American CARNIVAL, the leading cruise company, is seeking to oppose the merger between American-Norwegian RCCL - ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LIMITED and British P&O PRINCESS, which could threaten its number one position (see EI of 24 November). It has thus proposed £3.2 billion to the shareholders of P&O PRINCESS in order to counter the alliance, i.e. 456 pence per share in cash and in securities. The British company has rejected this unsolicited offer.