Royal Caribbean International to Expand Operations Into Asia in 2007

Royal Caribbean International to Expand Operations Into Asia in 2007

September 15, 2006

Rhapsody of the Seas Sailing From Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai

    MIAMI, Sept. 15 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean
International announces its return to Asia in December
2007, bringing the active cruising experience to the
region.  The Vision-class ship, featuring the line's
signature rock-climbing wall and indoor glass walls
providing exotic views of Asian landscapes, will offer a
series of exciting cruises out of Singapore, Hong Kong and
Shanghai, visiting exotic ports of call in Thailand,
Vietnam, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. 	

    "The introduction of Rhapsody of the Seas into
Asia, together with our previously announced deployments of
ships to South America and the Dominican Republic are all
part of the company's strategy of international business
development and expansion into emerging and high-growth
markets,"  said Adam Goldstein, president of Royal
Caribbean International. "We have had the pleasure of
hosting thousands of satisfied Asian guests onboard our
vessels over the past several years and intend to bring to
Asia all of the elements and the characteristics of our
style of cruising that have made our brand globally
recognized as an award-winning vacation experience."

    Rhapsody of the Seas will debut December 10, 2007, in
Singapore offering a series of sailings that will call on
Malaysia and Thailand. The ship's Asia tour continues on
from Hong Kong, where she will arrive in time for the
Chinese New Year holiday season, offering a series of
itineraries calling at ports in Taiwan, Japan, and Sanya,
Hainan Island. Then moving to Shanghai, China, Rhapsody
will call on ports in Japan and Korea.

    Additional details of Rhapsody's itineraries will be
available by mid-October 2006.

    "We are confident that the Asian market and the
Pan Asia regions, in general, have tremendous growth
potential, and view this as a first step in a long-term
plan that will define cruising in the region. In addition,
there has been an increased level of awareness and interest
in travel to Asia from India, Australia, New Zealand and the
Middle East which we predict will become strong secondary
source markets," said Goldstein. "I would like to
extend my gratitude to the various governmental authorities,
port authorities and tourism boards in Singapore, Hong Kong
and Shanghai for their encouragement that helped us to make
this exciting decision."

    Rhapsody of the Seas, at 78,491 tons and with a total
guest capacity of 2,435, will be one of the largest cruise
ships to homeport in Asia. In addition to the rock-climbing
wall, she features the awe-inspiring Centrum, an open atrium
with a shopping arcade; an outdoor pool; six whirlpools; an
indoor/outdoor pool in a Solarium with a retractable roof;
themed bars and lounges; the Adventure Ocean Youth program;
the Shipshape Day Spa and Fitness Center; the Casino Royale;
multi-level dining rooms with floor to ceiling windows; and
Windjammer Cafe. The ship also has one main conference
center with four smaller meeting rooms.

    Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand
with 20 ships currently in service and three under
construction.  The line also offers unique land-tour
vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe through its
cruisetour division.  For additional information, go to
http://www.royalcaribbean.com or call [phone].

    For more information, please contact:

     Tracy Quan
     Royal Caribbean International
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Lyan Sierra-Caro
     Royal Caribbean International
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Royal Caribbean International