CLIA, AMERICAN EXPRESS TEAM UP FOR "WORLD?S LARGEST CRUISE NIGHT" TRAVEL AGENT OFFER

Fort Lauderdale October 08, 2009 —

The Cruise Line International Association’s (CLIA) World’s Largest Cruise Night (WLCN) is just around the corner – October 14, 2009 – and travel agents will have a chance to put extra money in their pockets because of a new incentive from American Express.

Every time a participating CLIA-member travel agent books $1,700 or more for a client with any CLIA-member cruise line, the agent will receive a $10 American Express-branded prepaid card.  The cruise must be booked between October 14, 2009 and October 21, 2009 and payment must be made with any American Express® Card.

All participating agents have to do is visit CLIA’s online WLCN Resource Center Travel Agent area at: www.cruising.org and fill in the American Express Booking Bonus form to redeem their $10 American Express-branded prepaid card.

"World’s Largest Cruise Night is an exceptional opportunity for travel agents to dramatically increase their cruise sales and we are delighted that one of our favorite and most loyal partners, American Express, has joined this year’s effort to make WLCN 2009 the very best ever. I hope every travel agent will take advantage of this generous offer," said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA.

"American Express is once again proud to support CLIA’s World Largest Cruise Night," said Donna Flora, vice president, travel industry relations, American Express. "We see this as a great opportunity for travel agents to receive additional rewards, and for our Cardmembers to continue enjoying the world of cruises."

WLCN has gotten bigger and better every year. In 2008, some 4,000 agents participated in WLCN events and online Virtual WLCN promotions estimated to have generated almost 43,000 bookings, $41 million in sales and over $5 million in commissions. Over 3,000 agencies participated in Virtual WLCN promotions, sending email invitations to consumers inviting them to visit a customized Web site with cruise line videos, agency contact information and special offers. Nearly 300 agencies not only chose the Virtual WLCN option but conducted "brick and mortar" WLCN events as well, attended by more than 57,000 consumers. All of Liberty Travel’s locations participated with in-store events and virtual events.

For WLCN 2009, there are currently 4,500 WLCN events planned. There is still time for CLIA agencies to register for their own events at: www.cruising.org.

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About CLIA
The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North America?s largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 25 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations and counts as members 16,000 travel agencies. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org.

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