Message from our Chairman & CEO, Richard Fain

Hello today we wanted to share some thoughts with you from all of your friends here at the Royal Caribbean group. This is a tough time, a really tough time, and all of us know it because all of us are going through it together. And after enough challenging days for your business, after reading enough of the endless media reports about coronavirus, it's really easy to think that the world is coming to an end. Well, I have a spoiler alert: it's not. We're all spending time worrying, and that's natural, because we're in a storm, and when you're in the middle of a storm it certainly feels like it'll never end, but as with most storms it gets worse before it gets better, but it's hard to remember that this too shall pass. And while the virus is something to be taken seriously, it's not a cause for panic, not in a personal sense and not in a business sense either. As far as the business impact on our business, it ain't pretty. In fact, to use a technical term I learned in business school, it sucks. Like you, we're hurting. We've had to cancel cruises, we've lost revenue, and our people are putting in long days looking out for the health and safety of our guests and our crew. But we've absolutely sailed through rough waters like this before, and we've weathered every storm side by side with you. We all vividly remember dealing with all the impacts that 9/11 had on our revenue and on our operations, and remember the last pandemic, the H1N1 flu pandemic of 2009, or the Ebola scare. In each case it felt to me at least like the rough seas were never going to end, but in each case they did. Our people worked hard to deal with an ever-changing set of demands and circumstances, just as you are. They're constantly making the moves to protect your business and ours. The people of our global brands, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara, and Silver Seas, are here for you and we'll be here for you until this is in our rearview mirror. None of us is going to go through this alone. But we're also full speed ahead on so many fronts. Our ship orders continue growing strong, and we look forward to delivery of Celebrity Apex in just a few weeks. We are a strong and growing company in a strong and growing industry, and that's the walk we're walking, because when this is finally behind us, and it will be behind us, we are going to be in a position to take advantage and to move forward at a fast pace, and you will be too. Over many years we've witnessed how well all of our travel partners rise to overcome challenges. We've seen your resolve and your determination time and time again, and we're proud to be working alongside you. Our guests come to you for your expertise, your knowledge, and your guidance, and we sleep better knowing they're in your good hands. And as always, our sales teams are at your call to help you out. First and foremost, take care of yourself and your family. Follow all the do's and don'ts about guarding your health and the health of those around you. Take that part very seriously. The bad news is that we're in a tough patch. The good news is that we're in it together, and together we'll get to the better parts sooner than you think. Thank you for your time, and now make your mother proud and go wash your hands.