Royal Caribbean Group
RCL
#238
Rank
$94.71 B
Marketcap
$347.30
Share price
-0.21%
Change (1 day)
33.83%
Change (1 year)
Royal Caribbean Group Ltd. (until July 2020 Royal Caribbean Cruises) is a cruise company with headquarters in Monrovia and operational headquarters in Miami.

Royal Caribbean Group - 20-F annual report


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(MARK ONE)
[ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR (G) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
</TABLE>

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 1-11884

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

1050 CARIBBEAN WAY, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33132
(Address of principal executive offices)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TITLE OF EACH CLASS NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
------------------- -----------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share New York Stock Exchange
$3.625 Series A Convertible Preferred Stock New York Stock Exchange
par value $.01 per share
</TABLE>

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Act: None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section
15(d) of the Act: None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes
of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual
report: As of December 31, 1998, the Registrant had outstanding 168,945,222
shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has
elected to follow:

Item 17 [ ] Item 18 [X]
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

INDEX TO REPORT ON FORM 20-F

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C> <C>
PART I.
Item 1. Description of Business..................................... 1
Item 2. Description of Property..................................... 12
Item 3. Legal Proceedings........................................... 13
Item 4. Control of Registrant....................................... 14
Item 5. Nature of Trading Market.................................... 16
Item 6. Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security
Holders..................................................... 17
Item 7. Taxation.................................................... 17
Item 8. Selected Financial Data..................................... 17
Item 9. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations................................... 17
Item 9A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk........................................................ 24
Item 10. Directors and Officers of the Registrant.................... 25
Item 11. Compensation of Directors and Officers...................... 27
Item 12. Options to Purchase Securities From Registrant or
Subsidiaries................................................ 28
Item 13. Interest of Management in Certain Transactions.............. 29

PART II.
Item 14. Description of Securities to be Registered.................. 29

PART III.
Item 15. Defaults Upon Senior Securities............................. 29
Item 16. Changes in Securities and Changes in Security for Registered
Securities.................................................. 29

PART IV.
Item 17. Financial Statements........................................ 30
Item 18. Financial Statements........................................ 30
Item 19. Financial Statements and Exhibits........................... 30
SIGNATURES............................................................. 31
</TABLE>
3

PART I

ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

GENERAL

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., a Liberian corporation, including its
subsidiaries (the "Company"), is the world's second largest cruise company with
16 cruise ships and a total of 29,800 berths. The Company offers more than 110
different itineraries that call on more than 175 destinations on six continents.

The Company operates two brands, the Royal Caribbean International brand
("Royal Caribbean International") and the Celebrity Cruises brand ("Celebrity
Cruises"). The Company acquired Celebrity Cruise Lines Inc. ("Celebrity") in
July 1997.

The Royal Caribbean International Brand

Royal Caribbean International serves the volume cruise vacation market
which it categorizes as the contemporary and premium segments. The brand
operates 11 cruise ships with an aggregate of 21,600 berths, offering more than
60 different cruise itineraries, that range from three to 21 nights and call on
more than 140 destinations on six continents.

Royal Caribbean International's strategy is to attract a broad array of
vacationing consumers in the contemporary segment of the volume market by
providing a wide variety of itineraries, varying cruise lengths and multiple
options for dining and entertainment aboard its vessels. The Company believes
that the variety and quality of Royal Caribbean International's product offering
represent excellent value to consumers, especially to couples and families
traveling with children. While the brand is positioned at the upper end of the
contemporary segment, the Company believes that Royal Caribbean International's
quality enables it to attract consumers from the premium segment as well,
thereby achieving the broadest market coverage of any of the major brands in the
cruise industry.

The Celebrity Cruises Brand

Celebrity Cruises primarily serves the premium segment of the cruise
vacation market. Celebrity Cruises operates five cruise ships with an aggregate
of 8,200 berths. Celebrity Cruises offers more than 40 different itineraries,
that range from five to 19 nights, reaching over 80 destinations in Alaska,
Bermuda, the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, and the Panama Canal.

Celebrity Cruises' strategy is to attract consumers who want an enhanced
cruise vacation in terms of modern vessels, fine dining and service, large
staterooms, a high staff to guest ratio, excellent spas and high technology.
These are hallmarks of the premium cruise vacation market, which is Celebrity
Cruises' primary target. One of Celebrity Cruises' principal objectives is to
offer a premium cruise experience. As such, it also attracts consumers from the
contemporary and luxury cruise categories.

Both brands offer a wide array of shipboard activities, services and
amenities including swimming pools, sun decks, beauty salons, exercise and
massage facilities, gaming facilities, lounges, bars, show-time entertainment,
retail shopping and cinemas. Although many of the shipboard activities are
included in the base price of the cruise, revenues are also realized from gaming
facilities, the sale of alcoholic and other beverages, retail sales and shore
excursions.

INDUSTRY

Since 1970, cruising has been one of the fastest growing sectors of the
vacation market, as the number of North American guests has grown to an
estimated 5.4 million in 1998 from 0.5 million in 1970, a compound annual growth
rate of approximately 9%, according to Cruise Lines International Association
("CLIA"). The Company has capitalized on the increasing popularity of cruises
through an extensive fleet expansion program. The Company's revenues have
increased at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 18% between

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1988 and 1998. The Company's market share of North American guests carried in
1998 is estimated to have been approximately 33.9%.

The following table sets forth data regarding industry and Company growth
over the past five years based on guests carried for at least three consecutive
nights:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GUESTS
CARRIED ON NORTH
THE AMERICAN
COMPANY'S CRUISE COMPANY
YEAR SHIPS(2) GUESTS(1) PERCENTAGE
---- ---------- ------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1994.................................. 1,051,868 4,448,000 23.6%
1995.................................. 1,058,126 4,378,000 24.2
1996.................................. 1,245,696 4,659,000 26.7
1997.................................. 1,633,457 5,051,000 32.3
1998.................................. 1,841,152 5,428,000 33.9
</TABLE>

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(1) Source: CLIA
(2) 1994 -- 1997 are proforma to include Celebrity Cruises

According to CLIA and other trade publications, the North American market
was served by an estimated 130 cruise ships with an aggregate capacity of
approximately 102,000 berths at the end of 1993. The number of berths in the
industry is estimated to have increased to approximately 128,000 berths on 122
ships by the end of 1998. There are a number of cruise ships on order with a
total estimated capacity of 64,000 berths which will be placed in service
between 1999 and 2004. Over the last five years, approximately 48 ships with an
aggregate capacity of approximately 28,900 berths have either been retired or
moved out of the North American market. Although the Company cannot predict the
rate at which future retirements will occur, the Company believes ship
retirements will continue due to competitive pressures and age of vessels.

During 1998, the Company's weighted average berth capacity increased 9.8%
(on a proforma basis to include Celebrity Cruises as of January 1, 1997) versus
the industry average of 8.7%. The following table sets forth data regarding the
supply of berths marketed in North America:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
SUPPLY OF BERTHS
MARKETED IN PERCENTAGE
YEAR NORTH AMERICA(1) CHANGE
- ---- ---------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
1994........................................................ 102,130 4.7%
1995........................................................ 103,313 1.2
1996........................................................ 105,586 2.2
1997........................................................ 109,257 3.5
1998........................................................ 118,747 8.7
</TABLE>

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(1) Source: CLIA, other trade publications and Company estimates

Cruise lines compete for consumers' disposable leisure time dollars with
other vacation alternatives such as land-based resort hotels and sightseeing
destinations, and public demand for such activities is influenced by general
economic conditions. The Company believes that cruise guests currently represent
only a small share of the vacation market and that a significant portion of
cruise guests carried are "first-time cruisers."

The Company operates principally in Alaska, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the
Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, the Panama Canal and Scandinavia.
Competition for guests in all of these geographic areas is vigorous. In most of
these areas, the Company competes with cruise ships owned by other international
operators. The Company competes with a number of cruise lines; however, the
Company's principal competitors are Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line,
Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. The Company competes principally on
the basis of quality of service, variety of itineraries and price.

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OPERATING STRATEGIES

The Company's principal operating strategies are the following: (i) build
the awareness and market penetration of the brands; (ii) continue to expand its
fleet with state-of-the-art cruise ships; (iii) broaden its itineraries
worldwide; (iv) maintain its competitive position with respect to the quality
and innovation of its on-board product; (v) maintain strong relationships with
travel agencies, the principal industry distribution system; (vi) further expand
international passenger sourcing; (vii) utilize sophisticated yield management
systems (revenue optimization per berth); and (viii) further improve its
technological capabilities.

Brand Awareness

The Company's strategy is to continue to broaden the recognition of both
the Royal Caribbean International brand and the Celebrity Cruises brand in the
cruise vacation marketplace. Each brand has a distinct identity and marketing
focus but utilizes shared infrastructure resources.

Royal Caribbean International has positioned itself in the contemporary and
premium segments of the cruise vacation market and focuses on providing multiple
choices to its guests through a variety of itineraries, accommodations, dining,
ship activities and shore excursions. Hallmarks of the brand include friendly
service, family programs, entertainment, health and fitness and activities for
various age groups.

Celebrity Cruises primarily serves the premium segment of the cruise
vacation market. The brand is recognized for its fine dining, impeccable
service, large staterooms, a high staff to guest ratio and excellent spa
facilities. In 1998 and 1999 Berlitz rated Celebrity Cruises the highest rated
premium cruise line in the large vessel category (over 1,000 passenger berths).

Fleet Expansion

Royal Caribbean International

Founded in 1968, Royal Caribbean International was the first cruise line to
design ships specially for warm water year round cruising. Royal Caribbean
International operated a modern fleet in the 1970's and early 1980's,
establishing a reputation for high quality. Between 1988 and 1992, the brand
tripled its capacity by embarking on its first major capital expansion program.
Royal Caribbean International committed to its second capital expansion program
with orders for six Vision-class vessels, ranging in size from 1,800 to 2,000
berths, for delivery from 1995 through 1998. With the delivery of the
Vision-class vessels, Royal Caribbean International's capacity increased by
61.7% to 23,000 berths at the end of 1998. Each Vision-class ship features a
seven-deck atrium with glass elevators, skylights and glass walls; a pool and
entertainment complex covered by a moveable glass roof; hundreds of cabins with
verandahs; a two-deck main dining room; a state-of-the-art show theater; a
glass-encased indoor/outdoor cafe; and a shopping mall. The ships are designed
to be faster than most cruise ships which permits more flexibility in itinerary
planning.

Royal Caribbean International currently has three Eagle-class vessels on
order for delivery in the fourth quarter of 1999, third quarter of 2000 and
second quarter of 2002. The Eagle-class vessels will be the largest passenger
cruise ships built to date; 142,000 tons with 3,100 berths. This new generation
of vessels will be designed to provide more diverse vacation options for
families and those seeking active sports and entertainment alternatives. Each
Eagle-class ship features the cruise industry's first horizontal atrium which is
the length of two football fields, four decks high and includes two eleven-deck
atriums; recreational activities such as rock climbing and ice skating; enhanced
staterooms; expanded dining options; and a variety of intimate spaces.

Royal Caribbean International also has two Vantage-class vessels on order
scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2001 and second quarter of 2002.
The Vantage-class is a progression from the brand's Vision-class series and will
carry approximately 2,100 guests.

Beginning in 1999 through 2002, Royal Caribbean International's capacity is
expected to increase 52.6% to 35,100 berths.

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CELEBRITY CRUISES

Celebrity Cruises was founded in 1990 and operated three ships between 1992
and 1995. Between 1995 and 1997, Celebrity Cruises undertook its first capital
expansion program, adding three Century-class vessels which range in size from
1,750 to 1,850 berths. Celebrity Cruises has on order four Millennium-class
vessels which will have approximately 2,000 berths and are scheduled for
delivery in the second quarter 2000, first quarter 2001, third quarter 2001 and
second quarter 2002. The Millennium-class ships are a progression from the
Century-class vessels, which have been widely accepted in the premium segment of
the marketplace. This new class of vessels will build on the brands' primary
strengths, including fine dining, large cabins, extensive spa facilities and
impeccable service.

Beginning in 2000 through 2002, Celebrity Cruises' capacity is expected to
increase 97.7% to 16,200 berths.

At year-end 1998, the Company's combined fleet had an average age of
approximately five years, which the Company believes is the youngest of any
major cruise company. On a combined basis, beginning in 1999 through 2002, the
Company's year-end berth capacity is expected to increase 64.4% from 31,200 to
51,300 berths.

The Company's increased average ship size and number of available berths
have enabled it to achieve certain economies of scale. Larger ships allow the
Company to transport more guests than smaller ships without a corresponding
increase in certain operating expenses. This increase in fleet size also
provides a larger revenue base to absorb its marketing, selling and
administrative expenses.

Worldwide Itineraries

The Company's 1999 itineraries include more than 110 different itineraries
that call on more than 175 destinations on six continents. New ships allow the
Company to expand into new destinations, itineraries and markets. In 1999, Royal
Caribbean International will be offering the "Royal Journeys" program which
offers 10 global cruise itineraries visiting 41 ports in 19 countries on four
continents. Celebrity Cruises is repositioning a vessel to the European market.
In addition, the Company is increasing its capacity in the short cruise market
in 2000 by establishing a Royal Caribbean International vessel year round in
Port Canaveral to provide 3 and 4 day Bahamas cruises.

Product Innovation

The Company recognizes the need for new and innovative on-board products
and experiences for guests, and develops these products based on guest feedback,
crew suggestions and competitive product reviews. Accordingly, the Company
continues to invest in design innovations on new ships and additional product
offerings on its existing fleet. New offerings such as expanded dining options,
and recreational activities such as rock climbing and ice skating are among the
services to be offered in the future.

Travel Agency Support

Because essentially all the bookings for the Company's ships are made by
independent travel agencies, the Company is committed to supporting the travel
agency community. The Company maintains a large sales support organization
including 100 district sales managers supporting both brands in North America.
The Company was the first cruise company to develop an automated booking system,
CruiseMatch 2000(TM). This automated reservations system allows travel agents
direct access to the Company's computer reservation system to improve ease of
bookings. More than 30,000 independent travel agencies worldwide can book
cruises for both brands using CruiseMatch 2000(TM). The Company also offers
CruiseMatch 2000 Online(R) which makes CruiseMatch 2000(TM) accessible to travel
agencies through the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises
websites. In 1998, the Company launched CruiseWriter(sm), an instant collateral
system that allows travel agents to customize collateral materials for their
clients. In 1997, the Company also opened a reservation call center in Wichita,
Kansas to offer greater flexibility and extended hours of operations.

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International Guests

International guests continue to provide an increasing share of the
Company's growth. International guests have grown from approximately 7% of total
guests in 1991 to approximately 16% of total guests in 1998. One of the
Company's strategies is to use fleet deployment and expanded itineraries to
increase its passenger sourcing outside North America. During 1998, the Company
hired a senior vice president of international sales and marketing to further
develop and expand its international sales capability. The Company carries out
its international sales effort through sales offices located in London,
Frankfurt, Oslo, Genoa and Paris, and a network of 38 independent international
representatives located throughout the world. The Company is also able to accept
bookings in various currencies.

Yield Management

The Company continues to develop more sophisticated pricing and yield
management programs to maximize its occupancy and revenue by projecting the
demand for its cruises in various passenger markets and, based on certain
variables, directing its marketing efforts toward such markets. In addition to
projecting demand, these programs will continue to enable the Company to react
quickly to changes in market conditions.

Technological Development

The Company's computer system, known as Enterprise 2000, is used by both
brands and provides the foundation for: (i) a sophisticated reservation system;
(ii) sales tools to be used by the Company's combined field sales force; and
(iii) productivity tools for travel agents. The Company has developed a
corporate shoreside intranet as well as electronic ship to shore communication
tools to improve its internal productivity. Both Royal Caribbean International
and Celebrity Cruises have extensive websites, providing access to millions of
Internet users throughout the world.

SALES, MARKETING AND PASSENGER SERVICES

The Company sells its cruise vacations almost exclusively through
approximately 30,000 independent travel agencies worldwide. The Company
maintains a large sales support organization including 100 district sales
managers supporting both brands in North America. The Company also utilizes a
telemarketing program in the United States and Canada called CruiseConnect to
contact smaller travel agencies to inform them of new products and promotions.
The Company believes that maintaining personal contact with travel agency
owners, managers and front-line retail agents is crucial to retaining travel
agency loyalty. The Company augments this type of contact with an extensive
program of seminars designed to familiarize travel agents with the cruise
industry and the marketing of cruises.

Royal Caribbean International pursues a comprehensive marketing program
with an emphasis on consumer advertising using the tag line, "Like no vacation
on earth(sm)." Through its advertising, Royal Caribbean International positions
itself as a provider of high quality, all-inclusive, cruise vacations offering a
variety of destinations and, in the Company's opinion, considerable value. Royal
Caribbean International attempts to convey the message that the style and level
of service of its shipboard cruise experience, together with the destinations
visited by its ships, is an attractive alternative to land-based vacations.

Celebrity Cruises also pursues a comprehensive marketing program with an
emphasis on consumer advertising using the tag line, "Exceeding
expectations(sm)". An advertising campaign utilizing national television,
magazines and newspapers features commercials with the theme, "Simply the Best".
The Company believes that Celebrity Cruises represents enhanced value to the
premium segment based on elements such as its dining experience, staff to guest
ratio, cabin size, artwork, technology, AquaSpa(sm) packages and its modern
fleet of ships, all of which have been built in the 1990's.

The Company offers to handle travel aspects related to passenger
reservations and transportation. Arranging passenger air transportation is one
of the Company's important areas of operation. The Company

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maintains a comprehensive relationship with many of the major airlines ranging
from fare negotiation and space handling to baggage transfer.

OPERATIONS

Cruise Ships and Itineraries

The Company operates 16 ships under two brands and offers more than 110
different itineraries ranging from three to 21 nights that call on more than 175
destinations on six continents. The following table represents summary
information concerning the Company's ships and their areas of operation based on
1999 itineraries (subject to change):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR VESSEL PASSENGER
ENTERED SERVICE CAPACITY(1) PRIMARY AREAS OF OPERATION
--------------- ----------- ----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL:
Voyager of the Seas(2)............. 1999 3,100 Western Caribbean
Vision of the Seas................. 1998 2,000 Panama Canal, Hawaii, Alaska
Enchantment of the Seas............ 1997 1,950 Eastern & Western Caribbean
Rhapsody of the Seas............... 1997 2,000 Alaska, Southern Caribbean,
Mexico, Panama Canal, Hawaii
Grandeur of the Seas............... 1996 1,950 Eastern Caribbean
Splendour of the Seas.............. 1996 1,800 Europe, Caribbean,
Canada/New England
Legend of the Seas................. 1995 1,800 Europe, Hawaii, Panama
Canal, Mexico, Royal
Journeys
Majesty of the Seas................ 1992 2,350 Western & Southern Caribbean
Monarch of the Seas................ 1991 2,350 Southern Caribbean
Viking Serenade(3)................. 1982/1991 1,500 Mexican Baja
Nordic Empress..................... 1990 1,600 Southern Caribbean, Bermuda
Sovereign of the Seas.............. 1988 2,250 Bahamas

CELEBRITY CRUISES:
Mercury............................ 1997 1,850 Western Caribbean, Alaska,
Panama Canal
Galaxy............................. 1996 1,850 Southern Caribbean, Alaska
Century............................ 1995 1,750 Eastern & Western Caribbean,
Europe
Zenith............................. 1992 1,350 Panama Canal, Bermuda
Horizon............................ 1990 1,350 Southern Caribbean, Bermuda
</TABLE>

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(1) Based on double occupancy per cabin.
(2) Voyager of the Seas is expected to enter service in November 1999.
(3) Indicates year placed in service and year redeployed after conversion to
expand capacity.

At year-end 1998, the combined fleets of Royal Caribbean International and
Celebrity Cruises had an average age of approximately five years, which the
Company believes is the youngest of any major cruise company.

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New Vessels

The Company has nine ships on order. The planned passenger capacity and
expected delivery dates of the ships on order are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPECTED PASSENGER
VESSEL DELIVERY DATES CAPACITY(1)
- ------ ----------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL:
Eagle-class
Voyager of the Seas(2)................................. 4th Quarter 1999 3,100
Explorer of the Seas................................... 3rd Quarter 2000 3,100
Adventure of the Seas.................................. 2nd Quarter 2002 3,100
Vantage-class
Radiance of the Seas................................... 1st Quarter 2001 2,100
Brilliance of the Seas................................. 2nd Quarter 2002 2,100
CELEBRITY CRUISES:
Millennium-class
Millennium............................................. 2nd Quarter 2000 2,000
Unnamed................................................ 1st Quarter 2001 2,000
Unnamed................................................ 3rd Quarter 2001 2,000
Unnamed................................................ 2nd Quarter 2002 2,000
</TABLE>

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(1) Based on double occupancy per cabin.
(2) Included in table on prior page -- Cruise Ships and Itineraries.

The Eagle-class vessels are being built in Turku, Finland by Kvaerner-Masa
Yards which built two of the Royal Caribbean International ships. The
Vantage-class vessels are being built in Papenburg, Germany by Meyer Werft, the
same shipyard which built all of the Celebrity Cruises vessels. The
Millennium-class vessels are being built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in St.
Nazaire, France, the same shipyard which built seven of the Royal Caribbean
International ships. The aggregate contract price of the nine ships, which
excludes capitalized interest and other ancillary costs, is approximately $3.6
billion.

Shipboard Activities and Shipboard Revenues

Both brands offer modern fleets with a wide array of shipboard activities,
services and amenities including swimming pools, sun decks, spa facilities which
include massage and exercise facilities, beauty salons, gaming facilities (which
operate while the ships are at sea), lounges, bars, Las Vegas-style
entertainment, retail shopping, libraries, cinemas, conference centers and shore
excursions at each port of call. While many shipboard activities are included in
the base price of a cruise, additional revenues are realized from gaming, the
sale of alcoholic and other beverages, the sale of gift shop items, shore
excursions, photography and spa services.

Private Destinations

Royal Caribbean International operates two private destinations: (i)
CocoCay, an island owned by the Company and known as Little Stirrup Cay located
in the Bahamas; and (ii) Labadee, a secluded peninsula leased by the Company and
located on the north coast of Haiti. The facilities at CocoCay and Labadee
include, among others, a variety of watersports activities, refreshment bars,
artisan markets and picnic facilities.

Seasonality

The Company's revenues are moderately seasonal, due to variations in rates
and occupancy percentages. See Note 14 to the Annual Consolidated Financial
Statements.

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Guests and Capacity

The following table sets forth the aggregate number of guests carried and
the number of guests expressed as a percentage of total capacity for the
Company's ships:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEARS
-------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Number of Guests....................................... 1,841,152 1,465,450 973,602
Percentage of Total Capacity........................... 105.2% 104.2% 101.3%
</TABLE>

In accordance with cruise industry practice, total capacity is determined
based on double occupancy per cabin even though some cabins accommodate three or
four guests; accordingly, a percentage in excess of 100% indicates that more
than two guests occupied some cabins.

Cruise Pricing

The Company's cruise prices include a wide variety of activities and
amenities, including all meals and entertainment. Prices vary depending on the
destination, cruise length, cabin category selected and the time of year the
voyage takes place. Additionally, the Company offers "Air add-ons" for guests
that elect to utilize the Company's Air/Sea Program. Air add-ons vary by gateway
and destination and are available from cities in the United States, Canada and
Europe. Furthermore, the Company sells trip cancellation insurance which
provides guests with insurance coverage for trip cancellation, medical
protection and baggage protection.

SUPPLIERS

The Company's largest purchases are for airfare, food and related items,
advertising, diesel fuel, hotel supplies and products related to passenger
accommodations. Most of the supplies required by the Company are available from
numerous sources at competitive prices. The Company's largest operating cost is
air transportation for its guests. None of the Company's suppliers provided
goods or services representing in excess of 10% of the Company's revenues in
1998.

INSURANCE

The Company maintains an aggregate of approximately $6.3 billion of
insurance on the hull and machinery of its ships, which includes additional
coverage for disbursements, earnings and increased value, which are maintained
in amounts related to the value of each vessel. The coverage for each of the
hull policies is maintained with syndicates of insurance underwriters from the
British, Scandinavian, United States and other international insurance markets.

Liability coverage for shipowners, commonly referred to as protection and
indemnity insurance, is available through a worldwide network of mutual
insurance associations. Each of these associations participates in and is
subject to rules issued by the International Group of Protection and Indemnity
Associations. The Company maintains protection and indemnity insurance on each
of its ships through either Assuranceforeningen GARD or the United Kingdom
Mutual Steam Ship Assurance Association (Bermuda Limited).

The Company maintains war risk insurance on each vessel through a Norwegian
war risk insurance organization in an amount equal to the total insured hull
value. This coverage includes physical damage to the vessel and protection and
indemnity risks for which coverage would be excluded by reason of war exclusion
clauses in the hull policies or rules of the indemnity insurance organization.

The Company also maintains a form of business interruption insurance with
its insurance underwriters in the event that a vessel is unable to operate
during scheduled cruise periods due to loss or damage to the vessel arising from
certain covered events which last more than a specified period of time.
Insurance coverage is also maintained for certain events which would result in a
delayed delivery of the Company's contracted new vessels, which it normally
places starting approximately two years prior to the scheduled delivery dates.

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11

Insurance coverage for shoreside property, shipboard consumables and
inventory and general liability risks are maintained with insurance underwriters
in the United States and the United Kingdom. The Company has decided not to
carry business interruption insurance for its shoreside operations based on its
evaluation of the risks involved and the Company's protective measures already
in place, as compared to the premium expense.

All insurance coverage is subject to certain limitations, exclusions and
deductible levels. In addition, in certain circumstances, the Company co-insures
a portion of these risks. Premiums charged by insurance carriers, including
carriers in the maritime insurance industry, increase or decrease from time to
time and tend to be cyclical in nature. The Company historically has been able
to obtain insurance coverage in amounts and at premiums it has deemed
commercially acceptable. The Company believes that, based on its historical
experience, it will continue to be able to do so.

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 1998, the Company and its subsidiaries employed
approximately 2,300 full-time and 400 part-time employees in shoreside
operations worldwide. The Company and its subsidiaries also employ approximately
18,300 crew and staff for its vessels. As of December 31, 1998, approximately
70% of the Company's shipboard employees are covered by collective bargaining
agreements. The Company believes that its relationship with its employees is
good.

TRADEMARKS

The Company owns a number of registered trademarks relating to, among other
things, the name ROYAL CARIBBEAN, its crown and anchor logo, the name CELEBRITY,
its "X" logo and the names of the Company's cruise ships. The Company believes
such trademarks are widely recognized throughout the world and have considerable
value.

REGULATION

All of the Company's ships are registered in Norway or Liberia except for
Mercury which is registered in Panama. Each ship is subject to regulations
issued by its country of registry, including regulations issued pursuant to
international treaties governing the safety of the ship and its guests. Each
country of registry conducts periodic inspections to verify compliance with
these regulations. In addition, ships operating out of United States ports are
subject to inspection by the United States Coast Guard for compliance with
international treaties and by the United States Public Health Service for
sanitary conditions.

The Company's ships are required to comply with international safety
standards defined in the Safety of Life at Sea Convention ("SOLAS"). The SOLAS
standards are revised from time to time, and the most recent modifications are
being phased in through the year 2010. The Company does not anticipate that it
will be required to make any material expenditures in order to comply with these
rules.

In 1993 SOLAS was amended to adopt the International Safety Management Code
(the "ISM Code"). The ISM Code provides an international standard for the safe
management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention. The ISM Code
became mandatory for passenger vessel operators such as the Company on July 1,
1998.

The Company is also subject to various United States and international laws
and regulations relating to environmental protection. Under such laws and
regulations, the Company is prohibited from, among other things, discharging
certain materials, such as petrochemicals and plastics, into the waterways. See
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

The Company is required to obtain certificates from the United States
Federal Maritime Commission ("FMC") relating to its ability to meet liability in
cases of nonperformance of obligations to guests and casualty or personal
injury. Under the FMC's current regulations, the Company is required to provide
a $15 million bond for each of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity
Cruises, as a condition to obtaining the required certificates. The FMC has
proposed a revision to its regulations that would require the Company to



9
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significantly increase the amount of this bond based on the level of its
customer deposits. The Company has indicated to the FMC that it supports an
increase in the bond amount and does not expect any revisions to the FMC
regulations to have a material effect on the Company.

The Company is required to obtain certificates from the United States Coast
Guard relating to its ability to meet liability in cases of water pollution.
Under the United States Coast Guard's current regulations, Royal Caribbean
International and Celebrity Cruises are required to provide guarantees of
approximately $71 million and $70 million, respectively, as a condition to
obtaining the required certificates.

The Company believes it is in material compliance with all regulations
applicable to its ships and has all licenses necessary to the conduct of its
business. From time to time various other regulatory and legislative changes
have been or may in the future be proposed that could have an effect on the
cruise industry in general.

TAXATION OF THE COMPANY

The following discussion of the application to the Company and its
subsidiaries of the United States federal income tax laws is based on the
current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the
"Code"), proposed, temporary and final Treasury Department regulations,
administrative rulings and court decisions. All of the foregoing are subject to
change, and any change thereto could affect the accuracy of this discussion.

Application of Section 883 of the Code

The Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Celebrity Cruises Inc.
("CCI"), are foreign corporations that are engaged in a trade or business in the
United States, and the Company's vessel-owning subsidiaries are foreign
corporations that, in many cases, depending upon the itineraries of their
vessels, receive income from sources within the United States. Under Section 883
of the Code, certain foreign corporations are not subject to United States
income or branch profits tax on United States source income derived from or
incidental to the international operation of a ship or ships, including income
from the leasing of such ships.

A foreign corporation will qualify for the benefits of Section 883 of the
Code if in relevant part (i) the foreign country in which the foreign
corporation is organized grants an equivalent exemption to corporations
organized in the United States and (ii) either more than 50% of the value of its
capital stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by individuals who are residents
of a foreign country that grants such an equivalent exemption to corporations
organized in the United States or the stock of the corporation (or the direct or
indirect corporate parent thereof) is "primarily and regularly traded on an
established securities market" in the United States.

Although no Treasury regulations have been promulgated that explain when
stock will be considered "primarily and regularly traded on an established
securities market" for purposes of Section 883, Treasury regulations have been
promulgated interpreting a similar phrase under Section 884 of the Code which,
like the phrase in Section 883, was enacted in the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Under
these regulations, stock of a corporation will be considered primarily and
regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States for
purposes of Section 884 in any taxable year if in relevant part the following
tests are met for one or more classes of stock, representing at least 80% of the
outstanding vote and value of stock of the corporation: (i) the class of stock
is regularly quoted by brokers or dealers making a market in the stock and (ii)
50% or more of the outstanding shares of stock of the class are not owned
(within the meaning of the applicable regulation) for more than 30 days during
the relevant taxable year by persons who each own 5% or more of the value of the
outstanding shares of stock of the class and (a) are not "qualifying
shareholders" for purposes of this provision of Section 884 or (b) fail to
provide to the Company the required proof of their qualifying status.

The Company, CCI and the Company's vessel-owning subsidiaries are organized
in countries that grant equivalent exemptions to corporations organized in the
United States, and to the Company's knowledge, more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of common stock are held (i) by persons who each own less than 5% of the
value of the outstanding shares of common stock or (ii) directly or indirectly
by individuals who are residents of countries that grant an equivalent exemption
to corporations organized in the United States. The common stock and the $3.625
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock ("Convertible Preferred Stock") are listed
on the

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NYSE; and the common stock represents more than 80% of the outstanding vote and
value of stock of the Company. Accordingly, in the opinion of Drinker Biddle &
Reath LLP, United States tax counsel to the Company, and based on the
representations and assumptions set forth therein, the Company, CCI and the
Company's vessel-owning subsidiaries currently qualify for the benefits of
Section 883 of the Code because the Company and each of its subsidiaries are
incorporated in a qualifying jurisdiction and the Company's common stock and
Convertible Preferred Stock are primarily and regularly traded on an established
securities market in the United States. In addition, the Company believes that
substantially all of its income, the income of CCI and the income of the
Company's vessel-owning subsidiaries is derived from or incidental to the
international operation of a ship or ships. Any United States source income of
the Company, CCI or the Company's vessel-owning subsidiaries that is not so
derived will be subject to United States taxation, but the Company believes that
such income is not a material portion of the Company's total income.

The Company does not know of any plan regarding (i) disposition of the
interests held by the Company's current ultimate individual shareholders or (ii)
any changes in the residency of the Company's current ultimate individual
shareholders, that would cause the loss of the availability of Section 883 of
the Code (or, in either case, any agreements with respect to any of the
foregoing). However, there is no agreement that would preclude the Company's
current direct or indirect shareholders from disposing of their interests in the
Company, or from changing their residence, and there can be no assurance that
such shareholders will not do so, nor is there any assurance that a person or
persons who are not qualifying shareholders for purposes of Section 883 will not
acquire sufficient beneficial ownership of the outstanding shares of common
stock (or, under certain circumstances, Convertible Preferred Stock) through
purchase on the NYSE or otherwise to preclude the availability of an exemption
under Section 883. Any change in the holdings of the current direct or indirect
shareholders of the Company or the residence of such shareholders (both as
determined for United States tax purposes), any acquisition of beneficial
ownership of 5% or more of the outstanding common stock by a nonqualifying
shareholder, or the issuance of shares of Company stock or any other change in
the capitalization of the Company could affect the continued availability of
Section 883 of the Code.

In addition, (i) future regulations promulgated under Section 883 might
adopt an interpretation of the phrase "primarily and regularly traded on an
established securities market" inconsistent with the approach adopted by the
regulations under Section 884 in which case the Company and its subsidiaries
could cease to be eligible for the benefits of Section 883 and (ii) even if an
approach consistent with the approach of the Section 884 regulations is adopted,
certain modifications or interpretations of such approach, which tax counsel
believes should reasonably be adopted, would be required in order for such
phrase to apply to the Company and its subsidiaries for purposes of Section 883.
Moreover, whether or not such regulations are promulgated, there is no assurance
that the Company's tax counsel's interpretation of such phrase will be accepted
by the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. Section 883 of the Code has been
the subject of legislative modifications in past years that have had the effect
of limiting its availability to certain taxpayers, and there can be no assurance
that future legislation or changes in the ownership of the Company will not
preclude the Company or its subsidiaries from obtaining the benefits of Section
883 of the Code.

Taxation in the Absence of an Exemption Under Section 883 of the Code

In the event that the Company, CCI or the Company's vessel-owning
subsidiaries were to fail to meet the requirements of Section 883 of the Code,
or if such provision were repealed, such companies would be subject to United
States income taxation on a portion of their income. Since the Company and CCI
conduct a trade or business in the United States, they would be taxable at
regular corporate rates on their separate company taxable income (i.e., without
regard to the income of the vessel-owning subsidiaries), from United States
sources, which includes 100% of their income, if any, from transportation which
begins and ends in the United States (not including possessions of the United
States), 50% of their income from transportation which either begins or ends in
the United States, and none of their income from transportation which neither
begins nor ends in the United States. The legislative history of the
transportation income source rules suggests that a cruise that begins and ends
in a United States port, but that calls on more than one foreign port, will
derive United States source income only from the first and last legs of such
cruise. Because there are no regulations

11
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or other Internal Revenue Service interpretations of these rules, the
applicability of the transportation income source rules in the aforesaid
favorable manner is not free from doubt. If the suggested application of these
rules is correct and if Section 883 of the Code did not apply to the Company,
the Company estimates, based on certain assumptions, that approximately 15% of
the Company's separate company taxable income in 1998 (as computed under United
States tax principles) would be subject to United States corporate income tax.
In addition, if any earnings and profits of the Company or CCI effectively
connected with its United States trade or business are withdrawn or are deemed
to have been withdrawn from its United States trade or business (by dividend
distribution, for example, or otherwise), such withdrawn amount would be subject
to a "branch profits" tax at the rate of 30%. The amount of such earnings and
profits would be equal to the aforesaid United States source income, with
certain generally minor adjustments, less income taxes. Finally, the Company and
CCI would also be potentially subject to tax on portions of certain interest
paid by them at rates of up to 30%.

If Section 883 of the Code were not available to a vessel-owning
subsidiary, such subsidiary would be subject to a special 4% tax on its United
States source gross transportation income, if any, each year because its income
is derived from the leasing of a vessel and because it does not have a fixed
place of business in the United States. Such United States source gross
transportation income may be determined under any reasonable method, including
ratios based upon (i) days traveling directly to or from United States ports to
total days; or (ii) the lessee's United States source gross income from the
vessel (as determined under the source rules discussed in the preceding
paragraph, and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth therein)
to the lessee's total gross income from the vessel. Under these rules, if
Section 883 of the Code did not apply to the vessel-owning subsidiaries, the
Company estimates based on certain assumptions that the 4% tax would apply to
approximately 15% of the gross income of the vessel-owning subsidiaries in 1998
(as computed under United States tax principles).

While the Company believes that the methods used to calculate the foregoing
estimates of United States source income are reasonable, the calculations are
based on an interpretation of applicable law that in many respects is not clear
due to the absence of controlling regulations. The Company's position as to
certain matters of law and its determination of the amount of income subject to
United States taxation could be challenged by the Internal Revenue Service and,
if so challenged, might not be upheld by a United States court. Furthermore,
there can be no assurance that the applicable law will not change or that
regulations or rulings will not take a different position. In addition, although
the Company does not currently intend to change its operations or the operations
of its subsidiaries, such a change, or changes in the amount, source or
character of the Company's or any subsidiary's income and expense, could affect
the amount of income that would be subject to United States tax in the event
Section 883 of the Code were not available to the Company, CCI and the Company's
vessel-owning subsidiaries.

ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY

For a description of the Company's cruise ships, see "Item 1. Description
of Business -- Operations -- Cruise Ships and Itineraries."

The Company leases three office buildings on the Port of Miami from Dade
County, Florida. Two of the buildings have initial terms of 20 years which began
in 1991 and 1995, respectively, and the third building has an initial term of 17
years which began in 1998. The Company also leases a building in Wichita, Kansas
which is used as an additional reservation center with an initial term of ten
years beginning in 1997. The Company leases space for its international sales
offices in London, Oslo, Frankfurt, Genoa and Paris.

Royal Caribbean International operates two private destinations, (i)
CocoCay, an island owned by the Company and known as Little Stirrup Cay located
in the Bahamas and (ii) Labadee, a secluded peninsula leased by the Company and
located on the north coast of Haiti.

The Company owns one building in San Juan, Puerto Rico and leases a second
building in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands for Royal Caribbean International's Crown
and Anchor Clubs. These facilities, which are exclusively for Royal Caribbean
International's guests, provide a rest stop where guests can check packages, get
refreshments or make phone calls.

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The Company believes that its facilities are adequate for its current
needs.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In June 1998, the Company entered into a plea agreement with the U.S.
Department of Justice settling previously filed charges contained in two
indictments pending in the U.S. District of Puerto Rico and the Southern
District of Florida, respectively. The indictments, which pertained to events
that occurred in 1994 and prior years, contained a total of 11 felony counts
related to improper disposal of oil-contaminated bilge water and attempts to
conceal such activities from the U.S. Coast Guard. Under the plea agreement, the
Company pled guilty to eight of the 11 counts and paid $9.0 million. The Company
was also placed on probation for up to five years and has implemented a Court
supervised Environmental Compliance Plan. The U.S. government is continuing its
investigation of the Company's bilge water and other waste disposal practices
through federal grand jury proceedings in Anchorage, Alaska, Los Angeles,
California, Miami, Florida and New York, New York. In February 1999, the Company
was indicted by the grand jury in Los Angeles on charges that it presented false
oil record books for one of its vessels to the U.S. Coast Guard three times
during 1994 and the Company has pled guilty to these charges. Each of the three
counts in the indictment carries a maximum fine of $500,000, subject to increase
under certain circumstances. Although the Company is not able at this time to
estimate the timing or impact of these continuing investigations, the Company
may be subject to additional charges for violations of U.S. law.

Beginning in December 1995, several purported class action suits were filed
alleging that Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity misrepresented to
guests the amount of its port charge expenses. The suits seek declaratory relief
and damages in an unspecified amount. Beginning in August 1996, several
purported class action suits were filed alleging that Royal Caribbean
International and Celebrity should have paid commissions to travel agents on
port charges included in the price of cruise fares. The suits seek damages in an
unspecified amount. Similar suits are pending against other companies in the
cruise industry. In February 1997, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity and
certain other cruise lines entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance
with the Florida Attorney General's office. Under the Assurance of Voluntary
Compliance, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity agreed to include all
components of the cruise ticket price, other than governmental taxes and fees,
in the advertised price. In January 1999, Royal Caribbean International entered
into an agreement to settle certain of the class-action suits filed on behalf of
its guests. Celebrity entered into a similar settlement agreement. Under the
terms of the settlement agreements, each of Royal Caribbean International and
Celebrity will issue travel vouchers having a face amounts ranging from $8 to
$30, in the case of Royal Caribbean International, and from $20 to $45 in the
case of Celebrity, to guests who are U.S. residents and who sailed on Royal
Caribbean International or Celebrity, as the case may be, between April 1992 and
April 1997. Such vouchers may be applied to reduce the cruise fare of a future
cruise on Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity, as the case may be, and
are valid for up to three years from the date of issuance. The settlements have
received preliminary court approval but are subject to final court approval.
Since the amount and timing of the vouchers to be redeemed and the effect of
redemption of revenues is not reasonably determinable, the Company has not
established a liability for the vouchers and will account for their redemption
as a reduction of future revenues. In December 1998, a Florida state court judge
dismissed one of the class-action suits filed on behalf of travel agents for
failure to state a claim under Florida law. The plaintiff in that case has filed
an appeal of that decision. The Company is not able at this time to estimate the
timing or impact of the travel agent proceedings on the Company.

The Company is routinely involved in other claims typical to the cruise
industry. The majority of these claims are covered by insurance. Management
believes the outcome of such other claims which are not covered by insurance
would not have a material adverse effect upon the Company's financial condition
or results of operations.

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ITEM 4. CONTROL OF REGISTRANT

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the common stock of the Company as of March 12, 1999 (i) by each
person who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 10% of any
class of the outstanding common stock and (ii) by all of the Company's directors
and officers as a group.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES
OF COMMON PERCENTAGE
NAME STOCK(1) OWNERSHIP
- ---- ---------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
A. Wilhelmsen AS(2)......................................... 47,129,330 27.9%
P.O. Box 1583
Vika
N-0118 Oslo, Norway
Cruise Associates(3)........................................ 50,781,900 30.0%
c/o Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Trust Company (Bahamas) Limited
P.O. Box N-3933
Nassau, Bahamas
All Directors and Officers (31 persons)(4).................. 3,614,902 2.1%
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) For purposes of this table, any security which a person or group has a right
to acquire within 60 days after March 12, 1999 is deemed to be owned by such
person or group. Such security is deemed to be outstanding for the purpose
of computing the percentage ownership of such person or group, but is not
deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of any other person or group.

(2) Includes 31,900 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options
under the Company's 1990 Shareholders Stock Option Plan. A. Wilhelmsen AS.
("Wilhelmsen") is a Norwegian corporation, the indirect beneficial owners of
which are members of the Wilhelmsen family of Norway.

(3) Includes 31,900 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options
under the Company's 1990 Shareholders Stock Option Plan. Cruise Associates
is a Bahamian general partnership, the indirect beneficial owners of which
are various trusts primarily for the benefit of certain members of the
Pritzker family of Chicago, Illinois, and various trusts primarily for the
benefit of certain members of the Ofer family.

(4) Includes (i) 1,890,826 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
options granted to officers and directors of the Company, (ii) 1,321,412
shares of common stock held by Monument as nominee for various trusts
primarily for the benefit of certain members of the Fain family and (iii)
374,664 shares of common stock issued to a trust for the benefit of Mr.
Fain. Mr. Fain disclaims beneficial ownership of some or all of the shares
of common stock referred to in (ii) and (iii) above. Does not include
commitments by the Company's officers to purchase an aggregate of
approximately $9,000 of common stock for the first calendar quarter of 1999
under the Company's 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan or shares of common
stock held by Wilhelmsen or Cruise Associates.

SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

Wilhelmsen and Cruise Associates are parties to the Shareholders Agreement
dated as of February 1, 1993 as amended (the "Shareholders Agreement") and,
pursuant thereto, have agreed upon certain matters relative to the organization
and operation of the Company and certain matters concerning their respective
ownership of the Company's voting stock. Pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement,
Wilhelmsen and Cruise Associates have agreed to vote their shares of common
stock in favor of the following individuals as directors of the Company: (i) up
to four nominees of Wilhelmsen (at least one of whom must be independent); (ii)
up to four nominees of Cruise Associates (at least one of whom must be
independent); and (iii) one nominee who must be Richard D. Fain or such other
individual who is then employed as the Company's chief executive

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officer. The Shareholders Agreement also provides that the Board of Directors of
each of the Company's subsidiaries are similarly constituted. In connection with
the Company's acquisition of Celebrity, Wilhelmsen and Cruise Associates have
agreed to vote their shares of common stock in favor of the election of one
additional director to be nominated by Archinav Holdings, Ltd., a former
shareholder of Celebrity, for a specified period of up to seven years from the
date of the acquisition. Archinav Holdings, Ltd has designated John D. Chandris
as its nominee for director. In addition, until either of them should decide
otherwise, Wilhelmsen and Cruise Associates have agreed to vote their shares of
common stock in favor of Edwin W. Stephan and William K. Reilly as directors of
the Company. Of the current directors of the Company, Wilhelmsen nominated
Messrs. Arneberg, Kielland, Lorange and Wilhelmsen, and Cruise Associates
nominated Ms. Laviada and Messrs. Aronson, Ofer and Pritzker.

Pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement, Wilhelmsen and Cruise Associates
have agreed not to vote their shares of common stock in favor of the following
corporate actions by the Company or any subsidiary unless such action is
approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company, at least one
non-independent director of the Company nominated by Wilhelmsen and at least one
non-independent director of the Company nominated by Cruise Associates: (i) any
purchase, sale, long-term charter, long-term lease, exchange, transfer or other
acquisition or disposition of a cruise vessel or all or a substantial portion of
the Company's or any subsidiary's business; (ii) the taking of any action
relative to the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company or any subsidiary; (iii)
any increase, reduction, change or reclassification of the authorized or issued
shares of capital stock and any issuance of equity securities, including (a) any
issuance of warrants, options or rights to directly or indirectly acquire equity
securities and (b) any issuance of securities directly or indirectly convertible
into or exchangeable or exercisable for equity securities (in each case, except
for the issuance of options and common stock pursuant to the Employee Stock
Option Plan and the Shareholders Stock Option Plan); (iv) any consolidation,
merger or amalgamation with, or the acquisition of any interest in, any other
entity or its assets other than (a) an acquisition in which the purchase price
does not exceed $10 million and (b) acquisitions of goods and services in the
ordinary course of business; (v) any borrowing or guarantee commitments or
obligations (secured or unsecured), other than those incident to the approval of
activities contemplated by clause (i) above, (a) in an aggregate principal
amount exceeding $50 million other than those incurred in the normal course of
the Company's business consistent with past practice or (b) containing a
provision limiting the Company's ability to declare or pay dividends or engage
in a transaction constituting a change in control, in each case in a manner more
restrictive (other than the date from which the restrictions become operative)
than the restrictions contained in the Indenture governing the Company's
redeemed Senior Subordinated Notes; (vi) any resolution altering the Restated
Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws or similar constitutional documents of the
Company or any subsidiary; (vii) any resolution to voluntarily liquidate or
dissolve; (viii) the appointment annually or removal of the Chairman of the
Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company; or (ix) any material modification, change or amendment
to any agreement or arrangement described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (iii)
through (viii). The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation provides that
for so long as the Shareholders Agreement is in effect, the Board of Directors
may not approve the foregoing corporate actions unless such actions are approved
by one non-independent director nominated by Wilhelmsen and one non-independent
director nominated by Cruise Associates.

The Shareholders Agreement also contains restrictions on the disposition of
common stock, provides for certain rights of refusal and sets forth procedures
for the purchase or sale of a party's common stock upon certain events,
including the failure of Wilhelmsen and Cruise Associates to agree upon any of
the matters set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph. The Shareholders
Agreement will terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the earlier
to occur of (i) the written agreement of Wilhelmsen and Cruise Associates and
(ii) the failure by Wilhelmsen and Cruise Associates to collectively own at
least 40% of the outstanding common stock. In addition, in the event that either
party (the "Smaller Holder") fails to own at least (i) 15% of the outstanding
common stock and (ii) 50% of the outstanding common stock is owned by the other
party (the "Larger Holder"), then, so long as such condition continues to exist,
the Shareholders Agreement may be terminated by the Larger Holder.

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The Shareholder Agreement provides that Wilhelmsen and Cruise Associates
will from time to time consider the dividend policy for the Company with due
regard for the interests of the shareholders in maximizing the return on their
investment in the Company and the ability of the Company to pay such dividends.
The declaration of dividends shall at all times be subject to the final
determination of the Board of Directors of the Company that a dividend is
prudent at that time in consideration of the needs of the business. The
Shareholders Agreement also provides that payment of dividends will depend,
among other factors, upon the Company's earnings, financial condition and
capital requirements and the income and other tax liabilities of Wilhelmsen,
Cruise Associates and their respective affiliates relating to their ownership
of common stock.

In addition, under the Shareholders Agreement, if Wilhelmsen or Cruise
Associates desires to invest in other cruise projects which will or does own or
operate cruise vessels, such shareholder is required to submit such project to
the Company with a view to the Company investing therein rather than the
submitting shareholder. Unless the Company decides to invest in such project
within 21 days after such submission and the Company makes such investment
within a reasonable period thereafter, the submitting shareholder will be free
to invest in such project. Moreover, if Wilhelmsen or Cruise Associates
acquires any controlling beneficial interest in any person which owns or
operates any cruise vessels incidental to, but not as, its primary business,
such shareholder is required to offer the cruise vessels and the business
directly related thereto for sale to the Company at its fair market value
(determined by an investment banking firm mutually acceptable to Wilhelmsen
and Cruise Associates). If the Company does not acquire such business
opportunity within six months, Wilhelmsen or Cruise Associates is permitted
to retain and operate such business for its own benefit.

ITEM 5. NATURE OF TRADING MARKET

The Company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") and the Oslo Stock Exchange ("OSE") under the symbol "RCL". The
Company's Convertible Preferred Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol
"RCL Pr". The table below sets forth the quarterly high and low prices of the
common stock and Convertible Preferred Stock for its two most recent fiscal
years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NYSE OSE NYSE
COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK(1) PREFERRED STOCK
------------------- -------------------- --------------------
1998 HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
- ---- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
First Quarter................... $35 7/16 $24 3/4 262 1/2 185 $113 $ 80 1/8
Second Quarter.................. 40 3/8 32 5/8 305 247 1/2 126 1/8 104
Third Quarter................... 43 29/32 23 1/8 327 1/2 195 139 72 2/3
Fourth Quarter.................. 37 1/8 17 274 137 115 1/4 60
1997
- ----
First Quarter................... $16 7/16 $11 5/8 -- -- $ 58 3/8 $ 51 3/8
Second Quarter.................. 19 11/16 14 15/16 -- -- 66 7/8 55 5/8
Third Quarter................... 22 15/16 17 7/32 162 1/2 147 1/2 76 60 1/2
Fourth Quarter.................. 26 13/16 20 13/16 185 140 85 3/8 70
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(1) Denominated in Norwegian Kroner.

As of December 31, 1998, there were 1,043 record holders of common stock in
the United States, holding 55,655,644 shares or approximately 32.9% of the total
outstanding common stock.

During 1998, the Company paid two quarterly cash dividends of $0.08 per
common share and two quarterly cash dividends of $0.09 per common share,
totaling $55.2 million. In addition, the Company paid dividends on its
Convertible Preferred Stock totaling $12.5 million. During 1997, the Company
paid two quarterly cash dividends of $0.07 per common share and two quarterly
cash dividends of $0.08 per common share, totaling $40.8 million as well as
dividends on its Convertible Preferred Stock totaling $9.2 million.

The declaration and payment of future common stock dividends, if any, will
at all times be subject to the final determination of the Board of Directors
that a dividend is prudent at the time in consideration of the needs of the
Company's business. Payment of dividends will depend, among other things, upon
the Company's

16
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earnings, financial condition and capital requirements, dividend payments on the
Company's Convertible Preferred Stock and certain tax considerations of
Wilhelmsen, Cruise Associates and their respective affiliates.

ITEM 6. EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND OTHER LIMITATIONS AFFECTING SECURITY HOLDERS

Liberian law does not presently impose exchange control restrictions on the
Company relative to, among other things, (i) the Company's payment of interest
or dividends to non-Liberian residents; or (ii) the Company's operations in
Liberia by reason of its incorporation in Liberia. Further, Liberian law does
not presently impose any limitations on non-Liberian residents holding or voting
securities.

ITEM 7. TAXATION

Since (i) the Company is and intends to maintain its status as a
"non-resident corporation" under the Internal Revenue Code of Liberia and (ii)
the Company's vessel-owning subsidiaries are not now engaged, and are not in the
future expected to engage, in any business in Liberia, including voyages
exclusively within the territorial waters of the Republic of Liberia, the
Company has been advised by Watson, Farley & Williams, special Liberian counsel
for the Company, that, under current Liberian law, no Liberian taxes or
withholding will be imposed on payments to holders of Company securities, other
than a holder that is a resident Liberian entity or a resident individual or
citizen of Liberia.

ITEM 8. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data are for each of the fiscal years in
the period 1994 through 1998 and as of the end of each such fiscal year. The
financial information presented for fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996 and as of
the end of fiscal years 1998 and 1997 is derived from the financial statements
of the Company and should be read in conjunction with such financial statements
and the related notes included elsewhere herein. The 1997 financial information
includes the results of Celebrity commencing July 1, 1997. The following should
also be read in conjunction with "Item 9. Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEARS
--------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues............................. $2,636,291 $1,939,007 $1,357,325 $1,183,952 $1,171,423
Net income........................... 330,770 175,127 150,866 148,958 136,625
Net income per share -- basic(1)..... 1.90 1.17 1.19 1.17 1.08
Net income per share -- diluted(2)... 1.83 1.15 1.17 1.16 1.07
Dividends declared per share......... 0.34 0.29 0.27 0.24 0.20
Total assets......................... 5,686,076 5,339,748 2,842,299 2,203,243 1,865,004
Total debt, including capital
leases............................. 2,469,082 2,572,696 1,366,967 935,692 747,107
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Net income per share -- basic is computed by dividing net income, after
deducting preferred stock dividends accumulated during the period, by the
weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each
period, adjusted for stock split.
(2) Net income per share -- diluted is computed by dividing net income by the
weighted-average number of shares of common stock, common stock equivalents
and other potentially dilutive securities outstanding during each period,
adjusted for stock split.

ITEM 9. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

Certain statements under this caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", may constitute
"forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to
differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements

17
20

expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include
inter alia general economic and business conditions, cruise industry
competition, the impact of tax laws and regulations affecting the Company and
its principal shareholders, changes in other laws and regulations affecting the
Company, delivery schedule of new vessels, emergency ship repairs, incidents
involving cruise vessels at sea, changes in interest rates, Year 2000 compliance
and weather.

GENERAL

Summary

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (the "Company") reported improved revenues,
operating income, net income and earnings per share for the year ended December
31, 1998 as shown in the table below. The improvements were driven primarily by
capacity increases resulting from the acquisition of Celebrity Cruise Lines Inc.
("Celebrity") in July 1997, and additions to the Royal Caribbean International
brand as well as improved revenue per available lower berth ("Yield"). Net
income for 1998 included a $9.0 million charge related to a plea agreement with
the U.S. Department of Justice in the second quarter and a reduction in earnings
of approximately $9.0 million related to the grounding of Monarch of the Seas in
the fourth quarter. Also included in net income for 1998 is a $31.0 million gain
on the sale of Song of America and a $32.0 million write-down of Viking Serenade
to reflect its estimated fair market value. Net income for 1997 included an
extraordinary loss of $7.6 million resulting from the early extinguishment of
debt as well as a gain of $4.0 million from the sale of Sun Viking. Accordingly,
on a comparable basis, before these items, earnings increased to $349.8 million
or $1.93 per share in 1998, from $178.7 million or $1.17 per share in 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues................................................... $2,636,291 $1,939,007 $1,357,325
Operating Income........................................... 488,735 303,555 217,033
Net Income................................................. 330,770 175,127 150,866
Basic Earnings Per Share................................... $1.90 $1.17 $1.19
Diluted Earnings Per Share................................. $1.83 $1.15 $1.17
</TABLE>

Selected Statistical Information

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Passengers Carried......................................... 1,841,152 1,465,450 973,602
Passenger Cruise Days...................................... 11,607,906 8,759,651 6,055,068
Occupancy Percentage....................................... 105.2% 104.2% 101.3%
</TABLE>

Fleet Expansion

The Company's fleet expansion continued in 1998 with the delivery of the
last of the six Vision-class vessels in the Royal Caribbean International fleet,
Vision of the Seas, in April 1998. With the delivery of these six ships and the
acquisition of Celebrity in 1997, the Company's capacity has increased
approximately 119.3% from 14,228 berths at December 31, 1994 to 31,200 at
December 31, 1998.

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21

The Company has nine ships on order. The planned passenger capacity and
expected delivery dates of the ships on order are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPECTED PASSENGER
VESSEL DELIVERY DATES CAPACITY(1)
- ------ ----------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL:
Eagle-class
Voyager of the Seas.................................... 4th Quarter 1999 3,100
Explorer of the Seas................................... 3rd Quarter 2000 3,100
Adventure of the Seas.................................. 2nd Quarter 2002 3,100
Vantage-class
Radiance of the Seas................................... 1st Quarter 2001 2,100
Brilliance of the Seas................................. 2nd Quarter 2002 2,100
CELEBRITY CRUISES:
Millennium-class
Millennium............................................. 2nd Quarter 2000 2,000
Unnamed................................................ 1st Quarter 2001 2,000
Unnamed................................................ 3rd Quarter 2001 2,000
Unnamed................................................ 2nd Quarter 2002 2,000
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Based on double occupancy per cabin.

The Eagle-class vessels will be the largest passenger cruise ships built to
date. The Vantage-class vessels are a progression from Royal Caribbean
International's Vision-class vessels, while the Millennium-class vessels are a
progression from Celebrity Cruises' Century-class vessels.

Between 1998 and 2002, the Company's year-end berth capacity is expected to
increase 64.4% from 31,200 to 51,300 berths.

In May 1998, the Company sold Song of America for $94.5 million and
recognized a gain on the sale of $31.0 million. The Company operated the vessel
under a charter agreement until March 1999.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

The following table presents operating data as a percentage of revenues:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
1998 1997 1996
----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues.................................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Expenses:
Operating................................................. 60.5 62.9 63.0
Marketing, selling and administrative..................... 13.6 14.0 14.3
Depreciation and amortization............................. 7.4 7.4 6.7
----- ----- -----
Operating Income............................................ 18.5 15.7 16.0
Other Income (Expense)...................................... (6.0) (6.3) (4.9)
----- ----- -----
Income Before Extraordinary Item............................ 12.5% 9.4% 11.1%
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

Revenues

Revenues increased 36.0% to $2.6 billion compared to $1.9 billion in 1997.
The increase in revenues was primarily due to a 31.2% increase in capacity and a
3.6% increase in Yield. The acquisition of Celebrity (which occurred in July
1997) accounted for approximately two-thirds of the capacity increase, while
additions to the Royal Caribbean International fleet accounted for the balance
of the increase. The increase in

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22

Yield was due to an increase in occupancy levels to 105.2% as compared to 104.2%
in 1997 as well as an increase in cruise ticket per diems, partially offset by a
reduction in shipboard revenue per diems. The reduction in shipboard revenue per
diems is due to the inclusion of Celebrity's results for the full year 1998 as
compared to six months in 1997. Celebrity derives a higher percentage of its
shipboard revenue from concessionaires than does Royal Caribbean International,
resulting in a dilutive effect on the per diem. Concessionaires pay a net
commission to the Company which is recorded as revenue, in contrast to in-house
operations, where shipboard revenues and the related cost of sales are recorded
on a gross basis.

Expenses

Operating expenses increased 30.7% in 1998 to $1.6 billion as compared to
$1.2 billion in 1997. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to
the increase in capacity. Included in operating expenses is a $9.0 million
charge related to the plea agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. As a
percentage of revenues, operating expenses decreased 2.4% in 1998 due to
improved ticket pricing as well as the inclusion of Celebrity results for the
full year of 1998 versus six months of 1997. Celebrity's operating expenses as a
percentage of revenues were lower than Royal Caribbean International's due to
lower shipboard cost of sales as a result of the higher use of concessionaires
onboard Celebrity vessels as discussed above.

Marketing, selling and administrative expenses increased 31.9% in 1998 to
$359.2 million from $272.4 million in 1997. The increase was primarily due to
the acquisition of Celebrity as well as higher advertising and staffing costs.
As a percentage of revenues, marketing, selling and administrative expenses
decreased to 13.6% in 1998 as a result of economies of scale.

Depreciation and amortization increased to $194.6 million in 1998 from
$143.8 million in 1997. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of
Celebrity as well as additions to the Royal Caribbean International fleet.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, increased to $167.9 million
in 1998 as compared to $128.5 million in 1997. The increase is due to the
increase in the average debt level as a result of the Company's fleet expansion
program as well as the acquisition of Celebrity in July 1997.

Included in Other income (expense) in 1998 is a $31.0 million gain from the
sale of Song of America as well as a $32.0 million charge related to the
write-down to fair market value of Viking Serenade. Based on the Company's
strategic objective to maintain a modernized fleet, the unique circumstances of
this vessel and indications of the current value of Viking Serenade, the Company
recorded a write-down of the carrying value to its current estimated fair market
value. The Company continues to operate and depreciate the vessel which is
classified as part of Property and Equipment on the balance sheet.

On December 15, 1998, Monarch of the Seas experienced significant damage to
the ship's hull and equipment, resulting in the ship being out of service until
mid-March 1999. The incident resulted in a net reduction in earnings of
approximately $9.0 million, or $0.05 per share in the fourth quarter of 1998.
This reduction is comprised of lost revenue, net of related variable expenses,
of $5.2 million, and costs associated with repairs to the ship, passenger
transportation and lodging, commissions and various other costs, net of
estimated insurance recoveries, of $3.8 million. The costs of $3.8 million were
included in Other income (expense) for the quarter and year ended December 31,
1998.

Included in Other income (expense) in 1997 is a $4.0 million gain from the
sale of Sun Viking.

Extraordinary Item

Included in 1997 is an extraordinary charge of $7.6 million or $0.05 per
share related to the early extinguishment of debt.

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23

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996

Revenues

Revenues increased 42.9% in 1997 to $1.9 billion compared to $1.4 billion
in 1996 as a result of a 40.7% increase in capacity as well as an increase in
Yield. The acquisition of Celebrity contributed 22.1% of the capacity increase
while additions to the Royal Caribbean International fleet accounted for 18.6%
of the increase. Yield for the year increased 1.5% over 1996 as a result of an
increase in occupancy. Occupancy levels increased to 104.2% in 1997 as compared
to 101.3% in 1996.

Expenses

Operating expenses increased 42.7% to $1.2 billion in 1997 as compared to
$854.5 million in 1996. This increase in operating expenses was primarily due to
the 40.7% increase in capacity and higher variable costs associated with the
increased occupancy.

Marketing, selling and administrative expenses increased 39.9% in 1997 to
$272.4 million versus $194.6 million in 1996. The increase was primarily due to
the acquisition of Celebrity, an increase in staffing and additional advertising
costs. These expenses decreased as a percentage of revenues in 1997 as a result
of the economies of scale achieved with the increase in capacity.

Depreciation and amortization increased to $143.8 million in 1997 from
$91.2 million in 1996. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of
Celebrity as well as additions to the Royal Caribbean International fleet.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, increased to $128.5 million
in 1997 from $76.5 million in 1996. The increase was a result of an increase in
the average debt level associated with the Company's fleet expansion program and
from the acquisition of Celebrity in July 1997.

Other income (expense) in 1997 includes a gain of $4.0 million from the
sale of Sun Viking as compared to 1996 which includes a gain of $10.3 million
from the sale of Song of Norway.

Extraordinary Item

In May 1997, the Company redeemed the remaining $104.5 million of 11 3/8%
Senior Subordinated Notes and incurred an extraordinary charge of $7.6 million,
or $0.05 per share on the early extinguishment of debt.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Sources and Uses of Cash

The Company generated substantial cash flows resulting in net cash provided
by operating activities of $526.9 million in 1998 as compared to $434.1 million
in 1997 and $299.5 million in 1996. The increase was primarily due to higher net
income as well as timing differences in cash payments relating to operating
assets and liabilities.

In March 1998, the Company issued $150.0 million of 6.75% Senior Notes due
2008 and $150.0 million of 7.25% Senior Debentures due 2018. The net proceeds to
the Company were approximately $296.1 million.

In March 1998, the Company issued 6,100,690 shares of common stock. The
net proceeds to the Company were approximately $165.5 million. (See Note 7 --
Shareholders' Equity.)

During the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company's capital expenditures
were approximately $557.0 million as compared to $1.1 billion during 1997 and
$722.4 million during 1996. The largest portion of capital expenditures related
to the delivery of Vision of the Seas in 1998, delivery of Rhapsody of the Seas,
Enchantment of the Seas and Mercury in 1997, delivery of Splendour of the Seas
and Grandeur of the Seas in 1996, as well as progress payments for ships under
construction during 1998, 1997 and 1996. Also included in

21
24

capital expenditures are shoreside capital expenditures and costs for vessel
refurbishing to maintain consistent fleet standards.

The Company received proceeds of $94.5 and $100.0 million from the sale of
vessels during 1998 and 1997, respectively.

Capitalized interest decreased to $15.0 million in 1998, from $15.8 million
in 1997 and $15.9 million in 1996. The decrease during 1998 was due to a
reduction in the level of construction-in-progress expenditures associated with
the Company's fleet expansion program.

During 1998, the Company paid quarterly cash dividends on its common stock
totaling $55.2 million as well as quarterly cash dividends on its preferred
stock, totaling $12.5 million. During 1997, the Company paid quarterly cash
dividends totaling $40.8 and $9.2 million on its common stock and preferred
stock, respectively.

The Company made principal payments totaling approximately $335.1 and
$245.4 million under various term loans and capital leases during 1998 and 1997,
respectively.

Future Commitments

The Company currently has nine ships on order for an additional capacity of
21,500 berths. The aggregate contract price of the nine ships, which excludes
capitalized interest and other ancillary costs, is approximately $3.6 billion,
of which the Company deposited $144.6 million during 1998 and $74.3 million
during 1997. Additional deposits are due prior to the dates of delivery of
$237.4 million in 1999, $88.1 million in 2000 and $25.0 million in 2001. The
Company anticipates that overall capital expenditures will be approximately
$997, $1,196, and $1,368 million for 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively.

The Company has $2.5 billion of long-term debt of which $127.9 million is
due during the twelve month period ending December 31, 1999. (See Note
6 -- Long-Term Debt.)

In addition, the Company continuously considers potential acquisitions,
strategic alliances and adjustments to its fleet composition, including the
acquisition or disposition of vessels. If any such acquisitions, strategic
alliances and adjustments to its fleet composition were to occur, they would be
financed through the issuance of additional shares of equity securities, by the
incurrence of additional indebtedness or from cash flows from operations.

Funding Sources

As of December 31, 1998, the Company's liquidity was $1.2 billion
consisting of $172.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and $1.0 billion
available under its $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (the "$1
Billion Revolving Credit Facility"). The capital expenditures and scheduled debt
payments will be funded through a combination of cash flows provided by
operations, drawdowns under the $1 Billion Revolving Credit Facility, and sales
of securities in private or public securities markets. In addition, the
agreements related to the ships scheduled for delivery subsequent to 1999
require the shipyards to make available export financing for up to 80% of the
contract price of the vessels.

The Company's cash management practice is to utilize excess cash to reduce
outstanding balances on the $1 Billion Revolving Credit Facility, and to the
extent the cash balances exceed the amounts drawn under the $1 Billion Revolving
Credit Facility, the Company invests in short-term securities.

Other

The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to manage interest
costs as part of its liability risk management program. The differential in
interest rates to be paid or received under these agreements is recognized in
income as part of interest expense over the life of the contracts. The objective
of the program is to modify the Company's exposure to interest rate movements.
The Company continuously evaluates its debt portfolio, including its interest
rate swap agreements, and makes periodic adjustments to the mix of fixed rate
and floating rate debt based on its view of interest rate movements. (See Note
12 -- Financial Instruments.)

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25

Impact of Year 2000

The "Year 2000 issue" is the result of computer programs that were written
using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. If the
Company's computer programs with date-sensitive functions are not Year 2000
compliant, they may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the
year 2000. This could result in a system failure or miscalculations causing
disruptions to operations.

State of Readiness

The Company continuously upgrades its computer systems. In 1992, the
Company implemented a new computer reservation and passenger services system
which was designed to be Year 2000 compliant. Since then, the Company has sought
to fix Year 2000 issues as an indirect part of its efforts to upgrade many of
its internally developed computer systems. Prior to 1998, the Company did not
separately track associated Year 2000 software compliant costs.

In 1997, the Company engaged a third-party consultant to assess the status
of the Company relative to the Year 2000 issue. The assessment was completed in
early 1998. The Company then formed an internally staffed program management
office that is conducting a comprehensive review of computer programs to address
the impact of the Year 2000 issue on its operations and otherwise address the
Year 2000 issues identified by the third-party consultant (the "Year 2000
Project"). Employees in various departments throughout the Company are assisting
the program management office by addressing Year 2000 issues applicable to their
departments.

The Company has identified three major categories of Year 2000 risk:

(1) internally developed software systems -- these include the Company's
reservation, accounting, remote reservation booking and revenue management
systems;
(2) third-party supplied software systems and equipment with embedded chip
technology -- these include the Company's computer hardware equipment,
building facilities control systems and shipboard equipment and control
systems (e.g., navigation, engine, and bridge control systems, fire alarm
and safety systems); and
(3) external vendors and suppliers -- these include key suppliers (e.g.,
suppliers of air travel, hotel accommodations, food and other on-board
provisions), travel agents, on-board concessionaires and other third parties
whose system failures potentially could have a significant impact on the
Company's operations.

The general phases common to all three categories are (1) inventorying Year
2000 items, (2) assessing the Year 2000 compliance of key items, (3) repairing
or replacing key internally developed and third-party supplied non-compliant
items, (4) testing and certifying key internally developed and third-party
supplied items, and (5) designing and implementing contingency plans as needed.

The Company has substantially completed its inventory of all internally
developed and third-party supplied software systems and equipment and has
identified external vendors and suppliers whose system failures potentially
could have a significant impact on the Company's operations ("Key External
Vendors").

The Company has completed its assessment of its internally developed
software systems. Through the use of questionnaires and other communications,
the Company has contacted substantially all third-party suppliers of critical
software and equipment and Key External Vendors to ascertain whether their
systems and/or equipment are Year 2000 compliant. The Company has been receiving
responses from these third parties, and is evaluating them as they are received.

The Company has repaired substantially all internally developed software
systems that were determined non-compliant. By mid-1999, the Company plans to
complete testing and certification of these systems, at which time it expects
that its key internally developed software systems will be Year 2000 compliant.

As the Company identifies non-compliant systems and equipment supplied by
third parties or used by Key External Vendors, it will request that they be
remediated. If a party's response is unsatisfactory, the

23
26

Company will implement appropriate contingency plans, including, when possible,
the repair or replacement of supplied systems or equipment or the replacement of
a vendor.

The Company's objective is to complete all assessment, remediation and
certification of third-party supplied software systems and equipment in the
third quarter of 1999. Over the next few months, as the Company receives more
information on the extent of the Year 2000 compliance by third-party suppliers
and Key External Vendors, the nature of any contingency plans that may be needed
will evolve.

The Company is currently preparing contingency plans to identify and
determine how to handle its most reasonably likely worst case scenarios. It
expects to complete these plans in the third quarter of 1999 in conjunction with
completion of its assessment, remediation, testing and certification phases.

The Company has not retained third-party consultants to assist it in the
remediation, testing or certification phases, although it may choose to do so in
the future.

Risks

Based on its current assessment efforts, the Company does not believe that
Year 2000 issues will have a material adverse effect on the results of its
operations, liquidity or financial condition. However, this assessment is
dependent on the ability of third-party suppliers and others whose system
failures potentially could have a significant impact on the Company's operations
to be Year 2000 compliant. For instance, the operations of the Company could be
impacted by disruptions in airlines, port authorities, travel agents or others
in the transportation or sales distribution channels whose systems are not Year
2000 compliant. Although the Company cannot control the conduct of these third
parties, the Year 2000 Project is expected to reduce the Company's level of
uncertainty and the adverse effect that any such failures may have.

Costs

The total cost associated with required modifications to become Year 2000
compliant are not expected to be material to the Company's financial position.

The Company estimates that it will incur approximately $6.0 million in
expense on efforts directly related to fixing the Year 2000 issue, as well as an
additional $5.0 million of capital expenditures related to the accelerated
replacement of non-compliant systems. The Company has incurred approximately
$2.0 million in expense since January 1, 1998, and spent an additional $2.0
million for capital expenditures related to the accelerated replacement of
non-compliant systems. Estimated costs do not include costs that may be incurred
by the Company as a result of the failure of any third parties to become Year
2000 compliant or costs to implement any contingency plans.

The information contained in this "Impact of Year 2000" section is a Year
2000 Readiness Disclosure pursuant to the Year 2000 Information and Disclosure
Act.

ITEM 9A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

General

The Company is exposed to market risks attributable to changes in interest
rates, currency exchange rates and commodity prices. The Company enters into
various derivative transactions to manage a portion of these exposures to market
risk pursuant to the Company's hedging practices and policies. The impacts of
these hedging instruments are offset by corresponding changes in the underlying
exposures being hedged. The Company achieves this by closely matching the
amount, term and conditions of the derivative instrument with the underlying
risk being hedged. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial
instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. Derivative positions are
monitored using techniques including market valuations and sensitivity analysis.
See Notes 2 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of
the Company's accounting policies for financial instruments.

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27

Interest Rate Risk

The Company's exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates
to its long-term debt obligations. At December 31, 1998, the fair value of the
Company's long-term fixed rate debt was estimated at approximately $2,565.0
million using quoted market prices where available, or discounted cash flow
analyses. Market risk associated with the Company's long-term debt is the
potential increase in fair value resulting from a decrease in interest rates.
The Company uses interest rate swaps to modify its exposure to interest rate
movements and manage its interest expense. The Company's interest rate swaps are
primarily floating rate instruments that are tied to LIBOR. The fair value of
the Company's interest rate swaps was approximately $48.6 million at December
31, 1998. A 10% decrease in assumed interest rates would increase the fair value
of the Company's long-term debt by approximately $73.8 million. This increase
would be partially offset by an increase in the fair value of the Company's
interest rate swaps of $18.6 million.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The directors and executive officers of the Company are set forth below.
Currently all directors hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders of
the Company following their election or until their successors are duly elected
and qualified. Officers are appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at its
discretion.

In February 1999, the Board of Directors approved a proposal to establish a
classified Board of Directors. If the proposal is approved by the shareholders
at the 1999 Annual Meeting, the directors will be elected commencing with the
1999 Annual Meeting for a classified Board of Directors with four directors
being elected for a term of one year, four directors being elected for a term of
two years and four directors being elected for a term of three years, and until
their successors are duly elected and qualified. In subsequent meetings, each
newly elected director will serve three years from the date of his or her
election. If the proposal for a classified Board of Directors is not approved at
the 1999 Annual Meeting, the directors will be elected for terms of one year and
until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- ---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Richard D. Fain......................... 51 Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Jack L. Williams........................ 49 President, Royal Caribbean International
Richard E. Sasso........................ 49 President, Celebrity Cruises
Richard J. Glasier...................... 53 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Kenneth D. Dubbin....................... 45 Vice President and Treasurer
Michael J. Smith........................ 44 Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Tor Arneberg............................ 70 Director
Bernard W. Aronson...................... 52 Director
John D. Chandris........................ 48 Director
Kaspar K. Kielland...................... 69 Director
Laura Laviada........................... 48 Director
Peter Lorange........................... 55 Director
Eyal Ofer............................... 48 Director
Thomas J. Pritzker...................... 48 Director
William K. Reilly....................... 59 Director
Edwin W. Stephan........................ 67 Director
Arne Wilhelmsen......................... 69 Director
</TABLE>

Richard D. Fain has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since April 1988. Mr. Fain has served as a Director of the Company since
1981. Mr. Fain is vice chairman of the International Council of Cruise Lines, an
industry trade organization, and served as its chairman from 1992 to 1994. Mr.
Fain is a director of Assuranceforeningen GARD, a mutual shipowners' insurance
organization. Mr. Fain has been involved in the shipping industry for over 20
years. Mr. Fain has served as a director of SEMX Corporation, a manufacturer of
electronics packaging materials, since November 1991.

25
28

Jack L. Williams has served as President of the Company since January 1997.
Formerly Vice President and General Sales Manager for American Airlines, Mr.
Williams had been employed at American Airlines for 23 years in a variety of
positions in finance, marketing and operations. In his most recent assignment,
Mr. Williams was responsible for American's sales programs and promotions
worldwide.

Richard E. Sasso has served as President of Celebrity Cruises since January
1996. From the founding of Celebrity Cruise Lines in 1990 through January 1996,
Mr. Sasso served as its Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing. Mr. Sasso has
been involved in the cruise industry for over 25 years.

Richard J. Glasier has served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer since June 1996 and as Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer since 1985. Mr. Glasier has held various senior financial
positions in the hospitality and cruise industry for over 20 years.

Kenneth D. Dubbin has served as Vice President and Treasurer since 1988.
Mr. Dubbin has held various financial positions with the Company since 1986.

Michael J. Smith has served as Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary since February 1995 and Secretary and General Counsel since 1990.

Tor Arneberg has served as a Director since November 1988. Mr. Arneberg is
a senior advisor and has served as an Executive Vice President of Nightingale &
Associates, a management consulting company, since 1982. From 1975 until 1982,
Mr. Arneberg co-founded and operated AgTek International, a company involved in
the commercial fishing industry. Prior thereto, Mr. Arneberg was director of
marketing for Xerox Corporation. He is an executive trustee and vice president
of the American Scandinavian Foundation and received a silver medal in the 1952
Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland as a member of the Norwegian Olympic
Yachting Team.

Bernard W. Aronson has served as a Director since July 1993. Mr. Aronson is
currently Chairman of ACON Investments, LLC and Newbridge Andean Partners, L.P.
Prior to that he served as international advisor to Goldman, Sachs & Co. From
June 1989 to July 1993, Mr. Aronson served as Assistant Secretary of State for
Inter-American Affairs. Prior thereto, Mr. Aronson served in various positions
in the private and government sectors. Mr. Aronson is a member of the Council on
Foreign Relations. Since January, 1998, Mr. Aronson has served as a Director of
Liz Claiborne, Inc.

John D. Chandris has served as a Director since July 1997. Mr. Chandris is
Chairman of Chandris (UK) Limited, a shipbrokering office based in London,
England. Until September 1997, Mr. Chandris also served as Chairman of Celebrity
Cruise Lines Inc. Mr. Chandris is a director of Leathbond Limited, a U.K. real
estate company, and serves on the Board of the classification society, Lloyd's
Register.

Kaspar K. Kielland has served as a Director since July 1993. Until May
1996, Mr. Kielland served as Chairman of Kvaerner A/S, a company of diversified
shipping, shipbuilding and energy businesses. From 1980 through 1988, Mr.
Kielland served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Elkem A/S, a company
engaged in aluminum and ferro-alloys. Since 1991, Mr. Kielland has served as a
Director of Anders Wilhelmsen & Co. A/S. In 1985, Mr. Kielland was awarded the
Knight 1st Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav.

Laura Laviada has served as a Director since July 1997. Ms. Laviada is the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Editorial Televisa, the largest Spanish
language magazine publishing company based in Mexico and a Grupo Televisa
subsidiary. A former magazine editor, Ms. Laviada began her career in 1979 when
she founded Tu magazine. In 1988, she created Eres and two years later created
Somos. In 1995, when Editorial Eres merged with Editorial Televisa, Ms. Laviada
was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Peter Lorange has served as a Director since July 1993. Since 1993, Dr.
Lorange has served as the President of IMD, International Institute for Business
Development, an institute for studies in corporate management. Dr. Lorange
received a Doctorate in Business Administration in 1972 from Harvard University
and has written numerous publications on the subject of corporate management.
From 1979 until 1990, Dr. Lorange held various teaching positions at the Wharton
School, University of Pennsylvania. From 1990
26
29

until 1993, he was President of the Norwegian School of Management and served as
Chairman of the Board of Citibank Norway A/S. Dr. Lorange is also a director of
Citibank International PLC and ISS A/S.

Eyal Ofer has served as a Director of the Company since May 1995. Mr. Ofer
has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Carlyle Properties, Limited, a real
estate management company, since May 1991.

Thomas J. Pritzker has served as a Director since February 1999. Mr.
Pritzker is President of The Pritzker Organization and a partner in the law firm
of Pritzker & Pritzker. He is Chairman of Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Chairman of
Hyatt International and President of Hyatt Corporation. Mr. Pritzker is also a
founder and Chairman of First Health Corporation, a publicly traded company
engaged in the managed care industry, and a founder and a Director of Triton
Container Holding, Ltd., a major lessor of dry van containers. Mr. Pritzker is a
member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago and the Art
Institute of Chicago where he is Chairman of the Committee on Asian Art.

William K. Reilly has served as a Director since January 1998. Mr. Reilly
is the chief executive officer of Aqua International Partners, an investment
group which finances water purification in developing countries. From 1989 to
1993, Mr. Reilly served as the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. He has also previously served as the Payne Visiting Professor
at Stanford University's Institute of International Studies, president of World
Wildlife Fund and of The Conservation Foundation, executive director of the
Rockefeller Task Force on Land Use and Urban Growth and Chairman of the Natural
Resources Council of America. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the National
Geographic Society, World Wildlife Fund, the Packard Foundation, Yale University
Corporation, the American Farmland Trust and the Education and Training
Institute of North America. He also serves as a director of Dupont, Conoco and
Evergreen Holdings.

Edwin W. Stephan has served as a Director since January 1996. From the
inception of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in 1968 through 1995, Mr. Stephan
served as President or General Manager of the Company. Mr. Stephan has been
involved in the cruise industry for over 30 years.

Arne Wilhelmsen has served as a Director since 1968. Mr. Wilhelmsen, one of
the founders of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, is a principal and Chairman of the
Board of Anders Wilhelmsen & Co. A/S and other holding companies in the Anders
Wilhelmsen & Co. Group. Mr. Wilhelmsen has been involved in the shipping
industry for over 40 years.

The Compensation Committee consists of not less than two directors who are
not salaried officers of the Company. The purpose of the Compensation Committee
is to review the Company's compensation of its executives and to make
determinations relative thereto. The current members of the Compensation
Committee are Mr. Arneberg and Mr. Aronson.

The Audit Committee consists of two independent directors. The purpose of
the Audit Committee is to provide general oversight of audit, legal compliance
and potential conflict of interest matters. The current members of the Audit
Committee are Mr. Arneberg and Mr. Aronson.

ITEM 11. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

CASH COMPENSATION

The Company paid its directors and officers (31 persons) aggregate cash
compensation of $8.6 million for fiscal 1998.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PURSUANT TO PLANS

Executive Bonus Plan

The Company's Executive Bonus Plan (the "Bonus Plan") provides a means of
rewarding key executives who contribute to its profitable growth. Annual bonuses
under the Bonus Plan are paid to eligible executives based upon (i) the extent
to which the Company's financial performance during the year meets certain
established objectives and (ii) the extent to which the executive attains
established individual and corporate performance objectives. The Bonus Plan is
administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

27
30

Retirement Plan and Other Executive Compensation Plans

All eligible shoreside officers and employees are participants in the
Company's Retirement Plan. Contributions of between 8% and 12% of the
participant's compensation (as defined in the plan), depending on the length of
such participant's employment, are made on an annual basis to the participant's
account. Benefits under the Retirement Plan are payable on the later of the date
the participant attains the age of 65 or the date the participant actually
retires, but in no event later than the April 1st following the calendar year in
which the participant attains the age of 70 1/2. Benefits are payable as
follows: (i) in a single lump sum, payable upon termination of employment; (ii)
as a life annuity, payable monthly upon retirement during the lifetime of the
employee; (iii) in installments payable upon retirement for a period not to
exceed 120 months; or (iv) a joint and 50% surviving spouse annuity, payable
monthly upon retirement during the lifetime of the employee and spouse.

The Company also has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP").
Under SERP, the Company accrues, but does not fund, an annual amount for the
account of each Company Executive equal to the reduction in the Company
contribution under the Retirement Plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the
Code. Other terms and benefits of SERP are the same as those of the Retirement
Plan.

In connection with his employment, Richard D. Fain is entitled to receive
upon his cessation of employment by the Company for any reason the assets of a
grantor trust established by the Company for the benefit of Mr. Fain. The
Company makes quarterly contributions of common stock to the grantor trust and
will continue to do so until the earlier of the cessation of Mr. Fain's
employment or June 2014.

The aggregate amount set aside or accrued by the Company during 1998 to
provide pension, retirement or other executive compensation benefits for the 31
directors and officers as a group was $1.0 million.

ITEM 12. OPTIONS TO PURCHASE SECURITIES FROM REGISTRANT OR SUBSIDIARIES

The Company's 1990 Employee Stock Option Plan (the "Employee Stock Option
Plan") provides for the issuance of options to directors, officers and other key
employees of the Company or its subsidiaries to purchase up to 6,703,000 shares
of the Company's common stock. As of March 12, 1999 there were outstanding under
the Employee Stock Option Plan options to purchase an aggregate of 4,446,688
shares of common stock. The outstanding options are exercisable at prices
ranging from $6.28 to $35.09 per share and expire on various dates between
January 1, 2000 and February 5, 2009.

The Company's 1990 Shareholder Stock Option Plan (the "Shareholder Stock
Option Plan"), which provided for the issuance of options to the then
shareholders of the Company, was terminated in May 1993 in conjunction with the
Company's initial public offering and no further options will be granted
thereunder. As of March 12, 1999 there are outstanding options to purchase up to
63,800 shares of the Company's common stock. The outstanding options are
exercisable at a price of $6.28 per share and expire on December 31, 1999.

In connection with the Company's initial public offering in April 1993, the
Company issued 379,714 stock options at an exercise price of $9.00 per share to
an Officer of the Company. The options, which vested immediately, will generally
expire upon termination of the Officer's employment by the Company.

The 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Stock Purchase Plan") provides
for the grant of rights to eligible employees to purchase a maximum of 800,000
shares of common stock. The Stock Purchase Plan is generally available to all
employees of the Company who have been employed for at least one year and who
customarily work at least five months per calendar year. Offerings to employees
under the Stock Purchase Plan are made on a quarterly basis. Subject to certain
limitations, the purchase price for each share of common stock under the Stock
Purchase Plan is equal to 90% of the average of the market prices of the common
stock as reported on the NYSE on the first business day of the purchase period
and the last business day of each month of the purchase period.

The Company's 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "ISO Plan") provides
for the issuance of options to purchase up to 2,700,000 shares of the Company's
common stock to officers and other key employees of the Company. As of March 12,
1999, there were outstanding under the ISO Plan, options to purchase an

28
31

aggregate of 2,362,191 shares of common stock. The outstanding options are
exercisable at prices ranging from $11.19 to $35.09 per share and expire on
various dates between February 3, 2005 and February 5, 2009.

Effective January 1, 1998, the Company instituted a program to award stock
to employees up to a maximum of 1,400,000 shares of common stock. Employees are
awarded five shares of the Company's stock at the end of each year of employment
over a 10-year period. Employees can elect to receive cash equal to the fair
market value of the stock upon vesting. Compensation expense was $3.6 million in
1998 related to this program.

ITEM 13. INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 14. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 15. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 16. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND CHANGES IN SECURITY FOR REGISTERED
SECURITIES

In February 1999, the Board of Directors amended the By-Laws of the Company
to increase the shareholder vote to call a special meeting from 20% to 50%.
Effective as of the 1999 Annual Meeting, the Board also amended the By-Laws to
require that any shareholder proposal or nomination for election to the Board of
Directors must be submitted to the Secretary of the Company at least 120 days in
advance of the first anniversary of the Company's last annual meeting.

Subject to approval by the shareholders of the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, the Board of Directors also approved (i) amendments to the By-Laws
and Articles of Incorporation to provide for a classified Board of Directors,
and (ii) an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation that, subject to certain
exceptions, would increase from a majority to 66 2/3% the number of outstanding
shares needed to amend the Articles of Incorporation or to approve any
shareholder proposed amendment to the By-Laws. This latter amendment would not
apply to any amendment to the Articles of Incorporation (a) to change the
registered agent or registered address of the Company; (b) to change the
authorized number of shares of stock which the Company shall have authority to
issue; and (c) which arises from the filing of a copy of a resolution
establishing and designating the shares of any class or any series of any class.

29
32

PART IV

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in
accordance with Item 18 hereof.

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company's financial statements are included beginning at page F-1 of
this report and are hereby incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 19. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a) The list of financial statements is set forth in the accompanying Index
to Consolidated Financial Statements and is hereby incorporated herein by this
reference.

(b) The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed and
incorporated herein by reference as part of this report and such Exhibit Index
is hereby incorporated herein by this reference.

30
33

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
(Registrant)

By: /s/ RICHARD J. GLASIER
------------------------------------
Richard J. Glasier
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Date: April 1, 1999

31
34

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
<C> <C> <S>
1.1 -- Amendment No. 1 dated April 24, 1998 to Contract for Hull
Number R-31 dated March 16, 1998 between the Company and
Chantiers de l'Atlantique.**
1.2 -- Amendment No. 1 dated April 24, 1998 to Contract for Hull
Number S-31 dated March 16, 1998 between the Company and
Chantiers de l'Atlantique.**
1.3 -- Amendment No. 3 dated September 17, 1998 to Lease Agreement
dated March 3, 1993 between the Company and G.I.E. Cruise
Vision One.
1.4 -- Amendment No. 4 dated September , 1998 to Lease Agreement
dated March 3, 1993 between the Company and G.I.E. Cruise
Vision Two.
1.5 -- Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 dated January 27, 1999 and February
19, 1999, respectively, to Contract for Hull Number T-31
dated March 16, 1998 between the Company and Chantiers de
l'Atlantique.**
1.6 -- Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 dated January 27, 1999 and February
19, 1999, respectively, to Contract for Hull Number U-31
dated March 16, 1998 between the Company and Chantiers de
l'Atlantique.**
1.7 -- Amendment No. 1 and Addendum Nos. 1 and 2 dated January 15,
1999, February 18, 1999 and March 11, 1999, respectively, to
contract for Hull Number 1344 dated January 7, 1997 between
the Company and Kvaerner Masa-Yards.
1.8 -- Second Supplemental Agreement dated September 1, 1998 to
Loan Facility Agreement dated November 29, 1993 between
Esker Marine Shipping Inc. and Kreditanstalt fur
Wiederaufbau ("KfW").
1.9 -- Second Supplemental Agreement dated September 1, 1998 to
Loan Facility Agreement dated November 29, 1993 between Blue
Sapphire Marine Inc. and KfW.
1.10 -- Sixth Supplemental Agreement dated September 1, 1998 to Loan
Facility Agreement dated June 21, 1990 between Zenith
Shipping Corporation and KfW.
1.11 -- Sixth Supplemental Agreement dated September 1, 1998 to Loan
Facility Agreement dated March 6, 1989 between Fantasia
Cruising Inc. and KfW.
2.1 -- Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as
amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1, File No.
33-59304, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") and to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's 1996
Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).
2.2 -- Certificate of the Powers, Designations, Preferences and
Rights of the Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's 1996 Annual Report
on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).
2.3 -- Restated By Laws of the Company.
2.4 -- Indenture dated as of July 15, 1994 between the Company, as
issuer, and The Bank of New York, successor to NationsBank
of Georgia, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to the Company's 1994 Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).
2.5 -- First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 28, 1994 to
Indenture dated as of July 15, 1994 between the Company, as
issuer, and The Bank of New York, successor to NationsBank
of Georgia, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 2.5 to the Company's 1994 Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).
2.6 -- Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 29, 1995 to
Indenture dated as of July 15, 1994 between the Company, as
issuer, and The Bank of New York, successor to NationsBank
of Georgia, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 2.5 to the Company's 1995 Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).
2.7 -- Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 18, 1995
to Indenture dated as of July 15, 1994 between the Company,
as issuer, and The Bank of New York, successor to
NationsBank of Georgia, National Association, as Trustee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.6 to the Company's
1995 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).
2.8 -- Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 12, 1996 to
Indenture dated as of July 15, 1994 between the Company, as
issuer, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated
by reference to Document No. 2 in the Company's Form 6-K
filed with the Commission on February 10, 1997).
</TABLE>

32
35

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
<C> <C> <S>
2.9 -- Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 14, 1997 to
Indenture dated as of July 15, 1994 between the Company, as
issuer, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 2.10 to the Company's 1997 Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).
2.10 -- Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 14, 1997 to
Indenture dated as of July 15, 1994 between the Company, as
issuer and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.11 to the Company's 1997 Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).
2.11 -- Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 16, 1998 to
Indenture dated as of July 15, 1994 between the Company, as
issuer, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 2.12 to the Company's 1997 Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).
2.12 -- Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 16, 1998 to
Indenture dated as of July 15, 1994 between the Company, as
issuer, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 2.13 to the Company's 1997 Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).
2.13 -- Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 28,
1996 among the Company and various financial institutions
and The Bank of Nova Scotia as Administrative Agent and
Amendment No. 1 thereto (incorporated by reference to
Document No. 3 in the Company's Form 6-K filed with the
Commission on February 10, 1997 and Exhibit 1.1 to the
Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the
Commission).
2.14 -- New Credit Agreement dated December 12, 1997 between
Seabrook Maritime Inc. and Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau
("KfW") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.13 to the
Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the
Commission).
2.15 -- Loan Facility Agreement dated November 29, 1993 between
Esker Marine Shipping Inc. and KfW, together with
supplemental agreement thereto (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 2.16 to the Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form
20-F filed with the Commission).
2.16 -- Loan Facility Agreement dated November 29, 1993 between Blue
Sapphire Marine Inc. and KfW, together with supplemental
agreement thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.17
to the Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with
the Commission).
2.17 -- Loan Facility Agreement dated June 21, 1990 between Zenith
Shipping Corporation and KfW, together with supplemental
agreements thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
2.18 to the Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed
with the Commission).
2.18 -- Loan Facility Agreement dated March 6, 1989 between Fantasia
Cruising Inc. and KfW, together with supplemental agreements
thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.19 to the
Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the
Commission).
2.19 -- Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated as
of July 30, 1997 among the Company, A. Wilhelmsen AS, Cruise
Associates, Monument Capital Corporation, Archinav Holdings,
Ltd. and Overseas Cruiseship, Inc (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 2.20 to the Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form
20-F filed with the Commission).
2.20 -- Lease Agreement dated March 3, 1993 between the Company and
G.I.E. Cruise Vision One and Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 thereto
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.9 to the Company's
1994 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission
and Exhibit 1.4 to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form
20-F filed with the Commission).
2.21 -- Lease Agreement dated March 3, 1993 between the Company and
G.I.E. Cruise Vision Two and Amendment Nos. 1, 2 and 3
thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.11 to the
Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the
Commission).
2.22 -- Contract dated October 21, 1994 between the Company and
Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Amendment No. 1 and Addendum
No. 1 thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 2.15
and 1.1 to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 20-F
filed with the Commission and Exhibit 1.2 to the Company's
1997 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the
Commission).**
2.23 -- Contract dated January 7, 1997 between the Company and
Kvaerner Masa-Yards Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Document No. 4 in the Company's Form 6-K filed with the
Commission on February 10, 1997).*
</TABLE>

33
36

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
<C> <C> <S>
2.24 -- Contract dated March 20, 1997 between the Company and
Kvaerner Masa-Yards Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 2.22 to the Company's 1996 Annual Report on Form
20-F filed with the Commission).*
2.25 -- Contract dated March 5, 1998 between the Company and
Kvaerner Masa-Yards Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 2.30 to the Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form
20-F filed with the Commission).*
2.26 -- Contract for Hull Number R-31 dated March 16, 1998 between
the Company and Chantiers de l'Atlantique (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.31 to the Company's 1997 Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).*
2.27 -- Contract for Hull Number S-31 dated March 16, 1998 between
the Company and Chantiers de l'Atlantique (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.32 to the Company's 1997 Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).*
2.28 -- Contract for Hull Number T-31 dated March 16, 1998 between
the Company and Chantiers de l'Atlantique (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.33 to the Company's 1997 Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).*
2.29 -- Contract for Hull Number U-31 dated March 16, 1998 between
the Company and Chantiers de l'Atlantique (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.34 to the Company's 1997 Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).*
2.30 -- Contract for Hull No. S-655 dated as of April 9, 1998
between the Company and Jos. L. Meyer GMBH & Co. and
Addendum Nos. 1 and 2 thereto.**
2.31 -- Contract for Hull No. S-656 dated as of April 9, 1998
between the Company and Jos. L. Meyer GMBH & Co. and
Addendum Nos. 1 and 2 thereto.**
2.32 -- Office Building Lease Agreement dated July 25, 1989 between
Dade County and the Company, as amended (incorporated by
reference to Exhibits 10.116 and 10.117 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-1, File No. 33-46157, filed
with the Commission).
2.33 -- Office Building Lease Agreement dated January 18, 1994
between Dade County and the Company (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.13 to the Company's 1993 Annual
Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission).
23 -- Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent certified
public accountants.
</TABLE>

- ---------------

* Portions of this document have been omitted pursuant to an order by the
Commission granting confidential treatment. Confidential portions of this
document have been separately filed with the Commission.

** Portions of this document have been omitted pursuant to an application filed
with the Commission for an order for confidential treatment. Confidential
portions of this document have been separately filed with the Commission.

34
37

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants.......... F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Fiscal Years
ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.................... F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and
1997...................................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years
ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.................... F-5
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.............. F-6
</TABLE>

F-1
38

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Shareholders and Directors
of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the
related consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
and its subsidiaries at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management;
our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Miami, Florida
February 5, 1999, except for the second paragraph of Note 13,
which is as of February 24, 1999

F-2
39

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues................................................... $2,636,291 $1,939,007 $1,357,325
---------- ---------- ----------
Expenses
Operating................................................ 1,593,728 1,219,268 854,478
Marketing, selling and administrative.................... 359,214 272,368 194,629
Depreciation and amortization............................ 194,614 143,816 91,185
---------- ---------- ----------
2,147,556 1,635,452 1,140,292
---------- ---------- ----------
Operating Income........................................... 488,735 303,555 217,033
---------- ---------- ----------
Other Income (Expense)
Interest income.......................................... 15,912 4,666 2,278
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest............ (167,869) (128,531) (76,540)
Other income (expense)................................... (6,008) 2,995 8,095
---------- ---------- ----------
(157,965) (120,870) (66,167)
---------- ---------- ----------
Income Before Extraordinary Item........................... 330,700 182,685 150,866
Extraordinary Item......................................... -- (7,558) --
---------- ---------- ----------
Net Income................................................. $ 330,700 $ 175,127 $ 150,866
========== ========== ==========
Basic Earnings Per Share
Income before extraordinary item......................... $ 1.90 $ 1.22 $ 1.19
Extraordinary item....................................... -- (0.05) --
---------- ---------- ----------
Net income............................................... $ 1.90 $ 1.17 $ 1.19
========== ========== ==========
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Income before extraordinary item......................... $ 1.83 $ 1.20 $ 1.17
Extraordinary item....................................... -- (0.05) --
---------- ---------- ----------
Net, income.............................................. $ 1.83 $ 1.15 $ 1.17
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-3
40

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 172,921 $ 110,793
Trade and other receivables, net.......................... 36,532 22,628
Inventories............................................... 31,834 37,274
Prepaid expenses.......................................... 45,044 40,450
---------- ----------
Total current assets.............................. 286,331 211,145
Property and Equipment -- at cost less accumulated
depreciation and amortization............................. 5,073,008 4,785,291
Goodwill -- less accumulated amortization of $107,365 and
$96,952, respectively..................................... 309,801 320,214
Other Assets................................................ 16,936 23,098
---------- ----------
$5,686,076 $5,339,748
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt......................... $ 127,919 $ 141,013
Accounts payable.......................................... 115,833 108,474
Accrued liabilities....................................... 243,477 210,454
Customer deposits......................................... 402,926 429,403
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities......................... 890,155 889,344
Long-Term Debt.............................................. 2,341,163 2,431,683
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock ($.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares
authorized; cumulative convertible preferred shares
issued and outstanding, 3,450,000 shares stated at
liquidation value)..................................... 172,500 172,500
Common stock ($.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares
authorized 168,945,222 and 162,128,974 shares
issued)................................................ 1,690 1,621
Paid-in capital........................................... 1,361,796 1,188,304
Retained earnings......................................... 923,691 660,655
Treasury stock (354,492 and 314,148 common shares at
cost).................................................. (4,919) (4,359)
---------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity........................ 2,454,758 2,018,721
---------- ----------
$5,686,076 $5,339,748
========== ==========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-4
41

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
-------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income.................................................. $330,770 $ 175,127 $150,866
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization............................. 194,614 143,816 91,185
Gain on sale of assets.................................... (31,031) (4,000) (10,306)
Write-down of vessel to fair value........................ 32,035 -- --
Extraordinary item........................................ -- 2,387 --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in trade and other receivables, net... (13,904) 145 (3,364)
Decrease (increase) in inventories........................ 5,440 (1,885) (5,835)
(Increase) in prepaid expenses............................ (3,600) (6,206) (7,065)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable................... 7,359 2,010 (2,437)
Increase in accrued liabilities........................... 27,722 31,299 22,451
(Decrease) increase in customer deposits.................. (26,477) 89,896 61,408
Other, net................................................ 3,930 1,532 2,611
-------- ----------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities......... 526,858 434,121 299,514
-------- ----------- --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment.......................... (556,953) (1,106,214) (722,389)
Proceeds from sale of assets................................ 94,500 99,966 40,000
Acquisition of Celebrity Cruise Lines Inc., net of cash,
cash equivalents and short-term investments acquired...... -- (152,423) --
Other, net.................................................. 247 (11,802) (6,039)
-------- ----------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities............. (462,206) (1,170,473) (688,428)
-------- ----------- --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt.................... 296,141 695,189 452,668
Repayment of long-term debt................................. (395,144) (367,353) (22,025)
Dividends................................................... (67,734) (49,984) (34,384)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock...................... 165,532 364,631 --
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock................... -- 167,030 --
Other, net.................................................. (1,319) (2,787) 1,818
-------- ----------- --------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing
activities...................................... (2,524) 806,726 398,077
-------- ----------- --------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents................... 62,128 70,374 9,163
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year................ 110,793 40,419 31,256
-------- ----------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year...................... $172,921 $ 110,793 $ 40,419
======== =========== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized.................... $170,278 $ 127,457 $ 65,110
======== =========== ========
Capital stock issued for acquisition........................ $ -- $ 270,000 $ --
======== =========== ========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-5
42

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. GENERAL

Description of Business

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., a Liberian corporation, and its subsidiaries
(the "Company"), is a global cruise company. In July 1997, the Company acquired
100% of the outstanding stock of Celebrity Cruise Lines Inc. ("Celebrity") (See
Note 4 -- Acquisition). The Company operates two cruise brands, Royal Caribbean
International, which operates operates 12 cruise ships (one of which has been
sold and will operate under a charter agreement until March 1999), and Celebrity
Cruises, which operates five cruise ships. The Company's ships call on
destinations in Alaska, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe,
Hawaii, Mexico, New England, the Panama Canal and Scandinavia.

Basis for Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles and are presented in U.S. dollars.
Management estimates are required for the preparation of financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could
differ from these estimates. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Cruise Revenues and Expenses

Deposits received on sales of passenger cruises are recorded as customer
deposits and are recognized, together with revenues from shipboard activities
and all associated direct costs of a voyage, upon completion of voyages with
durations of 10 days or less and on a pro rata basis for voyages in excess of 10
days. Certain revenues and expenses for pro rata voyages are estimated.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and marketable securities with
original maturities of less than 90 days.

Inventories

Inventories consist of provisions, supplies, fuel and gift shop merchandise
carried at the lower of cost (weighted-average) or market.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Significant vessel refurbishing
costs are capitalized as additions to the vessel, while costs of repairs and
maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The Company capitalizes interest
as part of the cost of construction. The Company reviews long-lived assets,
identifiable intangibles and goodwill and reserves for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate, based on estimated future cash
flows, the carrying amount of the assets will not be fully recoverable.

Depreciation of property and equipment, which includes amortization of
vessels under capital lease, is computed using the straight-line method over
useful lives of primarily 30 years for vessels and three to 10 years for other
property and equipment. (See Note 5 -- Property and Equipment.)

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets
acquired and is being amortized over 40 years using the straight-line method.

F-6
43
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred except those costs which result
in tangible assets, such as brochures, are treated as prepaid supplies and
charged to operations as consumed. Advertising expense consists of media
advertising as well as brochure, production and direct mail costs. Media
advertising was $76.7, $62.5 and $46.6 million, and brochure, production and
direct mail costs were $63.2, $33.7 and $29.2 million for the years 1998, 1997
and 1996, respectively.

Drydocking

Drydocking costs are accrued evenly over the period to the next scheduled
drydocking and are included in accrued liabilities.

Financial Instruments

The Company enters into various forward, option and swap contracts to limit
its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and oil prices,
to modify its exposure to interest rate movements and to manage its interest
costs. The differential in interest rates and oil prices to be paid or received
under these agreements is recognized in income over the life of the contracts as
part of interest expense and fuel expense, respectively. Foreign exchange
forward and/or option contracts are revalued as of the balance sheet date based
on forward and/or option contracts with comparable characteristics, and
resulting gains and losses are recognized in income currently.

Foreign Currency Transactions

The majority of the Company's transactions are settled in U.S. dollars.
Gains or losses resulting from transactions denominated in other currencies and
remeasurements of other currencies are recognized in income currently.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income, after
deducting preferred stock dividends accumulated during the period, by the
weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each
period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the
weighted-average number of shares of common stock, common stock equivalents and
other potentially dilutive securities outstanding during each period.

Stock Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value
method and discloses certain fair market value information with respect to its
stock option activity in the notes to the financial statements.

Segment Reporting

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
131 -- Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information for
the year ended December 31, 1998. Although the Company operates two brands,
Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, the brands have been
aggregated as a single operating segment based on the similarity of their
economic characteristics as well as product and services provided.

F-7
44
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Information about geographic areas is shown in the table below. Revenues
are attributed to geographic areas based on the source of the customer.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
United States............................................... 84% 85% 85%
All Other Countries......................................... 16% 15% 15%
</TABLE>

NOTE 3. STOCK SPLIT

On June 23, 1998, the Company authorized a two-for-one split of its common
stock effected in the form of a stock dividend. The additional shares were
distributed on July 31, 1998 to shareholders of record on July 10, 1998. All
share and per share information has been retroactively restated to reflect this
stock split.

NOTE 4. ACQUISITION

In July 1997, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of
Celebrity, a provider of cruises to the North American market. The purchase
price was $515.0 million, payable in cash of $245.0 million and 14,896,552
shares of the Company's common stock. This acquisition has been accounted for
under the purchase method, and the results of the operations of Celebrity have
been included in the consolidated financial statements since July 1, 1997. The
total cost of the acquisition was allocated to the tangible assets acquired and
liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values.

The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of
consolidated results of operations of the Company, including Celebrity, as if
the acquisition had occurred January 1, 1996 (in thousands, except per share
amounts).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenue..................................................... $2,196,571 $1,769,216
Income before extraordinary item............................ $ 174,406 $ 136,498
Net income.................................................. $ 166,848 $ 136,498
Earnings per share
Income before extraordinary item
Basic.................................................. $ 1.10 $ 0.96
Diluted................................................ $ 1.10 $ 0.95
Net income
Basic.................................................. $ 1.05 $ 0.96
Diluted................................................ $ 1.05 $ 0.95
</TABLE>

The unaudited pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes
only and include certain adjustments, such as additional depreciation expense as
a result of a step-up in the basis of fixed assets and increased interest
expense on acquisition debt. They do not purport to be indicative of the results
which would actually have been achieved if this acquisition had been effected on
the date indicated or of those results which may be obtained in the future.

F-8
45
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

NOTE 5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Land........................................................ $ 5,320 $ 5,320
Vessels..................................................... 4,457,070 4,201,443
Vessels under capital lease................................. 763,350 760,941
Vessels under construction.................................. 285,243 160,771
Other....................................................... 170,290 139,281
---------- ----------
5,681,273 5,267,756
Less -- accumulated depreciation and amortization........... (608,265) (482,465)
---------- ----------
$5,073,008 $4,785,291
========== ==========
</TABLE>

Vessels under construction includes progress payments for the construction
of new vessels as well as planning, design, interest, commitment fees and other
associated costs. The Company capitalized interest costs of $15.0, $15.8 and
$15.9 million for the years 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Accumulated
amortization related to vessels under capital lease was $67.9 and $45.8 million
at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

In May 1998, the Company sold Song of America for $94.5 million and
recognized a gain on the sale of $31.0 million which is included in Other income
(expense). In the second quarter of 1998 the Company incurred a $32.0 million
charge related to the write-down to fair market value of Viking Serenade. Based
on the Company's strategic objective to maintain a modernized fleet, the unique
circumstances of this vessel and indications of the current value of Viking
Serenade, the Company recorded a write-down of the carrying value to its current
estimated fair market value which is included in Other income (expense). The
Company continues to operate and depreciate the vessel which is classified as
part of Property and Equipment on the balance sheet.

In October 1997, the Company sold Sun Viking for $30.0 million and
recognized a gain on the sale of $4.0 million. In September 1997, the Company
sold Meridian. The sale price was $62.1 million and there was no gain or loss
recognized in the transaction. In October 1996, the Company sold Song of Norway
for $40.0 million and recognized a gain on the sale of $10.3 million. The
Company has recorded the gains in Other income (expense).

F-9
46
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

NOTE 6. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
$1 billion revolving credit facility, LIBOR plus 0.30%
interest rate on balances outstanding, 0.15% facility fee,
due 2003.................................................. $ -- $ 60,000
Senior Notes and Senior Debentures bearing interest at rates
ranging from 6.75% to 8.25%, due 2002 through 2008, 2018
and 2027.................................................. 1,390,006 1,090,443
Unsecured fixed rate loan bearing interest at 8.0%, due
2006...................................................... 185,277 211,075
Fixed rate loans bearing interest at rates ranging from 6.7%
to 8.0%, due through 2005, secured by certain Celebrity
vessels................................................... 403,560 595,147
Variable rate loans bearing interest at 6.5% through Nov.
2001, LIBOR plus 0.45% through 2004, due through 2004,
secured by certain Celebrity vessels...................... 30,978 142,670
Capital lease obligations, implicit interest rates ranging
from 7.0% to 7.2%, due through 2011....................... 459,261 473,361
---------- ----------
2,469,082 2,572,696
Less -- current portion..................................... (127,919) (141,013)
---------- ----------
Long-term portion........................................... $2,341,163 $2,431,683
========== ==========
</TABLE>

Under the Company's $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (the
"$1 Billion Revolving Credit Facility"), the contractual interest rate on
balances outstanding varies with the Company's debt rating. In addition, the $1
Billion Revolving Credit Facility contains a competitive bid provision which may
allow the Company to borrow funds at less than the contractual interest rate.

In March 1998, the Company issued $150.0 million of 6.75% Senior Notes due
2008 and $150.0 million of 7.25% Senior Debentures due 2018. Net proceeds to the
Company were approximately $296.1 million.

In May 1997, the Company redeemed the remaining $104.5 million of 11 3/8%
Senior Subordinated Notes and incurred an extraordinary charge of approximately
$7.6 million, or $0.05 per share on the early extinguishment of debt.

The Senior Notes and Senior Debentures are unsecured and are not redeemable
prior to maturity.

The Company entered into a $264.0 million capital lease to finance
Splendour of the Seas and a $260.0 million capital lease to finance Legend of
the Seas in 1996 and 1995, respectively. The capital leases each have
semi-annual payments of $12.0 million over 15 years with final payments of $99.0
and $97.5 million, respectively.

The Company's debt agreements contain covenants that require the Company,
among other things, to maintain minimum liquidity amounts, net worth and fixed
charge coverage ratios and limit debt to capital ratios. The Company is in
compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 1998. Following is a schedule
of principal repayments on long-term debt (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR
- ----
<S> <C>
1999........................................................ $ 127,919
2000........................................................ 128,086
2001........................................................ 109,982
2002........................................................ 259,853
2003........................................................ 110,948
Thereafter.................................................. 1,732,294
----------
$2,469,082
==========
</TABLE>

F-10
47
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

NOTE 7. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

The following represents an analysis of the changes in shareholders' equity
for the years 1998, 1997 and 1996 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREFERRED COMMON PAID-IN RETAINED TREASURY
STOCK STOCK CAPITAL EARNINGS STOCK TOTAL
--------- ------ ---------- -------- -------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, January 1, 1996................... $ -- $1,270 $ 548,339 $419,030 $(3,551) $ 965,088
Issuance under Employee Related Plans...... -- 6 3,606 -- (248) 3,364
Common stock dividends..................... -- -- -- (34,384) -- (34,384)
Net Income................................. -- -- -- 150,866 -- 150,866
-------- ------ ---------- -------- ------- ----------
Balance, December 31, 1996................. -- 1,276 551,945 535,512 (3,799) 1,084,934
Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock.... 172,500 -- (5,470) -- -- 167,030
Acquisition of Celebrity................... -- 148 269,852 -- -- 270,000
Issuance of Common Stock................... -- 187 364,444 -- -- 364,631
Issuance under Employee Related Plans...... -- 10 7,533 -- (560) 6,983
Preferred stock dividends.................. -- -- -- (9,201) -- (9,201)
Common stock dividends..................... -- -- -- (40,783) -- (40,783)
Net Income................................. -- -- -- 175,127 -- 175,127
-------- ------ ---------- -------- ------- ----------
Balance, December 31, 1997................. 172,500 1,621 1,188,304 660,655 (4,359) 2,018,721
Issuance of Common Stock................... -- 61 165,471 -- -- 165,532
Issuance under Employee Related Plans...... -- 8 8,021 -- (560) 7,469
Preferred stock dividends.................. -- -- -- (12,506) -- (12,506)
Common stock dividends..................... -- -- -- (55,228) -- (55,228)
Net Income................................. -- -- -- 330,770 -- 330,770
-------- ------ ---------- -------- ------- ----------
Balance, December 31, 1998................. $172,500 $1,690 $1,361,796 $923,691 $(4,919) $2,454,758
======== ====== ========== ======== ======= ==========
</TABLE>

In March 1998, the Company completed a public offering of 13,800,000 shares
of common stock at a price of $28.25 per share. Of the total shares sold,
7,699,310 shares were sold by selling shareholders and the balance of 6,100,690
shares were sold by the Company. After deduction of the underwriting discount
and other estimated expenses of the offering, net proceeds to the Company were
approximately $165.5 million.

In February 1997, the Company issued 3,450,000 shares of $3.625 Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Convertible Preferred Stock"). The Convertible
Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $50 per share and is convertible
by the holder at any time into shares of common stock at a conversion price of
$16.20 per share of common stock (equivalent to a conversion rate of 3.0864
shares of common stock for each share of Convertible Preferred Stock). The
shares of Convertible Preferred Stock are redeemable, at the option of the
Company, subsequent to February 16, 2000 at pre-established redemption prices.

The Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan facilitates the purchase by
employees of up to 800,000 shares of common stock commencing January 1, 1994.
The purchase price is derived from a formula based on 90% of the fair market
value of the common stock during the quarterly purchase period, subject to
certain restrictions. Shares of common stock of 35,546, 33,276 and 49,560 were
issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan at an average price of $28.33,
$16.48 and $11.50 during 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

F-11
48
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Under an executive compensation program approved in 1994, the Company will
award to a trust 10,086 shares of common stock per quarter, up to a maximum of
806,880 shares. The Company issued 40,344 shares under the program during 1998,
1997 and 1996.

The Company has an Employee Stock Option Plan and an Incentive Stock Option
Plan which provide for awards to officers, directors and key employees of the
Company up to an aggregate 6,703,000 shares and 2,700,000 shares of common
stock, respectively. Options are granted at a price not less than the fair value
of the shares on the date of grant and expire not later than 10 years after the
date of grant. Options under the Employee Stock Option Plan generally become
exercisable as to 40% of the amount granted two years after the grant date and
20% of the amount granted at the end of each of the three succeeding years.
Options under the Incentive Stock Option Plan generally become exercisable as to
25% of the amount granted two years after the grant date and 25% of the amount
granted at the end of each of the three succeeding years.

Stock option activity and information about stock options are summarized in
the following tables.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF AVERAGE
STOCK OPTION ACTIVITY OPTIONS PRICE
- --------------------- --------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance at January 1, 1996.................................. 4,243,928 $ 9.74
Granted................................................... 1,706,094 $12.62
Exercised................................................. (425,778) $ 6.56
Canceled.................................................. (202,544) $12.48
---------
Balance at December 31, 1996................................ 5,321,700 $10.81
Granted................................................... 1,080,000 $19.49
Exercised................................................. (831,608) $ 7.87
Canceled.................................................. (95,776) $13.16
---------
Balance at December 31, 1997................................ 5,474,316 $12.92
Granted................................................... 2,013,000 $25.07
Exercised................................................. (652,474) $ 9.90
Canceled.................................................. (342,452) $16.74
---------
Balance at December 31, 1998................................ 6,492,390 $16.78
=========
Available for Future Grants, end of the Year................ 1,274,360
</TABLE>

STOCK OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OUTSTANDING EXERCISABLE
-------------------------------------- --------------------------
AVERAGE
REMAINING AVERAGE AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICE RANGE SHARES LIFE EXERCISE PRICE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE
- -------------------- --------- --------- -------------- --------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$6.28 - $12.16......................... 1,641,816 4.4 years $ 9.00 1,188,494 $ 8.08
$13.16 - $13.78........................ 1,814,474 6.6 years $13.49 983,322 $13.49
$14.03 - $22.31........................ 1,860,100 8.9 years $20.45 81,930 $14.24
$25.59 - $32.84........................ 1,176,000 9.2 years $26.95 -- $ --
--------- ---------
6,492,390 7.2 years $16.78 2,253,746 $10.66
========= =========
</TABLE>

The Company uses the intrinsic value method of accounting for stock-based
compensation. Had the fair value based method been used to account for such
compensation, compensation costs would have reduced net income by $8.2, $4.0 and
$2.6 million or $0.05, $0.03 and $0.02 per share in 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The weighted-average fair value of options granted during 1998,
1997 and 1996 was $10.49, $7.80 and $5.42, respectively. Fair market value
information for the Company's stock options for 1998, 1997 and 1996 was

F-12
49
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

estimated using the Black-Scholes Model assuming an expected dividend rate of
1.5%, an estimated term of six years, a risk-free rate of approximately 5% in
1998 and 6% in 1997 and 1996 and an expected volatility of 35.0% in 1998 and
28.0% in 1997 and 1996.

Effective January 1, 1998, the Company instituted a program to award stock
to employees up to a maximum of 1,400,000 shares of common stock. Employees are
awarded five shares of the Company's stock at the end of each year of employment
over a 10-year period. Employees can elect to receive cash equal to the fair
market value of the stock upon vesting. Compensation expense was $3.6 million in
1998 related to this program.

NOTE 8. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Below is a reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share
before extraordinary item for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
(in thousands, except per share amounts).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
-------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------
PER PER PER
INCOME SHARES SHARE INCOME SHARES SHARE INCOME SHARES SHARE
-------- ------- ----- -------- ------- ----- -------- ------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income before extraordinary item......... $330,770 $182,685 $150,866
Less: Preferred stock dividend........... (12,506) (10,765) --
-------- -------- --------
Basic earnings per share................. 318,264 167,577 $1.90 171,920 141,010 $1.22 150,866 127,295 $1.19
===== ===== =====
Effect of Dilutive Securities
Stock options.......................... 2,940 1,978 1,132
Convertible preferred stock............ 12,506 10,648 10,765 9,186 -- --
-------- ------- -------- ------- -------- -------
Diluted earnings per share............... $330,770 181,165 $1.83 $182,685 152,174 $1.20 $150,866 128,427 $1.17
======== ======= ===== ======== ======= ===== ======== ======= =====
</TABLE>

Extraordinary loss per share for the year ended 1997 for basic and diluted
earnings per share was ($0.05).

NOTE 9. RETIREMENT PLANS

The Company maintains a defined contribution pension plan covering all of
its full-time shoreside employees who have completed the minimum period of
continuous service. Annual contributions to the plan are based on fixed
percentages of participants' salaries and years of service, not to exceed
certain maximums, as defined in the plan. Pension cost was $6.9, $4.9 and $4.3
million for the years 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

NOTE 10. OPERATING LEASES

The Company is obligated under noncancelable operating leases for various
facilities, primarily office and warehouse space. As of December 31, 1998,
future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases were as
follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR
- ----
<S> <C>
1999........................................................ $ 5,134
2000........................................................ 4,444
2001........................................................ 4,205
2002........................................................ 4,110
2003........................................................ 4,023
Thereafter.................................................. 26,017
-------
$47,933
=======
</TABLE>

F-13
50
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Total rent expense for all operating leases amounted to $6.9, $5.7 and $4.9
million for the years 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

NOTE 11. INCOME TAXES

The Company and the majority of its subsidiaries are not subject to U.S.
corporate income tax on income generated from the international operation of
ships pursuant to Section 883 of the Internal Revenue Code, provided that they
meet certain tests related to country of incorporation and composition of
shareholders. The Company believes that it and a majority of its subsidiaries
meet these tests. Income tax expense related to the Company's remaining
subsidiaries is not significant.

NOTE 12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments are as
follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
------------------------- -------------------------
CARRYING CARRYING
AMOUNT FAIR VALUE AMOUNT FAIR VALUE
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash and Cash Equivalents........... $ 172,921 $ 172,921 $ 110,793 $ 110,793
Long-Term Debt (including current
portion of long-term debt)........ (2,469,082) (2,564,985) (2,572,696) (2,668,447)
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
in a net receivable position...... 2,370 48,558 1,567 21,372
</TABLE>

The carrying amounts shown are the amounts reported in the consolidated
balance sheets. The reported fair values are based on a variety of factors and
assumptions. Accordingly, the fair values may not represent actual values of the
financial instruments that could have been realized as of December 31, 1998 or
1997 or that will be realized in the future and do not include expenses that
could be incurred in an actual sale or settlement. The following methods were
used to estimate the fair values of the Company's financial instruments, none of
which are held for trading or speculative purposes:

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity
of those instruments.

Long-Term Debt

The fair values of the $1 Billion Revolving Credit Facility, the capital
leases, the secured fixed and variable rate loans and the unsecured fixed rate
loan were estimated based on the market rates available to the Company for
similar debt with the same remaining maturities. The fair values of the Senior
Notes and Senior Debentures were estimated by obtaining quoted market prices.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The fair value of interest rate swap agreements was estimated based on
quoted market prices for similar or identical financial instruments to those
held by the Company. The Company's exposure to market risk for changes in
interest rates relates to its long-term debt obligations. Market risk associated
with the Company's long-term debt is the potential increase in fair value
resulting from a decrease in interest rates. The Company uses interest rate
swaps to modify its exposure to interest rate movements and manage its interest
expense. As of December 31, 1998, the Company had agreements in effect which
exchanged floating interest rates for fixed interest rates in a notional amount
of $100.0 million maturing in 1999 and fixed interest rates for floating
interest rates in a notional amount of $668.8 million maturing in 2002 through
2008.

F-14
51
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The Company has exposure under these interest rate swap agreements for the
cost of replacing the contracts in the event of nonperformance by the
counterparties, all of which are currently the Company's lending banks. To
minimize that risk, the Company limits its exposure to any individual
counterparty and selects counterparties with credit risks acceptable to the
Company.

In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 -- Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities ("FAS 133") which requires all derivative instruments to
be carried at fair market value on the balance sheet with changes in fair value
recognized in income in the period they occur. FAS 133 is effective for fiscal
quarters of all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999 (January 1, 2000 for
the Company). The Company has not yet determined the impact that the adoption of
FAS 133 will have on its earnings or statement of financial position.

NOTE 13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company has nine ships on order. Three are Eagle-class vessels
designated for the Royal Caribbean International fleet, the first of which,
Voyager of the Seas is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 1999,
followed by two sister vessels scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of
2000 and second quarter of 2002. The Company also has two Vantage-class vessel
designated for the Royal Caribbean International fleet scheduled for delivery in
the first quarter of 2001 and second quarter of 2002 and four Millennium-class
vessels designated for the Celebrity Cruises fleet, scheduled for delivery in
the second quarter of 2000, first quarter of 2001, third quarter of 2001 and
second quarter of 2002. The aggregate contract price of the nine ships, which
excludes capitalized interest and other ancillary costs, is approximately $3.6
billion of which the Company deposited $144.6 million during 1998 and $74.3
million during 1997. Additional deposits are due prior to the dates of delivery
of $237.4 million in 1999, $88.1 million in 2000 and $25.0 million in 2001.

In June 1998, the Company entered into a plea agreement with the U.S.
Department of Justice settling previously filed charges contained in two
indictments pending in the U.S. District of Puerto Rico and the Southern
District of Florida, respectively. The indictments, which pertained to events
that occurred in 1994 and prior years, contained a total of 11 felony counts
related to improper disposal of oil-contaminated bilge water and attempts to
conceal such activities from the U.S. Coast Guard. Under the plea agreement, the
Company pled guilty to eight of the 11 counts and agreed to pay $9.0 million.
The U.S. government is continuing its investigation of the Company's bilge water
and other waste disposal practices through federal grand jury proceedings in
Anchorage, Alaska, Los Angeles, California, Miami, Florida and New York, New
York. In February 1999, the Company was indicted by the grand jury in Los
Angeles on charges that it presented false oil record books for one of its
vessels to the U.S. Coast Guard three times during 1994. Each of the three
counts in the indictment carries a maximum fine of $500,000, subject to increase
under certain circumstances. Although the Company is not able at this time to
estimate the timing or impact of these continuing investigations, the Company
may be subject to additional charges for violations of U.S. law.

Beginning in December 1995, several purported class action suits were filed
alleging that Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity misrepresented to its
guests the amount of its port charge expenses. The suits seek declaratory relief
and damages in an unspecified amount. Beginning in August 1996, several
purported class action suits were filed alleging that Royal Caribbean
International and Celebrity should have paid commissions to travel agents on
port charges included in the price of cruise fares. The suit seeks damages in an
unspecified amount. Similar suits are pending against other companies in the
cruise industry. In February 1997, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity and
certain other cruise lines entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance
with the Florida Attorney General's office. Under the Assurance of Voluntary
Compliance, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity agreed to include all
components of the cruise ticket price, other than governmental taxes and fees,
in the advertised price. In January 1999, Royal Caribbean International entered
into an agreement to settle certain of the class-action suits filed on behalf of
its passengers. Celebrity entered into a similar settlement agreement. Under the
terms of the settlement

F-15
52
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

agreements, each of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity will issue
travel vouchers having a face amounts ranging from $8 to $30, in the case of
Royal Caribbean International, and from $20 to $45 in the case of Celebrity, to
passengers who are U.S. residents and who sailed on Royal Caribbean
International or Celebrity, as the case may be, between April 1992 and April
1997. Such vouchers may be applied to reduce the cruise fare of a future cruise
on Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity, as the case may be, and are valid
for up to three years from the date of issuance. The settlements have received
preliminary court approval but are subject to final court approval. Since the
amount and timing of the vouchers to be redeemed and the effect of redemption of
revenues is not reasonable determinable, the Company has not established a
liability for the vouchers and will account for their redemption as a reduction
of future revenues. In December 1998, a Florida state court judge dismissed one
of the class-action suits filed on behalf of travel agents for failure to state
a claim under Florida law. The plaintiff in that case has filed an appeal of
that decision. The Company is not able at this time to estimate the timing or
impact of the travel agent proceedings on the Company.

The Company is routinely involved in other claims typical to the cruise
industry. The majority of these claims are covered by insurance. Management
believes the outcome of such other claims which are not covered by insurance
would not have a material adverse effect upon the Company's financial condition
or results of operations.

NOTE 14. QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIRST QUARTER SECOND QUARTER THIRD QUARTER FOURTH QUARTER
------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues.............................. $659,777 $394,590 $656,456 $403,467 $744,910 $612,542 $575,148 $528,408
Operating Income...................... 119,461 60,637 121,533 67,397 183,592 116,911 64,149 58,610
Income Before Extraordinary Item...... 77,537 38,481 79,770 45,918 150,038 75,931 23,425 22,355
Extraordinary Item.................... -- -- -- (7,558) -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net Income............................ $ 77,537 $ 38,481 $ 79,770 $ 38,360 $150,038 $ 75,931 $ 23,425 $ 22,355
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Basic Earnings Per Share(1):
Income before extraordinary item.... $ 0.45 $ 0.29 $ 0.45 $ 0.33 $ 0.87 $ 0.50 $ 0.12 $ 0.12
Extraordinary item.................. -- -- -- (0.05) -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income.......................... $ 0.45 $ 0.29 $ 0.45 $ 0.28 $ 0.87 $ 0.50 $ 0.12 $ 0.12
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted Earnings Per Share(1):
Income before extraordinary item.... $ 0.44 $ 0.29 $ 0.44 $ 0.32 $ 0.82 $ 0.48 $ 0.12 $ 0.12
Extraordinary item.................. -- -- -- (0.05) -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income.......................... $ 0.44 $ 0.29 $ 0.44 $ 0.27 $ 0.82 $ 0.48 $ 0.12 $ 0.12
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Dividends Declared Per Share.......... $ 0.08 $ 0.07 $ 0.08 $ 0.07 $ 0.09 $ 0.08 $ 0.09 $ 0.08
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Earnings per share is computed after giving effect to the two-for-one stock
split effective July 31, 1998. Prior year amounts have been restated.

F-16