GoCruiseDirect.com
, the leading Web-based cruise distribution technology company, today announced that it has released three key strategic products as scheduled.
The three products are:

á MyCruisePlus(tm), an agency-branded and traveler-customized Web site;
á CruiseLogic(tm), the multi-cruise line booking engine, and
á CruiseConnex(tm), the new, function-rich XML communications switch.
Early last year, GoCruiseDirect.com announced an aggressive schedule to develop and release four strategic cruise distribution products before the end of 2000 and the release of these three products completes that schedule. These products join CruiseManager(tm), the travel agent real-time cruise booking tool and CruiseContent(tm), the cruise vacation database system that were released last November bringing the total number to five for new products developed and released in 2000.
“Our goal is to exceed our commitments to our business partners and our customers. We have been able to consistently achieve this goal as demonstrated by the successful completion of our product development plan for 2000”, said Jason Rice, GoCruiseDirect.com Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “Our CruisePath Network product line now consists of five new and completely internally developed products that are truly revolutionizing cruise vacation distribution.”
MyCruisePlus(tm) provides cruise vacationers a personalized Web site containing all the information they need to prepare for their cruise. The site clearly displays the travel agency and individual travel agent of record. MyCruisePlusT provides valuable information such as the cruise itinerary, port and destination information, ship deck plans, cabin photos and dimensions, detailed passenger booking information and answers to frequently asked questions.
“MyCruisePlus gives cruise vacationers complete, customized information about their vacation, while travel agents will appreciate getting fewer follow-up phone calls and questions from clients,” Rice said. “MyCruisePlus is a valuable service for both travel agents and their clients and will provide travel agents more selling time helping them become more profitable.” Future enhancements will include the ability for travel agencies to completely brand MyCruisePlus as their own product on their own Web sites.
CruiseLogic(tm) is the real-time cruise-booking engine and contains all the distribution business rules for the eight cruise lines participating in the CruisePath Network supplier system. “CruisePath Network is the brain behind our products and it makes all of our booking systems a reality,” said David Anderson, GoCruiseDirect.com Vice President of Technology. “Working with our business partner, Sabre, we were able to develop CruiseLogic as the next generation booking engine and it now drives our distribution products. It has also been designed to extend an XML-based API to those travel distribution organizations with their own proprietary systems.”
CruiseConnex(tm) is the communications switch connecting GoCruiseDirect.com and cruise line suppliers. “CruiseConnex is truly the hidden pearl in our business because it provides a new XML connection to the cruise lines,” added Anderson. “CruiseConnex allows us to provide more functionality through our distribution products and it`s XML design makes it easier to maintain.”
GoCruiseDirect.com is launching a campaign promoting the features and benefits of these new products. Travel agents interested in more information can contact GoCruiseDirect.com`s Inside Sales & Support team at 888-407-9491 or can visit the CruisePath Network Web site at cruisepath.net
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