Federal Maritime Commission

COMMODORE CRUISE LINES CLAIMS PROCESS

Washington, D.C. 20573

NR 01 - 04

CONTACT SANDRA L. KUSUMOTO OR RONALD D. MURPHY AT (202) 523-5787

FOR RELEASE - April 2, 2001

Establishment of Claims Process-Commodore Cruise Line Bankruptcy.

The Commission has been advised that Amwest Surety Insurance Company and Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation ("Sureties"), who executed surety bonds for U.S. cruises by New Commodore Cruise Lines Limited ("Commodore"), have established a process for reimbursement of passengers for payments for cancelled U. S. sailings of the vessels Enchanted Capri and Enchanted Isle. Commodore suspended operations and filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on December 27, 2000 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. At that time, Commodore participated in the Federal Maritime Commission's ("Commission") Public Law 89-777 program and had been issued Certificates (Performance) for its vessels.

Commodore previously advised that all requests for refunds should be faxed or mailed to Commodore's offices. However, the Sureties have now retained the firm of Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick, LLP ("Shumaker") in Tampa, Florida to coordinate the receipt and payment of claims. The payment of claims is the responsibility of the Sureties, and the Commission is not involved in processing refunds.

Shumaker has informed the Commission that packages of instructions and claim forms are being mailed to all passengers and travel agents shown on Commodore's records as having made deposits or other payments, and should be received by all within the next week. Everyone receiving a package should follow the instructions and submit the required claim(s) as soon as possible. Those eligible to file a claim who do not receive a package within the next ten days should contact Shumaker's Coordinating Center. Inquiries may also be made to the Coordinating Center, which may be contacted by the following means:

Telephone: 1-800-677-7661, ext. 2202

Facsimile: (813) 229-1660

Email: commodoreclaims@yahoo.com

In addition, Shumaker is establishing a web site, www.commodore.slk.com, with pertinent information and updates. Claim forms will also be available from the web site. Although not involved in the claims process, the Commission also will attempt to keep the public informed about significant developments at its web site, www.fmc.gov.