The Norway based shipping company Royal Caribbean International was founded in the year 1969. Royal Caribbean International (then called Royal Caribbean Cruise Line) was the result of collaboration between Anders Wilhelmsen & Company, I.M. Skaugen & Company, and Gotaas Larsen (all Norwegian). Today, Royal Caribbean International is a multi-billion dollar company which reported a net income of $633.9 million in the year 2006. Royal Caribbean International put its first ship Song of Norway into service in the year 1970. By 1972 Royal Caribbean International had added 2 more ships to its fleet (Nordic Prince in 1971 and Sun Viking in 1972).

The Song of Norway was so popular, that it holds the distinction of being the first ever passenger ship to be lengthened to increase its capacity. The Nordic Prince was also ?stretched? in the year 1980 to increase its capacity. Royal Caribbean International received widespread recognition by adding the Song of America to its fleet in 1982. By 1988, the cruise liner Sovereign of the Seas was also added to Royal Caribbean International's fleet. Sovereign of the Seas is the oldest operational ship in Royal Caribbean International's fleet. The purchase of Viking Serenade in 1990 signalled the beginning of a new era for Royal Caribbean International's.

Starting 1990, Royal Caribbean International has added new ships to its fleet on a yearly basis; Royal Caribbean International currently has 21 operational ships in service. Royal Caribbean International is currently one of the largest cruise line operators in the world and is also the leading provider of cruise liner based holiday packages to Caribbean destinations. Known for their innovation, Royal Caribbean International has purchased two coastal properties; one in Haiti and one in Bahamas both can be accessed only by guests on board a Royal Caribbean International cruise liner.

Royal Caribbean International was listed on the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) in 1993 and by 1995 Royal Caribbean International had established its US headquarters in Miami, Florida. The Song of Norway was sold and replaced by Rhapsody of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas in 1997. The company merged with the Greek cruise line Celebrity Cruises, and changed its name from "Royal Caribbean Cruise Line" to "Royal Caribbean International". After the merger, Royal Caribbean International rapidly expanded and has added 12 ships in 8 years starting 1997. The latest addition to Royal Caribbean International's fleet is Liberty of the Seas an 18 deck ship with a passenger capacity of 3,634.. At over 154,000 gross tons, Liberty of the Seas is the largest cruise ship and passenger vessels ever built.

Royal Caribbean International operates cruise liners to various destinations all over the world. Each Royal Caribbean ship includes a top-of-ship lounge called the Viking Crown Lounge. In addition each ship offers sweeping panoramic views, onboard rock climbing walls, bars, lounges, spas, gyms, a main dining room and alternative dining venues. Some of the destinations covered by Royal Caribbean International's cruise ships are Panama, Hawaii, Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Europe, the Caribbean, South America and popular destinations in Asia.

Interesting Facts about Royal Caribbean International

? The name of every operational Royal Caribbean International ship ends in ?of the seas?.

? Royal Caribbean International owns Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas; both are the largest cruise liners in the world.

? Royal Caribbean International was the first company to ?stretch? a ship, and has stretched 3 ships (Enchantment of the Seas, Song of Norway and Nordic Prince)

? Royal Caribbean International ships are divided into Freedom Class, Voyager Class, Radiance Class, Vision Class and Sovereign Class. The Empress of the Seas is the only ship that does not belong to any class. The next line of ships will belong to the Genesis Class.

? Royal Caribbean International's privately owned resorts are called Labadee and Coco Cay.