Royal Caribbean Blog

Next week's Zoom conference call can have a Royal Caribbean feel to it with one of a dozen new Zoom backgrounds the cruise line released.

With more and more people relying now on virtual meetings held with the popular Zoom application, Royal Caribbean released new virtual backgrounds anyone can start using.

The virtual backgrounds include scenes from Perfect Day at CocoCay, the Coco Beach Club, Navigator of the Seas, Schooner Bar, Alaska, Royal Promenade and more.

The backgrounds can be downloaded via this link.

How to enable a virtual background

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
2. Click My Meeting Settings, if you are an account administrator or Meeting Settings, if you are an account member.
3. Navigate to the Virtual Background option on the Meeting tab and verify that the setting is enabled. 

Notes:

• If the setting is disabled, click the Status toggle to enable it. If a verification dialog displays, choose Turn On to verify the change.
• If the option is grayed out, it has been locked at either the Group or Account level, and you will need to contact your Zoom administrator.

You can refer to the full Virtual Background help document for specific requirements and options to enable it.

Royal Caribbean has asked the Port of Galveston to delay the start of construction on a brand new cruise terminal by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Daily News reports Port Director Rodger Rees delivered the request to the Wharves Board of Trustees, and it will be discussed at an upcoming meeting on Tuesday.

Mr. Rees specified that the delay is not official yet and that the port and Royal Caribbean must agree on new terms.

In the early days of the pandemic, Royal Caribbean announced it was taking certain steps to improve its financial situation, including reducing capital expenditures.

Mr. Rees also indicated that Royal Caribbean wants to build the new terminal, just not this year.

In December 2019, Royal Caribbean and the Port of Galveston signed a long-term agreement to build a $100 million 150,000-square-foot cruise terminal.

Prior to this proposed delay, the new terminal was slated to open in November 2021.

The new cruise terminal will be big enough to handle Royal Caribbean's largest cruise ships, including an Oasis Class ship or the new Icon Class ships slated to debut in 2022.

In coordination with the new terminal, the cruise line was planning on homeporting Allure of the Seas in Galveston, beginning in 2021.

Approximately 14 crew members on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas have tested positive for coronavirus.

The Miami Herald is reporting a recording by the ship's Captain confirms the presence of COVID-19 onboard.

Oasis of the Seas has no guests onboard. Royal Caribbean suspended operations for at least 60 days beginning in mid-March.

Crew-Center.com reports the crew that have tested positive will remain onboard, and other enhanced measures will take place to prevent the spread of the virus.

Royal Caribbean said in a statement: “The health and well-being of our crew is our foremost priority. Crewmembers who exhibited symptoms were evaluated by our medical staff and remain under close supervision. In accordance with our health and safety protocols, our crew have been asked to self-isolate in cabins while we await confirmation of initial results from public health authorities.”

Oasis of the Seas is currently sailing around The Bahamas.

The worldwide coronavirus pandemic has forced Royal Caribbean to cancel 30 days of sailings two times, which has impacted thousands of people who have had their vacation plans disrupted. 

The need to limit the spread of COVID-19 among the cruising public is an understandable safety precaution, and it is entirely possible more sailings may need to be cancelled in the future.

Many cruisers are wondering if their upcoming cruise will be cancelled, and if it does here is what you need to know.

Decide which refund offer you want

The first decision you will have to make if Royal Caribbean cancels your cruise is which refund option you prefer.

With the first two sets of cancelled cruises, Royal Caribbean has offered guests the choice of a 100% refund or a 125% Future Cruise Credit.

There is no wrong option, it boils down to do you prefer to get your money back in cash, or take advantage of a generous credit that can be applied to a cruise in the future.

If you know you will cruise again, the 25% bonus could mean moving up to a nicer stateroom or going on a longer sailing. Of course, a refund means money back in your pocket sooner and perhaps that is more of a concern in the short term.

Keep in mind all of these options are if Royal Caribbean makes the decision to cancel your sailing.  If you decide to cancel your cruise because of coronavirus before Royal Caribbean does, then you are subject to different terms.

Don't call

Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean's call centers have been inundated with people calling to get answers and solutions to a variety of concerns, which has resulted in significantly longer hold times.

Resist the urge to call Royal Caribbean immediately when your cruise is cancelled. The cruise line will provide you with ample time to decide on which refund option you wan to select, so there is no need to sit on an extended period of time on hold to get your choice made.

Better yet, if you used a travel agent, you will need to have them do this on your behalf.  I have always been a major advocate of using a travel agent, and in these times of long hold times, having a travel agent do the work is such a great benefit to the customer.

Pre-cruise purchases will be refunded

Cruise add-on costs are automatically refunded back to you, so there is no need to do anything when it comes to the drink packages, WiFi, dining packages or shore excursions you booked.

Some people prefer to cancel them immediately via the Cruise Planner site to get the ball rolling on the refund being processed, but I do not believe it is a critical decision to make.

Purchases made via the Cruise Planner are the first refunds to be processed, and seem to come back to the original form of payment well before the cruise fare.

Don't forget to cancel flights, hotels and transportation

While Royal Caribbean may have cancelled your cruise, do not forget to cancel other forms of transportation and arrangements you have made leading up to your cruise.

Flights, hotels, kennel reservations and car rentals are just some of the things that you will need to cancel on your own.

You will need to check with each provider to know the cancellation terms that are applicable to you. Luckily, most travel providers are offering flexible cancellation terms, but you may need to also decide between a credit or full refund.

Be sure to also contact any third-party shore excursions you may have booked to get refunds on deposits.

The question on every cruise fan's mind right now is when will Royal Caribbean sail again? When will vacations resume, when will the coronavirus pandemic dissipate and when will life return to a semblance of normalcy?

These are all tough questions to answer because there are so many unknowns, and many decisions that could influence when Royal Caribbean could sail again depend on unclear situations.

Royal Caribbean has cancelled all of its cruises from March 14 - July 31 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Royal Caribbean has extended its voluntary suspension of sailings a few times in order to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

Even if Royal Caribbean wanted to begin sailings again immediately, they face a logistical issue with so many countries restricting their cruise port traffic and forbidding cruise ships from entering.

Mexico has closed its borders to all international travelers arriving by cruise ship until April 20; St. Maarten has banned marine traffic until further notice; Jamaica has closed its seaports to incoming passengers. As you can see, there are very few places a cruise ship could go.

In addition, the airline industry has effectively shut down, with international travel impractical for most.

Any date of resuming service is at best a guess by Royal Caribbean, but further delays are possible.

Cruise ships from Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Celebrity Cruises and more joined together for an impromptu show of support for each other during a time when all cruise lines have halted sailings until the coronavirus threat passes.

Photo by Liam Davison

Celebrity Cruises Captain Kate McCue shared a video on Instagram of Captains and bridge crew from across different cruise companies engaging in a horn salute every day at 7:30pm.

"On March 20th we started something special. With ships from different companies congregating in the same "neighborhood" it was a perfect opportunity to celebrate our solidarity."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Captain Kate McCue (@captainkatemccue) on Mar 25, 2020 at 11:22am PDT

Captain McCue calls this movement "#HopeFloats" and it is about letting everyone know that they are safe onboard, and that they wish the same for everyone around the world.

"We sound our horns, to let our crew and the world know that while we are strong, safe, and healthy on board, we are thinking of those at home and hoping the same for them."

These ships are massed together in the Caribbean as cruise ships wait for cruise lines to resume operations.

1) Wondering where the @RoyalCaribbean Ladies have gone during this time? I’ll take you on a little tour with me as I check on the Fleet. pic.twitter.com/iL7ML1Ki79

— James Van Fleet (@JamesVanFleet) March 19, 2020

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd's brand new headquarters that is under construction will remain under construction for while longer.

The Miami Herald reports the construction work for the cruise line's $300 million corporate headquarters in PortMiami is on hold due to uncertainty over the coronavirus.

In May 2019, Royal Caribbean announced plans to expand and renovate its corporate campus on the southwest corner of Dodge Island. 

Work on the site will cease, with the exception of the parking lot adjacent to the building that will be completed as planned, according to the Miami Herald.

Work will resume "at the appropriate time," according to Royal Caribbean.

Once complete, the new campus will be landscaped with indigenous flora and sport a soccer field, volleyball court, basketball court, and fitness center for employees.  It will include a new parking garage and built-in sustainability features, such as electric car chargers, photovoltaic cells, and rainwater collectors.

At the heart of campus will be a 10-story, 350,000 square-foot building influenced by the graceful utility, fluidity, and innovative designs evident in the company’s ships.   

The new corporate headquarters would include a fitness center, a day care, a cafeteria, an auditorium and a maritime innovation center for the design development and renovation of cruise vessels.

Prior to the announced pause, the new headquarters was scheduled to open at some time in 2020.

Royal Caribbean, along with other cruise lines, will not qualify for government assistance as part of the roughly $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package that was passed by the United States Senate.

Despite the fact president Donald Trump has mentioned offering support for the cruise lines, the current stimulus package stipulates only U.S.-incorporated companies with a majority of workers based in the U.S. are eligible for assistance. 

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, the parent company of Royal Caribbean International, is incorporated in Liberia.

Royal Caribbean referred requests for comment by CNBC to industry trade group Cruise Lines International Association, which did not return a request for comment.

To be eligible for relief, a company must be “created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States” and “have significant operations in and a majority of its employees based in the United States.”

Should the cruise lines be bailed out by the United States?

— Royal Caribbean Blog (@theRCLblog) March 26, 2020

A vote on the stimulus package is headed to the House of Representatives on Friday.

At the very least, it is going to be quite a while before any of us get to on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

While a involuntary dry dock for us all is downright depressing, I came up with some ways to recreate the fun at home.  I know many of us are going stir-crazy sheltering-in-place, and you are definitely not alone!

Here are 20 ways you can feel kind of like you are on a Royal Caribbean cruise without getting onboard a ship.

1. Cook a Royal Caribbean meal at home

Do you miss the main dining room or Windjammer food? The fantastic food served on a Royal Caribbean ship is always a highlight of any cruise vacation, and you can recreate some classics at home.

You can download Royal Caribbean's commemorative Food & Beverage ebook, which features recipes of classic dishes, such as lobster crepe, baked alaska, baby beet salad and more.

Recreating a meal from a Royal Caribbean ship is a great way to relive some of your favorite memories, or even try something new! 

2. Watch a movie filmed on Royal Caribbean 

Over the years, Royal Caribbean has been the backdrop a few different feature films and short series, so this may be the perfect time to catch up on these flicks.

“Like Father” was filmed on board Harmony of the Seas and stars Kristen Bell, Kelsey Grammer and Seth Rogen in a Netflix original movie.

Then there's the Hallmark Movie that stars Royal Caribbean Godparents Carlos and Alexa PenaVega, "Love at Sea", which is set also on Harmony of the Seas.

3. Enjoy the Musical Stylings of Billy Pando

If you have ever been lucky enough to catch a performance of Billy Pando in the Schooner Bar of a ship, then you know how talented this man is at his craft.

Billy Pando is Royal Caribbean's go-to A-List performer each evening on the most important sailings, and you can watch some of Billy's live performances on his Facebook page.

Here is one live session he did on March 22 that is sure to make you feel like you are at the Schooner Bar (especially if you follow tip #8 on this list).

4. Color Royal Caribbean style

Coloring by Charlene Cancun

Coloring is a super relaxing activity, no matter what age you are! You can find Royal Caribbean coloring sheets online to print out and see how well you can stay within the lines!

5. Read a Royal Caribbean book

Note: links in this section contain affiliate links, which means I make money if you buy something. Don't worry, the price is the same to you.

Books are another thing you can find plenty of on Amazon! Whether you’re looking for the history of Royal Caribbean, cook books, or stories from a Captain, there is enough good reads out there to keep you occupied.

My favorite book is "Under Crown and Anchor: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, the first twenty-five years", and is difficult to find, but such intricate history and details that any super fan will enjoy.

6. Watch RoyalCaribbeanBlog videos!

Okay, this is very self-serving, but you can watch our super helpful planning videos that are totally free on the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube page!

There are dozens and dozens of videos on all sorts of topics from planning help, to first time cruise tricks, advice and a lot more.

Don't forget that every Monday night, I am live on YouTube answering your cruise questions too! Be sure to subscribe to our channel so YouTube will notify you when I go live.

7. Re-watch Royal Caribbean vintage commercials

Want to really kick up the nostalgia factor? Check out these Royal Caribbean commercials from the past.

Some of these videos will make you laugh, cry, or remember a classic you have not seen in a while. It is fun way to bring back memories of when you started cruising!

8. Concoct a cruise drink

While you may not have an unlimited drink package at home, you can try making the sort of cocktails or mocktails you typically order on a cruise!

Margaritas, lava flows, daiquiris and more are super popular on a cruise, and if you have blender and the ingredients, many are easy enough to try out from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Check out this list of 38 Royal Caribbean drink recipes for instructions on how to make your favorite (or discover a new one)!

9. Start planning your dream cruise vacation

While cruising is on hold right now, it wont always be like this, so planning your next cruise is one of the best ways to help pass the time.

Now is a great time to put a deposit down for a cruise in the future, and start planning which shore excursions you want to try, read a Cruise Compass to see activities onboard, and learn everything you can about the ship.

10. Play the Royal Caribbean version of Monopoly

This one will be tough to find, but if you can scrounge one up on eBay, there is actually a Royal Caribbean edition of Monopoly!

This edition of the game was given away to travel agents on Independence of the Seas as a gift, but a copy or two pops up on eBay now and then to purchase.

11. Watch the Oasis of the Seas Megafood Documentary

Royal Caribbean has been the subject of a number of documentaries over the years that provide an inside look at how cruise ships operate.

One of the newer ones is an episode of the Megafood series on Netflix that looks at food production on Oasis of the Seas.

12. Watch ship walk-through videos on YouTube

Is there a particular Royal Caribbean ship that you are missing the most? Chances are that there is a walk-through video of that ship on YouTube!

Try searching for videos of your favorite ships and enjoy someone else taking a stroll around the vessel. It is definitely not the same thing as being there, but it should make the time on your couch a little more exciting!

13. Play 20 Questions with Royal Caribbean ships, restaurants, venues and more

The classic “20 Questions” game is a staple for passing the time! One person thinks of a person, place, or thing, and another person asks yes or no questions to try to guess what word the first person is thinking. As the name suggests, they only get up to 20 questions until they have to guess!

14. Take a virtual cruise with Abe Hughes

Former Royal Caribbean cruise director Abe Hughes still works for Royal Caribbean, and has taken it upon himself to offer everyone a virtual cruise.

Every day this week, he has been sharing a Cruise Compass from Virtual of the Seas, and even recorded his traditional morning show for all to enjoy. Check it out!

15. Look through photos from your last cruise

Even though we cannot go onboard a ship right now, this may be the perfect opportunity to look back on happy memories from past vacations.

If you have paper copies of your photos, now is also a great time to get them organized into an album!

16. Follow Nick Weir on Twitter

Nick Weir is the Senior Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, and he is a mega force of innovation and fun, and he is on Twitter!

Despite the cruise industry sitting in idle, Mr. Weir is still hard at work coming up with the next amazing theatrical production for Royal Caribbean, and he tends to share little teasers and tidbits on Twitter.

While you are on social media, be sure to follow Royal Caribbean's Chief Metorologist James Van Fleet too! Mr. Van Fleet not only covers the weather around the world, but shares a look into his life, Oklahoma Sooners football, and where he is traveling these days.

17. Share your stories with us in the comments!

Do you have a fun story or memory from a past Royal Caribbean cruise? I want to hear about it, and I bet others do too!

I encourage you to share a fun memory in the comments of this blog post, and read everyone else's experiences to help relive better times.

18. Create a cruise playlist

If you have Spotify or Pandora, consider finding some great music that reminds you of being on the pool deck of a Royal Caribbean ship, or at one of the amazing beaches you might visit.

Reggae, steel drum, Jimmy Buffett, and Zac Brown Band are just some of the typical tunes you can find that will instantly set the mood that you are onboard or at the beach.

Whether you delve into your own collection of music, or check out an online radio station, or even a digital music streaming service, there are some great choices out there.

Radio Margaritaville is a good place to start, along with Spotify or Pandora.

19. Join Matt to talk Royal Caribbean on Facebook

Okay, one more self-serving shameless plug, but every Tuesday and Saturday I am live on Facebook to talk Royal Caribbean...and you are totally invited!

These days, it is so comforting to be among my cruise friends, and during these live videos I will answer cruise questions, discuss the latest news, and have some fun along the way. Make plans to join us!

20. Break out those Royal Caribbean mugs and soda cups

This is the perfect time to use those Royal Caribbean souvenirs at home, instead of them collecting dust in the back of the cabinet.

Use a Royal Caribbean coffee mug with your morning coffee, or fill up a souvenir soda cup with your favorite soft drink (or mixed cocktail, I'm not judging)!

Each year, Royal Caribbean sends a number of ships to Europe for the summer, but this year's cruise season is in question given the growing coronavirus pandemic.

Royal Caribbean has cancelled all of its global sailings through mid-May, and this is the time of year when traditionally cruise ships make the transatlantic crossing to begin the European cruise season.

Warnings against travel

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has classified Europe as an area with “widespread ongoing transmission” of COVID-19 and has given it a Level 3 Warning, asking citizens to avoid nonessential travel. That is the same warning level applied to China, South Korea and Iran.

On top of that, the State Department has restricted all but United States citizens and legal permanent residents from returning from Europe. And countries have instituted lockdowns to prevent the spread of the virus.

European lockdown

Over in Europe, Spain and Italy are two countries where Royal Caribbean offers a great many sailings, and Spain has over 40,000 and Italy almost 70,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Moreover, the European Union has banned nonessential travel from elsewhere in the world for 30 days. In addition, there are select European countries that have added new rules to prohibit cruise ship arrivals for at least 30 days.

• Spain has closed all its borders for entry from March 23 for 30 days.
• Italy is under a countrywide lockdown and cruise ships are prohibited from visiting.
• The Netherlands has closed its cruise ports to cruise passengers by river or ocean, which applies to the busy port of Amsterdam.
• All of Denmark's cruise ports are closed to non-resident foreigners at least April 13, 2020.
• Sweden has a temporary ban on travel to the country from March 19 for up to 30 days.
• The United Kingdom appears to have no restrictions related to cruise ships at this time.

The waiting game

Royal Caribbean has not commented on the prospects of the 2020 cruise season, so both the cruise line and guests are relegated to waiting things out and seeing what conditions are like closer to the resumption of sailings in May.

Allure of the Seas is already in Europe, as she managed to conduct her transatlantic crossing prior to the initial shutdown. Jewel of the Seas is in the Middle East.

The rest of the fleet is either somewhere off the coast of the United States, Caribbean or Australia.

It appears even a partial cruise season in Europe is better than no cruise season in Europe, so no official word on plans has been made yet.