Lengthening, of Enchantment of the Seas!
 

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Royal Caribbean and thought it
would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings,
they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Royal Caribbean International Announces Lengthening, Refurbishing of
Enchantment of the Seas

MIAMI, Jul 28, 2004
Royal Caribbean International today announced plans to lengthen and
extensively refurbish its Vision-class ship Enchantment of the Seas.

A 73-foot midsection built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards will be inserted
into the ship at the Keppel Verolme Shipyard in Rotterdam, increasing
the vessel's overall length to 990 feet and its tonnage from 74,140 to
80,700 tons. The new midsection will add 151 staterooms, as well as a
number of indoor and outdoor public areas.

Enchantment of the Seas' transformation comes in the wake of extensive
enhancements to other ships in the Royal Caribbean International
fleet. Nordic Empress was revitalized this spring and made her debut
as Empress of the Seas at the cruise line's new Cape Liberty Cruise
Point in Bayonne, N.J., in May. Monarch of the Seas underwent a
similar refurbishment in early 2003. The line also has announced plans
to revitalize Sovereign of the Seas this fall.

"The refurbishment of Enchantment makes tremendous sense from both an
economic and a strategic standpoint. We add substantial revenue
without adding commensurate costs, while significantly improving the
overall guest experience," said Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain. "We
have taken what we have learned during the new-build process and
applied best practices to upgrade our existing ships."

The additional space and extensive renovations will accommodate new
public areas onboard Enchantment of the Seas, including a new
specialty restaurant, Royal Caribbean's hallmark Boleros Latin lounge
and Latte'tudes coffee shop, where guests can enjoy Seattle's Best
Coffee(R) and Ben & Jerry's(R) ice cream. In addition, existing spaces
will be extensively reconditioned. The ship's pool deck, main dining
room, shopping area, casino, jogging track, fitness facility, day spa
and art gallery are among several areas to be expanded and
revitalized.

Royal Caribbean has long been a trendsetter in the evolution of the
cruise ship. The line was the first in the industry to lengthen a
cruise ship in 1978, when an 85-foot section was inserted into the
Song of Norway. The company also extended the Nordic Prince in 1980.

Enchantment of the Seas will be out of service from early May until
early July 2005. Launched in 1997, the ship currently sails a rotating
schedule of four- and five-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.,
to ports in the Western Caribbean. Following the lengthening,
Enchantment of the Seas will sail a special series of cruises from
three ports in the Northeast throughout the summer and fall before
returning to Fort Lauderdale. She will offer itineraries of varying
lengths to New England and Canada from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in
Bayonne.

The recently refurbished Empress of the Seas will be homeported in
Fort Lauderdale from May 5 to Oct. 6 during special sailings for
Enchantment of the Seas. Empress of the Seas will offer four- and
five-night cruises to ports of call including Key West; Cozumel and
Costa Maya, Mexico; and George Town, Grand Cayman.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that
operates Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, with a
combined total of 29 ships in service and one under construction. The
company also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada and
Europe. Additional information can be found by contacting your travel
professional.

Lengthening, of Enchantment of the Seas!
 

Ray Goldenberg wrote:


Royal Caribbean International Announces Lengthening, Refurbishing of
Enchantment of the Seas

A 73-foot midsection built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards will be inserted
into the ship at the Keppel Verolme Shipyard in Rotterdam, increasing
the vessel's overall length to 990 feet and its tonnage from 74,140 to
80,700 tons. The new midsection will add 151 staterooms, as well as a
number of indoor and outdoor public areas.

[snipped]

The additional space and extensive renovations will accommodate new
public areas onboard Enchantment of the Seas, including a new
specialty restaurant, Royal Caribbean's hallmark Boleros Latin lounge
and Latte'tudes coffee shop, where guests can enjoy Seattle's Best
Coffee(R) and Ben & Jerry's(R) ice cream. In addition, existing spaces
will be extensively reconditioned. The ship's pool deck, main dining
room, shopping area, casino, jogging track, fitness facility, day spa
and art gallery are among several areas to be expanded and
revitalized.

In light of recent discussions, this is certainly an undesirable change.
Most of what's being added into these 6,500 tons of space (e.g. over
300 passengers, extra fee restaurant and coffee bar, "art gallery") are
cookie cutter, revenue enhancers. Another beautiful ship hits the dust.

Howie

Lengthening, of Enchantment of the Seas!
 

Howie wrote:

Ray Goldenberg wrote:


Royal Caribbean International Announces Lengthening, Refurbishing of
Enchantment of the Seas


A 73-foot midsection built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards will be inserted
into the ship at the Keppel Verolme Shipyard in Rotterdam, increasing
the vessel's overall length to 990 feet and its tonnage from 74,140 to
80,700 tons. The new midsection will add 151 staterooms, as well as a
number of indoor and outdoor public areas.

[snipped]

The additional space and extensive renovations will accommodate new
public areas onboard Enchantment of the Seas, including a new
specialty restaurant, Royal Caribbean's hallmark Boleros Latin lounge
and Latte'tudes coffee shop, where guests can enjoy Seattle's Best
Coffee(R) and Ben & Jerry's(R) ice cream. In addition, existing spaces
will be extensively reconditioned. The ship's pool deck, main dining
room, shopping area, casino, jogging track, fitness facility, day spa
and art gallery are among several areas to be expanded and
revitalized.


In light of recent discussions, this is certainly an undesirable change.
Most of what's being added into these 6,500 tons of space (e.g. over
300 passengers, extra fee restaurant and coffee bar, "art gallery") are
cookie cutter, revenue enhancers. Another beautiful ship hits the dust.


I agree. Well stated.


Ben

Howie

Lengthening, of Enchantment of the Seas!
 

Howie wrote:

Ray Goldenberg wrote:


Royal Caribbean International Announces Lengthening, Refurbishing of
Enchantment of the Seas


A 73-foot midsection built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards will be inserted
into the ship at the Keppel Verolme Shipyard in Rotterdam, increasing
the vessel's overall length to 990 feet and its tonnage from 74,140 to
80,700 tons. The new midsection will add 151 staterooms, as well as a
number of indoor and outdoor public areas.

[snipped]

The additional space and extensive renovations will accommodate new
public areas onboard Enchantment of the Seas, including a new
specialty restaurant, Royal Caribbean's hallmark Boleros Latin lounge
and Latte'tudes coffee shop, where guests can enjoy Seattle's Best
Coffee(R) and Ben & Jerry's(R) ice cream. In addition, existing spaces
will be extensively reconditioned. The ship's pool deck, main dining
room, shopping area, casino, jogging track, fitness facility, day spa
and art gallery are among several areas to be expanded and
revitalized.


In light of recent discussions, this is certainly an undesirable change.
Most of what's being added into these 6,500 tons of space (e.g. over
300 passengers, extra fee restaurant and coffee bar, "art gallery") are
cookie cutter, revenue enhancers. Another beautiful ship hits the dust.


I agree. Well stated.


Ben

Howie

Lengthening, of Enchantment of the Seas!
 

Howie wrote:

Ray Goldenberg wrote:


Royal Caribbean International Announces Lengthening, Refurbishing of
Enchantment of the Seas


A 73-foot midsection built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards will be inserted
into the ship at the Keppel Verolme Shipyard in Rotterdam, increasing
the vessel's overall length to 990 feet and its tonnage from 74,140 to
80,700 tons. The new midsection will add 151 staterooms, as well as a
number of indoor and outdoor public areas.

[snipped]

The additional space and extensive renovations will accommodate new
public areas onboard Enchantment of the Seas, including a new
specialty restaurant, Royal Caribbean's hallmark Boleros Latin lounge
and Latte'tudes coffee shop, where guests can enjoy Seattle's Best
Coffee(R) and Ben & Jerry's(R) ice cream. In addition, existing spaces
will be extensively reconditioned. The ship's pool deck, main dining
room, shopping area, casino, jogging track, fitness facility, day spa
and art gallery are among several areas to be expanded and
revitalized.


In light of recent discussions, this is certainly an undesirable change.
Most of what's being added into these 6,500 tons of space (e.g. over
300 passengers, extra fee restaurant and coffee bar, "art gallery") are
cookie cutter, revenue enhancers. Another beautiful ship hits the dust.


I agree. Well stated.


Ben

Howie

Lengthening, of Enchantment of the Seas!
 

Benjamin Smith wrote:

Howie wrote:

In light of recent discussions, this is certainly an undesirable
change. Most of what's being added into these 6,500 tons of space
(e.g. over 300 passengers, extra fee restaurant and coffee bar, "art
gallery") are cookie cutter, revenue enhancers. Another beautiful
ship hits the dust.


I agree. Well stated.


Ben

RCCL's Vision Class ships are truly beautiful in design. We did a long
Spring crossing on the Splendour of the Seas when she was just about
brand new. To date, she was more beautiful than any other ship on
which we have sailed. We had such a great time that we repeated this
same crossing on the Splendour one year later. There was such poor
upkeep on this ship that many areas already looked like hell. IMO, RCCL
would do much better to spend their stockholders money by keeping their
ships in mint condition and their cuisine of high quality, rather than
by adding cabins and other revenue enhancing bells and whistles.

I would gladly repeat my crossing on the Splendour at a reasonable
increase in price, if her ambiance, food, and entertainment were up to
the standards of our first trip on this ship, and her complimentary
coffee was now decent. But, I guess I am in the minority.

Howie

Lengthening, of Enchantment of the Seas!
 

Benjamin Smith wrote:

Howie wrote:

In light of recent discussions, this is certainly an undesirable
change. Most of what's being added into these 6,500 tons of space
(e.g. over 300 passengers, extra fee restaurant and coffee bar, "art
gallery") are cookie cutter, revenue enhancers. Another beautiful
ship hits the dust.


I agree. Well stated.


Ben

RCCL's Vision Class ships are truly beautiful in design. We did a long
Spring crossing on the Splendour of the Seas when she was just about
brand new. To date, she was more beautiful than any other ship on
which we have sailed. We had such a great time that we repeated this
same crossing on the Splendour one year later. There was such poor
upkeep on this ship that many areas already looked like hell. IMO, RCCL
would do much better to spend their stockholders money by keeping their
ships in mint condition and their cuisine of high quality, rather than
by adding cabins and other revenue enhancing bells and whistles.

I would gladly repeat my crossing on the Splendour at a reasonable
increase in price, if her ambiance, food, and entertainment were up to
the standards of our first trip on this ship, and her complimentary
coffee was now decent. But, I guess I am in the minority.

Howie

Lengthening, of Enchantment of the Seas!
 

Folks. It's a business. Revinue enhancement is part of it. Many of the
cruising public had shown they want larger and larger ships. The only revinue
enhancements being added are "personal choice options". I like options.

Lengthening, of Enchantment of the Seas!
 

What great news! More revenue ventures help to reduce cruise prices for
most of us (lower prices seem to iritate others!). Without newer revenue
coming in, many of us would not be able to afford cruising. The optional
dining and the art auctions etc. just add to the bottom line. Good business
sense!!!


"Ray Goldenberg" wrote in message
...
Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Royal Caribbean and thought it
would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings,
they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Royal Caribbean International Announces Lengthening, Refurbishing of
Enchantment of the Seas

MIAMI, Jul 28, 2004
Royal Caribbean International today announced plans to lengthen and
extensively refurbish its Vision-class ship Enchantment of the Seas.

A 73-foot midsection built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards will be inserted
into the ship at the Keppel Verolme Shipyard in Rotterdam, increasing
the vessel's overall length to 990 feet and its tonnage from 74,140 to
80,700 tons. The new midsection will add 151 staterooms, as well as a
number of indoor and outdoor public areas.

Enchantment of the Seas' transformation comes in the wake of extensive
enhancements to other ships in the Royal Caribbean International
fleet. Nordic Empress was revitalized this spring and made her debut
as Empress of the Seas at the cruise line's new Cape Liberty Cruise
Point in Bayonne, N.J., in May. Monarch of the Seas underwent a
similar refurbishment in early 2003. The line also has announced plans
to revitalize Sovereign of the Seas this fall.

"The refurbishment of Enchantment makes tremendous sense from both an
economic and a strategic standpoint. We add substantial revenue
without adding commensurate costs, while significantly improving the
overall guest experience," said Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain. "We
have taken what we have learned during the new-build process and
applied best practices to upgrade our existing ships."

The additional space and extensive renovations will accommodate new
public areas onboard Enchantment of the Seas, including a new
specialty restaurant, Royal Caribbean's hallmark Boleros Latin lounge
and Latte'tudes coffee shop, where guests can enjoy Seattle's Best
Coffee(R) and Ben & Jerry's(R) ice cream. In addition, existing spaces
will be extensively reconditioned. The ship's pool deck, main dining
room, shopping area, casino, jogging track, fitness facility, day spa
and art gallery are among several areas to be expanded and
revitalized.

Royal Caribbean has long been a trendsetter in the evolution of the
cruise ship. The line was the first in the industry to lengthen a
cruise ship in 1978, when an 85-foot section was inserted into the
Song of Norway. The company also extended the Nordic Prince in 1980.

Enchantment of the Seas will be out of service from early May until
early July 2005. Launched in 1997, the ship currently sails a rotating
schedule of four- and five-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.,
to ports in the Western Caribbean. Following the lengthening,
Enchantment of the Seas will sail a special series of cruises from
three ports in the Northeast throughout the summer and fall before
returning to Fort Lauderdale. She will offer itineraries of varying
lengths to New England and Canada from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in
Bayonne.

The recently refurbished Empress of the Seas will be homeported in
Fort Lauderdale from May 5 to Oct. 6 during special sailings for
Enchantment of the Seas. Empress of the Seas will offer four- and
five-night cruises to ports of call including Key West; Cozumel and
Costa Maya, Mexico; and George Town, Grand Cayman.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that
operates Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, with a
combined total of 29 ships in service and one under construction. The
company also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada and
Europe. Additional information can be found by contacting your travel
professional.

Lengthening, of Enchantment of the Seas!
 

HDawson228 wrote:

Folks. It's a business. Revinue enhancement is part of it. Many of the
cruising public had shown they want larger and larger ships. The only revinue
enhancements being added are "personal choice options". I like options.

I know it's a business, and I know that revenue enhancement is part of
this. One way to enhance revenue is to charge somewhat higher prices
for a product that is different from, and really superior to, others in
the same category.

Howie