NEW YORK, Feb. 1 -- The cruise industry is predicting a record
number of cruise vacationers in 1999, based on the booking activity
experienced at several cruise lines that are members of Cruise Lines
International Association (CLIA), as well as the arrival of new ships during
the year.

Historically known as "wave week" or "wave month," officials look at the
booking activity during the first three full weeks after the New Year as a
barometer of activity and consumer interest for the year to come.

"Our numbers have grown at a rate of nearly 8 percent per year since we
started tracking performance in 1980," says James G. Godsman, president of
CLIA, a marketing organization for 23 major cruise companies. "However, based
on what our members are reporting for January, we're projecting a record 11
percent increase in the number of cruise passengers this year over last, which
means we're anticipating that 6 million North Americans will opt for a cruise
vacation in 1999."

As an example of strong bookings, Carnival Cruise Lines announces that
booking activity during the week of Jan. 18 was up 17 percent over the same
period in 1998. Total guests booked that week was 100,831.

Norwegian Cruise Line reports an all-time company record in revenues and new
booking activity during the first week of January -- reservations call volume
and CRS transactions were up 64 percent, new bookings increased by 44 percent
and net ticket revenue was up 37 percent over the same period last year.

Orient Lines is currently riding a wave that hit during the second week of
January, with bookings 63 percent higher than the same week last year.
Executives of the line say that this year's "wave" began one week earlier than
in 1998.

Princess Cruises reports that the number of calls received thus far is
substantially higher than the volume received last year. The company also
says there has been a shift from the longer, more expensive cruises to shorter
seven-day cruises in the waters around the U.S.

Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises report that on Jan. 19,
an all-time record was set with a combined total of 27,496 bookings, up 253
bookings from last year's record-setting figure.

Windstar Cruises says bookings are as strong as last year, enhanced by the
added capacity of its third vessel, and that the conversion rate on incoming
calls is even higher than last year.

The industry expects that nine new ships will enter service this year,
adding close to 16,0OO new berths.

Cruise Lines International Association is promoting the affordability and
the benefits of cruise vacations through its advertising campaign themed, "You
Haven't Lived Until You've Cruised." Consumers interested in a cruise
vacation are directed to CLIA's web site at
www.cruising.org. Or, they may
order a free copy of CLIA's 1999 Cruise Vacation Planner, by calling toll
free: 888-Y-CRUISE.