The Government of Finland has announced it will support STX Europe with a $37 million loan if the shipyard can secure a deal with Royal Caribbean to build a third Oasis-class cruise ship.

STX has been lobbying the Finnish government for the 28 million Euro deal without luck until the government stipulated that it would indeed grant the money from its European Union-approved aid provided that a deal between STX and Royal Caribbean can be reached.

STX had previously built the first two Oasis class cruise ships for Royal Caribbean and many reports point to STX to be the leading candidate to build this new cruise ship.  Other possibilities for building the ship include shipyards in France and Germany.

The deal between the Finnish government and STX could employ about 20,000 workers, which would be a welcome boost for the local economy given Finland's cooling economy.

STX Finland said it was disappointed at not getting the loan and would continue talks with other creditors.

At the 19th World Travel Awards in Delhi, India, Royal Caribbean was honored with two awards for excellence in their cruise line.

Royal Caribbean won the World's Leading Cruise Brand and World's Leading Cruise Line awards.  Winners were determined by voting of accredited tourism professionals from around the world as well as readers of the World Travel Awards.

Accepting the awards was Royal Caribbean's Regional Director of Sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Helen Beck.  

A 68-year-old man died while on a snorkeling excursion in the eastern Caribbean island of Dominica while traveling aboard Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas.

Police are investigating the exact cause of death, but Jim Caves of Riverside, California on a cruise aboard Vision of the Seas while it was docked in Dominica.  According to reports, Caves complained of feeling sick following a snorkeling at a local beach with his family members.

Caves was taken to a local hospital where he died.

We wanted to share a quick update as to what the status of Royal Caribbean ordering a third Oasis class ship is and what the negotiations are looking like.

As you may recall, Royal Caribbean announced a few months ago it was in negotiations with STX Europe shipyards in Finland to possibly order a third Oasis Class ship.  The primary issue has been securing financing for the construction of the cruise ship, which is something Royal Caribbean has looked to the Finnish government in assistance with.

Last Thursday, the Finnish government rejected Royal Caribbean's financing proposal because the state was concerned about being a guarantor for the capital.  

Yesterday and today, the shipyard has become involved in the negotiations by trying to extert pressure on the Finnish government to make a deal happen.  The shipyard is concerned that Royal Caribbean will have the ship built elsewhere, jeopardizing a lot of money and jobs for the company.

Royal Caribbean needs a loan of about 50 million euros to cover the ship construction cost.  The Finnish government is concerned about giving out big project loans using tax payer money.

On the other hand, the STX Europe shipyards could lend the money to Royal Caribbean but the South Korean ownership group of STX want the Finnish government to take on more of the risk.  STX points out that around €100 million in tax revenue will be collected during the €300 million project lifetime.

From last we heard, representatives of the STX Europe shipyards are meeting today with Finnish government as well as the Ministries of Employment and Economy.

Finnish ship building firm STX Finland is now lobbying the Finnish government on behalf of Royal Caribbean to help facilitate a deal to avoid Royal Caribbean building its third Oasis-class cruise ship in Germany or France.

STX Finland's chief operating officer Jari Anttila commented on the importance of getting a deal done, "We have asked the government to reconsider the financial settlement."

The state owned financing firm, Finnvera, has reached an impasse with Royal Caribbean to securing a loan to allow the proposed ship to be built.

STX is concerned that if a deal is not reach soon between Royal Caribbean and Finnvera, the cruise giant may look to shipyards in Germany or France as alternatives.  STX has an advantage in that the first two Oasis class ships were built there and Royal Caribbean prefers for the third ship to be built there as well.

After a few weeks of rumors, Royal Caribbean officially announced two new all-inclusive beverage packages to all the ships in its fleet.  The new packages are available on seven-night or longer sailings now and will be available on every sailing by early 2013.

The two new beverage packages, Classic and Premium, allow guests to pay one price at the beginning of their cruise and enjoy unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for the duration of the cruise.

Classic Beverage Package

Cost: $45 per guest, per day (includes service charge)

Package includes: 

• beer
• house wines by the glass
• all non-alcoholic cocktails
• fountain soda
• juices

Premium Beverage Package

Cost: $55 per guest, per day (includes service charge)

Package includes: 

• beer
• frozen drinks
• all cocktails including premium brands
• house wines by the glass
• all non-alcoholic cocktails
• fountain soda
• juices

Both beverage packages must be purchased on the first day of the cruise.   Guests choosing either package also must purchase the package for guests 21 years old or older sailing in the same stateroom.

The two new packages are currently available on 13 ships and will be available on the remaining ships with seven-night or longer itineraries by early 2013.

Royal Caribbean executive vice president of operations, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, commented on the addition, "Royal Caribbean is in the midst of an extensive revitalization program that will leave no ship untouched and includes enhancing the variety of new dining and beverage options for our guests.The addition of these new beverage and culinary packages creates a seamless vacation experience for our guests, providing them with a greater selection of choices and delivering it to them at an incredible value and convenience.”