Royal Caribbean looking to increase regional uptake on international operations

Buoyed by a 62% increase in regional cruise passenger numbers over the last two years, Royal Caribbean International also reaffirmed its commitment to harnessing the emerging Omani and Qatari markets, which saw triple-digit growth in 2008.

"Although the current economic climate has tightened travellers' budgets and caused a global downturn in the demand for premium leisure activities, the number of Middle East guests taking cruises around the world reached an all-time high in 2008,"

said Michael Bayley, Senior Vice President International for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

And Bayley revealed increasing Middle East customer uptake on its European and Caribbean-based operations is an immediate business objective.

"Cruise destinations like Europe, followed by the Caribbean, remain Middle East guests' most popular itineraries. The region's cruise industry has great potential, not just domestically but also in terms of exporting more Arab customers to traditional cruise markets," he said.

Bayley added that while there is already strong Middle East guest presence on the Mediterranean cruises - particularly Voyager of the Seas and Independence of the Seas, the largest cruise ship of the world weighing 160,000 gross registered tons - the company is looking to further bolster regional uptake on its international portfolio via an expanded year-round Asian cruising on Legend of the Seas.

The ship, which has previously only operated seasonally, will start its first voyages in 2010, offering cruises of three to eight nights to a multitude of well-known Far East destinations which the company expects to be popular with regional clientele.

Additionally, 2009 sees the launch of Oasis of the Seas - Royal Caribbean International's largest and most revolutionary flagship - and Celebrity Equinox - second in a series of five Solstice-class ships, the perfect manifestation of what the Celebrity brand is all about: extraordinary service, spectacular dining, and fabulous style and design.

Oasis of the Seas will begin her inaugural season with 19 consecutive seven-night journeys to the Eastern Caribbean, before alternating its Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries in future seasons. Weighing 220,000 gross registered tons, Oasis of the Seas spans 16 decks and features 2,700 staterooms, which translates to some 5,400 guests at double occupancy.

The cruise ship will also tout the cruise line's new neighbourhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Centre, Youth Zone and Entertainment Place.

Celebrity Equinox will offer the series of brand-defining, industry-first attributes that guests, travel agents and press have praised about Celebrity Solstice, including a half-acre Lawn Club with real grass, a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass, unrivalled dining venues offering trendsetting cuisine and design, and diverse entertainment, including spectacular new shows in partnership with Poet Theatricals.

The 2,850-guest vessel also will have spacious staterooms and bathrooms, and several categories of accommodations, including Celebrity's new, spa-inspired AquaClass staterooms.

"Oasis of the Seas will be an architectural marvel at sea; we've had an amazing response to our new, flagship product at Arabian Travel Market so far," added Bayley. "The construction of the eagerly anticipated Celebrity Equinox is proceeding so well, we will offer an additional sailing through the majestic Norwegian Fjords departing July 31 prior to the ship's maiden voyage from Southampton to Civitavecchia, Italy on August 8, 2009."

Royal Caribbean International is utilising Arabian Travel Market - the Middle East's leading travel and tourism industry event - to dually highlight its international offering to potential regional customers and build awareness of its soon-to-be-launched Arabian cruise programme.

In 2010 Royal Caribbean International will launch its Middle East-based operations with the deployment of Brilliance of the Seas. The 2,501-capacity vessel will tour five major Arabian Gulf destinations in a seven-night cruise package, and will add more than 32,000 guests to the region's burgeoning cruise sector during its January to April 2010 run.

"Our strategic priorities centre on maximising our commercial proposition regionally because we are anticipating the upward pattern to continue well beyond 2009. We are looking at the Middle East on two fronts, to increase regional passenger participation on our international cruises, and to bolster sign-up on our domestic cruise programmes," stated Fawaz Al-Gosaibi, Owner & Director of Safeen Tourism, the international representative of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Middle East.