Vessel Leaves Shipyard Today For Sea Trials In North Sea

MIAMI, Jan. 24 -- As the March 9 delivery date approaches,
workers in hardhats are putting the finishing touches to the first of the
Radiance-class of ships, "Radiance of the Seas." There are about 25 to 30
inspections daily. The dining room, shopping areas and bookstore/coffee house
are completed. The rock-climbing wall is erected. All door signs are up,
both in the guest and crew areas. Steam turbine was run at full speed last
week. Staterooms are bigger and more than 71 percent of outside staterooms
have balconies. The last of the wiring and painting is underway.

"With her sleek, mega-yacht exterior, an abundance of windows, and all-
glass elevators facing the sea, "Radiance of the Seas" gives a remarkable
sense of openness, connecting guests to the ocean," said Jack Williams,
president, Royal Caribbean International. "With every class of ship, we're
able to benefit from what came before. There's continuous improvement and a
natural progression of design work and creativity."

In the MeyerWerft shipyard tradition, thousands of residents in Papenburg,
Germany, will line both sides of the River Ems today to witness the spectacle
of a biggest ship ever made by the shipyard making its 40-mile journey to the
North Sea.

Royal Caribbean International commissioned nine architectural design teams,
including its in-house design department, to create all the interior and
exterior spaces on this vessel. From the plush red suede sofas in the trendy
Books, Books & Coffee bookstore and coffee shop, to the period pieces evoking
an old British billiard room in the Bombay Billiard Club, to memorabilia and
murals celebrating three Great American ball sports in the Scoreboard Sports
Bar, to the dark, rich mahogany booths of the Chops Grill steakhouse, and the
stainless steel and copper accents of the futuristic Starquest disco with its
revolving bar, each public area has a unique personality of its own.

"We have a tradition of surprises with each ship we introduce, beginning
with the Viking Crown Lounge debut on "Song on Norway" in 1970, and evolving
to a rock-climbing wall and ice-skating rink introduced on "Voyager of the
Seas" in 1999," explained Williams. "'On Radiance of the Seas,' guests will
find more glass than on any Royal Caribbean ship as well as the first ultra
high-tech self-leveling pool tables on a cruise ship."

Familiar places are back, but with unique designs. The outdoor/indoor
Windjammer Cafe provides sweeping views of the ocean with floor-to-ceiling
windows, a sail-like tent roof, and a yacht theme with beautiful scale models
of racing yachts "Sayonara" and "Kialoa" by artist, David Fawcett. Nine
freestanding food stations and two outdoor ones will facilitate a smooth flow
of guests. A bronze statue of a lion cub dipping its paw into the water at
pool's edge, 15-foot elephant waterfalls surrounded by live jungle-like
vegetation, and a collage of black rhinos, cheetahs, gorillas and eagles grace
the African-themed landscape of the Solarium. Spa treatment rooms feature
zipped-canvas and linen net drapes, tribal display shields, and Zulu-style
dressers and vanity units. Even the ceramic floor tiles and pads on the
chaise lounges carry on the theme with their tribal patterns.

The variety and scope of entertainment, activity and dining options on this
vessel are remarkable. Rock-climbing, inline skating, basketball, volleyball,
and miniature golf are available, along with a jogging track, golf simulator
and large gym with treadmills facing the sea. Guests can choose to spend time
in the Art Nouveau Casino Royale, enjoy colorful Vegas-style shows in the
three-story Aurora Theater, or relax in comfortable armchairs in several
intimate spaces and lounges with incredible views of the sea such as Jakarta
Lounge and Singapore's Sling. Five dining venues allow guests to enjoy Chops
Grill steakhouse, Portofino Italian restaurant, the two-story main dining
room, Cascades, or the casual dining options of Windjammer Cafe or Seaview
Cafe. Freshly made pizza, cappuccino or pastries can be found in Books Books
& Coffee.

"In addition to our 24-hour royal caribbean online Internet center, we also
offer Internet ports in every stateroom so guests can use their laptops,"
continued Williams.

At 88,000 tons and a 2,100 guest capacity (double occupancy), "Radiance of
the Seas" is a new generation world cruiser designed to sail world itineraries
from Alaska to Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Pacific Northwest and the Caribbean.
She is fast, sleek and quiet, powered by an azipod propulsion system, powerful
bow thrusters and a dynamic positioning system, and vibration-free GE gas
turbine engines, which represent the cruise industry's newest technology for
protecting the environment.

London Contemporary Art oversaw the development of the ship's $6-million art
collection, which includes paintings, sculptures and other art forms from more
than 100 artists from around the world including the United States, Italy,
South Africa, France, Norway and England. At the Mast Bar on Deck 12 stands a
12-foot cedar totem pole carved for the ship by famous Native American artist
Nathan Jackson from Ketchikan, Alaska. Standing like a sentry at guard, the
structure was hewn from a towering cedar tree from the wilds of southeast
Alaska.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 13 ships in
service and seven under construction or on firm order. For additional
information about the cruise line, please visit the company's Internet web
site at
www.royalcaribbean.com
or
www.rclinvestor.com.