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Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: January 16, 2022

In:
16 Jan 2022

Happy weekend! We hope you are enjoying a wonderful and relaxing weekend and managing to stay warm. Now it is time to sit back with a cuppa tea or java, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean cruise news.

The cruise industry and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have had their ups and downs over the last two years, but the CDC Director was pleased with the work done by the lines.

At a U.S. Senate Hearing on Tuesday, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told Congress it will let the Conditional Sailing Order transition to a voluntary program. She also complimented the work done by cruise lines.

"I think the Conditional Sailing Order and the fact that the industry has stepped up and is now interested in doing and exceeding, as you know, the the compliance with the sail order without the order even necessarily needing to be in place, as is a real testimony to how well that has worked and how we've worked collaboratively with the industry."

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 437th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt talks about what the cruise industry is doing in response to Omicron.

Bari Golin-Blaugrund from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) shares insight into what cruise lines are doing despite all the negative press, as well as discuss recent changes from the CDC.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: How to get the cheapest cruise ship suite

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — How to get the cheapest cruise ship suite — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

22 Do's and Don'ts for your Royal Caribbean cruise in 2022

 

 

I love sharing cruise tips, but this year there's a few things that you should really focus on when planning a cruise.

Cruise ships are sailing, and despite some hiccups,  there are a few important things you can do during this time to prepare for a 2022 spring, summer, winter or fall cruise.

Appropriately, I've come up with a list of 22 things you should know when planning a cruise in 2022.

What it's like on 4 cruises in a row during Omicron

You might not know it by reading the news, but lots of people are cruising and loving it. So much so, some people are going on multiple cruises in a row.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Greg is sailing on Freedom of the Seas for 5 consecutive cruises, and has completed the first four legs.

Greg shared what it's like to stay onboard a cruise ship right now after all those sailings.

Live blog from Independence of the Seas

Our editor just completed a 4-night cruise on Independence of the Seas, and shared what her cruise experience was like onboard.

Jenna's sailing visited Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, along with plenty of fun onboard.

Check out all the daily posts from Independence:

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: January 9, 2022

In:
09 Jan 2022

Welcome to this week's round-up of all the Royal Caribbean news and happenings.  Hope you are staying warm and are ready to cozy up to the cruise happenings this week.

Unfortunately Royal Caribbean had to cancel sailings on four cruise ships this week, marking the first mass cancellations since last summer.

Symphony of the Seas 2021 cruise recap | Royal Caribbean Blog

Sailings on Symphony, Serenade and Jewel of the Seas were cancelled for at least a few weeks. Vision of the Seas had her return to service pushed back.

The cruise line did not specify the exact reason why these ships were taken offline, only saying the decision was, "a result of the ongoing COVID-related circumstances around the world, and in an abundance of caution."

Many cruise fans think perhaps the decision was due to Covid cases among crew members impacting operations.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 436th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt reviews his cruise on Navigator of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean returned to the Mexican Riviera recently, and Matt got to experience a 7-night sailing to Mexico.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: 6 things cruise pros hate

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 6 things cruise pros hate! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

What happens if you test positive for Covid on a cruise ship

 

 

A lot of cruisers are curious what happens if you test positive for Covid-19 during your cruise.

Brandon Smith sailed on Freedom of the Seas recently and had to quarantine due to testing positive for Covid, and shared his experience.

Brandon shared what happened when he tested positive for Covid on a ship, and what steps and changes you might expect to encounter should it happen to you.

My best advice for going on a cruise ship in early 2022 during Omicron

 

It seems everyone is thinking twice about traveling during the Omicron variant spike in Covid cases, but thanks to Royal Caribbean's strict health protocols, going on a cruise can still be an enjoyable and relatively safe cruise experience.

There's risk with everything, but there are a few easy things any traveler can do to protect themselves while getting back to sea.

If you decide to go ahead with your cruise, I shared important recommendations for how to cruise during the early part of 2022.

Top untrue myths about Omicron variant and going on a cruise ship right now

While there's been lots of announcements in the cruise industry, there's also been a few rumors that simply aren't true about going on a cruise.

Between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warning vaccinated passengers to not go on a cruise ship, and news reports about missed port calls making the rounds on social media, a lot of misconceptions about where cruising is right now have emerged.

Here are three really important untrue myths about going on a cruise right now that are totally untrue.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: January 2, 2022

In:
02 Jan 2022

Welcome to the first week of 2022, and here is your look at all of the Royal Caribbean news you might have missed in the past week.

Unfortunately, this past week was dominated by Covid-19 related news and the impact of the Omicron variant on the industry.

The major headline came from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raising the warning level for going on a cruise ship back up to its highest level.

Based on the increase in Covid cases due to the Omicron variant, the CDC made a recommendation against going on any cruise ship, regardless of vaccination status.

According to the CDC, the virus that causes Covid-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships, and the chance of getting Covid-19 on cruise ships is very high, even if you are fully vaccinated and have received a Covid-19 vaccine booster dose.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 435th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring a look ahead to what Billy and Matt want to see happen in 2022 for the cruise industry.

Matt and Billy try their best to make predictions at a few things that they want if they could wish for it in the coming year.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: How to do the at-home Covid-19 test Royal Caribbean accepts!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — How to do the at-home Covid-19 test Royal Caribbean accepts! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Navigator of the Seas Live Blog

 

In case you missed it, Matt was live on Navigator of the Seas for a 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise.

Everyday of the cruise, Matt shared a look at what happened onboard and onshore.  This was also the first full sailing with Royal Caribbean's stricter new protocols.

You can catch up on what it's like to be on a cruise ship with all of the updates:

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: December 19, 2021

In:
19 Dec 2021

Merry Christmas! The holidays are here, and so is our weekly round up of the articles and news we shared about Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean updated its mask policy this week to require passengers to wear them indoors, even while in vaccinated-only areas.

The tightened mask rule change comes as the omicron variant of Covid-19 has caused a spike in cases around the United States.

As a result, Royal Caribbean will now require all passengers to wear masks in all indoor public areas unless actively eating or drinking.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 434th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which has a list of mistakes passengers make when they get off their cruise ships.

The last morning of a cruise is when you have to unfortunately disembark, but there are some pitfalls you can avoid to ensure walking off the ship and getting home is much easier.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: 15 Royal Caribbean cruise hacks

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 15 Royal Caribbean cruise hacks — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

2022 Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning Guide

20 free things to do on Odyssey of the Seas | Royal Caribbean Blog

Have you got a Royal Caribbean cruise scheduled in the coming year? Or are you thinking of booking one? Planning a cruise can be a daunting task, but it's easy with our new guide.

It may come as a surprise to first-time cruisers just how much goes into planning a cruise vacation, so we wrote a guide to give you the basics of how to get started.

Check out our 2022 Royal Caribbean planning guide to give you some background information on each aspect of the cruise, with a ton of links to other blog posts that offer much more detailed information.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: December 12, 2021

In:
12 Dec 2021

Good news, we are all one week closer to our next Royal Caribbean cruise!  In case you missed any of the Royal Caribbean fun from this week, here is our weekly round up!

Royal Caribbean gave everyone more time to take advantage of its flexible cancellation policy when it extended the Cruise with Confidence program again.

Cruise with Confidence was extended another month, as long as the sailing was booked by January 31, 2022.

This means you can cancel a sailing up to 48 hours before the cruise begins in exchange for a future cruise credit toward any cruise that sets sail through December 31, 2022, or one year from the original sailing date, whichever is later.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 433rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring a review of Pete's Adventure of the Seas cruise.

Peter went on Adventure of the Seas for a Thanksgiving cruise and shared his experience on this week's episode.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: What they aren't telling you about going on a cruise right now

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — What they aren't telling you about going on a cruise right now — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Why aren't cruise ships built in the United States?

All the cruise ships are built outside the United States, which may lead you to wonder why these massive ships are built elsewhere.

Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and all the other major cruise lines have their new ships built in shipyard primarily in Europe.

As you may have guessed, the primary reason why cruise ships are not built in the United States comes down to cost. In short, it costs too much to build a cruise ship in the United States for a few reasons.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: December 5, 2021

In:
05 Dec 2021

Happy December! We cannot believe that we are already one full week into the month – there is so much going on with holiday preparation and shopping and baking!

The big news this week was the release of Alaska cruises for 2023.

Royal Caribbean releases health protocols for first Alaska cruise ship | Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean announced it will deploy four ships to Alaska in 2023, although the specific ships will change in 2023 from the year prior.

Ovation, Quantum, Radiance and Enchantment of the Seas will offer cruises to Alaska, with Enchantment of the Seas being the new option.

The new Alaska 2022 cruises are available to book between April and September 2022.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 432nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available to enjoy, which lists Matt and Beci's top 3 things they like doing on Harmony of the Seas.

After sailing on Harmony of the Seas this past week, this week's podcast episode was recorded onboard the ship to share their experiences and what really stood out about this Oasis Class ship.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New video: Navigator of the Seas 2021 Cruise Ship Tour 

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Navigator of the Seas 2021 Cruise Ship Tour — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

7 cruise ship main dining room rules to follow — Plus 1 to break

What changes has Royal Caribbean made to eating on a cruise since restarting? | Royal Caribbean Blog

When you dine at the main dining room on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, there are certain expectations and rules to expect.

Etiquette at the main dining room on a cruise ship is not all that different from a land-based restaurant, but there are a few nuances that first time cruisers may be unaware of before they step aboard.

Here is my list of 7 main dining room guidelines you should know, as well as one well-known supposed rule that I think you can disregard.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: November 21, 2021

In:
21 Nov 2021

Happy Sunday! Temperatures may be dropping, but there is plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share. This is your weekly summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this past week, perfectly fitted for your consumption.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley answered questions on a variety of topics this week, giving us insight into what to expect from the cruise line in the near future.

Speaking onboard Odyssey of the Seas, Mr. Bayley hosted a question and answer session with travel agents that covered many aspects of what Royal Caribbean is doing right now.

Questions touched on health protocols, the app, Perfect Day at Cococay, and more.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 431st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available to enjoy, where Matt interviews Royal Caribbean Group Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider.

Jay previews the ships, ports, and projects guests can look forward to seeing in the next two years.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: What it was like to go on a cruise ship in the 1970s

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — What it was like to go on a cruise ship in the 1970s — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

6 things you can only do on Odyssey of the Seas

With every new Royal Caribbean cruise ship, there are at least a few things that the cruise line adds that are brand new to the fleet.

Along with favorites that make it on every ship, there are a few new venues and features that get added as well.

Here are a list of six things you can only do on Odyssey of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: November 14, 2021

In:
14 Nov 2021

Another busy week of Royal Caribbean fun just wrapped up, but if you missed any of it, I have a concise look at all of it for you in this weekly news round-up!

 

 

Royal Caribbean announced the health protocols for its ships through March 2022.

The new protocols apply to Royal Caribbean sailings from Puerto Rico, Barbados and U.S. homeports through March 31, 2022. 

Surprisingly, Royal Caribbean released these protocols for sailings many months in advance. It had previously been releasing protocols one month at a time.

These protocols govern the rules and requirements passengers can expect if they want to go on a cruise between now and March 31, 2022.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 430th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring a review of Serenade of the Seas.

Meagan and Jeff cruised on one of the first sailings from Tampa since the restart, and share their experience on Serenade of the Seas.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: Don't wait for a Black Friday cruise deal!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Don't wait for a Black Friday cruise deal! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

5 things I purchased for a cruise that I regretted buying

 

Whether I thought they would make my life easier, or just improve the vacation experience, in practice, I've regretted a few purchases I made for a cruise.

At the time of purchase, it sounds like a revelation and I usually end up buying it because I think to myself how could I not buy it to improve my vacation.

Here is my own list of things I bought for a cruise that ended up being a terrible purchasing decision for me.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: November 7, 2021

In:
07 Nov 2021

Happy Sunday! Temperatures may be dropping, but there is plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share.  This is your weekly summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this past week, perfectly fitted for your consumption.

Wonder of the Seas was delivered to Royal Caribbean this week, marking her arrival as part of the fleet.

The new largest cruise ship in the world departed the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire on Friday.

Wonder of the Seas' next stop is Marseilles, France, where she will get some finishing touches before she begins sailings in March 2022.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 429th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available to enjoy, where Matt walks through how to use the at-home Covid-19 test that Royal Caribbean accepts.

The Abbott at-home test is a convenient and easy way to get your pre-cruise test done, and Matt shares what you should know about taking the test for the first time.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: Royal Caribbean updates how full cruise ships will be!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Royal Caribbean updates how full cruise ships will be! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Cruising to Alaska: What I Did Right and Wrong

Royal Caribbean gets CDC approval to start test sailings on Ovation of the Seas | Royal Caribbean Blog

Everyone makes mistakes on a cruise, especially if it's your first time taking a cruise to Alaska.

Jenna recently sailed on Ovation of the Seas to Alaska, and there were several things she did right, but also several mistakes too.

From packing for Alaska's unpredictable weather to rushing to make a flight home, here are a few takeaways and lessons learned from her Alaska sailing.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: October 31, 2021

In:
31 Oct 2021

Happy Halloween! I don't have any bad Halloween themed puns to include here, just the latest Royal Caribbean news to catch up on before you hit up the neighborhood for candy this evening. 

The cruise industry got mostly good news this week when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it temporarily extended the Conditional Sailing Order.

The CDC announced a temporary extension of the rules and requirements for cruise ships through January 15, 2022.

While the cruise industry has an additional few months of regulation, the CDC intends to transition to a voluntary program in January, giving the cruise lines a bit more flexibility.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 2021 Alaska cruise season was a short one, but we were able to check it out before it ended.

This week's podcast episode has a review of Ovation of the Seas' final sailing to Alaska this year from someone who had never cruised to Alaska before.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: Things people do on a cruise that I don't understand at all

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Things people do on a cruise that I don't understand at all — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

How to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise on any budget

 

Royal Caribbean cruises are affordable vacations for guests of pretty much any budget, which makes them an attractive way to vacation.

Whether you are going all out, counting every last penny, or looking for a reasonable value, there are options that should fit into any family spending plan.

Here is a look at tips and tricks for how to plan a memorable cruise vacation on a low, moderate, and high budget.

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