Royal Caribbean International Forms a Strategic Relationship With Xiamen Municipal Government and China World Cruises

The strategic relationship involves a time charter for Legend of the Seas in 2012

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Sep 07, 2011, 08:40 ET

XIAMEN, China, Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean International has entered into a strategic relationship with the Xiamen municipal government and China World Cruises (CWC) in China that involves CWC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing-based property and theme park developer Shan-Hai-Shu, chartering Legend of the Seas for a total of four months in 2012.

During the four months, Royal Caribbean International will operate and market 21, three- to eight-night sailings from Xiamen, as well as Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong, to ports of call in Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and Korea. The inaugural, five-night charter sailing will depart from Hong Kong on March 20, 2012, while the first departure of guests from Xiamen will be on March 26.

The time charter agreement is fully supported by the Xiamen Municipal Government as part of the government's development of Xiamen as the fourth cruise home port for Royal Caribbean International in China, following Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong.

"This is an incredible opportunity for Royal Caribbean International, the Xiamen municipal government and China World Cruises, and is truly unique to the fast growing cruise industry in Asia," says Dr. Zinan Liu, group managing director for China and Asia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "We are the first cruise brand to bring together the support of the government and local private industry."

Working with the Xiamen municipal government, Xiamen-based CWC aims to invest around $5 billion in the Xiamen waterfront area and harbour district to develop a "Cruise Homeport City", with a theme park, retail units, luxury hotels, condominiums, as well as a new, four-berth cruise terminal. Xiamen is located between Shanghai and Hong Kong, is less than 200 miles from Taipei, Taiwan, and is one of the most important and fastest growing ports along the Chinese coast.

"China holds amazing opportunities for the cruise industry, including port infrastructure development to attracting vacationers from around the world," says Michael Bayley, executive vice president of International for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "These are exciting times and we are delighted to be working with the Xiamen Municipal Government and China World Cruises on this strategic arrangement."

Legend of the Seas is an award-winning, 1,804 double occupancy ship that has been operating in Asia, out of Singapore since 2008 and out of Shanghai since 2010. At 63,130 gross registered tons, the ship features:

11 guest decks
902 staterooms
An array of entertainment and relaxation choices for families and couples
Complimentary and award-winning Adventure Ocean kids and teen programming
A nine-meter rock wall and nine-hole miniature golf course
Broadway-style musical productions
A fitness center, day spa, lounges, and Solarium indoor pool
A wide variety of international cuisines, ranging from formal to casual dining styles.

"We believe Royal Caribbean International is the right cruise brand to work with in developing the cruise industry in China," says George Buge Zhang, President of China World Cruises. "In just a few years, they've established themselves as the market leader and proven they understand local market conditions and Chinese guests' needs and preferences."

The strategic relationship with the Xiamen municipal government and China World Cruises follows the announcement in June that Royal Caribbean International will deploy the 3,114 double occupancy Voyager of the Seas to China in June 2012. Offering a wide variety of itineraries, ranging from four to eight nights, Voyager of the Seas will double the size of any cruise ship operating in China, and in the Asia-Pacific region.

Spanning 14 passenger decks and with 1,556 staterooms, Voyager of the Seas will start its Asia 2012 season with a sailing from Singapore, followed by itineraries out of Shanghai (Baoshan) and Tianjin, to ports including Fukuoka and Kobe in Japan, and Busan and Jeju in Korea until October. Voyager of the Seas will begin 14-night sailings from Sydney, Australia on November 24, 2012 to ports in Australia and New Zealand, while itineraries in early 2013 will include stops in Tasmania and the South Pacific.

Today's announcement and the deployment of Voyager of the Seas to Shanghai in 2012 are part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s strategy for global diversification and growth.

About Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 ships currently in service. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. More information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com. For additional information in China, visit www.rcclchina.com.cn , or call 400-8850-28. The cruise line is part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: OSE; RCL), a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises, CDF Croisieres de France, and TUI Cruises through a 50% joint venture. The company has a combined total of 40 ships in service and two under construction. It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America and New Zealand. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebrity.com, www.pullmantur.com, www.azamaraclubcruises.com, www.cdfcroisieresdefrance.com, www.tuicruises.com or www.rclinvestor.com.