Festival Cruise Signs With MTN

Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc. (MTN) signed a five-year agreement with Festival Cruises, Inc., effectively equipping the company's next two newbuilds, European Vision and European Dream, scheduled to be delivered from Chantiers de l'Atlantique in France, in 2001 and 2002, with MTN's telecommunications technology. MTN will provide onboard telecommunications services via C-band service, providing voice, fax and data capabilities. Additionally, MTN's complete maritime solution includes, but is not limited to providing phone cards, Internet access, Automated Teller Machines (ATM's), Ocean Routes and Weather News. David Kagan, president and chief operating officer of MTN, said, "We are pleased to see that Festival Cruises is incorporating all of the latest technology aboard their new ships. We expect this relationship to reap great benefits for both Festival and MTN over the term of the lease." Said Festival's vice chairman for technical and operations, Theodore Kontes: "The technology provided by MTN will further enhance safety, operational efficiency and the level of service for passengers onboard Festival's new vessels." "We are also very glad that MTN showed the flexibility which has enabled us to enter a long-term agreement, reflecting the relationship that Festival prefers to have with key suppliers. This gives us additional peace of mind, considering our medium-term program of building increasingly sophisticated ships such as European Vision and European Dream," added Mr. Kontes. Festival Cruises currently owns and operates a fleet of three cruise ships in addition to Bolero -- Mistral, Azur and Flamenco -- and offers a wide choice of cruise itineraries in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean.