Computerworld has selected Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. as one of the top workplaces for information technology (IT) professionals in its 10th annual “Best Places to Work in IT” survey.

Royal Caribbean ranked number one in the publication`s Tour and Travel category and number 11 in overall selections. Computerworld has ranked the top 100 work environments for IT professionals since 1994, based on a comprehensive questionnaire regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, diversity, career development, training, and retention. This year`s survey questioned more than 11,500 IT workers, and their responses factored heavily in determining the rankings. Computerworld is a leading, weekly IT newspaper and a publication of the International Data Group.

Royal Caribbean was cited for its unique approach to training and development, including the worker-initiated “Lead IT” program, in which IT employees hold a monthly lunchtime symposium to hear guest speakers, review recent business management books, and debate best leadership and IT practices. The company also was recognised for the diversity of both its IT management team and workforce. The IT Department offers many best practices benefits, including work-at-home, flextime, and mentoring initiatives. The IT Department also has a Rituals Committee that seeks unique ways to recognise employees.

Other companies that Computerworld ranked among the Best Places to Work include Discover Financial Services, Hershey Foods Corp., Harley Davidson, Inc. and MasterCard International.

“The companies we`ve named as Best Places to Work all make an effort to keep their IT workers focused and challenged, especially in hard economic times,” said Maryfran Johnson, editor in chief of Computerworld. “Ample training opportunities; rewarding projects; flexible schedules; a sense of pride in the IT department—the best employers use these key ingredients to build great IT work environments.”

Computerworld is a business unit of International Data Group, a leading technology media, research and event company. International Data Group publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers and offers online users the largest network of technology-specific sites around the world through IDG.net (www.idg.net), which comprises more than 330 targeted Web sites in 80 countries.

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. 
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