Royal Caribbean International's highest priority is to ensure the safety and security of all its guests and crew.

A cruise ship is inherently secure because it is a controlled environment with limited access. Under normal circumstances, Royal Caribbean's security programs are stringent. But, in light of recent events, we have strengthened those programs even further.

In order to maintain an effective and meaningful security environment, Royal Caribbean has established strict and highly confidential security procedures that cannot, for obvious reasons, be discussed in detail.

Our guests, however, should be very comfortable with the additional security measures they see during their cruise vacation. These include the screening of 100 percent of all luggage, carry-ons and provisions coming onto our ships. This screening is being done with x-ray machines, metal detectors, human searches, canine teams, and other methods.

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a Security Officer who is a highly trained military veteran. Every Security Officers oversees a team of trained security personnel who are responsible for enforcing security procedures onboard our ships. To further augment these efforts, we also have placed additional security personnel and controls on each of our vessels.

Additionally, Royal Caribbean is working closely with local, state, federal, and international authorities, such as the port authorities where our ships call, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, the U.S. Customs Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Interpol. This will enhance the safety and security of everyone onboard our ships.

At U.S. cruise terminals, port security includes screening procedures similar to those found at airports. These procedures include the use of metal detectors and x-ray machines for embarking guests. Photo identification is required of all guests, crew members and visitors who board any of our ships. Royal Caribbean reminds all guests that they are required to provide valid identification:

• US Citizens - a passport or a birth certificate (original or certified copy) plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency are required. A voter registration card or Social Security card are not considered to be proof of citizenship. Children under 16 years of age do not require a picture ID card.

• Non-US Citizens - valid passports and visas (when needed) are required except as follows: (1) if an individual is a Resident Alien living in the United States, then the only document needed is the original copy of their Alien Registration Card (ARC or "green card") and (2) certain Canadian and Mexican citizens who travel with alternative documentation depending on their alien status in the United States.

• For Customs and Immigration purposes, guests are also required to have necessary visa, passport and other travel authorization documents based upon their nationality and country of residence.

Royal Caribbean International hopes all of this information is both helpful and reassuring to all of our guests.