Amadeus, a leading global distribution system (GDS) and technology provider for the travel industry worldwide, announced today that Carnival Corporation has confirmed its intent to participate in Amadeus Cruise.
Carnival Corporation comprises six cruise brands: Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Windstar Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line. Implementation of these cruise lines into Amadeus’ advanced cruise booking tool will begin this year.
Launched last year, Amadeus Cruise is the company’s “point and click” browser-based cruise booking technology that allows travel agents to more efficiently and effectively book cruises, and provides added benefits for cruise providers. Amadeus Cruise is now available to Amadeus travel agents in the U.S. and Canada, with further global implementation to follow through 2001.
“Participation by Carnival Corporation’s cruise brands in Amadeus Cruise provides travel agents with an easy and comprehensive reservations and information vehicle, while providing each cruise line with an efficient and effective means for reaching and servicing our travel agent partners,” said Roberta Jacoby, Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Air/Sea Operations and Corporate Training, who negotiated the contract on behalf of Carnival Corporation.
Combined, Carnival Corporation`s various brands operate 45 ships in the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and other worldwide destinations. Together, these cruise lines carried over 2.6 million passengers in 2000.
“Amadeus has had a long-standing partnership with Carnival Corporation in a variety of ways, from providing air/sea technology to now providing industry-leading cruise booking tools,” said David Jones, Executive Vice President, Commercial for Amadeus worldwide. “The development of Amadeus Cruise is evidence of our commitment, not only to the ongoing success of travel agents, but also to the specialized needs of our cruise line partners.”
According to Jones, with the implementation this year of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises, Amadeus Cruise will offer booking capabilities for nearly 90 per cent of the cruise capacity distributed via global distribution systems today.
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