Here to Here World Tour overcomes poor weather and rolls into United Kingdom

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LONDON, May 30 /PRNewswire/ — The 2008 Here to Here World Tour has landed in London, England after completing a North American journey of 5,500 kilometers across eight Canadian provinces and five U.S. states.
C.J. and Dylan Wilkins, two brothers from Calgary, Alberta, Canada are circumnavigating the globe on two Buell motorcycles to raise funds for Street Kids International. Their trip will see them journey more than 30,000 kilometers and travel through twenty countries.
The tour officially kicked off in Calgary on May 10, 2008. Upon reaching Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 22, the two brothers boarded a flight with their bikes and crossed the Atlantic to start the next leg of their journey around the globe.
The brothers will ride their bikes throughout England, the Isle of Man, Ireland, and Scotland, before travelling through the Eurotunnel to France, where they will continue their trip across Europe and beyond, to nations including Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia.
Fighting strong winds and rains for the majority of their trip thus far, C.J. and Dylan have maintained a high level of enthusiasm and morale.
“It’s been an amazing journey, despite extremely difficult weather conditions,” reports C.J. from London. “The best word I can think of to describe our experiences to date would be ‘exhilarating.’ We’re already seeing the benefits of our commitment to raise awareness for Street Kids International in the hits we’ve received on our website and by the enthusiasm we’ve received from everyone we meet in each city and town we reach.”
Street Kids International is a Canadian non-profit agency. It is a global leader in developing and disseminating strategies and tools to provide street youth around the world with skills and opportunities to better their lives. The fund-raising goal of the Here to Here World Tour is to raise more than $100,000, with 100 percent of donations provided directly to the charity.
The brothers met with executives of Street Kids International while in Toronto to provide a tour update and to display their bikes in person. C.J. and Dylan will meet with Street Kids International representatives in the U.K. later this week.
When not on their motorcycles, the brothers will be interacting with local youth and recording their experiences along with status updates, which can be viewed on the Here to Here website: .
Complete information on the Here to Here World Tour is available at .
About Street Kids International: Street Kids International strives to provide street kids around the world with the choices, skills, and opportunities to make better lives for themselves. For the past 20 years, the organization has partnered with youth workers to develop locally relevant, innovative workshops, using award-winning animations that engage kids about sexual health, drug use, and youth entrepreneurship. Having worked with more than 2 million street kids in more than 60 countries, Street Kids International has been recognized by the United Nations as a Global Best Practice leader in youth work.
Complete information about Street Kids International can be found at .
Attention Promotion Directors, Editors, and On-Air Hosts: Interviews with riders C.J. and Dylan Wilkins and ongoing coverage of the Here to Here World Tour are available.
/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
the CNW Photo Network and archived at .
Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
website at . Images are free to accredited
members of the media/

Here To Here World Tour

One More Thing To Love About Summer Vacation: Complimentary Full Breakfast at Hyatt Regency Atlanta

ATLANTA, May 29 /PRNewswire/ — This summer, through an exclusive offer, Hyatt Regency Atlanta makes the vacation travel season more enticing and affordable for AAA/CAA members traveling to Atlanta. In addition to receiving the AAA discount of 10%, with the Hyatt 2008 Summer AAA Promotion, AAA guests at Hyatt Regency Atlanta may enjoy complimentary full breakfast daily. The offer is valid now through September 30, 2008 and open to all AAA/CAA members. To be eligible for complimentary breakfast for two each day of their stay, AAA members must use the BREAKF offer code when making their reservations.
“Travelers always seek value in their vacations, and this year the price of gasoline and airfare make value even more important. We are delighted to offer AAA/CAA members the opportunity to enjoy a full, satisfying breakfast, along with a great rate, at Hyatt Regency Atlanta to start out a day of fun and excitement in Atlanta,” says Joe Hindsley, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Atlanta. “The combination is a great value, not only for families, but for business travelers as well.”
At Kafe Kobenhaven, breakfast menus include signature items such as Cinnamon French Toast, Zucchini & Cheese Frittata, Ham & White Cheddar Panini, and Chorizo & Egg Burrito as well as breakfast selections that reflect regional tastes and traditions. A satisfying and healthy start to the day energizes Hyatt’s guests, allowing them to engage fully with their friends and family or colleagues during their summer travel. NOTE: The 10% savings is off the prevailing rate at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts throughout North America and off the best available rate at Hyatt Place(R) and Hyatt Summerfield Suites(R) for the room type requested at the time of booking. Rate is per room, per night. In order to receive free breakfast, guests must request a reservation under offer code BREAKF.
Global Hyatt Corporation
Global Hyatt Corporation, one of the world’s premier hotel companies, offers today’s travelers more than 730 hotels and resorts (more than 136,000 rooms) in 45 countries. The company’s affiliates own, operate, manage and franchise Hyatt-branded hotels and resorts under Park Hyatt(TM), Grand Hyatt(TM), Hyatt Regency(TM), Hyatt Resorts(TM), Hyatt(R), Hyatt Place(R) and Hyatt Summerfield Suites(R) brands. In April 2007, Hyatt launched its newest global brand, Andaz(TM). Global Hyatt Corporation is also the owner of Hyatt vacation Ownership, Inc. operator of Hyatt vacation Club and fractional residential properties and U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc, which franchises Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inns and Suites. From the U.S. and Canada, reservations for any Hyatt hotel worldwide may be obtained by calling 1-800- 233-1234, or logging on to .
Hyatt Regency Atlanta

Do Business at Marriott - Help Save a Rainforest

BETHESDA, Md., May 22 /PRNewswire/ — Marriott International, Inc. has launched an innovative opportunity for its customers booking group meetings to address climate change and improve the environment. A first in the lodging industry, Marriott will contribute funds on behalf of its customers to protect the critically endangered Brazilian Amazonas rainforest for meetings booked between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009.
The hotel giant is also unveiling a menu of eco-friendly green meeting products and services that will enable groups of all sizes to save water and energy, reduce waste and recycle during their stays. Some of the ways Marriott will be making meetings green include offering recycle bins in the meeting room, using green products such as pens and notepads made from recycled material, decorating with organic flowers, linen-less tables, name tag reuse and donating leftover food. The average three-day meeting attended by 1,000 people produces more than 12 tons of trash, uses 200,000 kilowatts of power and consumes 100,000 gallons of water.
“More and more, groups want to be ‘green’,” said David Marriott, senior vice president, global sales. “By joining us in our effort to protect endangered rainforests and host green meetings, they will be helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that impact our climate. Each year, rainforest destruction causes more carbon emissions than all of the world’s cars, trains, SUVs and trucks combined.”
For qualified green meetings/stays booked during select dates, participating hotels around the world will make a cash contribution equal to five percent of the total cost of the group’s guest rooms. Donations will be made in the name of the group as part of Marriott’s ongoing rainforest protection plan. This program will be available for meetings of 10 sleeping rooms or more booked directly with the hotel’s sales associate — brands include JW Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Hotels and Resorts and Renaissance Hotels and Resorts. All meetings must take place between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011. Booking a green meeting is not a requirement of the promotion.
Just last month, Marriott International signed a historic agreement with the Brazilian State of Amazonas to commit $2 million to fund an environmental management plan administered by the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation. Under the agreement, the Foundation with the State of Amazonas, will monitor and enforce the protection of the Juma Sustainable Reserve, an area rich in bio diversity. The Amazonas project will support employment, education and healthcare for the reserve’s approximately 500 residents. The Foundation is seeking certification of the conservation project by an independent accredited environmental auditing firm under the internationally recognized Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) standards. Watch it on
Working with Conservation International, a global environmental organization, Marriott has developed a five-point “green” strategy that includes: (1) carbon offsets through the protection of rainforest; (2) further reducing fuel and water consumption by 25 percent per available room over the next 10 years, and installing solar power at up to 40 hotels by 2017; (3) engaging Marriott’s top 40 vendors to supply price-neutral green products across its $10 billion supply chain; (4) empowering development partners to site, design and construct new hotels in line with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards by the end of 2009; and (5) educating and inspiring employees and guests to support the environment through their everyday actions at home, while at work and on travel.
————————————————
Marriott has been actively involved in energy conservation for more than 20 years, and over the last decade, replaced 450,000 light bulbs with fluorescent lighting, introduced linen reuse programs, and installed 400,000 low-flow showerheads and toilets at its hotels worldwide. These industry-leading efforts have been recognized by the EPA, which awarded Marriott with its 2008 Sustained Excellence award and placed the ENERGY STAR(R) label on more than 250 of its hotels (the most of any hotel company). For more details, visit
————————————————
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. is a leading lodging company with more than 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE(R), and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at
Marriott International, Inc.

Fabulous Las Vegas Showgirls Storm Chicago Today

LAS VEGAS, April 24 /PRNewswire/ —
Who: Fabulous Las Vegas Showgirls

What: Las Vegas Showgirls are bringing some Vegas glitz and glamour
to the Windy City today, stopping at some of the city’s most
recognizable icons. From enjoying a deep dish pizza to
visiting historic Wrigley Field, the girls will experience
Chicago’s best. Throughout the day, passersby can stop and
have a souvenir photograph taken with the showgirls.

Additionally, Chicago residents will have the chance to win a
“Vegas Right Now” trip, courtesy of Southwest Airlines and
Southwest Airlines Vacations.

Why: In recognition of this year’s National Tourism Week
(May 10-18) theme, “Discover Great American Traditions,” Las
Vegas is sending its own ‘Great American Tradition’ - the
fabulous showgirl — to experience other great American
cities’ most venerated attractions and activities.

How: Go to to find out where to meet
the showgirls, how to win a “Vegas Right Now” getaway, and
track the showgirls as they tour your city.

When: Thursday, April 24 - All day
Vegas Right Now Trip Giveaway: 5pm at Buckingham Fountain

Where: Wrigley Field
Chicago Water Tower/Michigan Ave
Giordano’s, 135 E Lake St, Prudential Plaza
Millennium Park

Vegas Right Now Trip Giveaway Location: Buckingham Fountain

(Logo: )

About the LVCVA

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center. With approximately 136,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and 9.7 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA’s mission centers on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area. For more information on Las Vegas, go to or . For our extended destinations including Laughlin and Mesquite, please go to and .
About Southwest Airlines
After almost 37 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers-offering a reliable product with impeccable Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a productive traveling experience. Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest convenient and simple. Southwest Airlines , the nation’s largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has more than 34,000 Employees systemwide.
About Southwest Airlines Vacations
Southwest Airlines Vacations offers vacation packages to more than 40 destinations with flight service available from every scheduled Southwest Airlines departure city. Customize your vacation package including airfare, hotel, car rentals, show tickets, attraction passes, and more at southwestvacations.com. Southwest Airlines Vacations is located in Orlando and is operated by The Mark Travel Corporation. The vacation company is a member of the USTOA $1 Million Traveler’s Assistance Program and ASTA TOP.
NO PURCHASE OR RESERVATIONS REQUIRED TO ENTER OR RECEIVE A PRIZE. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of CA, CO, IL and WA who are 21 or older at time of entry. Void outside CA, CO, IL, WA and where prohibited. Sweepstakes starts and ends on April 24, 2008. For information on where to enter log on to VisitLasVegas.com. The sweepstakes is sponsored by Southwest Airlines and Southwest Airlines Vacations.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

Wyndham Worldwide to Present at the Goldman Sachs Lodging, Gaming, Restaurant and Leisure Conference 2008

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Virginia M. Wilson, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation , will present at the Goldman Sachs Lodging, Gaming, Restaurant and Leisure Conference on Tuesday, June 3, 2008.
Ms. Wilson will be presenting the Company’s growth plans for all three business units: Lodging, vacation Exchange and Rentals, and vacation Ownership.
Ms. Wilson’s remarks will be webcast live at 4:00 p.m. EDT. Investors and other interested persons may listen to the live webcast and access the presentation slides through the Company’s website at . The audio and slides will remain available on the website for 90 days following the conference.
As one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide offers individual consumers and business-to-business customers a broad suite of hospitality products and services across various accommodation alternatives and price ranges through its premier portfolio of world-renowned brands. Wyndham Hotel Group encompasses more than 6,500 franchised hotels and approximately 551,000 hotel rooms worldwide. Group RCI offers its more than 3.6 million members access to more than 67,000 vacation properties located in approximately 100 countries. Wyndham vacation Ownership develops, markets and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its network of approximately 145 vacation ownership resorts serving over 800,000 owners throughout North America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Wyndham Worldwide, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., employs more than 33,000 employees globally.
For more information about Wyndham Worldwide, please visit the company’s web site at .
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation Declares Cash Dividend

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Wyndham Worldwide Corporation today announced its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.04 per share on its common stock, payable June 12, 2008 to shareholders of record as of May 29, 2008.
As one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide offers individual consumers and business-to-business customers a broad suite of hospitality products and services across various accommodation alternatives and price ranges through its premier portfolio of world-renowned brands. Wyndham Hotel Group encompasses more than 6,500 franchised hotels and over 550,000 hotel rooms worldwide. Group RCI offers its more than 3.6 million members access to more than 67,000 vacation properties located in approximately 100 countries. Wyndham vacation Ownership develops, markets and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its network of approximately 145 vacation ownership resorts serving over 800,000 owners throughout North America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Wyndham Worldwide, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., employs more than 33,000 employees globally.
For more information about Wyndham Worldwide, please visit the company’s web site at .
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation

Royal Caribbean Reports Improved First Quarter 2008 Earnings

MIAMI, April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL; Oslo).
Key Highlights
— First quarter 2008 net income of $75.6 million, or $0.35 per share,
compared to $8.8 million, or $0.04 per share in 2007.
— First quarter 2008 Net Yield grew 7.1% to a record $173 per APCD.
— First quarter 2008 Net Cruise Costs per APCD increased 2.9%, and
decreased 1.0% excluding fuel.
— Fuel prices increased 53% versus 2007, but energy savings initiatives
and hedging lowered the cost impact per APCD to 24%.
— For the full year 2008, the company continues to expect Net Yields to
increase in a range around 4%, and adjusting for higher current fuel
prices, earnings per share to be $2.85 to $3.00.

“It is gratifying that, despite the challenging economic times, our guests continue to appreciate the outstanding value offered by our brands,” said Richard Fain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We delivered the highest first quarter yields in our company’s history, with significant improvement in ticket prices and continued healthy onboard spending.”
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today announced net income for the first quarter 2008 of $75.6 million, or $0.35 per share, compared to net income of $8.8 million, or $0.04 per share, in 2007. The significant increase in earnings per share versus the first quarter 2007 was due primarily to increased capacity and higher yields, offset by higher fuel prices. Revenues for the first quarter 2008 increased to $1.4 billion from revenues of $1.2 billion in the first quarter 2007. Higher fuel prices increased costs by $60 million in the first quarter 2008, which reduced earnings per share by $0.28.
Key metrics for the first quarter 2008, as compared to the first quarter 2007, were as follows:
— Net Yields increased 7.1% to a record $173 per APCD.
— Excluding fuel, Net Cruise Costs per APCD decreased 1.0%.
— Fuel prices increased 53%, while fuel costs per APCD increased 24%;
benefiting from energy saving initiatives and hedging. The average at-
the-pump price for the quarter was $592 per metric ton versus $388 per
metric ton in 2007.
— Net Cruise Costs per APCD increased 2.9%.

2008 Outlook

The company expects its second quarter 2008 earnings per share to be $0.40 to $0.45, and expects full year 2008 earnings per share to be $2.85 to $3.00.
“Our record yield performance in the first quarter and our solid forward bookings demonstrate our resilience and are certainly reassuring,” said Fain. “Our brands have clearly differentiated themselves and our portfolio of innovative newbuilds will continue to feed their momentum.”
Fain continued, “Higher fuel prices have been a prolonged challenge for us, but our management team remains focused on cost controls and continues to help mitigate the impact. Except for higher fuel prices, it is very gratifying to see our revenues and earnings projected to be as good or better than our original expectations. Our brands’ momentum, cost savings initiatives, growing economies of scale and the efficiencies of our new vessels should continue to improve our shareholder value.”
The company provided the following estimates for the second quarter and full year 2008, as compared to the second quarter and full year 2007, respectively.
Second Quarter 2008 Full Year 2008
——————- ————–
Earnings Per Share $0.40 to $0.45 $2.85 to $3.00
Capacity 5.4% 5.1%
Net Yields approx. 2% approx. 4%
Net Cruise Costs per APCD 7% - 8% approx. 5%
Net Cruise Costs per
APCD, excluding Fuel 3% - 4% 2% - 3%
Depreciation and Amortization $128 to $133 Million $525 to $545 Million
Interest Expense $85 to $90 Million $320 to $340 Million

The company expects to have a 5.1% increase in capacity in 2008, driven primarily by a full year of Liberty of the Seas, the Independence of the Seas entering service in May, Pullmantur’s purchase of Pacific Star, and Celebrity Solstice entering service in the fourth quarter.
The company does not forecast fuel prices and its cost guidance for fuel is based on current at-the-pump prices net of any hedge impacts. Based on today’s fuel prices, the company has included $685 million in fuel expenses in its full year 2008 guidance. This figure is $90 million, or $0.42 per share, higher than at the time of its previous earnings guidance.
Second Quarter 2008 Full Year 2008
——————- ————–

Consumption (metric tons in thousands) 300 1,225
Fuel Expenses $172 Million $685 Million
Percent Hedged (forward consumption) 49% 50%
Impact of 10% Change in Fuel
Prices on Unhedged Consumption $10 Million $29 Million

As of March 31, 2008, liquidity was $1.4 billion, including $0.4 billion in cash and cash equivalents and $1.0 billion in available credit on the company’s unsecured revolving credit facility.
Based on current ship orders, projected capital expenditures for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012, are estimated to be $1.9 billion, $2.0 billion, $2.2 billion, $1.0 billion, and $1.0 billion, respectively. Projected capacity increases for the same five years are estimated at 5.1%, 9.3%, 11.4%, 6.4%, and 3.4%, respectively.
The company has scheduled a conference call at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time today to discuss its earnings. This call can be heard, either live or on a delayed basis, on the company’s investor relations web site at .
Terminology

Available Passenger Cruise Days (”APCD”)

APCDs are our measurement of capacity and represent double occupancy per cabin multiplied by the number of cruise days for the period.
Gross Cruise Costs
Gross Cruise Costs represent the sum of total cruise operating expenses plus marketing, selling and administrative expenses.
Gross Yields
Gross Yields represent total revenues per APCD.

Net Cruise Costs

Net Cruise Costs represent Gross Cruise Costs excluding commissions, transportation and other expenses and onboard and other expenses. In measuring our ability to control costs in a manner that positively impacts net income, we believe changes in Net Cruise Costs to be the most relevant indicator of our performance. We have not provided a quantitative reconciliation of projected Gross Cruise Costs to projected Net Cruise Costs due to the significant uncertainty in projecting the costs deducted to arrive at this measure. Accordingly, we do not believe that reconciling information for such projected figures would be meaningful.
Net Debt-to-Capital
Net Debt-to-Capital is a ratio which represents total long-term debt, including current portion of long-term debt, less cash and cash equivalents (”Net Debt”) divided by the sum of Net Debt and total shareholders’ equity. We believe Net Debt and Net Debt-to-Capital, along with total long-term debt and shareholders’ equity are useful measures of our capital structure.
Net Revenues
Net Revenues represent total revenues less commissions, transportation and other expenses and onboard and other expenses.
Net Yields
Net Yields represent Net Revenues per APCD. We utilize Net Revenues and Net Yields to manage our business on a day-to-day basis as we believe that it is the most relevant measure of our pricing performance because it reflects the cruise revenues earned by us net of our most significant variable costs, which are commissions, transportation and other expenses and onboard and other expenses. We have not provided a quantitative reconciliation of projected Gross Yields to projected Net Yields due to the significant uncertainty in projecting the costs deducted to arrive at this measure. Accordingly, we do not believe that reconciling information for such projected figures would be meaningful.
Occupancy
Occupancy, in accordance with cruise vacation industry practice, is calculated by dividing Passenger Cruise Days by APCD. A percentage in excess of 100% indicates that three or more passengers occupied some cabins.
Passenger Cruise Days
Passenger Cruise Days represent the number of passengers carried for the period multiplied by the number of days of their respective cruises.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Azamara Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France. The company has a combined total of 38 ships in service and seven under construction. It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America and New Zealand. Additional information can be found on , , , or .
Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,”"intend,”"anticipate,”"goal,”"project,”"plan,”"believe,”"may,”"could,”"should,”"will,”"seek,”"estimate,” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Such factors include general economic and business conditions, vacation industry competition, including cruise vacation industry competition, changes in vacation industry capacity, including over capacity in the cruise vacation industry, the impact of tax and environmental laws and regulations affecting our business or our principal shareholders, the impact of changes in other laws and regulations affecting our business, the impact of pending or threatened litigation, the delivery of scheduled new ships, emergency ship repairs, negative incidents involving cruise ships including those involving the health and safety of passengers, reduced consumer demand for cruises as a result of any number of reasons, including geo-political and economic uncertainties, the unavailability of air service, armed conflict, terrorist attacks and the resulting concerns over safety and security aspects of traveling, the impact of the spread of contagious diseases, our ability to obtain financing on terms that are favorable or consistent with our expectations, changes in our stock price or principal shareholders, the impact of changes in operating and financing costs, including changes in foreign currency, interest rates, fuel, food, payroll, insurance and security costs, the implementation of regulations in the United States requiring United States citizens to obtain passports for travel to additional foreign destinations, weather, and other factors described in further detail in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The above examples are not exhaustive and new risks emerge from time to time. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In addition, certain financial measures in this news release constitute non-GAAP financial measures as defined by Regulation G. A reconciliation of these items can be found on our investor relations website at .
Financial Tables Follow
(####)

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

Quarter Ended
March 31,
——————————
2008 2007
———— ————-
Passenger ticket revenues $ 1,037,903 $ 870,416
Onboard and other revenues 391,182 352,710
———— ————-
Total revenues 1,429,085 1,223,126
———— ————-
Cruise operating expenses:
Commissions, transportation and other 257,940 219,685
Onboard and other 78,520 66,403
Payroll and related 154,239 137,280
Food 83,002 73,185
Fuel 158,234 117,334
Other operating 230,251 227,454
———— ————-
Total cruise operating expenses 962,186 841,341
Marketing, selling and
administrative expenses 204,941 186,184
Depreciation and amortization expenses 124,390 115,958
———— ————-
Operating Income 137,568 79,643
———— ————-
Other income (expense):
Interest income 2,508 4,500
Interest expense, net of
interest capitalized (77,948) (80,480)
Other income 13,479 5,162
———— ————-
(61,961) (70,818)
———— ————-
Net Income $ 75,607 $ 8,825
============ =============

Earnings Per Share:
Basic $ 0.35 $ 0.04
============ =============
Diluted $ 0.35 $ 0.04
============ =============

Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic 213,326 212,322
============ =============
Diluted 214,464 214,005
============ =============

————————————————————————-
STATISTICS
Quarter Ended
March 31,
——————————-
2008 2007
———— ————-

Occupancy 104.4% 103.7%

Passenger Cruise Days 6,612,925 6,029,987

APCD 6,332,099 5,816,046

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)

As of
——————————-
March 31, December 31,
2008 2007
————- ————-
(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 441,127 $ 230,784
Trade and other receivables, net 236,293 313,640
Inventories 98,037 96,813
Prepaid expenses and other assets 157,308 137,662
Derivative financial instruments 316,291 213,892
————- ————-
Total current assets 1,249,056 992,791

Property and equipment, net 12,329,417 12,253,784
Goodwill 842,940 797,791
Other assets 1,130,320 937,915
————- ————-
$ 15,551,733 $ 14,982,281
============= =============

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt $ 201,614 $ 351,725
Accounts payable 207,342 222,895
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 484,957 533,674
Customer deposits 1,198,812 1,084,359
Hedged firm commitments 257,479 146,642
————- ————-
Total current liabilities 2,350,204 2,339,295
Long-term debt 5,747,371 5,346,547
Other long-term liabilities 547,172 539,096

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock ($0.01 par value;
20,000,000 shares authorized;
none outstanding) - -
Common stock ($.01 par value;
500,000,000 shares authorized;
223,770,690 and 223,509,136
shares issued, March 31, 2008
and December 31, 2007, respectively) 2,238 2,235
Paid-in capital 2,948,774 2,942,935
Retained earnings 4,158,469 4,114,877
Accumulated other comprehensive income 221,445 120,955
Treasury stock (11,046,443 and
11,026,271 common shares at
cost, March 31, 2008 and
December 31, 2007, respectively) (423,940) (423,659)
————- ————-
Total shareholders’ equity 6,906,986 6,757,343
————- ————-
$ 15,551,733 $ 14,982,281
============= =============

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)
Quarter Ended
March 31,
——————————
2008 2007
————- ————-

Operating Activities
Net income $ 75,607 $ 8,825
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization 124,390 115,958
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in trade and
other receivables, net 81,033 (20,499)
Increase in inventories (227) (3,682)
Increase in prepaid expenses and
other assets (17,593) (64,816)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable (19,878) 279
(Decrease) increase in accrued
expenses and other liabilities (51,765) 40,832
Increase in customer deposits 112,092 280,038
Other, net (1,856) 2,935
————- ————-
Net cash provided by operating
activities 301,803 359,870
————- ————-

Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment (260,788) (154,161)
Cash received on settlement of
derivative financial instruments 154,502 1,988
Other, net (25,132) (7,359)
————- ————-
Net cash used in investing activities (131,418) (159,532)
————- ————-

Financing Activities
Debt proceeds 345,000 1,308,519
Debt issuance costs (11,121) (8,754)
Repayments of debt (265,846) (1,374,088)
Dividends paid (32,015) (34,390)
Proceeds from exercise of common
stock options 2,788 3,107
Other, net 176 177
————- ————-
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities 38,982 (105,429)
————- ————-

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 976 187
————- ————-
Net increase in cash and cash
equivalents 210,343 95,096
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 230,784 104,520
————- ————-
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period $ 441,127 $ 199,616
============= =============
Supplemental Disclosure
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of amount capitalized $ 87,791 $ 43,622
============= =============

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
NON-GAAP RECONCILING INFORMATION
(unaudited)

Gross Yields and Net Yields were calculated as follows (in thousands,
except APCD and Yields):

Quarter Ended
March 31,
——————————-
2008 2007
————- ————-

Passenger ticket revenues $ 1,037,903 $ 870,416
Onboard and other revenues 391,182 352,710
————- ————-
Total revenues 1,429,085 1,223,126
============= =============
Less:
Commissions, transportation and
other 257,940 219,685
Onboard and other 78,520 66,403
————- ————-
Net revenues $ 1,092,625 $ 937,038
============= =============

APCD 6,332,099 5,816,046
Gross Yields $ 225.69 $ 210.30
Net Yields $ 172.55 $ 161.11

Gross Cruise Costs and Net Cruise Costs were calculated as follows (in
thousands, except APCD and costs per APCD):

Quarter Ended
March 31,
——————————
2008 2007

Total cruise operating expenses $ 962,186 $ 841,341
Marketing, selling and
administrative expenses 204,941 186,184
————- ————-
Gross Cruise Costs 1,167,127 1,027,525
============= =============
Less:
Commissions, transportation and
other 257,940 219,685
Onboard and other 78,520 66,403
————- ————-
Net Cruise Costs $ 830,667 $ 741,437
============= =============

APCD 6,332,099 5,816,046
Gross Cruise Costs per APCD $ 184.32 $ 176.67
Net Cruise Costs per APCD $ 131.18 $ 127.48

Net Debt-to-Capital was calculated as follows (in thousands):

As of
March 31,
——————————
2008 2007
Long-term debt, net of current
portion $ 5,747,371 $ 4,845,962
Current portion of long-term debt 201,614 523,142
————- ————-
Total debt 5,948,985 5,369,104
Less: Cash and cash equivalents 441,127 199,616
————- ————-
Net Debt $ 5,507,858 $ 5,169,488
============= =============

Total shareholders’ equity $ 6,906,986 $ 6,096,067
Total debt 5,948,985 5,369,104
————- ————-
Total debt and shareholders’ equity 12,855,971 11,465,171
============= =============
Debt-to-Capital 46.3% 46.8%
Net Debt 5,507,858 5,169,488
————- ————-
Net Debt and shareholders’ equity $ 12,414,844 $ 11,265,555
============= =============
Net Debt-to-Capital 44.4% 45.9%

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Photo: TravelSmith Makes Dreams Come True

NOVATO, Calif., May 9 /PRNewswire/ — TravelSmith(R) Outfitters, Inc., a travel authority and purveyor of clothing, accessories and luggage for world travelers, offers globetrotters an opportunity to win a “Custom trip of a Lifetime.” The sweepstakes runs now through May 31, 2008, online at TravelSmith.com. Participants can enter to win $20,000 toward a customizable trip with R. Crusoe & Son, creators of luxurious custom-crafted, culturally rich journeys worldwide for the thinking traveler. In addition to the dream trip, TravelSmith will outfit the sweepstakes winner with the company’s clothing, gear, and accessories.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
“For more than 15 years, TravelSmith has outfitted travelers for their journeys,” said Wanda Gierhart, President, TravelSmith Outfitters, Inc. “With this sweepstakes, we’re enabling one lucky winner to take off on the adventure of a lifetime and we’ll supply our travel-tested apparel and reliable gear to take along.”
Working with R. Crusoe, the winner will design and book a journey to one or more of the seven continents. To ensure smooth and comfortable travels, TravelSmith will outfit the winner with $2,000 worth of TravelSmith products including clothing, accessories, ultra-lightweight luggage, and the latest technology in travel gadgets.
The “Custom trip of a Lifetime” sweepstakes can be entered daily online at travelsmith.com/greatescape, by legal U.S. residents 18 years and older. No purchase is necessary. A daily instant win game with gift certificate prizes worth $500 towards TravelSmith products is available to those who enter, and participants can earn an additional sweepstakes entry and another instant win game play for each friend referred to the sweepstakes. Every purchase on TravelSmith.com made until May 31, 2008 automatically enters participants in the sweepstakes.
For Official Rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit .
About TravelSmith
Since 1992, TravelSmith has offered the most travel-worthy clothing, accessories, and gear available. Every item sold — whether via its catalog, online at travelsmith.com, or at its outlet stores — has been tested for reliability and ease of care at home or on the road. TravelSmith is based in the San Francisco Bay Area but its products, from sophisticated wrinkle- resistant clothing to durable, lightweight luggage, are favorites of savvy travelers everywhere.

TravelSmith(R) Outfitters, Inc.

Norfolk Southern Exhibit Car to Tour 23 Cities

NORFOLK, Va., May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Norfolk Southern Exhibit Car, a traveling showcase highlighting the Thoroughbred of Transportation, will tour 23 cities in 2008.
The nine-state May-December itinerary for the rebuilt passenger coach will include a five-city whistle-stop train operated by Norfolk Southern to promote safe transportation of hazardous materials, as well as three special trains supporting Operation Lifesaver, the national rail safety education group.
The Exhibit Car, which has hosted some 1.5 million people in several hundred communities since 1971, houses interactive displays featuring Norfolk Southern’s transportation network. New for the 2008 tour is an updated locomotive simulator that puts guests in the engineer’s seat in control of a virtual train.
Here is the 2008 Exhibit Car tour schedule:
— May 10: Roanoke, Va., O Winston Link Museum Rail Heritage Festival
— May 17: Old Fort, N.C., Old Fort Rails and Trails
— May 23, 24: Shenandoah, Va., Memorial Day Festival and Parade
— June 7: Manassas, Va., Manassas Heritage Railway Festival
— June 14: Delphi, Ind., Heritage Transportation Festival
— June 21: Roanoke, Va., Virginia Museum of Transportation
African-American Railroad Celebration
— July 2-7: Altoona, Pa., Railroaders Memorial Museum
— July 16: Operation Lifesaver train round trip Roanoke - Lynchburg, Va.
— July 31-Aug. 4: Jasper, Ind., Strassenfest
— Aug. 6: Operation Lifesaver train round trip Delaware - Chillicothe,
Ohio
— Aug. 13: Operation Lifesaver train round trip Toledo - Bellevue, Ohio
— Aug. 30, 31: Scranton, Pa., Lackawanna Railfest 2008 at Steamtown
National Historic Site
— Sept. 12-19: TRANSCAER Whistle-Stop Tour: Austell, Ga.; Greenville,
S.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Greensboro, N.C.; Roanoke, Va.
— Sept. 26-28: Spencer, N.C., Thomas the Tank Engine at North Carolina
Transportation Museum
— Oct. 2-5: Toccoa, Ga., Currahee Military Weekend
— Oct. 8-20: Chattanooga, Tenn., Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
— Nov. 1: Meridian, Miss., Railfest
— Nov. 5-23: Duluth, Ga., Southeastern Railway Museum
— Dec. 5-7: Strasburg, Pa., Thomas the Tank Engine at Strasburg Railroad

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serving every major container port in the eastern United States and providing superior connections to western rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is North America’s largest rail carrier of metals and automotive products.
Norfolk Southern Corporation

Arkansas Open for Business Despite Rains, Flooding

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April 21 /PRNewswire/ — If you’re planning a trip to Arkansas () in the near future, there’s no need to worry. Despite the recent unusual heavy rains and flooding, The Natural State is still in fine form. “Things seem to be getting better,” says Cathy Drew, Executive Director of the Ozark Gateway Tourism Council. “The majority of our tourism attractions are open and ready for the summer season.” Many attractions and state parks throughout Arkansas were briefly affected by the rain and flooding, but most have reopened and are looking forward to welcoming visitors.
On The Sunny Side: Weather Creates Unexpected Bonuses
“Our tourism people are used to dealing with changing waters,” said Kelley Linck, Executive Director Ozark Mountain Region Tourist Association. He added that the few attractions or lodging facilities ()
that did experience damage from the water are already in the repair stage and almost open for business. Visitors will find new carpet, appliances and other improvements at these locales. “It’s actually going to improve our product,” he stated.
Floating the Buffalo
The rains have brought additional benefits. Floating on the upper Buffalo National River is prime right now and expected to be good for the rest of the river as well for many weeks to come. It is also a great time to get out and view or photograph waterfalls.
Trout Fishing in Arkansas
“The increased water flow is helping the fish grow. We should have an excellent lake spawn,” Linck said. He added that trout fishing on the White River is good right now even with all the high water, although for now, it is being done by boat.
Linck said people planning a trip to Arkansas should call ahead to the area they want to visit to determine the best time to go based on the water activities they want to enjoy, whether it’s wade fishing, skiing or scuba diving.
If you’re planning on visiting The Natural State, come on. We’re open for business! You can visit and click on the Breaking News icon to learn the latest information on roadway conditions, current weather forecasts, updates from Arkansas State Parks and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and situation reports from the Corps of Engineers. We’ve got all the information you need in one place to plan your trip to The Natural State.
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism