P&O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: “This is Arcadia’s first major refurbishment since she joined the fleet in April 2005 and we are taking the opportunity to enhance and improve the features of this already very successful child free ship.

“The work that we are undertaking will add to Arcadia’s contemporary charm and she will emerge with even more facilities to surprise and delight her passengers.”

A new section of staterooms with private balconies will be added to the aft end of the ship. This will result in the creation of an enlarged deck area around the already popular Aquarius Pool. To further enhance this area, a larger and more stylish, new bar has been created.

A further new feature for passengers will be a 30-seat boutique cinema, creating a dedicated space for showing films on board. The cinema will be added in place of the existing Cyb@Study - wireless internet access will continue to be offered on board

The photo gallery is to be revamped with more space and privacy given for portrait sittings and the addition of equipment for passengers to download images from their own cameras to be printed directly on board.

Further refurbishment is taking place throughout the ship, with new carpets, soft furnishings and upholstery added in areas including the Spinnaker Bar, Neptune Pool and passenger cabins. New teak furniture will enhance open deck space and a sprung wooden floor in the gym will improve delivery of exercise classes.

The refit is taking place in Arcadia’s fourth year of service, just weeks before she embarks on her maiden 101 night Grand Voyage. The first passengers to sail on the new look Arcadia will be departing on a 16 night Mediterranean cruise from Southampton on 20 December 2008.

Official Press Release P&O Cruises dated 2nd December 2008.

Movies Under the Stars Added to More Ships — Princess’ signature “Movies Under the Stars” poolside screens have become such a popular feature since debuting in 2004, that the line will add the dramatic 300-square-foot movie screens feature to most of the fleet over the next several years. Princess was the first cruise line to introduce this unique entertainment experience aboard its ships and Movies Under the Stars has subsequently revolutionized movie-watching at sea.

Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess Enhancements — Following the recent renovations to Star Princess, which dramatically transformed several onboard spaces, Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess will receive similar makeovers in drydocks scheduled for January and April of 2009, respectively. Updates to Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess will not only include turning the ship’s atrium into a vibrant street cafe-like piazza, adding The Sanctuary, and installing a 300-square-foot Movies Under the Stars poolside screen (Golden Princess), but also additional enhancements including a new Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant, a new casino area and six additional suites.

Wheelhouse Bar Pub Lunch — After a successful debut aboard Ruby Princess, several other ships will soon offer a special English-style pub lunch on sea days in which the Wheelhouse Bar serves a selection of traditional fare. A menu of British favorites, including bangers & mash, fish & chips, ploughman’s lunch and cottage pie, will complement a selection of traditional pub brews such as Stella Artois, Bass Ale or Guinness. Pub lunch meal service is free of charge and will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Sabatini’s Breakfast for Suite Passengers — Also launched on Ruby Princess, a new program for suite passengers will be expanded across the fleet, offering them the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive breakfast in Sabatini’s. Beginning with a “Good Morning Mimosa,” the menu features a variety of breakfast favorites, plus specialty items such as brioche French toast with apple & cinnamon compote, yogurt and super granola parfait with raspberry swirl, soft-poached egg over potato & vegetables with hollandaise sauce, and freshly made Belgian waffles. Suite passengers can enjoy this new amenity, along with the restaurant’s dramatic top-of-ship views, from approximately 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. daily.

A Few Fine Touches — A number of new service touches are being introduced to delight passengers across the fleet. In the Horizon Court buffet, new waffle stations will offer fresh cooked-to-order waffles at breakfast and throughout lunchtime, and the buffet will also begin serving complimentary lemonade as a beverage choice. In the evening, passengers will find a selection of canapes in several of the ship’s public lounges. Passengers arriving back from shore will be greeted with chilled face cloths, and by the pool, “misting stewards” will offer a quick refreshing spritz with Evian to cool off.

New Enrichment Programs — A number of new ScholarShip@Sea enrichment programs will expand passengers’ horizons, whether they aspire to host the perfect party or increase their maritime knowledge. The Art of Entertaining offers passengers the opportunity to learn party-planning tips from lifestyle expert Susie Coelho via a multimedia presentation hosted by the cruise director. Navigation@Sea focuses on the history of navigation as well as the complexities of plotting the route of a modern cruise ship, with a presentation by the ship’s navigator. Mixology@Sea lets passengers channel their inner bartender with a hands-on course taught by the ship’s bar manager. For star gazers, the new Astronomy@Sea program provides passengers with the opportunity to explore the night sky through a telescope on the top deck, with the expert guidance of a ship’s bridge officer. Developed in conjunction with Dr. Thomai Serdari, Professor of Art History and Director of Research Collections for New York University, Art History@Sea: Botticelli to Warhol, The Evolution of Art makes 500 years of art come to life with a special hour-long presentation.

Most Extensive Europe Season Ever in 2009 — Princess will feature more sailings and new opportunities for cruisers to explore Europe in 2009 with additional departures to the historic Holy Land, and nine new itineraries and 11 new ports of call. In total, Princess’ 2009 Europe program features a six-ship fleet sailing on 90 voyages of 36 different itineraries to 132 ports and destinations. Sailing choices range from seven to 31 days, during a season that runs from April 10 to November 30.

Tahitian Princess in Northern Europe — Tahitian Princess introduces a lineup of brand new adventures in Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea in 2009, with visits to places such as Iceland, Greenland, Scandinavia, the British Isles, Russia, Latvia and Lithuania. Choices include a new 12-day Emerald Isles & Russian Splendors itinerary between Stockholm and Dublin; an 18-day Land of the Midnight Sun journey above the Arctic Circle that includes calls in Murmansk, Russia and Spitsbergen, Norway; and a Connoisseur’s Scandinavia & Russia itinerary traveling to new ports on the Gulf of Bothnia and in Lithuania.

50th anniversary of Alaska’s statehood — Princess celebrates Alaska’s 50th anniversary in 2009 with a full season of cruisetour and cruise itineraries showcasing the best of the state, including the incomparable Denali National Park and Glacier Bay National Park. Complete land and sea vacations feature the line’s own wilderness lodges and Direct to the Wilderness rail travel, and the company’s eight-ship Alaska fleet sails the state’s dramatic glacier rimmed Gulf Coast and scenic Inside Passage.

Tahitian Princess to be Renamed Ocean Princess — Tahitian Princess, one of the small ships in the Princess fleet, will be renamed in 2009, becoming Ocean Princess. The new name is intended to reflect the ship’s new deployment on worldwide itineraries. The renaming will take place while the ship is out of service during a routine maintenance period in Singapore in November 2009.

New Sailings to Asia, India and Africa — Tahitian Princess will sail on one last Africa, India and Southeast Asia itinerary from Cape Town to Singapore before being transformed into the new Ocean Princess. The newly renamed ship will then set off on a series of cruises through Asia, including new itineraries such as the Treasures of Southeast Asia between Singapore and Shanghai, South China Sea Explorer between Shanghai and Bangkok, and China & Japan Explorer between Shanghai and Tokyo. The ship will end the season with an Africa, India and Southeast Asia voyage from Singapore to Cape Town and a West Africa Adventure from Cape Town to London (Dover). Sailings depart between September 17, 2009 and May 7, 2010.

Two-Day Canal Experience — To give travelers more time in Panama, Princess Cruises is introducing a new “Two-day Canal Experience” on all 2009-10 Panama Canal transits of 15 days or longer, featuring a second day in port so passengers can enjoy both the engineering wonder of the Canal and further discover the country. The Two-day Canal Experience will feature the full Canal transit plus a day with the ship at anchor at Fuerte Amador, on the Canal’s Pacific side. Passengers can take advantage of this day to enjoy a variety of shore excursion options including the Panama Canal Railway, Panama City, Soberania National Park Rainforest or a visit to an authentic Embera Indian Village.

New ports for 2009-10 — The Princess lineup will include 23 new ports around the world in 2009-10. In Europe, they include Sochi, a Russian resort city on the eastern shores of the Black Sea which will be home to the 2014 Olympics; Murmansk (Russia), the largest city north of the Arctic Circle; Lule? (Sweden), the gateway to Lapland, located in the Gulf of Bothnia; Mariehamn (Finland), a charming destination on ?land Island, between Sweden and Finland; Klaipeda (Lithuania), Lithuania’s primary seaport; Barrow, for visits to England’s picturesque Lake District; Seydisfjordur (Iceland), noted for its picturesque community of well-preserved wooden buildings; Grundarfjordur (Iceland), known for dramatic natural beauty, particularly the impressive Sn?fellsjokull Glacier; Kristiansand, a historic Norwegian seaport; Ceuta, an autonomous Spanish city in Morocco; and St. Pierre et Miquelon, a bit of France off the coast of Newfoundland in Canada. On Exotic itineraries new ports include Muscat, the capital of Oman; Yangon in Myanmar; Qingdao, a beautiful seaside city in China; Fukuoka, western Japan’s major cultural center; Phillip Island in southern Australia, where visitors can watch the local penguins on their daily parade; Newcastle, Australia; the Caribbean island of Nevis; and on the world cruise Topolobampo, the gateway to the majestic Copper Canyon in Mexico; Picton, New Zealand at the head of the South Island’s lovely Queen Charlotte Sound; Halong Bay/Hanoi (Cai Lan) in Vietnam; and Sharm el-Sheik, a resort city on Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. On Panama Canal itineraries, the port of Puerto Chiapas in Mexico debuts, the gateway to the rich culture of the Mayan region featuring opportunities to explore coffee plantations and architectural landmarks.

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 4th December 2008.

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.

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.

Guests have the convenience of being able to use laptops in the privacy of their staterooms with the addition of in-room wireless connectivity. Also, mobile phone and handheld service while the ship is at sea are now available. The upgrade enhances the ship’s already existing high technology services, which include WiFi accessibility in public rooms throughout the ship. Sister ship Queen Victoria already offers these services.

Queen Mary 2’s dry dock has allowed Cunard to ensure the ship is looking pristine for her fifth anniversary year with a newly refurbished nautically themed Chart Room, featuring a new
colour scheme and layout, carpet, curtains and furniture; the installation of a canopy over an area on deck 8 aft providing a wonderful al fresco dining option for our Todd English Restaurant guests; the replacement of some stateroom corridor carpets, French polishing and upholstery work in the Britannia restaurant, Royal Court Theatre and Canyon Ranch SpaClub

“Whether enjoying sea days on our legendary Transatlantic Crossings or World Cruises, or visiting ports around the world, our guests will appreciate the ability to be able to stay in touch with home or work,” said Carol Marlow , President of Cunard Line

To use mobile phones at sea, guests must have a device capable of roaming internationally and their service provider must have a roaming agreement with Maritime Communications Partner AS, as does AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and Sprint.

Cunard encourages guests to contact their provider in advance of departure to verify their plan for pricing and international roaming capabilities. All mobile charges will be billed by the service provider. Charges generated by guests using their laptop computers who register on board for wireless access packages will be added to their onboard accounts. Standard shipboard Internet charges apply.

As in most restaurants and theatres on land, mobile phone service will not be accessible in the Royal Court Theatre, Illuminations, and the Queens Room or in the ship’s dining rooms

Queen Mary 2 left Southampton on 15 November and will arrive in New York on 21 November. She will then commence her Caribbean season, followed in January by her second World Cruise. Cunard’s flagship will celebrate her fifth year in service that month, having been named by Her Majesty The Queen in 2004.

Official Press Release Cunard Cruise Lines dated 18th November 2008.

The awards represent the eighth year in a row that the line has been recognized in an itinerary category and the second year that Princess took top honors as having the best Central American itineraries.

“We’re very pleased that Porthole readers continue to think of Princess for itinerary excellence,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “Princess ships have been traveling the globe for decades, and our experience has enabled us to create the very best itineraries.”

In 2009-10, Princess’ Central American itineraries will include a new “Two-day Canal Experience” on Panama Canal transits of 15 days or longer, featuring a second day in port so passengers can enjoy both the engineering wonder of the Canal and further discover the country of Panama.

Down Under, Princess will continue its program of Australia/New Zealand sailings with a series of cruises between Sydney and Auckland aboard Diamond Princess, plus two ships, Sun Princess and Dawn Princess, based in the region year round.

“And we’re also delighted that Porthole readers singled out our outstanding onboard boutiques,” said Swartz. Offering a wide selection of gifts and cruise memories, Princess’ onboard boutiques offer duty-free shopping for jewelry, accessories, fragrances, cosmetics, apparel, fine gifts, liquor, cruise souvenirs and sundries.

Porthole, a bimonthly magazine published for experienced cruise passengers, reaches more than three million readers annually. For more information on Porthole Cruise Magazine, visit www.porthole.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 20th November 2008.

To harness eclectic British tastes and honour the rich history of P&O Cruises, Azura will feature an Indian fine dining restaurant, Sindhu, the creation of celebrated Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar. Sindhu means meeting point, amalgamation or fusion, and the menu will offer a fusion of fine British and Indian cuisine. Dishes such as pan-fried lobster tail in coconut milk and tamarind sauce will tempt passengers through the doors of this – just one of 11 – dining venues on board.

Azura will feature 18 single staterooms, a first in the P&O Cruises fleet, and two large suites for extended families or groups of friends to share, meaning more affordable travel suited to today’s diverse market.

The ship will offer a record 900 staterooms with private balconies and a select number of spa staterooms, offering exclusive access to the Oasis Spa and added in-cabin extras.

TV wine expert Olly Smith has also been enlisted to help create a new ‘Select Dining’ restaurant and wine bar concept – The Glass House. A must for wine lovers, The Glass House menu will feature different wines recommended with each course, all served by the glass and expertly matched by Olly.

The Saturday Kitchen star will also lend his skill on the drinks menus for Azura’s other bars and restaurants, and will travel regularly throughout the year to host light hearted tasting sessions in his own irreverent style.

P&O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: “We have a rich heritage of providing British cruise passengers with an exceptional holiday experience, and it is this unprecedented experience that gives us a unique insight into their needs and tastes. We are perfectly positioned to design a ship to appeal to today’s sophisticated consumers and have done exactly this with Azura.

“Modern travellers have diverse needs and require more than a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Azura will cater for every kind of consumer, from newcomers to cruising to our more experienced repeat customers; from singles and couples to families and multi-generational groups, empty nesters to parties or simply friends reunited – Azura will deliver them all with an authentic, large ship experience.

“Among the new developments Azura also features all the qualities inherent in the P&O Cruises experience, such as fine dining, a world-class spa, extensive family friendly facilities and specially commissioned works of British art.”

New design highlights include an open air cinema by the Aqua Pool and a secluded on deck spa area, The Retreat, with private cabanas for al-fresco massages, luxurious sun loungers and personal waiter service.

Treatment rooms within the spa will also have balconies, so that passengers can be pampered in the open air.

In entertainment, Azura will feature an ultra-modern interpretation of a classic London pub, a show lounge designed with the Big Apple in mind and a dance floor in the atrium, making it the social hub of the ship.

“Azura will provide a contemporary, glamorous, serene and sophisticated holiday experience for adults and couples,” continued Esdale. “The emphasis will be on the highest levels of service with extraordinary attention to detail.”

For family appeal, Azura will have innovations such as a dedicated ‘Wii’ room.

A purpose-built website has been created for Azura, featuring an interview with Atul Kochhar, as he talks about his background, family life, and passion for the finest Indian ingredients. Use of video clips and a carousel of imagery give visitors an insight into the detail that has gone in to the designing of the ship.

“Spontaneity combined with diversity is the key, whether that is fine tuning their tango on the new dance floor in the atrium or curling up with a book in The Alcove library. Everyone travelling on Azura will find plenty to enjoy and generate long lasting stories,” concluded Esdale.

To find out more visit www.pocruises.co.uk/Azura

To download hi-resolution press pictures visit www.pocruisespresspictures.com

Official Press Release P&O Cruises dated 25th November 2008.

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.

Black Prince’s first departure from Greenock is a long cruise of 21 nights to the Adriatic, departing on 3rd May 2009.   This cruise (BP0909) visits a wealth of attractive ports, starting with Ceuta in Spanish Morocco, then Cagliari in Sardinia followed by a cruise of the Aeolian Islands taking the ship to Durres in Albania.  From here she visits the Croatian port of Split and on to Venice for an overnight stay.  Ravenna follows, then the lovely old walled city of Dubrovnik, La Goulette for Tunis and Motril in Spain – a good base for an excursion to the Moorish Alhambra Palace in Granada.  Final port of call is Leixoes for Oporto, heart of Portugal’s port industry, before returning to Greenock.  This cruise has a theme of Painting through Fred. Olsen’s ArtsClub programme of special interests on board, and the varied and historic ports visited will offer many opportunities for amateur painters to improve their skills.  Prices start from £1,920 per person.

Boudicca begins her ex-Leith programme with a 13-night cruise to the North Cape departing 21st June 2009.  This cruise (BD0914) heads north from Leith, making first landfall in Kristiansund to cruise Norway’s majestic Trollfjord, then cruises to the most northerly point – Honningsvag for the North Cape, well inside the Arctic Circle and home of the Midnight Sun.  From this stunning landmark, Boudicca cruises back down the coast of Norway, visiting Tromso, Leknes, Andalsnes and the pretty Art Nouveau town of Alesund.  Final ports of call in Norway are Skjolden, an anchor port, and the bustling fishing port of Bergen, before returning to Leith.  Prices for this cruise start from £1,551 per person.

Prices are per person, based on two sharing a twin cabin and include all meals and entertainment on board and port taxes.

For more details of these and other ex-Scotland cruises, visit www.fredolsencruises.co.uk To book, call Reservations on 01473 742424 or see your local ABTA travel agent. You can also book online.

Official Press Release Fred Olsen Cruise Lines dated 1st December 2008.

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.