Royal Caribbean announces inaugural Dubai cruises itinerary

Vacationers can choose among 13 sailings, from January through April 2010, aboard Brilliance of the Seas to some of the most exciting and vibrant destinations in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman. Royal Caribbean's Dubai cruises are now open for booking.

Adam Goldstein, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said:

"Royal Caribbean International is truly excited to offer a vacation option that combines our signature style of cruising with such a compelling homeport as Dubai and the fascinating destinations we will visit throughout the region."

Guests aboard Brilliance of the Seas' cruises from Dubai will have ample time to explore the famed city with overnight stays at the beginning and conclusion of the voyage. The port-intensive itinerary will also include a call at Oman's capital of Muscat, and maiden ports of call at Mina Sulman, Bahrain; and Fujairah and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Vacationers also can choose among two repositioning cruises, both 14-night itineraries, between Barcelona and Dubai via the Suez Canal. The January 4, 2010 sailing from Barcelona will call at Aqaba, Jordan and three Egyptian ports: Alexandria, Safaga, and Sharm El Sheikh. The April 19 return voyage will call at Safaga, Sharm El Sheikh, Alexandria and Muscat.

Brilliance of the Seas features an open Centrum with 10-deck high windows and ocean-facing glass elevators, both of which will offer spectacular views of the passing shoreline and sea. Guests will enjoy Royal Caribbean's award-winning Broadway-style revues from Royal Caribbean Productions, multiple onboard bars, lounges and discos throughout the ship, and Vegas-style gaming in the Casino Royale. Throughout their stay, every guest will enjoy Royal Caribbean's Gold Anchor standard of friendly and engaging service from Brilliance's staff and crew.

Guests can choose among five dining options, including Royal Caribbean's specialty restaurants, Chops Grille Steakhouse and Portofino Italian Ristorante. Guests also can choose a more traditional dining experience in the Minstrel Dining Room, and casual dining and light fare in the Windjammer Café and the Seaview Café, respectively.

While aboard, guests can maintain their exercise regimen in the Brilliance Fitness Center; choose among a full range of rejuvenating and invigorating treatments in the Brilliance Day Spa; or relax by the pool in the adults-only Solarium.

The whole family can share in nine holes of mini-golf; scale the iconic rock wall, which Royal Caribbean first introduced to cruising; join a basketball game on the sports court; delight in riding the Adventure Beach waterslide; or challenge each other on one of Brilliance's self-leveling pool tables in the Bombay Billiards Club. Or, they can stay in and order room service and catch a popular on-demand movie.

Younger cruisers will laugh and learn in scheduled activities throughout the day in the line's award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program. Teens 12 and older can enjoy spending time with peers in the Optix teen-only hangout and disco, and join enrichment classes such as mixing music like a DJ or learning hip-hop dance moves. Throughout the day, youth program activities are always led and supervised by Royal Caribbean's exceptional, energetic and college educated youth program counselors.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currently in service and two under construction. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, South America and New Zealand.