Royal Caribbean Blog

A second Royal Caribbean ship has skipped a scheduled visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico earlier today due to political demonstrations in the capital.

Yesterday, Empress of the Seas also skipped a visit to San Juan because of the ongoing protests. 

Protests began over the weekend after the Center for Investigative Journalism published nearly 900 pages from Rosselló's private group chat via Telegram. The messages uncovered a vengeful approach to government, attacks on journalists, threats to turn over political opponents to the police as well as homophobic and misogynistic remarks.

The next scheduled visit to San Juan is Allure of the Seas on Thursday.

Royal Caribbean International heats things up with the $115 million transformation of Navigator of the Seas. Among the next-level adventures now on board the newly amplified ship is the first standalone blow-dry bar at sea. To Dry For touts a menu of services, from blowouts to hairstyling and polish changes, perfect for guests looking to sit back and get 

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

Episode 311 is available for downloading featuring a LIVE review from onboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas.

Our latest group cruise has just wrapped up and we recorded this week's episode onboard Anthem of the Seas, sharing our stories and tips for anyone going on this ship or itinerary.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 311. 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!

Cruise Critic named Royal Caribbean as the Top Cruise Line in the South Pacific and the Top Cruise Line in the Western Mediterranean in the fourth annual Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards.

Royal Caribbean won both awards in the Large Ship Cruise Line Category.

Royal Caribbean also made the final list for six additional regions, as noted below:

• Alaska (#2)
• Australia & New Zealand (#3)
• Eastern Mediterranean (#2)
• Southern Caribbean (#3)
• U.S. & Canada (#2)
• Western Caribbean & Riviera Maya (#3)

The awards rank the world’s most popular cruise destinations, based entirely on consumer ratings submitted with reviews on Cruise Critic. The awards name the top cruise destinations across 18 regions worldwide. The awards also highlight the best cruise lines to visit each region.

Royal Caribbean canceled a scheduled port stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico for Empress of the Seas over concerns of ongoing protests against Puerto Rico's governor.

Royal Caribbean Corporate Communications manager Owen Torres issued a statement, "In light of current unrest in San Juan, Puerto Rico, we have canceled today’s call to San Juan. Empress of the Seas has been re-routed to Tortola, and our guests will receive refunds for prepaid shore excursions. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will make adjustments as necessary to ensure the safety and security of our guests and crew."

The demonstrations are part of a multi-day protest that are calling for the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosselló after sexist private chat messages were leaked.

Empress of the Seas is scheduled to return to Miami on Sunday.  

We are back with a brand new RoyalCaribbeanBlog video, and today we are sharing the top things you can skip on your next cruise.

Here is my list of things you can totally skip on your next Royal Caribbean cruise.  These may save you time and money without compromising your cruise experience.

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

So check out the video and then let us know: What will you be skipping on your next cruise?

Cabanas are not a new offering at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay, but a new option to rent cabanas on South Beach has been added to the Cruise Planner site.

Royal Caribbean is about to begin work on the next phase of Perfect Day at CocoCay, and you can already begin making plans to enjoy a cabana right on the beach. These would be in addition to the Chill Island cabanas, as well as the overwater cabanas at Coco Beach Club.

Royal Caribbean does note that South Beach is currently in development and is scheduled to open December 2019; all features and timing are subject to change without notice.

Thanks to Michael Poole for alerting us to this new offering.

Guests sailing on Royal Caribbean roundtrip sailings from Singapore beginning November 16, 2019 will find fees for some signature attractions onboard. Nine-night or longer and repositioning sailings are excluded.

Royal Caribbean will begin charging for North Star and Ripcode by iFly features as a mean of improving, "the guest experience by minimizing wait times and no show reservations".

Guests will be able to purchase tickets for these activities on Cruise Planner. The costs for these features onboard Quantum of the Seas’ Singapore departures will be:

• Ripcord by iFly: $29 pp USD
• North Star: $12 adults pp USD / $8 child pp USD (up to 11 years)
• Bumper Cars: Complimentary (with option to upgrade to Express Lane for $5 pp USD)
  • Please Note: Express Lane option is to be paid onboard at the Seaplex/Bumper Car area

Royal Caribbean has been charging for North Star and Ripcord by iFly on Quantum of the Seas in China since 2015.

Royal Caribbean is offering its own Prime Day sale, with up to $300 instant savings on cruises booked on July 15 or 16th.

The Primed for Adventure sale is valid on cruises booked between July 15-16, 2019 and valid on sailings departing on or after August 15, 2019.

It includes:

• BOGO50 provides 50% off cruise fare of second guest booked in the same stateroom as first, full-fare paying guest.
• BOGO50 offer also includes 25% cruise fare savings for third guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests.
• Primed for Adventure Sale
  • Instant savings of up to $300 per stateroom on select sailings departing on or after August 15, 2019.
  • Savings amount determined by category booked and sailing length:
    • Sailings 5 nights or less, $50 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $150 for Suites
    • Sailings 6 nights or longer, $75 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $100 for Balconies and $300 for Suites
• Deck the Holiday Deals
  • Instant savings of up to $100 per stateroom on select sailings departing between December 2 – 31, 2019.
  • Savings amount determined by category booked and sailing length:
    • Sailings 5 nights or less, $25 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $50 for Balconies and $50 for Suites
    • Sailings 6 nights or longer, $50 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $100 for Suites

BOGO50 and Deck the Holiday Deals are combinable with each other as well as with Primed for Adventure Sale, promotional OBCs, NextCruise offers, Instant Savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Free Upgrades, Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. Offers are not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events, and Net Rates. Promo Code driven offers are based on select ships and sail dates and must be applied at time of booking, limit one promo code per booking.

Offer available to residents of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and select countries in the Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean is getting into the swing of Prime Day fun with its "Primed For Savings" sale on pre-cruise purchases.

The sale runs between July 15 - July 21, 2019 and is valid on sailings departing July 25, 2019 - February 15, 2020. It is valid on all ships, except for Spectrum of the Seas.

The sale details are as follows:

• BEVERAGE: Up to 30% off on select sailings.
  • Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes SC + Charter Sailings).
  • Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes SC + Charter Sailings).
  • Refreshment Package: 30% off onboard prices. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes SC + Charter Sailings).
• INTERNET: Up to 60% off on select sailings.
  • VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship. (Excludes SC + Charter Sailings).
  • VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship. (Excludes SC + Charter Sailings).
• DINING: Up to 50% off on select sailings.
  • Unlimited Dining Package on 3 Night - 9 Night sailings. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes MJ, SC + Charter Sailings).
• SHORE EXCURSIONS: Up to 25% off on select sailings.
  • Save up to 25% on select tours on select sailings. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes SC + Charter Sailings).
• ACTIVITIES: Up to 10% off on select sailings.
  • All Access Ship Tour: 10% off. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes SC + Charter Sailings).
• GIFTS & GEAR: Up to 20% off on select sailings.
  • Happy Birthday Decorations: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes QN, SC, VY + Charter Sailings).
  • Happy Anniversary Decorations: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes QN, SC, VY + Charter Sailings)

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.