Expedia.com Makes a Splash With Cruise Sale

Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Expedia.com, the world's leading online travel service, has launched its largest ever cruise promotion with Expedia Wave Days. In addition to already great deals on cruises of all types and lengths, Expedia Wave Days will provide exclusive booking perks and benefits to cruisers who reserve on Expedia.com during the promotion period.

Some of the exclusive Expedia Wave Days cruise extras include:

• Carnival -- Expedia guests receive shipboard credit of $100 per cabin on seven-night sailings or longer, on sailings between now and December 17, 2004.
• Princess -- Bonus coupon book valued at $120 per person when Expedia guests book their cruises from now through February 15, 2004. Sample coupon offers include one ounce of Sevruga caviar free with purchase of a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne.
• Disney -- Expedia guests booking a select three- or four-night Disney Wonder cruise sailing to the Bahamas receive a $50 shipboard credit.
• Silversea -- On select 2004 voyages, Expedia guests receive $250 in shipboard credit per suite. The credit may be used toward any spa or salon treatments, shore side excursions, or for purchases at the onboard gift shop.
• Radisson Seven Seas -- Expedia guests receive free upgrades on select sailings of the M.S. Paul Gaugin to Tahiti, when they book before the end of January 2004.

In preparation for "Wave Period," the time when the cruise industry traditionally experiences the highest volume of bookings, Expedia has added a clickable cruise icon to the main booking engine on the front page of the Expedia.com Web site, and has significantly expanded its Cruise Customer Care team. Customers have the choice of booking online, or simply researching online and contacting an Expedia Cruise Specialist at 888-249-3978 for assistance in choosing and booking the cruise that best suits their vacation plans.

"We have worked long and hard with our cruise partners to ensure that Expedia.com offers the best in cruise choices, prices and exclusive offers, along with in-depth cruise information, all backed by the trusted Expedia brand," said Mark Kammerer, vice president, cruises, Expedia, Inc. "Wave Days promotions make it the ideal time for first-time or experienced shoppers to create their perfect cruise vacation on Expedia.com."

Expedia's cruise section features one of the Internet's most extensive selections of cruises and port destinations, offering sailings from 15 of the world's foremost cruise companies to fit any travel schedule or lifestyle. For example, consumers looking for a short getaway can sail with Carnival for a 4-night Mexican cruise for as little as $279; Disney offers the perfect family getaway with a 3-night Bahamas cruise from $399. Cruisers looking for more exotic ports of call can sail with Royal Caribbean on a 10-night Caribbean cruise -- with stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands; Island of St. Martin-Maarten, Guadeloupe; St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda; Bridgetown, Barbados; Aruba, Aruba; Willemstad, and Netherlands Antilles for $814. And for a taste of Aloha!, Expedia customers can choose to sail with Princess for a 15-night Hawaiian cruise, with stops at the Big Island, Oahu, Kauai and Maui, from $1899.

It's easy to research and book a cruise with Expedia -- the Cruise Wizard allows travelers to search for their ideal cruise and shows side-by-side comparisons of cruises, including descriptions, route maps, pricing, itineraries, ship size and rating. Expedia.com also provides a wide collection of photos so cruisers can envision what their "vacation home" will feel like on the cruise. New and veteran cruisers can also gain valuable insight, advice and recommendations from Expedia's knowledgeable Cruise Specialists before and after booking their cruises.

Source: Expedia, Inc.