Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat is reporting that STX Finland's Turku Shipyard is possibly close to receiving a contract from Royal Caribbean to build a third Oasis-class ship.  This would be the sister ship to Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

The possible 1 billion Euro order hinges on if the Finnish government is willing to offer export credit construction financing. The newspaper reports the matter will be discussed at a meeting on Thursday of the Finnish Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy.

Royal Caribbean already has two other smaller ships on order, known as Sunshine Class, from a shipyard in Germany.

Royal Caribbean has been awarded a Peer Award for Excellence for its online Cruising for Excellence training platform in the Technology for People category.

Royal Caribbean's Cruising for Excellence program is an online option for travel agents to give a realistic onboard experience, which allows agencies to show off its ships to their agents without having to bring all those agents physically onto a ship. 

Royal Caribbean trade training manager Michelle Russell commented on the win, "I am exceptionally proud of each and every member of the trade training team who all deserve a share of this prestigious award.Our trade partners are vital to our brand’s continued growth and we are committed to supporting them with training, ship visits and innovative marketing. Consistent trade feedback on Cruising for Excellence has been fantastic and the investment in training to bring our ships to life continues to convert yet more agents to be great Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises ambassadors. This award is a reflection of that I am honored that the judging panel at the Peer Awards for Excellence recognizes our efforts and the quality of our offering."

Cruising for Excellence has so far trained over 20,000 travel agents since its 2006 launch. It is now available in 13 different languages.

With the global economy still uncertain, Royal Caribbean is just one of many companies that struggle to provide financial forecasts for shareholders and analysts every quarter.

Royal Caribbean chief financial officer Brian Rice is in charge of this task and has taken an approach to widen the range of profit, revenue or other projections while spending more time and effort making sure investors have the information they really need.

“It would certainly make my life easier if we didn't give [financial] guidance."

Rice mentions that Royal Caribbean continues the practice because rival cruise provide Carnival Corp. provides them, so Royal Caribbean feels compelled to keep up.

When it comes to net yelds, a very important performance benchmark, the company has modified the way it provides forecasts for it.   Early this year, it projected a four-percentage-point range for the change in its annual yield, wider than the three-percentage-point range of last year’s prediction and the two-point range it has traditionally used, Mr. Rice says.

He says the wider range gives the company breathing room with analysts. With narrower ranges analysts would typically press for more information if the company deviated by even 0.1 percentage point from the midpoint of its projections, he adds.

There's a report out that claims Royal Caribbean is interested in sending its ships to the port city of Kotor in in southwestern Montenegro.  This Mediterranean port city is an option for Royal Caribbean to send its ships there.

According to the report, Royal Caribbean is considering significantly improving service to Kotor harbor.  

Royal Caribbean announced a few new internal promotions today.  First, Brian Rice has been promoted to Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.  Rich will continue as the cruise line's financial overseer but will also be responsible for the company's supply chain department as well as focusing on strategic issues.

In addition, Jason Liberty has been promoted to Senior Vice President – Strategy and Finance and will continue to work with Rice. Liberty will assume responsibility for overseeing Strategic Planning, Corporate Planning, Investor Relations, Deployment and Treasury functions.

Royal Caribbean also announced that Lisa Bauer has been appointed as  Executive Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing and Lisa Lutoff-Perlo Executive Vice President of Operations.  Bauer will be responsible for Royal Caribbean International’s worldwide marketing and revenue management as well as for the corporation’s sales and marketing offices around the world.  Bauer continues to move up in Royal Caribbean, having previously been involved in Royal Caribbean International’s sales department and hotel services areas

“I am excited that these powerful leaders will further strengthen our organization and help drive our profitability into the future,” said Royal Caribbean chairman Richard Fain. “I’ve always believed it is our people who are the key to our success and who continue to make Royal Caribbean a leader in the vacation industry worldwide.”

As part of Royal Caribbean's Royal Advantage program, Serenade of the Seas is the next ship in the fleet scheduled to receive $300 million in enhancements to improve facilities and the guest experience aboard the ship.

The refurbishment, which will take place in November, will include more specialty restaurants, new bars, a new baby and toddler nursery, flat-screen TVs in every room, plus a giant outdoor cinema screen and more.  

Serenade of the Seas will enter dry dock in Cadiz, Spain in November 2012 and will then sail from Barcelona, Spain on an 11-night Western Mediterranean cruise departing on December 3, 2012. The ship will remain sailing from Barcelona throughout December, with a number of itineraries including a Christmas and New Year cruise departing Barcelona on Christmas Eve.

Highlights available on board Serenade of the Seas following its revitalization will include:

• An outdoor movie screen
• The new R Bar – an overhaul of the existing Champagne Bar featuring a retro 1960s vibe, complete with signature cocktails and trained mixologists
• Chef’s Table dining option - an exclusive and private experience co-hosted by the executive Chef and Sommelier for a wine pairing dinner of five courses
• Giovanni’s Table speciality Italian restaurant
• Izumi speciality sushi restaurant
• Rita’s Cantina specialty Mexican restaurant
• New Vintages wine bar
• Flat screen interactive TVs in all stateroom accommodation
• Wifi throughout the ship
• A Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program members
• Various enhancements to the pool deck

In addition to the increased dining experiences on offer, Serenade of the Seas will debut a series of Specialty Dining Packages. Guests will have the option of choosing the Royal Choice Dining Package, which includes dinner at Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table and Izumi for $55 per guest, or the Chef’s Table Dining Package for $130 per guest, which includes all of the specialty restaurants as well as the Chef’s Table.

Serenade of the Seas will also offer additional dining deals at Giovanni’s Table. Groups of four or more can take advantage of the Celebration Dining Deal, which is valid for the first two nights of each sailing and allows groups of four or more to enjoy a delicious meal plus a $30 beverage credit at a cost of $20 per person. Groups of eight or more can opt for the Set Sail Dining Deal which includes dinner on the first night of their cruise for $14 per guest.
 

 Further enhancing its onboard culinary offerings Royal Caribbean International is expanding its partnership with renowned wine producer Domaines Barons de Rothschild by offering the exclusive Lafite Wine Tasting Experience onboard. Available for $23 to $25 per person, depending upon ship and itinerary, the experience, which was first introduced onboard Allure of the Seas, offers guests a unique tasting showcasing the renowned vintages from France’s Bordeaux region.

Developed in conjunction with Château Lafite Rothschild, the premier estate under the Rothschild name, and Master Sommelier John Blazon, the Lafite Wine Experience aims to expand guests’ understanding of growing regions within Bordeaux. A Royal Caribbean International cellar master leads the tasting, sharing details about the wines and the winemakers and the history and suggestions for food pairings. A souvenir packet allows guests to take a piece of the experience home with winemakers’ notes, recipes and more.

The Lafite Wine Tasting Experience is now available for pre-booking on select ships, including Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.