WASHINGTON, March 13 -- According to the United States Coast
Guard (USCG), cruise ships operating from U.S. ports have an excellent safety
record. The results from a recently-released Coast Guard Cruise Ship Safety
Review Task Force study indicate that "passenger vessels are among the safest
mode of transportation available." The study also concludes that it is the
opinion of the Task Force that current initiatives should even further improve
this safety record.

"ICCL welcomed the Coast Guard's review of our industry. We share their
view that cruise vessels are safe and among the safest mode of transportation
available. The study conclusively illustrates that there is no heightened
risk associated with travel on board a cruise ship," said Cynthia Colenda,
president of the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL).

"The study results amplify the cruise industry's excellent safety record. In
the past 10 years, not one passenger death due to a marine incident has been
reported. "We are very proud of this outstanding record," said Colenda.
"The results reaffirm for the traveling public that cruise ships are a safe
means of travel and illustrate the industry's commitment to maintaining the
highest level of safety for our passengers."

The U.S. Coast Guard, as the U.S. port state representative to the
International Maritime Organization (IMO), administers a Control Verification
Program (CVP) to monitor the safety of all vessels serving U.S. ports. The
cruise industry works closely with the Coast Guard, the IMO, and our flag
administration to develop and improve international safety standards.

"The cruise industry will intensively review with the Coast Guard all
recommended improvements included in this study and will continue to work with
the Coast Guard on important safety initiatives, such as its Prevention
Through People (PTP) program," said Colenda.

ICCL represents the interests of 19 passenger cruise lines in the North
American cruise market. ICCL member lines operate 87 vessels that call on
major ports in the United States and abroad. These vessels carry more than
four million U.S. passengers each year and account for over 80% of the
international passenger cruise line industry.