Royal Caribbean Cruise Founder Dies
Army veteran-turned-Royal Caribbean Cruise Line founder Edwin W. Stephan passed away on Friday at 87 years old."We at Royal Caribbean mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to the Stephan family," said a statement from the global cruise company said.In 1969 Stephan founded the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, and his contributions helped create the modern cruise industry we know today. Under his leadership in 1970, the company launched Song of Norway, the first ship purpose-built for warm-water cruising.Since that initial voyage, Stephan's fledgling company has grown into the world's second largest cruise line, a multi-billion-dollar global company of six brandsā¦
SEA LEVEL MARINE Wraps Up Busy Year
Miami-based SEA LEVEL MARINE, full-service marine outfitting contractor, celebrates completion of the renovation of Britto Art Gallery, Cupcake Cupboard, Nursery, and Vintages Wine Bar aboard the Liberty of the Seas (January 2011) and Freedom of the Seas (March 2011). The project was completed in seven days during dry-dock in Freeport, Grand Bahama. For these renovations, the SEA LEVEL team led an experienced crew of more than 75 craftsmen and technicians in transforming these spaces to duplicate new venues introduced on the Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.
RCCL Founder Retires After 35 Years
Edwin W. Stephan, a founder and former longtime president and vice chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., will retire from the Board of Directors following the company's May 20 annual meeting in Miami. Stephan, 71, guided Royal Caribbean at its birth more than three decades ago. In 1970, when the fledgling cruise line launched Song of Norway with an expansive pool deck, it was the first ship designed specifically for warm-weather cruising. It revolutionized the cruise industry; previous ships were built for point-to-point ocean transport with far less open space. Stephan was the cruise line's president from 1969 to 1996, when he became vice chairman of the board of directors. At various times, he served as general manager, CEO, president, and vice chairman.
