles Rewards Programme. Every time you book with ROL Cruise, you’ll earn Cruise Miles which can be used on a future booking, enabling you to save money every time. Our rewards programme is completely exclusive to ROL Cruise customers.


We are the UK’s No.1 Independent Cruise Specialist

Delivering impartial advice from our office based in Colchester, we are the UK’s No.1 Independent Cruise Specialist. From finding you the best deal possible to offering exceptional added value, personalising your holiday to your needs to seeking out the most unique experiences, we are here to guide and assist you with every aspect of your cruise holiday.


Customer satisfaction at 98% and a Feefo score of 4.8/5

We strive to offer a 5★ service. With a Feefo rating of 4.8 out of 5 and over 3,500 5-star reviews, we believe that our dedication shines through.


Our staff have over 1,000 years’ combined travel expertise

Our passionate and dedicated staff have over 1,000 years’ combined travel expertise. Many of the original team are still working for the business, ever passionate about cruising and proud of what they and the company have achieved.


Celebrating our silver anniversary as a cruise-only specialist

We have been operating as a cruise-only specialist for over 25 years and take delight in providing you with unbiased and up to date advice, simply unmissable packages and exclusive deals only available to book with us.


Experts in exclusive tailormade cruise holidays

With you in mind we package exclusive bespoke holidays. Our experienced Tailormade Cruise specialists combine the best new experiences that the world has to offer with delectable cruise experiences; adding hotel stays, unmissable shore excursions and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to create unforgettable holidays.


We are the top partner for major leading cruise lines

As the key strategic partner with major cruise lines , we sustain and develop relationships to ensure that we are providing you with the most current, exciting and unique cruise packages.


ROL Ambassadors on board

For over 10 years we have had ROL Cruise Ambassadors representing us on board many voyages. This invaluable service means that you have an ROL representative to hand should you have any questions, comments or want to book your next cruise while on board.


Award-winning Academy of Cruise Excellence (ACE)

At ROL Cruise, we take the training and development of our staff seriously. Since 2009, we have been running an Academy of Cruise Excellence programme which means our staff members are trained to the highest possible standard and are always working towards improving their knowledge and expertise to benefit you, our loyal customers.


Blue Horizons, No.1 Monthly Cruise Magazine

Our exclusive magazine, Blue Horizons, has been voted No.1 Monthly Cruise magazine by all leading cruise lines. Providing you with the best cruise deals, most up-to-date cruise news, unique features and exclusive value, Blue Horizons can be delivered free to your door every month, ensuring that you are receiving the best of the best. Sign up today.


Brexit protection guarantee

When booking with ROL Cruise, you don’t need to worry about the effects of Brexit on your holiday. We guarantee the price of your holiday will not increase, plus you are fully protected by ABTA & ATOL. Don’t let Brexit stand in the way of your future cruises.


Voted The UK & Ireland's No.1 Ocean Cruise Specialist in the TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies 2020 Awards

We are delighted to announce that we have been named as the best agency for booking ocean cruise holidays in the UK and Ireland. We were selected for the prestigious Top Ocean Cruise Agency title as part of a power-list of the nation’s best agents by industry bible, Travel Trade Gazette (TTG). 


Insurance Assistance

Reader Offers Ltd will assist you with obtaining insurance cover, including Covid-cover. With their top travel expertise and knowledge of the industry, Reader Offers Ltd will keep you safe at sea.


We are the winners of so many industry awards

We’re the proud winners of over 50 industry awards, received in the last five years alone. Many of these were voted by the public – what better accolade could we ask for!

Read our customer testimonials here

ROL Cruise Feefo Platinum Trusted Award 2023
Wave Awards 2023 - Highly Commended Best Cruise Specialist Cruise Agent
Platinum Trusted Award 2023 - ROL Cruise
Feefo Platinum service 2022
Wave Awards 2021, Winner of Best Specialist Cruise agent
Platinum Service Award 2021
TTG Top Ocean Cruise Agency 2021
Feefo Gold Service Award 2020
British Travel Awards 2020
TTG No.1 Ocean Cruise Specialist
TTG Cruise Agent of the Year 2019
Wave Awards 2019 - Best Advertising & Marketing
Best Performer for Suite Class 2019 - Celebrity Cruises
TTG Top 50 2018
WAVE Awards 2018 - Best Digital Platform Service
British Travel Awards 2018 - Bronze
Top 50 Travel Awards 2017
Cruise Awards 2016
Wave Awards 2016
British Travel Awards Winnner 2016
CLIA
Celebrity Cruises Travel Appreication Awards
The Loyalty Magazine Awards 2016
Agent Achievement Awards 2016
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