Flight Centre, via its UK subsidiary Flight Centre Travel Group (European Holdings) Ltd, has expanded its portfolio by acquiring Cruise Club through the purchase of all issued share capital in Travelworld Manchester. The acquisition process was supported by the legal expertise of MinterEllison's London office.

Cruise Club is poised to bolster Flight Centre's influence in the cruise industry. This comes on the heels of Flight Centre's revival of its 'Cruiseabout' brand and the launch of 'CruiseHQ' in Australia. The acquisition is a strategic move to expedite Flight Centre's 'Ignite' business growth in the competitive UK market, with plans to replicate the successful 'MyCruises' business model from Australia. This move is set to provide Flight Centre with immediate access to Cruise Club's expertise, systems, and infrastructure, which are essential for a swift and cost-effective market launch.

The MinterEllison team was led by Partner Michael Wallin, who said "The successful acquisition of Cruise Club by Flight Centre, underpinned by MinterEllison's diligent legal support, showcases our ability to steer complex, cross-border transactions to completion. Our team's expertise was instrumental in navigating a complicated deal in a regulated market, marking a pivotal step in Flight Centre's global market expansion in the Cruise sector."

MinterEllison played a pivotal role in this acquisition by delivering expert legal services, ensuring a seamless integration to boost Flight Centre's presence in the cruise industry.