Royal Caribbean Forms Strategic Relationship with Xiamen Government and China World Cruises

Royal Caribbean International has entered into a strategic relationship with the Xiamen municipal government and China World Cruises (CWC) in China that involves CWC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing-based property and theme park developer Shan-Hai-Shu, chartering Legend of the Seas for a total of four months in 2012.

During the four months, Royal Caribbean International will operate and market 21, three- to eight-night sailings from Xiamen, as well as Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong, to ports of call in Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and Korea. The inaugural, five-night charter sailing will depart from Hong Kong on March 20, 2012, while the first departure of guests from Xiamen will be on March 26.

The time charter agreement is fully supported by the Xiamen Municipal Government as part of the government’s development of Xiamen as the fourth cruise home port for Royal Caribbean International in China, following Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong.

“This is an incredible opportunity for Royal Caribbean International, the Xiamen municipal government and China World Cruises, and is truly unique to the fast growing cruise industry in Asia,” says Dr. Zinan Liu, group managing director for China and Asia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “We are the first cruise brand to bring together the support of the government and local private industry.”

Working with the Xiamen municipal government, Xiamen-based CWC aims to invest around $5 billion in the Xiamen waterfront area and harbour district to develop a “Cruise Homeport City”, with a theme park, retail units, luxury hotels, condominiums, as well as a new, four-berth cruise terminal. Xiamen is located between Shanghai and Hong Kong, is less than

200 miles from Taipei, Taiwan, and is one of the most important and fastest growing ports along the Chinese coast.

“China holds amazing opportunities for the cruise industry, including port infrastructure development to attracting vacationers from around the world,” says Michael Bayley, executive vice president of International for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “These are exciting times and we are delighted to be working with the Xiamen Municipal Government and China World Cruises on this strategic arrangement.”

Legend of the Seas is an award-winning, 1,804-guest, double occupancy, ship that has been operating in Asia, out of Singapore since 2008 and out of Shanghai since 2010. At 63,130 gross registered tons, the ship features:

• 11 guest decks
• 902 staterooms
• An array of entertainment and relaxation choices for families and couples
• Complimentary and award-winning Adventure Ocean kids and teen programming
• A nine-meter rock wall and nine-hole miniature golf course
• Broadway-style musical productions
• A fitness center, day spa, lounges, and Solarium indoor pool
• A wide variety of international cuisines, ranging from formal to casual dining styles.

“We believe Royal Caribbean International is the right cruise brand to work with in developing the cruise industry in China,” says George Buge Zhang, President of China World Cruises. “In just a few years, they’ve established themselves as the market leader and proven they understand local market conditions and Chinese guests’ needs and preferences.”

The strategic relationship with the Xiamen municipal government and China World Cruises follows the announcement in June that Royal Caribbean International will deploy the 3,114-guest, double occupancy, Voyager of the Seas to China in June 2012. Offering a wide variety of itineraries, ranging from four to eight nights, Voyager of the Seas will double the size of any cruise ship operating in China, and in the Asia-Pacific region.

Spanning 14 guest decks and with 1,556 staterooms, Voyager of the Seas will start its Asia 2012 season with a sailing from Singapore, followed by itineraries out of Shanghai (Baoshan) and Tianjin, to ports including Fukuoka and Kobe in Japan, and Busan and Jeju in Korea until October. Voyager of the Seas will begin 14-night sailings from Sydney, Australia on November 24, 2012 to ports in Australia and New Zealand, while itineraries in early 2013 will include stops in Tasmania and the South Pacific.

Today’s announcement and the deployment of Voyager of the Seas to Shanghai in 2012 are part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s strategy for global diversification and growth.

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Voyager of the Seas to China in 2012

June 8, 2011 at the Shanghai International Conference Center in China, executives from Royal Caribbean International told an audience of 300 travel agents and media partners that it will introduce Voyager of the Seas

to the China market in 2012.

Michael Bayley, executive vice president of International for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Dr. Zinan Liu, group managing director for China and Asia, revealed that Royal Caribbean International will deploy the 3,114-guest Voyager of the Seas to Shanghai, China in June 2012. Offering a wide variety of itineraries, ranging from four nights to 10 nights, the move is designed to offer exciting new cruise experiences to Chinese vacationers, as well as attract cruise guests from around the world to visit China and sail around Asia.

“There are clear opportunities in the China market, a key area for Royal Caribbean International’s global development,” says Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “Our brand’s strategy for China is to leverage Royal Caribbean International’s leading position in the market by offering innovative ships and customized services. And we look forward to working with our travel partners and helping to grow the cruise economy in China. ”

Voyager of the Seas will be double the size of any cruise ship operating in China, and in the Asia-Pacific region – weighing in at nearly 150,000 gross registered tons and more than double the size of Legend of the Seas. Spanning 11 guest decks and with 1,556 staterooms, the ship will come to Shanghai from EuropeSydney, Australia in October. and offer a variety of sailings to ports in Japan and Korea until August, including Fukuoka and Kobe in Japan, and Busan and Jeju in Korea. Voyager of the Seas will depart for

“Customer demand for our brand has been very strong in China,” says Bayley, “We are excited to be able to bring such an innovative ship to the China market in 2012.” For more than 40 years, Royal Caribbean International has been providing vacationers incredible cruise experiences, constantly pushing the limits of what is possible with its innovative ships, exciting destinations, countless onboard activities, award-winning entertainment, delectable dining and its signature Gold Anchor Service.

“This is a major step forward for the cruise industry in China. We will continue working with the Chinese ports and our travel partners to further develop the country’s overall cruise economy,” says Dr. Zinan.

“Along with Michael Bayley, we’ve been meeting with various agencies and officials on playing an active role in the development of home ports for international cruise ships. There’s also the need to build necessary support facilities, including bonded warehouses and distribution centers. Our aim is to support cities like Shanghai, Tianjin, Hong Kong and Xiamen, to grow into world class cruise tourist destinations.”

Underscoring the significance of the growing Chinese cruise economy and established desire to sail with Royal Caribbean International, Legend of the Seas will also return to Shanghai in March 2012 for its fourth season. For the two ships, work is underway to offer a wider variety of tailored onboard products to Chinese guests, including more Chinese language services, authentic Chinese food and culturally appropriate recreational activities and duty-free items.

When she sails into Shanghai in June 2012, Voyager of the Seas will introduce several unique concepts never before seen at sea in Asia:

• Royal Promenade – an indoor “main street” stretching nearly the full length of the middle of the ship, lined with places to eat, drink, shop and be entertained. Guests can stroll up and down the 4-story street and enjoy regular street parades.
• “Studio B” Ice Rink – an ice skating rink for guests that doubles as a sensational 700-seat venue for ice show productions with world-class figure skaters.
• Eleven dining venues include specialty restaurant “Portofino” for classic Italian fine dining and 50s inspired American diner “Johnny Rockets”. But Voyager’s most stunning eatery is the grand three-story, 1,919-seat main dining room.
• Unparalleled sports facilities including an Inline skating track, Royal Caribbean’s signature rock-climbing wall, a 9-hole mini golf course, a golf simulator, a full size sports court with basketball court, three swimming pools and six whirlpools.

There’s also the cruise line's signature Viking Crown Lounge, the Schooner Bar, Casino Royale, a 1,400-square meter Grandeur Day Spa & Fitness Center, and complimentary Adventure Ocean youth program, where kids of all ages engage in age-appropriate fun as well as educationally enriching activities. In addition to a fabulous range of activities, the ship offers conference facilities which provide the ideal environment for corporate meetings.

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Costa Adds Costa Classica to Asian Operations

Costa Cruise has doubled the number of ships deployed in Asia with the addition of the larger Costa Classica joining her sister the Costa Allegra.

The 1,680 passenger Costa Classica joins the 1,000 passenger Allegra for year round sailings which were started by the Allegra in 2006.

The Classica which spent the winter in Dubai, sailed directly to Singapore for her first cruise.

Since Costa started sailing in Asia they have carried approximately 100,000 passengers with half of them of Chinese origin.

Costa will be offering short cruises as well as cruises as long as 15-days.

Showing confidence in the success of their Asian operation, Costa plan to replace the smaller Allegra with the Costa Romantica - the identical sister ship to the Costa Classica.