seatec - Finnish marine technology review 2/2008 | Page 8

Battle Royal WHILE THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE, ROYAL CARIBBEAN RESPONDS BY BRINGING IN THE BIG GUNS The cruise business is the fastest growing travel industry in the world, and Europe has a hunger for the big boats. According to European Cruise Council (ECC), the buoyant cruise industry now accounts for more than a quarter of a million jobs in Europe, over € 10 billion direct expenditure and 15 million visits to European ports. 6 seatec 2/2008