Abacus to distribute Star Cruises

Abacus International is to expand its cruise lines distribution to include Star Cruises from December 2003.

Star Cruises, the largest cruise line in Asia, has signed an exclusive agreement with Abacus to distribute its voyages and services through Abacus’ agency distribution channel network. Abacus connected travel agencies will soon be able to make reservations on Star Cruises fleet and itineraries directly through the Abacus system, and receive instant confirmation.

With the increasing popularity of fly-cruise itineraries, travel agencies will find selling Star Cruises in the Abacus system a boon as they will be able to enjoy the added convenience of having their customer’s airline and cruise bookings integrated into a single passenger name record (PNR).

“The solution processes we are putting in place with Abacus will streamline travel agency workflow, enhance reservation processing and confirmation, and enable us to better serve our booking agents and ultimately our cruise customers,“ said Mr Steven Black, Vice President, Passenger Services & Yield Management, Star Cruises.

“Abacus is very pleased that Star Cruises has selected to work with us. This collaboration validates Abacus’ strategy to serve the distribution needs of our Asian associates, and offer our travel agency customers a richer choice of bookable content in the Abacus system,” said Mr Rogelio Sarreal, Vice President and Head of Associate Sales, Abacus International.

Abacus and Star Cruises will be rolling out this agency booking capability progressively across the markets in Asia Pacific from December 2003 through 2004.