Royal Caribbean chairman Richard Fain sat down with Smart Money for a question and answer session to talk about the state of Royal Caribbean today.  Here are a few of the questions of particular interest.

SmartMoney: Historically, cruises have been cheaper than vacations on land. Has the gap narrowed?
A cruise is still a better value. It frustrates me that [so many people] haven't cruised. Eighty percent of Americans haven't taken a cruise!

SmartMoney: Asia has the growth everyone wants. You have done little there.
We are getting to that point. The Chinese government in particular has made a decision that cruise tours are good for the country. They have started making investments in port facilities. [Our participation] couldn't have come much earlier.

You can read the entire interview here

With the docking of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas on March 22, the brand new Falmouth port in Jamaica is officially opened after a ribbon cutting ceremony that was attended by Jamaican officials and Royal Caribbean represenatives.

Royal Caribbean chairman Richard Fain was on hand for the ceremony along with Jamaica Minister of Transport and Works, Mike Henry, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett,  Member of Parliament Dr Patrick Harris and chairman and chief executive officer of the Port Authority of Jamaica, Noel Hylton. 

Henry, in his opening remarks, said, "I am happy to be part of this official opening ceremony for the new cruise ship port here in Falmouth. It is certainly good to be no longer hearing about one cruise port being poised to stifle the others, but about the very exciting times that are here and ahead for the local cruise sector.

"... Whether the cruise liners dock in Montego Bay, Falmouth, Ocho Rios or Port Antonio, it is important to remember that we are one country, from Negril to Morant Point, as we collectively search for a better life and more opportunities for each and every one of us".

The Falmouth project was developed by the Port Authority of Jamaica in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruises.

Celebrity gossip site TMZ is reporting Foxy Brown was kicked off a Royal Caribbean cruise after she became irate over missing an onboard manicure appointment.

According to guests on the ship, Brown made the appointment a day after the cruise departed and then showed up three hours late to the nail appointment.  After creating an incident, security held her until the next stop was made by the ship and was promptly kicked off the ship in the Cayman Islands.

Foxy Brown had performed on the ship the night before and was flown home after being escorted off the ship. Royal Caribbean has no comment on the incident.

Local officials in Falmouth, Jamaica estimate thousands of locals descended upon the new cruise port to witness Royal Caribbean's mega-ship Oasis of the Seas dock for the first time there on Tuesday.

Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain described the scene in conjunction with Oasis' arrival as "Wow".

Seaboard Street (the street adjacent to the wharf) and Market Street were jam-packed with onlookers who wanted to catch a glimpse of the enormous ship and perhaps the promise of a better future with added tourist dollars streaming into the area.

The excitement lasted through Oasis' departure, when she blew her horn a half hour before leaving and many returned to the pier to watch her leave.  Oasis of the Seas will return to Falmouth in two weeks.

Royal Caribbean is planning on sending a record amount of its ships to Europe for the 2012 cruise season, which constitutes more than half of its fleet.  The cruise line announced 12 of its 22 ships will be serving European itineraries in 2012 as demand in the region is expected to continue growing.

By sending 12 ships in 2012, it will increase Royal Caribbean's presence in the continent from 11 in 2011 and 8 in 2010.

More changes for Royal Caribbean in Europe include

• Serenade of the Seas will sailing out of Barcelona starting in 2012
• Royal Caribbean has also added cruises out of Amsterdam, Holland, where Brilliance of the Seas will call Copenhagen home as it conducts northern Europe itineraries
• Mariner of the Seas will add Holy Land cruises as well as seven-night Western Mediterranean voyages from Rome
• Vision of the Seas will visit the Holy Land as well as some Northern Europe itineraries
• Liberty of the Seas will offer new five-night Western Mediterranean cruises

Royal Caribbean has also announced it will offer cruises from 8 "interports" (locations that passengers can board ships wile in the middle of a scheduled itinerary).  The interports will include

• France
  • Toulon
  • Marseille
  • LeHavre
• Italy
  • Genoa
  • Messina (Sicily)
  • Bari 
• Valencia, Spain
• Kusadasi (Ephesus) Turkey

Royal Caribbean announced that it will expand the number of cruises to the Middle East in November thanks to increasing demand for its current itineraries.

Royal Caribbean says that its sailings for this season are nearly completely booked and it appears that wont be changing soon. Royal Caribbean Execuritve Director for the Middle East explains the increase in cruises, "Interest in our cruises has been so strong that we will be adding more sailings in our third season starting in November 2011".

The Port Authority of Jamaica and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. officially opened Historic Falmouth Port today with the maiden call of Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas, one of the world’s two largest and most innovative cruise ships. Situated between the popular cruise ports of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, Historic Falmouth is the first-ever thematic cruise port that provides a convenient gateway for guests to embark on more than 60 exhilarating land experiences along the north coast of Jamaica. Additionally, ongoing revitalizations throughout the town of Falmouth will offer guests an extensive array of cultural and historic experiences for an adventurous Jamaican port call on their cruise vacation. At a grand ribbon cutting ceremony, Hon. Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica, Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Hon. Michael Henry, Jamaica’s Minister of Transport and Works, welcomed cruise guests to Jamaica and Historic Falmouth Port.

“It is especially rewarding for the Port Authority of Jamaica to help bring our country’s cultural history to a new generation of cruise guests,” said Minister Henry, who has portfolio responsibility for cruise shipping. “Our sights have always been to create the best-in-class berthing facilities at the Historic Falmouth Port and establishing the preeminent cruise destination in the region. The arrival of the world’s largest ship, Oasis of the Seas, at Historic Falmouth Port is a milestone for our ongoing success in fostering Jamaica’s tourism industry.

The revitalization of Historic Falmouth is a multi-phased development project, with the first phase offering a two-berth pier, retail and restaurant services, and a transportation center. Subsequent phases will include onsite attractions and experiences, hotel and residential developments, as well as additional retail and restaurant options.

“It is my honor to re-inaugurate Historic Falmouth Port alongside Prime Minister Golding and the people of Falmouth,” said Fain. “Royal Caribbean is delighted to have partnered with the Port Authority of Jamaica to create the Caribbean’s premier cruise port. Together, we are working to deliver our shared vision of the region’s first themed port of call to offer our guests all the best experiences along Jamaica’s north coast.”

The town of Falmouth also has many original prominent houses, shops and public buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries that are still standing and are true historic gems. The restoration and preservation of several buildings in Falmouth is currently underway.

Sandra Grant Griffiths, Jamaica's Consul General, greeted Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas' passengers this past Saturday to commemorate the mega-ship's first stop at the brand new Falmouth cruise port in Jamaica.

The moment took place in Port Everglades, Florida as Griffiths wished the ship a great vacation as it would begin a journey to bring its passengers to Jamaica.  Oasis will dock at Falmouth today, March 22, which coincides with the celebration of the official opening of the Falmouth Port.

Mrs. Grant Griffiths was accompanied on tour by officials of Royal Caribbean Cruise Limited, officials of Broward County Commission, and the Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

If you've ever been on a Royal Caribbean ship and thought to yourself, "I'd love to have the bedding in my stateroom cabin in my house" then Royal Caribbean has answered your prayers.

The new Royal Caribbean Bedding Collection has been rolled out to allow anyone to buy the bedding found in Royal Caribbean staterooms.

Why not take the restful, rejuvenating nights of your cruise vacation home? We’re pleased to introduce the Royal Caribbean Bedding Collection—precision engineered beds and fine linens custom crafted in Italy exclusively for Royal Caribbean International®. Now the very same indulgent sleep system that provides uninterrupted hours of quality rest in your stateroom can be enjoyed in the comfort of your home, for a deep, restorative sleep, night after night.

Categories of bedding include

• Mattress & Mattress Sets
• Pillow Tops
• Bedding Sets
• Pillows
• Duvets

If you're interested you can buy any of these items at their website.

Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas is building upon its success in 2010-2011 by promising a bigger and better season in 2011-12 with double the number of port visits

The port of Newcastle in Australia has been a very popular destination with Royal Caribbean guests as the season has sold out on cruises that have stopped in the New South Wales town.

Royal Caribbean Australia Commercial Manager Adam Armstrong is happy to know their guests are finding what they want, “Royal Caribbean Cruises searches the world for amazing destinations to give our guests a truly memorable holiday experience. Newcastle has it all: beautiful beaches, a buzzing harbour and city life with plenty to see and do, and most of all - friendly, welcoming residents. It is no wonder Lonely Planet voted Newcastle one of the top ten cities in the world. It is a popular stop with most of our guests disembarking to explore the city and beyond to the Hunter Valley, returning with only good things to report. It is why Royal Caribbean has doubled the port visits to Newcastle when Rhapsody of the Seas returns for the next cruising season."

When she returns in November, there will be four port calls in total in her 2011-12 season.  THe popular Newcastle stop is part of the 11 night Queensland itinerary.