Royal Caribbean Blog

The weekend is the perfect time to take a short break, so why not go on a cruise too?

When people think of cruises, they tend to imagine a sailing that’s seven days or longer. After all, if you’re going to fly to a port for a vacation, you want to maximize your experience.

However, you can find plenty of weekend cruises available, and  the majority of which sail from Florida ports. What makes them so appealing?

Itinerary

Weekend cruises out of Florida are Bahamian itineraries. You will find either Nassau or Grand Bahama island as a port stop.

Nearly every cruise will include a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay. What you most likely won’t find on a three day cruise is a day at sea.

The ships are more intimate

One thing to be aware of is that weekend cruises tend to be on smaller ships. While it’s not unheard of for an Oasis class ship to have a shorter, specialty sailing, it’s much more common to find Vision, Radiance, Voyager and Freedom classes doing the weekend sailings. That’s actually a good thing.

You could spend seven days on an Oasis or Quantum class ship and still never see and do everything. Think of how hard that would be with only three days!

There is still plenty to see and do onboard. Most activities that you will find on the seven day sailings are also available on the weekend cruises. From trivia and scavenger hunts to rock climbing and miniature golf.

Some ships even have a Flowrider, water slides and a sky pad. Nightly entertainment includes headliner acts such as singers or comedians, dancing in the lounges and singers in the pub and the Schooner Bar.

If your ship happens to have an ice rink, you will be treated to an amazing ice show. You can also try skating yourself during select hours in the afternoon.

If you’d rather stay indoors, you can always go to the casino. While it will be closed during the day when docked in Nassau or Grand Bahama island, it is open all day when you’re docked in CocoCay. Typical opening hours that day are 8:00 a.m. for slots and noon for table games.

Dining

While these “smaller” ships won’t have every specialty dining restaurant of their larger cousins, you will still have more choices than you could eat in three days.

Of course there is the complimentary options such as the Windjammer buffet, main dining room, pizza and ice cream at the pool. However, you can enjoy specialty dining too. Just about every ship has a Chops Grille and an Italian option, either Giovanni’s or Jaime’s.

Other ships also offer Izumi (some with Hibachi) along with a Playmakers and/or Johnny Rockets. You will still have a “dress your best” night on a weekend sailing so it’s nice to have specialty dining options.

A perfect trip for locals

Those who live in Florida have the luxury of being able to drive to your nearest port. Taking a weekend cruise means being able to go for a quick getaway without having to burn a lot of vacation time, if any.

Weekend cruises are perfect for that special celebration. You’ll always see a birthday or anniversary being acknowledged in the restaurants. These sailings have also become very popular with bachelor/bachelorette parties.

It’s a great way to have a mini vacation to celebrate with your friends.

You can add it on to longer vacation

Quick getaways and minimal time off of work is great for the locals, but why would someone want to travel a great distance for just a weekend cruise?

You could add it on to a land trip you may already have planned. Let’s say, for example, you’re coming to Orlando to visit the theme parks. You can easily add on a short sailing before or after your trip to relax or recharge after all that running around and waiting in lines.

It’s a better value than staying at a hotel on the beach

You really can’t beat the prices. Three day sailings on the Freedom of the Seas out of Miami are currently starting at $151 per person. Even if you could find a resort on the beach for that price, there is no way it’s going to include food, entertainment and transportation.

We do weekend cruises quite often, even referring to the ship as our “weekend condo.” We tend to see the same people regularly, not just the crew but fellow passengers as well! It’s like one big extended family of cruisers.

Seven day or more cruises are the perfect vacation but don’t overlook the weekend sailings when you want a quick get away to the beaches of CocoCay and to enjoy those amazing sunsets at sea.

Planning a short cruise? Check out these helpful articles:

• Is it worth it to book a short 3-night cruise?
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• Top 9 bad mistakes to make on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Why you shouldn't book the cheapest cruise you can find
• How do I pick the perfect first cruise?

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise planner sale has begun!

The new sale offers up to 35% off pre-cruise purchases made between January 28 - February 1, 2022 on sailings departing between February 3, 2022 - December 31, 2022.

Here is what is included during the sale:

Beverage: Up to 40% off

• Classic Soda Beverage Package: 30% off onboard prices.
• Classic Soda Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Over 35% off onboard prices.
• Spring Water Cans: 40% off onboard prices.
• San Benedetto Water Cans: 40% off onboard prices.
• Evian Water Bottles: 40% off onboard prices.
• Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Over 35% off onboard prices.
• Refreshment Package: 30% off onboard prices.

Shore Excursions: Up to 25% off

• Shore Excursions: Discount varies by ship.

Internet: Up to 50% Off

• VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.
• VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.
• VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.

Dining: Up to 55% Off

• Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 9N sailings: Discount varies by ship.

Activities: 20% Off

• All Access Ship Tour (excl. Grandeur of the Seas)

Gifts & Gear: Up to 20% Off

• Anniversary Decorations with Champagne
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Chocolate Cake & Strawberries
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Vanilla Cake & Strawberries
• Inky Beach Set
• Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe)
• Inky Travel Set
• Red Wine and Cheese
• Royal Caribbean Beach Towel
• Strawberries with Champagne
• White Wine and Cheese

Photo Packages: Up to 70% Off

• Photo Packages: From 5 - 100 Print and/or Digital Options: Discount varies by ship.
• Photo Package: Private Photo Session: Discount varies by ship.
• Photo Package: Picture This Private Studio: Discount varies by ship.
• Photo Package: All Digital: Discount varies by ship.

Spa: Up to 30% off

• Spa Packages: Discount varies by ship.

Can I save money with this sale?

Each Royal Caribbean sale adds the potential to save money on the cost of these purchases, but the price does not change for every single sailing and item available to purchase.

Some prices may change, but there is not a flat discount applied across all sailings.  Some people will notice better prices, while others may not see any change.

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

More helpful information

• Should you buy pre-cruise purchases now or wait to buy it onboard?
• 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• How much should I budget for a cruise?

One of the first Royal Caribbean cruise ships has been scrapped.

According to a report by The Maritime Executive, the ship formerly known as the Sun Viking was beached this week in Pakistan to be broken up and recycled.

The ship had mostly recently been operating as the Oriental Dragon, where she operated as a a gambling ship in Hong Kong and Penang, Malaysia.

A part of Royal Caribbean's roots

Sun Viking was one of the three original cruise ships ordered by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as part of their early fleet.

Sun Viking was the last of the original Royal Caribbean ships to launch when the company was first formed in the early 1970s.

With two vessels in service, Royal Caribbean waited another year for its third. Her first keel plates had been laid on May 18, 1971, with completion scheduled for December of the following year.

Photo by Glenmore1971

Contractually, Sun Viking's general arrangement differed from that of her predecessors. Although her underwater dimensions were identical, forward above the waterline she had been changed. The bow was a deck higher, allowing seven more passenger cabins.

The bridge screen as well as the verandas flanking the pool had been given a rounder, more streamlined form, and the painted blue waist encircling the hull has been raised, nestling directly beneath the public-view rooms. Her external look was, admittedly, more "massive" than the first two, but overall, the profile seemed an improvement.

The ship was 18,000 tons (compared to Wonder of the Seas, which has a gross tonnage of 236,857t) and had a capacity of 724 passengers.

She was named Sun Viking by Bergljot Skaugen, who was Sigurd Skaugen's wife. Sigurd Skaugen was one of the Norwegian families that formed Royal Caribbean in the late 1960s.

Photo by Terry Hammonds

She entered service in 1972, and like Song of Norway and Nordic Prince, was purpose built for Caribbean cruising instead of being a converted ferry or ocean liner.

Sun Viking would not only sail the Caribbean waters, but also offered 7-night cruises to the Mexican Riviera as well as being homeported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Departure from Royal Caribbean

Photo by Joseph Hollick

She would sail with Royal Caribbean for 26 years until the late 1990s when she was sold to Star Cruises.

The last Sun Viking cruise sailed in 1998.

She was renamed the SuperStar Sagittarius, and then went on to operate and be sold to other lines as a gambling ship.

She was later renamed Hyundai Pongnae in 2003, sailing for the Hyundai Merchant Marine Company, before being renamed Omar III for Asia Cruises

Her final years were spent in Penang, Malaysia.

Spectrum of the Seas will shift to offer cruises from Singapore in Spring 2022.

Royal Caribbean announced Spectrum of the Seas will sail from Singapore beginning April 11, 2022.

This move means Spectrum will begin sailings six months earlier than originally scheduled.

The ship will offer 3- and 4-night "cruises to nowhere". Bookings are now open for reservations.

"We know that vacation time is precious and choosing how to spend it is more important than ever, which is why we are thrilled to welcome Spectrum of the Seas – one of the most advanced ships in the world, to Singapore in April – making Singapore the cruising destination of choice," said Angie Stephen, vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean International.

"We have seen incredible demand for Royal Caribbean cruise holidays in Singapore. Having hosted more than 178,000 Singapore residents since we restarted cruising, bringing Spectrum six months early is truly exciting. The combination of experiences specially designed for the Asian market, together with signature Royal Caribbean favourites on board, will make Spectrum a huge hit."

Spectrum changed homeports because Hong Kong began forcing Royal Caribbean to cancel sailings. Instead, she will shift to Singapore.

The arrival of Spectrum of the Seas will also mean a Royal Caribbean ship will remain in Singapore when Quantum of the Seas moves to Alaska for the summer 2022 cruise season.

Best features of Spectrum of the Seas

Spectrum is the first Quantum Ultra Class ship in the fleet, and has a few special offerings.

Sky Pad – Asia’s first, this virtual reality, bungee trampoline adventure is where guests can strap in, don a headset and transport themselves to another time and planet.

Suite Enclave – Royal Caribbean’s first and exclusive space for the exquisite Royal Suite Class Star, Sky and Sea accommodations in a private area, featuring exclusive floor access, an elevator, private restaurants and a dedicated lounge area.

Two70 – Boasting stunning 270-degree ocean views by day and transforming into a multidimensional theatre by night, this transformative space flaunts six agile Roboscreens, breathtaking live performers and mind-bending aerialists to create unimaginable visuals.

SeaPlex – The largest indoor active space at sea, featuring bumper cars, laser tag, fencing, archery and more.

Star Moment – A lively and energetic karaoke venue where family and friends come together to belt out and sing like stars.

Family Friendly Accommodations – From exterior balcony staterooms to interconnected rooms, to the signature two-level Ultimate Family Suite, an expansive, multiroom retreat complete with its own slide and cinema that also doubles as a karaoke stage, there’s an array of staterooms designed for the whole family.

Signature Experiences – A bold lineup of guest favourites are on deck, including the FlowRider surf simulator, the North Star, an all-glass observation capsule which ascends 300 feet above the ocean to deliver incomparable 360-degree views; and RipCord by iFly, the first sky diving experience at sea.

A World of Flavours – There are 19 dining options that serve up a variety of cuisines, including Hot Pot, an authentic Chinese dining experience; Teppanyaki, a celebration of Far East flavours cooked in Japan’s traditional teppanyaki style; and Sichuan Red, a new specialty dining experience tailored just for Spectrum, where diners can savour a bold tapestry of spices and Sichuan flavours. Signature classics include imaginative cuisine at Wonderland, American steakhouse Chops Grille and authentic rustic fare and handmade pasta at Jamie’s Italian.

The last two years were anything but easy for the cruise industry, but things look to improve in 2022.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) put out its annual State of the Cruise Industry Outlook that highlights how the cruise industry is bouncing back from the pandemic, as well as progress in environmental stewardship and other initiatives.

Royal Caribbean is one of many cruise lines that are part of CLIA, which represents the cruise industry in many aspects of the public and government sectors.

CLIA believes this report highlights the responsible restart process cruise lines have undertaken, which rely heavily on the proven Covid-19 protocols that have been implemented onboard ships.

Here's a look at some of the major highlights from the report.

Restart process

More than 75% of ocean-going member capacity has returned to service.

CLIA projects 100% of that capacity will be back in service by August 2022.

In addition, 16 new cruise ships will debut in 2022, including five LNG-powered vessels and nine expedition ships. The class of 2022 will be 100% equipped with Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems.

Royal Caribbean will have one of those new cruise ships when Wonder of the Seas makes her debut this spring.

Economic impact of cruisers

It's no secret cruise ship passengers bring extra income to the ports of call they visit, and CLIA demonstrated this fact with specific figures.

• Every 24 cruisers creates one full-time equivalent job
• Cruisers spend an average of $750 USD per passenger in port cities over the course of a typical seven-day cruise
• 6 in 10 people who have taken a cruise say that they have returned to a destination that they first visited via cruise ship

Facts & Trends

CLIA also included in their report some interesting facts about who goes on cruise ships.

Top Five Source Regions on Average from 2018-2020

1. North America: 51%
2. Western Europe: 21%
3. Asia: 12%
4. Australasia: 5%
5. South America: 5%

Top Five Destinations by Average Passenger Volume from 2018-2020

1. Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda: 44%
2. Asia & China: 13%
3. Central & Western Mediterranean: 8%
4. Australasia: 5%
5. Panama Canal & South America: 5%

Cruise Tourist Age Averages from 2018-2020

1. 60+: 33%
2. 40-59: 32%
3. 20-30: 20%
4. 0-19: 14%

47.6 is the average age of cruise tourist

Percentage of Cruise Passengers Who Plan to Cruise Again

1. Traditionalists: 73%
2. Baby Boomers: 77%
3. Gen-X: 82%
4. Millennials: 85%
5. Gen-Z: 79%

Carbon Neutral by 2050

The cruise industry is pursuing carbon neutrality by 2050, which is an initiative the Royal Caribbean Group committed to in October 2021.

Royal Caribbean Group calls it "Destination Net Zero", but the goal is the same for all CLIA members:

• Delivery of a net zero emissions cruise ship
• A path to net zero emissions by 2050

To that point, over the next five years, CLIA's ocean-going cruise line member fleet will include 26 LNG-powered cruise ships, 231 ships fitted with Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems, 174 cruise ships with shoreside power connectivity, and 176 cruise ships equipped with Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems installed.

Read the full report

You can read the entire State Of The Cruise Industry Outlook 2022 here:

The newest and largest cruise ship in the world is officially part of Royal Caribbean's fleet.

Wonder of the Seas was delivered to Royal Caribbean on Thursday, following three years of construction.

Shipyard builder Chantiers de l’Atlantique joined Royal Caribbean executives in a  traditional flag-changing ceremony in Marseille, France.

Welcoming Wonder to the Royal Caribbean family was Royal Caribbean Group Chairman Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty talked about the addition of Wonder of the fleet, "Wonder of the Seas will energize cruising in a bolder and bigger way. Adding this ship to our already best-in-class fleet elevates the company in continuing to lead the industry with new features and innovation."

"This is one more way that we’re delivering world-class and memorable vacations, responsibly, to guests around the world."

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley was equally excited, "Taking delivery of Wonder of the Seas is the culmination of 30 months of ingenuity and partnership across more than 2,000 committed crew members and workers who are among the best at what they do."

"Along with taking the revolutionary Oasis Class ships to a new level of wonder, innovation and adventure, Wonder sets the stage for the spring and summer vacations families and all travelers alike are looking forward to in the new year. The combination of brand-new features and favorites that span thrills, entertainment, dining and nightlife is unparalleled, and it’s what will make our latest and most innovative ship the world’s newest wonder and the ultimate vacation in the Caribbean and Europe."

New features on Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas may be the fifth Oasis Class cruise ship, but she is certainly not a carbon copy of her sister vessels.

Royal Caribbean designed the ship to incorporate a number of changes and new additions that were previously not seen on other Oasis Class ships.

Suite Neighborhood – The new, eighth neighborhood offers Royal Suite Class guests an elevated Suite Sun Deck in a new location, complete with a plunge pool, bar and plenty of loungers and nooks to kick back; along with favorites such as Coastal Kitchen, the private restaurant; the Suite Lounge, and the largest Ultimate Family Suite yet to host a family of 10.

The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar – The new hotspot serves up southern staples and new twists on classics for brunch, dinner and in the late night, including savory johnnycakes, southern fried chicken, crab beignets, and shrimp and grits. Completing the experience is live country music, farmhouse-style decor, a collection of American whiskeys and spiked shakes.

Wonder Playscape – The underwater-themed play area for kids is a whole new adventure with slides, climbing walls, games, an interactive mural activated by touch and imaginative puzzles.

The Vue Bar – The happiest of happy hours can be found at the new cantilevered bar that offers panoramic ocean views by day, and after sunset, it shines bright with a colorful mosaic canopy.

Caribbean Pool Deck – At the center of the Caribbean vibes is The Lime & Coconut, alongside the trio of high-speed waterslides, The Perfect Storm; kids aqua park Splashaway Bay, Casitas, in-pool loungers, live music; and more.

El Loco Fresh and Cantina Fresca - The grab-and-go spot for Mexican delights, like made-to-order tacos, burritos and quesadillas, now debuts Cantina Fresca. The dedicated bar serves a selection of "aguas frescas," margaritas and other Mexican staples.

Of course, Wonder will still feature other well-known Royal Caribbean staples such as:

• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
• The Ultimate Abyss slide
• Newly designed, dedicated kids and teens spaces at Adventure Ocean, Social100, and The Patio
• FlowRider surf simulator
• Twin rock-climbing walls
• Central Park neighborhood

Plans for Wonder of the Seas

With Wonder now part of the Royal Caribbean fleet, she is poised to begin service with a busy 2022 calendar.

Her inaugural sailing will take place on March 4, 2022 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  She will sail to the Caribbean from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale between March and April 2022. The 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries include visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, The Bahamas; Roatan, Honduras; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Starting in May, Wonder heads to Europe to offer 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises will visit ports such as Naples and Florence, Italy; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Provence, France.

After her summer season, Wonder returns to Florida to offer year-round sailings in November 2022, when she sails from Port Canaveral. Destinations range from Perfect Day at CocoCay and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Cozumel, Mexico.

For the first time since the cruise industry shutdown of 2020, Royal Caribbean returned to its private destination in Haiti at Labadee.

Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas visited Labadee on Thursday, and is the first ship to stop there since early 2020.

While Royal Caribbean's other private destination of Perfect Day at CocoCay was one of the first places cruise ships visited when the restart began in 2021, Labadee had yet to see a ship visit.

Up until today, scheduled visits to Labadee have been routinely cancelled and replaced with visits to other ports.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers Colby Burnett and Michael Krieger shared photos from their visit today.

With today's visit, it appears Royal Caribbean is once again prepared to return with regular visits.

It's not clear what prevented Royal Caribbean from sending ships to Labdee up until now, but the good news for cruise fans is the private paradise is open again.

Labadee is a 260-acre private destination that Royal Caribbean has operated since 1986, and was visited by both Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises ships.

Planning a Caribbean cruise? Check out these articles:

• 2022 Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning Guide
• Royal Caribbean ships by size
• What are the different types of cabins on a cruise ship?
• Comparing Royal Caribbean's Private Islands: CocoCay & Labadee
• What to expect on your first cruise
• Cruise FAQ: Saving Money
• The unwritten rules of going on a cruise
• Royal Caribbean frequently asked questons

Royal Caribbean is about to take ownership of its newest cruise ship.

Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis Class cruise ship, and has been in Marseille, France since November 2021 to receive her final touches.

It now appears Royal Caribbean will take delivery of Wonder from the builder.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Nick Weir, tweeted on Wednesday the new ship will be delivered on January 27.

"Tomorrow the magnificent #WonderoftheSeas, will be delivered to Royal Caribbean," Mr. Weir stated proudly in his tweet.

Tomorrow the magnificent #WonderoftheSeas, will be delivered to @RoyalCaribbean @NewsfromRCgroup. One way to spot that she is still under the ownership of the shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique, is the floors of the elevators. Tomorrow it will be Thursday for the first time ever. pic.twitter.com/5uEeh3wjGw

— Nick Weir (@NickWeirShowbiz) January 26, 2022

The delivery of a cruise ship is when ownership of the vessel is transferred from the shipyard to the buyer, Royal Caribbean.

Wonder of the Seas videos

The “Wonder” of a Mediterranean Sunset… pic.twitter.com/Q1b4TYVwhi

— Nick Weir (@NickWeirShowbiz) January 25, 2022

Senior Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, Nick Weir, shared a video clip of Wonder of the Seas in Marseille, France.

Mr. Weir recently flew to France to do work on the ship, and posted the clip as his plane went overhead the new ship.

He also shared a video of walking through the AquaTheater on the new ship.

Come and take a 60 second walk with me in the #AquaTheater on #WonderoftheSeas… (you might also get a sneaky “first listen” to an excerpt of music from our upcoming, all-action #Blockbuster #AquaShow, #inTENse!) pic.twitter.com/J8ZqEiAhCM

— Nick Weir (@NickWeirShowbiz) January 26, 2022

World's largest cruise ship

At 236,857 gross tons, Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis Class cruise ship and takes the title from Symphony of the Seas as the biggest in the world.

Wonder of the Seas is 1,188 feet in length and has a maximum passenger capacity of 6,988 passengers, in addition to 2,300 crew.

In fact, Wonder has 100 cabins more than Symphony of the Seas.

Not only is Wonder of the Seas bigger than her sister Oasis Class ships, she has an extra neighborhood onboard dedicated just to suite guests.

The eighth neighborhood offers Royal Suite Class guests private spaces, such as an exclusive deck with its own pool, bar and plenty of sun loungers, as well as nooks for lounging.

Read more: Wonder of the Seas tour

In case you're wondering, Wonder of the Seas is not the last Oasis Class ship.

A sixth Oasis Class ship that is yet unnamed is expected to have her inaugural cruise in the second quarter 2024.

What's next for Wonder of the Seas

The inaugural sailing of Wonder of the Seas is scheduled for March 4, 2022 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com will be there to share live reports from the sailing.

In May 2022, Wonder will then transition to the Mediterranean.

There's a smattering of Royal Caribbean news to share from this week of interest to most cruise fans.

Just halfway through the week, and I have news tidbits to share.

New partnerships, construction updates, and deployment changes are all changes that can easily be summed up in this post as a quick way to catch you up on what's happening.

If you ever have a news tip, feel free to email it to [email protected] for possible inclusion in a future update!

New Covid testing partner

Royal Caribbean has a new Covid-19 testing partner in Quest Diagnostics.

Royal Caribbean has incorporated Quest Diagnostics as a pre-cruise and return home testing option. Quest Diagnostics is a lab with over 1,800 locations throughout the United States available to support testing needs.

You can visit QuestCOVID19.com for information on testing options.

The cruise line says guests can expect Quest to provide test results for most Royal Caribbean guests electronically (via email or through Quest’s secure patient portal, MyQuest) in 48 hours or less.

Hideaway Beach construction update

Construction is continuing at Perfect Day at CocoCay on a new adults-only beach.

Hideaway Beach is a new expansion on Royal Caribbean's private island that is scheduled to open at the end of 2022.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader twangster shared photos while Odyssey of the Seas visited CocoCay on January 24.

Wonder of the Seas is scheduled to begin sailings on March 4, 2022 from Fort Lauderdale.

Singapore cruises to expand to regional ports

Singapore was the first place Royal Caribbean was able to restart cruises after the shutdown of 2020, but they've only been short sailings to nowhere.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said yesterday that Singapore is working with various governments of countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to allow cruises to visit ports.

Up until now, cruises on Quantum of the Seas from Singapore have been limited to "cruises to nowhere" that have no port stops.

Royal Caribbean has cruises on sale for sailings from Singapore to Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam on board Spectrum of the Seas. 

The Spectrum of the Seas cruises are scheduled to sail beginning on October 21, 2022, with the voyages between three and nine nights, subject to receiving the relevant governmental approvals.

Royal Caribbean returns to Jamaica

Good news to share that Harmony of the Seas docked in Falmouth, Jamaica today.

Photos by Wayland Hostetler

This is significant because Harmony is the first Royal Caribbean cruise ship to visit the island since 2020.

At some point, everyone is a newbie to something, including going on a cruise. While we all have typical first-timer questions, there are some questions that make you scratch your head a little bit.

An Alaska cruise is a very different experience from a Caribbean sailing in many aspects of planning and sailing, so it's understandable experienced and new cruisers alike will have concerns.

In looking at some common internet searches for questions about an Alaska cruise, I ran across a few questions that I was not expecting because they seemed just a little bit far out there.

Far be it for me to skip over a cruise question, I wanted to share answers to these concerns just in case any of you are thinking about the same thing.

Is it cold on an Alaska cruise?

How cold does it get on Alaska cruise depends on the time of year, but yes, it will be cooler than any Caribbean sailing that in the summer.

That isn't to say you will be shivering in below-freezing temperatures.  It is still summer, after all.

The reason Royal Caribbean sails to Alaska in the summer is because there are more temperate conditions.  However, yes, it can get cold in Alaska during the summer.

Temperatures in Alaska will depend on the month you sail, and how far north or south your cruise goes.

Read more: What is the best time to cruise to Alaska?

Keep in mind your ship will be hugging the southeast panhandle of Alaska, and not visiting the Arctic Circle.

On average, you can expect mild temperatures in the summer, with average highs in the 60s and lows in the high 40s and 50s.

With all of that said, rain is a factor that can make a mild day feel much colder than it is.

Rain is common in Alaska, but usually short lived. It is typical to see a day start out rainy, the sun come out and heat things up, and then an hour later another passing shower, before the sun returns. The bottom line is you should expect rain and pack accordingly so you don't get soaked and then feel colder.

Read more: What it's like to go on an Alaskan cruise at the end of the season

Do you see icebergs on an Alaskan cruise?

Every Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska will (attempt) to visit at least one glacier.

So what's the difference between a glacier and an iceberg?

A glacier is a giant sheet of ice that can extend for miles that cover vast areas of land and sea. Icebergs are smaller pieces of a glacier that have broken off.

So yes, you will very likely see icebergs in the water as your ship maneuvers in and out of the glacier area.

Typically these icebergs are small, although sometimes they can be a spot for seals to hang out on for a break.

The most common glaciers Royal Caribbean ships visit are Endicott Arm fjord and Dawes Glacier. 

Tracy Arm Fjord extends over 30 miles alongside the wilderness of Tongass National Forest. 

As you sail along this deep and narrow passage, you will see mountain peaks and waterfalls burrowed into evergreen-clad cliffs.

Dawes Glacier is known for the granite cliffs that surround the glacier, mountain valleys, and drifting icebergs. Not to mention the harbor seals, brown bears, bald eagles, moose and wolves you may see around it.

Read more: How to choose the right Alaska cruise itinerary

How bad are the mosquitoes in Alaska?

Depending on when you visit Alaska, mosquitoes can be a nuisance.

Mosquitoes are obviously not unique to Alaska, but just like in New Jersey, they're still annoying.

Typically, you will find "mosquito season" between the second week of June to the last week in July.

Despite what you may read about on the internet, the mosquitoes aren't really as bad as you may think. In fact, cruise ship passengers tend to spend most of their time in and around cities, which have a significant breeze that can deter the pests.

Mosquitoes tend to be found most commonly on near-windless evenings near a pond, interior forest, or moist tundra.

Read more: What Is an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise?

Can you gamble on Alaska cruises?

Just like in the Caribbean, once your ship enters international waters, the casino will open up.

The casino will be closed while your ship is docked in an Alaska port of call, but once it sails away from land and into international waters, it's game on in Casino Royale.

Is it true it never gets dark during an Alaska cruise?

It will get dark at night, but only for a few hours at most.

Alaska cruises are too far south to truly experience why Alaska is known as "The Land of the Midnight Sun", but during the summer there can be up to 20 hours of sunlight.

How much day light versus night you experience will depend on the time of year you sail, as well as how far north your ship happens to be.

Will my cell phone work in Alaska?

If you're an American, yes, your cell phone works while in port in Alaska.

As a state in the United States, Alaska is included in American cell phone plans and you can expect service while you are in and around the ports you visit.

Unlike the lower 48 states, once you stray from the city, coverage can drop rapidly due to the terrain and vast unpopulated areas.

Read more: Cellphone Use Onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise

Can you see Russia from Alaska?

The short answer is, no.

This question is rooted in the now famous quote from former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, but unless you are on Little Diomede Island, you cannot see Russia from anywhere in Alaska.

Do I need a passport to go on an Alaska cruise?

Just like the Caribbean, if your cruise sails roundtrip from an American port (i.e. Seattle) and you are an American citizen, you don't need a passport.  But it's still a really good idea to have one.

Instead, United States citizens on cruises that begin and end at the same port in the United States can use a original government-issued picture ID (i.e. driver's license) and an original government-issued birth certificate or original Naturalization Certificate.

Keep in mind you would need a passport if you chose a shore excursion that visited Canada.

If your cruise sails out of Vancouver, then you would need a passport to enter Canada.

My recommendation is get a passport regardless of where your cruise sails from.

Read more: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Planning an Alaska cruise? Check out these articles:

• Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing in Alaska 2022
• What to pack for a cruise to Alaska?
• Top 10 tips for planning your Alaska cruise
• Cruising to Alaska: What I Did Right and Wrong
• Best things to do on an Alaska cruise