Starwood Preferred Guest Partners With World's Leading Cruise Lines

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Beginning today, members of the world's number one rated hotel loyalty program can add cruising to their growing list of award options. Starwood Preferred Guest announced that the World's Leading Cruise Lines (WLCL) -- the marketing alliance for Carnival Corporation's six cruise brands -- has signed on as the program's newest partner. Now, Starwood Preferred Guest members can receive discounts of $200, $500 and $800 per stateroom on more than 40 WLCL vessels operated by Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Seaburn Cruise Line and Windstar Cruises.

Befitting Starwood Preferred Guest's mantra of "anytime, anywhere," the cruise award option has no blackout periods and can be applied to any WLCL-affiliated vessel, sailing itinerary or stateroom category. Consistent with the WLCL's philosophy of supporting travel partners, points are redeemable through any travel agent. Starwood Preferred Guest members simply advise the agent of their membership and points accumulated when booking their cruise.

"Carnival's unrivaled portfolio of contemporary to ultra-luxury cruise lines is a perfect fit for Starwood Preferred Guest, which boasts some of the world's most renowned hotel brands," said Scott K. Barrett, vice president of strategic alliance marketing for Starwood which includes St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points and W Hotels. "Since its launch last year, Starwood Preferred Guest has offered travelers more golf, more Hawaii, more Europe, and more islands than our competitors – now we offer more cruise options as well. Our partnership with the WLCL is a great perk for our Starwood Preferred Guest members."

Added Jack Anderson, executive director of the World's Leading Cruise Lines, "We are happy to team up with Starwood Hotels to provide their preferred guests with these special savings on the WLCL's six member lines, which sail to more ports and operate more itineraries than any other fleet in the world."

Starwood Preferred Guest members can redeem their Starpoints with any of the WLCL's six cruise brands. Here is how Starpoints transfer to cruise award certificates:

11,000 Starpoints = $200 Discount per Stateroom
28,000 Starpoints = $500 Discount per Stateroom
45,000 Starpoints = $800 Discount per Stateroom

The World's Leading Cruise Lines marketing alliance was established by Carnival Corporation in October 1998 as a means of creating a highly diversified, global cruise product that capitalizes on the unique attributes, styles and amenities of its six distinct member lines, each of which is the leader in its respective market.

Starwood Preferred Guest was named 1999 Hotel Program of the Year by consumers via InsideFlyer magazine's Freddie Awards. Starwood Preferred Guest also received Freddies for Best Customer Service; Best Web Site; Best Elite-Level Program and Best Award Redemption. Introduced in February 1999, Starwood Preferred Guest was also ranked the number one hotel loyalty program in the world as reported by USA Today. The program is renowned for its outstanding portfolio of hotels and resorts and its policy of no blackout dates or capacity controls, meaning members can redeem when and where they want.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Wordwide, Inc., through its St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points and W brands is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 700 hotels in 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.

K.C. Kavanagh
914 640-8339
Starwood