Press Release: Interval International
August 2, 2002
MIAMI, FL -- Interval International, a leading global vacation exchange company, yesterday announced that Interval
Travel's superior sales performance in the highly competitive cruise business has been recognized by top lines
including Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean
International. These awards are given annually to identify top booking agencies for major cruise lines based on
a number of criteria, including excellence in sales, professionalism in all aspects of customer service and outstanding
support of the cruise industry. To date, Interval has received the following awards:
The Interval Travel Cruise Desk has been operating since 1997 to service the needs of the company's 1.4 million
consumer member families. The Cruise Desk represents a multi-million dollar operation and manages between 8,000
to 9,000 inquiries per month. Since its inception, members have booked vacations on all the major cruise lines,
as well as customized pre- and post-cruise land tour packages. The Cruise Desk is open seven days a week on Monday
through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and on weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m./EST.
"Cruising is an important option for our members who are four times more likely to book a cruise than the
average adult traveler," said Raul Estrada, vice president of consumer marketing and reservation services
for Interval International. "Offering sailings aboard the top cruise lines in the world is an especially important
benefit we offer through both Interval Travel services and our upgraded membership program."
Members of Interval's upgraded benefits program, Interval Preferred soon to be renamed Interval Gold, have the
choice to relinquish home resort weeks in exchange for cruise vacations with the payment of a supplemental fee
for this specialized booking service. The successful cruise exchange program was introduced to members in 1999,
and was expanded this spring with the launch of Interval Options, which added spa and golf exchange vacations.
This program is part of the company's ongoing strategy to complement its resort exchange services by adding flexibility
and value to both its developer clients and members.
For more than 26 years, Interval International has led the vacation ownership industry with innovative products
and the highest levels of quality, service and value complemented by a global network of more than 1,900 resorts
in 75 countries. With its headquarters located in Miami, Florida, Interval serves its developer clients and 1.4
million members through 28 offices in 19 countries and employs approximately 1,700 people worldwide.
The Interval Travel Cruise Desk is a Cruise Lines International Association Booking Agency or "CLIA"
certified.
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CONTACT:
Chris Boesch
305-666-1861, ext. 7267
Chris.Boesch@interval-intl.com