WHAT: Song of Norway, historic ship retires from fleet

WHEN: Sunday, February 16 - Noon

WHERE: Terminal 2/Port of Miami

WHY: The first ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, Song of Norway,

sails into Miami for the last time after more than 26 years of

service. Its flag will be lowered at noon, and Royal

Caribbean's founding president, Ed Stephan will join the captain

and ship's officers for the ceremony.

Song of Norway was launched to great fanfare Nov. 7, 1970, as

one of the world's first ships built specifically for

warm-weather cruising. Previous cruise ships were built for

transatlantic crossings with enclosed quarters.

Song of Norway thus revolutionized the cruise industry and has

carried more than a million passengers. During its lifetime,

the ship has seen the Port of Miami grow into the world's

largest cruise port while Royal Caribbean became the world's

largest cruise brand.

Artifacts from the Song of Norway will be donated to the

Historical Museum of Southern Florida.