Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean recently announced big changes coming to Allure of the Seas in 2020, and we have a brand new video outlining exactly what the cruise line is adding, changing and enhancing.

Allure of the Seas is set to undergo a $165 million transformation, which will see the addition of new features, before setting sail in 2020. Wondering what exactly is getting changed? We have a full list of what Royal Caribbean has planned in this video.

And 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: Which change are you most excited about on Allure of the Seas?

After two consecutive Royal Caribbean ships cancelled scheduled stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Allure of the Seas was able to dock in San Juan earlier today.

MarineTraffic and El Nuevo Día indicate Allure of the Seas was able to dock in Old San Juan this morning on Pier 3.

Earlier this week, Empress of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas skipped stops in San Juan due to political demonstrations in the island's capital.Harmony of the Seas was rerouted on Wednesday to its next port of St. Maarten, while Empress of the Seas visited Tortola instead.

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.

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.