Expedia Says Have Your Cake and Eat it Too: Cruises are the Most Luxurious, Budget-Friendly, Hassle-Free Mode of Travel to Europe

BELLEVUE, Wash., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Expedia.com®, the world's largest online travel agency, announced today that travelers looking to book vacations to Europe should seriously consider a cruise. Cruising delivers substantial value and terrific benefits, from saving on hotel bookings to world-class onboard entertainment options to the ease of booking offshore excursions. Cruising through Europe effectively removes much of the stress inherent to international travel. In addition, for a limited time, travelers participating in the Expedia Rewards™ program who book a cruise on Expedia can earn up to 10,000 Expedia Reward Points.

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"There is tremendous value for travelers booking cruises to Europe right now. We have seen increased interest in European cruises this year," said Koreen McNutt, director of cruise, Expedia.com. "Cruise transactions to Europe continue to become more popular, and for good reason. With airlines cutting capacity to Europe and with fewer travelers able to afford the increasing costs, cruise lines are cutting rates without cutting amenities."

Expedia recently compared the price for a representative seven-night cruise departing this fall versus a comparable and representative seven-night Mediterranean trip during the same time, including hotel, food and transportation. Overall, two adults taking a seven-night, self-guided trip through Spain and Italy staying in 4-star accommodations paid 68% more than those taking a seven-night cruise in an inside cabin with a leading cruise line. Even a cruise in a balcony cabin offers 33% savings in comparison to the same self-guided trip.

"Cruises offer four-star hotel accommodations featuring luxury pools and spas and world class entertainment at rates as low as $72 per night," added McNutt. "When you compare that to a four-star property in Spain or Italy the savings are enormous, not to mention the added value of having great restaurants, casinos and nightclubs right outside your cabin door. And travelers aren't missing out on the land excursions either; shore excursions to the Parthenon in Athens, the Colosseum in Rome, casinos in Monte Carlo and Dubrovnik are simple to purchase onboard so travelers can enjoy land and sea at once."

Current examples of current deals offered by Expedia® include:

• Royal Caribbean 7 night Mediterranean round-trip Venice cruise on the Voyager of the Seas from $499 per person
• Norwegian 7 night Mediterranean round-trip Barcelona cruise on the new Norwegian Epic from $679 per person plus a $50 spa credit and up to a $400 onboard credit
• Costa 7 night Civitavecchia Mediterranean  round-trip Rome cruise on the Costa Magica from $499 per person

To be eligible for Expedia Reward points, travelers must spend a minimum of $500 on any of the participating cruise lines. To earn points, travel must be booked by 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on August 12, 2011 and completed by December 31, 2011. Travelers must provide their 12-digit Expedia Rewards ID at the time booking. Travelers can also enroll in Expedia Rewards for free at www.expedia.com/rewards.

For more information on booking a cruise to Europe or the Expedia Rewards promotion please visit cruise.expedia.com.

About Expedia.com

Expedia.com is the world's leading online travel site, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and in-destination activities, attractions, and services. With the Expedia Best Price Guarantee, Expedia.com customers can get the best rates available online for all types of travel.

Expedia, Expedia.com and Expedia Rewards are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. ©2011 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST: 2029030-50

Savings referenced are examples only and may not be achieved on all comparisons.

Web site: http://www.expedia.com/

SOURCE Expedia, Inc.