FORM 6-K
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
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PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of October, 2002
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
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1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, Florida 33132
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(Address of principal executive offices)
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
Form 20-F x Form 40-F
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[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.]
Yes No x
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[If "Yes" is marked indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____.]
For Immediate Release
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (Royal Caribbean)
ROYAL CARIBBEAN ACKNOWLEDGES P&O DECISION ON MERGER
Miami - October 25th, 2002 -- Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL)
today noted the decision announced earlier by the Board of P&O Princess Cruises,
withdrawing its recommendation of the merger agreed between the two companies in
November 2001.
Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive of Royal Caribbean, said: "Clearly,
we regret that the Board of P & O Princess is taking this action. We remain
today as convinced as ever that the pairing of our two companies would be a
great partnership and a great business. Ultimately, it is the shareholders of P
& O Princess who must decide what is best for their company."
As stipulated under the terms of the merger, the implementation agreement of
November 2001 has now been terminated and P & O Princess has accordingly paid
Royal Caribbean the agreed break fee of $62.5 million. Both companies have also
executed mutual releases and the joint venture between them, also agreed upon
last November, will be terminated on January 1st 2003, provided that there has
been no change of control of either company prior to that date.
ENQUIRIES
The Maitland Consultancy Limited
+44 (0) 20 7379 5151
Amy Holmes
+44 (0)7774 250811
Duncan Campbell-Smith
Goldman Sachs International
+44 (0) 20 7774 1000
Richard Campbell-Breeden
Basil Geoghegan
Royal Caribbean
+1 305 539 6570
Lynn Martenstein
+1 305 539 6153
Erin Williams
www.gs.com
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
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(Registrant)
Date: October 25, 2002 By: /s/ BONNIE S. BIUMI
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Bonnie S. Biumi
Acting Chief Financial Officer