Royal Caribbean Reflags 6 Ships!

Hi Everyone,

I received this information 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 Cruises Ltd. Announces Plan to Reflag Six Ships to
Bahamian Registry

MIAMI, Sept. 15
After a year of discussion with union representatives, Norwegian
government officials and its own employees, Royal Caribbean Cruises
Ltd. today announced its plans to transfer the registry of six Royal
Caribbean International ships from Norway to the Bahamas.

The transfer of registry for Enchantment of the Seas, Splendour of the
Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas
and Sovereign of the Seas to the Bahamian registry is scheduled to
occur by early 2005. Royal Caribbean's other 13 ships are already
registered in the Bahamas, as are the nine ships of its sister brand,
Celebrity Cruises.

The move will affect about 400 Royal Caribbean shipboard employees
covered by collective bargaining agreements required by the Norwegian
International Ship Registry. The company plans to keep compensation
levels for those employees at or above their current levels during a
two-year transition period set to end in January 2007.

Having Royal Caribbean's ships registered in two countries has
required the company to operate under different sets of standards
involving marine operations, hiring, compensation and benefits,
medical certification and other issues. Operating under a single flag
will result in a more streamlined management process for Royal
Caribbean's shipboard operations, according to the company.

"Since the day our company was founded, we have been proud of our
strong ties to Norway, and transferring the registry of six ships will
not change that fact," said Royal Caribbean Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer Richard Fain. "However, the competitive nature of
the cruise industry is intense, and we must ensure our competitiveness
throughout the business."

Should registration with Norway again become competitive, Royal
Caribbean will revisit the flagging issue, company officials said.

Royal Caribbean International will continue to use the Norwegian
classification society Det Norske Veritas, which issues certificates
for all 19 vessels in the brand's fleet and performs many related
services on an ongoing basis that are critical to its operations.

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.

"Ray Goldenberg" wrote in message
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Announces Plan to Reflag Six Ships to
Bahamian Registry



More of that wonderful Norwegian heritage ..... gone.

Ernie

"Ray Goldenberg" wrote in message
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Announces Plan to Reflag Six Ships to
Bahamian Registry



More of that wonderful Norwegian heritage ..... gone.

Ernie

"E.k.R." wrote:

"Ray Goldenberg" wrote in message
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Announces Plan to Reflag Six Ships to
Bahamian Registry



More of that wonderful Norwegian heritage ..... gone.

That was my thought, too. I wonder if re-flagging away from Norway will have
any effect on medical standards, etc., on the ships.

The best medical care by far, (in the best medical facilities), that I've ever
experienced on a ship was on the Royal Princess, which is (or was then) flagged
in Great Britain.

"E.k.R." wrote:

"Ray Goldenberg" wrote in message
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Announces Plan to Reflag Six Ships to
Bahamian Registry



More of that wonderful Norwegian heritage ..... gone.

That was my thought, too. I wonder if re-flagging away from Norway will have
any effect on medical standards, etc., on the ships.

The best medical care by far, (in the best medical facilities), that I've ever
experienced on a ship was on the Royal Princess, which is (or was then) flagged
in Great Britain.

RTCReferee wrote:

The best medical care by far, (in the best medical facilities), that I've ever
experienced on a ship was on the Royal Princess, which is (or was then) flagged
in Great Britain.

Interesting, ref. When we sailed on the Explorer OTS a few years ago,
Eileen and I went to the rough beach side of the island on Labadee.
When we emerged from the Ocean, Eileen's ankle was all cut up from rough
surf and broken sea shells by the shore. We sought some medical help
because Eileen was diabetic. What we go from the RCCL nurse on the
island was anything but decent medical care. Guess it all depends on
the ship (place) you are at.

Howie

Howie wrote:

RTCReferee wrote:

The best medical care by far, (in the best medical facilities), that I've
ever
experienced on a ship was on the Royal Princess, which is (or was then)
flagged
in Great Britain.

Interesting, ref. When we sailed on the Explorer OTS a few years ago,
Eileen and I went to the rough beach side of the island on Labadee.
When we emerged from the Ocean, Eileen's ankle was all cut up from rough

surf and broken sea shells by the shore. We sought some medical help
because Eileen was diabetic. What we go from the RCCL nurse on the
island was anything but decent medical care. Guess it all depends on
the ship (place) you are at.

Did you get some follow-up care back on the ship?

How was it?

We think that it's important to factor in medical facilities, doctors, etc.
just as it is gym facilities, restaurants, etc. onboard. You just never know
what you might need and when you might need it.

RTCReferee wrote:

Howie wrote:


RTCReferee wrote:


The best medical care by far, (in the best medical facilities), that I've

ever

experienced on a ship was on the Royal Princess, which is (or was then)

flagged

in Great Britain.

Interesting, ref. When we sailed on the Explorer OTS a few years ago,
Eileen and I went to the rough beach side of the island on Labadee.
When we emerged from the Ocean, Eileen's ankle was all cut up from rough

surf and broken sea shells by the shore. We sought some medical help
because Eileen was diabetic. What we go from the RCCL nurse on the
island was anything but decent medical care. Guess it all depends on
the ship (place) you are at.


Did you get some follow-up care back on the ship?

We always carried anti-biotic ointment when traveling (problem was it
was in our stateroom), so it wasn't necessary.


How was it?

We think that it's important to factor in medical facilities, doctors, etc.
just as it is gym facilities, restaurants, etc. onboard. You just never know
what you might need and when you might need it.

I never do, but of course your approach makes more sense.

Howie

RTCReferee wrote:

Howie wrote:


RTCReferee wrote:


The best medical care by far, (in the best medical facilities), that I've

ever

experienced on a ship was on the Royal Princess, which is (or was then)

flagged

in Great Britain.

Interesting, ref. When we sailed on the Explorer OTS a few years ago,
Eileen and I went to the rough beach side of the island on Labadee.
When we emerged from the Ocean, Eileen's ankle was all cut up from rough

surf and broken sea shells by the shore. We sought some medical help
because Eileen was diabetic. What we go from the RCCL nurse on the
island was anything but decent medical care. Guess it all depends on
the ship (place) you are at.


Did you get some follow-up care back on the ship?

We always carried anti-biotic ointment when traveling (problem was it
was in our stateroom), so it wasn't necessary.


How was it?

We think that it's important to factor in medical facilities, doctors, etc.
just as it is gym facilities, restaurants, etc. onboard. You just never know
what you might need and when you might need it.

I never do, but of course your approach makes more sense.

Howie

RTCReferee wrote:

Howie wrote:


RTCReferee wrote:


The best medical care by far, (in the best medical facilities), that I've

ever

experienced on a ship was on the Royal Princess, which is (or was then)

flagged

in Great Britain.

Interesting, ref. When we sailed on the Explorer OTS a few years ago,
Eileen and I went to the rough beach side of the island on Labadee.
When we emerged from the Ocean, Eileen's ankle was all cut up from rough

surf and broken sea shells by the shore. We sought some medical help
because Eileen was diabetic. What we go from the RCCL nurse on the
island was anything but decent medical care. Guess it all depends on
the ship (place) you are at.


Did you get some follow-up care back on the ship?

We always carried anti-biotic ointment when traveling (problem was it
was in our stateroom), so it wasn't necessary.


How was it?

We think that it's important to factor in medical facilities, doctors, etc.
just as it is gym facilities, restaurants, etc. onboard. You just never know
what you might need and when you might need it.

I never do, but of course your approach makes more sense.

Howie