NEW YORK -- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) signed a marketing pact
with e-Cruise Inc., an on-line cruise marketer headed by a group of
former cruise executives.
Under the agreement, e-Cruise will be the exclusive web provider
of "personalized experiences to both potential and booked NCL
guests with online attraction, fulfillment and loyalty marketing
options" when the e-Cruise site launches in 2001.
The e-Cruise site is not a travel agency or a booking engine,
said company officials. Instead, it offers "a neutral, content-rich
environment" featuring cruise recommendations based on "proprietary
data filter technology that evaluates each user's desires, likes
and dislikes."
Said Nikki Upshaw, vice president-sales and a former Cunard Line
executive, "e-Cruise increases the number of first-time cruisers
and enhances the affinity of travelers by ensuring cruisers select
the voyage that is right for them."