Silversea Cruises has selected Amadeus, a travel technology partner and transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry, to provide automated booking capability for traditional and online travel agents in North America as well as the U.K.

The decision to expand Silversea’s sales channels to the Amadeus global distribution system involved selecting an IT partner that could provide the cruise company with guaranteed system reliability, optimal merchandising opportunities and dynamic reservation capabilities. Amadeus offers distribution and reservations capabilities to 18 cruise lines in 80 markets around the world.

“Amadeus Cruise Distribution Solutions gives us unprecedented access to North American travel agency audiences, as well as online travel resellers, instantly expanding our distribution scope,” explained Steve Tucker, Silversea’s vice president of field sales for North America. “Real-time loading of all our sailings, tariffs and onboard amenities, as well as instant booking confirmation thanks to a seamless connection to our in-house reservation system, means we can offer Amadeus travel buyers a superior, automated shopping experience.”

Amadeus Cruise Distribution Solutions includes Amadeus Cruise, the booking application available to travel agents via the Amadeus Selling Platform and as a stand-alone solution (regardless of whether or not agents use a global distribution system), and Amadeus Cruise API/Web Services for online travel resellers. Silversea will be distributed through both Amadeus Cruise for travel professionals, and the Amadeus Cruise API/Web Services for online sales.

“Silversea has a tremendous track record of luxury and service excellence and is an impressive addition to Amadeus’ significant cruise portfolio,” said Scott Gutz, president and CEO of Amadeus North America. “This new content will provide even greater choice in the luxury cruise category. And with distribution through Amadeus Cruise, Silversea will now be more easily and efficiently accessible to the travel industry in the U.S. and Canada.”

Silversea is also extending a special bonus commission offer through October 12, 2011 for Amadeus Cruise users. North American travel agents who make new Silversea bookings via Amadeus Cruise can earn a US $100 per suite bonus commission. The offer is valid on new bookings made on Amadeus during the promotional period and on all suite categories, all departures and voyages.