Nice innovation

Alaska Cruise Guests Sail Through Airline Check-In Process

Innovative Onboard Check-In Program - Quick And Convenient For Customers

MIAMI, Sept. 30 /CNW/ -- Royal Caribbean International,
Celebrity Cruises, the Vancouver International Airport Authority, Air Canada,
and Alaska Airlines today announced the successful completion of a 10-week
pilot program called "Onboard Check-in and Luggage Valet." The innovative
program allowed participating cruise guests to conduct their airline and
luggage check-in for their return flights home while still onboard their
cruise ship.
The program allowed guests to bypass the traditional check-in process at
the Vancouver International Airport, adding convenience and saving time.
Results show that Onboard Check-in and Luggage Valet saved guests 45 minutes
to two hours, compared to the traditional airport check-in process.
Some 2,170 passengers participated in the pilot program, which ran from
July 13 to September 21, 2003. Canadian authorities and the U.S.
Transportation Security Administration approved and oversaw the program.
Onboard Check-in and Luggage Valet was designed for U.S. residents
cruising to Alaska on Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity Cruises
sailings that concluded in Vancouver. Guests also had to be flying to the
U.S. on Air Canada the same day their cruise ended. Based on the initial
success of the program, and government approval, the program was expanded to
include Alaska Airlines customers during the final two weeks of the Alaska
cruise season.
While onboard their ship, and by the end of the fourth day of their one-
week cruise, participating guests confirmed their flight information and
number of bags to be checked. Based on this information, boarding passes were
printed by airline staff at the Vancouver International Airport. When the
ship arrived at the Port of Vancouver, guests were given their boarding passes
and luggage claim checks, were taken by bus to Vancouver International
Airport, and were processed through security and U.S. federal inspection
services in a dedicated area. Their luggage was secured, taken separately to
the airport, processed, and moved directly to their aircraft. Guests then
picked up their luggage normally upon arrival at their destination airport.
The companies and government agencies involved now will review the program
to further refine it and determine to what extent it could be permanently
implemented in the future.
"Onboard Check-in and Luggage Valet made returning home easier than ever
for our guests," said Nick Hafner, vice president of Air, Sea, and Hotel for
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "At the completion of their cruise, our guests
didn't have to locate their luggage, transport it to the airport, or stand in
long lines waiting to check-in. And, because of our control over the luggage,
the program actually improves security. This is a model we hope to offer on
all our ships, at all turn-around ports."
"Cruise ship guests are an important and growing part of the Vancouver
International Airport's customer base," said Kevin Molloy, vice president,
Information Technology for the Vancouver International Airport Authority.
"This program is an example of how the Airport Authority and our business
partners are working to enhance customer service through leading-edge
solutions."
"Air Canada is always looking at innovative ways to enhance and streamline
the customer's airport experience," said John Ring, Air Canada's general
manager for Customer Service -- Western Canada. "We are pleased to have
helped lead the development and implementation of this very successful onboard
cruise ship check-in program, and we look forward to the opportunity of
offering this convenience to all of our cruise ship customers in the near
future."
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that
operates Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, with a combined
total of 26 ships in service and three under construction or on firm order.
The company also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada and
Europe through its cruise-tour division. Additional information can be found
on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebrity.com or www.rclinvestor.com.
Vancouver International Airport is a community-based not-for-profit
organization that has developed and managed Vancouver International Airport
(YVR) since 1992. In 2002, YVR welcomed some 15 million passengers and was
rated as the #1 airport in North America by the International Air Transport
Association. For further information visit www.yvr.ca .
Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation for
passengers and cargo to more than 150 destinations on 5 continents. With the
most non-stop destinations and flights, Air Canada carries more passengers
between Canada and the US than any other airline. Canada's flag carrier is
the 11th largest commercial airline in the world and serves more than 30
million customers annually with a fleet of more than 300 aircraft.


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