Royal Caribbean International®

A MESSAGE FROM VICKI:

I always feel patriotic around this time, and more so this year. I've seen how you have looked these tough economic times square in the face and have risen to the challenge. I am proud to be working alongside all of you. This year you should celebrate your own independence.

Speaking of independence, can you believe it's July? We're about half way through 2009 - which means it's time to start promoting the holidays.

I know what you're thinking - winter is months away. Trust me, it'll be here before you know it and these sailings (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years, etc.) are limited and extremely popular.

Each ship offers a little something different to set the festive mood. So approach your customers now - those who wish to travel with large families or those looking to escape them and convince them to start a new holiday tradition - a tradition onboard Royal Caribbean. We are creating some amazing new tools to help you with these special holiday sailings, starting with this Direct Mail piece, which will be available on CruisingPower.com. Keep an eye out for addtional holiday collateral coming soon.

Want to sell a holiday that's not so far away? The 4th of July is around the corner, and it's not too late.

Vicki L. Freed, CTC
Senior Vice President
Sales and Trade Support & Services
Royal Caribbean International®

P.S. Looking for a great cruise at an unbelievable price? Consider Mexico. There are 7-Night Mariner of the Seas® itineraries out of Los Angeles, or 4 or 5-Night Radiance of the Seas® voyages from San Diego. We also offer Caribbean cruises that visit ports in Mexico too. Now is the time - rates have never been better.



	ROYAL INCENTIVES REWARDS PROGRAM Royal Caribbean is introducing a brand new Individual Incentive Cruise Certificate Program. Unlike group incentive travel, already in use throughout the cruising industry, Royal Incentive Rewards celebrates individuality. This program gives recipients the freedom to go where they want, when they want. This simple turnkey program is easy to sell and administer. Collateral is available at CruisingPower.com. Be sure to share it with your corporate clients.

	ROYAL CARIBBEAN GETS "SOCIAL" Let’s “face” it, we at Royal Caribbean have always prided ourselves on being social – now we've created one more way to stay in touch with valued Travel Partners, past cruisers, brand advocates and travel enthusiasts of all kinds - and we already love the response. If you have a Facebook account– be sure to add us as a friend. Stay up to date with industry news, events, incentives, sales and special prices in a way that is easy to pass on and promote to your followers. Click here to learn more.

	A WAVE OF AWARDS I am proud to announce that Royal Caribbean has received three TravelAge West Readers' Choice WAVE (Western Agents' Voice of Excellence) Awards. For the second consecutive year, TravelAge West readers chose Royal Caribbean as the Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Agent Support. Business Development Manager Lori Goldspiel also became the first cruise line representative to twice-win the Favorite Individual Cruise Line Representative award. In addition, Freedom Day Spa onboard Freedom of the Seas® was voted the Best Overall Spa Facility on a Specific Ship. Congrats to all!

You are soon going to see a new trade print advertisement that focuses on our most important assets - our Travel Partners. When we came up with this concept we said "forget trying to convince you why Royal Caribbean is your favorite cruise line - we're using this opportunity to share your stories and show you how much you are appreciated."

This ad, recognizable by the "Times Are Tough, But So Are You" headline, features pictures of travel agents around the globe and quotes about their experiences working with Royal Caribbean in today's challenging economy. We hope these encouraging vignettes will inspire agents who feel stuck in a rut, showing them that others out there have ignited the fire within them and are finding success despite the environment they're selling in.

The ad will run in five industry magazines: Travel Weekly, Travel Trade, Travel Agent, Travel Age West and Canadian Travel Press. If you would like to see a preview, click here.

I want to send a special thank you to the four agents featured and tell you a little bit about whom they are:


	Karma Smith-Sabino - Travel Agent, Raylin Travel in New London, Connecticut - Karma's first cruise was on Royal Caribbean and since then she's been hooked. She was even married onboard Mariner of the Seas® and her husband had never before been on a cruise - now she can't keep him away. In fact, her entire family consists of Royal Caribbean fans - her daughter recently graduated from college and was given a choice to go on any vacation she wanted. Guess what she picked? Explorer of the Seas® to Bermuda.

	Doug Delanoy - Vice President, Brea Travel in Brea, California - Doug thinks it's more important than ever to reach out to clients and "hug" them during these challenging times - at least in regard to the portion of their lives that involve travel. His agency most recently invited customers to their office for a series of travel evenings over a 3-month period, and had a very successful event featuring Royal Caribbean.

	Jodie Robichaud - Travel Agent, Happy Travels in Henniker, New Hampshire - Jodie had a bad experience working with a poorly trained Travel Agent in her past; she then vowed to herself that she would get into the business to make sure her customers never had that happen to them. She went back to college for a second degree in travel and tourism and graduated in 2005. She then jumped in with both feet and absolutely loves what she does. She says that love comes through in her work and most of her business is generated from referrals.

	Carol Wagner - Owner, Travel Plus/Travel Leaders in Commerce, Michigan - This self-coined "cruiseaholic" graduated with a degree in architecture and spent a year as a designer buyer - she hated it. She then went on to become a Sales Manager for 3 different airlines. During that time she had the opportunity to buy one of her accounts. Today she is a successful agency owner and loves her business.

Do you have an interesting story to tell? Email your story and photos to AskVicki@rccl.com and you may be featured in an upcoming issue.