Spotted: North Star Alaska Experience on Ovation of the Seas

In:
17 May 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas has begun her inaugural season in Alaska this year, and guests sailing on her can enjoy an incomparable view of the glaciers.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader twangster shared with us a new activity to reserve via the Royal iQ app or the shore excursions tablets onboard, North Star Alaska Experience.

For $49 per person, you can take a ride up in North Star while the ship visits a glacier and take in a view of this natural wonder 300 feet above sea level.

This North Star experience is available while the ship visits Hubbard Glacier or Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.

Royal Caribbean opens 2020 Cuba sailings for bookings

In:
16 May 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean has put its 2020 Cuba sailings online for guests to begin booking.

Majesty of the Seas and Empress of the Seas return to offer sailings to Cuba with some new itineraries included.  Majesty of the Seas will offer 4 to 6 night adventures, with stops at destinations like Costa Maya, Cozumel and Perfect Day at CocoCay on select sailings.

Empress of the Seas will offer 3 to 8 night sailings, including an overnight or a late stay in Havana, plus Perfect Day at CocoCay on select sailings.

These new 2020 Cuba sailings are available to book exclusively by Crown & Anchor Society members on May 16, 2019. Bookings become available to the general public on May 17, 2019.

You can view a full list of 2020 Cuba sailings here:

Royal Caribbean adds support for Quantum of the Seas and The Key to smart phone app

In:
16 May 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean has released version 1.17 of its smart phone app which adds app support for Quantum of the Seas as well as identifying guests who purchase The Key.

The new app update is available via the Google Play store, and will be available for iTunes App Store shortly.

Quantum of the Seas is now listed as being supported with the app. Moreover, guests who are enrolled in The Key are now identified as members at check-in.

Thanks to RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers Michael S. and Michael C. for alerting us to these changes.

Harmony of the Seas Cruise Review on Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

In:
15 May 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

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

Episode 302 is available for downloading where Matt shares his thoughts on his recent cruise aboard Harmony of the Seas.

Matt experienced a lot onboard Harmony of the Seas, and this week, he dives into what makes Harmony of the Seas unique and discusses the aspects of dining, entertainment and accomodations that stood out and why.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 302. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSSStitcher 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!

Video: Top 10 reasons to go on a cruise

In:
15 May 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Have you considered going on a cruise vacation? Are you wondering why so many others love cruising? Our newest video is all about telling you why a cruise is the best kind of vacation!

More than likely you are possibly considering, thinking or pondering taking a cruise vacation.  If so, this new video will help convince you to go for it and try a cruise. If you are among those who are considering a first cruise but have not yet taken the leap, here are the best reasons to try a cruise.

If you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch 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 is the best reason to go on a cruise?

Royal Caribbean offering instant savings with Maycation Celebration sale

In:
15 May 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean is offering 50% off second guest, kids sail for less, and up to $150 bonus instant savings.

The Maycation Celebration sale runes between May 15 - 17, 2019 and is valid on sailings departing on or after June 15, 2019.

The promotion includes:

  • 50% off cruise fare of second guest booked in the same stateroom as first, full-fare paying guest.
  • 25% cruise fare savings for third guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests.
  • Up to $150 instant savings per stateroom determined by category booked and sailing length:
    • Sailings 5 nights or less, $25 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $50 for Balconies and $75 for Suites
    • Sailings 6 nights or longer, $50 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $150 for Suites
    • Savings applied to cruise fare at checkout.
    • Instant Savings does not apply to China departures.

BOGO is combinable with Maycation Celebration 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. Maycation Celebration Sale is combinable with promotional OBCs, NextCruise offers, Instant Savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers and Free Upgrades but not combinable with 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, 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 announces entertainment for Spectrum of the Seas

In:
14 May 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean revealed the entertainment lineup for Spectrum of the Seas, which is beginning her cruises from Asia.

Two70

With its signature Vistarama technology, which transforms the 270-degree panoramic windows into a projection surface that measures 135 feet wide and 22 feet tall, Two70 includes a troupe of six, agile Roboscreens come to life in perfect sync with music, special effects and multi-talented live performers.

The Silk Road, an original production created by Royal Caribbean International exclusively for Two70, will take center stage on Spectrum. The incredibly rich and diverse cultures, colors, music and visuals of this famous trade route will come to life as guests are taken on a mystical journey. Combined with world-class, state-of-the-art entertainment technology with the Vistarama and Roboscreens, the audience will be transported into this stunning chapter of human history.  

Main Theater

The Effectors introduces guests to four new superheroes with the power to change the world: Captain Coreo, the leader of the pack, has the power to control all forms of movement and motion; Lume, a sassy and dynamic super girl, has the ability to control light, laser and all things visual; Pixel is beautiful, sexy, enigmatic and the most mysterious one of the group who has the total control over video imagery and projection power; Reverb is the most unpredictable and hardest to control, whose power is enormous, as he can control sound and all things audio! The four superheroes unite their powers to fight the evil enemy, Crash, as he tries to stop the show and the world.

Showgirl! Present. Future. takes guests on the iconic journey of the ultimate entertainer – the Showgirl. Presented in the Royal Theater, the show combines next-generation choreography, incredible vocal performances, lavish costumes, and cutting-edge lighting and video effects to deliver an entertainment experience that will stimulate all senses.

Activities

Sky Pad – a virtual reality, bungee trampoline experience located on the aft of the ship. Guests strap in and don their VR headset to transport them to another time and planet.

Battle for Planet Z – an epic glow-in-the-dark laser tag adventure brings two teams of eight head-to-head in an out-of-this-world adventure to determine who will claim the last planet in the galaxy.

Expedition Two70 – test your adventuring skills in four fully immersive augmented reality games. Raise temples, blast ruins and more on your quest to recover ancient masks and complete your quest.

Star Moment – a lively and energetic karaoke venue where family and friends can belt out and sing like stars

SeaPlex – the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea provides sports experiences from various parts of the world, including China’s national game – table tennis; American style basketball; roller skating originated from Holland; fencing, a popular sport with the upper class of Europe; and modern archery, originated in the UK. SeaPlex also will host new augmented reality walls and floors, providing guests with thrilling, high-tech interactive experiences.

“Technology is the frontline of entertainment and we are pushing those boundaries on Spectrum of the Seas to create exceptional live performances in our theaters,” said Nick Weir, Senior Vice President, Entertainment, Royal Caribbean International. “We use advanced robotic programming and state-of-the-art digital and audio technology, alongside highly trained, world-class performers and aerialists to create an immersive story and unforgettable show for the whole family.”

The first in the Quantum Ultra class of ships, Spectrum will be the largest and most expensive ship in Asia when she sails from Shanghai starting in June 2019.

Ovation of the Seas makes inaugural sailing to Vancouver

In:
14 May 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas arrived  into Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada after passing under the Lions Gate Bridge, becoming the largest cruise ship to visit Vancouver.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader twangster shared with us photos of Ovation of the Seas arriving into Vancouver.

Ovation made history earlier in the day when she became the largest cruise ship to visit Victoria, British Columbia some 61 nautical miles away.  Both cities mark her first ever visit to Canada.  Victoria will be a regular stop on her summer itineraries to Alaska from Seattle while Vancouver will be the gateway used for her Hawaii repositioning cruises at the beginning and end of the Alaska cruise season.  

Fish and Ships specialty restaurant coming to Ovation of the Seas

In:
13 May 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean is in the process of adding Fish and Ships specialty restaurant on Ovation of the Seas.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com reader Ken "Wolf" Jarvis dramatically shared photos of workers onboard Ovation of the Seas working on removing Kung Fu Noodle Shop and replacing it with the Fish and Ships restaurant.

Fish and Ships first debuted on Independence of the Seas, and is a poolside eatery where guests can grab quintessentially British seaside treats.

Video: Royal Caribbean Constructs Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day at CocoCay

In:
13 May 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

The jaw-dropping Thrill Waterpark is at the heart of the action on Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean International’s newly transformed private island in The Bahamas. The cruise line has constructed the latest engineering feat on 9 acres of land with the superlatives to match, including the Caribbean’s largest wave pool and 13 exhilarating slides across two brag-worthy water towers – Daredevil’s Tower and Splash Summit. At the waterpark with the most waterslides in the Caribbean, adrenaline-seeking guests can put their courage to the test on the 135-foot-tall Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America; go head to head on a series of single-rider racer slides, defy gravity on The Slingshot, twist and turn in the Green Mamba, and face the unknown on the Dueling Demons drop slides for the adventure of a lifetime.