GRAND CIRCLE RATED TOP 10 SMALL-SHIP CRUISE LINE IN TRAVEL + LEISURE'S 2009 WORLD'S BEST AWARDS

Fleet Named To List for 4th Year in a Row

BOSTON—Vince Cook, Grand Circle Corporation CEO, today announced that Travel + Leisure readers have rated the company's small-ship fleet as one of the top 10 world's best small-ship cruise lines in the world for 2009.  Survey results of Travel + Leisure's annual World's Best Awards, which uncover readers' favorite hotels, cruise lines, airlines, cities, islands, tour operator/safari outfitters and car-rental agencies, are featured in the magazine's August 2009 issue.

"We are honored to be included in Travel + Leisure's 2009 World's Best Awards and grateful to our travelers for taking the time to share their opinions of us,” said Cook.  "We're delighted that our small-ship fleet is included in this prestigious listing and proud of the fact that our small-ship vacations cost hundreds, if not thousands, less than those offered by other top rated cruise lines. We work hard to provide our travelers with an excellent experience at an affordable price, and being recognized by Travel + Leisure's readers lets us know that we're on course.”

Grand Circle's fleet provides international small ship experiences for Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel.  This is the fourth year in a row that the 11-year-old fleet has been included in a category that rates ships' cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, activities and value. 

Established in 1958, Grand Circle Corporation is the leader in international travel, adventure, and discovery for Americans age 50.  Headquartered in Boston, Mass., the company has more than 35 offices throughout Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Through its brands Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises®, Overseas Adventure Travel, and Grand Circle Travel, the company offers more than 80 small ship and land-based vacations worldwide. The nonprofit Grand Circle Foundation has donated more than $31 million to educational, humanitarian, and cultural organizations worldwide since 1992.

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