MSC Cruises Partners with Amadeus to bring World-Class Cruise choices to North American Travel Agencies

MSC itineraries can now be booked through Amadeus Cruise and sites powered by the Amadeus Cruise API

FORT LAUDERDALE & MIAMI, FL, January 31, 2007 – MSC Cruises has reached an agreement with Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry, to distribute its products in North America via the Amadeus system.

Travel agencies in the U.S. and Canada now have live access into MSC Cruises' itineraries and cabin inventory through Amadeus Cruise, the industry's leading cruise booking application, as well as other applications powered by the Amadeus Cruise Application Programming Interface (API). The launch in North America is an expansion of the distribution relationship between MSC Cruises and Amadeus which began last year with the launch in selected European countries.

Rick Sasso, President and CEO of MSC Cruises USA, said, “We are pleased to partner in North America with a renowned leader in the global travel technology arena. This agreement will allow us to increase our presence and reach within the travel agency community as well as provide a flexible and efficient tool for them to book and confirm their clients.”

“We are delighted to add this prestigious cruise line to the market-leading range of 16 cruise lines available in Amadeus,” said Glenn Dean, Director, Travel Services and Leisure, Amadeus North America. “We will help MSC Cruises increase sales and revenues in North America by providing access to live availability and pricing, and optimizing the way to reach travel agents."

MSC Cruises’ decision to distribute through Amadeus’ world-leading distribution system is part of an aggressive growth strategy which has seen its fleet expand from three ships in 2002 to seven ships today. MSC Cruises has ordered four more ships; the twin sisters of flagship MSC MUSICA – MSC ORCHESTRA and MSC POESIA, which will arrive in spring 2007 and spring 2008, and has announced construction of the 134,000-ton MSC FANTASIA and MSC SERENATA. These new orders will increase the fleet to a total of 11 ships by 2009.

MSC Cruises began its activities in 1988 and since 2001 has experienced incredible growth, making it one of the major players in the cruise industry. The line combines a deep heritage at sea with an enthusiastic and motivated management team to present a company philosophy of innovation equals tradition.

MSC Cruises uniquely blends maritime traditions, culture and famous Mediterranean cuisine to deliver the ultimate cruise experience while displaying a real commitment to the finest hospitality afloat. In essence, MSC Cruises has made true Italian service the heart of its business and its key point of differentiation in the cruise industry.

Amadeus Cruise is the most widely used automated cruise booking tool in the industry, with more than 40,000 terminals in 80 countries worldwide. Amadeus Cruise is provided free of charge to North American travel agents and allows any agency to sell cruises right from their desktop using the Internet, regardless of their location or GDS affiliation. The stand-alone version of Amadeus Cruise is also ideal for cruise-only and at-home agencies, providing the specialized booking capabilities needed for their business segment.

The Amadeus Cruise API is a powerful distribution tool that combines the highest level of online cruise functionality with coverage of all major North American and European cruise lines. Using the latest API architecture, numerous applications, from web booking engines to front office systems, can interface with the Amadeus System. The Amadeus Cruise API delivers the flexibility and efficiency that travel agencies need to boost their productivity and profits.

For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.msccruises.com. For more information about Amadeus, Amadeus Cruise or the Amadeus Cruise API, visit www.amadeus.com or 1-888-AMADEUS.

Notes to the editors

About MSC

MSC Cruses has a fleet of seven ships: MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera, MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody and MSC Rhapsody, cruising in the Mediterranean year-round and seasonally in Northern Europe, Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, South America and South Africa. MSC Cruises fleet will increase to 11 ships by 2009. In 2007 MSC Orchestra joins the fleet, followed in the spring of 2008 by MSC Poesia, the third ship in the “Musica” class. In the autumn of 2008 and spring 2009 MSC Fantasia and MSC Serenata, respectively, will join the fleet , as the two largest ships built by a European ship owner. MSC Cruises also is a co-sponsor of Alinghi in the 32nd Americas Cup culminating in the final races in Valencia in June 2007.

About Amadeus

Amadeus is the chosen technology partner for providers, sellers, and buyers of travel. The company provides distribution, IT and point-of-sale solutions to help its customers adapt, grow and succeed in the fast changing travel industry. Customer groups include travel providers (airlines, hotels, car rental companies, railway companies, ferry lines, cruise lines, insurance companies and tour operators), travel sellers (travel agencies) and travel buyers (corporations and travelers). Solutions are grouped in four solution categories -- Distribution & Content, Sales & e-Commerce, Business Management and Services & Consultancy.

Amadeus has central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters & marketing), Nice (development) and Erding (Operations -- data processing centre) and regional offices in Miami, Buenos Aires and Bangkok. At market level, Amadeus maintains customer operations in 76 countries covering more than 215 markets.

The company is owned by WAM Acquisition, whose shareholders are BC Partners, Cinven, Air France, Iberia and Lufthansa. Amadeus employs nearly 6,700 employees worldwide, representing 95 nationalities.