Sabre Travel Network launches UK cruise product

* Carnival Cruise Lines is launch partner * agency roadshows planned * move is linked to leisure initiative Sabre Travel Network has introduced its cruise booking product to its travel agency customers in the United Kingdom. Sabre CruiseDirector is available immediately and connects to the reservation systems of nine cruise lines. To help promote the new product Sabre Travel Network has joined with Carnival Cruise Lines to run a series of roadshows for travel agents. These will show agents how to use the CruiseDirector booking tool and will familiarise them with Carnival’s ‘floating resort’ concept, combining exciting destinations and fine dining with a rich array of onboard activities. This joint initiative follows a recent announcement by Carnival Corporation & plc that it would distribute all of its cruise line brands through Sabre Holdings businesses globally. Jeffrey Weinstock, Carnival Cruise Line’s, director of international sales and marketing, said: “The UK travel market is highly important to us and the number of our British guests continues to grow rapidly. We are excited to be able to offer the travel industry in the UK the ability to make Carnival reservations in an easy, automated fashion via the Sabre GDS, eliminating the need to telephone.” The launch follows Sabre Travel Network’s recent announcement of plans to grow its share of leisure travel bookings here, by enhancing the range of leisure products that are bookable in the GDS. “The introduction of Sabre CruiseDirector, as well as our agreement with Carnival Corporation & plc, demonstrates our commitment to involve strategic partnerships with high-profile leisure travel providers and make more in-depth leisure travel products available to our customers,” said David Brown, recently appointed vice president of Sabre Travel Network’s European leisure travel division. Plans to introduce CruiseDirector to other European markets are under way, although Brown confirmed he was focusing initially on the UK cruise market. For more information on the Carnival / Sabre Travel Network roadshows, contact Jonathan Lewis at Sabre Travel Network by emailing [email protected]. About Sabre Travel Network Sabre Travel Network, a Sabre Holdings company, provides access to the world’s leading global distribution system (GDS) enabling agents at more than 53,000 agency locations worldwide to be travel experts. The Sabre GDS, the first system to connect the buyers and sellers of travel, today includes more than 400 airlines, approximately 60,000 hotels, 37 car rental companies, nine cruise lines, 35 railroads and 220 tour operators. Key brands of Sabre Travel Network include GetThere, the leading Web-based corporate travel reservation technology, and Jurni Network, the unique leisure travel agency consortium that enables members to sell more products from preferred travel suppliers using sophisticated market intelligence. Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE: TSG) is a world leader in travel commerce, retailing travel products and providing distribution and technology solutions for the travel industry. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com About Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is the world’s most popular cruise line with 20 “Fun Ships” operating voyages ranging from three to 16 days in length to the Mediterranean, The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada and New England. Carnival Cruise Lines is a proud member of the exclusive World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations. ##