Carnival UK Launches £10 million

January Sales Boost For 2007 Holidays

Carnival UK, encompassing four of the UK’s biggest selling cruise lines P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Ocean Village and Cunard, is to launch itslargest ever sales campaign in January.

Having grown by 17% in 2006, the cruise market is expected to grow by a further 8% in 2007 to 1.35 million, making 2007 the biggest ever year for cruise and making cruising one of the fastest growing holiday choices.*

Between the four brands £10 million will be spent to encourage UK holidaymakers to think ahead to their summer holiday in 2007, and to book a cruise holiday early.

Carnival UK managing director David Dingle said "There has never been a better time to book a cruise. "People who book early will continue to have the best range of choice – of cabin, of ship and of itinerary. They will also get the best price, as fares will once again rise going forward into the season. There are some great incentives in place to encourage early bookings, and we are launching a massive campaign to highlight these to potential passengers.

"This is especially true for families. They have the best chance of getting free, or heavily discounted, child places available on family cabins by booking well ahead."

On the announcement of this campaign, Bill Gibbons, director of the Passenger Shipping Association, commented: "It is important that cruise companies invest in communicating with potential passengers to highlight the benefits of a cruise holiday over a more traditional land-based stay. In busy booking periods like the New Year, holidaymakers should know that if they book early they won’t be disappointed come summertime."

"Cruising is no longer ‘one size fits all’. There is a vast amount of choice now in the cruise market, something to suit ever kind of holidaymaker", continued Dingle.

"P&O Cruises offers an authentic and enriching cruise experience with tremendous standards of service; Cunard offers the world’s most famous ocean liners – offering transatlantic voyages with unmistakable glamour and luxury; Princess Cruises offers a great range of cruise destinations including possibly the best Alaska packages on the market, and is introducing Emerald Princess – new for 2007; and Ocean Village is perfect for people looking for an unconventional and very lively cruise – especially with the introduction of a second ship, Ocean Village Two."

Highlights of the activity throughout Wave

The traditional January – February peak booking period for the cruise industry – include:

Savings of up to 50% on QE2 voyages. Also, free shore excursions; on board credit of up to $1800 per person and flight upgrades are available on selected full world cruises and line voyages up to the end of January, and reduced or complimentary regional coach connections are offered on selected Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings.

Sample itinerary: Queen Elizabeth 2, 10-night Taste of the Mediterranean cruise, 13 – 23 May 2007 (E704). Southampton, Lisbon, Alghero, Cannes, Barcelona, Gibraltar, Southampton. Prices from £1,799 with 50% discount available – Wave price £899.

£3 million advertising campaign, savings of up to 45% and complimentary on board credit of up to £125 per person on world cruise sector holidays in 2008.

Sample itinerary:  Oceana, seven-night May Medley cruise, 6 – 13 May 2007 (E711). Southampton, Hamburg (overnight in port), Amsterdam (overnight in port), Bruges, Southampton. Prices from £1,079 with 45% discount available – Wave price £609.

Free regional coach transfers to Southampton or free car parking in Southampton on Sea Princess cruises; savings of up to 45% and exclusive luxury direct flights for the new Emerald Princess’ Mediterranean itineraries. Sample itinerary with luxury direct flights from London or Manchester included:

Emerald Princess, 12-night Grand Mediterranean cruise, 22 June – 4 July 2007 (E717). Fly to Barcelona, Marseille, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Naples, Mykonos, Istanbul, Ephesus, Athens, Venice, with overnight onboard and return flight to the UK. Prices from £3,239 with 45% discount available – Wave price £1,781.

Up to 45% discount, £50 off Stay & Cruise on 2007 Mediterranean programme and £50 saving off balcony cabins on Ocean Village Two 2007 Mediterranean programme.

Sample itinerary: Ocean Village, 14-night Stay & Cruise in October 2007. Fly to Heraklion for a week at the 4* Grand Hotel in Crete before joining the ship for a seven-night Olives and Ouzo itinerary. Heraklion, Limassol, Rhodes, Ephesus, Mykonos, Santorini, Heraklion for return flight to the UK.* Prices from £1,629 with 45% discount available – Wave price £895.

In addition to the print and broadcast advertising being undertaken by Carnival UK, passengers will also have the chance to learn more about the brands through new brochures and educational brand DVD’s – available in travel agent stores and directly from the brands; fully transactional websites for an easy to use on-line information and booking service; and roadshows (P&O Cruises only) held at a range of regional destinations throughout the UK.

Cunard Line

Website: Cunard.com

Reservations: 0845 678 0013

Brochure request: online

P&O Cruises

Reservations: 0845 3 555 333

Brochure request: 0870 5 726 726 or online

Princess Cruises

Website: Princess.com

Reservations: 0845 3555 800

Brochure request: 0870 242 0100 or online

Ocean Village

Website: OceanVillageHolidays.co.uk

Reservations: 0845 358 5000

Brochure request: 0845 4567 888 or online