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Royal Caribbean opens contest to win a free cabin on a test cruise: Here's how to enter

In:
06 Aug 2021

If you want a chance to win a free Royal Caribbean cruise, you have to act quickly before the contest ends.

Royal Caribbean opened up its Volunteer of the Seas contest, where you have a chance to win a free stateroom for you and one other person to sail on an upcoming test cruise.

Between 12:00:01 AM ET on August 6, 2021 and 12:00:01 AM ET on August 7, 2021, you can enter up to 12 times to win a room one of three simulated voyages Royal Caribbean has scheduled.

These test cruises are required by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the cruise is using them to ensure the new health protocols are working as planned before regular sailings begin.

To be eligible for the free cruise giveaway, you must be:

  • U.S. residents currently residing in one of the 50 United States (except Montana) or the District of Columbia
  • At least 18 years old
  • Fully vaccinated with a Covid-19 vaccine that has been authorized by either the United States Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization

The contest is for a cabin on one of these three test cruises, which you could be randomly chosen for:

  • Mariner of the Seas - August 11th (2 Nights) from Port Canaveral, FL
  • Oasis of the Seas - August 22nd (6 Nights) from Bayonne, NJ
  • Liberty of the Seas - September 18th (4 Nights) from Galveston, TX

Sound like something you want to do? You can fill out a contest entry form here for your chance to win.

According to the contest rules, Royal Caribbean will award 1,125 winners for the winner and a guest to sail on one of these ships. 

The contest is open to repeat cruisers as well as someone new to cruising, but if you have cruised before you will get extra entries.

If you’re a Crown & Anchor member, Royal Caribbean will automatically provide you with additional entries – so you only need to submit your entry once! Here is the breakdown:

  • Pinnacle members: 11 additional entries
  • Diamond Plus members: 9 additional entries
  • Diamond members: 7 additional entries
  • Emerald members: 5 additional entries
  • Platinum members: 3 additional entries
  • Gold members: 1 additional entry

If you are not a Crown & Anchor member, you can submit additional entries – up to a total of 12 entries per person. Diamond Plus tiers and below, you can also submit additional entries to reach the 12 entry maximum.

If you do win a room, it will be up to you to get to and from the ship.  Royal Caribbean is not including transportation and/or lodging as part of the contest.

This new sweepstakes is the first opportunity for the public to be a part of a simulated voyage, as test cruises up until now have been filled by cruise ship employees, travel agents, media and select top tier Crown and Anchor members.

Royal Caribbean began taking sign ups for test cruises in November 2020, but this contest requires eligible folks to sign up again through the contest.

In addition to demonstrating to the CDC the viability of new health protocols, Royal Caribbean is using these test sailings to prepare each ship before sailings begin with paying passengers.

Royal Caribbean has completed seven test cruises so far, which began in June.

The cruise line also announced restart plans for ships in fall 2021 and beyond, which means there could be more test cruises scheduled later.

Royal Caribbean announces test cruise ship volunteers sweepstakes begins on Friday

In:
04 Aug 2021

Royal Caribbean will hold a sweepstakes for those that want to go on a test cruise for free later this week.

As cruise ships return to service in the United States, they must undergo a test cruise so that the ship can be approved by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Royal Caribbean posted a teaser on Facebook that the Volunteers of the Seas sweepstakes opens this Friday, August 6.

No other details were shared regarding which ships or when these test cruise(s) might be held.

Here are the official eligibility rules so far we can expect.

No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. /D.C. Excluding MT, age 18+ (19+ in AL and NE, 21+ in MS). Void in MT, outside the 50 U.S. /DC, and where prohibited. Starts 12:00:01 AM ET on August 6, 2021; ends 12:00:01 AM ET on August 7, 2021. Total ARV for all 1,125 Grand Prize(s): $731,250. For full Official Rules see bio. Prize excludes transportation to and from the vessel and hotel accommodations. Sponsor: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

On the Volunteers of the Seas Facebook page, the cruise line added, "Stay tuned here for more information on how to enter and your chance to join us on a Simulated Voyage."

It sounds like anyone interested in winning a spot on a test cruise might have to register again for this particular sweepstakes.

Read moreHere's what it looks like if Royal Caribbean invites you to volunteer for a test cruise

Royal Caribbean started taking registrations for test cruisers back in November 2020, and quickly amassed a list of well over 300,000 registrations.

Royal Caribbean opened up its Volunteer of the Seas group in an effort to more easily collect information on anyone who might be interested in being a volunteer.

This is the first real opportunity to get on a ship since the group was created.

The first test cruises were limited to cruise line employees, but over the last few recent test cruises, Royal Caribbean has begun inviting members of the public.  Travel agents, top tier Crown and Anchor members, and members of the media have been invited to join other cruise line employees in the testing.

Friday's sweepstakes would possibly be the first opportunity for members of the general public to secure a spot for a test sailing.

In addition to demonstrating to the CDC the viability of new health protocols, Royal Caribbean is using these test sailings to prepare the vessel and crew members before revenue sailings begin.

Read moreEverything you need to know about Royal Caribbean test cruises

Thus far, 7 test sailings have occurred, with Mariner of the Seas on August 11 and Oasis of the Seas on August 22 publicly known as upcoming test cruises.

There could be other test sailing dates, but they have not been announced publicly.

Royal Caribbean Asia opens contest to Singaporean youths to reimagine the future of cruising

In:
31 Jul 2018

Royal Caribbean Asia is calling out to budding designers to submit their vision of a cruise ship of the future in its first ever nationwide design competition, and stand a chance to win cruise holidays and cash prizes up to SGD $5,000

Open to tertiary students nationwide till September 28, Royal Caribbean’s ‘Brainwaves: Reimagining the Future of Cruising’ invites contestants to conceptualise and develop never before seen, innovative ideas for a cruise ship that would appeal to the next generation. Submissions need to showcase futuristic features covering the three key aspects of a cruise holiday – entertainment, activities and accommodation..

Royal Caribbean’s Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, Angie Stephen said, “Cruising has transformed well beyond the basic pools, buffet restaurants and theatres. Skydiving at sea, robotic bartenders, virtual balconies and smart features are just a few of the latest innovations you can expect today from a Royal Caribbean cruise, and we believe nothing is impossible when it comes to the holiday of the future.”

“Which is why with Brainwaves, we are excited to see what the youths of today can come up with in terms of innovative and creative features, and showcase where their imagination can take them when it comes to the cruise holiday of tomorrow.  Our ship is their canvas.”

The inaugural competition has also appointed local architect and TV host, Khairudin Saharom, as Brainwaves’ ambassador and face of the competition. Mr Khairudin will also be part of the final judging panel to determine the winning design.

From all the submissions, five finalists will be selected to go forward in pitching their ideas before a judging panel consisting of Royal Caribbean’s senior management and Mr Khairudin on 15 October. The Grand Prize will feature an Asian cruise for two on Royal Caribbean’s upcoming new ship Spectrum of the Seas and a SGD$ 5,000 cash prize.

To find out more, visit www.brainwavessg.com for competition details.

Royal Caribbean announces finalists for Instagram adventure seeker contest

In:
22 May 2017

Royal Caribbean announced the teams of adventure squads that are finalists in the cruise line's "The World’s Most Adventurous Squad" contest.

In late March, squads began competing in the contest’s opening round of five challenges chronicled on social media. With themes like “Thrills and Chills” and “Epic Eats,” these challenges ran through April. Royal Caribbean then selected one winning squad for each challenge. Five finalists were picked among a field of more than 3,000 competing teams who entered the contest. Each team is made up of up to four thrill-seekers, and will compete to be crowned the winner in just two weeks.

The contest progress can be tracked at AdventureSquad.com. The finalist teams are

  • Cousins of the Caribbean, Winners of the Thrills and Chills Challenge — These competitive cousins are former collegiate athletes, game-changers, and open-minded wanderlusters.
  • Hawaii Koa, Winners of the Hidden Gems Challenge — Instagram ‘Pros and Bros’ are self-proclaimed ‘surf & snow animals’ that believe life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
  • Bangarang, Winners of the Epic Eats Challenge — This globetrotting team collectively has sampled many of the world’s wonders and believe, ‘You gotta risk it to get the biscuit.’
  • Seas the Day, Winners of the Culture Capture Challenge — Calling themselves ‘a couple of couples,’ this crew enthusiastically seeks out the adrenaline rush of serious adventure travel.
  • Skallywags, Winners of the Air Land and Sea Challenge — Having brains, muscle, and moxie, these outdoorsy outliers know how to beat attitude with gratitude and plenty of altitude.

From May 27–June 3, the remaining tier of the Adventure Squad contest begins. The Final Five will embark on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas for a seven-day sailing. Beginning in Labadee, Haiti, squad mettle will be tested as teams careen down Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the world’s longest overwater zip line. A sail to Haiti’s remote Amiga Island, surrounded by white-sand beaches and crystal blue waters, culminates in a kayaking and wave-jet surfing adventure to round out the day.

Next, competitors sail to Falmouth, Jamaica, where they’ll raft their way down three miles of the Martha Brae River on handmade vessels of bamboo. Later, crews get to sample some of the best jerk chicken and pork in Jamaica that’s cooked over the pimento tree wood pits of Scotchie’s Restaurant in Montego Bay. Exploring the exhilarating waterfalls and secret cave of Jamaica’s Blue Hole as well as off-roading on ATVs through the island’s jungle terrain is also on the adrenaline-pumping itinerary. But no worries, squad members get to shake off hard-earned road dust with a refreshing cliff-dive into azure waters.

The final port-of-call will take the eager travelers to the island of Cozumel, Mexico, where they’ll hop a plane to explore the intriguing archaeological Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. Once there, underground limestone caverns of some of the country’s many cenotes await their inspection. The group will then be treated to restorative handmade tortillas at a private Cozumel taqueria.

At the end of sailing, all five teams will gather in Harmony’s outdoor AquaTheater to hear which group is crowned “The World’s Most Adventurous Squad.” Each winning squad member will be awarded with three Royal Caribbean cruises.

Royal Caribbean holding contest to find world-trekking Instagram stars

In:
27 Mar 2017

Royal Caribbean is holding a contest to find Instagram adventure seekers who want to travel the world and compete for the title of "World's Most Adventurous Squad".

The new social media contest will challenge explorers and aspiring Instagram stars, with one group of up to four friends to be crowned the “World’s Most Adventurous Squad,” and win trips anywhere Royal Caribbean sails to help live up to their newly minted title.

Royal Caribbean will hold five adventure-themed Instagram challenges. From highlighting hidden gems in their travels to showcasing their most epic eats, each challenge will give participants the opportunity to share their most impressive photos for a chance to win. Each challenge will run for 72 hours on Royal Caribbean’s Instagram account starting on March 29 and through April 12. To take part in the challenge, adventurers simply post their photo to Instagram, tag three friends that will comprise their squad and use the hashtag #AdventureSquad and #Contest.

Upon completion of each challenge, Royal Caribbean will select one winning squad – based on their creativity and spirit of adventure in line with the theme of the day.

The winners will then set sail on the adventure of a lifetime onboard Harmony of the Seas, the world’s largest and most adventurous ship taking over Royal Caribbean's social media channels as they go. The finalists will go head-to-head to capture and share adrenaline-pumping content both from the ship and exotic destinations, including Labadee, Haiti, Royal Caribbean’s private destination; Falmouth, Jamaica and Cozumel, Mexico. At the end of their adventure, the squad that most embodies the spirit of adventure will be named the “World’s Most Adventurous Squad” and win trips anywhere Royal Caribbean sails. In addition, squads’ adventures also will be seen when they light up Royal Caribbean’s digital billboards in New York City in May.

Australian travel blogger Tyson Mayr (@tysontravel) will act as the contest host, announcing each 48-hour Instagram challenge. Mayr is no stranger to social media contests; he won one himself in 2014 and was paid to travel the globe for a year. Since then, he’s made a living as an adventurer and content creator, proving that Internet fame is within reach for social media contest winners.

Those back at home can watch the action unfold by following @RoyalCaribbean and #AdventureSquad on Instagram and Snapchat. For details on how to take part in the Adventure Squad challenge, as well as information on the winning squad, visit www.AdventureSquad.com.

Royal Caribbean UK offering Google Street View contest with a free Harmony of the Seas cruise grand prize

In:
17 Dec 2015

Residents of the United Kingdom and Ireland can win a free 7-night cruise on Harmony of the Seas through a new contest Royal Caribbean is offering in conjunction with Google Maps.

Participants may enter the completion by going to Google Ship View, which will take them to the Allure Google Street View page hosted on the Royal Caribbean UK website.On that webpage participants will be greeted with a clue to where the Harmony Christmas Present is hidden within Google Street View. From there the participant must find the present and click on it for a pop up to appear inviting them to insert their personal details and accept these competition terms.

Participants may enter this free of charge competition from 09:00 GMT on Thursday 17 December 2015 until 23:59 GMT on Thursday 31st December 2015. No entries will be counted after the closing date.

One winner and 4 runners up will be selected entirely at random from all eligible entries by 8th January 2015 and will be informed by email within 7 days.

The grand prize winner will win a cruise for themselves and a guest of their choice traveling with them in the same accommodation on Harmony of the Seas sailing on the June 26, 2016 from Barcelona which will call at Palma De Mallorca, Provence, Florence, Rome & Naples then return to Barcelona on July 2nd, 2016. This prize includes flights from selected UK departure airports, in destination transfers, standard meals on-board (excluding specialty dining) and ship WiFi but excludes optional gratuities.

The next 3 runners up that are picked at random from the remaining eligible entries will each win an iPad mini 16GB and the final runner up picked at random from the remaining eligible entries will win an Xbox 1.

Full contest terms and conditions can be found here.

Royal Caribbean launches new contest in Australia to give away a free cruise on Legend of the Seas

In:
24 Sep 2015

Royal Caribbean is celebrating the arrival of Legend of the Seas to Australia with a new contest, where guests can enter to win a 2-night getaway cruise on Legend of the Seas.

The grand prize is a 2 night sampler cruise for two people in a Balcony stateroom on Legend of the Seas departing Brisbane on 8 December 2015.

Part of the contest asks entrants in 25 words or less, to nominate a legend in their life and tell Royal Caribbean what makes them legendary.

The contest is only open to Australian residents aged 18 years or over. Submissions are open beginning Wednesday 23 September 2015 and closes at 11:59PM AEST on Sunday 11 October 2015.

Entrants are limited to one (1) per person in accordance with the entry requirements. 

Five lucky winners will be selected and the winner's names will be posted to the Royal Caribbean Australia and New Zealand Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/RCIAustraliaandNZ.

Guests can win a 2-night Anthem of the Seas cruise with Royal Caribbean's Get More sweepstakes

In:
06 Aug 2015

Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society has launced the "Get More Sweepstakes", where guests can enter for a chance to win a cruise on Anthem of the Seas plus a $2000 Visa gift card.

Registration for the contest is open from August 1, 2015 through September 15, 2015.

Guests may enter the contest by going to the contest page.  In addition, use any Visa card, including the Royal Caribbean Visa card with MyCruise® Rewards, to make any Royal Caribbean® purchase before September 16, 2015 and get an additional entry for each purchase.

The prizes are

GRAND PRIZE

A 2-day pre-inaugural sailing for two on Royal Caribbean'sAnthem of the Seas™, plus round-trip air transportation.
A $2000 Visa Gift Card

Additional prizes:

FIRST PRIZE

A 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise for two with Ocean View category stateroom, air transportation and a $1000 Visa gift card.

SECOND PRIZE

3 nights at Aria Resort® & Casino in Las Vegas with tickets toZarkana® by Cirque du Soleil® and air transportation.

THIRD PRIZE

3 nights at Bellagio® Resort & Casino with tickets to "O" by Cirque du Soleil® and air transportation.

FOURTH PRIZE

3 nights at MGM Grand Las Vegas with tickets to KA' by Cirque du Soleil® and air transportation.

FIFTH PRIZE

$750 Visa Gift Card.

SIXTH PRIZE

$500 Visa Gift Card.

PLUS TEN (10) PRIZES

$100 Visa Gift Card. 

The Visa 2015 Royal Caribbean Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia, age 18 or older as of 8/1/15.

You can view the full contest rules and enter by going to the sweepstakes page.  

Good luck!

Royal Caribbean holding contest to blog on Allure of the Seas for a month

In:
25 Feb 2014

Royal Caribbean UK is looking for a guest blogger to report about their experiences while cruising on Allure of the Seas in the Mediterannean in 2015 for an entire month.

Royal Caribbean has started a contest to find this one blogger called "Away With Words", where the winner will be brought onboard Allure of the Seas for one month in summer 2015.  The person will report back on the destinations they haveexplored, and everything the ship has to offer. Royal Caribbean will provide onboard accommodations, meals, a complimentary drinks package and laundry.

To enter, you must answer the question, "Tell us about your most WOW travel experience..." in either 500 word written entry or a 60 second video on YouTube or Vimeo.

Those interested must enter by June 30, 2014 and be 21 years old and a resident of the United Kingdom or Ireland.

More details on the contest and how to enter can be found here.

Runners World offering contest to win Royal Caribbean cruise

In:
20 Jun 2012

If you're looking for a free Royal Caribbean cruise and enjoy running, then there's a great contest for you.  Runners World is offering the, "Ready Sail Race Sweepstakes", where you can have the opportunity to participate in a 5k race in beautiful St. Maarten and a cruise to get there.

The grand prize includes a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas plus an entry into the 2012 Royal Caribbean's Royal 5K in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, which is one of the ports of call of the cruise.

Entry into Runners World's Ready Sail Race Sweepstakes is open to residents of the US and Canada (void in Quebec) aged 18 and up. Enter daily through June 22, 2012.

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