Moody's May Up Royal Caribbean

Moody's Investors Service has placed the long term debt ratings of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. on review for a possible upgrade based on its improved debt protection measures, and the steady growth in earnings and cash flow as well as its reduced need for debt to fund capital expenditures following its equity issuance. Moody's review will focus on the impact of RCL's extensive ship building program on debt protection measures, the company's earnings vulnerability to an economic downturn and its sensitivity to changes in consumer spending on cruise vacations.