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Hurricane Dorian alters four more Royal Caribbean ship itineraries

In:
28 Aug 2019

Royal Caribbean announced itinerary changes to three more Royal Caribbean ships, and decided to wait on making a decision for sailings this weekend in order to take advantage of more accurate predictions.

  • The August 26th sailing of Navigator of the Seas had their day in Perfect Day at CocoCay scheduled for Wednesday changed to Nassau, Bahamas. 
  • The August 26th sailing of Mariner of the Seas will have their day in Perfect Day at CocoCay scheduled for Thursday changed to Nassau, Bahamas. 
  • The August 24th sailing of Empress of the Seas will remain in Cozumel on Friday and then spend a day at sea on Saturday. The extra day in Cozumel replaces a scheduled visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay.
  • The August 24th sailing of Symphony of the Seas will have their day in Perfect Day at CocoCay scheduled for Friday changed to Nassau, Bahamas. 

Royal Caribbean is deferring itinerary changes for the Navigator 8/30/19, Mariner 8/30/19, Harmony 9/1/19, Harmony 8/25/19 & Symphony 8/31/19 by an additional day in order to get more accurate prediction models. 

"Currently, the two main weather models used for prediction (American & European) have the storm going different ways. So, we’re going to wait a bit more to evaluate the new data, which we’ll receive this afternoon. Then, we’ll confirm alternate ports and share your final itinerary changes with you by 3 PM on Thursday, August 29th, or sooner."

Royal Caribbean also stated that the Harmony of the Seas 8/25/19 and Symphony of the Seas 8/31/19 sailings were never sailing to CocoCay, but their itinerary may be impacted by Hurricane Dorian in order to steer clear of any adverse weather.

Royal Caribbean adding late night and two call visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay

In:
14 Aug 2019

Royal Caribbean announced it will begin offering select sailings that visit Perfect Day at CocoCay twice, along with late night stays.

Beginning September 30, 2019, Royal Caribbean will offer 4-night itineraries to the private island destination across nearly 40 sailings. Three exclusive cruises also make their debut today.

In addition, three one-of-a-kind cruises with late-night visits to the island will be offered on Navigator of the Seas. Travelers of all ages will have the chance to extend the excitement long after the sun sets with traditional Bahamian-inspired activities, including a Junkanoo Jam Up Party, an island barbeque and performances by a calypso band and fire dancers, topped off with unforgettable farewell fireworks before setting sail.

The new itineraries are available to guests on select Navigator and Mariner of the Seas sailings.

"Perfect Day at CocoCay has revolutionized private destinations in the vacation industry, and the resounding feedback from our guests is that they want more – more time and even more ways to experience the island," said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "We’re building on an incredible adventure that’s already winning the hearts of many."

Video: 3-night Royal Caribbean tips and tricks

In:
31 Jan 2019

Have you ever taken a quick three-night weekend cruise? We have a brand new RoyalCaribbeanBlog video filled with tips for anyone taking these quick cruises.

Royal Caribbean offer some great three-night sailings that are wildly popular with guests who want to enjoy a short cruise vacation that provides a break from the daily routine without a huge investment.  If you are considering one of these short sailings, check out this video that is filled with important things to know about short cruises!

And if you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single episode!

So check out the video and then let us know: What is your best tip for a quick three-night cruise?

Cruise Critic names Royal Caribbean best cruise line for entertainment & suite life

In:
05 Dec 2018

Royal Caribbean came away with a few awards from the 11th annual Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards.

Royal Caribbean was the winner in the following categories:

Best Entertainment: Royal Caribbean International

"Royal Caribbean continues to entertain with original Broadway-style productions, parades and now, laser tag. State-of-the-art technology, including drones, has enhanced new shows in the skating rink as well as with amusements like Sky Pad, a bungee-trampoline experience that also employs virtual reality. And as always, you can still surf, slide and fly (by zipline or skydive simulator) onboard many of Royal Caribbean's ships."

Best Ship Refurbishment: Mariner of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International

"Royal Caribbean invested $120 million into the refurbishment of Mariner of the Seas and the results are astounding. From the bright yellow globe at the top of the ship that houses the virtual reality trampoline experience Sky Pad to the addition of two restaurants, two bars, FlowRider surf simulators, the Perfect Storm water park and an escape room, Mariner's got plenty to keep you entertained."

Best Suites: Royal Caribbean International

"The lavishness of Royal Caribbean's top cabins as well as their inclusiveness and variety -- some ships offer up to a dozen suite categories -- can't be beat by any other mainstream cruise line. Just imagine, suites as deluxe as luxury penthouses. Royal Caribbean's got them. And this year, the line even introduced the Ultimate Family Suite, a visual marvel complete with a bedroom-to-living room slide."

Spotted: Sky Pad pre-cruise reservations

In:
05 Nov 2018

If your next Royal Caribbean offers the Sky Pad virtual reality jump experience, then you might be able to pre-book it before the cruise via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site.

We have spotted the option to pre-book Sky Pad sessions on the Cruise Planner site for upcoming Mariner of the Seas and Independence of the Seas sailings. The Sky Pad option is under the Entertainment & Activities menu.

There is no cost to reserve a time, and you can select times from 30 minute blocks.

Thanks to Royal Caribbean Blog reader Jason Cook for alerting us to this change.

Mariner of the Seas to return to new PortMiami cruise terminal

In:
20 Oct 2018

Royal Caribbean has begun notifying guests sailing on upcoming Mariner of the Seas sailings that their cruise will make use of the brand new cruise terminal the cruise has built in PortMiami.

Terminal A is a brand new, state-of-the-art cruise terminal and the October 26, 2018 Mariner of the Seas sailing will make use of the port when she returns to Miami. The cruise will begin from Terminal G, but return to Terminal A.

Thanks to Nancy Ritter for sharing this screenshot.

The terminal will feature stunning architecture, a new boarding experience, and an impressive gold propellor that is 15,000 lbs. and 56 ft. tall. Terminal A was designed to accommodate the passengers of two of the world’s largest ships, the new Symphony of the Seas and her sister, Allure of the Seas. 

Guests sailing on other Mariner of the Seas sailings received emails informing them that they too will be cruising to and from the new terminal.

Thanks to Frank for providing this email

A grand opening ceremony is scheduled for November 2nd, 2018 that will formally open the the new terminal to the public.

5 Mariner of the Seas must-do tips

In:
17 Oct 2018

Mariner of the Seas has quickly become one of Royal Caribbean's most popular cruise ships, thanks to a $120 million refurbishment in 2018 that amped the ship up with new thrills, restaurants, staterooms and entertainment. 

There is a lot to love about this ship, and we are sharing out top must-do tips for going on a Mariner of the Seas cruise.

Don't miss the signature activities

A big component of the ship's refurbishment was to add new thrills and activities onboard the ship, and you have to make time to check them all out on your sailing.

We begin with the Sky Pad, a gravity-defying bungee trampoline experience amped up with virtual reality.  Royal Caribbean took the idea of a bungee trampoline, and infused it with a few different augmented reality options to offer guests a really fun experience.

The FlowRider surf simulator has become a staple of fun on many Royal Caribbean ships. and Mariner of the Seas now offers one as well. The 40-foot-long surf simulator allows guests to try their hand at surfing or boogie boarding.  Or you can take a seat in the bleachers and watch other guests give it a shot.

Families are sure to love the new Perfect Storm water slides on Mariner of the Seas. A thrilling pair of three-story-high racer water slides called Cyclone and Typhoon beckon to be ridden again and again and again.

Get a drink in the Bamboo Room

Lounges are not new to Royal Caribbean, but the cruise line hit a homerun with the Bamboo Room lounge.  It is the first in Royal Caribbean's fleet and offers a laidback Polynesian throwback vibe, featuring kitschy-cool craft cocktails like the Island Old Fashioned and Tiki Tea.

What makes the Bamboo Room so darn cool is the combination of decor, great menu, and fun times.  When you are looking for a spot to grab a few drinks, the Bamboo Room is a must-visit place.

Book a panoramic stateroom

If you are eyeing going on Mariner of the Seas, be sure to price out one of the newly added Panoramic staterooms. 

The Panoramic Ocean View Stateroom gives much more of a view than a traditional oceanview room, with a floor to ceiling wrap around panoramic window that is 76 inches high by 103-321 inches wide.  That is a big window.

As you might imagine, the reason to book a stateroom like this is for the amazing views without the balcony view price.  

Perfect Day at CocoCay

Royal Caribbean moved Mariner of the Seas back to the United States in 2018 to offer short 3- and 4-night sailings, and that means every cruise visits the cruise line's private destination of CocoCay.

Beginning May 2019, Mariner will sail to the new Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first destination in Royal Caribbean’s recently announced collection of private island experiences around the world. This means CocoCay will offer a new water park, pool, zipline, private enclaves, new dining opportunities and more.  Perfect Day at CocoCay is sure to be a hit with families, and Mariner of the Seas can take you there on every sailing.

Try a specialty restaurant (or two)

In addition to the new thrills added to Mariner of the Seas, the ship offers some terrific specialty dining venues that should not be missed.

One of our favorite specialty dining options on any ship is Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, which is Asian-inspired dining featuring hibachi, sushi and sashimi and more.  A hibachi meal is fun for the whole family, and offers authentic flavors, the freshest ingredients and impeccable presentation.

Jamie's Italian serves fresh, handmade and rustic Italian fare by Chef Jamie Oliver, one of Britain’s most famous chefs. Jamie's Italian was created by Jamie Oliver because of all the types of food to choose from, he loves Italian the most. In terms of this restaurant's theory, Jamie designed the menu to strip food down to its essence, working with simple, quality ingredients with no pretense or ego.

Chops Grille has become a staple of Royal Caribbean dining and it is a restaurant guests come back to time and time again because they really enjoy everything about the experience. Steak cooked to order, along with an array of complimentary side dishes and excellent appetizers make for a truly compelling choice for dinner any night of the cruise.

Your thoughts

What is your favorite thing about Mariner of the Seas?  Is it on our list or do you have something you think is worth the cruise fare alone? Tell us about in this blog post's comments!

Spotted: Carry-on luggage storage available on Mariner of the Seas

In:
17 Sep 2018

Guests sailing on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas may be able to take advantage of a complimentary carry-on luggage storage service for use until staterooms are ready for guests later in the day.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Twangster spotted this service being offered on a recent Mariner of the Seas sailing.

Photo by Twangster

When the guests hear the staterooms are ready announcement over the public address system, guests are reminded to pickup your carry on stored in the theater.

We have heard of carry-on luggage storage options being offered on other ships, such as Empress of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas.

Video: Inside The Bamboo Room: Royal Caribbean Serves Up The Royal Zombie

In:
29 Aug 2018

Watch how The Royal Zombie, a signature cocktail at The Bamboo Room, is created in the new Polynesian-themed bar on the amped-up Mariner of the Seas.

Want to make this drink at home? Here is the The Royal Zombie drink recipe.

1oz lime juice 
3/4oz cinnamon syrup 
1/2oz passion fruit juice
1/2oz velvet falernum liqueur 
1oz white rum 
1/2oz dark rum 
1/2oz orange liqueur 
2 shakes of angostura bitters and anise liqueur 

Serve in a tall tiki glass, topped with crushed ice, fresh mint and a cherry.

Check out the signature cocktails at the Bamboo Room on Mariner of the Seas

In:
06 Aug 2018

Ever since Royal Caribbean spent $120 million reimagining Mariner of the Seas, it has gotten a lot of well-deserved attention for some incredible new changes and improvements.  Chief among them is the new Bamboo Room lounge.

Royal Caribbean calls the Bamboo Room a "laid back Polynesian watering hole with a throwback vibe and kitschy-cool craft cocktails".  We love Royal Caribbean's custom cocktails, such as the wonderful margaritas at Sabor Modern Mexican, so we wanted to share what to look for at the Bamboo Room.

Currently, the specialty cocktails are priced at $14 each.

The Royal Zombie

The signature tiki mug is "Cliff The Parrot", and it is available for purchase for $10. Just let your bartender know that you would like to purchase one.

The Bamboo Swizzle

Buffalo Trace bourbon, Lemon juice, Cinnamon Syrup, Soda, Mint and Angostura Bitters.

The Navy Grog

Saturn Landing

Bobby's Gin, Ginger Syrup, Velvet Falernum Liqueur, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Mango and Lime Juice.

Mariner of the Seas is now sailing short 4-night Weekday and 3-night weekend getaways to The Bahamas, from PortMiami.

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