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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Celebrates Growing European Deployments as Brands Gear up for Ongoing International Growth

Posted on: Tuesday, 9 December 2008, 09:02 CST

VENICE, Italy, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will play a key role at "Seatrade Med 2008" and will confirm its increasing commitment to Europe and the Mediterranean.

With an unprecedented 22 ships sailing in Europe in 2009, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will offer cruisers more choices than ever before.

"The international markets show the greatest growth potential, with Europe and the Mediterranean representing the ideal center," said Michael Bayley, senior vice president, International, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Bayley made his comments during his opening address at the Seatrade Med convention, being held in Venice, Italy, this week. "Extending our deployments and our seasons in Europe and the Mediterranean reflects our commitment to, and the importance of, the region as an integral part of our international growth strategy. We see strong development opportunities in Europe and the Mediterranean as a destination, as well as a source market, and we are making the necessary investments to further grow our market share in these key regions."

Royal Caribbean International has announced plans to deploy a record eight ships to the region for summer and fall of 2009. Vacationers can select from four- to 14-nights itineraries aboard some of the world's most innovative cruise ships: Independence of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest Freedom-class ship; two Voyager-class ships, Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas; as well as Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas. Totaling 70 distinct itineraries and 87 ports of call in 32 countries, Royal Caribbean International will offer vacationers unprecedented choices throughout the Mediterranean Sea, Northern and Western Europe and a variety of transatlantic sailings.

In May 2008, Royal Caribbean International's Brilliance of the Seas began sailing year-round in the Mediterranean, a first for the brand. Departing from Barcelona, Spain, the ship offers an array of cruise options and destinations.

With its largest European deployment ever slated, in 2009, Celebrity Cruises will be offering guests the opportunity to take the ideal cruise on a premium brand. For the first time in the line's history, five ships will visit the region in a single European season. They will include the brand's two newest ships, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox. Joining them will be Celebrity Constellation, built in 2002; Celebrity Summit, launched in 2001; and Celebrity Century, which underwent a $55 million revitalization in 2006. The line will visit 76 ports in 29 countries, five of which are new to Celebrity Cruises. Celebrity's ships will sail from six different homeports, and spend overnight port calls in eight different ports.

Azamara Cruises will offer deluxe cruise experiences onboard both their ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, in the Mediterranean between April and December 2009. No other deluxe brand offers the number of ports that Azamara Cruises' ships will visit next year, nor matches the breadth of distinct itineraries. Azamara's seven- to 15-night Europe itineraries will visit 91 ports in 36 countries, and depart from five different homeports. Overnight calls will be offered in seven ports and late-night departures (10 p.m. or after) will be offered in 10 ports, allowing guests to capture more of the flavor of each locale's nightlife and a more immersive destination experience.

Additionally, all six Pullmantur Cruises' ships and CDF Croisieres de France's Bleu de France - both Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. brands - will operate in the Mediterranean in 2009.

"With 22 ships deployed in Europe, 20 of which are in the Med, in 2009, we are clearly demonstrating our commitment to the region," Bayley added. "We are not only dedicating more ships, but some of our newest and the most innovative ships to Europe and the Mediterranean. We are also focusing on enhanced products and onboard options that will further increase the satisfaction of our growing number of international guests. These factors increase our confidence that the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. brands will continue to grow their market share in Europe and the Mediterranean in 2009."

Participation in Seatrade Med 2008:

In addition to Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will also be represented at Seatrade Med by:

-- Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president, Maritime, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., speaking on A Grand Design

-- Kevin Douglas, associate vice president, Newbuild and Revitalization, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., speaking on Cruise Shipbuilding and Refurbishment

-- John Tercek, vice president, Commercial & New Business Development, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., speaking on Ports and Itineraries

-- Jamie Sweeting, vice president, Environmental Stewardship, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., moderating the session: The Green Agenda

-- Lina Mazzucco, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Italy General Manager, will participate in the Cruise Agent Training Day.

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. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebrity.com, www.pullmantur.es, www.azamaracruises.com, www.cdfcroisieresdefrance.com or www.rclinvestor.com.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Source: PR Newswire

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