STAFF at Southampton-based marketing agency Lawton have developed a secure online booking facility for an international cruising company.

Island Cruises is a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and First Choice Holidays established in 2001.

Andy Furlong, marketing director at Island Cruises, said: "Booking a cruise holiday can be a pretty daunting process because of the myriad of options available to the customer.

"Lawton eMarketing has built Island Cruises an exceptionally straightforward facility that enables the uninitiated to move quickly through the process to confidently make their booking online."

Jo Sullivan, head of Lawton eMarketing's travel team, said: "Our experience and understanding of the travel industry's online requirements allows us to develop the most efficient and results-driven booking systems. Our rapidly growing portfolio of clients highlights our position as one of the leading digital agencies in the travel sector."

First Choice Holidays has also appointed Lawton eMarketing to develop an online booking system for its premium brand Sovereign. The site is www.islandcruises.com.