FORM 6-K
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
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PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of January, 2003
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
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1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, Florida 33132
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(Address of principal executive offices)
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
Form 20-F x Form 40-F
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[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.]
Yes No x
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[If "Yes" is marked indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____.]
Contact: Lynn Martenstein (305) 539-6573
Michael Sheehan (305) 539-6572
For Immediate Release
CELEBRITY CRUISES CANCELS TWO HAWAII CRUISES
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MIAMI -- January 29, 2003 -- Celebrity Cruises is canceling two cruises on
Infinity to replace ball-bearing units in the ship's propulsion system. The ship
must enter drydock to replace the bearings, which will result in the
cancellation of its February 2 and February 13 sailings. The ship is expected to
return to its scheduled sailings on February 23.
The first cancelled sailing, Sunday, is a 11-night cruise from Ensenada,
Mexico, to Hawaii. The February 13 sailing is a 10-night cruise from Hawaii to
Ensenada. Infinity is currently completing a 14-night trans-Canal sailing that
ends in San Diego Sunday.
Guests booked on the cancelled sailings will receive a full refund and a
voucher for a 50-percent discount on a future Celebrity cruise of 12 nights or
less, departing on or before April 1, 2004, excluding Christmas and New Year's
sailings. Travel agents will receive full commissions, plus a $50 rebooking fee
per cabin when their clients reschedule their cruise.
"The thrust-bearing failure in one of the ship's propulsion systems
developed very quickly, and while the ship continues to operate safely, its
speed has had to be reduced," said Jack Williams, president and chief operating
officer of Celebrity Cruises. "Unfortunately, this has resulted in us having to
take the ship to an unscheduled drydock. I want to personally apologize of all
our guests whose vacation plans have been disrupted due to this disappointing
event."
Celebrity has established a special Help Desk to assist guests and travel
agents with rebooking, air transportation and other issues. That toll-free
number is 1-888-701-7192.
The cancelled cruises are expected to have a negative impact on the
earnings of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. of $.03 to $.04 per share.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that
operates Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, with a combined
total of 25 ships in service and three under construction or on firm order. The
company also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe
through its cruise-tour division. Additional information can be found on
www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebrity.com or www.rclinvestor.com.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
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(Registrant)
Date: January 29, 2003 By: /s/ BONNIE S. BIUMI
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Bonnie S. Biumi
Acting Chief Financial Officer