Grand Circle Corporation Only International Travel Company in U.S. To Offer "100% Price Guarantee"

Guarantee protects from air fuel surcharges and currency fluctuations

BOSTON-Alan E. Lewis, Chairman and CEO of Grand Circle Corporation, the nation's leading international tour operator for Americans over 50, today announced a "100% Price Guarantee" for all Grand Circle vacations in 2008.  The guarantee promises travelers that once they book their vacation, they will not be subject to additional charges related to rising air fuel costs or currency fluctuations.  The guarantee extends to Grand Circle's more than 100 land and small ship vacations offered through its brands Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel plus Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises, its fleet of 50+ small ships.

"The rising cost of fuel and the declining value of the U.S. dollar, especially in Europe, have led many airlines, tour operators and cruise companies to pass along some of these costs to their customers," said Lewis.  "Cruise lines often tack a surcharge to a customer's invoice or send an additional invoice if fuel prices go up after a customer has paid for his trip.  With surcharges ranging from about $5 to $10 per person per day, these costs add up and can make it difficult for a customer to anticipate the true cost of his vacation."

Lewis indicated that ocean cruise lines such as Carnival, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, and Seabourne and such river cruise lines as Viking River Cruises and Uniworld River Cruises now assess customers an additional per person fee per day to cover fuel increases. "We anticipated these additional costs last year and locked in our prices with our European partners early so that we haven't had to charge our customers for these increases," said Lewis. "Grand Circle is known for value, and we're doing our best to protect it for our customers-even in Europe."

More than 155,000 Americans aged 50 and older took a Grand Circle vacation in 2007, including some 70,000 who chose a small ship vacation in Europe.

About Grand Circle
Established in 1958, Grand Circle Corporation is the leader in international travel, adventure, and discovery for Americans age 50 and older with anticipated $820M in sales for 2008.  Headquartered in Boston, Mass., the company has 45 offices throughout Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Through its brands Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel plus Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises, its award winning fleet of 50+ small ships, the company offers more than 100 extended stay vacations, escorted tours, river cruises, barge trips, ocean cruises, and adventure programs worldwide. 
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