Royal Caribbean Blog

With Covid-19 cases dropping and health protocols relaxing on cruise ships, Royal Caribbean is going to bring back some benefits.

When Royal Caribbean restarted cruises in mid-2021 following the Covid-19 shutdown, it paused certain benefits and amenities in its customer loyalty programs.

These changes were meant to be temporary, and now five of them are coming back for guests to enjoy.

In an update on the Crown and Anchor Society website, Royal Caribbean listed the benefits coming back.

Reinstated benefits beginning on sailings departing March 15, 2022 and onward:

• Private Departure Lounge and Continental Breakfast (Gold and above)
• Top Tier Event (Platinum and above)
• Chef’s Choice Gift (Diamond and above)
• Personalized Gift/Amenity (Diamond Plus and above)
• Priority access to dedicated seating at theater, ice shows and AquaTheater events (Diamond Plus and above)

The reason these were suspended was to promote social distancing and the result of other Covid-19 related protocols.

Back in July 2021, Nancy Ramos, Royal Caribbean International's Director of Onboard Branding, Communications & Loyalty, said the company hoped to bring back benefits as soon as they could, "as soon as we can lift this restriction and this capacity limit, we will and it will be like it was pre pandemic."

Suspended benefits

Not all Crown and Anchor benefits will return quite yet.

Three benefits remain suspended or modified:

• Meal with an Officer — This experience, for our Diamond Plus (340 points and above) and Pinnacle Club members, has evolved to a Cheers with an Officer. This event will still take place in the Main Dining Room.
• Entertainment Tour — This tour has been reimagined, allowing our valued Diamond and above members to learn more about the amazing Royal Caribbean productions and entertainment team.
• Behind-the-Scenes Galley Tour — This benefit for our Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members has been temporarily suspended to ensure the health of our guests and crew.

Other benefits remaining

With some benefits coming back, other enhanced benefits are still here to stay.

According to the Crown and Anchor Society website, benefits added or improved in 2021 will remain in place:

• Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members beverage vouchers for drinks up to $13
• Flexible Arrival for Pinnacle Club and Suite guests
• Pinnacle Club members can eat meals in Coastal Kitchen. However, reservations are required and can only be made with the Maître d’ once onboard.
  • Pinnacle Club members sailing on Oasis and Quantum Class ships will also receive a $25 dining voucher per member, per sailing to enjoy at any Specialty Restaurant of their choice.
• Reimagined Events & Access
• Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members priority access to dedicated seating in venues up to 45 minutes prior to showtime.

In regard to the Pinnacle Club Lounge, Royal Caribbean says it is "working through the Suite and Concierge Lounge access for Pinnacle Club members," and will "share more details in the days to come."

In the meantime, Pinnacle Club Lounge access will remain.

Welcome to March, and the unofficial start of spring! This month sees lots of families heading for a cruise vacation to get a break from the chilly temperatures up north.

If you have a cruise in the month of March, this article aims to provide you helpful information & tips for what to expect on a cruise.

March is the beginning of the spring break cruises, which means families and college kids take cruise vacations in greater numbers because of time off from school.

Every school has a different week for spring break, so spring breakers can be on various sailings in March or April.

If you're looking to get a deal on a cruise, the first week is usually safe from spring break, which means lower demand. Likewise for the very end of the month, when anyone who didn't take a spring break cruise earlier will wait for April.

Ships sailing in March 2022

• Freedom of the Seas from Miami, Florida
• Anthem of the Seas from Cape Liberty, New Jersey
• Odyssey of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Allure of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Symphony of the Seas from Miami, Florida
• Independence of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
• Harmony of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
• Mariner of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
• Oasis of the Seas from Miami, Florida
• Liberty of the Seas from Galveston, Texas
• Adventure of the Seas from Galveston, Texas
• Explorer of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Navigator of the Seas from Los Angeles, California
• Quantum of the Seas from Singapore
• Grandeur of the Seas from Bridgetown, Barbados
• Brilliance of the Seas from Tampa, Florida
• Enchantment of the Seas from Baltimore, Maryland
• Jewel of the Seas from Miami, Florida
• Wonder of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida beginning March 4.
• Vision of the Seas from from Fort Lauderdale, Florida beginning March 7

The big news this month is Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship starts sailing on March 4th.

Wonder of the Seas will sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and offer 7-night cruises for just March and April before heading to Europe.

Wonder of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in the world and has a lot of new features and enhancements.

In addition, Vision of the Seas should return to service on March 7 from Port Everglades.

Vision was one of four ships to have cancelled cruises due to the Omicron variant.

Serenade of the Seas remains out of service until April, and Spectrum of the Seas is also out of action until she can restart in Singapore in April.

Health protocols for March 2022

There is a big change for Covid-19 protocols for cruises in March.

With the Omicron variant fading and Covid-19 numbers falling on land, Royal Caribbean has been able to relax a great many protocols.

As of February 25, 2022, Royal Caribbean will require a 95% vaccination rate among crew and passengers.

• All Royal Caribbean guests age 12 and older must present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing. 
• Royal Caribbean does not require kids younger than 12 to be vaccinated

The biggest change is cruises in March will not require passengers that are fully vaccinated to wear masks while indoors.

Children will likely have to wear masks indoors and in crowded settings, and masks are required for all children while at the Adventure Ocean youth program. 

Guests under 2 do not have to wear a mask at any time.

Vaccinated guests must show a negative COVID-19 test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding day. 

Unvaccinated kids age 2 to 11 must show a negative test result for a PCR test (not antigen) taken no more than 3 days before boarding day. This test cannot be taken on boarding day for unvaccinated kids.

Guests under 2 years of age do not need to complete a pre-cruise test. 

Keep in mind there are different health protocols for Grandeur of the Seas sailings from Barbados, so you should review those if sailing from there.

March weather on a cruise

If you like warm, but not hot temperatures with clear skies, then March is the month for you.

The Caribbean sees some of the best weather in the month of March, thanks to comfortably warm temperatures.

You will find warmer temperatures in places like The Bahamas, and if you take a Southern Caribbean cruise, expect average high temps to reach the low 90s.

March is still the dry season in the Caribbean, so you should not have to worry too much about getting soaked from a rainy day.

If you happen to take a Mexican Riviera cruise from Los Angeles, you can expect a very dry month of sailings.

Historical data indicates the average rainfall in March for most of the major destinations in Western Mexico approaches zero.

Catalina Island averages about two inches of rain in March, and Ensenada averages about one inch of rain in the month of March.

While the rain is consistently absent in March, the temperatures can vary greatly. 

Northern destinations will feel the effects of cooler spring weather while southern destinations will be warmer because they are closest to the equator.

Ensenada and Catalina Island have an average high temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but you'll find an average high temperature in Mazatlán in the upper 70s and low 80s in Cabos San Lucas.

Spring Break

As mentioned, March is when the first spring break cruises begin, but don't assume your ship will be turned into a wild party.

Spring break runs from first week in March to last week in April. Since every school has different calendars, you will find spring breakers spread out over the course of these two months.

Spring break is not just for college kids. You will find plenty of families with kids of all ages on spring break and looking to get away for a few days.

If your goal is to avoid spring breakers, longer sailings tend to have less college-aged cruisers.  They tend to favor the less expensive 4-night cruises.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia on Thursday hasn't changed Royal Caribbean's scheduled visits quite yet.

Baltic cruises are a popular summer cruise option, but with tensions high in the area, a change to scheduled cruises is not out of the question.

While Royal Caribbean has not announced any changes yet, it does have back up ports of call it could fall back on.

In an email to guests booked on Voyager of the Seas sailings that visit St. Petersburg in summer 2022, Royal Caribbean said it has, "secured alternate ports" just in case.

"We’re continuously monitoring events taking place around the world, including the situation in Ukraine. With the recent events, it is increasingly uncertain if we can visit St. Petersburg, Russia, as scheduled. For your peace of mind, we want to share our plans."

"At this time, our intention is to sail to St. Petersburg; however, we have secured alternate ports, should we feel that changing our itinerary is the best path forward."

Royal Caribbean said anyone who is booked on a sailing that visits the Baltics  and wishes to change their ship and sail date at prevailing rate, the cruise line will gladly help you switch and waive any change fees for your cruise.

Celebrity Cruises sent the same letter to its paid customers.

Voyager of the Seas is scheduled to launch her first season in the Baltic Sea in 2022, becoming the first Voyager Class ship to do so.

As of now, Voyager of the Seas will sail from Copenhagen, Demark and offer Scandinavia & Russia cruises.

Other cruise lines reactions

Less than 24 hours since the Russian invasion, only one cruise line has announced a change to an itinerary.

Boutique cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages said it would drop visits to St. Petersburg.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings told Wall Street analysts it was considering alternatives to port calls in Russia, "we have roughly about 5% of our total capacity that calls on St. Petersburg over this course of the summer season." NCLH CFO Mark Kempa said earlier today.

"All in all, it's about 50 sailings. And we are looking at alternative ports as we speak."

"And worst-case scenario, if we're not able to call on St. Petersburg or the surrounding areas, there's plenty of other ports in the -- in that Scandinavian region that we have the ability to call on."

Royal Caribbean has updated its health protocols for cruises sailing through April 14, 2022 in order to match the cruise line's decision to opt into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) voluntary cruise program.

In an email to guests and travel agents, Royal Caribbean issued new health protocols that apply to all cruises sailing from the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Barbados between February 25, 2022 and April 14, 2022

Royal Caribbean says this update reflects the, "government mandates, the changes based on our voluntary opt-in to the US CDC Cruise Program, plus shore excursion requirements for unvaccinated children and their families."

Royal Caribbean also said that protocols are still subject to change, due to the fluidity of the situation with Covid.

Here's a look at the latest protocols.

Covid-19 booster

While currently not required as a condition to sail, the US CDC has recommended COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for those eligible, prior to cruise travel.

Royal Caribbean, "strongly recommends" guests get boosted before their cruise.

Vaccine requirements

All guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before sailing.

Children aged 5 to 11 are not required to be vaccinated, however, as they are eligible, Royal Caribbean recommends they receive their vaccine before sailing.

Children with one dose of a vaccine do not count as fully vaccinated for the purpose of the sailing. 

Face masks

Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests. 

Unvaccinated children should expect to continue wearing masks indoors and in crowded settings.

Masks are required for all children age 2 and older while at the Adventure Ocean youth program.

Guests under 2 do not have to wear a mask at any time. 

Adventure Ocean Youth Program Reservations

For the first time, Royal Caribbean has included Adventure Ocean children's programming as part of the protocol release.

These spaces will be cleaned and sanitized frequently.

Royal Caribbean asks that guests make a reservation before bringing their child to Adventure Ocean on port days the ship is in port — just stop by Adventure Ocean on boarding day to reserve time, or throughout your cruise.

Dining

In the Main Dining Room, vaccinated guests may dine with other vaccinated guests outside their travel party. Parties that include unvaccinated kids will be assigned a table of their own.

Royal Caribbean recommends making reservations for dining before the cruise or via the app while onboard.

Vaccinated venues

Previously designated "vaccinated zones" are being removed.

This means no more vaccinated zones in the theater, spa, or gym, among other locations.

Shore excursions

Families traveling with unvaccinated kids are required to purchase a tour through Royal Caribbean to go ashore (except at private destinations, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee).

Some ports require all guests, regardless of vaccination status, to purchase tours through Royal Caribbean. These tours follow our health guidance and are available at a variety of prices. 

Pre-cruise Covid-19 test

The email made no mention of Covid-19 tests before the cruise, but the policy remains unchanged on Royal Caribbean's website.

Cruises from U.S. homeports (except Puerto Rico)

• Pre-Cruise: All guests 2 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result.
  • Vaccinated guests ages 12 years and over: PCR or antigen test must be taken no more than 2 days prior to sailing.
  • Unvaccinated children ages 2 to 11 years: PCR test must be taken no more than 3 days prior to sailing — but not on boarding day. Antigen tests are not accepted for unvaccinated guests.
  • No testing required for guests under age 2.
  • Pre-cruise testing costs and scheduling are the guest's responsibility.  

Embarkation Day: Unvaccinated guests ages 2 to 11 will take a complimentary antigen test for COVID-19 during check-in. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.

Onboard: For sailings that are 5 nights or longer, unvaccinated guests ages 2 to 11 will take a complimentary antigen test prior to debark. Sailings longer than 10 nights may have additional onboard testing requirements. Registration details will be provided onboard.

Cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico

• Entry to Puerto Rico:
  • All guests unvaccinated guests 2 years and older will need a PCR or antigen test for entry.
  • Guests arriving from non-US countries (regardless of vaccination status) will need to provide a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding a flight to Puerto Rico.
• Pre-Cruise: All guests 2 years and older — regardless of vaccination status — must present a negative COVID-19 test result in order to sail. Your client's entry test can meet this requirement as long as it falls into the appropriate timeframe. 
  • Unvaccinated children ages 2 to 11: will need to show proof of a negative test result from a PCR test taken no more than 3 days prior to our sail date — but not on boarding day. Antigen tests are not accepted for unvaccinated guests.
  • Vaccinated guests 12 years and older: will need to show proof of a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days prior to our sail date. If for any reason guests can’t arrange this test prior to sailing, Royal Caribbean has port testing available for scheduling here.
  • No testing required for guests under age 2.
• Pre-cruise testing costs and scheduling are the guest's responsibility.
• Embarkation Day: In addition to the pre-cruise test requirement, unvaccinated guests 2 to 11 years old will be required to take a complimentary embarkation day antigen test. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.
• Prior to disembarking: Unvaccinated guests 2 to 11 years old will take an antigen test prior to debarking in San Juan. 
  • ​For re-entry into guest's home country, guests may require proof of a negative COVID-19 test. If needed, we’ll offer complimentary testing on Day 5 or 6 of the cruise. Testing details will be provided onboard.
  • Please note, the test results will also be shared with Royal Caribbean International. This will let us help guests plan the next steps of their cruise and keep them informed. Royal Caribbean may also share the results with third parties, such as public authorities and health care providers.
• Post-Cruise: If a guest is staying in Puerto Rico after the cruise, or they live in Puerto Rico, an additional test will be needed.
  • Residents of Puerto Rico ages 2 years and older regardless of vaccination status, guests must take a COVID-19 test, at their own expense, after the cruise and upload their results on the TravelSafe Declaration within 48 hours of departing the ship.
  • Non-residents ages 2 years and older regardless of vaccination status, non-residents extending their stay in Puerto Rico after sailing must complete a COVID-19 test after their cruise, and upload the results to Puerto Rico's TravelSafe Declaration form within 24 hours of departing the ship. Guests will be provided a complimentary test kit for this purpose.
  • Please Note: Failure to meet this requirement can result in a $300 USD fine from Puerto Rico authorities.
• Quarantine: Unvaccinated travelers intending to stay in Puerto Rico before or after their cruise are now required to complete a quarantine period of 7 days. However, if a guest arrives in Puerto Rico on cruise boarding day, and depart Puerto Rico on the same day the cruise ends, a local quarantine is not required.
  • Quarantine Before: If guests arrive in Puerto Rico 1 or more days prior to their cruise, any unvaccinated guests ages 2 years and up in the travel party must remain in quarantine for those days. These guests may only leave to head directly to the cruise terminal for check-in on boarding day.
  • Quarantine After: Any unvaccinated non-residents ages 2 years and up extending their stay in Puerto Rico post-cruise must quarantine for up to 7 days. If a guest’s flight departs prior to the completion of the 7 days, they must remain in the hotel and may only leave to proceed directly to the airport on the day of your flight.

Vaccine and Testing protocols for cruises from Bridgetown, Barbados

• Due to the requirements of destinations on our Barbados itineraries, Royal Caribbean can only accept vaccines that are authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Guests under the age of 12 years, who are considered fully vaccinated, should follow the guidance for vaccinated guests below. Children with one dose of a vaccine do not count as fully vaccinated for the purpose of our sailing. The only mixed MRNA vaccines accepted are combinations of Pfizer and Moderna.
• Entry to Barbados: Guests must follow Barbados’ COVID-19 Travel Guidelines. All guests 5 years and older — regardless of vaccination status — must present a negative PCR test result taken no more than 3 days prior to arriving in Barbados. 
• Pre-cruise: All unvaccinated guests 2 - 11 years old must present a negative PCR test result no more than 3 days prior to sailing.
• Embarkation Day: All guests 2 years and older — regardless of vaccination status — are required to take a complimentary embarkation day antigen test and receive a negative test result. Registration details will be sent via email in advance for the antigen test at the terminal.
• No testing required for guests under age 2.
• Prior to disembarking: Guests 2 years and older will be provided with a complimentary antigen test to re-enter Barbados.
• For re-entry into a guest’s home country, proof of a negative COVID-19 test may be required. More details will be provided once onboard.

Bracelets

Royal Caribbean informed travel agents that they will no longer be using bracelets to identify vaccinated guests.

Under the CDC guideline for Highly Vaccinated sailings, with at least 95% of guests fully vaccinated, the ships are considered a vaccinated community, so identification via bracelets is not required.

What is the best way to stay connected with family and friends while onboard a cruise ship?

A lot of people that are about to go on a cruise want to know the best way to stay in touch with those on the same ship as them.  

Often, the question goes something like this, "I am cruising with several groups of people. How do you recommend we stay connected on the ship?"

Royal Caribbean cruise ships range in a guest capacity of about 2,000 to 6,500, so finding one person onboard is not always a simple task.  

Here are some common and useful ways of doing being able to easy contact someone, with each method coming with pros and cons. 

Royal Caribbean's phones

Utilizing Royal Caribbean's in-room phones and phones in common areas is a simple way to communicate with guests onboard your ship and onshore.

If you are trying to reach a guest onboard the ship, you can make a call to their stateroom and optionally leave a message.  Use of the phones for calls to a guest's stateroom is complimentary.  Of course, it requires the guest to be in the room to answer the call and/or check the voicemail.  This can result in "phone tag," where it seems like you are always missing each other.

The best part of relying on the cruise ship phones to reach someone else onboard is it's totally free.

If you want to get in contact with someone on land, there are two options.

Calls made from land to your Royal Caribbean cruise (shore to ship) can be achieved by calling (888) 724-7447/(321) 953-9003 to reach passengers.  The cost of this service is $7.95 per minute, and is chargeable to a Visa or MasterCard credit card.

Calls made from your Royal Caribbean ship to somewhere on land (ship to shore) can be made from your stateroom phone and also costs $7.95 per minute, billed to your SeaPass account.

Using your cell phone

Almost everyone has a cell phone with them and your cell phone will function while on a cruise, although the cost of doing so will vary greatly.

You could use your phone like normal and place calls and text messages by connecting to the cell provider on the Royal Caribbean ship, but this comes with a heft roaming cost. Usually, calls cost $6-8 per minute depending on your carrier.

Using your cell phone's data plan can be prohibitively expensive, with costs of $1 per MB or more.  You are better off skipping this option and looking at Voom options (scroll down to see more about this).

I don't recommend this option at all because of the crazy high prices carriers charge for roaming. I mention it purely because it exists, and some people have work phones that don't care about running up a bill.

Ship internet

The best option for most people is to purchase a Royal Caribbean Voom internet package.

There are two Voom plans offered: Voom Surf or Voom Surf + Stream

• Voom Surf
  • This offers basic web browsing, with no streaming services allowed
  • Starts at $17.99 per day for 1 device
    • The price gets cheaper as more devices are added to the plan
    • Most guests can get a 20% pre-cruise discount via the Cruise Planner site
    • There is also a Crown & Anchor Society discount once onboard
• Voom Surf + Stream
  • Full internet access, including streaming services
  • Starts at $22.99 per day for 1 device
    • The price gets cheaper as more devices are added to the plan
    • Most guests can get a 20% pre-cruise discount via the Cruise Planner site
    • There is also a Crown & Anchor Society discount once onboard
• 24 hour single day pass: $25.99 for surf or $32.99 for Surf + Stream

Once connected to the ship's internet, you can leverage any number of messaging apps to communicate with someone else onboard, or even at home.

These apps are usually free to use for voice and texting. Popular options include:

• Facebook Messenger
• WhatsApp
• Skype
• GroupMe

Of course, for this option to work, everyone who you need to stay in contact with needs to purchase a Voom package and have their phone or tablet with them.

Buying everyone an internet package is still cheaper than the roaming charges you would incur using your cell carrier, and more than likely there's a common (and free) app you can all agree to use.

WiFi calling

If you get an internet package, another option is WiFi calling through your carrier.

Most major cell phone carriers these days provide a means of making phone calls via an internet connection instead of relying on a cell phone connection. 

WiFi calling has no additional cost and works just like you are at home and supports voice calls, text messaging (SMS and MMS).  It works with most newer devices, including iPhone 5C and later, Android and Blackberry devices.  Check with your carrier for exact devices that are supported.

At last check, these carriers supported WiFi calling

• Verizon
• AT&T
• T-Mobile
• Sprint
• GoogleFi
• Cricket

To make a phone call over WiFi, put your device into airplane mode and connect to Voom via WiFi.  

If set up correctly on your phone, your calls, texts will be routed through Voom.

Royal Caribbean App

Royal Caribbean's app has a text feature that offers one-to-one guest chat, along with group chats.

Once onboard the ship and logged onto Royal Caribbean's Wi-Fi  network (no internet package required to use the app), other guests will show up as offline or online but are only online if they have the app opened and to the “chat” window.

There is no cost to use Royal Caribbean's app (this changed in 2023, as there used to be a charge).

If there's a downfall of the app, it's the lack of notifications. Many cruisers report they do not get notified of a new message unless they open the Royal Caribbean app to check.

Read more: Royal Caribbean's onboard messaging system is now free: Here's how it works

Your Thoughts

Which means of communicating with friends and family on your ship and at sea do you find to be the best option? Did we miss one you know about? Share your comments and suggestions in the comments!

The biggest cruise ship in the world made a pit stop today in The Bahamas.

Wonder of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's fifth Oasis Class cruise ship and it visited the cruise line's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay on Thursday.

Freedom of the Seas was already at the island for the day, leaving passengers with the first opportunity for the public to see this new ship up close.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers Jeanne Fulton, Robert Jaworski and Tracy Tompkins sent in photos of the ship's arrival.

The 5,734-passenger Wonder of the Seas is wrapping up final preparations for her first sailing, which begins next week.

Wonder of the Seas will begin with 7-night Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale in March and April before offering a transatlantic sailing to switch to Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia) beginning in May 2022.

The shop has 8 neighborhoods, as well as other new features such as the Wonder Playscape outdoor interactive play area, Mason Jar Southern-themed restaurant, and The Vue seaside bar.

Like other Oasis Class ships, Wonder of the Seas will also feature favorites such as the Ultimate Abyss slide, FlowRider surfing simulator, and Central Park neighborhood.

Something else that separates Wonder from her Oasis Class sisters is the addition of the Suite Neighborhood, which has an expansive area for suite guests that includes an exclusive sun deck, plunge pool, bar, Coastal Kitchen restaurant and private lounge.

In case you're wondering, Wonder of the Seas is about 8,000 tons larger than Symphony of the Seas, which makes her slightly larger.

Live Wonder of the Seas coverage

RoyalCaribbeanBlog will be be onboard the first sailing of Wonder of the Seas to provide you with a first look at what the largest cruise ship in the world has to offer.

The coverage begins on March 4 for an Eastern Caribbean sailing that visits Labadee, San Juan, Nassau, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean is returning to Latin America with cruises from Panama in the 2023-2024 season.

At a press conference on Wednesday, the cruise line announced three new itineraries will depart from the cities of Colon, Panama City, and Cartagena, Columbia.

This will mark Royal Caribbean's return to the region for he first time in nine years.

The first season of Rhapsody of the Seas will begin in December 2023 from these three cities and offer seven-night itineraries through the Caribbean and Latin America, including the famous Panama Canal.

The entire season will be divided into two phases; a first that will be roundtrip from Colón, Panama with select departures from Cartagena, Colombia, which visit the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

A second phase will begin in February 2024, with an itinerary between Colón and the new base port in Fuerte Amador, Panama City, which will sail through the Panama Canal in eight sailings, calling at Cartagena, Colombia, Puntarenas, Costa Rica and the new port for the Quepos company, in Costa Rica.

Royal Caribbean believes these new itineraries combine the international cuisine, entertainment and nightlife on a single cruise that does not require a travel visa.

These new adventures can be purchased at the end of March this year 

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley shared the exciting news on Facebook, "I am very excited to announce that starting in 2023, Panama is your newest jumping-off point for the captivating shores of the Southern Caribbean onboard Rhapsody of the Seas."

About Rhapsody of the Seas

Rhapsody of the Seas is a Vision Class cruise ship that has a total capacity of 2,416 passengers.

It's features include the Viking Crown Lounge, Casino Royale, Vitality Spa & Fitness Center, a sports deck with a rock-climbing wall, a video game room, as well as a great sushi in Izumi and a Schooner Bar. 

Rhapsody is no stranger to exotic itineraries. In November 2022, she will sailing from Bridgetown, Barbados.

Royal Caribbean will give anyone with a June 2022 cruise more time to make final payment.

In a webinar with travel agents, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President, Sales, Trade Support and Service, Vicki Freed, told travel agents final payment is extended to 60 days-to-sailing for June 2022 departures.

Unlike other times Royal Caribbean has pushed back final payment date, this is pushed back to 60 days. Previously, they pushed it back to 30 days.

Prior to this change, the final payment had only been pushed back for cruises through May 31, 2022.

The benefit to guests is it gives guests more flexibility in deciding if they want to cruise without forcing a cancellation earlier.

The final payment date window of 75 days for cruises 1-4 nights and 90 days for cruises 5+ night remains for sailings beyond June 2022.

No action is required on the part of guests or travel agents, and no cancellations will occur until the new final payment date.

By cancelling a cruise before the final payment date, they can get a full cash refund, if they booked refundable cruise fare.

Royal Caribbean had already announced an extension of its Cruise with Confidence program for bookings made by January 31, 2022.

The Cruise with Confidence program allows anyone with a cruise booked the ability to cancel up to 48 hours before the sail date and get the full value in a Future Cruise Credit that’s good to redeem until May 31, 2022. 

Between the Cruise with Confidence program and final payment extension, Royal Caribbean is looking to give consumers more time to decide if they want to move forward with their cruise.

Planning a cruise? Here's some helpful articles:

• 2022 Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning Guide
• Guide to cruising with kids on Royal Caribbean
• Answers to common Royal Caribbean unlimited alcohol package questions
• Guide to Royal Caribbean's onboard activities
• How to find a deal on a Royal Caribbean cruise

If you're vaccinated against Covid-19, you'll need to wear a bracelet to distinguish between vaccinated and unvaccinated guests, and this band can sometimes be a nuisance to wear.

When cruises first restarted last summer, Royal Caribbean was using silicone wristbands that could be taken off at any time. In the fall, they primarily switched to a ribbon band that, once tightened, cannot be loosened.

While the ribbon band may seem convenient as it will not fall off throughout the cruise, many passengers find the band’s design to be inconvenient.

Royal Caribbean Blog readers shared recently on our message boards the tips and tricks they use in order to make the wristband experience a lot more comfortable while onboard.

Put the wristband on loosely at first

When you receive the wristband at the cruise terminal, do not tighten it too much. Because you cannot loosen it once it has been tightened, a tight wristband can quickly become uncomfortable. Putting the wristband on loosely at first will allow you more flexibility to take it off when it isn’t needed. 

If you tightened the wristband too much, get a new one. Some guests find that they made their wristband way too tight. Don’t fret, though. If your wristband is too tight, simply go to Guest Services and ask them to cut it off. They will give you a new wristband.

Put the wristband on your non-dominant hand

If you’re right handed, be sure to put the wristband on your left hand. The wristbands all come in one size, and more often than not, there will be a lot of extra material hanging off once you tighten it to your wrist.

This “tail” can get in the way when you are eating or doing activities onboard. Frankly, it can be a little annoying! Be sure to put it on the hand you will not be using as much so it stays out of the way as much as possible.

Cut off the long tail after tightening the wristband

If the long tail on your wristband is really bothering you, go to guest services and ask if they can cut the tail of your wristband to make it shorter.

There will be no need to worry about the wristband dipping into your mashed potatoes or tomato sauce at dinner if the long tail is no longer there!

You don’t have to wear the wristband on your wrist

All vaccinated guests must wear a wristband, but it does not necessarily mean you must wear it on your wrist. 

You can put it around your ankle, tie it to a lanyard, or even loop it on your belt. As long as you remember to take it with you each time you leave your stateroom or change outfits, you will not have a problem.

Use items to tie the wristband’s tail back

Some passengers have brought rubber bands and clips onboard to secure the wristband’s tail. By using small rubber bands, the tail is able to be moved out of the way, making it much more comfortable for guests during the cruise.

Likewise, another tip shared was to purchase these cord locks which allow you to adjust how tight or loose your wristband fits.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Ashley Dillo stated that “When I am given the wristband I just pull the nylon all the way through the black plastic piece like I'm tightening it all the way and it slips off. Then I thread the ends through the cord lock and it makes it adjustable for easy on/off.”

If you've been on a cruise recently, what did you think of the new ribbon wristbands? Do you have any tips and tricks for making them more comfortable? Join the discussion on our message boards and let us know!

Beginning February 25, Royal Caribbean will make masks optional for fully vaccinated passengers.

The cruise line announced last week it would make the change as a result of opting into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) highly vaccinated program, which requires 95% passengers to be vaccinated.

While the vaccine requirement is now at a higher threshold than it was previously, it does allow Royal Caribbean to make face masks optional for fully vaccinated passengers.

Masks had been a cornerstone of Royal Caribbean's health protocols since cruises began sailing from the United States in July 2021. Spikes in Covid cases due to the Delta and Omicron variants forced Royal Caribbean to keep, and even tighten mask wearing, since that time.

Royal Caribbean had already rolled back its mask wearing rules to pre-Omicron as of February 15, 2022.  This new change on February 25th will make them mostly optional.

Mask rules for U.S. sailings

So where and when will masks still be required? And when can you take it off?

Royal Caribbean has released the new mask requirements for sailings departing the U.S. and Puerto Rico on or after February 25, 2022.

Ninety-five percent of guests must be fully vaccinated, excluding children under five years who are not eligible for the vaccine. 

Unvaccinated children to continue wearing masks indoors and in crowded settings. Masks are required for all children while at the Adventure Ocean youth program. Guests under 2 do not have to wear a mask at any time.

Masks should also be worn at the cruise terminal during the boarding and screening process, as well as during disembarkation. 

Masks are optional at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee.

The new rules are listed on Royal Caribbean's website.

Europe

At this time, Royal Caribbean has not yet determined its Covid-19 protocols for cruises in 2022 from Europe.

Royal Caribbean will convey those protocols at a later date.

Matching other cruise line policies

Royal Caribbean is not the only cruise line dropping mask rules.

Each of the major cruise lines has announced similar policies, including Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line. Both of these lines have either already stopped requiring that facial coverings be worn in most indoor settings or will do so beginning next month.

Virgin Voyages also announced it will drop its mask requirement.

Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises have not yet announced changes to their face mask policies, although Disney's theme parks made masks optional there.

Cruise fan reaction

Having to wear masks on cruise ships has been a hot button topic for cruise fans, and the general public. The 

Few health protocols have been as contentious as having to wear a mask on a ship.

On the Royal Caribbean Blog Facebook page, there were quite a lot of comments regarding Royal Caribbean's decision to drop masks in exchange for requiring 95% of passengers be vaccinated.

Christie Smith wrote, "I really like this. It's a good step in the right direction."

Lindsay Murphy is waiting for more protocols to erode, "Maybe someday I'll cruise again, but to me it's just not worth it, vaccinated or not. I'll wait my turn."