Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. named four executives to key positions that drive company growth. The appointments relate to marine operations, new-ship construction, shipboard hotel functions, and sales and marketing. They also involve a change in leadership at company affiliate Island Cruises.

The company promoted Harri Kulovaara to executive vice president, Maritime. Kulovaara will report to company President and COO Jack Williams. He will have oversight responsibility for technical operations fleetwide -- covering all 29 ships in the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises fleets. He also will lead all new-building activity, and direct all safety, environment and security functions for both cruise brands. He will join the company`s Planning Committee in his new role.

Kulovaara now serves as senior vice president, Fleet Operations, for Royal Caribbean International. Prior to this, he was senior vice president, Marine Operations, for the brand.

The company named Captain William Wright senior vice president, Marine Operations, for Royal Caribbean International. Wright will direct all nautical and technical operations for the brand`s fleet. Wright now works as senior vice president, Safety and Environment. Earlier in his career, he was captain of several ships, including Royal Caribbean`s Radiance of the Seas and Celebrity`s Xpeditions in the Galapagos.

The cruise line appointed Michael Bayley senior vice president, Total Guest Satisfaction, for Royal Caribbean International. Bayley will have hotel and food and beverage responsibility for the brand. Bayley currently works as managing director of UK-based Island Cruises, the company`s joint venture with First Choice. Earlier, he had worked in hotel operations for Royal Caribbean.

Both Wright and Bayley will report to Royal Caribbean International Executive Vice President Adam Goldstein.

The company appointed Maria Sastre vice president, Sales and Marketing, Latin America and Asia Pacific, serving both brands. Sastre has been serving as vice president, Hotel Operations, for Royal Caribbean International. She will report to Royal Caribbean International Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Dan Hanrahan.

We are delighted these executives have accepted their new responsibilities, said Jack Williams. They are all highly respected in their fields and are all proven leaders in our industry.

We welcome Captain Wright and Michael Bayley to the Royal Caribbean International brand, Adam Goldstein added. They join an outstanding management team, which, working together, will achieve even greater success for the brand.

In a related announcement, Island Cruises named Patrick Ryan its new managing director, taking over from Bayley. Ryan now serves as managing director of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity`s international organization in Europe.

All appointments are effective January 1, 2005.