Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean is known for building some of the world's largest cruise ships in the world, so I have a look at the top 10 biggest ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet today and in the future!

Size is not everything, but it sure is impressive! Our newest video has a ranking of the largest Royal Caribbean ships based on gross tonnage.

And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

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So check out the video and then let us know: Which of these big ships is your favorite? 

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

Episode 342 is available for downloading, which focuses on one aspect of the cruise experience many of us can use some improvement with... packing!

Matt shares what you absolutely need to pack on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 342. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Stitcher or on iTunes!

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

The highly anticipated next release of new Royal Caribbean sailings for May 2021 - April 2022 has been pushed back a couple weeks.

Royal Caribbean has shared a new schedule of when the new sailings will go on sale.

• Week of March 9, 2020: China – Phase 2
• Week of March 9, 2020: Short Caribbean
• Week of March 16. 2020: Australia
• Week of March 23, 2020: China – Phase 3
• Week of March 30, 2020: Singapore & Transpacifics

Essentially, China Phase 2 and Short Caribbean will now both be released the week of March 9, instead of the week of Week of February 24 and March 2, respectively.

These 2021-2022 sailings are in addition to the ones that were released in November & December 2019.

All itineraries and openings are subject to change without notice. 

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

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas was revolutionary when she debuted in 2009, and more than 10 years later, she is still one of the most beloved ships in the fleet among cruisers.

Her $165 million transformation in 2019 added a thrilling combination of new Royal Caribbean experiences for guests to enjoy.

With so much to like about this ship, here is a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about Oasis of the Seas.

Where does Oasis of the Seas depart from?

Oasis will offer 7-night Bahamas cruises from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, starting Sept. 5; and 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami, beginning November.

While sailing from PortMiami, Oasis of the Seas sails from Terminal 1.

When was Oasis of the Seas refurbished?

Oasis of the Seas underwent a refurbishment in 2019 as part of the Royal Amplified program, that added a number of changes, including , including the cruise line’s first barbecue restaurant, Portside BBQ; and guest favorites, from the tallest slide at sea–the Ultimate Abyss–to popular live music venue Music Hall, and a reimagined, Caribbean pool deck. 

There were quite a few changes made, but here are the most noteworthy ones:

• Caribbean-style pool deck makeover, complete with Lime & Coconut signature bar. New day beds, casitas and variety of seating were added.
• Ultimate Abyss slide (dry slide)
• The Perfect Storm water slides
• Splashaway Bay aqua park
• Portside BBQ specialty restaurant
• El Loco Fresh complimentary Mexican restaurant
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• Sugar Beach candy shop
• Spotlight Karaoke venue
• Music Hall venue
• Bionic Bar
• Revamped Adventure Ocean
• Mission Control: Apollo 18 escape room

In short, the 2019 upgrades to Oasis enhanced the ship to bring it in line with any new cruise ship available to sail on today. These additions are aimed to keep the ship just as relevant and intriguing as any new Royal Caribbean ship.

How much does it cost to go on Oasis of the Seas?

The price for a cruise on Oasis of the Seas will depend on a variety of factors, so pricing can really run the gamut of options.

Many first timers are curious how much does a cruise cost. The total cost is a combination of the cruise fare, transportation, gratuities, beverages, specialty dining, shore excursions, internet, photos and more.

How much a Royal Caribbean costs depends so much on the choices you make before and during the cruise. Many of the extra costs are optional, but then again you are on vacation and indulging is what makes vacation so fun.

With a few exceptions, Oasis of the Seas typically offers 7-night cruises with prices that are budget friendly, as well as more extravagant suite options for those that want to splurge.

Is Oasis of the Seas a good ship?

It is very common to be curious if Oasis is a "good ship", especially among new cruisers.

Oasis of the Seas is not only a great ship, she is among the best ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet in terms of the amenities and activities it offers, quality service onboard, and the latest innovations.

The ship is one of the largest ships in the world, with plenty of space to offer things to do onboard for guests of all ages. Water slides, specialty dining, an escape room, pools, ice skating, a Broadway show and more await you on this ship.

Does Oasis of the Seas have formal nights?

Yes, on a 7-night sailing, Oasis of the Seas will offer two formal nights. 

Formal night will be held on Day 2 and 5 on Western itineraries and Day 2 and 6 on Eastern itineraries. 

What times are the shows on Oasis of the Seas?

Exact times of shows and activities will vary from sailing to sailing.

To get a ballpark idea of what shows, activities and times are on Oasis, consult a past Cruise Compass. Copies of a recent Cruise Compass are a great way to learn about what your ship offers, as well as get an idea of what to expect in terms of show times.

Royal Caribbean does allow guests to pre-book shows on Oasis of the Seas via the Cruise Planner site.  Around 45-60 days prior to sailing, entertainment for Oasis of the Seas becomes available to book. Reserving a show time has no additional cost, and assures you of a spot in a specific performance.

If you are unable to book a show in advance, there is always a standby line available to wait in, which means closer to show time, any open seats will be available on a first-come, first reserved basis.

What restaurants are free on the Oasis of the Seas?

• Windjammer
• Park Cafe
• Boardwalk Dog House
• Solarium Bistro
• El Loco Fresh
• Sorrento's
• Cafe Promenade
• Main Dining Room
• Johnny Rockets (breakfast only)

How many pools does Oasis of the Seas have?

There are four primary pools on Oasis of the Seas, along with a series of whirlpools, and Splashaway Bay aqua park.

The pools are not heated. The Beach Pool is saltwater, and the other pools are fresh water filtered pools.

The pools are located on deck 15 and 16.

What shows are playing on Oasis of the Seas?

Among the many things to do on Oasis of the Seas are the signature shows. This includes:

• Cats, the Broadway musical, in the Royal Theater
• One Sky in the Royal Theater
• Aqua80s in the AquaTheater
• Frozen in Time in Studio B

There is no additional cost to see these shows

Is Oasis of the Seas the largest cruise ship in the world?

While Oasis of the Seas used to be the largest cruise ship in the world, she no longer holds that title.

Oasis is the fourth largest cruise ship, having been surpassed by sister vessels Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.

Has it been a few years since your last Royal Caribbean cruise?

If so, welcome back! This video is all about sharing some of the big changes Royal Caribbean has made in the last couple years that ought to get you up to speed on where things stand today.

And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

So check out the video and then let us know: What's the most exciting change to happen on Royal Caribbean in the last few years?

Royal Caribbean is quietly testing a brand new family activity that could be coming to a cruise ship near you soon.

The Steel Pan Family Jam is being tested on select ships, that allows families to learn how to play the steel drums while on their cruise.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Nick Weir, shared a video of one of these lessons and mentioned it is in pilot mode, but "will go fleetwide soon."

A new activity we are working on, (& quietly piloting on select ships). This will go fleetwide soon. It’s the perfect family activity, and a great addition to our award winning #AdventureOcean programming. The #SteelPanFamilyJam combines #LiveMusic, #TheCaribbean and our #Guests! pic.twitter.com/39Ucq9yZT4

— Nick Weir (@NickWeirShowbiz) February 12, 2020

In addition, the cruise line filed a trademark for the "Steel Pan Family Jam" name with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Royal Caribbean added a mini steel drum set to the bar area of the Lime & Coconut on Oasis of the Seas, with example sheet music. This was offered without musical instruction.

Is this an activity you want to try on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

When it comes to travel, booking at the last minute can sometimes offer a terrific value or a sky-high price.  In terms of cruising, people wonder are last minute cruises really cheaper?

What is considered a last minute cruise?

When we talk about last minute cruises, we are talking about any sailing that is past Royal Caribbean's final payment date. 

In most cases, the final payment date is 90 days prior to when the ship is scheduled to depart.

The closer you get to the sail date, the more difficult find a deal may be, but the rewards may be higher given the cruise line's desire to fill the room.

Do cruises get cheaper closer to departure?

In practical terms, last minute cruises are few and far between. 

Royal Caribbean cruises are as popular as ever, so last minute deals are not nearly as prevalent as they once were. More often than not, sailings sell out in the weeks and months before a cruise is set to begin, leaving little to no opportunity to book a cruise closer into the sail date.

Of course, there are still occasionally last minute cruise deals to be had, but you have to dig for them.  

Since last minute cruise pricing is so rare, I do not recommend it as a means of planning your family vacation.  There are too many risks involved with not getting a cruise at all, or perhaps at a bad price, to put everything in one basket like that.

Instead, last minute cruises are a good way to supplement your vacation plans, rather than a primary strategy.

How can I get a cheap last minute cruise?

They key to snagging a great deal close to sail date is being flexible.

Stateroom choices will be limited in the weeks leading up to a cruise, and you may need to look for sail dates that are during odd times (such as a departure on a Monday).

Around 60 days before the cruise departs, you can look to see what availability and pricing is present.  Around this time, cruisers whose plans have changed have already canceled, cruise lines have a good read on passenger load, and last-minute deals begin to emerge. The reductions may or may not continue as the sailing date draws closer.

You can also find deals during off-season and lower-demand times of the year.  Last minute deals and good pricing can be found during the cheapest months of the year.

Another strategy is to leverage social media. There are many Facebook groups dedicated to a particular ship or cruise line, and often deals are shared among the members.

Regardless of how you find a deal, you will want to act quickly if you discover a good rate. Accommodations are limited and deals are often short-lived.

Happy Sunday and we hope you had a great week. It was a busy week of Royal Caribbean fun, and we have a round-up of all of it in this hand-dandy blog post.

After weeks of news related to the coronavirus and its impact on canceled cruises, lower revenue, and fear among guests, we got a positive out of it when Royal Caribbean announced it will move Spectrum of the Seas to Australia and offer free cruises to first responders there.

The free cruises are a gesture to thank the humanitarian efforts put forth to combat the wildfires.

Spectrum of the Seas will travel to Australia and be deployed on complimentary cruises sailing from Sydney in support of Australia's first responder community, who worked tirelessly over many weeks of the bush fire crisis.

Royal Caribbean News

• The first Royal Beach Club in Antigua is officially go for construction.
• Royal Caribbean lifted the ban on Chinese passport holders due to coronavirus.
• Royal Caribbean issued earnings guidance on how coronavirus is impacting its bottom line.
• Eight things you should know about the Coco Beach Club.
• Our newest video shares 12 things you can only find on Royal Caribbean.
• In case you are wondering, how early can I board my Royal Caribbean cruise?
• Our list of the things you should book before they sell out later.
• 8 tips for your first Royal Caribbean cruise.
• You can now book a NextCruise certificate from Royal Caribbean's app.
• Here is a list of Royal Caribbean's travel partners of the year in 2019.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 341st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, Matt answers emails our listeners have sent in.

This week's podcast episode is dedicated to you, as Matt doubles down on listener emails to answer as many as he can on this week's episode.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: 10 Things People Don't Realize About Royal Caribbean's Alcohol Package

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 — 10 Things People Don't Realize About Royal Caribbean's Alcohol Package — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

In light of the ongoing Coronavirus issues in China, Royal Caribbean has announced it will move Spectrum of the Seas to Australia as a gesture to thank the humanitarian efforts put forth to combat the wildfires.

Spectrum of the Seas will travel to Australia and be deployed on complimentary cruises sailing from Sydney in support of Australia's first responder community, who worked tirelessly over many weeks of the bush fire crisis.

"We are in a fortunate position to offer these brave and selfless members of the Australian community the opportunity to join us for a few days and let them relax and unwind in the company of other volunteers and first responders," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "By welcoming and accommodating them aboard Spectrum of the Seas, we hope to recognize their contribution and offer them our hospitality."

Bayley made it clear Spectrum of the Seas has not been in China for more than two weeks, which makes the ship safe from possibly transporting Coronavirus.

Royal Caribbean intends to also thank those that are currently combating the spread of Coronavirus. When the situation in China improves, as it relates to Coronavirus, Royal Caribbean International will dedicate a ship in China to a series of complimentary sailings to thank first responders and medical personnel for their heroic efforts to defeat the virus.

Further details of the cruises will be shared as final itineraries are developed.

Happy Valentine's Day! We are showing the love by sharing our readers' favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photos with all of you.

Our first photo this week is by Jarrod Quantrelle, and it is of Voyager of the Seas docked in Sydney, Australia.

Michael Kho shared this photo of just another lovely sunset at sea.

Here is another photo from Australia, this one of Ovation of the Seas in Sydney. Photo by Don L.

Shanna took this photo from her day at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Jim Bonaventura sent in this photo of Symphony of the Seas sailing into the sunset near Cozumel.

Check out this photo from Perfect Day at CocoCay by Nicole Waite.

Our final photo this week is by Matthew Carr, and it is of Mariner of the Seas pool deck during sunset.

Thank you to everyone for sharing photos.  You can submit your own questions by using this handy dandy form.