Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International

[JoeyandDavid]

MIAMI, May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Colombia President Alvaro Uribe Velez and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain have announced that Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International will resume port calls to Cartagena, Colombia, starting in April 2007. At a meeting in Cartagena, the two executives were highly enthusiastic about the cruise line's return and the partnership that made it possible. The company last called in Cartagena in 2002.

"We are delighted to be returning to Cartagena and to be able to showcase its rich history and vibrant culture for our guests," Fain said. "We are grateful to President Uribe and his administration for the lengths to which they have gone to provide a safe and satisfying experience for our guests."

"We are very pleased to have Celebrity and Royal Caribbean again as partners and as members of our community," said President Uribe. "Cartagena provides a unique destination experience in the Caribbean with its mix of tour options, history -- including a UNESCO World Heritage site -- superb shopping, and varied dining options."

Celebrity Cruises will make 24 visits to Cartagena: 11 on Zenith, seven on Constellation, six on Infinity and four on Summit. Royal Caribbean will make eight calls at Cartagena over the 2007-2008 season: five on Brilliance of the Seas, two on Radiance of the Seas and one on Serenade of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, with a combined total of 29 ships in service and five under construction. The company also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe through its cruise-tour division. Additional information can be found on http://www.royalcaribbean.com , [url=http://www.celebritycruises.com]http://www.celebritycruises.com or [url=http://www.rclinvestor.com]http://www.rclinvestor.com .

[Suzila]

We visited Cartagena on Princess in 1999 on our Panama Canal cruise. I thought that was the most interesting place to visit.

The night before we got there, already had our excursion tickets in hand, we were slipped a notice under our cabin door from the cruise line advising us that the State Department advised us not to go ashore. So much for listening to the advice of our State Department.

We went ashore the next morning and I'd do it again. Loved experiencing the culture. I have some great pictures of that excursion.

[JoeyandDavid]

Sue could you post them ???Love to see them

[Suzila]

In 1999 I was using a 35mm camera Joey, and I don't have a scanner. I'll ask my son if anyone he knows has a scanner.

Otherwise, you and I will just have to plan on meeting midway between Van Nuys and Thousand Oaks someday, and I'll show you my entire 6" thick Panama Canal scrapbook.

[JoeyandDavid]

I have a scanner.... sue they less than 100 bucks.... memories like those need preserved

[jbond]

I'm happy to see that they are going back to Cartagena. It's a great historical city. When we were there we toured the fortress, La Popa Monastry and the Cloisters of San Pedro Claver. There is so much more to see and we found the city to be very clean. You can see our photos and mini description at http://community.webshots.com/photo/250438...33819TjXWlpyyST and the following 7 pages.

[Mebert]

jbond,

That was a real nice shot of you and a great view of Cartagena. It looks like a beautiful little city.