Royal Caribbean Cruises Arabia records momentous sales in 2003

The successful year of sales has been primarily attributed to their major deployment of exciting cruising schedules throughout Northern Europe and the Mediterranean which also included state-of-the-art new ship-builds, coupled with the paramount positive condition of supply meeting demand.

Top contributing source markets were Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates with Bahrain recording the highest percent increase on a significant scale. Combined European sailing schedules accounted for 70% of the passengers booked and sailed of which the new 10-Night and 12-Night Mediterranean sailings satisfied the market needs for longer cruises. Equally 70% of the customer profile were family vacations, the average age was 35 years and the repeat business recorded over a 200% increase on the previous year, dispelling the myths that cruising is for the elderly, couples only and is boring.

On behalf of Royal Caribbean Cruises Arabia, Rosemary McNulty-Sharpe said:

"When I witnessed the reality of this surge in our business this year I was very hesitant to accept that we had taken a firm and major turn around the corner after our nine years of selling and marketing Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Since 2002 was a difficult trading year in the industry any 2003 comparisons cannot fail to be positive but in spite of this fact our gross revenue increase in 2003 compared to our strongest and significant trading year results in an increase of 57%. As the results were so incredible, I wanted to ensure that this was not just a one off Golden Year and prove a very hard act to follow. I am assured now that this is not the case since we opened 2004 with over 50% more business than the same opening time in 2003 and of that business some 30% are repeat guests of which 64% actually made their 2004 booking onboard whilst sailing with us in 2003."
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In conclusion Rosemary McNulty-Sharpe said:

"With all hands on deck and engines full steam ahead, I believe we can confidently forecast another record year for Royal Caribbean Cruises Arabia in 2004."