easyCruise goes live with IBS’ Cruise Partner™

Jan. 7, 2009 - PRLog -- London, Jan 06, 2009: Greece-based easyCruise has gone live with IBS’ Cruise Partner™, a new-generation third party cruise reservation system to handle the entire reservation process to support their business. IBS, a leading provider of new-generation IT solutions to the global Travel, Transportation and Logistics (TTL) industry, has signed an agreement with easyCruise to provide all aspects of reservation processes via the web for consumers, travel agents, call centers and Amadeus Cruise for external travel agents / tour operators. The new web front end iTG – the IBS Travel Gateway system of Cruise Partner™ provides web-based multi-lingual interfaces for call centers, agents (B2B) and consumer (B2C) reservations. IBS provides Cruise Partner™ as a hosted service out of its facilities in Ashburn, Virginia. The system has gone live in December 2008 and easyCruise has started accepting bookings on their website and through call centers for cruises sailing from March 2009.

Cruise Partner™ is used by major brands like MSC, Louis Cruises and Star Cruises and is the recognized leader in third party cruise line reservations systems. It distinguishes itself by its supreme scalability – with clients ranging from small, niche players to mega cruise lines. Every level of operational detail is attended to; from interchangeable cabin configuration to variable segment embark/disembark pricing, to pricing agreements, rules engine-based discounts and commission structures.

“Cruise Partner™ will enable easyCruise to enhance their customer satisfaction by providing user-friendly reservations for the entire cruise, including shore excursions, optional on board packages, special requests and  amenities with the future potential to book travel insurance and flight arrangements etc.” said VK Mathews Chairman & CEO, the IBS Group.

“easyCruise’s focus for 2009 is to increase our distribution through the travel trade,” added Paul Ellerby, Sales & Marketing Director UK & USA, easyCruise, “and as a well established platform Cruise Partner™ can help us to achieve this goal. We are delighted to have been  able to launch the new system in time for post Christmas booking period”

About easyCruise
easyCruise is one of the latest ventures launched by Stelios Haji-Ioannou, serial entrepreneur and chairman of the easyGroup. The idea is to provide an outstanding holiday experience to independently minded travellers, regardless of age.  What makes easyCruise unique is the chance to explore the Greek islands and discover the true Greece. Because the easyCruise floating hotel stays at port far longer than any other cruise line, guests can enjoy all day and night at each destination, with all the time they need to immerse themselves in local culture, make the most of the organised excursions or spend their day delving into the shops, relax on the beaches, sample the delights of the local nightlife or simply laze on a sun bed by the pool onboard the ship before sailing to another captivating destination. Freedom to choose is the joy of easyCruise!
The range of itineraries has been designed in such a way that there is something for everyone, whether it’s a long weekend getaway or a week’s holiday.  To share our way of life, visit www.easyCruise.com

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The IBS Group (IBS) is a leading global provider of new-generation IT solutions to the Travel, Transportation and Logistics industries.