Ship brings 2,500 international and regional guests to the Kingdom of Bahrain on its inaugural sailing

Manama. 23rd January 2010: Royal Caribbean International's Brilliance of the Seas made her maiden docking into the brand new port of Bahrain, Khalifa Bin Salman, today as part of the company's newly-launched five stop, seven-day winter cruise programme in the Arabian Gulf.

Officials from the port and the Ministry of Information Tourism Sector joined the traditional ceremony, where the ship and the city exchange the 'Plaques & Keys' to remember ports visited.

"Bahrain is aiming to become a major player in the Gulf's cruise ship market with our brand new state-of-the-art Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Port, we expect to receive 100,000 passengers during peak period from November 2009 to April 2010 - this is double the figure that the former port had. We anticipate passenger numbers to increase due to the port's proximity to the sea channel, which makes it easier for cruise liners to come to Bahrain", said Culture and Information Ministry Tourism Sector executive director and adviser Dr Heba Aziz.

 "Bahrain markets itself as a small but beautiful destination and we're looking forward to showing visitors the unique treasures of the Kingdom", she added.

Brilliance of the Seas is one of the most elegant cruise ships in the world, featuring an open Centrum with 10-deck high windows and ocean-facing glass elevators, both of which will offer spectacular views of the passing shoreline and sea. It boasts one of the highest space-per-guest ratios in the industry, and will add more than 32,000 guests in her first four-month season to the region's burgeoning cruise sector - which is expected to double the current passenger numbers in Bahrain over the next two years, according to the Ministry of Information.

Royal Caribbean International's Regional Sales Director, International Representatives, EMEA, Helen Beck, says the arrival of Brilliance of the Seas is an important catalyst in driving forward regional cruise tourism growth and announced Brilliance of the Seas' 2011 will return to the region following this year's inaugural season. "The Middle East's prospective growth figures for luxury cruising are remarkable and we expect Brilliance of the Seas to establish itself as the leading cruise option for years to come," she said.

Aboard the vessel, cruise guests can experience the contrasts of sun, sea, desert, city life, culture, luxury and Arabian hospitality in just one single holiday. The ship features indoor and outdoor pools, the 2,743 m² Brilliance Fitness Centre and Day Spa, an indoor and outdoor sports deck with golf simulator, sports courts, a rock-climbing wall and a jogging track. It also boasts a wide range of dining options with Arabian flavour added especially for the Gulf cruises, shopping arcades and a theatre. Brilliance of the Seas' guests also will enjoy the cruise line's award-winning Broadway-style musical revues from Royal Caribbean Productions in the Pacifica Theater, complimentary Adventure Ocean kids and teen programming, and Royal Caribbean's Gold Anchor Service of friendly and engaging service from every staff and crew.

Although the majority of guests at present come from traditional Western markets, like the UK, North America and Germany, on fly-and-cruise packages, Beck believes that as regional awareness grows about cruise holidays as a viable vacation option, there will be a significant increase in local and regional passengers signing-up. "Already there is high demand from our key global source markets; but as news of our on board facilities, great shore excursions and exceptional service has spread, we have also seen strong levels of interest from the more traditional Middle Eastern markets", she said.

With an overall length of 293 metres, and a breadth of 40 metres, Brilliance of the Seas - which was built in Papenburg, north-west Germany, and registered in the Bahamas - weighs 90,090 tons and can travel at a speed of 24 knots. It has two anchors each weighing 12 tons and it even generates its own fresh water.

For business travellers, Brilliance of the Seas also offers numerous conference and meeting facilities.

State-of-the-art fully equipped meeting rooms and Wi-Fi connections on board the vessel can accommodate big groups and charters too; whilst theatres and lounges are also available for corporate events with up to 1,000 people.

Royal Caribbean's shore excursion programmes include a Heritage tour, where visitors can admire one of the largest mosques in the world, Al Fateh Grand Mosque, as well as the Black Gold & Camel tour or a full day on the beach. For those wanting something more adventurous, visitors can take part in the 4x4 Extreme Adventure or Wild Adventure tour, which takes them to the Al Areen Wild Life Park reserve with over 100,000 plants and trees and more than 500 animals.

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About Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and one under construction. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit www.royalcaribbean-arabia.com or call +9714 3314299.

© Press Release 2010