Royal Lays Keel of Allure

Royal Caribbean International, a cruise brand owned and operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSX: RCL), and STX Europe (OSX: STXEUR) today laid the keel of Allure of the Seas, the second of the highly-anticipated Oasis-class cruise ships slated to redefine the industry. Today’s keel laying ceremony at STX Europe’s shipyard in Turku, Finland, marks the placement of the very first block of Allure of the Seas in the dry dock where the ship will begin to take shape.

When she launches in 2010, Allure of the Seas will share the title of the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. An architectural marvel at sea, Allure of the Seas will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas, will be homeported at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Allure of the Seas will tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which will offer guests of every age the widest array of onboard vacation experiences that cater to their personal styles, preferences or moods. Guests will enjoy lush and tropical grounds open to the sky in Central Park, located in the center of the ship and spanning more than the length of a football field. Central Park will be lined with boutiques and specialty restaurants, ranging from casual to fine dining, and introduce balcony staterooms rising five decks above the storefronts and overlooking the park – one of a few new categories of onboard accommodations made possible by the ship’s revolutionary design.

Guests will delight in the amusements, eateries, and shops on Allure of the Seas’ Boardwalk featuring the AquaTheater. Also open to the sky, Boardwalk is reminiscent of classic seaside entertainment esplanades, featuring a handcrafted carousel and two rock-climbing walls. At the stern-end of Boardwalk is the AquaTheater, an amphitheater featuring the deepest freshwater pool at sea, which will showcase amazing high-dive acrobatics and water fountain ballets synchronized to music and lights.

 
Royal Promenade will present guests with a spectacular new design of Royal Caribbean’s signature interior boulevard of boutiques, restaurants, and bars and lounges. Natural light will cascade through two Crystal Canopy sculptured glass domes in Central Park and illuminate the widened Royal Promenade with a new overlooking mezzanine level. From the Royal Promenade, guests can enjoy a cocktail in the Rising Tide bar – the first moving bar at sea – while they gently ascend three decks into Central Park above.

The Pool and Sports Zone will feature a sloped-entry beach pool (exclusive to the Oasisclass); two larger FlowRider surf simulators; and a zip-line that soars nine decks above the Boardwalk. Building on the Royal Caribbean’s popular Vitality wellness program, guests will be able to soothe mind, body and soul in the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, which also includes a dedicated spa area just for teens. Entertainment Place will include the cruise line’s signature afterdark spaces in more intimate venues that offer a variety of entertainment experiences. And the Youth Zone will offer a wealth of kid- and teen-friendly adventures, featuring the cruise line’s first nursery for infants and toddlers (six months or older).

New categories in onboard accommodations for guests on Allure of the Seas include bi-level, urban-style Loft Suites and two bedroom/two bathroom AquaTheater Suites, in addition to Central Park- and Boardwalk-facing balcony staterooms. Additional information about the exciting features found on Allure of the Seas is available at www.allureoftheseas.com.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 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 2nd December 2008.

Royal Suspends Fuel Supplement

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today announced the suspension of its fuel supplement for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, anywhere in the world.

The decision reflects the recently sustained lower price of fuel.

Effective Monday, December 8, guests making new bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, will not be charged the fuel supplement.

Guests already booked on sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, will receive a refund of any fuel supplement paid, as follows:
Guests with existing bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, and who are now paid in full, will have the supplement automatically refunded to them in the form of an onboard credit during their sailing.
Guests with existing bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, and who are not yet paid in full, will have the supplement automatically removed from their outstanding balance. The company reserves the right to reinstate fuel supplement charges if the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel exceeded $65 per barrel, on the quarterly milestone dates mentioned in the company’s October 24, 2008, press release.

The company announced on October 24, 2008, that no fuel supplement would be charged for new bookings made on or after November 10, 2008, for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010, unless there is an upturn in fuel prices. Today’s announcement does not affect those previous terms.

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 5th December 2008.

Independence US Debut

Royal Caribbean International’s newest Freedom-class ship, Independence of the Seas, made her US debut today at Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Sharing the title of world’s largest cruise ship with her sister-ships, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, Independence will be the line’s first Freedom-class ship to sail from Port Everglades.

At 160,000 GRT and a capacity of 3,634 guests, Independence of the Seas features all of the industry-first amenities which are trademarks of the Freedom-class ships: a FlowRider surf simulator; the H20 Zone water park with its interactive sculpture garden for families and toddler pool; cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 ft. above the ocean in the adults-only Solarium; a fullsize boxing ring and a 14-person family suite.

Independence also features some of the other distinctive offerings the global cruise line is known for including, an ice-skating rink; a rock-climbing wall; an award-winning youth program; fine to casual dining venues; Broadway-style entertainment and the Royal Promenade – an entertainment boulevard stretching the length of the ship with shops, restaurants, bars and lounges, which provides guests with an endless variety of choices and experiences to suit their taste and preference.

Independence will sail from Ft. Lauderdale and alternate between eight-night Eastern Caribbean and six-night Western Caribbean itineraries. Independence’s Eastern Caribbean itinerary will call at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Phillipsburg, St. Maarten and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach destination in Haiti. The Western Caribbean itinerary will call at Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico and Cozumel, Mexico.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 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 19th November 2008.

Oasis 2009 Debut

In just over one year, Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas will make her long awaited debut. The ship, under construction at STX Europe in Turku, Finland, reached an important maritime milestone today when she was “floated out” – moved from dry dock to wet dock – to begin the final stages of interior work.

At official ceremonies held at the shipyard, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. executives, Richard Fain, chairman and CEO and Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president, Maritime were joined by Martin Landtman, president, STX Finland Cruise Oy, and Toivo Ilvonen, project director, Oasis-class, to turn the valve releasing 87 million gallons of water into the wet dock area.

“This is a historic day for our company. After more than three years of intense planning and collaboration and with 65 percent of the ship already complete, it’s exciting to see Oasis entering its final stages,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Oasis of the Seas truly represents the innovative spirit that our company is known for and to see that come to fruition is wonderful.”

The line chose this important milestone to announce that Oasis of the Seas will enter service under the command of Captain William S. Wright and Captain Tor Olsen. Wright, a 15-year veteran of Royal Caribbean International, was also the start up Captain for Freedom of the Seas, currently the largest ship in the world with sister-ships Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas, and 40 percent smaller than Oasis of the Seas. Wright also is one of the few American captains in international cruising and currently serves as the senior vice president of Marine Operations for the cruise line.

Born in Norway, Captain Tor Olsen has been on the high seas since the age of 16. He joined Royal Caribbean International in 1987 working on Song of America and has served as Captain on five Royal Caribbean ships from the Voyager-class to the Vision-class.

When Oasis launches in December 2009, she will feature the unique neighborhood concept that will provide guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood in seven distinct areas of the ship. This unique concept, which also creates a vast array of accommodation choices for guests never before found at sea, is the result of a quantum leap forward in revolutionary cruise ship design.

An architectural marvel at sea, Oasis of the Seas will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. She 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 20 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 21st November 2008.

Why Not Advertising Campaign

In an unprecedented move, Royal Caribbean International has officially seceded from land and declared itself The Nation of Why Not, in the first new integrated advertising campaign for the global cruise line in nearly ten years. Created in partnership with Royal Caribbean’s lead agency, JWT NY, and a group of WPP agencies, including Mindshare and RMG, the campaign will be rolled out today in North America and globally in 2009 and includes print and online advertising, television commercials, collateral, as well as a new social networking website – www.nationofwhynot.com.

The Nation of Why Not kicks off with two television commercials (30-second and 60- second versions) inviting vacationers to secede from land and become citizens of “the nation.” The tongue-in-cheek spots – a combination of live action and animation – begin November 10, during morning show programming on ABC and NBC television networks, and during primetime programming on ABC and CBS. The commercials highlight Royal Caribbean’s global destinations and innovative onboard amenities, challenging viewers to do things at sea that they could not do on land, such as “Why not ice skate on the equator and climb mountains at sea?” Additionally, print ads will launch in forty newspapers nationwide on Sunday, November 16, 2008.

Breaking with convention, travel and cruise industry professionals will be introduced to The Nation of Why Not on Monday, November 17, with the first edition of “The Why Not Herald,” an insert in key travel trade publications across the United States and Canada. Subsequent editions will feature the new brand campaign’s print advertisements.

“The Nation of Why Not is a place where innovation and imagination rule supreme,” stated Adam Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “The founding of The Nation of Why Not is not a revolution, but an evolution of Royal Caribbean’s legacy of presenting guests with a variety of unexpected possibilities onboard, such as rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, and surf simulators, which have always prompted the idea of ‘why not?’”

The citizens of The Nation of Why Not – from guests, cruise and shore-side staff to travel agents, architects, designers and builders – bring the concept of “Why Not?” to life by participating in, delivering and conceptualizing the global cruise line’s award-winning Gold Anchor service and signature onboard innovations. The new brand campaign not only resonates with Royal Caribbean cruisers, but is a natural fit within the existing company culture, which fosters creativity and dedication to developing the most innovative cruise ships in the world. Nine years ago the “Get Out There” campaign successfully redefined society’s perceptions about cruising and propelled Royal Caribbean to become the leader of the active cruise vacation market; today the Why Not? campaign connects the world to The Nation of Why Not’s “anything is possible” state-of-mind.

“JWT is honored to team-up with Royal Caribbean, always a trailblazer in the industry, to launch this new brand,” stated Ty Montague, Chief Creative Officer & Co-President, JWT. “The campaign celebrates the pioneering spirit of the company and shows how that spirit releases the Why Not in all of us. It also reflects the great community of people – crew, cruisers and travel agents – that Royal Caribbean has built up over the years and gives them all a sense of belonging as citizens in the Nation.”

Royal Sail San Diego

Royal Caribbean International today announced new Mexican Riviera itineraries for the 2009-10 winter and spring seasons. Radiance of the Seas will extend its season from San Diego, offering West Coast vacationers a total of 24 Mexican Riviera sailings, ranging from four- to 12-night itineraries, and two West Coast cruises, a nine- and a 10-night itinerary. These new sailings aboard Radiance, in addition to Mariner of the Seas’ debut in Los Angeles in February 2009, will give vacationers a wider breadth of itineraries to choose from the two Southern California ports. Subsequently, the cruise line is announcing the cancellation of Radiance of the Sea’s previously planned South America cruises during the same time period.

Radiance of the Seas will increase the total number of San Diego sailings from September 2009 through May 2010 with 10 long cruises to the Mexican Riviera. These nine- to 11-night roundtrip itineraries are in addition to the 12 short cruises – four- and five-night itineraries – announced earlier this year. Guests also can choose an additional 12-night holiday cruise departing December 21, 2009, when guests will celebrate Christmas and herald in the New Year on board, or a thirteenth five-night short cruise, sailing on May 3, 2010. Ports of call on these Mexican Riviera cruises include: Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Huatulco, Ixtapa (Zihuatanejo), Manzanillo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. Radiance’s call at Manzanillo on Thanksgiving Day 2009 will mark the cruise line’s first return to the port since 1999.

Guest also can choose among two West Coast cruises, one sailing from San Diego to Vancouver on January 22, 2010 for 10 nights, and in reverse on March 2, 2010 for nine nights. Each sailing includes ports of call at Catalina Island and an overnight in San Francisco, California; Astoria, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Victoria, British Columbia.

Guests holding either individual or group reservations on Radiance of the Seas’ previously scheduled South America cruises from November 21, 2009 through March 7, 2010 will be offered the option to rebook on Radiance of the Seas’ South America cruises from November 23, 2008 through February 1, 2009 and February 28, 2009 through April 26, 2009, subject to availability and at the prevailing rate. Rebooking guests will receive onboard credits of $200 per standard stateroom and $400 per suite. Travel agent partners also will receive a $50 bonus commission per stateroom when rebooking their affected customer to one of these suggested sailings.

All guests and travel agent partners with affected bookings are being contacted by Royal Caribbean International. A special toll-free number has been established to answer questions: 888- 281-9344. The number is the same for both individual and group bookings. All bookings for the affected sailings will be immediately cancelled.

Extending the choices available to West Coast vacationers is the February 2009 arrival of Mariner of the Seas at its new year-round homeport of Los Angeles. Mariner will be the largest cruise ship to be based in the Pacific Ocean and offer guests some of the cruise line’s innovative and exclusive onboard amenities. Mariner of the Seas is among Royal Caribbean’s Voyager class of ships, known for revolutionizing the cruise industry in the ’90s by introducing an onboard rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, and Royal Promenade – a boulevard running nearly the length of the ship that is lined with lounges, stores and restaurants, including a Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop.

 
Guests of both ships will enjoy Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Broadway-style musical revues from Royal Caribbean Productions, multiple onboard bars, lounges and discos throughout the ship, and Vegas-style gaming in the Casino Royale. The ships’ onboard Day Spa also offers a full range of rejuvenating treatments, and the adults-only Solarium pool provides a more relaxing environment. On international sailings, guests also enjoy select popular food, beverage and entertainment options found in the region of their cruise.

Younger cruisers will laugh and learn in the line’s award-winning Adventure Ocean kids program, while teens 12 and older have more mature activities in the ships’ teen-only spaces. Families also can stay in and order room service – always complimentary 24 hours a day – and catch a popular on-demand movie. Throughout their stay, every guest will enjoy Royal Caribbean’s Gold Anchor standard of friendly and engaging service from staff and crew.

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 29th 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.

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.

Royal Caribbean In Dubai

Royal Caribbean International today announced its entry into Dubai in the United Arab Emirates with the deployment of Brilliance of the Seas in 2010. From January to April 2010, the cruise line will offer its signature style of cruising for active vacationers to an international mix of guests, on seven-night sailings from this increasingly popular destination. Itineraries for the new cruises from Dubai will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Dubai is a dynamic and thriving city that shows great growth potential. Building on our reputation for introducing revolutionary cruise experiences, we are excited to provide a different cruise vacation than traditionally offered in this region,” said Michael Bayley, senior vice president, international, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Royal Caribbean continues to attract vacationers globally and we are thrilled to offer new and exciting choices for our guests – combining our distinct onboard amenities with compelling itineraries including the Arabian Gulf’s most popular destinations.”

During a visit to Dubai this week, Rama Rebbapragada, regional vice president, international sales and marketing, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. added, “We continue to win devotees from throughout the Middle East and are pleased to have exceeded our 2008 sales target for the region, achieving significant growth over last year.”

Brilliance of the Seas has a sleek profile and features vast expanses of open space, mirrored surfaces and glass paneling – nearly three acres of exterior glass. The open Centrum with tendeck high windows and ocean-facing glass elevators offers guests breathtaking vistas of the passing landscape and sea. Among the ship’s unique features is a pair of ultra-high-tech, selfleveling pool tables in the Bombay Billiards Club.

For Royal Caribbean’s typically active guests, recreational amenities include a rockclimbing wall, jogging track, basketball and volleyball court, golf simulator and nine-hole miniature golf course, and a large gym with treadmills facing the sea. Five dining venues allow guests to enjoy a variety of choices, from Chops Grille steakhouse to Portofino Italian restaurant, Minstrel main dining room, or the casual Windjammer Café and Seaview Café. Freshly-brewed coffee, cappuccino or pastries can be found in Latté-tudes coffee bar.

Continuing its legacy of creating revolutionary vacation experiences, Royal Caribbean is set to take cruising to the next level with its latest project that has already received widespread international attention. Due to launch in November 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest, most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, the ship will span 16 decks, carry up to 5,400 guests, and feature 2,700 staterooms, as well as seven unique neighborhoods that provide vacationers with a multitude of experiences and environments to suit their moods. The six announced neighborhoods include Central Park, a lush, expansive, open-sky space, lined with restaurants and boutiques, accented by grass, trees and seasonal flora; Boardwalk, a breathtaking seaside-inspired entertainment environment for families, featuring the AquaTheater, the first amphitheater and deepest freshwater pool at sea; and an enhanced Royal Promenade, twice as wide as those on the Freedom- and Voyager-class ships and with a new mezzanine level overlooking the boulevard of restaurants, bars and lounges, and shops.

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 13th October 2008.

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