ROYAL
CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD. ORDERS ULTRA VOYAGER
MIAMI / HELSINKI September 19,
2003 Building on the popularity and success of its Voyager-class ships, Royal
Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today ordered an even larger model the Ultra Voyager
for delivery in May 2006.
Destined
for the Royal Caribbean International fleet, the new ship will be built at Kvaerner
Masa-Yards in Finland, continuing a shipbuilding tradition that produced five
Voyager-class ships, two Vision-class vessels and four earlier ships.
Roughly
15 percent larger than Voyager, the Ultra Voyager will be 126 feet by 1,112 feet, and will
stand 18 stories high while cruising at approximately 22 knots. At 100 percent occupancy,
it will carry 3,600 guests and 1,400 crew.
The
Voyager-class ships clearly changed the face of cruising, said Chairman and CEO
Richard D. Fain. The Ultra Voyager will extend that success and, with a lower per
berth capital and operating costs, provides even better economies of scale.
We
are pleased that the partnership and tradition with Royal Caribbean continues, said
Jorma Eloranta, president and chief executive officer at Kvaerner Masa-Yards. The
Ultra Voyager will reflect this legacy of trust and support.
The
yard and cruise line signed a preliminary agreement last June, outlining the design and
specifications of the new ship. Todays contract formalizes that agreement and
results in a capacity growth of about 3% in each of 2006 and 2007. The company estimates
total all-in costs to be just over $200,000 per guest berth. The yard also granted the
company an option for a second Ultra Voyager, with a 2007 delivery date.
In
related news, the company announced it would not be exercising its options for a fifth and
sixth Radiance-class vessel.
Royal
Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise company that operates Royal Caribbean
International and Celebrity Cruises, with a combined total of 26 ships in service and two
under construction. The company also offers unique cruise-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada
and Europe. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com,
www.celebrity.com or www.rclinvestor.com.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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