Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas cruise ship has changed itineraries to avoid the path of Tropical Storm Karen.

Guests sailing onboard Symphony of the Seas have been informed of a change in their sailing that will skip scheduled stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten and insyead visit Cozumel and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Thanks to @FmtTony for providing this photo

Symphony of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas have now had their itinerary changed to avoid Tropical Storm Karen.

Royal Caribbean has rerouted Harmony of the Seas to avoid the path of Tropical Storm Karen.

Sheri from Cruise Tips TV shared an update from Harmony of the Seas to indicate an announcement was made onboard that the ship will change from an Eastern to a Western Caribbean itinerary.

Itinerary update from #Harmonyoftheseas - rerouted to Coz & Costa Maya. Thank you @HarleyCaptain for the timely and professional communication and @JamesVanFleet for keeping us ahead of this thing ??? pic.twitter.com/5ssBwVSBfy

— Sheri Griffiths (@CruiseTipsTV) September 23, 2019

Instead of visiting St. Thomas San Juan, the ship will head to Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico.

In the wake of Royal Caribbean's recent announcement to cancel complimentary perks for Oasis Class neighborhood balcony staterooms, the cruise line announced it is extending the grandfathering in of guests who booked these rooms prior to the announcement.

Royal Caribbean cited guest feedback regarding compensation related to the end of this program, and decided to allow guests that are currently booked in a neighborhood balcony departing from January 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021, that they’ll have the option to either  (1)receive a $50 non-refundable onboard credit per stateroom, or (2) choose their original package. Guests will receive an email from Royal Caribbean International and once they make their selections, their reservations will be automatically updated.

This is eligible only to those guests booked before September 18th, 2019 on sailings departing on-or-after January 1st, 2020. 

In a statement, Royal Caribbean reiterated its pride on "pushing the boundaries of innovation and constantly creating amenities and experiences that exceed the expectations of our guests, and we look forward to introducing new amenities and programs that will delight them during their cruise vacations."

Royal Caribbean has expanded its new app to include support for Ovation of the Seas.

Ovation now appears in the list of supported ships that can be found from within the app.

The new app is being actively developed, which means not all features area available on the app yet.  Moreover, the cruise line is slowly rolling out support for more ships.

The app is available on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.

Welcome to this week's edition of Friday Photos, where we showcase our readers favorite Royal Caribbean photos.  If we all cannot be on a Royal Caribbean cruise at the moment, then the next best thing is to look at photos of a cruise longingly as a means of getting a "cruise fix."

Our first photo is from Brett Howe, and it is an Instagram-worthy shot of Anthem of the Seas in Bar Habor, Maine.

Next up is a photo of Radiance of the Seas "posing" with an eagle statue in Ketchikan, Alaska. Photo by Michael Kho.

Here is a photo of Brilliance of the Seas in Queensferry, Scotland, taken by Jennifer Potter.

Daryl Daley sent in this photo of Freedom of the Seas in Antigua.

Mariano Jimenez stopped to take this photo of Navigator of the Seas at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Here is a photo of Allure of the Seas in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photo by Brent Cohen.

Our final photo this week is by Jason Peterson and it is of Mariner of the Seas' helipad.

That wraps up this week's edition of Friday Photos. If you want your Royal Caribbean photo featured here, use this form to send them in!

Royal Caribbean's unlimited drink packages offer a tremendous value and budget-friendly option for guests to enjoy all the beverages they care for while on their cruise vacation.

If you are on the fence about whether or not to get a drink package, here are some helpful do’s and don’ts.

5 Drink Package Do's

• Pre-purchase: The best way to get the lowest price on an unlimited drink package is to buy it before the cruise. Royal Caribbean regularly offers pre-cruise discounts via its Cruise Planer site. Plus, you can cancel and rebook if the price drops before your cruise!
• Do your research: Before you decide to buy a drink package, have an honest conversation with yourself if you will be able to drink enough, everyday of your cruise to make the investment worthwhile. Drink packages offer a great value, but it requires you to drink enough every day of your cruise to make it a good buy.
• Specify the liquor brand: When you order any drink, be sure to specify the liquor. In lieu of ordering "a bloody mary", say "a bloody mary with Grey Goose". Your unlimited alcohol package includes quite a variety of liquor, so do not settle for the first bottle available to the bartender.
• Try new drinks: One of the best reasons to get a drink package is to be able to try out a new drink. It is completely acceptable to try drinks and not finish them, so feel free to experiment!
• Use it at Perfect Day at CocoCay & Labadee: Royal Caribbean's drink package benefits work at both of its private destinations.  Your drink package value will dramatically increase if your cruise visits one of these spots.

5 Drink Package Don'ts

• Share the package: The cardinal faux pas of any drink package is to share its benefits with other guests. Drink package benefits are only for the person that buys it, so do not share it with anyone else. Period.
• Overtip: Your drink package purchase covers gratuity for any and all drinks you order with it.  While you can tip extra if you so choose, you should be aware that your drink package orders already account for gratuity.
• Assume you need one: Drink packages get a lot of attention online among cruisers, and as a result, many new cruisers seem to feel they need to get one because of all the talk they get.  The reality is you do not need a drink package.  There are lots of complimentary beverages included with your cruise, and drink packages are a nice to have splurge, but far from a necessity.
• Overlook non-alcoholic beverages: If you have the Deluxe Beverage Package (also known as the unlimited alcohol package), be sure to take advantage of all the non-alcoholic beverages included. Lattes, bottled water, soda, espresso, juice and more are included with the Deluxe Beverage Package and just as important as the booze that comes with it.
• Forget your drink package works at specialty restaurants: Royal Caribbean's specialty restaurants have their share of signature cocktails, as well as a full array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and your drink package works in these restaurants too.

Want to learn more about drink packages?

Here are a few more helpful resources on everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean's drink packages.

• 2020 Royal Caribbean Drink Package Info, Tips, Pros & Cons
• Are Royal Caribbean's unlimited drink packages worth it?
• Avoid these 4 Royal Caribbean drink package mistakes
• Royal Caribbean drink package prices

Royal Caribbean is offering up to 30% off certain Cruise Planner purchases during its Fall Into Savings sale.

The offer runs between September 18 - September 25, 2019 and is valid on sailings from September 27, 2019 - April 15, 2020. It is valid on all ships, except for Spectrum of the Seas.

BEVERAGE: Up to 30% off on select sailings.

• Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes SC).
• Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes SC).
• Refreshment Package: 30% off onboard prices. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes SC).

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).

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).
• VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship. (Excludes SC).

DINING: Up to 50% off on select sailings.

• Unlimited Dining Package on 3 Night – 9 Night sailings. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes MJ, SC).

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

• Strawberries with Champagne: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes QN, SC, VY)
• Red Wine & Cheese: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes QN, SC, VY)
• White Wine & Cheese: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes QN, SC, VY)
• Inky: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes QN, SC, VY)
• Chocolate Covered Strawberries: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes QN, SC, VY)

PHOTO PACKAGES: Up to 25% off on select sailings.

• Prints – 10: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes AD, AL, AN, BR, EN, EX, FR, HM, JW, LB, OA, RH, SC, SR + Charter Sailings)
• Prints – 15: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes AL, BR, EN, FR, HM, JW, LB, MA, MJ, NE, NV, OA, RH, SC, SR, SY + Charter Sailings)
• Prints – 20: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes All Ships + Charter Sailings except AD, AN, HM, LB, OA, OV, SY)
• Prints – All: Discount varies by ship. (AD, AN, EX, HM, ID, LB, MA, NV, OV, QN, SC, SY + Charter Sailings)
• Digital – 15: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes All Ships + Charter Sailings except AD, AN, EX, ID, OV, QN, VY)
• Digital – 20: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes All Ships + Charter Sailings except AD, AN, HM, LB, OA, OV, SY)
• Digital – All: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes GR, JW, MJ, NE, RD, SC, VI + Charter Sailings)
• All Digital + Prints: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes All Ships + Charter Sailings except AL, BR, EN, FR, OA, RH, SR)

The Cruise Planner sale promises savings on certain shore excursions and drink package purchases.  Guests can check which discounts, if any, are available for their upcoming sailing by visiting the Cruise Planner site. 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.

Update: Royal Caribbean has extended the neighborhood perks to all guests who booked prior to this decision to end the benefits.

Royal Caribbean announced it will discontinue the extra benefits it offered to guests who booked Boardwalk Balcony and Central Park Balcony staterooms on Oasis Class ships. 

Known as DINE • DRINK • DISCOVER program, Royal Caribbean will remove the program on all sailings departing on and after January 1, 2020.

Guests booked prior to September 18, 2019 in neighborhood balconies sailing from January 1, 2020 through April 2021 will receive a $50 non-refundable Onboard Credit per stateroom, as a consolation for the policy change.  Anyone booked on sailings from January 1, 2020 and after, following the announcement, will not qualify.

If you are wondering why Royal Caribbean made the decision to remove the perks, here is what they said, "Royal Caribbean is always looking for new ways to exceed your clients’ expectations. We’ve been conducting extensive research to better anticipate what matters most to them and will continue to offer countless ways for your clients to make unforgettable memories onboard. We are excited to share some game-changing updates to our inventory and amenity offerings in the coming months."

The neighborhood balcony room benefits began in November 2016.

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

Episode 320 is available for downloading, where Matt shares the various considerations to help decide on the right cruise for you.

If you are looking to find that perfect first cruise for you, here are the things to think about to help find the perfect first cruise.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 320. 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!

As you might imagine, we get asked a lot of questions about Royal Caribbean cruises and today we decided to share answers to the most common ones!

Is The Key worth it? Will a drink package save money? Are negative reviews of the ship I'm going on cause for concern? These are just some of the questions we get asked on a nearly daily basis.

To help everyone, we assembled a list of the most common questions and share our advice to provide simle answers to these really common questions.  Our newest video aims to give you answers to your most burning Royal Caribbean questions!

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 episode!

So check out the video and then let us know: What exciting new tip did you learn about your Royal Caribbean cruise?