Ocean Village to be Phased Out

Carnival UK has announced that it is rationalising its portfolio with the phasing out of the Ocean Village brand, beginning in Autumn 2009.  Consistent with Carnival’s strategy of investing in brands which show the greatest growth potential, both Ocean Village ships will transfer to the P&O Cruises Australia brand, the first in time for Christmas 2009 and the second a year later.

Commenting on the move, David Dingle, CEO of Carnival UK and Chair of the Carnival Australia Management Committee, said:

“In reviewing the most effective deployment of our ships, we have recognised the major growth potential in the Australian market and the profit opportunity which awaits.  Clearly it is disappointing to wind down our Ocean Village operation which has been superbly created and delivered by an excellent management team, but we must recognise the need to maximise profit performance from our assets.  Ocean Village has done much to change the face of British cruising, and all our UK brands have benefited from this.  The arrival of new ships for P&O Cruises and Cunard in 2010 and the continuing development of Princess Cruises in Britain will ensure that Carnival UK continues its growth despite the redeployment of the Ocean Village vessels.”

Ocean Village will operate a single ship in the Caribbean in Winter 2009-10 and the previously published programme will be adjusted, with existing bookings amended accordingly.  A European programme will be operated in 2010.  P&O Cruises will take delivery of the 3,100 bed Azura in March 2010 and the new 2,100 bed Queen Elizabeth will join the Cunard fleet in October 2010.

Princess Best For Romance

Princess Cruises has been named the cruise line “Best for Romance” in the 2008 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards, which honor the world’s top cruise lines for outstanding performance in 10 major areas.

The company also won the “Best for Weddings” and the “Best Multi-Generational” categories. The winners were named by the editorial team of CruiseCritic.com, a leading cruise website featuring news, communities and reviews.

“We’re delighted that the editors of Cruise Critic have recognized Princess as the best line for romance, a tradition that goes back to our early days as ?The Love Boat,’” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “And as the company that introduced weddings at sea and has long offered an onboard experience to appeal to all ages, we’re incredibly pleased the editors have recognized our leadership in these areas.”

Princess Cruises will introduce a new ship, Ruby Princess, on November 6 with a romance-themed christening ceremony featuring godparents Trista and Ryan Sutter, who became “romance royalty” following their appearance on the hit television reality series The Bachelorette.

The line has its own Department of Romance, featuring distinguished experts from the worlds of love, dating and marriage, including actor Gavin MacLeod, The Love Boat’s “Captain Stubing;” Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the always-provocative couples therapist; Alex Michel, the first Bachelor on ABC’s hit show; Trish McDermott, vice president of love at Engage.com; and Lisa Light, destination wedding expert and author.

In 1998 Princess introduced the first weddings at sea performed by the ships’ captains, who in the ensuing decade have married more than 5,000 couples in waters around the globe.

An interactive list of all 2008 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards winners is available for download at http://www.cruisecritic.com/editors-picks/newsletter.cfm. Users can also find cruise line and cruise ship reviews, cruise deals and news on CruiseCritic.com.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Official Press Release Princess Cruises dated 27th October 2008.

Construction On Azura Begins

A ceremony marking the keel-laying for the newest superliner for P&O Cruises will be held today at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantieri near Trieste, Italy. One of the two largest ships ever built for P&O Cruises and for the British cruise market, the new ship will be named Azura.

P&O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: “Evoking images of the ocean and capturing the thrill of cruise travel, the name Azura is very fitting for this most sophisticated of superliners. It is also appropriate for a ship that will be a haven of serenity and the embodiment of the choice and service excellence for which P&O Cruises is renowned.”

The keel-laying involved the placement in the dry dock of one section of the ship’s hull. This section is made up of six pre-manufactured blocks, weighs 650 tons and is ready-fitted with piping and other internal structure.

The ceremony follows an intensive period of design and development. Fifty sections and several additional interconnecting steel blocks will be used in the construction of Azura and the ship will take to the water for the first time at her float out in summer 2009, before her delivery to P&O Cruises in spring 2010.

Azura’s 3,100 passengers will enjoy fifteen public decks, 11 restaurants, five boutiques, four pools, two lounges and over 900 private balconies.

Azura will depart on her maiden voyage in late spring 2010, details of which will be announced early next year. Further details of Azura’s build, partnerships and interior design will be announced in November 2008.

Official Press Release P&O Cruises dated 27th October 2008.

Silverseas Culinary Arts Cruise

From the sun-kissed beaches of the Cape Verde Islands to the breathtaking desert dunes of Namibia, this December Silversea’s newly refurbished Silver Wind will offer the perfect setting for a rare epicurean odyssey hosted by Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef Jacques Thorel.

Thorel is the renowned chef/owner of two-Michelin-starred Auberge Bretonne — a Relais & Châteaux-member restaurant and hotel that also bears the coveted “Relais Gourmand” designation — located in picturesque La Roche-Bernard, a medieval village nestled in the French region of Brittany.  He has collaborated with Silversea’s corporate executive chef, Rudi Scholdis, to create over 60 enticing new dishes for La Collection du Monde, the exclusive three-course dining options that form part of the dinner menu featured each evening in The Restaurant, the main dining venue aboard all Silversea ships.

Following is a sampling of some of the new delicacies featured in La Collection du Monde:

* Roasted Wild Boar with Porcini Mushrooms
* Breast of Pigeon Slow-cooked with Foie Gras and Truffle Shavings
* Baby Turbot Cooked in Madras Curry and Coconut Milk with Fresh Coriander
* Beef Filet Mignon with Foie Gras-poached Potatoes and Shallot Jam
* Pan-fried Fillet of Greenland Turbot with Sweet Pepper Ragout
* Layered Partridge Tart with Rouennaise Sauce

“We’re very pleased that Chef Thorel will be joining us as we launch these exclusive Relais & Châteaux signature dishes aboard Silver Wind,” said Scholdis.  “Since June we have been testing them aboard the Prince Albert II and I’m very pleased with the favorable feedback from our guests.  We are now ready to phase in the enhanced menu selections across our fleet, starting with Silver Cloud on October 20, Silver Wind on December 5, and Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper in early 2009.”

In conjunction with the launch of the refreshed dining options of La Collection du Monde, Thorel will host a Culinary Arts enrichment program aboard Silver Wind’s December 2, Las Palmas-to-Cape Town cruise, an exotic 18-day voyage calling in the Cape Verde Islands, Dakar, Banjul, Bom Bom Island and Walvis Bay.  Thorel will present his unique Breton cuisine and cooking methods in the ship’s demonstration culinary theater.  Custom-designed by Viking Range Corporation, the theater is equipped with state-of-the-art induction stove, sophisticated convection-microwave oven and Viking professional-caliber cookware, cutlery and countertop appliances — plus a large rear projection screen so guests can easily view different cooking techniques and utensils.

This special voyage will also feature food and wine pairings, creative regional dishes, and a five-course grand gourmet dinner.  If the itinerary permits, guests may also enjoy escorted provisioning trips to international markets.  Silversea Corporate Executive Chef Rudi Scholdis will also be on hand to share his culinary expertise and answer any questions.

Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard four intimate vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, and Silver Whisper, all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance.  With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company’s itineraries encompass all seven continents.

In the U.S., Silversea has been voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and Travel + Leisure (seven times), and rated Number-One luxury cruise line by high-net-worth consumers in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI).  International awards include “World’s Leading Luxury Cruise Line” from World Travel Awards (2007); “Five Star Diamond Award” from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2007); “Number One” small-ship line in the Readers’ Choice” survey conducted by Britain’s Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2007); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Spain’s Cruceros & Destinos magazine (2008); “Best Small Cruise Line” by Australia’s Luxury Travel Magazine (2007); and “Best Luxury Cruise Operator” according to Asia’s Travel Weekly (2008).

Official Press Release Silversea Cruises dated 23rd October 2008.

Celebrity Solstice Delivered

The most widely heralded cruise ship to enter the market this year, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice, was delivered today at a ceremony in Emshaven, Netherlands, marking the formal transfer of the ship – the first in a class of five – from shipbuilder Meyer Werft to Celebrity Cruises. The ship will begin its transatlantic voyage October 25, with arrival in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., anticipated November 3.

“With its innovative, half-acre Lawn Club with real, growing grass; the Hot Glass Show offered through our alliance with The Corning Museum of Glass; 10 widely varied restaurants, including four in the specialty category; stylish, spacious staterooms whose design was influenced by a panel of five women with unique travel and hospitality insights; and, of course, the intangible attribute found on every Celebrity ship – extraordinary service – Celebrity Solstice is the perfect manifestation of what the Celebrity brand is all about,” said Celebrity’s President & CEO Dan Hanrahan.

“We are indebted to the countless, highly dedicated individuals who have brought this spectacular ship to this point, and who have shared our passion for innovation, and our dedication to excellence,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Celebrity Cruises’ parent company, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Soon after its arrival in Fort Lauderdale on November 3, Celebrity Solstice will serve as the perfect platform for Celebrity Cruises’ first Global Sales Meeting, followed by a series of exclusive, two-night preview cruises for invited travel agents, press and other dignitaries. Celebrity Solstice will be named in formal ceremonies on November 14, and will embark on its inaugural season November 23, on a series of seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. In spring 2009, the stunning new ship will introduce a series of romantic 10- and 11-night Mediterranean sailings roundtrip from Rome.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America. Noted for four of the top 10 “Top Cruise Ships in the World” in the large-ship category, as voted by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (February 2008 readers’ poll), Celebrity’s fleet – including the new Celebrity Solstice – will be joined by Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011, and a fifth in 2012. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit Celebrity Cruises website.

Official Press Release Celebrity Cruises dated 24th October 2008.

Royal Cut Fuel Supplement

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today announced that the company’s fuel supplement will no longer apply to new Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises bookings made on or after November 10, 2008, anywhere in the world, for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010.

This decision takes into consideration the recent reductions in global fuel prices. The company has also established specific guidelines that will determine whether fuel supplement refunds will be provided for sailings that begin in 2009 and later, which were booked prior to November 10, 2008, if fuel prices remain below a specific price threshold.

For 2009 sailings and 2010 sailings booked before November 10, 2008, the company will determine on a quarterly basis whether fuel supplements will be refunded. Refunds, in the form of an onboard credit, will be provided if the closing price of West Texas Intermediate fuel is $65 or less, at the closing time of the New York Mercantile Exchange, two weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming calendar quarter. When those conditions are met, an onboard credit will be provided to all guests on sailings that begin during the upcoming calendar quarter.

The dates on which the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel will be measured, and the quarters during which refunds could apply are:

Fuel Price Determination Date           Quarter of Possible Fuel Supplement Refunds
 
December 18, 2008                                    First quarter 2009 
March 18, 2009                                          Second quarter 2009
June 17, 2009                                             Third quarter 2009
September 17, 2009                                   Fourth quarter 2009
December 18, 2009                                    First quarter 2010
March 18, 2010                                          Second quarter 2010
June 17, 2010                                             Third quarter 2010
September 17, 2010                                   Fourth quarter 2010 

The company will continue to closely monitor the movement of global fuel prices and recognize that an upturn in those prices could necessitate the reinstatement of a fuel supplement.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France. The company has a combined total of 38 ships in service and six under construction. It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe and South America.

Official Press Release Royal Caribbean dated 24th October 2008.

New Cuisine Onboard P&O

Australians’ passion for modern, fresh, home grown cuisine has driven P&O Cruises to embark on a culinary overhaul to please its passengers’ palates.

As demand grows for sophisticated food, P&O has responded with a revamp on both Pacific Dawn and Pacific Sun cruise ships. It involves:

• Introducing fresher, locally-grown ingredients on a range of new menus
• Replacing international wine brands with an Australian and New Zealand-only list focusing on boutique and regional wineries
• Embracing Australian’s love of coffee by introducing specialist onboard coffee ambassadors and appreciation classes
• Recruiting a new Corporate Executive Chef and Manager of Food and Beverage Operations to drive forward innovation in cuisine selection

The overhaul has seen the launch of signature dishes including Indian chilli crab, coral trout sourced from northern Australian waters, served with a lobster ragout and beurre blanc sauce as well as wagyu beef burgers served on basil and garlic focaccia.

In the months leading up to the revamp, the P&O Cruises team scouted the country’s best providores to select produce that would appeal to Australian tastes and meet passengers’ high expectations. The process began more than four months ago with the introduction of new menus, wine list, and tableware across the fleet. The enhancement program will be complete by April 2009.

Lars Kristiansen, Manager of Food and Beverage Operations at P&O Cruises, said revitalising the menus with quality local products is a testament to Australian’s increasingly discerning tastes.

“We are taking the passenger culinary experience to a different level. Australians have high expectations when it comes to dining. They are looking for crisp, fresh produce, and so we’ve responded to that demand and taken it up a notch. Our aim is to exceed their expectations.”

Newly appointed Executive Chef Uwe Steifel continued, “Australians are now demonstrating more loyalty towards locally-sourced food and we’re delighted to recognise this and invigorate our menus. My ambition is for Australians to choose cruising because of the sparkling cuisine itself.”

In a further boost to the Australian market, P&O Cruises recently ditched international wine brands in support of 64 local winemakers from Australia and New Zealand. Wines that made the cut include emerging boutique wineries such as Hunter Valley’s Glandore Estate and ACT’s Lake George Winery.

P&O Cruises has also embraced Australians’ love of quality coffee, developing coffee appreciation courses for it’s passengers. Internationally renowned barista Ryan Spinoglio has spent the past six months in intensive training with five P&O Cruises crew members.

Mr Spinoglio, who samples more than 300 cups of coffee each day and about $900 million worth of coffee per year, is attributed with introducing coffee art globally.

“It’s easy to make coffee, but it takes passion to master the technique of creating great coffee. After putting the P&O Cruises’ baristas through their paces, they will now be able to pass on the skills required to craft the perfect espresso,” Mr Spinoglio said.

The newly appointed coffee ambassadors will pass on trade secrets learned from Mr Spinoglio with free classes for cruises departing in November. They will provide passengers with information on coffee origins, bean varieties to suit the Australian palate, and will help participants learn how to handcraft the elusive perfect cup of coffee.

Sydney-based superliner Pacific Dawn features 11 decks with two swimming pools, a choice of five evening dining areas, nine bars and lounges, “The Dome” entertainment area, a two-storey show lounge and fitness centre.

Meanwhile Australia’s favourite ship, Pacific Sun, now features a new child-free Oasis spa retreat, ocean-view gym and coffee bar, as well as five restaurants and cafes, multiple bars and lounges and two pools for the adults.

Pacific Dawn and Pacific Sun depart from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland and travel to the South Pacific and selected destinations in Australia and New Zealand.

For more information and bookings contact a licensed travel agent or P&O Cruises on 13 24 69 or visit www.pocruises.com.au

Official Press Release P&O Cruises Australia dated 24th October 2008.

Delivery Of Ruby Princess

The newest addition to the Princess fleet, Ruby Princess, was delivered to Princess Cruises today in Monfalcone, Italy by the ship’s builder, Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani. The 3,080-passenger vessel has set sail for Fort Lauderdale where she is scheduled to arrive on November 4.

The ship will be christened on November 6 by celebrity couple Trista and Ryan Sutter from ABC’s hit reality series, “The Bachelorette.” In keeping with the launch’s “romantic milestones” theme, Princess will help the duo celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary.

Ruby Princess will debut a number of new services and amenities on board, including new dining options such as a pub lunch in the Wheelhouse Bar, unique enrichment programs and the new Ultimate Ship Tour. The vessel also includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing array of performing street entertainers, Princess’ signature adults-only oasis called The Sanctuary, Sabatini’s Italian restaurant, Crown Grill seafood and steak house, “Movies Under the Stars” giant outdoor movie screen, and Hearts & Minds wedding chapel.

Ruby Princess will then set sail on her maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale on November 8, beginning a program of Western Caribbean sailings taking passengers to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Princess Cays. Following her inaugural Caribbean season, the ship will offer a program of Mediterranean voyages in summer 2009.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Official Press Release Princess Cruises dated 23rd October 2008.

Royal Caribbean Youth Zone

The final neighborhood to be added into the deck plans of Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas was announced last night during an online unveiling sponsored by American Express Travel. The Youth Zone, a haven for children and teens, joins the ranks of six other previously-announced, diverse neighborhoods that will be aboard the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship due to launch in November 2009. Oasis of the Seas features a unique concept that will provide guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood in seven neighborhoods, including Central Park, Boardwalk with the AquaTheater, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place, and the Youth Zone.

“We thank American Express Travel, for partnering with us to unveil the last neighborhood of Oasis of the Seas,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Oasis of the Seas will offer more of everything for every member of the family, including more for our younger guests. The Youth Zone aboard Oasis of the Seas will continue to build on our award-winning Adventure Ocean youth and teen programs, and expand to include dedicated space and programming for our guests as young as six months.”

The latest neighborhood unveiling introduced a wealth of kid- and teen-friendly adventures that lie within the Youth Zone - covering a total expansive area of more than 28,700 sq. ft. (2,669 sq. meters) -including, Kids Avenue, a central boulevard connecting children with dedicated Adventure Ocean spaces and various themed play areas; the cruise line’s first nursery for infants and toddlers (six months or older); and state-of-the-art teen areas. A video preview of these areas, including interviews with Royal Caribbean executives, is now available online at www.OasisoftheSeas.com.

“American Express Travel is thrilled with the opportunity to help reveal Royal Caribbean’s final neighborhood aboard Oasis of the Seas,” said Lynne Biggar, senior vice president and general manager, American Express Travel. “As a huge proponent of family travel, we are especially delighted to be a partner in the unveiling of the Youth Zone. In recent years, we’ve seen family travel increase and evolve, particularly in the area of multi-generational travel. This has prompted us to provide dedicated family travel specialists, as well as offer family vacation options that come with great value and memorable experiences for all. As such, Oasis of the Seas is a welcomed and wonderful addition to our cruise offerings.”

The Adventure Ocean youth program aboard Oasis of the Seas will feature the cruise line’s awardwinning curriculum currently offered to young guests fleetwide, but with an exciting new and enhanced approach, including impressive spaces created and equipped specifically for designated activities allowing for a more robust program. All Royal Caribbean Adventure Ocean and teen programs are led by exceptional, energetic and college-educated counselors, whose goal is to create memorable experiences for the cruise line’s younger guests.

Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated advancements is the addition of the Royal Babies and Tots nursery, a first for Royal Caribbean. This colorful space will serve as a fully-staffed nursery where children can be left in the care of Royal Caribbean’s trained professionals, as well as host various playgroups created by Fisher-Price and Crayola for babies and tots.

 
Open daily, the nursery will offer parents childcare drop-off options in the daytime and evening, carefully maintaining an optimum staff to child ratio. Free-time play also will be offered daily, creating an interactive environment where parents and children can bond while playing with a variety of Fisher Price developmental toys in specially-designed programs offered exclusively for guests sailing with Royal Caribbean. The Crayola Beginnings line of toddler art tools will be featured in unique developmentallyappropriate art activities designed for parents and children to enjoy precious creative moments together.

Within the Youth Zone, Kids Avenue will serve as the main promenade for young cruisers to access the various Adventure Ocean areas. Crayola Arts and crafts activities, scavenger hunts, talent shows and other scheduled and guided age-specific activities will be offered to three Adventure Ocean program age groups, each with its own space: Aquanauts, ages 3 to 5; Explorers, ages 6 to 8; and Voyagers, ages 9 to 11.

In addition, Oasis of the Seas will introduce exciting new common play areas, including the Kid’s Arcade for video games; the Workshop, where families can learn scrapbooking skills or create personalized jewelry; Imagination Studio where children can explore the world of color and imagination through Adventure Art by Crayola; a fully-equipped lab for Adventure Science Lab, where Einsteins-in-the-making can expand their knowledge; Play, a circular area where children can rollick and participate in a variety of sports and games; and Adventure Ocean Theater, the first-ever children’s theater at sea - complete with a stage and curtains, audience seating and state-of-the-art production equipment - where children of all ages can learn about theatrical productions, take part in talent shows, or sign up for hip hop dance classes.

The teen-only spaces will be located one deck above the Adventure Ocean areas and adjacent to the ship’s Sports Deck, where kids can test their skills on one of the ship’s two FlowRider surf simulators; the miniature golf-course, Oasis Dunes; or the Sports Court for volleyball and basketball games. The physical separation of the teen-only spaces from younger Adventure Ocean guests will be one of the many striking enhancements implemented as a recommendation of Royal Caribbean’s Teen Advisory Board - a group of teens recruited last year to identify what youths between the ages of 12- and 17-years would want to see aboard future Royal Caribbean ships.

Longtime favorite Royal Caribbean teen-only spaces, Fuel disco and The Living Room, will return aboard Oasis of the Seas, only larger and more state-of-the-art. The Living Room will be the ultimate go-to hangout for teens to kick back and socialize at the “mock-tail” bar, which serves non-alcoholic sodas and juice concoctions; learn to spin and mix music in Scratch DJ 101 classes, a part of Royal Caribbean’s Scratch DJ Academy; or surf the Internet and keep in touch with friends via the bank of computer stations dedicated to the space. Teens also will be able to kick it up a notch at Fuel, a disco which will feature a hip environment, where they can hang out with friends, and a dance floor, where they can show off their moves. A spacious outdoor deck adjacent to these venues will give teens more opportunities to make new friends while on their cruise vacation.

 
In addition to the areas within the Youth Zone and teen-only spots aboard Oasis of the Seas, special attractions for children of all ages also will be located throughout the ship’ other neighborhoods. Along the Boardwalk, kids and teens will be able to shop at retail stores tailored to their interests, and infants and toddlers can ride the Carousel with their parents or enjoy the climbing and play space modeled after a 50’sstyle gas station next to the popular Johnny Rockets restaurant. The lively Challengers Arcade also will return aboard Oasis of the Seas, and will be decked out with the latest video games sure to entertain kids and teens. In the Vitality Spa and Fitness Zone, teens and tweens can enjoy a menu of spa options specially tailored for them in a dedicated space at the Vitality at Sea Spa.

A diverse selection of activities for families and guests of all ages will be found in all of the neighborhoods throughout Oasis of the Seas. Family-friendly innovations range from the industry’s first amphitheater, the AquaTheater, featuring theatrical diving performances and spectacular water and light shows; the first zip line at sea stretching 82 feet in length and suspended nine decks above the exciting Boardwalk area; and in the Pool & Sports Zone, the H2O Zone aquapark with its toddler pool and the first beach pool at sea, featuring a true-to-form sloped entry and colorful beach chairs and umbrellas to give guests the ultimate beach experience.

When she launches in November 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at www.oasisoftheseas.com.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and two under construction. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska and Canada, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and South America.

Official Press Release Royal Caribbean dated 22nd October 2008.

Royal Top Honors Winners

As Royal Caribbean International kicks off Travel Agent Appreciation month this October, the cruise line also is celebrating accolades recently earned from the travel industry. The cruise line has been commended with a total of seven awards, one from the travel industry’s most respected organizations, the World Travel Awards. Royal Caribbean is also honored to be name the top cruise line, among other distinctions, by travel partners CruiseOne/Cruises Inc. and AAA Travel.

“We are very grateful to our travel partners and the World Travel Awards for recognizing Royal Caribbean International,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president, Sales and Trade Services & Support, Royal Caribbean International. “These awards acknowledge the dedication of Royal Caribbean’s employees and crew, as well as our shoreside executives, who all work to deliver the WOW everyday and ensure the most memorable vacation experience for our guests.”

Because the cruise line strives to help travel professionals sell cruises and grow their businesses, Royal Caribbean is deeply appreciative to be recognized by travel partners AAA Travel and CruiseOne/Cruises Inc. AAA Travel bestowed the cruise line with the auto club’s 2007 Partner of the Year award, as well as the Best Marketing and the Best Technology awards. Additionally, CruiseOne/Cruises Inc. recently conferred on Royal Caribbean its Best Contemporary Cruise Line, Best Customer Satisfaction, and Best Inside Sales Department awards.

The World Travel Awards named Royal Caribbean International as its 2008 Leading Cruise Line of North America, a category in which the cruise line beat out eight other nominees. The World Travel Awards is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as the international travel industry “Oscars”, and is the world’s only global awards of its kind, honoring world class products of exceptional quality and value.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and two under construction. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, South America and New Zealand.

Official Press Release Royal Caribbean dated 14th October 2008.

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