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Royal Caribbean to base Genesis Ships at Port Everglades

Royal Caribbean International said it would homeport two new 220,000-ton "Project Genesis" ships in Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Broward County said the port is poised to become the world's top cruise port within five years. The agreement between Royal Caribbean and Broward County is expected to be finalized by the cruise line company's board of directors and the Broward County Commission on or before Dec. 19.

The 5,400-passenger Genesis ships will be the largest cruise ships ever constructed. The first of the ships is scheduled to begin sailing year-round from Port Everglades in fall 2009, with the second sister ship to begin sailing one year later. Each Genesis ship, being constructed at Aker Yards in Turku, Finland, is projected to generate approximately 584,000 in passenger traffic annually at Port Everglades. "We look forward to growing our outstanding relationship with Port Everglades," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

As part of the agreement, Royal Caribbean will reimburse up to $37.4 million for the expansion and related infrastructure needs of Terminal 18, which is already one of the largest cruise passenger terminals worldwide. Along with sister brands Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises, Royal Caribbean will generate approximately 17 million in passenger volume (embarking and disembarking) at Port Everglades during the first 10-year term of the contract.

"Now we can expect an average of 3.6 times more Royal Caribbean passengers, which is phenomenal," said Port Everglades Director Phillip Allen. An economic impact study conducted by Martin and Associates as part of the Port Everglades Master/Vision Plan, projects that homeporting the Genesis ships at Port Everglades will create more than 3,844 jobs, generate $172 million in personal income and $15.9 million state and local taxes. In addition, the analysis anticipates that more than 858 new construction jobs will be created during the Terminal 18 expansion.

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed another industry first to debut on its next generation of Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, which will include an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea -- The Epic Plunge. The line also unveiled seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with highlights including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first ever repelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic activities; as well as three separate kids’ and teen activity areas and the first squash court at sea. In addition, Norwegian revealed the next generation of Freestyle Dining with 14 restaurant choices – the most at sea – and 18 bars and lounges.

Norwegian’s First Aqua Park
Norwegian Epic, set for delivery in late May 2010, takes Freestyle Family Fun to the extreme with an expansive Aqua Park that includes three water slides of varying thrill factors, including one specifically designed for children that zips straight through the rock climbing wall; a more adventurous slide twisting and turning down three stories; and The Epic Plunge, the only tube slide at sea that puts the blast of inner-tubing into the core of a bowl slide with a thrilling drop through a 200-foot long tube. Riders are then launched into the vortex of The Epic Plunge where centrifugal forces keep them high on the wall for several turns, ending in an exciting transition into a splashdown lane. The Aqua Park also includes two main pools with arching water effects which illuminate at night; five whirlpools; a wading pool and a kid’s pool in the children’s Splash and Play Zone which features whimsical sculptures, water sprays and effects, along with a kiddy slide.

Scaling New Heights in Freestyle Fun
In an industry first, Norwegian Epic will scale new heights with the first ever repelling wall at sea and a 33-foot high extreme rock climbing wall, accessible on two levels with varying degrees of difficulty, rated according to official U.S. climbing grades. Expanding its innovative concept of bowling at sea, Norwegian Epic will offer the most bowling lanes with a total of six located in two venues: Bliss Ultra Lounge and O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill. The multi-use sports deck will include a full size basketball court, volleyball, soccer, dodge ball, batting cage, bungee trampoline, rope adventure course and a 24-foot tall enclosed climbing cage called the spider web. Norwegian Epic will also feature the first squash court at sea, located in the fitness center.

Our Largest Kid’s Crew Facility and Exclusive Teen Lounge
Recess is Norwegian Epic’s Kid’s Crew facility that is centrally located on Deck 14 adjacent and easily accessible to the family-friendly staterooms. Two separate areas are specifically designed for kids ages two through nine and tweens, ages 10 through 12. The Kid’s area includes a space-themed play area, air hockey table, an interactive light up dance floor; WiiTM gaming areas; an arts and crafts area; along with a state-of-the-art surround sound cinema. The Tween Zone has a futuristic feel that includes multiple WiiTM and PlayStation® areas; along with a private karaoke performance stage which doubles as a cinema. Entourage is Norwegian Epic’s high energy, exclusive teen zone for ages 13 through 17, located at the top of the ship on Deck 16. This funky space includes air hockey; pinball; foosball; a video jukebox; and nine large flat screen televisions, five of which are located around a central video game console featuring PlayStation® 3. In the evening, Entourage transitions into a hip nightclub with a space for dancing or just hanging out on comfy couches. Directly below is the video arcade which features number of the most challenging and interactive video games.

The Most Dining Choices at Sea
Norwegian Epic’s wide range of dining choices will wow even the most discerning cruiser with 14 Freestyle Dining restaurants and 18 bars and lounges. Each restaurant features unique and sensational culinary delights from around the world.

2009 - New Ships

GRT - Gross Registered Tons

Celebrity Equinox - Summer 2009 - grt 118,000; capacity 2850. The 2nd ship in the Solstice-class.

Carnival Dream - October 2009; grt 130,000; capacity 3652. A complete new design for Carnival.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas - December 2009 - grt 225,000; capacity 5400. The first of Royal's "Project Genesis" vessels.

2010 - New Ships

Norwegian Epic - May 2010 - grt 150,000; capacity 4200.

Celebrity Eclipse - June 2010 - grt 122,000; capacity 2850.

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas -August 2010- grt 220,000; capacity 5400.

Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam - Fall 2010- grt 86,000; capacity 2104.

An Alternative Retirement Home

There will be no nursing home in my future! When I get old and feeble, I am going to get on a cruise ship. The average cost for a nursing hom eis $200 per day. I have checked on resrevations on a cruise ship and I can get a long-term discount and senior discount priceof $135 per day. That' leaves $65 a day for:

Gratuities, which will only be $10 per day.
I will have as many as 10 meals a day if I can waddle to the restaurant, or I can have room sercie (which means I can have breakfast in bed every day of the week).
Cruise ships have as many as 3 swimming pools, a workout room, free washers and dryers, and shows every night.
They have free soap and shampoo.
They will even treat you like a customer, not a patient. An extra $5 worth of tips will have the enitre staff scrambling to help you.
I will get to meet new people every 7 or 14 days.
T.V. broken? Light bulb need changing? Need to have the mattress replaced? No problem! They will fix everything and apologize for your inconvenience.
Clean sheets and towels every day and you don't even have to ask for them.
If you fall in the nursing home and break a hip you are on Medicare. I you fall and break a hip on the cruise ship they will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life!!!

Now hold on for the best! Do you want to watch TV in your nursing home or do yu want to see South America, the Panama Canal, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand and Asia? You name where you want to go and a cruise ship will have a ship ready to go.

P.S. And don't forget, when you die, they just dump you over the side. No cost!!!