Second in Famed Freedom Class of Ships Surpasses Industry Standards With New Onboard Programming

MIAMI, April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Continuing on the successful track of creating revolutionary onboard offerings and innovative products, Royal Caribbean International took delivery of its newest Freedom-class ship, Liberty of the Seas, from Aker Yards during a ceremony today in Turku, Finland. Just weeks away from making her U.S. debut on May 3, 2007, the ship will be the first in Royal Caribbean’s fleet to showcase new and distinctive wellness, family and wedding programming, which will be rolled out fleet-wide. Liberty shares the title of world’s largest cruise ship with sister ship, Freedom of the Seas, which launched in May 2006.

Healthy Living, Family Fun and “I Dos”

From tots to teens to brides and wellness seekers, Royal Caribbean has kept all guests in mind when developing its original and enhanced programming.

For health and wellness enthusiasts, Royal Caribbean presents a completely revamped Vitality wellness program, promoting well-balanced healthy vacations through a variety of diverse fitness, spa, shore excursion and culinary offerings, including Tai Chi, acupuncture, wellness seminars and even a soothing signature scent.

Adventure Theater by Camp Broadway, New York City’s famed children’s theater group, introduces kids and teens to the theatrical arts by folding folktales, music, dance and cultural elements into the mix. Sure to be a hit among teen cruisers are the Scratch DJ 101 classes, where teens hone their turntable skills in sessions hosted by professionals from New York City’s Scratch DJ Academy.

Royal Caribbean launches the Crown & Anchor Society Youth Program, the industry’s first loyalty program designed for cruiser under the age of 18. Members will enjoy frequent cruiser rewards such as the Youth Ultimate Value Booklet, which includes puzzles, games, and special onboard offers to Ben & Jerry’s, Challenger’s Arcade, and Y-spa, the line’s teen spa treatment menu.

The Build & Grow with Lowe’s program and Chefs on Deck by Fisher-Price bring budding young builders and tomorrow’s culinary super-stars together with their families to play, learn and grow while at sea.

Brides and grooms now have more distinctive settings in which to say “I do” with Explorer Weddings, an extreme extension of the line’s existing Royal Romance wedding and vow renewal program, allowing thrill-seekers the option of tying the knot on an Alaskan glacier, in a hot-air balloon or on Liberty’s FlowRider surf simulator, to name a few.

The Liberty to Do it All

At 160,000 GRT with a capacity of 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Liberty of the Seas has emerged from Aker Yards in Finland with the popular, industry- first amenities seen on Freedom of the Seas, including the FlowRider, the H2O Zone water park, a full-size boxing ring and a 14-person family suite.

Liberty’s 445 foot-long Royal Promenade will keep guests busy at one of the many restaurants, shops and lounges. From an Italian-style pizzeria, Sorrento’s, to A Clean Shave men’s barbershop and the Hoof & Claw pub — cruisers have a wide variety of venues to visit and experience while onboard.

The On Air Club, the ship’s karaoke venue, and the Art Deco-style Platinum Theatre (1,350 guests), home to dazzling new Broadway-style shows Ever After and Somewhere in Time, provide endless hours of entertainment.

In addition to the popular FlowRider, Royal Caribbean’s active onboard amenities include an interactive sculpture garden, located in the H2O Zone water park. Both offer many ways to stay cool in the Caribbean sun. Cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 feet above the ocean, located in Liberty’s serene solarium, are an adults-only oasis flanked by a pool, hammocks and colorful art sculptures. For an indoor chill, the ice-skating rink, Centre Ice at Studio B, is open for lessons and free skating during the day and presents the spectacular original ice show Encore on Ice at night.

At 1,215 square feet, Liberty’s Presidential Suite sleeps 14 people and features an 810-square foot outdoor living area with a Jacuzzi and private wet bar. The 588 square-foot Royal Family Suites include two bathrooms, a living area, and best of all, a 234 square-foot balcony to catch a breath a fresh air and enjoy a private meal. In addition, each stateroom onboard Liberty comes equipped with flat-paneled televisions and the line’s plush bedding enhancements, an indulgence for all guests.

Sailing the Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s new Freedom-class ships will be joined by a third, Independence of the Seas, in 2008. Liberty will depart on Saturdays and Freedom on Sundays from Miami and will alternate between 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Both itineraries include a call at Royal Caribbean’s private destination Labadee, Haiti. Liberty’s Western Caribbean itinerary calls in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Cayman Islands; and Montego Bay, Jamaica. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary calls in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, allowing for a third day at sea to take advantage of all the ship has to offer.

Cruise Industry-First Wedding Adventure Program to Debut with New Liberty of the SeasMIAMI, April 5, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — Reflecting the cruise line’s dedication to provide guests with exciting and innovative experiences, Royal Caribbean International is unveiling Explorer Weddings, a first-of-its-kind program that combines a cruise with an exotic destination or themed wedding. Couples saying “I do” for the first time or repeating their vows will share in a customized wedding experience onboard or shoreside. Explorer Weddings add an extra measure of exhilaration for couples, who can exchange vows in distinctive settings, such as beside the line’s onboard FlowRider surf simulator, on top of an Alaskan glacier, mid-air in a hot-air balloon or in a medieval castle.As an extension of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Romance program, Explorer Weddings was created in partnership with The Wedding Experience and is part of a series of guest program enhancements to debut with the launch of Liberty of the Seas. Liberty’s maiden voyage will be on May 19, 2007 and is the cruise line’s newest ship to share the title of the world’s largest cruise ship with sister ship Freedom of the Seas.

“More than 15 percent of Americans are choosing a destination wedding instead of a traditional land-based ceremony,” said Steve Shaiken, vice president, Onboard Revenue Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “The Explorer Weddings program offers couples the opportunity to combine an unforgettable destination wedding in a very unique setting with a cruise honeymoon. Royal Caribbean is applying our expertise in providing exciting cruise vacations to help create an event of a lifetime.”

Explorer Weddings coordinators work closely with the bride and groom to customize their wedding or vow renewal, including creating personalized vows, if needed. They arrange all the transportation and priority check-in for the couple and their guests, and even meet the couple at the pier and escort them to their stateroom to address any last minute questions.

Couples can choose to marry at onboard locations such as the ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall or ship’s golf course, or shoreside settings, including the top of a volcano, in a rainforest, or on a vineyard, all of which would be decorated thematically for a private ceremony. As part of the basic Explorer Weddings package, the bride and groom will receive an elegant bouquet, a boutonniere with matching bloom, traditional or customized music accompaniment, champagne and wedding cake, and a keepsake Explorer Weddings marriage certificate. The ceremony is performed by a nondenominational officiant and a professional photographer will be on hand to capture every moment. Any additional special requests can be accommodated, allowing for a truly personalized experience.

To continue the nuptial celebration, wedding guests can enjoy the full myriad of dining and entertainment options available to all Royal Caribbean guests. Guests can enjoy the wide spectrum of onboard activities throughout the day, including an extensive spa menu, fully-equipped gym, fitness classes and Adventure Ocean youth programming. At night, they have choices among casual and elegant dining venues, top-rated Broadway-style theater productions, a high-energy nightclub and lounges to suit every taste.

For further details and pricing, contact Royal Romance Wedding Consultants at (888) 933-7225 or royalromance@theweddingexperience.com.

I was formally invited to take part in a pre-inaugural cruise of Liberty of the Seas this May. I was offered May 14^th out of Miami, for a two day cruise to Coco Cay and back, or the May 7^th two day cruise out of Bayonne NJ. Sadly, a work trip on the 15^th prevents me from going on the 15th, and unless somebody swaps cabins with those being offered by another department for May 5, I may not be able to travel on the May 7^th cruise.

In any case, I was deeply flattered to have been invited, and hope to find a way to make the early May cruise fit into my schedule, somehow. Long time readers know I had originally put a reservation in for the May 19^th public maiden voyage of Liberty of the Seas. However, work again intruded. So the chance to still participate in Liberty’s early days in service would be of tremendous meaning to me.

More as details emerge.

MIAMI, April 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL; Oslo) exercised its option to build a second ship in its “Genesis Project” today. Destined to become the 24th ship in the Royal Caribbean International fleet, the 5,400-guest, 220,000-gross-registered-ton ship would be built at Aker Yards in Finland, with delivery projected for August, 2010.

Like the prototype ship due out in Fall, 2009, the second Project Genesis ship will be a trailblazer in cruise-ship and vacation innovation. New icons and amenities will continue to challenge and expand guests’ expectations of cruising, and the latest technology and design will continue to increase efficiencies.

The company estimates the all-in cost of the ship will be approximately $260,000 per berth. The contract is contingent on the completion of customary financing.