News from the world of cruising ~
April 16-22, 2001
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Royal Caribbean International's Radiance of the Seas
Arrives in Los Angeles
MIAMI, April 20 -- Radiance of the Seas will arrive at the port of Los Angeles, San Pedro, on Saturday, April 21 at 7:00 a.m., and claim her place in the history books as the first cruise ship where guests will be able to play billiards at sea. The first in the Radiance-class series, the 2,100-guest ship boasts more glass than any other Royal Caribbean ship, including all-glass elevators facing the sea. In addition to internet ports available in every stateroom, Radiance of the Seas is the first cruise ship to provide internet access in every crew cabin. A new generation world cruiser, Radiance of the Seas is designed to sail world itineraries to Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Pacific Northwest and the Caribbean. At 90,090 tons, she is the fifth largest ship to call at the Port of Miami. Radiance of Seas reinforces Royal Caribbean International's commitment to the environment. She is the first ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet with vibration-free, smokeless GE gas turbine engines, which represent the cruise industry's newest technology for protecting the environment, and will result in an 80 to 98 percent reduction in exhaust emissions, as well as a reduction in oily waste.
"With her sleek, mega-yacht exterior, an abundance of windows, and all- glass elevators facing the sea, Radiance of the Seas gives a remarkable sense of openness, connecting guests to the ocean,'' said Jack Williams, president, Royal Caribbean International. "With every class of ship, we are able to benefit from what came before. There's continuous improvement and a natural progression of design work and creativity.''
The variety and scope of entertainment, activity and dining options on this vessel are remarkable. Rock-climbing, basketball, volleyball and miniature golf are available, along with a jogging track, golf simulator and large gym with treadmills facing the sea. Guests can choose to spend time in the Art Nouveau Casino Royale, enjoy colorful Vegas-style shows in the three- story Aurora Theater, or relax in comfortable armchairs in several intimate spaces and lounges with incredible views of the sea such as Jakarta Lounge and Singapore's Sling. Five dining venues allow guests the choice of Chops Grille steakhouse, Portofino Italian restaurant, the two-story main dining room, Cascades, or the casual dining options of Windjammer Cafe or Seaview Cafe. Freshly made pizza, cappuccino or pastries can be found in Books Books & Coffee.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 14 ships in service and six under construction or on firm order. For additional information about the cruise line, please visit the company's Internet web site at www.royalcaribbean.com
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN TO HOLD CONFERENCE CALL
ON FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS
MIAMI - April 20, 2001 - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has scheduled a conference call with analysts for 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 25, 2001 to discuss the company's first quarter financial results, which are expected to be released that morning.
A simulcast of the call will be available via the company's Web site at www.rclinvestor.com, and a replay will be available at the same site for a month following the call.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Celebrity Tours. Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises have a combined total of 21 ships in service and 8 under construction or on firm order. Royal Celebrity Tours operates cruisetour vacations in Alaska utilizing the world's largest glass-domed railcars. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com or www.celebritycruises.com.
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RENAISSANCE CRUISES ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT EQUITY INVESTMENT BY MALVERN MARITIME
Investors Strengthen Renaissance Cruises
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 20, 2001 Renaissance Cruises announced today that a major new investor has joined its existing financial partners to support its growth with a significant new investment. In a substantial recapitalization of the company, Malvern Maritime will become the majority shareholder of R Holdings, the parent company of Renaissance Cruises.
Existing investors, including CSFB Private Equity, the global private equity arm of Credit Suisse Group, are also increasing their investment in R Holdings as part of the transaction.
Malvern Maritime is led by Peter Gram, a London-based Norwegian shipowner and investor. Mr. Gram will join Renaissance Cruisess Board of Directors and will serve as Chairman.
Mr. Gram commented: Our investment represents a unique opportunity to invest in the fastest-growing company in the sector with a fleet of new, up-market vessels. My group includes significant maritime experience and we look forward to working with the company to ensure that it is fully equipped to continue to develop its strengths.
Frank Del Rio, co-Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Cruises, said: Its with great pleasure that we welcome Malvern Maritime and Mr. Gram to Renaissance Cruises. This new capital is a show of confidence in our operations and in our strategy of working with our travel agency partners to offer a high quality cruising experience to extraordinary destinations on the most modern vessels. This investment, together with CSFB Private Equitys additional stake, completes the restructuring that we began nine months ago, providing us with additional capital to support our business and expansion plans. We look forward to continuing to grow and meet the demand for the outstanding cruise vacation product we offer.
London-based shipping finance specialists Tufton Oceanic acted as financial advisor to the transaction.
Mr. Del Rio was recently named Cruise Person of the Year by Travel Agent Magazine, which commended Renaissance's commitment to its travel agency marketing partners. Mr. Del Rio commented that the twenty-four new itineraries for the 2001/2002 season introduced by the rapidly growing company were proving popular, resulting in high occupancy and yields.
Privately-held Renaissance recently took delivery of a series of eight, French-built 684 passenger cruise ships, giving it the youngest and fifth largest fleet in the industry. The latest Renaissance cruise ship entered service in Europe last month, bringing the total capacity of its fleet to over 5,700 passengers.
Renaissance also announced a record first quarter in bookings, which the Company attributes to a strong wave period and the strong support the Company has received from its travel agent partners. During the record booking quarter, Renaissance Cruises also enjoyed improved yields in its core European itineraries. The majority of the Companys fleet is deployed in Europe, and Renaissance Cruises carries more passengers to Europe than any other cruise line. Yields also increased for the Companys new Caribbean, South American, and Australian itineraries.
Renaissance Cruises also announced completion of a strengthening of its sales and marketing efforts, augmenting an already strong direct sales effort with a field sales force of 26 experienced sales executives recruited from the top of the cruise industry. Their role is to support travel agency sales, which now account for 85% of the company's bookings. In the past 9 months, Renaissance has forged links with the top twenty US travel agency consortia, and has become a member of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Internationally, Renaissance recently announced the expansion of its Canadian and European sales presence.
Renaissance Cruises distinguishes itself from other cruise lines with its extraordinary destinations and Five Star service, on the youngest fleet in the cruise industry. Renaissance Cruises offers year-round itineraries to the Greek Isles, Tahiti and her Islands, Asia, Northern Europe and Scandinavia, South America, New Zealand and Australia, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean on eight brand new 684-passenger R-Class ships and two 114-passenger Renaissance-Class ships. The recent launch of the latest R-Class ship, R8, brings Renaissance Cruises total capacity to 5,742 berths and secures the company's place as the fifth largest cruise line company in the world.
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CELEBRITY CRUISES PRESENTS INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM WITH "TRAVEL AGENT UNIVERSITY" ONLINE
MIAMI - April 18, 2001 - Celebrity Cruises has become the first cruise line
to introduce an innovative, full-scale online training program for travel
agents, with the opportunity for agents to become certified Celebrity
Cruises Consultants and to earn six continuing education credits - half of
those required by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents (ICTA) for the
Certified Travel Consultant program.
Developed in conjunction with Travel Agent magazine, Celebrity's new
educational program is found on the "Travel Agent University" web site, at
www.tauniv.com. There, Celebrity offers three in-depth lessons and a final
exam, which allow agents to become certified Celebrity Cruises Consultants, the benefits of which include a variety of tools designed to help them market and sell more effectively. Each travel agent who passes the final exam also qualifies for a variety of other benefits, including the continuing education credits, as well as stateroom category upgrades on Celebrity ships.
"This is yet another illustration of Celebrity's very strong alliance with the trade community," said Celebrity Cruises President Rick Sasso. "Travel Agent University not only offers our trade partners the opportunity to further their education from the comfort of their homes, but also will help them increase their sales, by helping them match their clients with the perfect Celebrity cruise vacation."
"As the chairman of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), an
organization which has always considered training the most important tool
of the trade, this new program represents a valuable addition to the array
of educational opportunities available to travel agents," Sasso added.
Celebrity's Travel Agent University lessons focus on three core topics: the Celebrity brand, including its core values, product distinctions, target clients, and trends; the Celebrity experience, including its award-winning cuisine, revitalizing AquaSpaSM facilities and overall ambience; and the varied features of the line's young, innovative fleet and destinations.
Celebrity Cruises is the highest-rated premium cruise line in the industry and has the youngest fleet of any major cruise line. Celebrity's eighth ship, Summit, launches this Fall, and an additional Millennium-class ship will make its maiden voyage in 2002. For more information, visit the Celebrity web site at www.celebritycruises.com.
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Renaissance Cruises Introduces
Its Travel Agency Sales Dream Team
Experienced District Sales Managers Will Provide
Support to Travel Agent Community
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 18, 2001 Renaissance Cruises announced today that it will formally introduce its sales Dream Team to the travel agency community through a series of national travel trade advertisements. Renaissance Cruises believes it has brought together a District Sales Manager (DSM) team that offers extensive travel industry experience and will provide outstanding support to travel agents.
We are proud of the sales team representing Renaissance Cruises, said Charlie Dunwoody, CTC, Renaissance Cruises Vice President of Sales. Every member of the team is eager to work with our travel agent partners. I encourage travel agents throughout the country to contact their DSMs to discuss training, groups, co-op advertising and cruise nights. We want to make selling Renaissance Cruises as easy and profitable as possible for travel agents.
Renaissance Cruises Dream Team includes twenty-six seasoned travel industry veterans. Together, this DSM Dream Team represents more than 400 years of travel industry experience. Their sales territories and years of travel industry experience are as follows:
District Sales Manager
|
Sales Territory
|
Travel Industry Experience
|
|
Page Edmunds, CTC
|
Regional Sr. Director Western Region
|
21 years
|
|
David Randon
|
Regional Director Eastern Region
|
21 years
|
|
Dottie Veneto
|
MA/VT/NH/RI
|
20 years
|
|
Mark Bryant
|
CT/Upstate NY
|
14 years
|
|
Larry Kleinman, CTC
|
NJ/E. PA
|
17 years
|
|
Anne Harrington
|
MD/VA/DE
|
14 years
|
|
Penny Paxton
|
NC/SC
|
20 years
|
|
Patterson Swindle
|
GA/AL/MS
|
16 years
|
|
Steve Smith
|
Northern & Central Florida
|
21 years
|
|
Ron Merideth
|
Western Florida
|
9 years
|
|
John Patton
|
Southern Florida
|
13 years
|
|
Barbara Vosmik
|
OH/W. PA
|
15 years
|
|
Jeffrey Verlotta
|
IL/WI/MN/ND/SD
|
11 years
|
|
Grant Brundage
|
MI/IN
|
4 years
|
|
Jeff Bont
|
MO/OK/KS/AR/NE
|
10 years
|
|
Cathy Cavender
|
TN/KY/WV/S. OH
|
17 years
|
|
Kari Gladstone
|
CO/UT/WY/AZ/NM
|
17 years
|
|
Brad Wehler
|
TX/LA
|
21 years
|
|
Katie Sevenants
|
WA/OR/ID/AK/MT
|
18 years
|
|
Andy Magistrale
|
N.CA/OR/N. NV
|
20 years
|
|
Linda Jensen
|
San Francisco
|
14 years
|
|
Judy Keller
|
Los Angeles
|
10 years
|
|
Sandra Stevens
|
S. CA/HI/S. NV
|
8 years
|
|
Helene Poirier
|
Toronto/Eastern Canada
|
23 years
|
|
Kim Lucy
|
Western Canada
|
18 years
|
|
Columbia Caliccho
|
New York Metro Area
|
18 years
|
Renaissance Cruises will host a series of national training seminars during April and May of 2001. The seminars will present an excellent opportunity for travel agents to meet their DSMs, and learn how to increase their sales and profitability by selling Renaissance Cruises. The seminar schedule is available on-line at www.RenaissanceCruises.com/ebus/seminar.
Renaissance Cruises distinguishes itself from other cruise lines with its extraordinary destinations and Five Star service, on the youngest fleet in the cruise industry. Renaissance Cruises offers year-round itineraries to the Greek Isles, Tahiti and her Islands, Asia, Northern Europe and Scandinavia, South America, New Zealand and Australia, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean on eight brand new 684-passenger R-Class ships and two 114-passenger Renaissance-Class ships. The recent launch of the latest R-Class ship, R8, brings Renaissance Cruises total capacity to 5,742 berths and secures the company's place as the fifth largest cruise line company in the world.
To book a Renaissance Cruises vacation, travelers should see their Professional Travel Agent or call
1-800-525-5350.
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Renaissance Cruises Sets Africa Itineraries for 2001/2002
Yacht-Like, All-Suite Renaissance VII & VIII Combine Adventure and Luxury
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 16, 2001 - Renaissance Cruises today announced three extraordinary African Cruise Vacations for 2001/2002 on i its 114-passenger vessels, the Renaissance VII & VIII.
"We are very excited about our upcoming African programs," said Bill Sussman, Renaissance Cruises' Director of Product Marketing. "Passenger demand for these destinations has been strong. We are pleased to be able to offer such a variety of vacation options at an affordable price. As they travel in complete comfort and absolute safety to historic and exotic ports of call on our African Cruise Vacations, passengers will experience a special combination of adventure and relaxation."
From October 2001 through March 2002, Renaissance Cruises will offer the following unique cruise vacations:
15-Day Mahe to Mahe
· Three-day African Safari on Maasai Mara Game Reserve
· Eight-day cruise of five of the pristine Seychelles Islands
· Two days in Luxor, Egypt
- From $4,499 per person (includes air from JFK)
| 2001 Sail Dates: |
2002 Sail Dates: |
| November 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29 |
January 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 |
| December 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31 |
February 1 , 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25 |
| |
March 1 |
22-Day Mahe to Rome
· Two days in Mahe, the exotic Seychelles island just east of Africa
· Three days exploring Egypt (Luxor, Cairo, and Giza)
· Suez Canal Transit
· Visits to Crete, Sicily, & Naples (with tours available to Pompeii & Capri)
· Two days in the Rome area
- From $3,999 per person
2002 Sail Dates: March 5, 9
17 - & 20- Day Athens to Mahe
· Visits to Crete, Oman, and Saudi Arabia
· Two days in the Athens area
· Suez Canal Transit
· Three days exploring ancient Egypt (Luxor, Cairo, and Giza)
· Two days in Mahe, the exotic Seychelles island just east of Africa
- From $2,499 per person
2001 Sail Dates: October 23, 24
Reminiscent of the finest private clubs in the world, the Renaissance VII and Renaissance VIII offer an atmosphere that is relaxed and casual, yet decidedly tasteful. The ships have been carefully crafted to immerse a maximum of 114 guests in an atmosphere of unobtrusive elegance. Onboard, guests will find open-seating dining, stately public areas and beautiful staterooms, all luxuriously furnished with every amenity imaginable.
Renaissance Cruises distinguishes itself from other cruise lines with its extraordinary destinations and Five Star service, on the youngest fleet in the cruise industry. Renaissance Cruises offers year-round itineraries to the Greek Isles, Tahiti and her Islands, Asia, Northern Europe and Scandinavia, South America, New Zealand and Australia, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean on eight brand new 684-passenger R-Class ships and two 114-passenger Renaissance-Class ships. The recent launch of the latest "R-Class" ship, R8, brings Renaissance Cruises' total capacity to 5,742 berths and secures the company's place as the fifth largest cruise line company in the world.
To book a Renaissance Cruises' vacation, travelers should see their Professional Travel Agent or call 1-800-525-5350.
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JANE SEYMOUR TO CHRISTEN GOLDEN PRINCESS
"Golden" Actress and Charity Activist Will Officially Name Princess Cruises' Newest Ship on October 12
Golden Globe Award winning actress and golden-hearted activist Jane Seymour will christen Princess Cruises' new 109,000-ton Golden Princess. Seymour will become the ship's godmother at an official naming ceremony in Ft. Lauderdale on October 12.
Seymour has won multiple Golden Globe and Emmy awards and has proven her talents on the Broadway stage, in movies and on television. She may be best known for her six-year role as Dr. Quinn on the popular family program, "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman," for which she received a Golden Globe in 1996. She is presently working on a Dr. Quinn movie called "Winter's Heart," which will air in May on CBS-TV. Prior to this role, Seymour won the 1982 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress as Cathy/Kate in the ABC-TV adaptation of John Steinbeck's "East of Eden." Six years later, she won an Emmy Award as Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Maria Callas in ABC-TV's "The Richest Man Alive." For her role in "War and Remembrance," Seymour received back-to-back Golden Globe nominations in 1989 and 1990 in the Best Actress category, as well as an Emmy nomination in 1989.
In addition, her extensive film career has included starring roles in films such as "Live and Let Die," "Somewhere in Time," "Battlestar Galactica," "Matters of the Heart," "The New Swiss Family Robinson," "Quest for Camelot," and "Oh, Heavenly Dog!"
Beyond her work as an actor, Seymour has long dedicated a significant amount of her time to charitable causes. In April, she received the 2001 Humanitarian Award from the American Red Cross for her starring role on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" and for her commitment to philanthropic causes. Seymour serves as the Honorary Chairperson for City Hearts, an organization that enriches the lives of abused children, inner-city children and at-risk youths, by teaching them performing arts. She is also an ambassador for Childhelp USA, a national organization dedicated to the research, treatment and prevention of child abuse. The organization's "Woman of the World" Award is one of many honors she has won for her social and charitable achievements. A former UNICEF ambassador, Seymour visited El Salvador to help raise awareness for the issue of high infant mortality. She has also helped raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In addition to her distinguished acting career, Seymour has collaborated with her husband, director/actor James Keach, to produce television movies and author children's books, inspired by the birth of their twins in 1995. She just recently completed the book "Two at a Time" about giving birth to twins, which is being published this month. Also in April, Seymour is the National Spokesperson for National Bedtime Story Month. Seymour was born in Wimbledon, England and currently resides in Malibu with her husband, four children and two stepchildren.
"Considering all the roles I've played, on stage and screen, the role of Golden Princess christener will be a new and exciting one for me," said Seymour. "I am delighted to have the honor of officially naming Princess' magnificent new vessel, Golden Princess, in Fort Lauderdale this October."
"We think Jane Seymour is the embodiment of Golden achievement, both as an actress and through her charity work," said Dean Brown, Princess' executive vice president of sales, marketing and customer service. "She'll therefore make a wonderful godmother for our new Golden Princess."
Seymour will join a group of other distinguished godmothers who have christened the ships of Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Margaret Thatcher, Olivia de Havilland and Ali MacGraw.
Golden Princess will join her sister ship Grand Princess in offering passengers the opportunity to customize their cruise through a variety of onboard Personal Choice Cruising options. She will feature a wedding chapel and at-sea wedding program including an exclusive wedding cam which gives couples the choice to invite loved ones to their wedding via cyberspace, two specialty restaurants, three show lounges, a nightclub set 150 feet above water and 710 cabins with private balconies. Golden Princess begins her inaugural European season in May with 12-day Mediterranean cruises between Barcelona and Istanbul. Following her trans-Atlantic sailing and official christening in Ft. Lauderdale in October, she will sail a seven-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary through April, when she returns to the Mediterranean.
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