ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 14, 2009) — The Avid Cruiser Web site has been completely redesigned and is the first cruising-related site to be specifically optimized for access via handheld mobile devices. The update of the 10-year-old site integrates Avid Cruiser with social networking sites, improves navigation of its extensive archive of articles, videos and photographs, and incorporates a new design theme.

The Avid Cruiser Web site is designed to help consumers make informed cruise vacation decisions by providing them with content that is “personal, passionate, informed and inspired.” The site’s articles, videos and photos impart straightforward, practical advice based on the wide travel experience of its writers.

“We aren’t trying to be the biggest Web site covering the cruise industry, but we are trying to be the best,” said Ralph Grizzle, publisher of Avid Cruiser. “To reach the widest possible audience, it is essential that we engage social media and ensure that the site is easily accessible to mobile devices.”

To access the site from a handheld device — an iPhone, Blackberry or other smart phone — users simply go to www.avidcruiser.com. There is no application to download or install. The site automatically loads in a fully optimized format, featuring all of the site’s content.

“More and more people are leaving their laptops at home and choosing to travel with their smart phone,” noted Grizzle. “By providing a fully mobile-optimized Web site, we’re ensuring that our readers can access our content and experience the site from virtually anywhere in the world.

“The ability to access the site while traveling can be particularly helpful to those who need guidance in destinations through articles such as The Avid Cruiser’s Two Perfect Days, Copenhagen,” said Grizzle.

Avid Cruiser contains more than 1,000 articles, 1,500 photographs and 200 videos covering cruise ships, the shipboard cruise experience and cruise ship destinations around the world. Avid Cruiser’s sister sites are Family Cruise Advisor and River Cruise Advisor.

For information about Avid Cruiser, contact Ralph Grizzle at Avid Travel Media Inc., (828) 398-0570 or rgrizzle@avidcruiser.com.

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