Some riverboat operators have formed associations to handle reservations, but travelers can usually make reservations for almost any cruise with a travel agent.
The upgrade is a departure from other travel apps that handle multiple reservations, like Kayak's, which sends users to browser screens within the app, and Expedia's, which requires users to enter their data repeatedly.
"The main reason is to save us money," $12 million over the next two years, said Catherine Stengel, a spokeswoman for the airline, although she added that allowing Indians to handle simpler reservations would also free American agents for more complex calls.
Correction: December 3, 2000, Sunday Because of an editing error, the Cyber scout column on Nov. 12, about the expanded offerings of map sites on the Web, referred incorrectly to the ability of randmcnally.com to handle hotel reservations.
"I have had a couple of billionaire clients, and that is what they want: 24-hour car valet service; a concierge to handle theater reservations, food shopping and repairs; and 24-hour restaurant service, the more stars the restaurant the better.
Computers also handle travel reservations, relay telephone messages, keep track of birthdays and anniversaries, compute taxes and even figure the monthly bills for electricity, water, telephone and other utilities.
The California Youth Authority, meanwhile, has arranged for inmates to handle overflow reservations for Trans World Airlines during holiday seasons.
Mr. Zoghlin says that Orbitz will be able to handle reservations far more cheaply than can the big reservations systems because it uses newer, less-expensive technology.
As the business grew — its 100 employees and banks of computers now handle reservations for some 50,000 hostels in 166 countries — Web Reservations was offered an equity investment by Enterprise Ireland.
The agency can handle reservations by phone, fax or email.
Some restaurants are buying software like RSViP and Perfect Host, specifically designed to handle reservations, and using it to track customers.
