Royal Caribbean Blog

You can have a great time on a Royal Caribbean cruise on pretty much any budget, and if you are looking to plus your cruise experience without breaking the bank, here are ten fun ideas.

Vacation costs can add up quickly, so if you want to balance having a good time, making memories and not costing a ton, I came up with ten fun upgrades that are all under $50 each.

Wowband

At $4.95 per Wowband, I think these wrist-based digital keys are worth every penny because they make so many things around the ship so much easier.

Wowbands are available on select Oasis and Quantum Class ships, and can be purchased once onboard the ship from Guest Services.

They can open your stateroom door, pay for a drink, check into a show, and do pretty much everything else a SeaPass card can do while onboard the ship. They are especially helpful when at the pool or gym and not having to worry about a card falling out of your pocket.

Photo souvenir

Creating memories on a cruise vacation is something I think we can all agree is a must-do, and taking home a photo from formal night, or a family photo on the Royal Promenade is a great idea.

While you can buy photo packages for the duration of your cruise, a single 8x10 photo will cost just $19.95, and perhaps one photo is all you need for that great family portrait together.

Sushi making class

I love sushi, and one of my all-time favorite onboard activities is the On A Roll Sushi Making Class offered by the Izumi chefs.

At $34.99, it is a combination instructional learning opportunity and meal rolled into one.

You will learn to make a few different sushi rolls, and then enjoy eating your creations at the end of the class.

Not only is this a satisfying experience, it was incredibly fun and something I would recommend everyone try out.

Men's express shave

I think I can speak for every guy out there when I say waking up in the morning and remembering you need to shave is not a fun thought. So let someone else deal with it!

Rather than grow a vacation beard, you can go to the Vitality Spa and enjoy the Elemis Express Shave. If you pre-purchase it before the cruise, I have seen it as low as $29 ($45 onboard).

The deep cleansing exfoliation and double close shave will leave you refreshed.

Manicure

I am equal opportunity, so while the man in your life is getting rid of his five o'clock shadow, book a salon appointment to get your nails done.

The Fire & Ice Manicure will cost $39 or the Fire & Ice Pedicure runs $49, with either service offering a combination of mini-massage and great looking nails.

Snorkeling at CocoCay

There is plenty to do at Perfect Day at CocoCay, including diving under the ocean waves to check out the marine life with an all-day snorkel gear rental.

At $37 per set, you can can explore the underwater world that surrounds CocoCay and check out the tropical fish and marine life.

Taste of Royal meal 

The Taste of Royal meal is a relatively new offering by Royal Caribbean, where guests can enjoy one meal that combines the very best food from different specialty restaurants.

Available for lunch at $34.99, you will enjoy food from Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, Chops Grille and 150 Central Park.

It is a gastronomical tour that includes filet mignon, shrimp, tuna tartare and fried cheesecake.

Arcade games

I picked the arcade games with kids in mind, but I would be remiss if I did not say these games are just as fun for the adults too. After all, schooling your children is a great lesson in humility, right?

Most arcade games cost around $1-3 per game, and Royal Caribbean keeps its arcades up to date with a blend of classic games and brand new offerings.

If you have younger kids, try the "Plucky Ducky" game as there is a good chance your child will walk away with a rubber duck souvenir.

Learn to play casino table games

When talk of the casino comes up, it can very quickly cost you more than $50, but a brand new offer allows you to learn popular table games with a fixed cost.  In fact, you might walk away with more money in your pocket!

The "Learn To Play: Casino Table Games" costs $25 per adult, and it includes $25 in FreePlay, plus two complimentary drinks.

Guests that sign up will get step-by-step instructions for either Blackjack, Roulette, Three Card Poker or Ultimate Texas Hold’em.

The cost of the activity is credited back in casino FreePlay, and the two free drinks are a bonus.

Escape room

One of my favorite activities to do on any Royal Caribbean ship is the escape room.

Available on more and more Royal Caribbean ships, these deeply themed timed challenges pit you and a hand full of other guests in a race against the clock to solve a variety of puzzles and clues.

I was leery of going into a room with random other people to figure out riddles, but this has quickly become a top activity.

The escape room costs $19 per guest, and considering the level of sophistication these experiences entail, I think it is well worth the extra cost.

After hours at adventure ocean

I saved the best upgrade for last, which is letting your kids have extra fun at Adventure Ocean while you get to dance, sing, or laugh the night away on your own.

I love my kids, but some alone time with (adult) family and friends is one of the highlights of any cruise vacation. Plus, the kids love extra time with the Adventure Ocean counselors playing their favorite games and activities.

After 10pm, Adventure Ocean charges $7 per hour per child. It is the best money I ever spend onboard.

Will you be upgrading your next Royal Caribbean cruise? Share your plans in the comments!

There are currently no Royal Caribbean cruises sailing due to the current global situation, and the most commonly asked question these days is, "When will cruising resume?"

The answer of when cruises will resume sailing has two answers: the official answer and the real answer.

Officially, Royal Caribbean says the majority of its fleet plans to resume service on August 1, 2020. China sailings are scheduled to resume July 1st.

The longer answer is the August 1st date is a moving target, as Royal Caribbean has changed the time it intends to start cruising again two different times.

Hurdles to overcome

The reality is cruising will resume once conditions allow for cruise ships to resume service without a public health emergency hanging overhead. Just like friends and family wondering when movie theaters, sporting events, or school will resume, the answer to when cruises will definitely start up again is nearly impossible to answer.

"Legally, the pandemic has to no longer be a health crisis -- that's the easiest way," said Motley Fool contributing partner and podcast/on-air personality, Dan Kline.

There is also legal barriers that prevent cruises from starting up again, such as many countries closing off its borders to cruise ships as well as the United States' 100-day 'No-Sail Order' issued by the CDC.

Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service Vicki Freed said on a recent webinar with travel agents that with the current climate, "things can change rather quickly," and that, "we all have to take it day by day."

When should you expect cruises to start again?

There is no "inside information" or secret algorithm to knowing when cruises will resume, because no one really knows.  By the same token, there is no way to know if your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise this summer, fall or even next year is in jeopardy of being cancelled.

The answer I provide to readers who ask if their sailing is going to happen or not, is simply, "I don't know" because there is no definitive way to know what to expect. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

My guess is the further out your cruise, the better your chance of it occurring.

For now, you should take Royal Caribbean's date of operations to resume in August as the defacto answer, but prepare for more cancellations.

The answer of when cruises will resume may be better determined by looking out your window and seeing when life begins to return to some kind of normalcy. The sooner daily life starts back up, the less impediments (and social blame) the cruise lines will have to face in starting up again.

Many cruisers look at the CDC's 'no-sail' order as the major obstacle for Royal Caribbean to cruise again, but it is important to note that order can be rescinded at any time.

When do you think cruises will resume? Share your best guesses in the comments!

Royal Caribbean is offering up to 40% off drink packages, shore excursions, specialty dining and more with its Deals on Deck sale.

The new offer applies to bookings made between April 21, 2020 – April 27, 2020 and before Booking Deadline stated in Cruise Planner, whichever is earlier.

Offer applies to select sailings departing September 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020.

Like all pre-cruise sales, the discount amount will vary, but many RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers are reporting significant savings on the Deluxe Beverage Package.

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.

My favorite specialty restaurant on any Royal Caribbean ship is Izumi, and you really do not have to twist my arm to convince to dine there.

From their incredible rolls, to the famous hibachi experience, to the hot rocks, there is lots to love about the Izumi menu.

While I have yet to find a suitable "hibachi at home" alternative, I was able to get the recipe for a newer menu item that I enjoy ordering on nearly every sailing, simple poke deluxe with soy sriracha marinade.

While this may not bring the whole Izumi experience to your home, it will provide the next best thing!

Poke Bowl Ingredients

Serves 1

1. 4 ounces Tuna, cut 1/4" thick
2. 4 ounces Salmon, cut 1/4" thick
3. 2 ounces Seasweed Salad
4. 1 teaspoon Masago, smelt egg
5. 2 ounces Avocado, cut 1/4" thick
6. 1/4 ounce Cucumber, julienned
7. 1/8 ounce Cilantro, chopped
8. 1/8 ounce Jalapeno, sliced thin
9. 1/2 ounce red onion, chopped
10. 2 teaspoons soy sauce
11. 1 teaspoon Sriracha Chili Paste
12. 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
13. 1/8 ounce chili pepper, dried
14. 1 sprinkle roasted white and black sesame
15. seed, or furikake as option
16. 4 ounces Sushi rice, or brown sushi rice

Suggested music while preparing your Poke Bowl

• Buddha Lounge Music and Chill Out Bar Songs

Poke Bowl Instructions

Sushi Rice Instructions

1. 5 cups California rose sushi rice measured and washed 5 times in cold water - strain 5 minutes.
2. Cook with purified 5 cups of water for 35 minutes in rice cooker.
3. Mix 3/4 cup of sushi vinegar (3/4 rice vinegar, 4 TBSP sugar, 1 tsp salt - dissolved) 
4. Use plastic large bowl to mix all together with spatula while fanning & cooling rice; let rice sit 5 minutes each side.

Poke Bowl Assembly Instructions

1. Mix the sauces and seasonings together and put to side
2. Mix the chopped Tuna and Salmon with chopped cilantro, masago, onions, avocado with the marinade
3. Place the mixed poke towards the back of the bowl
4. Neatly place the tossed fish and ingredients elevating the dish
5. Top off with Cilantro Sprig and julienned cucumber

Staying in a suite while on a Royal Caribbean cruise is a real treat, and the Concierge staff is always looking to enhance your stay as much as possible.

Cruising in a suite is more than just being in an extra large and opulent room.  It is about being treated like royalty, with enhanced service.

Here is a list of ten things you might not have known that the suite concierge can do for you!

Skip the Guest Services line

The suite concierge is your express line to getting things sorted out, and a faster alternative than Guest Services.

Whether you need a copy of your bill, SeaPass cards reissued, billing discrepancies addressed, or pretty much everything Guest Services can do, the concierge can handle it for you.

Book specialty dining

If you are in the mood for steak, hibachi, or lasagna, you could try calling the restaurants directly, or simply let the concierge handle it for you.

The concierge can not only save you a step, but they can often take care of things quicker. Moreover, I have witnessed on multiple occasions the concierge "sweet talking" a restaurant manager into squeezing in one more reservation.

Of course, the concierge can also take care of your My Time Dining reservations.

Reserve a cabana

If your Royal Caribbean cruise visits Labadee, the concierge is your primary means of reserving a cabana.

About a week before your cruise, the concierge will email you a welcome letter with a list of services and expectations. Among them is the opportunity to book a cabana at Barefoot Beach, the exclusive beach area for suite guests in Labadee.

My advice is to email back a cabana request as soon as possible. Cabanas are limited, and they sell out quickly.

Escort you off the ship in any port

Lines? Yea right!

The concierge is there to escort you off the ship at any port you visit. This helps reduce the wait time during busy disembarkation, and is extremely helpful in ports where you tender.

Pre-book specialty restaurants if you have a dining package

I mentioned earlier that the suite concierge can reserve specialty dining, but one of my favorite "hacks" is to have the concierge reserve specialty dining if you have purchased a dining package.

Ordinarily, the dining package requires you to wait to make reservations once you get onboard the ship.  If you are in a suite, you can email the concierge after they contact you and start placing reservations early.

Not only is this a step-up, but it will save you time once you get onboard from having to deal with making reservations.

Make show reservations

The first class entertainment on Royal Caribbean is always a must-see for my family, and the concierge can hook you up with seating to ensure you can see it all.

Depending on the ship, there is usually reserved seating for suite guests in the theater, so speak to the concierge about getting in on specific show times.

Genie service

It is hard to talk about suite service without mentioning the ultimate suite concierge service: The Royal Genies.

Available to the top suites on Oasis and Quantum Class ships, Royal Genies are a blend of suite concierge, butler service, and fairy dust.

I could write an entire article just about what the Royal Genies can provide, but if you happen to book one of the suites that has access to them, you should know there is little they cannot deliver.

Genies can arrange to have specialty restaurant food delivered to your stateroom, set up a private party on your suite balcony, and even take you on shopping tours onboard.

Escort you off the ship on the last day

Perhaps my favorite service the concierge can provide is a quick exit off the ship once the cruise is over.

I am never in any hurry for my vacation to end, but waiting in lines to disembark is the pits.  Suite guests have the opportunity to be escorted off the ship and bypass much, if not all, of the line. 

For families, I love this option because kids are anything but patient when it comes to lines, and since we all wake up early on that last morning, this service is incredibly helpful.

Allow you to check-in for flights home & print documents

If you do not have a Royal Caribbean Voom internet package, the concierge can assist in checking in for flights home, as well as print important documents.

This is a helpful service, especially if you have a third-party shore excursion and need to print tickets, or if you want to have a paper boarding pass for your flight home.

Offer behind-the-scenes tours

On select sailings, the suite concierge will offer suite guests a complimentary behind-the-scenes tour.

Usually, guests have the choice of a tour of the bridge, galley, or theater.  

Not only are these tours informational and fun, they are complimentary!

The global uncertainties we face today leads many to contemplate what the future of cruising may look like in the coming weeks, months and even years. To find those answers, I turned to Wall Street for a different perspective.

While cruise fans and industry followers look at cruising one way, the people that work and follow the activity of the stock markets look through a completely different lens.

Dan Kline is a Motley Fool contributing partner and podcast/on-air personality, and a lot of his work recently has been focused on the cruise industry as the cruise line stocks have been riding a roller coaster lately, with primarily more drops than hills.

I posed a few of the major questions and concerns so many RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers have been curious about, in order to get a different perspective on the matter.

What sort of hurdles do you see Royal Caribbean facing in getting back to service?

Legally, the pandemic has to no longer be a health crisis -- that's the easiest way.

Being able to test people would help a lot. I've heard people talk about lower customer counts. Maybe a few trips just to get going, but hard to make money that way.

The hardest part after getting permission to operate is convincing people to go. I've seen how much effort Royal Caribbean puts into cleanliness -- the floating petri dish line makes me mad as people on cruises already faced social pressures on hand washing and the crews clean extensively.

I'm happy to get back on a ship (can't wait) but I'm 46. I'm not sure older passengers will feel that any risk is worth it.

The floating petri dish line makes me mad as people on cruises already faced social pressures on hand washing and the crews clean extensively.

What are your thoughts on cruise fare pricing when cruises do resume, and if discounts should be expected?

I expect very heavy discounts and have seen very low prices.

I'm a casino gambler and generally get comp offers. I've been able to get better rooms (a balcony) and comp play on 5-night cruises (booked for August and October). I would say that booking now while there is uncertainty (maybe for a fall trip) is the best way to get a deal.

What is your advice for someone looking to buy Royal Caribbean stock right now?

Be very careful. The company was profitable and, I believe will be again, but strategic bankruptcy is not out the question. Shareholders generally get wiped out in a bankruptcy.

What are some positive or negative signs from Royal Caribbean that you will be on the lookout for over the next few months?

I'd like to see them be able to raise more money. Carnival raised $4 billion in a bond sales but had to pay 11.5% interest to get there. That's very expensive debt. Royal has tapped its credit but has been very quiet.

Some readers are concerned about the long-term health of the cruise line, specifically as it relates to some form of bankruptcy. How realistic is it to be concerned about this?

I think a Chapter 11 may make sense if this extends into the summer. Creditors don't want to end up owning cruise ships or operating cruise lines, so I would expect, in the case of a bankruptcy, they would restructure. That's very bad if you own stock. It's probably not an issue if you planned a cruise.

Expect new ships to slower to come and all capital projects (like making Labadee more like Coco Cay) to take a backseat for a while.

You can follow Dan Kline on Twitter, and check out some of his recent articles on The Motley Fool.

As a novice casino gamer, I can tell you it can be daunting at times to learn a new game, and it looks like Casino Royale is offering a new option to learn to play and walk away with free drinks.

A new option on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner is called "Learn To Play: Casino Table Games", which costs $25 per adult and it includes $25 in FreePlay, plus two complimentary drinks.

Guests that sign up will get step-by-step instructions for either Blackjack, Roulette, Three Card Poker or Ultimate Texas Hold’em.

The cost of the activity is credited back in casino FreePlay, and the two free drinks are a bonus.

You can find this activity on select Royal Caribbean sailings by accessing the Cruise Planner, and going to Internet & More > Casino Royale

Guests must be 18 to participate, and under 21 years old can redeem their beverage voucher at the Casino Bar for non-alcoholic beverages.

Thanks to RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader CGTLH for alerting us to this new option.

There was plenty of Royal Caribbean news and helpful posts shared this week, so here is a look at everything from the past few days so you do not miss any of it!

The big news was Royal Caribbean extending its cruise shutdown by cancelling all sailings through June 11.

This is the third time Royal Caribbean has cancelled sailings due to the health crisis, with the first set of cancelled sailings through April 10, then they cancelled all cruises through May 11.

Royal Caribbean had already cancelled all Canada, New England, and Alaska sailings through June 30, due to Canada closing all of its cruise ports.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean laid off 26% of its employees this week.
• Richard Fain was named to the President's economic revival group.
• Take a 360 look at the shipyard where Odyssey of the Seas is being built.
• How to request a refund for your cancelled Royal Caribbean cruise.
• There is a new sale that offers bonus instant savings for Crown and Anchor members.
• Florida's governor has re-opened some beaches and parks.
• Check out these fun virtual cruise bingo cards!
• Richard Fain shared a reassuring message this week on the outlook of cruises returning.
• A new virtual cruise begins today.
• Check out these Royal Caribbean recipes!
  • flourless chocolate cake from the main dining room
  • Kahlua Creme Brulee from the main dining room
• Have you ever wondered why is there formal night on a cruise?
• Arne Wilhelmsen passed away, who had a major impact in the formation of Royal Caribbean.
• A look at who owns Royal Caribbean.
• Should you reschedule your Royal Caribbean cruise in 2020 or 2021?

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 350th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which I think will bring a smile to your face with this week's fun cruise story.

Paul shares his story of a very memorable day in St. Thomas while on Freedom of the Seas a number of years ago.  

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.

How did Royal Caribbean get its name?

Did you ever wonder why Royal Caribbean was the name picked for the cruise line? After all, it is not named after the founder of the company or the country or town it is based in, so why was this name chosen?

The story of which names the cruise line founders considered, as well as why they chose Royal Caribbean (and the Crown and Anchor logo) can be discovered on the blog this week!

With no actual cruises sailing, former Royal Caribbean Cruise Director Abe Hughes has been hosting a virtual cruise aboard the "Virtual of the Seas", and its fifth voyage is scheduled to begin on April 19, 2020.

The next sailing will pretend to visit St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. John, St. Lucia and St. Maarten.

The idea behind a virtual cruise is every day, Mr. Hughes posts on Facebook various activities, photos and even a Cruise Compass for helping to pass the time while many of us are stuck at home.

The activity started out as a fun excuse to talk Royal Caribbean, but has taken on a life of its own with so many cruise fans clamoring for some virtual fun wherever they can get it.

You can follow along each day on Abe Hughes' Facebook page.

If you are looking for signs of the world resuming some level of normalcy, you may want to consider Florida Governor  Ron DeSantis has given the okay for some beaches and parks to reopen if it can be done safely, and north Florida beaches became among the first to allow people to return.

Beaches in the greater Jacksonville, Florida area reopened for the first time in a month, howeever they have restricted hours, and they can only be used for walking, biking, hiking, fishing, running, swimming, taking care of pets and surfing.

Gatherings of 50 or more people are prohibited and people must still practice social distancing.

With Florida being the home of so many cruise ships, the re-opening of beaches is perhaps a sign of the current global situation eking slightly back to normalcy.

The governor said it was important for people to have outlets for getting exercise, sunshine and fresh air.

“Do it in a good way. Do it in a safe way,” DeSantis said.