Initially CELEBRITY JOURNEY will sail the same itineraries that ZENITH was scheduled for, and this includes Bermuda. I can't think of a ship I would rather cruise to Bermuda on then the new CELEBRITY JOURNEY. She is the perfect size and I was waiting for such a ship to enter the market. My guess is that eventually she will be repositioned to more exotic itineraries so next Summer might be your only chance to sail on her to Bermuda. BLUE DREAM will undergo a one month refurbishment before taking on her new role as CELEBRITY JOURNEY. It will be interesting to see just how comprehensive the refit is. Will it be fairly substantial like Oceania has done with their acquired R-Class ships, or purely a brush-over like the Princess R-Class ships? Something tells me it might be a bit more comprehensive then what Princess has done. Maybe something in-between the Princess/Oceania make-overs?

Ernie

The full press release follows:

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Receives Antitrust Approval On Pullmantur Purchase; Announces Celebrity Expeditions And Celebrity, Pullmantur Ship Swap

MIAMI, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has received antitrust approvals from Spain and Portugal on its planned purchase of Madrid-based cruise and tour operator Pullmantur S.A. With purchase plans on schedule, company officials also unveiled Celebrity Expeditions, an extension of the Celebrity Cruises brand, and a ship swap involving Pullmantur's Blue Dream and Celebrity's Celebrity Zenith.

In August, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. signed an agreement with Pullmantur's shareholders to buy all the company's capital stock, subject to regulatory approvals. Today's announcement eliminates the last major requirement to finalization. The company anticipates closing in mid-November.

"We are pleased that the Spanish and Portuguese authorities have given us the green light on our Pullmantur acquisition," said Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO Richard Fain. "It allows us to move ahead with very exciting plans for both Celebrity and Pullmantur. For Celebrity, it allows us to build out and extend the Celebrity brand with tailored ships for target markets -- a long- time strategy for the brand -- and, for Pullmantur, it enables us to add needed capacity to the fleet."

Rounding out the Celebrity brand has been a strong focus for the company, and the expansion of Celebrity Expeditions furthers that strategic objective. When the 718-guest Blue Dream joins Celebrity's fleet, it will formalize a small ship, destination-driven offering new to the brand, which will operate under the banner of Celebrity Expeditions. Currently, Celebrity has only one ship, the 100-guest Celebrity Xpedition in the Galapagos, in this category. The line expects the concept to grow over time.

"Celebrity Expeditions will offer the best of what Celebrity is all about -- fine dining, superior service, relaxing spa treatments, engaging enrichment programs and exceptional destinations," said Celebrity President Dan Hanrahan. "This offshoot is a natural extension of the brand, as we move into new markets with tailored-to-market products."

Blue Dream will be renamed Celebrity Journey, and will join Celebrity's fleet in April, 2007, sailing Bermuda itineraries from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ, beginning May 5, 2007. Before switching brands, the ship will undergo a one-month revitalization and drydock to incorporate many of Celebrity's signature elements such as two specialty restaurants; expanded spa services, including in-room offerings; expanded concierge service, including butlers; and additional guest suites. The restyled ship will sail the same Bermuda itineraries originally scheduled for Zenith.

"Celebrity Journey will be an ideal ship for the Bermuda market," said Celebrity Cruises President Dan Hanrahan. "Its smaller size and upscale style are perfect complements to premium destinations such as St. Georges and Hamilton."

Zenith will sail regularly scheduled Caribbean itineraries from Tampa until April 13, at which time she will sail a Caribbean and Bermuda itinerary from Tampa to Cape Liberty. The April 13 sailing will be the ship's last sailing as part of the Celebrity fleet before the ship redeploys to the Pullmantur fleet in June, 2007. Before re-entering service, the ship will enter drydock where workers will add balcony cabins, enlarge public spaces and customize the ship for Spanish guests. Once retooled, Zenith will sail seven- night Mediterranean cruises between Athens and Venice.

"It is gratifying to see the benefits of our new alliance come together so quickly," said Pullmantur General Manager Alfonso Lopez Perez. "Adding Zenith to our fleet gives us greater strength in meeting the demands of the Spanish market, and I am confident we will realize even greater synergies as our partnership grows."

All guests currently holding bookings on Zenith in Bermuda will be contacted by Celebrity representatives to transfer existing reservations to similar accommodations on Blue Dream.

Celebrity has set up a toll-free number for travel agents and guests with questions about ship or itinerary changes. That number for group and individual bookings is 1-888-281-9343, featuring prompts to direct callers to areas of interest.

Celebrity Journey was constructed in France and entered service in May, 2000, as R6. The ship is 30,277-grt and has 358 staterooms. The German-built Zenith entered service in April, 1992, as a 46,811-grt vessel with 673 staterooms.

New bookings for sailings on Celebrity Journey will be available in the next several days. Ship itineraries for the remainder of 2007, will be announced shortly.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, authentic five-star dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Bermuda, California, Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and South America, and will begin sailing in Australia and New Zealand in 2007. Noted for "The World's Best Large Ships," as voted by the readers of Conde' Nast Traveler (February 2006 Cruise Poll), Celebrity's current nine-ship fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, and a third Solstice-class ship in 2010. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit the Celebrity web site at www.celebritycruises.com .

SOURCE Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
-0- 10/31/2006
/CONTACT: North American Media, Lynn Martenstein, +1-305-490-6984,
European Media, Susan Hooper +44-1932-834-303, Latin American Media, Maria
Sastre, +1-305-982-2244 or +1-305-213-3025, or Investor Relations, Greg
Johnson, +1-305-213-3313, all of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd./
/Web site: http://www.royalcaribbean.com
http://www.celebritycruises.com /
(RCL)

CO: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Pullmantur S.A.
ST: Florida, Spain
IN: LEI TRA
SU: TNM

[ 10-31-2006: Message edited by: Thad ]

I have friends who were booked on Blue Dream next year, and they were told some weeks ago about the swap to Blue Moon. OK they are getting the same vessel in effect.. others are not.

As predicted, the ex. R-ships will be transferred to Celebrity. Princess is going to get a run for its money with Celebrity right behind them.

quote:

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Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
And what of the OCEANIC down the road?? Or should I say, down the pier???

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I think we all know what is next for her, and it may happen sooner rather than later. If anyone ever missed sailing on her, or would like to do so again, RUN to your cruise agent and plan a trip to Barcelona to sail in her!

Also, what would they replace her with? Maybe one of the Sovereign class?

Rego007

[ 10-31-2006: Message edited by: Rego007 ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Rego007:
Is there really a big push to retire Oceanic and, if so, why? Apart from the looming SOLAS updates, is she having problems these days? I'm of the mind that if she's performing OK, leave her be for the time being. We all know it's a matter of time, but why are so many thinking "sooner rather than later?" It sounds as though she's doing fairly well on her Mediterrenean run.

Also, what would they replace her with? Maybe one of the Sovereign class?

Rego007

[ 10-31-2006: Message edited by: Rego007 ]

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I think that the wheels are turning rapidly for Royal Caribbean to 'upgrade' their new acquisition and make it as profitable as possible, as soon as possible. It's not a question of how much potential life the OCEANIC still has; the corporate minds want their investment to be modernized and competitive. They want and need larger units.

This thinking goes against the grain of us ship lovers, but it is indeed the successful business model which we've seen over and over again in the cruise industry. Royal Caribbean did not buy Pullmantur to hang onto nostalgic memories of us relatively few who appreciate OCEANIC for what she represents.

As far as I am concerned, I would need to know first the result of the refittements. Operational it´s cheaper than Blue Dream, Pullmantur needs tonnage and more cabins to sell, but as far as passengers accaptance I am not sure about it....

[ 11-01-2006: Message edited by: Iberian Cruiser ]

quote:

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Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
And what of the OCEANIC down the road?? Or should I say, down the pier???

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As long as she is a bestseller in Spain, it would be a mistake phasing her down. She normally sets sails fully booked or almost everytime.

[ 11-01-2006: Message edited by: Iberian Cruiser ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pascal:
IMO, the next one to be transferred to Pulmantour will be Nordic /Empress /of the Seas. And Blue Moon will go to RCI.
I don't see a Sovereign Class going to Pullmantour for two reasons :
- Those ships are completely outdated with their microscopic cabins. That's why RCI operates them only on short discount cruises. And the Spanish cruisers are already used to better than that.
- Those ships take too much pax. Adding only one Sovereign class would need a growth of 20-25% of the entire Spanish market to fill it. It's quite possible, but not with a such outdated vessel.

---

Pascal,

the Empress' cabins are just as small as the Sovereign Class. There's no way Blue Moon will go to RCI, she will be transferred to Celebrity in late '07 or 2008.

quote:

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Originally posted by cruceromania:
I think that this swap is much better for Celebrity than for Pullmantur. Spanish market will lose a nice vessel, or two?

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Among ship lovers, yes. Among the general public, this move is an excellent one for Pullmantur and the consumer. While the R-ships are beautiful, they're entirely unsuitable for the mass Spanish market. Look at why Oceanic is so popular and Sky Wonder works so well - they're large, have lots of lounges and public spaces and are much less stuffy. The addition of Zenith follows in that vein and Pullmantur has been actively and agressively seeking tonnage of this size for many years now.

I have not seen or heard a single Spanish cruiser praise the swap, quite the contrary. The balcony cabins are popular too, what can Zenith offer? a few new slapdash add ons, one reason Celebrity want rid of her.

A [Spanish] friend said to me last night, it's akin to feeling 2nd class; out with QM2 and in with QE2. They are not happy at all.

quote:

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Originally posted by Tim in 'Lauderdale:

Among ship lovers, yes. Among the general public, this move is an excellent one for Pullmantur and the consumer. While the R-ships are beautiful, they're entirely unsuitable for the mass Spanish market.

Tim

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R ships have no children's facilities, and not set up with seperate pool areas for families and adults only.

To my understanding, Southern Europeans bring their children everywhere.

[ 11-01-2006: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

quote:

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Originally posted by PamM:
It doesn't matter what we all think the Spanish market like or dislike, we are not the Spanish market.

I have not seen or heard a single Spanish cruiser praise the swap, quite the contrary. The balcony cabins are popular too, what can Zenith offer? a few new slapdash add ons, one reason Celebrity want rid of her.

A [Spanish] friend said to me last night, it's akin to feeling 2nd class; out with QM2 and in with QE2. They are not happy at all.

Pam

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Pam,

quite true, I am not the Spanish market, nor are you, nor is your friend. I'm talking about the hundreds of thousands of Spaniards that cruise, that don't frequent cruise message boards, and are not sophisticates, ship afficianados or hobbyists. And I would guess that your friends are probably a little more sophisticated than the mass of the market.

The greater mass of the Spanish market is not seeking small ships. Size and facilities rank much higher than a small, elegant ship with balconies.

Pullmantur accquired the R-ships because they had beds, they floated and were available. That was their previous M.O. and they would gladly have sold them had they been able to find suitable tonnage to replace them. And what they were looking for were much larger ships around the size of the Oceanic and Sky Wonder, not necessarily smaller ships with lots of balconies.