Royal Caribbean Announces Winter Cruises To Australia, Asia, And Europe

Vacationers Have Wide Array of Winter Cruise Options in 2009-10

MIAMI, May 29, 2008 - From boomerangs to chopsticks to maracas, vacationers can match a travel accessory for each of the 59 Royal Caribbean sailings announced today for 2009-10. Vacationers have extensive options for cruises in Australia, Asia, the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean, ranging from three- to 18-night itineraries, aboard one of three Royal Caribbean ships. Brilliance of the Seas will continue its second year-round deployment in Europe in 2010 from Malaga, Spain. Rhapsody of the Seas will embark on its third season in the South Pacific and Australia, and Legend of the Seas will sail Royal Caribbean's third consecutive winter season in Southeast Asia. Bookings for these cruises open this week.

"From among nearly 1,100 sailings in the 2009-10 season so far, with calls at more than 240 ports in 72 countries, vacationers will continue to have a wide selection of vacation options beyond the Caribbean with Royal Caribbean International," said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. "Guests can choose sailings on some of the world's most innovative cruise ships to some of the most exotic destinations. On the Australia and New Zealand voyages, guests also can enhance their vacations by choosing a cruisetour add-on program."

Pre- and post-cruise cruisetours enhance guests' vacations with prearranged itineraries to explore attractions found inland. A five-night Australia cruisetour itinerary begins in Sydney and features the Great Barrier Reef from the seaside town of Port Douglas and the magnificent natural formations at Ayers Rock. On a six-night New Zealand itinerary, guests explore Auckland, Rotorua and Queenstown, cruise Milford Sound, and conclude with an evening in Sydney. All Royal Caribbean International cruisetours are escorted by regional specialists, and include deluxe hotel accommodations, activities, air and land transfers, certain meals, and time for individual pursuits.

Rhapsody of the Seas will return to the "Land Down Under" from September 2009 through April 2010, offering 17 voyages to Hawaii, the South Pacific islands, Australia and New Zealand.
Highlights include:

Itineraries ranging from eight to 18 nights, calling at a total of 39 ports in six countries.
An option to combine two cruises into a 35-night Australia odyssey. Rhapsody will circumnavigate the continent in November 2009 and again in late February 2010, each time sailing a 17-night northern coast passage from Sydney to Perth and an 18-night southern coast return passage.
Two trans-Pacific crossings, each comprising two segments. On the Hawaii and Sydney segment at the beginning and end of the season, guests will call at four French Polynesian ports, including a maiden call at Raiatea.

From January through April 2010, Brilliance of the Seas will continue to offer Europe cruise options for the winter season, offering 16 round-trip sailings from Malaga on alternating seven-night itineraries to the Canary Islands and the Western Mediterranean.

Legend of the Seas returns to Asia in October 2009 for its second season, offering 19 sailings, ranging from three- to 15-night itineraries, calling at a total of 21 ports in 11 countries:

Of particular interest for North American vacationers, a 15-night Exotic Asia itinerary on January 28, 2010, sailing from Singapore to Hong Kong will feature overnight stays in Singapore; Bangkok (Laemchabang), Thailand; Ho Chi Minh City (Vung Tau) and Hanoi (Ha Long Bay), Vietnam; and Hong Kong.
Vacationers also can choose one or both segments of Legend's repositioning from the Mediterranean: a 12-night itinerary from Rome to Dubai departing October 23, 2009, and a 13-night itinerary from Dubai to Singapore departing November 4, 2009, featuring a transit through the Suez Canal and overnights in Dubai, Bombay (Mumbai), and Singapore.

Call 1-800-439-1909 and begin planning your Royal Caribbean Cruise Vacation to over dozens of destinations around the globe, or visit us at www.cruisecheap.com to book your cruise online.