LOS ANGELES, September 24, 2007 - Luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises has significantly upgraded its onboard computer network with new state-of-the-art technology and applications that enable guests to optimize their time online with faster connections and quicker downloads regardless of where in the world the ships travel.

Due to the need to use satellites for transmission, Internet access aboard a ship will always be significantly slower than on land. To dramatically improve performance, the award-winning Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony have become the first cruise ships in the industry to purchase and install the new WebAccelerator™ technology, a highly specialized device designed to compress the data in transit between the ship and satellite, optimizing communication and transmission time. Developed by F5, a global leader in application delivery, the technology has been proven to dramatically reduce web page load times.

Crystal has also undertaken a number of additional steps to upgrade the performance and speed of its shipboard networks, including increasing bandwidth by 33 percent, upgrading components responsible for routing traffic within the ships' networks, and implementing equipment specially designed to deal with the delays inherent in satellite communication.

"Guests will notice an immediate benefit and significant improvements in the pace and performance of our shipboard networks, whether they are checking e-mail, surfing the net or sending digital photos to family and friends," says Thomas Mazloum, Crystal's senior vice president, hotel operations.

"We know that e-mail and Internet are an integral part of our guests' way of life. With the most extensive shipboard labs and hands-on instruction programs in the industry, Crystal has chosen to be a leader in onboard computing," continues Mazloum. "While it was an expensive undertaking, our recent network upgrades and our decision to be the first and only cruise line to invest in the new WebAccelerator™ is in line with our commitment to provide guests with the best computer technology and performance at sea."

These upgrades follow the recent debut of the luxury line's wireless Internet and cell phone service aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.

Crystal's Computer University@Sea

Since its launch in 1996, the popularity of Crystal's Computer University@Sea has continued to grow along with its complimentary curriculum now numbering 30 courses for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. The fleetwide program allows guests to choose courses suited to their own personal and professional enrichment on topics from basic computer skills to advanced digital photo finishing.

Aboard every Crystal itinerary a team of dedicated instructors offers courses on Windows and e-mail, website design, digital video editing, digital camera orientation, Photoshop and even surfing the Web. Other topics, depending on the number of sea days, include Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, greeting and business card design, and how to research stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments and prepare financial spreadsheets. Private instruction is also available.

State-of-the-art Dell^® laptops and PCs, high-tech learning, and 24-hour Internet access from every lab and stateroom are just some of the features of this ground-breaking program. The Computer University@Sea labs allow guests to explore cyberspace and to send and retrieve e-mail instantly via their own Internet services or through their personalized shipboard e-mail addresses. Guests may opt to bring their own laptops and have them configured for in-stateroom Internet access or rent laptops at a nominal fee.

The Crystal Difference

Crystal Cruises enjoys an unparalleled reputation for excellence, anchored in 12 consecutive years of "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" awards by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines - the only cruise line, resort or hotel to have achieved such distinction.

Miami - Sept. 18, 2007 --  Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) newest "It" Girl,  Norwegian Gem, left Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, and transited the River Ems to Eemshaven, Netherlands arriving on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007. The 93,530-ton Norwegian Gem has now begun sea trials through Sept. 23, 2007. 

Following a series of European inaugural events and Mediterranean sailings in October and November, NCL is celebrating the arrival of Norwegian Gem in the U.S. with a two-night inaugural sailing in Boston on Dec.13, 2007. The ship's christening ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007 in New York, followed by a two-night inaugural sailing. 

Norwegian Gem is the hottest ship to hit the high seas, featuring incredible innovations and amenities that range from a  four-lane ten-pin bowling alley and rock climbing wall to a variety of luxury accommodations, including Courtyard Villas, Garden Villas and two top-of-the-ship Deluxe Owner's Suites.  She will also feature all the elements of NCL's dynamic Freestyle Cruising fleet, including 10 restaurants, 13 bars and lounges, two swimming pools, a casino and much more. For more about Norwegian Gem including her blog, visit "HerSpace" page at gemitgirl.com.

NCL Corporation Ltd. is an innovative cruise company headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a fleet of 14 ships in service and under construction.  The corporation oversees the operations of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America and Orient Lines.  The company is currently building Norwegian Gem for delivery in October of 2007.  In addition, NCL plans to build up to three new third generation Freestyle Cruising ships for delivery between 2009 and 2011. 

NCL is on target to have the youngest fleet in the industry by the end of 2007 with the introduction of Norwegian Gem, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.

LOS ANGELES, September 17, 2007 - In spring 2008, Crystal Cruises will take guests into the high Himalayas to explore the remote, land-locked Kingdom of Bhutan. Following is another unprecedented journey into the heart of India to showcase Delhi, the fabled pink city of Jaipur, and Agra and the Taj Mahal. Both exotic overland adventures are all new experiences created as optional pre- and post-cruise land tours for Crystal Serenity's 2008 World Cruise, and in conjunction with the ship's celebrated return to Mumbai, India, which the line has not featured as a turnaround port since 1999.

The Kingdom of Bhutan and Journey to Jaipur, Agra and Delhi packages are available as optional pre- and post-cruise programs departing from Mumbai during Crystal Serenity's Indian Ocean Exploration, a 14-day voyage from Singapore to Mumbai, March 27 - April 10, 2008, and Exquisite Empires, a 16-day journey from Mumbai to Rome, April 10 - 26, 2008.

The six-night Kingdom of Bhutan adventure departs Mumbai and explores Delhi, the cultural and historical capital of India, before journeying to the ancient temples, peaceful monasteries, and bustling marketplaces of Bhutan and its imperial city of Thimphu - the only world capital with no traffic lights. Nestled high in the eastern Himalayas between India and Tibet, Bhutan is the last Buddhist Himalayan state and was not opened to tourism until 1974. As recently as the 1960's telecommunication was non-existent and travel within the kingdom could only be done by horseback or on foot.

"It is difficult to travel to Bhutan both due to its location and the government's cautious approach to tourism which makes it tough for travelers to gain access on their own," says John Stoll, Crystal's director of land programs. "This unique Crystal adventure offers unmatched access to a special place far removed from the rest of the world, along with the assurance that although travelers are exploring a remote country, they will receive the same level of service and attention they have come to expect aboard our ships."

The four-night Journey to Jaipur, Agra and Delhi takes guests into the heart of India to explore the country's most fabled cities and sites. Guests will discover the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Delhi, the striking architecture of Jaipur, and the beauty of experiencing the Taj Mahal at both sunrise and sunset. Throughout the journey guests will enjoy luxury accommodations at Oberoi Hotels including the Oberoi Rajvilas Hotel, a royal fortress set amid 32 acres of lush gardens.

With Crystal Adventures^® Extended Land Programs, all guides, accommodations, transfers, meals and itineraries are planned and included in the package, allowing guests to relax, enjoy their travels, and benefit from the inside knowledge of experienced guides and local travel experts.

Crystal Serenity's 14-day Indian Ocean Exploration, March 27 - April 10, 2008, begins in Singapore and calls upon the exotic port cities of Kuala Lampur/Port Kelang, Malaysia; Phuket, Thailand; Yangon, Myanmar; and Cochin and Mumbai, India. The voyage features two overnights in Yangon and an overnight in Mumbai at the end of the cruise.

Exquisite Empires, Crystal Serenity's 16-day journey, April 10 - April 26, 2008, will take guests from Mumbai, India to the timeless cities of Salalah, Oman; Luxor & Karnak/Safaga and Alexandria/Cairo, Egypt; Crete/Aghios Nikolaos, Greece; Sicily/Catania and Naples, Italy; concluding in Rome.

The Crystal Difference

Aboard the ultra-luxurious ships of Crystal Cruises, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choices and quality, providing worldwide vacations that bridge the best of land and sea.

Crystal Cruises enjoys an unparalleled reputation for excellence, anchored in 12 consecutive years of "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" awards by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines - the only cruise line, resort or hotel to have achieved such distinction.

MIAMI, September 14, 2007 - In less than a year, Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas will make her debut in Southampton, England where she will be the largest ship ever to be home-ported in Europe. With her hull now complete, Independence of the Seas, under construction at Aker Yards in Turku, Finland, reached an important maritime milestone today when she was "floated out" - moved from dry dock to wet dock - for the final months of finishing work leading up to her May 2008 debut.

At official ceremonies held at the shipyard, Royal Caribbean executives, Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president, Maritime; Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Sales, and Captain Hernan Zini were joined by Juha Heikinheimo, president, Aker Yards Cruise and Ferries, and Jykri Heinamaa, Turku Yard Director, Aker Yards, as well as an exclusive group of Royal Caribbean's travel partners, to turn the valve releasing 87 million gallons of water into the wet dock area.

Independence of the Seas will share the title of worlds largest cruise ship with her sister-ships, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, weighing in at 160,000 GRT and holding 3,634 guests, double-occupancy. In addition to new programs and onboard embellishments yet to be announced, amenities on Independence will include the popular innovations already found on her sister-ships, including the FlowRider surf simulator; the wet and wild H20 Zone aqua park; cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 feet above the ocean; an ice-skating rink; a boxing ring; and the 1,215-square-foot Presidential Family Suite, which sleeps up to 14.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and three under construction. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, South America and New Zealand through its cruisetour division.

LOS ANGELES, September 11, 2007 - For the first time, the readers of Britain's Condé Nast Traveller voted Crystal Cruises their "Favourite Cruise Line: Large Ship." Crystal Cruises also received the highest scores for "environmental friendliness" and "standard/comfort of cabins." Winners of the publication's 10^th annual Readers' Travel Awards were announced in London on September 3^rd and will appear in the October 2007 issue.

"I am thrilled that all the efforts of the Crystal Cruises staff, both on board and shoreside, have been publicly recognized by the discerning readers of Condé Nast Traveller," says UK-based Philip Ordever, Crystal's vice President, sales & marketing, Europe, Middle East & Africa. "Our team here in the UK is honored to have received such international distinction."

Condé Nast Traveller subscribers were asked to rate cruise ships on a 100-point scale. Scores are percentages based on votes from the readers in 11 categories, which include service, safety, environmental friendliness, ambience/décor, nightlife/entertainment and standard/comfort of cabins, among others.

The Crystal Difference

Aboard the ultra-luxurious ships of Crystal Cruises, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choices and quality, providing worldwide vacations that bridge the best of land and sea.

Crystal Cruises enjoys an unparalleled reputation for excellence, anchored in 12 consecutive years of "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" awards by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines - the only cruise line, resort or hotel to have achieved such distinction.

Miami - (September 10, 2007 ) -  Celebrity Cruises has officially launched the production of Celebrity Equinox, the second 122,000-ton ship in the line's four-ship Solstice-class fleet. Richard Fain, CEO of Celebrity's parent company, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., last week pressed the button of the plasma torch at shipbuilder Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.

Joining Fain (left) at Meyer Werft were Celebrity Solstice-class Project Manager Jarmo Laakso and Meyer Werft Managing Director Lambert Kruse.

Like its sister ships, Celebrity Equinox will have larger standard staterooms, 90 percent of which will be outside, and 85 percent of all staterooms will have verandas. The 2,850-guest vessels each will have an exceptional range of guest-inspired services and amenities, 1,425 staterooms, and will measure 1,033 feet in length and 121 feet in width.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, California, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and South America, and will begin sailing in Australia and New Zealand in November. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and Australia through its cruisetour affiliate. Noted for "The World's Best Large Ships," as voted by the readers of Conde' Nast Traveler (February 2007 Cruise Poll), Celebrity's current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011. For more information, call your cruise travel experts at Cruise Vacation World at 1-888-828-7327.

Baltimore - September 05, 2007 --- The Scholar Ship, the first oceangoing study-abroad program developed specifically for an international student body, will make its maiden voyage from Athens, Greece on September 5, 2007. More than 200 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 35 countries will travel to four continents over 16 weeks.

The Scholar Ship, backed by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and supported by seven international universities, will immerse students and faculty in an intercultural living and learning environment aboard a 201-meter ocean liner specially equipped for the academic program.

Students and staff will embark on The Scholar Ship in Piraeus, Athens on a westward course to Lisbon, Portugal; Panama City, Panama; Guayaquil, Ecuador; Papeete, Tahiti; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; and Shanghai, Macau and Hong Kong in China. Ports of call provide extensive educational opportunities for students through a port program in which students participate in academic field study, community service and independent travel.

Seven international universities collaborated in the curricula development for The Scholar Ship, including the University of California, Berkeley and Macquarie University in Sydney, which has been designated to award academic credit to students. Other participating "Academic Stewards" include Fudan University, China; Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico; Cardiff University, United Kingdom; Al Akhawayn University, Morocco; and the University of Ghana.

Multinational corporations such as IBM, Microsoft and HSBC Bank also have been engaged to ensure the program's learning outcomes are relevant and practical for students. The Scholar Ship's introduction reflects the increased interest and extraordinary growth in enriching study abroad programs worldwide.

"The Scholar Ship promises to be a microcosm of our global age: a laboratory for global democracy," said John Lie, Dean of International and Area Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. "In creating a truly transnational learning community, with its stress on experiential learning, The Scholar Ship represents a bold experiment in international and global education."

Program fees are approximately $20,000 per semester. A $ 2 million fund has been established for the 2007/2008 academic year to broaden the availability of the program to students from diverse backgrounds. Grants are awarded based on academic merit and economic need.

LOS ANGELES, September 4, 2007 - As savvy consumers continue to customize their lifestyles and personal experiences, luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises reports a 55% increase in its Crystal Private Adventures. From a birthday picnic atop the rock of Gibraltar to an ancestral tour of Jewish points of interest in Shanghai, highly customized shore experiences are providing intimate and enriching perspectives of the world on a very personalized level.

To date, from January through August 2007, Crystal's land programs team arranged 55% more private arrangements than for the entire year of 2006. Approximately 70% of the customized arrangements are requested in conjunction with Crystal's European cruises.

In the nearly two years since the line debuted its Crystal Private Adventures, the biggest surge in participation has been among multi-generational families who recognize the tremendous choice, value and luxury of a Crystal cruise vacation and appreciate the opportunity to tailor their time ashore and travel as a group. Others taking advantage of the customized service are couples seeking privacy and exclusivity, and guests celebrating special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays and honeymoons.

"A cruise vacation is so much more than the ports of call on an itinerary - it's a great vehicle to explore places long dreamed of, and our Crystal Private Adventures allow us to fulfill guests' wishes in a very personalized manner," says John Stoll, Crystal's director of land programs. "The opportunities are limitless. Usually the only limitations are those imposed by the guest."

The Crystal Private Adventures team of travel experts handles each request with precision and detail. Guests or their travel agents can confirm an exact itinerary they have in mind, or work with a specialist to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Some of the custom adventures arranged in 2007 include:

For true wine connoisseurs: a tour of Italy's Bolgheri wine region in a private Mercedes Benz with exclusive visits to two renowned wineries - one responsible for creating Sassicaia, the other renowned for its Ornellaia cabernet sauvignon.

For six friends celebrating a special occasion: an Amalfi Coast cruise in a private yacht with lunch reservations at an exclusive restaurant in Capri.

For golf enthusiasts: private tee times on world-renowned courses in Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.

For sheer indulgence: a private luxury car and conversational English-speaking driver in nearly every port of call on a Baltic Cruise; and on the same itinerary, lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, and seating in the private Benois Box for a performance at St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theater.

Crystal Private Adventures are available to guests already booked on a Crystal cruise for a nominal $100 non-refundable charge, due upon receipt of request. If the guest accepts the personalized shore program, the service fee is applied to the booking. The cost of the private arrangements varies widely depending on its complexity and exclusivity.

Choices ashore are greater than ever. In addition to the highly customized Crystal Private Adventures, Crystal offers more than 1,400 comprehensive destination tours and limited participation boutique excursions for today's most discriminating travelers.

The Crystal Difference

Aboard the ultra-luxurious ships of Crystal Cruises, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choices and quality, providing worldwide vacations that bridge the best of land and sea.

Crystal Cruises enjoys an unparalleled reputation for excellence, anchored in 12 consecutive years of "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" awards by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines - the only cruise line, resort or hotel to have achieved such distinction.

For additional information, please contact cruise travel experts or call 888-828-7327.