Royal Caribbean hints at big reveal next week

In:
02 Nov 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean has posted a new teaser hinting at an announcement coming next week.

Royal Caribbean alerted travel agents to the news that will be announced next Tuesday, with simply the tag line of, "Mark your calendars and tune in on November 7, 2017! The Thrills are about to get even bigger."

A couple of observations that may or may not have any relationship to the announcement:

  • The teaser image does not have a cruise ship in it, just land (although there is a beached boat on the left side).
  • The image file is named 17059107_Deployment_Tease_1024x640.jpg.
  • The word "thrills" is prominently mentioned.

What do you think this announcement will be about? Share your ideas in the comments!

Royal Caribbean UK sponsors Chorley shirts ahead of FA Cup

In:
02 Nov 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean UK and the Chorley Football Club announced today a new shirt sponsorship deal.

The shirt sponsorship has been agreed for the Emirates FA Cup First Round game with Fleetwood Town, which will be screened worldwide on Monday 6 November. Royal Caribbean will also take TV arc advertising, programme advertising and hospitality as part of the sponsorship agreement.

Ben Bouldin, UK Managing Director, Royal Caribbean, said: “We are very excited to be sponsoring the shirts for Chorley FC’s biggest game in the club’s history. We wish Chorley FC all the best and look forward to a positive result!”

The FA Cup game will be screened on BT Sport in the UK and throughout Europe, North Africa, USA, Russia and China by FA official broadcast partners.

Royal Caribbean's Double Up Sale offers up instant savings and onboard credit

In:
01 Nov 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean's Double Up Sale rolled out today, which offers combinable instant savings and money to spend at sea.

The Double Up Sale is valid on cruises booked November 1-5, 2017 11:59 p.m. EST on sailings departing on or after December 1, 2017.

The Double Up Sale includes

  • Instant savings
    • 5 Nights or Fewer
      • Interior / Ocean View: $25 USD per stateroom
      • Balcony: $50 USD per stateroom
      • Suite: $75 USD per stateroom
    • 6 Nights or Longer
      • Interior / Ocean View: $25 USD per stateroom
      • Balcony: $75 USD per stateroom
      • Suite: $200 USD per stateroom
  • Onboard credit
    • 5 Nights or Fewer
      • Interior / Ocean View: $25 USD per stateroom
      • Balcony: $50 USD per stateroom
      • Suite: $75 USD per stateroom
    • 6 Nights or Longer
      • Interior / Ocean View: $25 USD per stateroom
      • Balcony: $75 USD per stateroom
      • Suite: $100 USD per stateroom

The Double Up Sale is combinable with the November BOGO Offer(Cruise must be booked between November 1, 2017 through December 8, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. EST), which also includes

  • 50% off cruise fare of second guest who must be booked in the same stateroom as a first guest who books at full fare
  • 25% cruise fare savings for 3rd guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests
  • Northeast Bonus
    • Kids age 12 and under sail free on select Anthem, Adventure and Grandeur of the Seas sailings.

BOGO offer is combinable with NRDB OBC, promotional OBCs and instant savings, NextCruise offers, restricted discounts (for example, Senior, Resident, Military), Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. Deck the Holidays and Double Up Sale are combinable with NextCruise offers, NRDB OBC, Kids Sail Free and restricted discounts (for example, Senior, Resident, Military) but is not combinable with Shareholder benefits and Crown and Anchor discounts. BOGO50 bookings made for China departures are combinable with NextCruise offers and Crown and Anchor balcony/suites discounts only. All 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.

Offer available to residents of United States and Canada.

All about sales on Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

In:
01 Nov 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

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

Episode 222 is available for downloading, focusing on the various sales and promotions Royal Caribbean offers throughout the year.

These days, there are a lot of different sales offered by Royal Caribbean.  Matt takes a look at what these offers are all about, how lucrative they really are, and if you ought to wait to book a cruise.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 222. 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!

Royal Caribbean schedules third quarter 2017 earnings call

In:
31 Oct 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean will hold a conference call on November 7, 2017, at 10am to discuss its third quarter 2017 financial results.

The call will be available on-line at the company's investor relations web site, www.rclinvestor.com. To listen to the call by phone, please dial (877) 663-9606 in the US and Canada. International phone calls should be made to (706) 758-4628. There is no passcode or meeting number.

A replay of the webcast will be available at the same site for a month following the call.

Answers to many commonly asked questions about Royal Caribbean cruises sailing out of San Juan

In:
31 Oct 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Understandably, many guests are concerned about their upcoming Royal Caribbean cruises that leave out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, or just apprehensive about booking a cruise departing from there. The damage caused by recent hurricanes can still be felt across the island.

Royal Caribbean has released a new set of frequently asked questions to address the current state of affairs in San Juan, and what guests can expect.

This information was up to date as of October 30, 2017.

What is the current status of Puerto Rico, more specifically the city of San Juan?

Rebuilding is underway! The Puerto Rico Tourism Company has collaborated with government agencies and the private sector to provide relief following the damage caused by recent hurricanes. The safety of all visitors and residents remains a top priority as the island takes steps towards a full recovery. Airports, hotels, and cruise infrastructures are operational and are on a steady path to rebuilding an even stronger Puerto Rico.

Is the port of San Juan open and fully functional?

San Juan Harbor is open and has resumed homeporting operations.

Have airports in Puerto Rico returned to normal flight patterns?

Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan is fully operational with scheduled domestic and international flights. Other airports in surrounding areas are operational with limited service.

Have hotels reopened? Is there availability?

At this time, approximately 69% of hotels are operational and accepting reservations. Availability varies by hotel and can change at any time.

Has electrical power been restored across the island?

Roughly 70% of Puerto Rico remains without power. 

Are services available to safely transfer cruisers to-and-from the airport?

Though transportation services remain somewhat limited, ongoing clean-up efforts and increased availability of fuel are improving the outlook. Currently, 83% of gas stations on the island are functioning. To assist in this arena, those Royal Caribbean guests arriving and departing San Juan on the embarkation and debarkation days of their cruise vacation are eligible to receive complimentary transfers from the airport to the pier and vice versa. This service will remain complimentary for Jewel of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas guests traveling through December 31, 2017. Specific flight parameters apply.

Have cell towers and telecommunication services been restored across the island? 

Nearly 70% of the island’s cell phone towers and telecommunication services are working in full capacity.

What attractions and/or tours are available for cruise guests to participate in?

The following tourist locations have been restored:

  • Old San Juan / Old City shops
  • Some restaurants & bars
  • City has been cleaned but some debris and damaged buildings will be visible in New San Juan
  • Plaza Las Americas (Mall of San Juan)
  • Biking, Segway, & Walking tours
  • Food tours
  • Yoga on the Green

What humanitarian efforts are available should cruise guests wish to assist?

Guests can opt to participate in relief assistance through monetary contributions or through the donation of much-needed, essential supplies. For many of these recovering islands, tourism plays an instrumental role in their overall economic status, impacting local jobs and livelihood. Now more than ever, these impacted islands need you!

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: October 29, 2017

In:
29 Oct 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Happy Sunday! We are so happy that you stopped by and hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Grab a mug of your favorite hot beverage, sit back, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean news.

Royal Caribbean shared some great news this week, with dates of when it will return to some hurricane-ravaged islands in the Eastern Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean will return to San Juan, Puerto Rico and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, which will be a, "major milestone towards the revival of these Caribbean gems which were impacted by recent hurricanes."

Royal Caribbean has been working closely with the governments of Puerto Rico and St. Maarten, and local businesses, and plans to offer destination experiences that will allow guests to enjoy the natural beauty, historic landmarks and culture of these idyllic islands.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Royal Caribbean announced some of the activities, restaurants, and amenities coming to Symphony of the Seas, and we discussed every inch of the big announcement.

In this week's podcast episode, Matt and Michael share their thoughts on what was revealed.  It is an in-depth look at some of the exciting features coming to Royal Caribbean's next cruise ship.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Cruise Habit shared 11 tips for staying connected while on a cruise ship.

Moms of the Seas talked about how safe the child care is on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Seatrade Cruise News posted the departure of Royal Caribbean's Chief Human Resources Officer.

Royal Caribbean offering 50% off second passenger, plus kids sail free and bonus instant savings

In:
27 Oct 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean's Daring Deals Sale offers guests 50% off the second guest, kids sail free, and up to $200 in instant savings.

Royal Caribbean cruises booked between October 27-31, 2017 on sailings departing on or after November 27, 2017 are eligible for this offer.

Offer includes

  • 50% off cruise fare of second guest who must be booked in the same stateroom as a first guest who books at full fare.
  • 25% cruise fare savings for 3rd guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests
  • Kids Sail Free offer provides 3rd and 4th guests 12 years and younger free cruise fare.
    • Guests 12 & under sail free on 4 nights or longer Europe, Bahamas and Caribbean sailings departing November 1, 2017- December 31, 2018.
    • Excludes Symphony of the Seas sailings and sailings departing 11/17/17-11/27/17, 12/17/17 – 1/8/18, 2/15/18-2/20/18, 3/10/18-4/1/18, 5/15/18-9/1/18, 11/17/18-11/22/18 and 12/15/18-12/31/18.
  • Daring Deals sale provides instant savings determined by category booked and sailing length:
    • $50 savings for Interior and Ocean View on sailings 5 nights or less
    • $75 savings for Balconies
    • $100 savings for Suites on sailings 5 nights and less
    • $75 savings for Interior and Ocean View on sailings 6 nights and longer
    • $125 savings for Balconies on sailings 6 nights and longer
    • $200 savings for suites on sailings 6 nights or longer.
  • Deck the Holidays Deals offer provides onboard credit for guests who book a holiday sailing departing from December 19, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and December 18, 2018 through December 31, 2018.
    • Onboard credit determined by category booked and sailing length
      • $25 to spend onboard for Interior and Ocean View on sailings 5 nights or less
      • $50 to spend onboard for Balconies and Suites on sailings 5 nights and less
      • $50 to spend onboard for Interior and Ocean View on sailings 6 nights and longer
      • $100 to spend onboard for Balconies on sailings 6 nights or longer
      • $150 to spend onboard for Suites on sailings 6 nights or longer

Daring Deals sale and Deck the Holidays offer exclude China departures. 

BOGO offer is combinable with Kids Sail Free, NRDB OBC, promotional OBCs and instant savings, NextCruise offers, restricted discounts (for example, Senior, Resident, Military), Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. Deck the Holidays, Kids Sail Free and Daring Deals sale are combinable with NextCruise offers, NRDB OBC, and restricted discounts (for example, Senior, Resident, Military) but is not combinable with Shareholder benefits and Crown and Anchor discounts. BOGO50 bookings made for China departures are combinable with NextCruise offers and Crown and Anchor balcony/suites discounts only. All 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.

Offer available to residents of United States and Canada.

Friday Photos

In:
27 Oct 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Happy Friday to everyone! When the calendar hits Friday, that means we are sharing our readers favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photos!  

Each week we invite our readers to send us their favorite Royal Caribbean photos and we showcase them all right here!

We begin this week with a photo from Anoop of a sea day on Anthem of the Seas.

Justin Amrhein shared this photo of Grandeur of the Seas heading out of Baltimore.

Here is a photo of Brilliance of the Seas in the Mediterranean by Bill Griemsmann.

Our next photo is by Krisztina Benko, and it is of sunset as seen from the AquaTheater on Allure of the Seas.

Here is a behind the scenes look at the galley, taken by The Cruise Wolf on Anthem of the Seas.

Kinny Lee took this photo of the Royal Promenade in the early morning hours.

We wrap up this week's edition with a shot of the cabanas on CocoCay, taken by David J.

We want to share your Royal Caribbean photos too! Send us your favorite, best, most awesome Royal Caribbean cruise photos by using this form and we will feature them in an upcoming Friday Photos blog post!