FORM 6-K
                                    --------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549





                        REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
                        --------------------------------
                     PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



                          For the month of June, 2003
                                           -----------

                          ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
                          ----------------------------

                    1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, Florida 33132
                    ----------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)




     [Indicate  by check mark whether the  registrant  files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]

        Form 20-F       x               Form 40-F
                      -----                        -----

     [Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the   registrant  by  furnishing   the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission  pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities  Exchange Act of
1934.]

        Yes                             No          x
                      -----                       -----

     [If  "Yes" is  marked  indicate  below  the  file  number  assigned  to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_______.]



                                        Contact: Lynn Martenstein (305) 539-6570
                                                 Michael Sheehan (305) 539-6572


                                        For Immediate Release



       ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD. APPOINTS NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

MIAMI -- June 17,  2003 -- Royal  Caribbean  Cruises  Ltd.  today  named  senior
executive  Luis E. Leon as its  Executive  Vice  President  and Chief  Financial
Officer.  Leon will assume  broad-reaching  responsibilities  to  formulate  and
manage financial and investment  strategy,  policies and plans. Leon will report
directly to Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO.

     Leon  has a unique  background  with  over two  decades  of  financial  and
investor  relations  experience  where he has focused on achieving  efficiencies
that  impact the  bottom  line.  Most  recently,  Leon has been Chief  Financial
Officer  for  Graphic  Packaging  International  Corporation,  a  position  that
involved   significant  cost  management   initiatives  and  other  transactions
including a stock swap merger and acquisition.

     "We  are  delighted  to  have a  senior  executive  of  Luis'  stature  and
experience join Royal  Caribbean's  already strong  financial  team," Fain said.
"Luis  has a  proven  track  record  of  success,  and has  particularly  strong
experience in cost control and corporate governance."

     "I am pleased and excited about joining Royal  Caribbean," Leon said. "From
my  perspective,  Royal  Caribbean  is a special  company,  in an  exciting  and
rewarding industry."

     Bonnie Biumi, an experienced Royal Caribbean finance executive who has held
the  position  of interim  CFO,  will  continue  in the  position of Senior Vice
President and Treasurer, and will report directly to Leon.

     "Bonnie  has done an  outstanding  job while in her interim CFO role," Fain
said. "It has been one of the most challenging years in the industry's  history,
and I can't  say  enough  good  things  about  the job she has done  while  also
continuing  to  perform  all of her  other  responsibilities."


     Royal Caribbean  International and Celebrity Cruises are operated by global
cruise company Royal Caribbean  Cruises Ltd. The company has a combined total of
25  ships in  service  and  three  under  construction.  It also  offers  unique
land-tour  vacations  in  Alaska,  Canada  and Europe  through  its  cruise-tour
division.   Additional  information  can  be  found  on  www.royalcaribbean.com,
www.celebritycruises.com and www.rclinvestor.com.

                                  # # # # # #



                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                        ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        (Registrant)



Date:  June 17, 2003                    By: /s/ BONNIE S. BIUMI
                                            ----------------------------------
                                                Bonnie S. Biumi
                                                Acting Chief Financial Officer