Expedia expands into cruise

Expedia expands into cruise
By admin


Online retailer Expedia is seeking to tap into Australia's burgeoning cruise sector with the addition of thousands of voyages from more than 30 cruise lines to its product range.

Featured operators include P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess and Captain Cook encompassing destinations as diverse as the South Pacific and Alaska.

Expedia Australia managing director Georg Ruebensal described the foray into cruise as a "natural evolution" for the company and responds to local growth of 11% within the sector in 2012.

"Aussies are enthusiastic cruise takers so we're excited to be able to launch with a strong range of choice for our customers," he said.

"We're working with the best cruise lines in the world which can be booked along with flights and pre or post-cruise hotels, creating the ultimate one-stop cruise holiday booking experience."

It will also introduce a cruise holiday hotline manned by cruise "experts" in order to help customers "plan, compare and book" their cruises over the telephone.

However, the new cruise product will not be commissionable for members of Expedia's Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) just yet, although the program's Asia Pacific manager, Stuart Udy, confirmed to Travel Today that talks are currently underway.

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