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CruiseCompete Adds Seven New Small Ship Cruise lines to Website Five additional Cruise lines to be Offered

DETROIT, MARCH 9, 2010 - CruiseCompete, the industry's leading competitive-quote travel website, has added the itineraries of seven small ship cruise lines to its offerings.

"These small-ship cruise lines add another dimension to the cruise ship experience," says Bob Levinstein, CEO of CruiseCompete. "Smaller ship itineraries tend to be more intensely focused on the culture and environment; it's a close-up, personal look at the region being visited."

These smaller ships have other advantages, as well. Fewer passengers onboard translates to a more intimate cruise experience; guests become more familiar with fellow travelers and cruise staff. This, in turn, lends itself to a more casual, relaxed travel environment where open discussion with fellow travelers, lecturers and experts is the norm.

Another bonus of these small ships is a wider variety in itineraries, because smaller ships allow access to smaller ports where larger vessels cannot dock. Since they can visit more remote areas, many of these ships also have special excursion craft that allow passengers to get an up-close view of the area. Hidden coves, narrow channels, and natural wonders can be explored to really take passengers further inside the cruising region.

Following are the seven cruise lines new to CruiseCompete and descriptions of each line:

CruiseWest: CruiseWest began offering personal travel experiences more than 50 years ago in Alaska, with a philosophy that remains true to this day: to provide up-close travel that focuses on the destination - its scenery, wildlife, natural history and culture - all in the company of limited numbers of like-minded travelers.

Hurtigruten: Hurtigruten cruises are more than just luxury vessels to beautiful destinations; they are windows on the world of exploration, knowledge, education and adventure. They feature educational voyages filled with cultural expeditions to the Norwegian Coast, Europe, Greenland, Spitsbergen, and Antarctica.

Imperial River Cruises: Experiencing the mystery and romance of ancient Russia and Ukraine may seem like a faraway, unreachable dream in the current economic climate, but Imperial River Cruises is doing its best to keep that dream within reach. The 2010-2011 schedule features trips to Russia and Ukraine, including traditional cruises between Moscow and St. Petersburg, exciting voyages between Kiev and Istanbul, the 13-day Peter Tchaikovsky Cruise and the once-in-a-lifetime Tsar's Ball New Year's Eve Package in St. Petersburg.

Pandaw River Cruises: With six luxury ships exploring five countries, Pandaw River Cruises is the largest luxury river cruise company in Asia. While offering a real adventure experience, Pandaw travelers are cushioned with incredible comfort, fine dining, great cocktails and choice wines, not to mention extraordinary levels of service.

Paul Gauguin: Paul Gauguin's ship, the m/s Paul Gauguin, transports you to a romantic Tahitian vacation paradise-to explore, experience and escape. With the freedom to discover the exotic ports of the South Pacific without limitation, your cruise aboard m/s Paul Gauguin will fulfill your every dream and expectation.

ROmanCE Voyages: The intimate voyages are designed for sophisticated travelers. ROmanCe Voyages was born when their GLBT family told them they were looking for a more in-depth travel experience rather than another circuit party. They focus on a fun yet sophisticated atmosphere where gay and lesbian couples, singles and friends will feel completely comfortable and can see the world on their terms. Destinations include Egypt and Nile, Amazon, Greece, Peru and Russia.

Variety Cruises: Founded in 2005, Variety Cruises is the largest Small Ships Cruise Company World-Wide with a fleet of over 15 fully owned vessels offering you a total yachting experience. Fine cuisine, with a strong local flavor, exciting itineraries blending well known ports of call and less know gems of the Mediterranean and personalized service have positioned the company as the choice for an ever growing number of cruise goers looking for a small ship cruise experience.

Voyages to Antiquity: Voyages to Antiquity's aim is to combine the excitement of exploring the remarkable classical civilizations of the Mediterranean with the excellent comfort and service of boutique-style cruising. From the elegant ruins of Palmyra in Syria to the splendor of Norman Sicily, Voyage to Antiquity's nine itineraries have been meticulously planned to reveal as much as possible of the extraordinary wealth of natural beauty and classical history that the Mediterranean has to offer.

In addition to these seven remarkable lines, CruiseCompete plans to further expand its small ship offerings. Plans are underway to add information and itineraries for American Canadian Caribbean Line, American Safari Cruises, French Country Waterways, Lindblad Expeditions, and Orion Expedition Cruises.

For more information on these small ship cruise lines and their itineraries, please visit CruiseCompete.com.