MIAMI, April 2, 2007 -- Royal Caribbean today exercised its option to build a second Genesis class ship, to be delivered August 2010.

The as-yet-unnamed vessel will be the 24th ship in the RCI fleet and will be carry 5,400-guests. The 220,000 grt ship will be built at Aker Yards in Finland.

Like the prototype ship due out in Fall, 2009, the second Project Genesis ship will be a trailblazer in cruise-ship and vacation innovation. New icons and amenities will continue to challenge and expand guests' expectations of cruising, and the latest technology and design will continue to increase efficiencies.

The company estimates the all-in cost of the ship will be approximately $260,000 per berth. The contract is contingent on the completion of customary financing.

RCL describes itself as follows:

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Pullmantur. The company has a combined fleet of 34 ships in service and six under construction. The company also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and Latin America.