San Diego January 2, 2007 - Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today announced it has selected America's Vacation Center (AVC), one of the leading travel agencies in the nation, as its "President's Elite Travel Agency of the Year."

"America's Vacation Center continues to set new levels of standards for the travel industry, and we are honored to award them 'President's Elite Travel Agency of the Year,'" said Andy Stuart, NCL's executive vice president of marketing, sales, and passenger services. "In addition to increasing sales, AVC's professional travel agents have done an excellent job of matching our innovative products and features with discerning vacationers, and as a result turning them into satisfied cruise passengers."

"We are honored to receive the 'President's Elite Travel Agency of the Year' award from NCL," said Van Anderson, co-president of AVC. "This award signifies NCL's continued support for their travel partners, and we are thrilled to be recognized for our incomparable network of travel experts and exceptional level of service we provide to our clients."

Washington January 3, 2007 - Steven R. Chealander was sworn in today as a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board.

Mr. Chealander brings a wealth of both civilian and military aviation experience to the NTSB. Prior to joining the Board, he was with American Airlines, serving since 1991 as
a pilot and Captain qualified on the DC-10, B-737, MD-80, and F-100 aircraft, and as a Chief Pilot in Los Angeles. At American, he also was a flight safety manager, performing
safety and compliance audits and participating in investigations, and was most recently the Manager of Flight Operations Efficiency.

From 1964 to 1991, Mr. Chealander served in the U.S. Air Force, with tours of duty in Vietnam and Spain. An F-4 pilot and instructor pilot, and then a USAF Aggressor Pilot, Mr. Chealander was selected in 1981 to be a member of the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds. He flew with the team until 1985, when he was assigned as a staff officer at Tactical Air Command Headquarters at Langley AFB, VA.

In 1986, Mr. Chealander was selected as Military Aide to President Ronald Reagan. In this capacity, he performed a variety of ceremonial and emergency preparedness duties, including custody of the President's emergency briefcase, "the football."

Subsequently, Mr. Chealander commanded an F-5 tactical fighter squadron at Williams AFB, AZ (1988-89), an F-16 squadron at Luke AFB, AZ (1989-91), and then was appointed Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations for the F-16 tactical fighter wing at Luke AFB. He retired from the Air Force in 1991 with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Mr. Chealander received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and did graduate studies at the University of Utah. He is married and the father of two daughters.

Mr. Chealander's term as an NTSB Member expires on December 31, 2007.

Royal Caribbean International Charts a Course Toward Tras Fat Free Cruise Vacations

Miami January 3, 2007 - Royal Caribbean International will become the first cruise line to make the move toward removing trans fat from its menus beginning March 1, 2007. This will culminate in a fully trans-fat-free menu fleetwide by the end of this year. Effective immediately, trans-fat-free frying oil will replace the old pour-and-fry oil originally used in food preparation, and entirely-new, trans-fat-free menu options will be introduced to Royal Caribbean’s menus.

Royal Caribbean has long accommodated requests from guests with special dietary requirements, from those looking to maintain a low-fat intake to others who face serious allergies. The cruise line’s devotion to its guests, and their health, is rising to an entirely new level with menus featuring foods prepared with healthier oils throughout all restaurants on every ship.

"Vegetable oils that have undergone hydrogenation result in a type of fat that doctors have linked to serious health risks including diabetes, high blood pressure and increased cholesterol levels," said Michael Bayley, senior vice president, Total Guest Satisfaction. "If we can offer guests a healthier serving of the foods they love by switching to trans-fat-free oils, while maintaining the same level of satisfaction, why wouldn’t we make the switch?"

The trans-fat-free oil was put to the test onboard Navigator of the Seas last November. The conclusion was that, not only is the trans-fat-free oil healthier for guests, but it provides a better tasting product.

Royal Caribbean is working jointly with all onboard food and beverage partners as well as suppliers to ensure that a full transition to a trans-fat-free menu will take place fleetwide by the end of this year.

"We’ve seen a shift in the lifestyle choices of Royal Caribbean guests. Our guests are more active, health-conscious cruisers," said Bayley. "Making this investment to upgrade to a healthier option in terms of food preparation is yet another way we can connect with our guests to ensure the best overall cruise experience."

Miami January 3, 2007 - Carnival Corporation & plc today announced that it signed a letter of intent for a new 116,000-ton ship for its P&O Cruises brand.

The new vessel, which will have 3,076 lower passenger berths, will be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri at its Monfalcone yard, at an estimated all-in cost of 535 million euros. The ship is scheduled for delivery in spring 2010. Externally, the vessel will be similar to P&O Cruises Ventura, which is scheduled to enter service in spring 2008, but the new product features and interior design will be announced at a future date.

This latest ship order will bring the total number of vessels in the P&O Cruises fleet to seven, including five existing ships, as well as the new Ventura, which will be Britain's largest cruise ship when it enters service in April 2008. The new ship will further enhance P&O Cruises' reputation as the only company building cruise ships specifically for Britain.

P&O Cruises Managing Director David Dingle stated, "This latest order results from the strong continuing growth of the cruise market in the UK. Each of the new ships which we have built for Britain has increased the demand for cruising through a reputation for innovation, style and customer service. Our projections indicate that we will require further new capacity to meet this additional demand by 2010."

With today's announcement, Carnival Corporation & plc has 20 new ships on order, 14 of which are being constructed by Fincantieri.

Commenting on the agreement Fincantieri's Chief Executive Officer Giuseppe Bono said: "Our relationship with Carnival, the world's leading cruise operator, continues to grow at an incredible pace. In 2006 Fincantieri and Carnival signed contracts for eight ships for a total value of nearly 3.5 billion euros. The new year has started out with the allocation of this ship which is a clear signal that cooperation between our two companies will get stronger in the future too, thereby enabling both of us to consolidate our positions as market leaders."

The building slot at Fincantieri being utilized for this new P&O Cruises vessel will result in a modification to the delivery date of the 130,000-ton newbuild for Carnival Cruise Lines announced in mid-December 2006. The Carnival vessel will now enter service in spring 2011 instead of summer 2010 as previously announced.

Explained Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, "It had been our intention all along to schedule delivery of the P&O Cruises ship for 2010 and the Carnival Cruise Lines vessel for 2011. However, because we completed the agreement for the Carnival newbuild first, we temporarily placed it in the first available shipyard slot pending finalization of the P&O Cruises agreement."

Atlanta January 3, 2007 - RMS Titanic, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Premier Exhibitions, Inc. has entered into an agreement to present Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Exploration Place in Wichita, Kansas. The Exhibition will make its Kansas debut on January 13 through March 25, 2007.

Seen by more than 18 million worldwide the Exhibition explores what it was like to be a passenger on the Titanic in 1912 through dramatic room recreations and a collection of more than 125 authentic artifacts recovered from Ship's debris field.

"We are pleased to collaborate with Exploration Place in making Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition a success during its first appearance in Kansas," states Arnie Geller, President and CEO of Premier Exhibitions Inc. "Many passengers were traveling to Wichita on the Titanic including Millvina Dean one of only two survivors alive today. We are confident that these stories of tragedy and triumph will leave a lasting impression on every visitor to the Exhibition and continue the legacy of each traveler aboard."

RMS Titanic, Inc. is the only company permitted by law to recover objects from the wreck of the Titanic. The Company was granted Salvor-in-possession rights to the wreck of Titanic by a United States federal court in 1994 and has conducted seven research and recovery expeditions to the Titanic rescuing more than 5,500 artifacts.

Premier Exhibitions, Inc. is a major provider of museum quality touring exhibitions throughout the world.

Los Angeles January 3, 2007 - Travel agents nationwide cast their votes for the best in travel, and Viking River Cruises was again named the number one river cruise line this past December. Travel Weekly readers were invited to submit nominations for "Reader's Choice Awards" in a variety of categories during open voting this past summer. Finalists were selected from the leading submissions, followed by a second round of voting, with winners announced in New York City this past December.

"We are delighted to receive this recognition from the industry," said Torstein Hagen, Founding Chairman, Viking River Cruises. "We continue our strong support of the travel trade, and are constantly ensuring our Viking standards exceed the expectations not only of travel agents but also their clients."

Viking River Cruises received similar recognition from the trade this past year when they were named "Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising" by Travel Age West, as well as being named the #1 River Cruise Line by Recommend, a key monthly trade publication. The company was also honored by consumers this past August when it received Travel + Leisure's "World's Best" Awards; and in November with a listing on Conde Nast Traveler's "Reader's Choice" Awards; CruiseReport.com named Viking "Best River Cruise Line" as well.

Valencia CA January 4, 2007 - Queen Mary 2, the grandest ocean liner ever built, will make maritime history when she makes her maiden call to San Francisco on February 4-5, 2007. A rare overnight visit, Queen Mary 2's arrival in the City by the Bay is cause for celebration. The iconic ship -- which measures four times the height of San Francisco's famed Telegraph Hill and nearly 280 feet longer than the height of the Transamerica Pyramid – will make this her only visit to the West Coast in 2007.

"When Queen Mary 2 visits a port for the first time, we are delighted that she is welcomed in royal fashion with unprecedented fanfare," said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line. "In the midst of an extraordinary waterfront renaissance, San Francisco is uniquely equipped to celebrate Queen Mary 2's maiden call and so we look forward to an enthusiastic welcome."

Thousands of maritime enthusiasts and well wishers are expected to view the ship as she sails beneath the Golden Gate Bridge at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 4. Surrounded by a flotilla of ships, yachts and escorted by San Francisco fireboats, Queen Mary 2 will circle the harbour before docking at Pier 27 at 8:00 p.m. On Monday, February 5, local dignitaries will board the ship for a tour and luncheon prior to the ship's 8:00 p.m. departure.

The ship's arrival can be seen from several excellent viewing locations, including:

• The Golden Gate Bridge - Vista points on both north and south sides of bridge
• Pier 45 and Pier 39
• Fort Mason
• Aquatic Park
• Crissy Field

Queen Mary 2's San Francisco arrival marks the 26th day of her maiden "Around the World in 80 Days" voyage. From San Francisco, she'll sail a south-westerly course toward the South Seas, Australia, China, India, Egypt and the Mediterranean.

As the defining luxury ocean liner for the 21st century, Queen Mary 2 entered service in January 2004 as the largest liner ever built. She combines over 165 years of tradition with modern innovations hardly dreamed of only a few years ago. She carries 2,592 guests in degrees of comfort and style ranging from pampered elegance to almost unimaginable luxury and is best known for her signature 6-day Transatlantic Crossings between New York and Southampton (UK) which she sails regularly from April to October. In the fall she begins sailing her 10-day "Connoisseur's Caribbean" itineraries roundtrip from New York.

Queen Mary 2 is graced with grand spaces, including the largest ballroom at sea, domed salons, sweeping staircases and majestic promenades, with one attentive White Star Service(SM) staff member for every two passengers.

Yet the ship is as daringly modern as she is appreciative of tradition, particularly in functionality. Taking advantage of the very latest in technology and engineering, Queen Mary 2 offers possibly the smoothest ride of any ship, with noise and vibration levels minimal even at her extraordinary speed.

The ship also embraces Cunard's lengthy tradition of serving the finest of shipboard cuisine prepared by world-class chefs and carries it significantly further. Celebrity chef Todd English has created his own 156-seat shipboard restaurant featuring his Mediterranean cuisine.

In addition to the Queens Grill, Princess Grill and the two-story Britannia Restaurant, which can effortlessly seat 1,351 passengers. Guests may choose to dine at a choice of four venues in the innovative Kings Court or, for more casual fare, the Golden Lion Pub or Boardwalk Cafe, and, for afternoon tea, the Queens Room.

Complementing her restaurants is an inspiring selection of bars and lounges. The Queens Room, with its crystal chandeliers, is the largest ballroom at sea. The Royal Court Theatre hosts musicals and revues worthy of London's West End and Broadway. The Empire Casino and G32 nightclub offer equally exciting entertainment options. Jazz sets the tone for the Commodore

Club, with its wrap-around panorama of ocean and moonlit sky while fine wines are the featured attraction at Sir Samuels. For the ultimate in sophistication and refinement, the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar is a must for toasting great travel adventures. Fine Waterford Crystal and Wedgwood china add a further element of elegance to the ship's dining and entertainment experience.

Queen Mary 2's offering of activities is as impressive as its options for accommodations, restaurants, bars and lounges. These include:

• Canyon Ranch SpaClub(R), QM2's 20,000-square foot health & wellness club, offering a full range of famous Canyon Ranch services, treatments and products. Considered the number one spa company in North America, this shipboard Canyon Ranch, a first for the company, features an Aqua Therapy Centre, weight room, juice bar, saunas and whirlpools and services ranging from aromatherapy to therapeutic body cocoons.

• Illuminations, the only planetarium at sea, offers a variety of constellation shows narrated by Hollywood celebrities and virtual reality rides through the heavens, which also serves as the ship's movie theatre and lecture hall.

• Workshops, lessons and presentations by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), enabling guests to not only watch the stars of tomorrow in person, but also to actually study the skills of acting with them.

• Cunard ConneXions(TM), a complex of seven classrooms used for enrichment programmes and the latest cyber-era equipment.

• The Mayfair Shops, an on-board collection of fine boutiques and famous brand names, including Hermes, Chopard, and Harrod's.

Continuing Cunard's illustrious history of hosting society luminaries, famed entertainers and royalty, since Queen Mary 2's debut she has played host to such notable guests as John Cleese, Rod Stewart, Uma Thurman, Angela Bassett & Courtney Vance and Dame Shirley Bassey, while eminent visitors have included Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent, former President George Bush, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator Hillary Clinton.

Los Angeles January 4, 2007 - With a focus on rich destination experiences, Crystal Cruises has set its 2008 collection of ultra-luxury cruises aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. Spanning 167 different ports, the 61 worldwide itineraries range in length from seven days to a 108-day World Cruise.

New for 2008 will be a return to a season cruising Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, an expanded North Cape cruise and a new Bermuda and Caribbean cruise from New York to Miami. For the first time in almost a decade, Crystal Cruises will offer an overseas Christmas/New Year option offering a voyage around South America, Cape Horn and Antarctica. Most of the cruises feature at least one overnight stay in port. In addition to attractions like Hong Kong, Venice, St. Petersburg and New York, the line has nearly doubled its maiden calls with uncovered, exotic gems like Agios Nikolaos, Crete; Cartagena, Spain; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; Doha, Qatar; La Caruna, Spain; Marmagao, India; Olden, Norway; Puerto Chiapas, Mexico; Ronne, Denmark; Sarande, Albania; Valencia, Spain.

"Like the Crystal Cruises' vacation, our 2008 cruise collection is about stimulating choices," says Bill Smith, senior vice president, sales & marketing. "Even first-time cruisers will savor the variety of port-intensive itineraries with many ports per cruise and longer stays in those destinations. Veteran Crystal cruisers will also relish the cruises with several days at sea to further enjoy the service excellence and compelling onboard programs."

Complete day-by-day itineraries and fares for the Winter/Spring voyage are currently posted at www.crystalcruises.com. A full-color Cruise Guide is also available for download on the website. Cruise itinerary information and fares for the full year will be posted on February 1.

Crystal Serenity

Crystal Serenity kicks off January 2008 with a 15-day Panama Canal cruise before setting off for her grandest voyage, the World Cruise. Available in seven segments, the cruise begins in Los Angeles and sails to the South Pacific en route to New Zealand and Australia, followed by calls in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The acclaimed vessel spends the late spring through fall cruising on several different eastern and western Mediterranean itineraries, as well as Black Sea and Canary Islands cruises. A southern Trans-Atlantic crossing via Bermuda repositions Crystal Serenity for late fall cruising in the warm waters of the Panama Canal and Caribbean, including a tropical Caribbean holiday cruise.

Crystal Symphony

Crystal Symphony will begin 2008 with four prime season Panama Canal cruises and one Mexican Riviera cruise, followed by a Trans-Pacific cruise that repositions the ship to Asia. Spring Asia itineraries include two China and Japan cruises with three-day overland stays in Beijing and two exotic Southeast Asia cruises offering Vietnam, Thailand, India and Singapore. Crystal Symphony travels from Dubai through the Suez Canal for a Middle Eastern voyage, followed by a Western Europe cruise from Athens. The ultra- luxury vessels spends the summer in northern Europe on a series of Baltic cruises (with three days in St. Petersburg); a British Isles cruise; and a Norwegian fjords cruise across the Arctic Circle. Crystal Symphony's grand Trans-Atlantic cruise, featuring stops in Iceland and Greenland, repositions the ship for New England/Canada fall foliage cruises. Panama Canal, Caribbean and Mexican Riviera cruises take the chill off late fall. For the first time, Crystal Symphony celebrates the Christmas holidays and the New Year with a South American cruise to Antarctica.

The Crystal Difference

The 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Symphony and the 1,080-guest, 68,000-ton Crystal Serenity are among the most spacious and luxurious vessels cruising in the luxury market. Their unique size allows for smooth sailing and a wide range of facilities, generous amenities and elegant staterooms, most with private verandah. The elegant floating hotels feature grand lounges, a lavish spa outfitted in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, extensive exercise facilities, two pools, Asian and Italian specialty restaurants, the popular Computer University@Sea(R), offering 24-hour e-mail and internet access, as well as hands-on instruction, complimentary golf, yoga and Pilates instruction and other learning opportunities through its acclaimed Creative Learning Institute.

Crystal Cruises enjoys a reputation for excellence, grounded in a decade of prestigious accolades including having been voted "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines -- the only cruise line, resort or hotel to have achieved such distinction.

Miami January 5, 2007 - Celebrity Cruises today announced plans to evolve its fleetwide culinary program, ending its affiliation with Master Chef Michel Roux. The mutual agreement coincides with the end of Roux's current contract with Celebrity.

"Chef Roux has offered valuable culinary consultation and direction since the Celebrity brand was founded, and played an integral role in helping our brand achieve the recognition it maintains today for offering fresh, gourmet cuisine," said Celebrity's President Dan Hanrahan. "We are very grateful to Chef Roux for the foundation he helped us establish, and are confident in our ability to continue to deliver an extraordinary dining experience for our guests across the fleet."

Every Celebrity ship has a highly experienced Food and Beverage team, headed by executive chefs and food and beverage managers who honed their skills in some of Europe's finest restaurants and hotels. They completed intensive training led by Chef Roux both during Chef Roux's onboard visits totaling well over 100 during the 15-year partnership and also, in the case of a few of Celebrity's most promising chefs, training at his Waterside Inn restaurant in England.

Similarly, the Food and Beverage Operations team based at Celebrity's headquarters bring extensive land-based and shipboard culinary experience enabling them to effectively direct and complement the shipboard colleagues.

"Chef Roux has offered, and we have accepted, to assist Celebrity during the transition, and will be available in the future to offer advice and guidance," said Hanrahan. "Meanwhile, on behalf of all of us at Celebrity, I thank him for all his contributions, and wish him the very best."

Victoria BC January 5, 2007 - Spirit of British Columbia will be undergoing its annual maintenance refit from January 8 through February 9 inclusive.

In order to ensure the ship continues to meet BC Ferries high safety and reliability standards, the following work will be performed:

• Annual inspection and servicing of all lifesaving equipment

• Main engine upgrades

• Steering gear maintenance

• Installation of some new galley equipment

• Thorough cleaning of the passenger accommodation areas, car decks and machinery spaces

The refit is a regular maintenance procedure conducted approximately the same time each year. During the refit period, the Queen of Esquimalt will provide service on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route and will be based at Tsawwassen. The Spirit of Vancouver Island will continue its regular service on the route based at Swartz Bay. All departure times will remain as scheduled. The Queen of Esquimalt will operate from Tsawwassen at 7:00 am, 11:00 am, 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm and from Swartz Bay at 9:00 am, 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm. As always, extra sailings are scheduled on Fridays and Sundays on this route.

Because the Queen of Esquimalt is a smaller vessel than the Spirit of British Columbia, some overloads may occur at peak sailing times. Passengers are advised to plan their travels accordingly.