Big Red Boat Gets Nod for Families; Awarded "Seal of Approval" by The National Parenting Center

Business Wire, Sept 5, 1996

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 1996--Concerned and confused when it comes to selecting a vacation for the whole family? You're not alone, according to The National Parenting Center (NPC).

The nonprofit parenting information service has been evaluating children's products since 1990. And now, the NPC has begun rating family travel destinations.

Selected as one of the first family vacations for review was The Big Red Boat, a cruise line specializing in family travel. The cruise line sails two ships to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Fla. It was awarded a Seal of Approval from NPC following its evaluation.

The four-night cruise to the Bahamas was judged on its staff, physical plant (rooms, cleanliness, etc.), food and service, children's programming (for all ages), and family services. The Big Red Boat received an overall score of 91 out of a possible 100 points.

"We are proud to have this unbiased third-party endorse our product as one of the best family vacations available," said Gary Sain, senior vice president of sales and marketing at The Big Red Boat.

"Since only four percent of American family households have cruised, this Seal of Approval will help increase the confidence level in the prospective family that may be considering a cruise as a family vacation getaway," he said.

The NPC uses volunteer member families with two to four children to judge vacation destinations. The information is then disseminated via a report three times yearly to its 50,000 members and a large retailer base, and through its web site on the Internet (http://www.tnpc.com). For more information, contact NPC at 800/753-6667.

Premier Cruise Lines operates two "Big Red Boats," the Star/Ships Atlantic and Oceanic, sailing from Port Canaveral, Fla., to two ports of call in the Bahamas. The three- and four-night cruises can also be combined with a three- or four-night Orlando theme park attraction land package. More information on the cruise line can be found on its web site on the Internet at http://www.bigredboat.com.

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Photo is also available by calling Brad Parker, Viad Corp/Premier Cruise Lines Ltd. at 602/207-1049.

CONTACT: Viad Corp/Premier Cruise Lines Ltd., Phoenix

Brad Parker, 602/207-1049

bparker@viad.com

or

Premier Cruise Lines Ltd., Cape Canaveral

Teresa Hall, 407/783-5061, ext. 2274