Royal Caribbean Anchors in Asia

Royal Caribbean Anchors in Asia

July 10, 2007

Company Establishes Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Singapore

Rhapsody of the Seas to make Asian debut in December 2007

    SINGAPORE, July 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL; Oslo), announces
the opening in Singapore of its Asia-Pacific headquarters -
Royal Caribbean Cruises (Asia) Pte. Ltd.  

    The regional headquarters, which is located in
Singapore's central business district, will support the
marketing efforts in the Asia-Pacific region for three of
the company's cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International,
Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises.  Headed by Rama
Rebbapragada, managing director for Asia Pacific, the
office also will provide sales and trade support in the
region.   

    "Our expansion to the Asia-Pacific region is an
integral part of our international business development and
growth strategy, and it is an exciting time to be
here," said Rebbapragada. "We will have Royal
Caribbean International's Rhapsody of the Seas, the largest
ship sailing in this region, 'homeported' here at the end of
this year and we are committed to another Asia season in
2008-09, offering Asia-Pacific guests our unique and
award-winning cruising experience."   

    With the number of cruise guests sailing in the
Asia-Pacific region projected to grow by more than 40
percent, from 1.07 million in 2005 to 1.5 million by 2010*,
the opening of Royal Caribbean's Asia-Pacific regional
office is strategically timed.  Royal Caribbean
International's range of cruise offerings is perfectly
placed to take advantage of rapid economic growth and a
renewed interest in cruising from key source markets in the
region.

    Building on Royal Caribbean's success and expertise in
the North American and European markets, the Asia-Pacific
office will spearhead the company's expansion plans in the
region and support growing demand for itineraries in the
Asia Pacific. 

    "This region shows great growth potential in terms
of providing new destinations for international cruise
guests from North America and Europe given the varied and
exciting cultures throughout the region, and their
accessibility to the coastline," said Adam Goldstein,
president of Royal Caribbean International. "This,
coupled with the prospect of Asian markets being
substantial source markets for new cruise guests, gives us
tremendous opportunity for growth in the region." 

    The company's establishment of an Asia-Pacific office
complements several other recent efforts that have been
made to grow the cruise industry in Singapore.  In 2005,
the Singapore Cruise Centre underwent a $5 million facelift
that aimed to strengthen its position as the nerve centre
for the cruise industry in Asia.  The Cruise Centre is
expected to attract 1.2 million cruise passengers to
Singapore by 2010. The Singapore Tourism Board also
administers a $10 million fund set up jointly with the
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and the Singapore
Cruise Centre to boost the local cruise industry and
encourage major international cruise companies to partner
with Singapore in product development and marketing
initiatives. 
    In December 2007, Royal Caribbean International's
Rhapsody of the Seas will debut in Singapore.  Rhapsody of
the Seas will be the largest ship to cruise in Asia and
will offer travelers a selection of six short cruises that
will range from two to five nights and call at the tropical
ports of Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and Penang, Malaysia, as
well as the exotic sun-soaked islands of Langkawi,
Malaysia; and Phuket, Thailand. 

    Rhapsody of the Seas also will offer three spectacular
12-night voyages between Singapore and Hong Kong, each
featuring two-day calls in Bangkok (Laemchabang), Thailand,
and Hanoi Haiphong, Vietnam. These extended itineraries also
include calls at Sihanoukville, Cambodia; and Saigon Vung
Tau, Nha Trang and Hue Danang, Vietnam. 

    The ship's Asia tour continues on from Hong Kong, where
it will arrive in time for the Chinese New Year season,
offering a series of itineraries calling at the ports of
Okinawa, Japan; Taipei Keelung and Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and
Sanya, China. The ship will then sail from Shanghai, China,
with port calls in Japan and Korea.

    Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise
vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean
International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur and Azamara
Cruises.  The company has a combined total of 35 ships in
service and six under construction.  It also offers unique
land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada,
Europe, Latin America and New Zealand.  Additional
information can be found on http://www.royalcaribbean.com,
http://www.celebrity.com, http://www.pullmantur.es,
http://www.azamaracruises.com or http://www.rclinvestor.com
.

    * London-based independent economic consultancy Ocean
Shipping Consultants
      (OSC) World Cruise Shipping Industry to 2020 report -
May 2005


    For more information, please contact: 
 
    Tracy Quan
    Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
    Tel:   [phone]
    Email: [e-mail]