Computerworld has selected Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. as one of the top workplaces for information technology (IT) professionals in its 10th annual Best Places to Work in IT survey.

Royal Caribbean ranked number one in the publication`s Tour and Travel category and number 11 in overall selections. Computerworld has ranked the top 100 work environments for IT professionals since 1994, based on a comprehensive questionnaire regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, diversity, career development, training, and retention. This year`s survey questioned more than 11,500 IT workers, and their responses factored heavily in determining the rankings. Computerworld is a leading, weekly IT newspaper and a publication of the International Data Group.

We could not be more proud to work for a company that places so much value in its IT department, said Thomas Murphy, chief information officer for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Because of our involvement in every aspect of the business and the company`s appreciation of our efforts, our employee satisfaction is extremely high.

Royal Caribbean was cited for its unique approach to training and development, including the worker-initiated Lead IT program, in which IT employees hold a monthly lunchtime symposium to hear guest speakers, review recent business management books, and debate best leadership and IT practices. The company also was recognized for the diversity of both its IT management team and workforce. The IT Department offers many best practices benefits, including work-at-home, flextime, and mentoring initiatives. The IT Department also has a Rituals Committee that seeks unique ways to recognize employees.

Other companies that Computerworld ranked among the Best Places to Work include Discover Financial Services, Hershey Foods Corp., Harley Davidson, Inc. and MasterCard International.

The companies we`ve named as Best Places to Work all make an effort to keep their IT workers focused and challenged, especially in hard economic times, said Maryfran Johnson, editor in chief of Computerworld. Ample training opportunities; rewarding projects; flexible schedules; a sense of pride in the IT department -- the best employers use these key ingredients to build great IT work environments.