Happy New Year and welcome to 2010 everyone. I wish all of the readers a happy, healthy and prosperous year with at least one cruise in it.
We are just a few days away from the so-called “Wave” booking season when a somewhat disproportionately high % of our annual bookings are made. The reason for this phenomenon is rooted in people emerging from their winter holidays and wanting to get their next vacation on the books. It helps if the weather is unseasonably cold for a while and people suddenly want to get the heck out of the cold north. Even if they cannot escape right away it’s comforting to know they will eventually get to warmer weather.
Oasis of the Seas had a very successful holiday period and should now settle into a normal routine. We appear to have survived the supreme test of our Chairman Richard Fain and his extended family cruising on Oasis last week. I will hear all the details on Monday. In case you were wondering if I was onboard too to celebrate my 50th birthday, the answer is no. I was at a youth soccer tournament in Tampa.
Before we turn the page on 2009 altogether, I want to thank all of the guests who cruised on our fleet during the holiday season. I hope you enjoyed the vacation as much as you were hoping to do if not even more. It was our pleasure to serve you.

Just a quick thought. In reviewing a year you should thank all that sailed with you for the entire year and not just the holiday season. Glad to see your year went well. I wish all of you the best in 2010. I thank you for making our cruise on the Jewel of the Seas in October a great one. We will cruise again in 2010 and are looking at all the possibilities at the moment.