Royal Caribbean News Round-up December 17, 2023

In:
17 Dec 2023
By: 
Calista Kiper

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 is ending its partnership with Ben & Jerry's ice cream this year.

Ben & Jerry's ice cream

In an announcement to travel agents, the cruise line announced that they will be removing all Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shops onboard its cruise ships.

"Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Shop onboard 13 of our ships will be moo-ving out and making way for something sweeter," the announcement read, stating that December 15th was the last date to taste Ben and Jerry’s ice cream onboard.

Royal Caribbean will be replacing the brand with its own in-house Ice Cream parlor.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 520th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.

This week, we’re responding to listener emails! From Matt’s most recommended cruises to traveling with babies, check out this episode to hear all your questions answered. 

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.

You can subscribe to the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or RSS.

Video: 8 Reasons Why Upgrading is Worth It for Your Cruise

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Check out the link to view our latest video: 8 Reasons Why Upgrading is Worth It for Your Cruise

The best time to book cruises by day, month, and last-minute

NextCruise sign

Is there a secret scoop on the best time to book your cruise?

The truth is, waiting for that special moment is a mistake. The best time to book your cruise is when you see a price that fits your budget and needs.

Industry prices can change by the minute, with no specific pattern. Travel agents have also confirmed that there isn’t any best day of the week to book a cruise.

However, cruise lines often offer promotions around major holidays and “Wave Season,” which runs from January to March.

In the end, it’s most important to seize the deals that align with your needs rather than waiting for a specific time.

I took my first cruise alone and did these 7 things to make solo cruising more fun and less lonely

Taking a solo cruise sounds intimidating, but there’s no reason to be afraid.

Some opportunities are worth taking, even if you have to do it alone.

Calista felt nervous before her first solo cruise, but through the experience, she was able to develop helpful strategies. 

She lists seven tips she tried to make the experience more enjoyable and less lonely.

From making conversation onboard to staying connected online, she was able to minimize feelings of isolation and enjoy the cruising experience. 

The extra step you should take before your cruise for the fastest way on a ship

Galveston, Texas terminal security

You’ve spent weeks planning and packing, and embarkation day is finally here.

As you enter the cruise terminal, the last thing you want is a delay before you can finally get onboard.

To get onto your ship the fastest, don’t forget this pivotal step!

The Royal Caribbean app facilitates your boarding process, and the line is now testing a new Express Boarding option. 

This express option, being launched in PortMiami, will reward passengers who complete all necessary pre-boarding tasks on the app. Most important of all: taking the right selfie.

7 things I liked better about Royal Caribbean cruises than Carnival

carnival-vista-show-2

The debate runs deep—and everyone has their own preferences—but is Royal Caribbean really better than Carnival?

Elizabeth has always been faithful to Royal Caribbean but recently tried two Carnival cruises for the first time.

While she enjoyed her cruises on Carnival’s Celebration and Vista, there were some aspects of Royal Caribbean’s experience that she still craved.

Beginning with the digital embarkation process and continuing to faster Main Dining Room service, she shares everything that Royal Caribbean did better.
 


Calista Kiper graduated from Wheaton College, IL, with a B.A. in English Writing. 

Growing up traveling around the world, she developed a passion for diversity and cross-cultural communication. From her first cruise on Wonder of the Seas, she has delighted in the intersection between travel, diversity, and writing in the cruising world.

Calista spends her free time reading, cooking, and researching the latest human-interest stories. 

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