Europe/Mediterranean a Top Destination!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from the Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA)and thought it would be of interest. If you have
missed any of my news' postings, they are available on my web site.

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Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Europe/Mediterranean Continues to be a Top Cruise Destination

Cruises Enable Travelers to Re-Discover Regions's History, Mystery

NEW YORK, May 7
More than ever, North Americans are finding cruise ships are the way
to visit Europe. As the current strong Euro makes land vacation
options more expensive, cruising in Europe this year is great value
and a great way to discover the history, mystery and romance of Europe
and the Mediterranean.

"Cruising has always been dollar for dollar the best value in European
travel and that's even more obvious this year," says Terry L. Dale,
president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA),
the non-profit marketing and training association representing the
North American cruise industry and nearly 16,000 travel agencies. "It
is clear that people still like to travel to Europe; in fact, the
region continues to be the second most popular cruise destination,
behind the Caribbean."

The number of cruises visiting European and Mediterranean ports has
continued to rise over the last two years, according to the Cruise
Lines International Association (CLIA).

The proof is in the numbers. After a brief downturn in 2002 that
paralleled a travel-industry wide slump, more vacationers will sail to
Europe and the Mediterranean in 2004 than at any other period in
cruise history. In all, CLIA-member lines will offer 2,220 European
sailings this year.

"Cruises in the Europe/Mediterranean region enable travelers to visit
several historic destinations within one vacation, without having to
re-pack their suitcases each night or worry about how or when they are
going to get to the next city," says Dale.

With so many magnificent cities and historic landmarks to experience,
cruise passengers have the added convenience of being able to return
from their daily explorations to a luxurious ship, from which they can
view spectacular landscapes as they set sail to their next
destination.

"A cruise to Europe can be a trip back in time, as passengers visit
the roots of civilization in ancient Rome, take a soft-adventure
expedition along Europe's northern-most fjords or step on the beaches
of Normandy on the anniversary of D-Day," says Dale. "It is a
wonderful way to absorb the various cultures on shore excursions that
enable you to mingle with the locals or attend the Grand Prix of
Monaco, the Cannes Film Festival, a Russian ballet or the continent's
greatest museums."

And for those who want to extend their stays, cruise lines offer
numerous opportunities for pre- and post-cruise experiences.

For more about cruising in Europe and the Mediterranean, visit CLIA's
website, www.cruising.org, then visit a cruise expert at a CLIA member
travel agency. To find a nearby member agency staffed with Accredited
Cruise Counsellors (ACCs), Master Cruise Counsellors (MCCs) and Elite
Cruise Counsellors (ECCs) -- agents who have extensive cruise
experience and have completed advanced levels of CLIA's intensive
training program -- click on "Find a Cruise Travel Agent" on CLIA's
website.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is a nonprofit marketing
and training organization comprising 19 leading cruise lines in 2004,
which together accommodate 95 percent of the North American cruise
passengers. Approximately 16,000 travel agencies focused and engaged
in the sales of cruise vacations in the U.S. and Canada are members of
the association. The association conducts cruise industry-related
research and communication initiatives to educate and promote the
attributes of cruise vacations and CLIA member travel agencies to the
traveling public. CLIA is a recognized travel industry leader in sales
education. CLIA provides an extensive array of educational programs
for travel agents including curriculum leading to certification as
Accredited Cruise Counsellors, Master Cruise Counsellors and Elite
Cruise Counsellors -- considered the consumers' best resource for
planning a cruise vacation. For more information on CLIA, its member
cruise lines and travel agencies, visit its website at
www.cruising.org.