Nearly 1.5 million people cruised with Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity Cruises in 1997, about 1.3 million on Royal Caribbean and approximately 200,000 (since the acquisition) on Celebrity. For close to half, it was their first time on a cruise vacation. The two brands also attracted more than 219,000 international guests - 170,000 on Royal Caribbean and 49,000 on Celebrity. A 59% increase over 1996 international business, the numbers confirm the widening appeal of both brands to a worldwide vacation market.