Royal Caribbean Blog

Happy Sunday! It has been a busy week of Royal Caribbean news, and we have it all summarized for you in this round up.

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean revealed when some of its 2021-2022 itineraries will go on sale.

The opening schedule for the May 2021 - April 2022 deployment was revealed, which begins later this month with Alaska and Hawaii sailings.

Deployment schedules gives consumers an idea of when to expect particular cruise schedules to become available to start looking at future cruises.

Royal Caribbean News

• Guests can now book the Coco Beach Club at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
• We produced a new video with the best thing to do on every Royal Caribbean ship.
• A new sales offer for October offers 30% off every guest and kids sail free.
• Here is the advice I give friends and family after they book a cruise.
• Royal Caribbean and WWF announce breakthrough in fight to save Hawksbill Turtle.
• The CEO of Holistica was announced.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 322nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt talks with Ken Jarvis about what it means to reach Pinnacle Status.

Ken recently reached the highest level of Crown and Anchor Society, and this week, he shares how he leveled up to Pinnacle, and what becoming a Pinnacle member means to him.

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: 9 Ways To Get Kicked Off a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship!

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 — 9 Ways To Get Kicked Off a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Cruise Tips TV created a video about how to pack for a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Cruise Ind released a tour of Empress of the Seas.

J's Dream Travel lists dumb reasons not to go on a cruise.

Every Friday we share Royal Caribbean cruise photos that our readers sent in, as a means of showcasing great photography and giving all of us a "virtual break" to enjoy the view of being on a cruise.  If you want to send in your photo, use this form and we could feature it in an upcoming post.

We begin with this photo of Mariner of the Seas at Perfect Day at CocoCay, taken by Brandon Owen.

Mimi Auchter sent in this photo of Allure of the Seas next to Majesty of the Seas in Cozumel.

Julius and Catherine stopped for a photo in front of Ovation of the Seas while in Skagway.

Our next photo is of a towel animal on Grandeur of the Seas, taken by DJ Epstein.

Here is a shot of Anthem of the Seas on its way back to NJ from Bermuda. Photo by Angela Roman.

Next, we have a photo by Brendan Glynn from an elevator atrium on Symphony of the Seas.

Our last photo this week is by Suzanne Shepherd, and it is of Explorer of the Seas in Flam, Norway.

Thank you to everyone that shared their photos with us this week! If you want to share with us your photos, use this form to send them in!

Royal Caribbean announced a major milestone today in its fight to save the Hawksbill Turtle from extinction.

The cruise line in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia, announced a new DNA extraction test will offer scientists and conservationists vital information to track – and ultimately help end – the illegal trade of hawksbill turtle products. This is a significant breakthrough led by WWF Australia, Royal Caribbean the NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), in California, USA. 

The innovative project forms part of Royal Caribbean and WWF’s five-year global partnership to support ocean conservation and help ensure the long-term health of the seas. Turtle lovers and holidaymakers are encouraged to support Royal Caribbean and WWF’s efforts and #thinkbeforeyoubuy while traveling overseas.

Hunted for their beautiful shells, the species is now listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with the scientific community estimating as few as 6,700 breeding females remain in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Hawksbill turtles from different regions, or even some countries, are genetically distinct, and their DNA signatures can be used to identify different nesting areas. The new test will allow scientists and marine conservationists to identify which where tortoiseshell products have come from and pinpoint hawksbill turtle populations to allow for targeted conservation efforts.

The next step in the project is to build a more comprehensive genetic database of all hawksbill rookeries across Asia Pacific to help identify what populations there are in different locations to protect those most at risk from poaching. This kind of information is limited or currently unavailable and will provide vital information for wildlife managers and law enforcement to act on.

Learn more about Royal Caribbean’s partnership with WWF and their work to end the illegal turtle trade here.

We have a new RoyalCaribbeanBlog video out today that looks at a number of ways to get kicked off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

From being disruptive to other guests or crew to smoking where you should not, there are a bunch of ways to get kicked off Royal Caribbean. We have a look at nine different things that will get you removed from the ship.

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: Which scenario surprised you the most!?

Our newest podcast episode is out to help give you a quick "audio escape" to a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Episode 322 is available for downloading, which features an interview with a Royal Caribbean cruiser that just reached Pinnacle Status in Crown and Anchor Society.

Ken Jarvis recently moved up to Pinnacle Status on a sailing last month and talks about what it means to him to reach Pinnacle Status and what it took to reach to the highest tier of Crown and Anchor Society.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 322. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Stitcher or on iTunes!

Take a listen and as always, let us know what you think! Please rate and review the podcast on iTunes and leave your comments below!

It appears Royal Caribbean has added the option for guests to begin booking Coco Beach Club access and cabanas via the Cruise Planner site.

The Coco Beach Club is a exclusive area of Perfect Day at CocoCay that offers an oceanfront infinity pool, upgraded cuisine and the only floating cabanas in the Bahamas. Plus, there is a complimentary restaurant at Coco Beach Club featuring lobster, snapper, and steak— plus a buffet of soups, salads, and starters. 

Guests can choose between a day pass to the Coco Beach Club, as well as the option to reserve a cabana or floating cabana. Exact prices will vary from sailing to sailing. Check your Cruise Planner for exact options and pricing.

The Coco Beach Club will offer the first and only floating cabanas in The Bahamas that seeks to offer guests with an additional level of luxury.

In addition, beachside cabanas and daybeds will offer up a private slice of paradise. Elsewhere, guests can find zen at a freshwater infinity edge pool and bar, spanning an expansive 2,600-plus feet, or enjoy an exclusive dining venue that serves up freshly made Mediterranean fare with a side of ocean views.

The Coco Beach Club and the floating cabanas are slated to open on January 31, 2020.

Royal Caribbean and ITM Group have announced the CEO of its newly formed joint venture will be Carlos Torres de Navarra.

Torres de Navarra has 20 years of experience in port and destination development and has held numerous financial, commercial, strategic and business development roles at the world’s two largest cruise companies.

Holistica is a new company formed earlier this year between Royal Caribbean and ITM Group that seeks to develop cruise ports around the world.

Prior to joining Holistica Torres de Navarra most recently served as Vice President of Global Port and Destination Development for Carnival Corporation and previously as Vice President of Strategic and Commercial Port Development for Carnival Cruise Line.   Prior to joining Carnival, he spent seven years with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. as Assistant Treasurer involved in business development, liquidity and capital planning, financial risk management, acquisitions, as well as port development.

“Carlos’ excellent reputation of building relationships and delivering on strategic and commercial initiatives makes him an ideal candidate to deliver on Holistica’s mission.” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “We are thrilled to have him on board to meet the needs of coastal communities, local governments, and land, sea, and air travelers helping design the future of destinations globally.” 

“Holistica is an organization led by a purpose – to make a positive and sustainable impact in destination development while exceeding the expectations of all stakeholders,” said Torres de Navarra. “I am honored and eager to help lead Holistica’s efforts around the globe and meet the growing demands of the cruise industry and its partner destinations.”

Guests eager to book their 2020-2021 Royal Caribbean cruises are one step closer with the release of the cruise line's opening schedule for the May 2021 - April 2022 deployment.

• Week of October 28, 2019: Alaska & Hawaii
• Week of November 4, 2019: 7+ Night Caribbean
• Week of November 11, 2019: Europe & Dubai
• Week of November 18, 2019: Short Caribbean
• Week of December 2, 2019: Northeast, Canada & Bermuda
• Week of December 9, 2019: TBA

All itineraries and openings are subject to change without notice. 

Deployment schedules gives consumers an idea of when to expect particular cruise schedules to become available to start looking at future cruises.

Royal Caribbean's October offer features 30% off every guest, and Kids Sail Free in its latest booking promotion.

The Wave October offer is valid on cruises booked between October 1 – 31, 2019 on select sailings departing on or after November 1, 2019.

It includes:

• 30% off cruise fare for all guests in the stateroom.
• Kids Sail Free applies to new bookings made between October 1 – 31, 2019. Kids Sail Free provides free cruise fare for 3rd guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on select 4-night or longer Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, CaribNE, Coastal, Europe, Hawaii, and Repositioning sailings departing between September 1, 2019 — May 15, 2020 and August 31, 2020 – December 17, 2020.
  • Kids Sail Free excludes 2019 Thanksgiving sailings (Sailings between November 23 – 30, 2019), Holiday sailings (Sailings between December 15, 2019 — January 3, 2020), President’s Day sailings (Sailings between February 14 — 17, 2020), Spring Break sailings (Sailings between March 14 — 23, 2020), Holy Week/Easter sailings (Sailings between April 3 — 17, 2020) and 2020 Thanksgiving sailings (Sailings between November 21 – 27, 2020).
• Deck the Holiday Deals applies to new bookings made between October 1 – 31, 2019. Deck the Holiday Deals offers instant savings of up to $100 per stateroom on select sailings departing between December 2 — 31, 2019 and November 30 — December 31, 2020.
  • Savings amount determined by category booked and sailing length: On sailings 5 nights or less, $25 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $50 for Balconies and $50 for Suites; on sailings 6 nights or longer, $50 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $100 for Suites.

30% Off Every Guest and Deck the Holiday Deals are combinable with each other as well as promotional OBCs, NextCruise offers, Instant Savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Free Upgrades, Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. 30% Off Every Guest and Kids Sail Free are combinable with each other as well as with promotional OBCs, NextCruise offers, instant savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Free Upgrades, Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. Kids Sail Free and Deck the Holiday Deals are combinable with each other for sailings departing December 2 – 14, 2019 and November 28 — December 17, 2020 only. Offers are not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events, and Net Rates.

Offer available to residents of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and select countries in the Caribbean. 

Royal Caribbean's cruise ships are designed to be destinations that offer a ton for family and friends to enjoy while onboard. Each ship offers different activities, dining and entertainment, so today we have one must-do on every ship in the fleet.

It is not easy picking just one thing to do, but if you were going to go on any ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet, you will want to make sure you check off one particular onboard offering that we have listed in this video.

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 are your top picks for must-do activities on any Royal Caribbean ship?