BRISBANE, Calif., Jan. 15, 2002 -- Travelers shopping for an adventurous, romantic or relaxing vacation at guaranteed lowest fares on any of the World's Leading Cruise Lines can visit Walmart.com and start packing their bags.

Walmart.com, a unit of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL), the world's largest cruise operator, have entered into an exclusive marketing and sales agreement to provide dream cruises at every day low prices -- prices so low, in fact, that customers will be refunded the difference if they find a better deal on an identical cruise vacation within 14 days of booking. Carnival Corporation owns all six of the cruise companies that compose the World's Leading Cruise Lines' membership.

Customers can now choose from extraordinary specials on the World's Leading Cruise Lines -- Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, The Yachts of Seabourn, and Windstar Cruises -- by logging onto Walmart.com. There, they'll see specials ranging from a three- day Bahamas getaway for $247 to a seven-day Mediterranean romance package for $3,749. They can book the package by calling 1-800-288-6030. In addition to advertised specials on Walmart.com, customers have a world of choices with any ship, itinerary and departure date offered by the six cruise lines by calling the toll-free number.

Carnival, Holland America, Windstar, Costa, Cunard and Seabourn are providing the extraordinary cruise specials, many of which feature promotional pricing, discounts and value-added features like cabin upgrades. Wal-Mart Vacations, a unit of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., is lending its travel-service experience and resources to the agreement. Wal-Mart Vacations operates travel agencies in six states.

"The world's leading retailer is teaming up with the World's Leading Cruise Lines to provide every day low prices on hundreds of dream cruise vacations," said Duane Futch, director of global travel services for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "These vacation packages are delivering the quality and savings that Wal-Mart and Walmart.com customers have come to expect. There are no membership fees, service charges or hidden costs -- just great value for our customers."

"Carnival, Holland America, Windstar, Costa, Cunard, and Seabourn are the leaders in cruising," said Jack Anderson, executive director for the World's Leading Cruise Lines. "We are very excited to be the exclusive cruise vacation partners for Walmart.com. Our organizations share a commitment to quality, value, innovation and customer service. As the cruise industry continues its rapid expansion, one of our biggest challenges has been to develop the retail support needed to market and sell these fantastic vacations. This new relationship provides us with the ability to put our wide range of vacation products in front of millions of potential new customers with a company that has a proven track record in the retail sales arena."

"Through Walmart.com, millions of new customers will be able to take advantage of great values provided by Wal-Mart Vacations and the World's Leading Cruise Lines," said Futch. "Just as we are lowering the cost of living through our stores, clubs and online services, we are making it more affordable for all Americans to enjoy excellent vacations."

Each member of the World's Leading Cruise Lines excels in a particular style of cruise vacationing: the contemporary sparkle of a Carnival "Fun Ship," the five-star sophistication of Holland America Line, the classic British tradition of Cunard Line, indulgent intimacy and luxury with the Yachts of Seabourn, the casual elegance of Windstar Cruises, and the Italian charm of Costa Cruises -- individual styles, individual ships, sailing with a shared passion to please each guest. The six leading cruise lines offer all of the best: 458 destinations, 87 countries and seven continents.