Royal Caribbean Blog

Another long-time Royal Caribbean executive has left the company, a celebrity chef returned onboard, Wonder of the Seas has a new show and more of this week's Royal Caribbean news.

There's been a number of updates that happened this week, so here's a look at all the changes you should be aware of from the past few days.

Each of these updates encompasses a different aspect of Royal Caribbean, and it's always a good idea to be up-to-date with what's happening.

Jamie Oliver visits Anthem of the Seas

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was spotted onboard Anthem of the Seas for a day visit.

Oliver is the namesake for the specialty restaurant onboard the ship, Jamie's Italian. 

Mr. Oliver visited the ship's bridge, and then headed to the restaurant to meet with the team.

"From checking out the ship's bridge, where is the captain and his crew steer the ship from, to getting stuck in with the Jamie's Italian team in the kitchen and meetings some guests on board. It was a very special day visiting our Jamie's Italian on board."

Effectors II begins performances on Wonder of the Seas

The newest show began on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Nick Weir, tweeted that shows of The Effectors 2 are now in previews.

It’s open! #TheEffectors2 #CrashnBurn, is now in previews on #WonderoftheSeas! It’s big, real big! ~We will be tweaking and testing things, and adding, fiddling, massaging and creating thru October – but it’s ready for prime-time. (Foto courtesy of @Del_Mak in the front row! :-) pic.twitter.com/4min6W81zA

— Nick Weir (@NickWeirShowbiz) June 21, 2022

According to Mr. Weir, they will be, "tweaking and testing things, and adding, fiddling, massaging and creating thru October".

The show is performed in the Royal Theater on Wonder of the Seas and it features a new character of Lume, who flies over the audience during the show.

#TheEffectors, #CrashnBurn. This is #Lume – she controls light and #laser… and, she FLYS! #WonderoftheSeas pic.twitter.com/eEDkKhW0Vv

— Nick Weir (@NickWeirShowbiz) June 21, 2022

Captain Patrik Dalhgren leaves Royal Caribbean

Another maritime executive has left the company for a new opportunity.

Royal Caribbean Group announced Captain Patrik Dahlgren has left after 23 years with the company.

In his most recent role, he was a Senior Vice President of global marine operations and a member of the Healthy Sail Panel.

He rose through the ranks in his time with the company, with his last seagoing command as Master of Oasis of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas. 

He was the lead contributor to the Quantum of the Seas development.

Captain Dahlgren leaves just a few months after Captain Hernan Zini also left for a new job. Royal Caribbean has also seen former Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Mark Tamis leave recently.

Royal Caribbean CEO celebrates upcoming Day of the Seafarer

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley took to Facebook to promote an important holiday in the maritime industry.

The Day of the Seafarer is on Saturday, June 25, and Mr. Bayley urged everyone to think about the hard working people on cruise ships.

"This day means a lot to us at Royal Caribbean, but also to me personally," Mr. Bayley wrote on Facebook.

"Our crew comes from over 120 countries! They are moms, dads, and siblings who contribute so much to their life at sea to keep the maritime industry up and running."

"We are endlessly proud and grateful for our amazing crew who keep our ships safe, our oceans clean, and our vacations epic!"

Mr. Bayley shared a link to a site where you can share your thanks and recognition of the crew members online.

Today is the sixth day of my first European cruise and we are at sea after 3 busy days in port. Luckily, Anthem of the Seas provides endless activities to enjoy during a sea day, and I had a relaxing yet fun-filled time onboard while on route to France.

I started my day with breakfast (dessert?) at the Windjammer, with french toast topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips.

Next up was something new for me: a massage! I've actually never had a professional massage before, so I couldn't wait to experience what all the hype is about. I booked the 50-minute Aroma Stone Therapy massage ahead of time in the Cruise Planner. Since I've never had a massage before, I had no idea what to expect when I entered the Vitality Spa this morning.

I first filled out a short questionnaire where I could rank my fitness and stress levels as well as write any ailments or areas I wanted the masseuse to focus on. My masseuse, Ni from Indonesia, brought me to the treatment room where she reviewed my questionnaire with me prior to beginning the treatment. I was a bit nervous as I did not know what to do or expect, but she made me feel very comfortable.

The Aroma Stone Therapy massage is a hot stone massage, so it includes a massage with both hands and warm stones. While hot, the stones were not uncomfortable, and they resulted in feeling extremely relaxed.

The massage was definitely worth every penny! I was initially worried 50 minutes would feel too short, but it was perfect for a first massage. I'm also glad I chose the hot stone option instead of a standard massage as the hot stones felt absolutely delightful!

I had heard that spa treatments tend to end with an annoying sales pitch, but the sales pitch I received (for the cream used in the massage) was very short and non bothersome. Overall, it was the best start to the day I could have asked for!

I caught up on some work after my trip to the spa. My favorite place to work or relax onboard is in Two70 due to the beautiful ocean views surrounding the venue.

After a quick lunch at the Windjammer, I headed to the pool deck for my new favorite drink: a frozen mojito. Extremely refreshing and not too sweet, the frozen mojito has proven to be a dangerous discovery onboard!

The sun finally emerged (a bit) in the afternoon, although the temperature was still quite chilly. I took a walk around the pool and sports deck to take in the ocean views. I noticed there were two types of passengers onboard: those sunbathing in swimsuits and those in winter jackets!

Being a Quantum Class ship, Anthem of the Seas has plenty of indoor spaces to enjoy, which is beneficial on cruises to colder destinations like Alaska, Norway, etc. With an indoor pool, climate-controlled Solarium, and the SeaPlex, weather does not have as much of an effect on activities like it can have on Oasis or Voyager Class ships, as an example.

Until this point, I’ve always said the Voyager Class is my favorite class of Royal Caribbean ships, but I think the Quantum Class might be my favorite now! While there are certain things I don’t love (the lack of a promenade deck as the lifeboats block the view), I love the indoor spaces with ocean views like Two70 and the Solarium. They also have interesting itineraries around the world that you can’t always find with other ships.

Next it was time for one of my favorite onboard activities: the International Belly Flop Competition. While I did not participate, it was undeniably entertaining to watch as the participants tried to make the most impressive belly flop possible.

Tonight was formal night, and while I often skip formal night in exchange for a dinner elsewhere onboard, Samantha and I decided to dress up and head to the Main Dining Room. I enjoyed French onion soup, carbonara pasta, and the molten chocolate cake, which was my favorite dessert I've had on this sailing so far!

Yesterday I wrote about how much I loved We Will Rock You in the Royal Theater, so I decided to watch it again tonight! Our seats weren't too great yesterday, so we went to the theater early to get some of the best seats in the house.

Just like yesterday, the performance was spectacular and it made for the perfect way to end the night. I’m already looking forward to watching Broadway shows on ships I have not yet sailed on in the fleet (Hairspray on Symphony, Mamma Mia on Allure, and Saturday Night Fever on Liberty of the Seas).

This cruise has gone by so quickly! Tomorrow is already the last day, but I’m excited to be back in France tomorrow when we dock in Le Havre.

More Anthem of the Seas Live Blogs:

• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 1 - Embarkation
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 2 - Sea Day
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 3 - La Rochelle, France
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 4 - Bilbao, Spain
• Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 5, La Coruña, Spain

If you are driving to your cruise ship with your own vehicle, does it make more sense to book a "park and cruise" hotel package, where parking at the hotel is included with your hotel stay.

One of my best pieces of cruise ship advice is to always come into your cruise departure city at least one day ahead of time to guard against travel delays. By flying or driving in a day early, you can assure yourself that any cancellations, blown tires, or re-routes don't impact your ability to make the cruise ship.

Many hotels offer an option where if you stay one night, you can book a park and cruise package that bundles your hotel room with a parking spot for up to a week. But do these packages save you money, and does it make sense to go with them?

I compared a handful of hotels in Port Canaveral, Miami, and Cape Liberty to see how lucrative these stay deals are, and what the pros and cons are for a park & cruise package.

Hotel analysis

I picked three random hotels from each of the three cities to compare how the parking packages stacked up against the parking rate at the cruise terminal.

For each room, I picked a king size bed that was refundable rate for two adults staying Sep 24 – Sun, Sep 25, 2022.

All prices are pre-tax and fees from the hotel and/or from the parking facility.

Port Canaveral, Florida

3-night cruise

7-night cruise

Miami

3-night cruise

7-night cruise

Cape Liberty/Newark

3-night cruise

7-night cruise

X-factor: Shuttles

Beyond the dollars and sense of parking at a hotel or cruise port, you have to account for getting to the cruise terminal.

Some of the hotels specified a parking shuttle would be provided.  At least one hotel actually charged you differently if you needed a ride to the cruise terminal or not.

You'll need to check with the hotel if a shuttle is provided to the cruise terminal, and if there's any extra cost for the shuttle.

The other issue with a hotel shuttle is they run on a limited schedule. Depending on the hotel, the frequency in which they offer shuttle service can vary greatly. Plus, you may have to wait for a shuttle depending on how many other guests are there to get a ride too.

In this age of covid, another consideration is having to cram into a shuttle with other guests and your risk tolerance for possibly being exposed to covid in the shuttle. Theoretically everyone going to the terminal has taken a negative covid test already, but you never know with how easy covid is transmitted and the long incubation periods these days.

Convenience of parking at the cruise terminal

The best reason to park at the cruise terminal instead of a hotel is the convenience factor.

When you park at the cruise terminal, you can walk from your vehicle to the front door of the terminal without much fuss. Then, when the cruise is over, you can take your luggage right to your car and immediately depart. No shuttles required.

The convenience of having your car and being able to forgo waiting for shuttle service back to a hotel can make a world of difference depending on how many other people are trying to do the same thing, and traffic conditions.

Are other hotels cheaper?

When you limit yourself to hotels that offer a parking option during your cruise, could you save money by staying at a different hotel that has a lower rate and equally as good, but without a parking package?

In each of these cities, there are multitudes of hotels you can choose from, and without a doubt, there are deals to be found.

When considering the cost of a parking park & cruise hotel, you not only have to look at the cost of a parking package versus the cruise terminal, but also how much money you may (or may not) save by staying at a less expensive hotel.

Should you book a park stay and cruise package?

Ultimately, the decision may boil down to personal preferences on how important it is to save a little bit of money.

If you are taking a short 3 or 4 night cruise, the savings offered by a park and stay package quite negligible, and in some cases a bad value.

The real cost savings with park and stay packages come with 7-night cruises, where you can save over $100 in total. 

If your cruise is longer than 7 nights, check with the hotel. Many of the hotels in this list only allowed for parking for 7 or 8 nights, and then would charge a daily fee beyond that.

In the end, you need to weigh the cost savings versus the convenience of parking at the cruise terminal. Depending on the hotel, there are a wide range of cost savings with a park and stay.

Don't blindly assume a parking package will save you money compared to parking at the terminal, and even if it does, you need to ponder if the money saved is worth your time.

I cannot believe today is already the fifth day of my cruise on Anthem of the Seas! Today we docked in La Coruña, Spain, a medium-sized city in Spain’s Galicia region, located directly above Portugal. With green hills, dramatic ocean cliffs, and small beaches dotted throughout coves in the landscape, La Coruña was a gorgeous place to spend the day.

The cruise port is conveniently located in the center of town, so we were able to walk off the ship and immediately start exploring.

One trend I've noticed on this cruise is that while ships dock at 8AM, the ports are very sleepy until at least 9 or 10. When we got off the ship around 8:45, cafes were only starting to open and the town was really quiet.

Breakfast and ocean views

I decided to skip breakfast on the ship today in favor of dining at a local cafe in Spain. While I go on cruises fairly often, it's not everyday I can enjoy breakfast in Spain!

Samantha and I stumbled upon the Praza de María Pita, a large public square lined with historic buildings, restaurants, and cafes. Here we enjoyed pastries, fresh squeezed orange juice, and a cafe con leche.

Like every port we've been to so far, we arrived with no plan of how to spend the day. What's great about cruising to European ports is that the infrastructure caters to pedestrians, meaning you can explore most ports without worrying about needing buses, taxis, or boats to get around.

We came across a beautiful waterfront pathway which first led us to a small beach. After relaxing at the beach, we continued along the path. This turned into one of the most beautiful coastal walking trails I’ve ever explored.

Located at the very northwest corner of Spain, La Coruña’s landscape and rocky, treacherous coastline is breathtaking. One of the city’s most iconic landmarks is the Tower of Hercules, the oldest surviving lighthouse in the world. With a height of around 180 feet, the lighthouse towers over the coast and was quite impressive to see.

The walking trail was the perfect place to spend a sunny morning in Spain, but all the walking quickly made us hungry!

Lunchtime in the city

Because La Coruña is a quiet town, we decided to have a relaxing, long lunch in port. We stumbled upon a local restaurant with a menu del día (menu of the day). For €10.60 each, we enjoyed two glasses of tinto de verano (a sweet wine drink), a pasta and egg appetizer, bread, a Thai rice dish, chocolate pudding, and coffee. It was an amazing deal and the food was delightful!

We sat outdoors for around 2 hours, taking in the culture and views of La Coruña. One fascinating fact about Galicia is that the native language of the region is Galician, which is actually more closely related to Portuguese than Spanish. Around 2.5 million people speak Galician, and you’ll hear both languages when visiting La Coruña.

Our day in port finished with a brief stroll back to the ship along La Coruña's waterfront. I relaxed on one of the city's park benches in front of the harbor for a bit before getting back onboard.

La Coruña impressions

La Coruña is definitely the sleepiest town we have visited so far on this itinerary, but I loved the relaxed vibe of the city. I’m honestly not sure where most passengers from the ship went today because everywhere we visited was uncrowded.

If you’re happy to wander through beautiful walking trails, visit the Tower of Hercules, and indulge in Galician cuisine, La Coruña makes for a tranquil port day. While it may not offer as many tourist attractions and activities as a city like Valencia or Barcelona, I loved being able to walk around and learn more about Galicia’s culture and landscapes.

After three port days in a row, I would say that this itinerary works best for those who are more interested in visiting small towns over Europe’s biggest, most touristy cities. If it’s your first time visiting Europe, you may prefer an itinerary to cities like Rome, Nice, and Naples to see attractions such as the Colosseum, Pompeii, etc.

If you’ve already seen those places, though, venturing to smaller, lesser-known towns will offer the opportunity to see these countries from a new perspective and connect more with local culture rather than quickly hopping from attraction to attraction.

Because I’ve already visited many of western Europe’s big cities, this cruise itinerary is exactly what I was hoping for! I probably never would have thought about visiting Galicia, for example, and now I am already itching to go back.

Back onboard

I was back onboard around 3:30 and took around two hours to relax in my stateroom before heading to dinner.

We enjoyed another dinner in the Main Dining Room tonight. I think this is the most I have ever eaten in the Main Dining Room on a cruise! While I often opt for a quick dinner at the buffet after port or the occasional specialty restaurant, it’s been nice to feel “spoiled” every night in the dining room.

After ten cruises, I still can’t believe how fancy it feels when the waiter brings out the scraper to clean crumbs off the table before dessert. I ordered pesto tagliatelle and cherries jubilee for dinner tonight and they were both delicious!

A well-anticipated event was scheduled after dinner: my first Broadway production on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

So far, I’ve been on three other Royal Caribbean ships with Broadway shows (Oasis, Harmony, and Independence of the Seas). Each time, the Broadway show was canceled due to omicron or crew injury. Because of this, I was super excited to watch We Will Rock You in the Royal Theater on Anthem of the Seas.

We Will Rock You tells the story of the battle between the Bohemians and an oppressive establishment. While the Bohemians want to uncover the freedom of rock n’ roll, the futuristic establishment tries to oppress anyone from playing and discovering history’s greatest music.

Let’s just say my mind was blown by the incredible performance; it is by far the best show I’ve seen on any ship yet! I now understand why everyone raves about Royal Caribbean’s Broadway shows. The 2-hour production was extremely high-energy, with classic rock n’ roll tunes that turned the theater into a giant party.

The cast was beyond talented as well, with the best vocals I’ve ever heard on a cruise ship! I usually find it difficult to understand Royal Caribbean’s more abstract entertainment shows, so I loved having an easy-to-follow storyline mixed with wonderful live music. Samantha and I might see the show again tomorrow because we enjoyed it so much.

Tomorrow is a much-needed sea day after three busy port days in a row!

More Anthem of the Seas Live Blogs:

Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 1 - Embarkation

Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 2 - Sea Day

Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 3 - La Rochelle, France

Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 4 - Bilbao, Spain

There’s no better time to read than a cruise, when you can kick off your shoes, grab a drink of choice, and settle in with whatever book you’ve been saving for just this opportunity.

Does this sound like a good idea to you? We have some recommendations perfect for all you June cruisers (and everyone else, too)! Pack one or two of these books in your suitcase or on your tablet for your next vacation.

June is the month of PRIDE - a celebration and recognition for LGBTQIA+ people. All the books on our list for this month are written by a member of the queer community, and tell some kind of related story. I’d love to hear in the comments which book you chose, or if you have a favorite read for PRIDE Month that wasn’t mentioned!

Fiction

• The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall:  A classic, banned for obscenity when published in 1928, but one of the most famous of lesbian novels. Stephen is a war hero and a writer, a child of aristocratic parents, but she is a woman, and so are her lovers and so she is forced into desperate actions.
• Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin:  Another often banned classic.  David has a passionate love affair with Giovanni in Paris, but when his girlfriend returns, he pretends nothing has happened. Giovanni’s life is devastated.
• Star-Crossed by Barbara Dee:  Great for fans of YA! Mattie is cast as Romeo in her school’s Shakespeare play, and wonders…is it possible to crush on both guys, and her Juliet too?
• The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai:  Two overlapping stories combine in this incredible history of the AIDS epidemic. We see the devastating carnage of the 80s as a group of friends succumb to the virus one by one. Thirty years later, the sole survivor still grapples with the grief as she tries to find her daughter in Paris.
• It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian:  Regency Romance fans should look no further than Cat Sebastian for their next favorite series. In It Takes Two, Vicar Ben is asked to look after a naval captain’s children, and finds himself head over heels with these kids. When their father comes home, he is impatient to be back at sea again, but can the Vicar show him what family truly means?

Nonfiction

• Buffering by Hannah Hart:  Youtube superstar Hannah Hart shares a very personal memoir about coming to terms with her sexuality, her mother’s mental illness, and other life experiences.
• They/Them/Their by Eris Young:  This book is here to break down definitions and misconceptions, as well as provide the history of nonbinary identities and gender-neutral language. How does living outside the gender binary affect one’s relationship, sense of identity, use of language, etc?
• Naturally Tan by Tan France:  Netflix addicts will recognize France from Queer Eye, but here we get a memoir of what it was like to grow up gay in a Muslim family in a culturally white town in the UK.
• All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M Johnson:  Check out the memoir from Queer Activist and Journalist George M Johnson, as he explores his coming of age. His story covers topics of gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, consent, and Black Joy.
• TOMBOYLAND by Melissa Faliveno:  My personal favorite book so far that I’ve read in 2022! A collection of essays told of growing up in the American Midwest, and what it is like to not fit into the “norm” of the deeply ingrained traditional culture that can be found here.

Are you someone who likes to read when you get on board your vacation cruise? How many books do you usually pack? What are you reading for PRIDE Month? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments below!

Happy Pride!

Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas is a mainstay of the fleet, offering a blend of fun activities on a cruise ship that has been refreshed fairly recently.

Adventure of the Seas is a Voyager Class cruise ship, which means she is a medium-sized vessel in Royal Caribbean's fleet. While not as big as other ships, she still packs lots for families to enjoy.

In addition, the value you can get with an Adventure of the Seas booking is superb, as Royal Caribbean International often prices sailings much lower than the largest ships sailing the same itinerary.

Adventure of the Seas sails from a variety of places in North America and Northern Europe. Her home ports include Cape Liberty in New Jersey & Galveston, Texas.

Here's a look at what Adventure of the Seas has to offer onboard, and what makes it a great choice for a cruise.

Adventure of the Seas Overview

Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas is the third cruise ship in the Voyager-Class cruise ships, and was launched in 2001.

She has 14 passenger decks and has a maximum capacity of 3,807 guests (although her regular occupancy at double occupancy is 3,114).

In 2016 and 2018, she underwent a $61 million upgrade that added new dual racer waterslides, Cyclone and Typhoon, the popular FlowRider surf simulator, and a children’s aquapark, Splashaway Bay. They also added a new sushi restaurant and more than 100 new staterooms, a refresh of all existing staterooms and a brand new Suites Lounge.

Measuring 138,193 in gross tonnage and 1,020 feet long, Adventure of the Seas is not a small ship. She has a capacity of nearly 4000 guests at double capacity, 14 guest-accessible decks, and 1,963 staterooms.

Like all Voyager-Class ships, she has a Royal Promenade that runs through the middle of the ship and is the main thoroughfare, with shopping and dining to enjoy.

Fun things to do on Adventure of the Seas

You'll find a lot of onboard activities on Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas, beginning with the pool deck.

Adventure has two side-by-side main pools and several jacuzzis, as well as an adults-only (16+ years old only) Solarium. The Solarium has both a pool and hot tub.

Kids will enjoy Splashaway Bay water park, which has mini slides, a drench bucket, geysers, and lots of area to run around.

On the back half of the pool deck, there are the Perfect Storm waterslides, which has twin racer slides.

You can also hit the sports courts, try the rock-climbing wall, or even the FlowRider surf simulator. All of these experiences are complimentary.

The FlowRider offers both stand-up surfing and boogie boarding options throughout the cruise.

There's a two story mini golf course, known as Adventure Dunes, which is complimentary to enjoy.

In terms of activities, you'll find a daily assortment things to do onboard the ship. Each day, the Cruise Compass is distributed to guests with a guide to what times each activity is planned for, and at which venue.

Examples of activities you can expect include:

• General trivia
• Name that tune
• Karaoke
• Game shows
• Art auction
• Dance fitness classes
• Movies on the outdoor movie screen
• Belly flop competition

There is also a wide assortment of live music on Adventure of the Seas. From bands to solo performers, you'll find different venues offering live music throughout the day.

Three venues each evening offer a signature Royal Caribbean live music experience, with a piano player in the Schooner Bar, guitarist in the pub, and Latin band in Boleros.

Each evening in the Royal Theater, there will be a show. It could be a comedian, musical medley, magician, or a dance performance.

Game shows are also hosted each day of your cruise, where guests are invited to try their skill at games such as "Battle of the Sexes", "Love and Marriage game show", and more.

One more must-do event is the free skate in Studio B. On select days, Royal Caribbean opens up its ice rink to guests to skate. Skates and equipment are provided and there is no extra cost. You just need long pants and socks to participate.

Adventure of the Seas Dining

Your Royal Caribbean cruise fare includes meals and snacks, along with some drinks.  There's also the option to spend more and dine at specialty restaurants.

The good news is you definitely will not go hungry on this cruise with all the dining options.

Complimentary dining venues on Adventure of the Seas:

• Main Dining Room, the main restaurant on any Royal Caribbean ship, offering a classic sit-down dining experience in a 3-story venue
• Windjammer Marketplace, a buffet open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a variety of both American and international cuisines
• Cafe Promenade, a small cafe offering specialty coffees and teas along with small grab-and-go items like muffins and sandwiches. There's also complimentary pizza here by the slice
• Arctic Zone, soft-serve frozen yogurt by the pool

Specialty dining venues on Adventure of the Seas:

• Chops Grille, Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse
• Izumi Sushi, Japanese cuisine and sushi
• Giovanni’s Table Italian Restaurant, classic Italian food featuring freshly-made pastas
• Johnny Rockets, a 1950s style American restaurant with milkshakes, burgers, and fries
• Chef’s Table, an intimate group dining experience where each course is paired with wine
• Ben & Jerry’s, serving scoops of ice cream, sundaes, and milkshakes
• Room service, Nearly 24 hour room service delivered to your cabin.

Should you spend extra for specialty dining? It depends on your tastes and budget.

There is nothing wrong with the food included with your cruise fare. The main dining room and Windjammer offer so much food for each meal, that you're likely to dine there and be quite content.

What specialty dining offers is a greater variety of food, which a lot of cruisers really enjoy. Steaks, lasgana, sushi, and more are what you get with specialty dining and in many cases, these foods are not otherwise available in the complimentary venues. Moreover, the quality of the food tends to be higher than similar offerings in the dining rooms.

Most people tend to book a blend, and sprinkle in specialty dining to augment the main dining room or buffet.

Adventure of the Seas bars & lounges

You'll find many bars and lounges to enjoy a cocktail while on your cruise.

Here's a list of bars and lounges on Adventure of the Seas:

• Schooner Bar
• Boleros
• Solarium Bar
• Casino bar
• Imperial Lounge
• Duck & Dog English Pub
• Champagne Bar
• The Plaza Bar (Windjammer)
• Viking Crown Lounge (Blue Moon)
• Diamond Club
• Suite Lounge

Most bars have the same drink menu, so what makes each special is the decor. Some are more laid back venues, while others offer more of a focus on music or entertainment.

The Schooner Bar is a staple of the Royal Caribbean fleet, with live piano music each night of the cruise. It's a great place to sing along and have a drink.

If you prefer something more laid back, check out the Blue Moon in the Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 14. There's wonderful views of the pool deck and area around you.

Kids Club

Adventure Ocean is the name of the kids club on Adventure of the Seas, which is available for kids between the age of 3 and 17 years old.

Adventure Ocean is divided into four age groups, with each group having their own programming and rooms suitable to the age range:

• Aquanauts (3-5 years old)
• Explorers (6-8 years old)
• Voyagers (9-11 years old)
• Teens (12-17 years old)

Adventure Ocean is mostly complimentary, with the exception of childcare after 10PM.

Aside from embarkation day, there are two types of Adventure Ocean operating hours: port days and sea days.

On sea days, Adventure Ocean is typically open

• 9am - noon
• 2pm - 5pm
• 7pm - 10pm

On port days, Adventure Ocean is open for the entire duration your Royal Caribbean ship is in port.  Once the ship leaves port, it resumes the normal schedule described in sea days.

An arcade is also located in Adventure Ocean and open to guests of all ages, although it comes at an extra cost.

On the first day of your Royal Caribbean cruise, guests can register their children in Adventure Ocean prior to Adventure Ocean opening.  While you can register kids at any point in the cruise, take advantage of the open house on embarkation day for an optimal experience.

Adventure of the Seas Entertainment

You'll find shows performed in two venues on Adventure of the Seas: the Lyric Theater and Studio B ice skating rink.

In the Royal Theater, there are different shows performed each night. This includes a welcome aboard show on the first night and a farewell show on the last night. In-between, the singers and dancers perform shows such as Invitation to Dance and Can't Stop The Rock.

In Studio B, guests can enjoy Cool Art...Hot Ice!, an ice skating show, which is described as, "a journey through time and space. The story unfolds when Arthur falls in love with a statue that comes to life. He's led by his muse on a whimsical journey where nothing is truly as it seems." It's a fun show that is worth seeing for the talented ice skaters.

Outside of signature production shows, a variety of other entertainment can be found on Adventure of the Seas, including live music, karaoke, and game shows.

Spa & fitness

If you're looking to forget your cares, or stay in shape, while onboard Adventure of the Seas, the Vitality Spa and Fitness Center is where you want to go.

The fitness center is complimentary (although classes cost extra) and has cardio and strength equipment you can use on a first-come, first served basis.

Over in the spa, you can reserve an appointment for a massages, facials or a salon treatment. These all cost extra. Port days often have better discounts available than sea days, so be sure to ask about any onboard specials in the spa.

Adventure of the Seas Review

While not the newest or glitziest ship in the fleet, Adventure of the Seas has plenty to do onboard at a very reasonable price.

A Voyager-Class cruise ship is an excellent value, because they are still big ships with lots of activities that don't cost a lot to sail on. It has the signature venues most people expect with a Royal Caribbean ship, so there is not much compromise aside from lacking the absolute newest innovations. 

Often people considering Adventure of the Seas are worried they are making a mistake by booking a ship that is 20 years old instead of newer ships. The reality is the age of a ship isn't what it once was, and recent upgrades in 2016 and 2018 really raised the bar for what you can do onboard. Yes, they are one of the older ships, but that isn't the end-all, be-all, of what makes a great ship.

If there's something lacking on Adventure of the Seas, it's the staterooms still have the older feel to them compared to cabins on new Oasis or Quantum-Class ships. Besides the decor, there's less storage space.

In addition, the suite experience on Adventure pales compared to the services and amenities you get for staying in a suite on Oasis or Quantum-Class ships. Of course, the price of a suite is a lot more affordable on Adventure, the the Suite Lounge and concierge services are still lovely.

What draws us to Adventure of the Seas is the price. You can sail on Adventure of the Seas for likely half the cost of a newer ship, and unlike smaller  Royal Caribbean ships, there's still plenty to do. For most families, they should find enough activities to keep them busy without feeling like the ship lacks too much.

The crew members on Adventure of the Seas have always been quite good, and work hard to deliver a great cruise experience.

If you're a new cruiser, Adventure of the Seas is one of the cruise vessels you won't feel out of place on because of all the extra space and fun things to do. Voyager-Class vessels are destination experiences, which make it a good choice for a first time cruiser.

Between the value and fun offerings, you'll have no trouble enjoying a relaxing cruise aboard Adventure of the Seas.

Today is the fourth day of my 7-night Spain & France cruise on Anthem of the Seas. We docked in Bilbao, Spain this morning and I woke up eager to explore the largest city in the Basque Country.

What is Bilbao?

Bilbao is the most populous city in Spain’s Biscay province, located in the north-central part of the country. Bilbao is located in the Basque Country, an autonomous community in northern Spain and southern France (near the Pyrenees), and is one of the oldest ethnic groups in all of Europe.

It’s said the Basque people arrived in Europe around 5,000 years ago, and they have maintained strong cultural identity and culture despite countless invasions and outside influences over the years.

In fact, Basque language (called Euskara) is a language isolate, meaning it has no relation to any other known languages spoken around the globe today!

While technically the Bilbao cruise port, cruise ships actually dock in Getxo, a city on the coast just eight miles from downtown Bilbao.

Surrounded by lush green mountains, my first glimpse of Getxo made me even more excited to see what northern Spain has to offer.

First impressions of Bilbao

I disembarked the ship around 8:45AM and boarded a shuttle bus that would bring passengers to Bilbao’s city center. The shuttle bus was €10 for roundtrip transportation (payable in cash) and left directly from Bilbao’s cruise terminal. While it’s possible to reach Bilbao via metro from Getxo, the shuttle bus was very convenient and took around 25 minutes to reach the city.

Upon arrival in Bilbao, I walked a few minutes to the Estuary of Bilbao, a waterway flowing through the city center.

The first thing I noticed was the Guggenheim Museum, a contemporary art museum known for its otherworldly architecture, which is one of the main tourist attractions in Bilbao. While I did not go into the museum, I was certainly impressed by the look of the outside!

The pathway along the Estuary of Bilbao is really nice, with wide walkways, cycle paths, and plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the view. I walked along the path until I arrived in Casco Viejo, Bilbao's historic old town.

Casco Viejo adventures

Quite different from the modern architecture found at the Guggenheim museum just a short distance away, Casco Viejo was lined with narrow streets packed with restaurants, shops, and bars.

I stumbled across Mercado de la Ribera, a two-story food hall and market in Bilbao. While I wasn't feeling particularly hungry, the local dishes looked too amazing to pass up.

Spain is known for tapas, but in the Basque Country these small plates are known as pintxos. Pintxos are traditionally designed to be eaten with one hand, with a toothpick placed in the center of each pintxo. As opposed to tapas, which are generally part of a larger dish, pintxos are a miniature dish of their own.

All the pintxos looked divine, but I ordered the classic tortilla de patatas (potato omelette) and gratinado de cuatro quesos (4 cheese bake). The cheese pintxo was my favorite of the two, and it had such a robust and unique flavor that I wished I had been hungry enough to order another!

I enjoyed the pintxos with a glass of fresh squeezed zumo de naranja (orange juice).

I also walked around the market, which is set up with plenty of stalls selling produce, meat, breads, and pastries. As someone with a huge sweet tooth, I could not pass up the dessert stall.

After walking around Casco Viejo for another hour or so, I decided to head back to Getxo.

Discovering Getxo

Bilbao's city center is connected to Getxo via a direct metro line, so I decided to take the metro back instead of the shuttle bus. While I had already paid for the shuttle, I did not want to wait around for the bus to return. The metro would also drop me off directly in Getxo’s city center as opposed to the ship.

After a 25-minute metro ride (€1.90), I arrived in Getxo for the second half of my day exploring northern Spain.

Getxo is known for the Bizkaia (Vizkaya) Bridge, a 148 ft. transporter bridge and UNESCO world heritage site. Built in 1893, it is the world’s oldest transporter bridge, which connects the towns of Getxo and Portugalete without disrupting ship traffic.

You can cross the bridge two ways: through a large moving platform (for pedestrians, cars, bikes, etc.) or through a pedestrian walkway at the top of the bridge. For €10, I purchased a ticket to visit the top of the bridge for a scenic walk across the water.

The tickets are roundtrip, but are just one-way for the upper walkway. Therefore, I first traveled on the bridge from Getxo to Portugalete via the larger platform. Upon arrival, I enjoyed a tasty snack of churros con chocolate.

My return journey was nothing short of exciting. After an elevator ride up the bridge, I admired the views, architecture, and history of the structure, which is unlike any bridge I’ve seen before. The views of Getxo and Portugalete were amazing from up high, and I even caught a few nice views of Anthem of the Seas.

I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in Getxo's harbor enjoying the comfortable (while slightly chilly) weather. Walking back to the ship from downtown Getxo was a breeze, with a pedestrian pathway along the coastline.

I also got to chat with an Anthem of the Seas crew member, Fernando from the Philippines, on my walk back! He was filming a video for his YouTube channel.

An evening onboard

Having multiple port days in a row is definitely tiring, so I took a short rest in my stateroom once I got back before getting ready for dinner.

Samantha and I enjoyed another meal in the Main Dining Room tonight and the quality and service were up to par. My one "complaint" with the Main Dining Room is that I have absolutely no self control over the bread basket and tend to get full before my main course even arrives!

I was feeling super tired from my day walking around Bilbao and Getxo, so I spent the rest of the evening relaxing in the Solarium and catching up on Royal Caribbean Blog work at Vintages (yes, a wine bar makes for a great office) before heading to bed.

Tomorrow we are in La Coruña, another Spanish port, which is located in the country's Galicia region! I am loving this itinerary so far, so I can't wait to see what the other ports have in store.

Have a cruise booked on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and excited to get onboard for all the fun?

Before you get your cruise started, it's a good idea to plan a few things and prepare for everything Wonder of the Seas has to offer.

While there are important things to do before any cruise you go on, Wonder of the Seas has its own considerations (as do all the Oasis Class ships). 

Have Royal Caribbean app installed and ready to use

The Royal Caribbean app is a must-have for any cruise, but super important for a new ship like Wonder of the Seas.

The reason why the app is so important is Royal Caribbean puts so much of its cruise planning tools once onboard in the app.

The app is free to download, so get it on your phone and then log in and ensure everything is ready to go. 

Even if you're the "I don't want to carry around my phone all the time" type of person, the advantages of having the app installed for even just embarkation day make it totally worthwhile.

Get a check-in time

Now that you have the Royal Caribbean app installed, get a check-time assigned.

Royal Caribbean opens check-in times up to 45 days before your cruise.  If you are still more than 45 days out from boarding, set a calendar reminder so you can get one later.

The nice thing about using the Royal Caribbean app is you can choose a check-in time without completing the rest of the check-in process on the app.  Be sure to complete it, but in the meantime, get an early check-in time.

Remember, the earlier you check-in, the earlier you get onboard and start the fun.

Watch a ship tour

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To get an idea of where everything is, it's a good idea to watch a walkthrough video tour of Wonder of the Seas.

Getting your bearings on an Oasis Class ship is always important for new cruisers, and a video tour is an easy way to know where everything is located before you ever get onboard.

Luckily, we have a great video that takes you around the ship with nothing but views of where everything is located and helpful descriptions of what to expect.

Pre-purchase a drink package

If you think a Royal Caribbean drink package is worth it for your family, then buy it now and lock in the price.

You can purchase a drink package on Royal Caribbean's cruise planner website.  Yes, it will be cheaper than if you wait to buy it onboard the cruise.

Book dining times

It seems like everyone knows about how amazing the specialty restaurants are on Wonder of the Seas, so do yourself a favor and pre-book dining times early.

Just like the drink package, you can book specialty restaurants via the Royal Caribbean cruise planner.

These restaurants book up the quickest and almost always sell out:

• Mason Jar
• Izumi Hibachi
• Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

Skip the Windjammer

On embarkation day, you can avoid the crowds by skipping the Windjammer buffet.

When you watch our Wonder of the Seas tour, you'll see how many great alternatives there are for embarkation day lunch.

My top choices for a quick bite to eat after you get onboard are:

• Park Cafe
• El Loco Fresh
• Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade (has an extra cost)

Pack your bathing suit in your carry-on bag

The best time to ride the water slides and FlowRider is on the first day of the cruise.

Pack a bathing suit in your carry-on bag so that you can change into the bathing suit after getting onboard and having lunch. Most people will have packed their bathing suit in their checked luggage, which means very few people can go in the pool or enjoy the slides.

There are large restrooms on the pool deck you can change in, and then take advantage of the short waits.

Read more: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List

Pack pants and socks

Speaking of things to pack, make sure you pack socks and pants.

If your Wonder of the Seas cruise is going to the Caribbean or Mediterranean, you might overlook bringing socks or long pants, but they're necessary if you want to try either the rock climbing wall or free skating sessions in the ship's ice skating rink.

Email the suite concierge

If you are in a Grand Suite or higher cabin, then you'll have access to the suite concierge.

About a week before your cruise, the concierge should email you to welcome you onboard and give you the basics of what to expect.

Instead of just glancing at the email, email back the concierge and ask them to book dining times, reserve a cabana, or anything else you can think of to book before the cruise begins.

One of the best benefits of staying in a suite is the added service the concierge gives you.

Plan to see all the shows

Regardless if you are a patron of the arts at home or not, plan to see all the shows onboard.

Wonder of the Seas has a few signature shows onboard that are must-sees, so plan your evenings accordingly.

This includes:

• inTENse (AquaTheater)
• Effectors II (Royal Theater)
• 365: The Seasons on Ice (Studio B)
• Voices (Royal Theater)

You won't be able to pre-book entertainment before your cruise (unless you have a Royal Genie), but you can book show times as soon as you get on the ship and connect to the wifi.

Then open up the Royal Caribbean app, and you'll be able to book show times.

More helpful information

• What are the different types of cabins on a cruise ship?
• What's included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• Avoid these mistakes when picking a cruise ship cabin
• 25 best Royal Caribbean tips, tricks & hidden secrets!
• 5 Costly lessons learned on a cruise

My first day in France was everything I could have dreamed of and more! I try not to have expectations when I cruise, but I'm sure if I did have expectations, they would have been blown away today.

As I walked to the Windjammer for breakfast this morning, Anthem of the Seas was arriving in La Rochelle, a small coastal city in southwestern France around two hours from Bordeaux. I've never been to France before, so I couldn't wait to get off the ship and experience the country's culture, history, and cuisine.

Part of the reason I picked this cruise itinerary was to visit lesser-known ports in Spain and France. While I'm sure I would have had an amazing day if visiting somewhere like Barcelona or Nice, the idea of visiting towns I had never heard of before was intriguing.

Samantha and I got off the ship around 8:30 and boarded a 15-minute shuttle bus from the industrial port to La Rochelle's city center.

I immediately found myself in awe of the quaint cobblestone streets of La Rochelle. The town is undeniably cute, and while I've visited plenty of seaside towns before, wandering through La Rochelle almost felt like a fairytale! It was a lovely first impression of France.

My first stop was a local bakery for a pain au chocolat. Not much makes me happier than chocolate, and enjoying a chocolate croissant in a charming French town? Yes, please!

Fueled on sugar, it was time to get active and see more of this picturesque port.

Cycling La Rochelle

I'm a big fan of renting a bicycle while in port as it allows you to see so much more than you can see on foot. La Rochelle is extremely bike friendly, with car-free paths throughout the city and along the coast.

There were two options for renting a bicycle. The first was through the town's public bicycle transport system. Dotted around La Rochelle are bicycle stations where you can rent a bicycle and pay as you go. I initially tried to reserve this option, but had trouble receiving the SMS verification code to my American phone number.

Therefore I went with the second option, a bicycle rental from Greenbike, a local shop. For €11, I rented a beach cruiser for 4 hours, and Samantha and I took off on our bicycles.

The cycling was gorgeous and brought us on fully car-free cycle paths around the coastline just south of La Rochelle's historic center. We stopped along the way for photos and to enjoy the sunny beach views.

After around two hours of leisurely cycling and stopping at nearby beaches, we made our way back to downtown La Rochelle for lunch. The town was more lively in the afternoon than it had been when we first arrived.

An ode to crepes

Having never traveled to France, I was looking forward to tasting local cuisine beyond the delicious pain au chocolat I enjoyed earlier in the day.

When walking around town, we came across a cute alleyway lined with shops and restaurants. The incredible smell of savory crêpes caught our attention when strolling the alleyway, so we immediately decided to dine at Crêperie L’epi de Blé.

I ordered the set meal, which came with a savory crepe, beer, and chocolate dessert crepe for €14. I settled on the ratatouille crepe, which is a buckwheat crepe with a cheese and vegetable filling and topped with a fried egg.

I've never tasted anything quite like this crêpe. In fact, after years of travel through Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia, this is undoubtedly on my list of the best meals I've ever had. I cannot stop thinking about how delicious it was, and I've opened my phone to look at the picture I took of my crêpe at least 20 times today. 

Strolling around La Rochelle

While Samantha stayed at the crêperie for an iconic afternoon of reading and sipping local rosé, I decided to explore more of La Rochelle on foot.

I walked in the opposite direction of the harbor to see what local life is like in town. We were in port on Sunday, so it was noticeably quiet with most shops closed, but plenty of locals were dining outdoors and shopping at the local produce market.

My impression of La Rochelle is that it is a port where tourism has not overtaken local life. It felt quaint and authentic even with the influx of passengers from Anthem of the Seas. I enjoyed the local feel of the town as opposed to a huge city, especially when visiting for only a few hours.

I spent the last hour or so in town sitting by the harbor, enjoying the sunshine, and watching life go by in downtown La Rochelle.

Back onboard

Not much is better than spending time in your stateroom after a busy day in port, so we relaxed for an hour or so before dinner. We had dinner in the Main Dining Room tonight, with the warm bananas foster a highlight of our meal.

After a terribly cloudy day yesterday, I took advantage of today's sunshine with a post-dinner walk around the pool deck. The primary reason I'm onboard is to film a full ship tour of Anthem of the Seas for the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel, so I spent a while collecting footage of the ship.

La Rochelle is the first of three port days in a row, so Samantha and I took it easy tonight with a frozen mojito in the Solarium followed by a game of cards in our stateroom.

Tomorrow we arrive in Bilbao, Spain!

La Rochelle: Overall thoughts

I had a wonderful day in La Rochelle and it got me even more excited for the next three ports on this itinerary.

Everyone in town was extremely friendly and welcoming. While I do not speak much French, every local I encountered in the historic center spoke some English. I think I'll have to start studying French to experience the country more in-depth!

France had never been on the top of my travel bucket list, and I often find myself traveling to other European countries like Italy and Spain. After today, though, I cannot believe I waited so long to experience small-town France.

Shore excursions are definitely not needed in La Rochelle as the town is extremely walkable and plenty of tourist sites (museums, a castle, etc ) are found right in the city center. There were also plenty of activities for kids to enjoy, from a carousel to a playground, merry-go-round, bungee trampoline, and nearby beaches.

More Anthem of the Seas Live Blogs

Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 1 - Embarkation

Anthem of the Seas Live Blog - Day 2 - Sea day

Happy Sunday! I would like to wish all the dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day! Hope you get to have a relaxing and fun-filled day with your family!

Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the latest Royal Caribbean news!

We might know the name of Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean registered 9 new cruise ship names recently with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Names include previously used names, such as Majesty and Splendor of the Seas, as well as new names, such as Titan or Nova of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean News

• New Royal Caribbean trademarks could hint at name of new venue
• Cruise industry wants to review pre-cruise testing requirements next
• Royal Caribbean updates: Starlink wifi, Icon fuel & more
• 5 best cruise ship suites on Royal Caribbean
• How many ships does Royal Caribbean have?

Read our Europe Live Blog

Our first live blog from a European cruise has begun, with Jenna sailing on Anthem of the Seas.

She is sharing everything from her 7-night Spain & France cruise, which sails roundtrip from Southampton, England.

New RCB Video: How to make Royal Caribbean's drink package work for you!

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 make Royal Caribbean's drink package work for you! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Pros and Cons of booking a cruise early vs last-minute

What are the best reasons to book a cruise super early or at the very last minute?

Both options offer have their benefits, whether saving money by booking far in advance or coming across a last-minute cruise deal.

We've got a look at the pros and cons of booking your cruise late and early to help determine which option works best for you.

What happened when I tested positive for Covid on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Unfortunately, Matt tested positive for Covid at the end of his Alaska cruise, and shared what the experience was like from start to finish.

From getting tested, to quarantine, to being escorted off the ship, Matt shares what his experience was like so you have an idea of what to expect if it were to happen to you.

Royal Caribbean wants to add Starlink high-speed internet to its cruise ships

If Royal Caribbean gets its way, we could all benefit from faster onboard internet.

Royal Caribbean is looking to add SpaceX's Starlink internet access to its cruise ships, but first needs to get approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

"Working with SpaceX Services, Inc., we believe we have identified a true next generation solution for our vessels that meets the rigorous technical and operational requirements commensurate with our growth plans," John Maya, Royal Caribbean Group's Vice President, Operational Excellence, said in a letter to FCC international bureau chief Tom Sullivan.