Happy Mothers Day! All the moms out there deserve a big hug, thank you and hopefully a cruise too.

Speaking of moms, Royal Caribbean went the extra step this week by announcing the first ever Godfamily of a cruise ship when it chose Carlos and Alexa PenaVega's family to be the Godfamily of Symphony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean says they picked this family because they have celebrated a number of family firsts on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, as well as personify the spirit of the new ship, redefining the way families stay and play.

The family will have the honor of formally naming Symphony when she arrives to her permanent home in Miami in November.

Royal Caribbean News

• Independence of the Seas arrived in Southampton after a massive refurbishment.
• Royal Caribbean Icon Class ships will be classed by DNV GL.
• Two of Royal Caribbean's brass received prestigious awards recently.
• Before you buy a drink package, here are some questions to think about.
• Royal Caribbean's parent company announced a $1 billion stock buyback and declared a dividend.
• We spotted these new stateroom attendant magnets on some ships.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 249th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, sharing what it is like to get married on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

In this episode, Beth joins Matt to talk about her recent wedding on Harmony of the Seas.  Beth shares what the experience was like from start to finish, and offers tips and advice for others that might be considering getting hitched at sea.

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

Royal Caribbean released season two of its YouTube series, The Local.

Skift took a look at how cruise lines innovate even when building the same type of ship.

Cruise & Ferry highlighted a Royal Caribbean bartender that reached the top 16 in the Bacardi Cocktail Competition 2018.

Cruise Critic reviewed the new shore excursions Royal Caribbean offers in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Happy weekend! In case you missed any Royal Caribbean news, here is a look at everything that happened this week!

Independence of the Seas completed her shipwide refurbishment this week, emerging from dry dock with a lot of new features.

Independence of the Seas now features new additions, such as a FlowRider, Sky Pad, Fish & Ships, Escape Room, aqua park and more.

Independence of the Seas is headed to Europe, where she will spend the summer offering cruises out of Southampton before heading back to Fort Lauderdale in fall 2018.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean released a Royal Amplified fleet upgrade schedule.
• Voyager of the Seas returned to Singapore for her longest season yet.
• Royal Caribbean released a new video that is all about the Bionic Bar.
• Here are the top things to do after booking a Royal Caribbean cruise.
• We are live blogging from Adventure of the Seas this week.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 248th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which features what you need to know before taking a Royal Caribbean cruise to Europe.

Perhaps you have cruised the Caribbean extensively, but cruising to Europe is a different kind of cruise experience.  This week, Colleen McDaniel from Cruise Critic joins Matt to talk about the important considerations to be aware of prior to cruising in Europe.

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

The New York Times shared a documentary about Royal Caribbean's most frequent cruiser.

Cruise Fever reviewed a recent Jewel of the Seas sailing.

7 News Miami shared how Royal Caribbean volunteers helped remodel a Little Haiti school.

Did you miss any of this week's Royal Caribbean news? No worries, because we have you covered with our wrap-up of cruise news!

Royal Caribbean announced this week it will homeport Jewel of the Seas in Dubai for a few months in 2019-2020.

Jewel of the Seas will call Dubai home, and offer 7-night sailings out of Dubai to destinations in the Middle East, including maiden calls to Sir Bani Yas, Doha, and Bahrain.

Royal Caribbean is returning to Dubai, following a two-year absence. Jewel will sail to Dubai, following a summer season in the Mediterranean that will also see Royal Caribbean return to Turkey.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

• Royal Caribbean wrapped up its cruising season in Australia.
• Here is the latest official word on Royal Caribbean's new app.
• We shared some nuggets of interesting information from Royal Caribbean's quarterly earnings call.
• Our full review of Maya Chan Beach in Costa Maya.
• Royal Caribbean offers us a new video look at the Ultimate Family Suite on Symphony of the Seas.
• What is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship? We tried to offer advice on which to choose.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 247th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which debate the virtues of staying onboard your Royal Caribbean ship while in port.

Does it make sense to stay onboard your Royal Caribbean ship while docked in a port of call? This week, Matt shares why you might want to try it out and how to best take advantage of being one of the few onboard.

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

Moms of the Seas answered how to link Royal Caribbean reservations online.

Royal Caribbean shared a look at convenient departure cities across the United States.

CNN compiled a list of the best cruises for family travel (and Royal Caribbean made the list).

Seatrade Cruise News shared Michael Bayley's thoughts on the state of cruising from China.

Spring is here and it is also Sunday, which means we are celebrating warm(er) temperatures and Royal Caribbean news from this week!

Royal Caribbean announced this week it will once again offer cruises to Turkey.

It has been two years since Royal Caribbean has offered cruises to Turkey.  The cruise line cancelled planned sailings to Turkey following instability following the attempted coup of 2016.

A few sailings will be offered in 2019, with a full compliment of sailings to Turkey in 2020.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean updated its drone policy.
• Here is a look at all about Royal Caribbean's ship classes.
• Michael Poole shared a shore excursion review of the Fury Catamaran in Cozumel.
• We listed five things that may seem like a mistake on Royal Caribbean, but it is really not a mistake.
• Our restaurant review of Izumi on Rhapsody of the Seas.
• An in-depth look at Royal Caribbean's Royal Refreshment Drink Package.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 246th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which shares a review of Symphony of the Seas.

Cruise Like Rick is back from one of the very first Symphony of the Seas sailings, and shares with us his thoughts on what this new ship is all about and offers.  Rick reviews his stateroom, new venues, and talks about what stands out to him on Royal Caribbean's newest 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.

They say April showers brings May flowers, but Sundays bring you a round-up of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news!

The Royal Caribbean news everyone was focused on this week was Symphony of the Seas, with a new accolade to add to her list: she is the most Instagrammable cruise ship in the world.

Royal Caribbean has appointed Russ Francis as the company’s first ‘Instagrammer-in-Chief’ as Symphony takes her first guests on their holidays in the Mediterranean from Barcelona, Spain. His new role will be to help inspire guests to do the ship justice through their Instagram content and establish Symphony of the Seas as the world’s most Instagrammable ship.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean tweaked its cruise cancellation policy.
• Royal Caribbean announced the 2019/2020 Australia deployment.
• Radiance of the Seas had a sailing cancelled to fix a problem with her propulsion.
• Here's a new video that looks at the coolest things to do on Symphony of the Seas.
• Here is a first look at Seasonal Caribbean & Northeast sailings for 2019/2020.
• Royal Caribbean released a hyperlapse video tour of Symphony of the Seas.
• Check out a photo tour of an Owners Suite stateroom on Rhapsody of the Seas.
• Our full review of Iberostar Cozumel all-inclusive day pass.
• Here is a timelapse video of Symphony of the Seas sailing away from Barcelona.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 244th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring a comparison of Royal Caribbean to Disney Cruise Line.

A long time Disney Cruise Line veteran tried Royal Caribbean for the first time, and on this week's episode, we take an in-depth discussion of the differences between the two lines, and how the two lines are similar and vary at the same time.

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

USA Today shared five things to love about Symphony of the Seas.

Business Insider has a look at how Royal Caribbean has gotten travelers to spend more money on its cruises.

Wired has a look at the inside story of how Symphony of the Seas was built.

No fooling here, we have a round-up of all of this week's Royal Caribbean cruise news!

WIthout a doubt, this week's Royal Caribbean news can be summed up in one word: Symphony. 

Royal Caribbean took delivery of its fourth Oasis Class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, this week at a ceremony at STX France in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Symphony of the Seas is the 25th ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet, and is listed at 228,081 gross registered tons, measures 238 feet tall and spans 1,188 feet long. She will welcome 5,518 guests at double occupancy in 2,759 staterooms, including 28 additional balcony rooms that overlook the ocean or signature Boardwalk neighborhood.

Symphony of the Seas' first sailing took place on March 31, 2018.

Royal Caribbean News

• We shared as many new photos from all over the ship as we could find.
• Royal Caribbean released a video commemorating the delivery of Symphony of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean released new aerial photos of Symphony of the Seas at sea.
• Royal Caribbean released a new smartphone app update this week.
• Entertainment will be at the heart of the fun things to do onboard Symphony of the Seas.
• A video sneak-peak look at the Flight show on Symphony of the Seas shows what makes this show so cool.
• Check out this photo tour of the Ultimate Family Suite on Symphony of the Seas.
• Ovation of the Seas is helping to test a new navigational system.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 243rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, and we are reviewing Matt's cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas.

In this episode, Matt is back from Rhapsody of the Seas and talks about what he thought about his first time on a Vision class ship, the activities he tried onboard and how is shore plans worked out.

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

Ship Monk shared a photo tour of Symphony of the Seas.

Page Six reported on Star Jones' wedding, which took place on Anthem of the Seas.

Cruise Habit took an in-depth (kale infused) look at cruise ship safety.

This was a busy week with Royal Caribbean news, and we have a summary of all of the news from this week to make certain you did not miss any of it.

Royal Caribbean made headlines around the world this week with the announcement of CocoCay upgrades and ship enhancements.

Royal Caribbean will spend $200 million to transform its private island of CocoCay in the Bahamas and add a ton of activities, aimed at offering, "the ultimate family destination in the Caribbean."

In addition, Royal Caribbean also announced it will invest $900 million to reimagining its fleet through a new modernization effort called Royal Amplified.

Royal Caribbean News

• We took an in-depth look at the changes coming to CocoCay.
• Royal Caribbean's CEO apologized for the recent website issues.
• Symphony of the Seas will be the best ship yet for families.
• Royal Caribbean released a new video of the changes coming to Mariner of the Seas.
• Matt is live blogging this week from Rhapsody of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean shared why it things Symphony of the Seas will be the best cruise ship of 2018.
• Royal Caribbean announced a policy change to protect full value of Future Cruise Certificates.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 241st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, and we are previewing Matt's upcoming cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas.

In this episode, Matt is about to cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas, and shares why he picked this ship, what his plans are onboard and some of the new experience he has lined up.

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

In The Loop Travel shared its top 13 spots on Brilliance of the Seas.

TradeWinds reports one of Royal Caribbean's co-founders has passed away.

Happy weekend! We hope you remembered to Spring Forward! Here’s all the Royal Caribbean news this week!

Royal Caribbean launched a new initiative this week that seeks to consolidate the logins and accounts between Royal Caribbean's sister companies.

Beginning in March 2018, Royal Caribbean will begin offering an enhanced guest account that will, "deliver many capabilities of our digital cruise experience, to simplify the guest experience online and to allow guests to quickly access features and information." The one login can be used for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises apps and websites. It promises to bring them everything guests need from loyalty (Crown & Anchor) information, personalized itineraries and details – all with just one account login.

Unfortunately, the initial implementation has resulted in some "growing pains" that have resulted in some users unable to access the new system. You can always use the old log in in the meantime.

Royal Caribbean News

• Symphony of the Seas concluded her second set of sea trials.
• Our full review of Chops Grille on Brilliance of the Seas.
• We spotted a new all acecss tour available, which takes guests behind the scenes of how the the crew lives.
• Royal Caribbean updated its smartphone app to include support for Symphony of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean opened its 2019 European sailings from Southampton.
• Six alternatives to an unlimited alcohol package.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 240th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, providing an overview to the unlimited drink packages offered by Royal Caribbean.

In this episode, Matt goes over the basics of the unlimited drink packages, and explains what they entail, and if you shoud get one.

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

Travel Weekly reports on the non-TV marketing strategy Royal Caribbean is using before the ship's launch.

Miami Herald announced the new partnership between Royal Caribbean and Miami's Frost Science Center.

Welcome to March! We hope you are having a great weekend and are ready to sit back, relax and catch up with all the latest Royal Caribbean news!

Royal Caribbean announced this week that Jewel of the Seas will be repositioned to Miami in January 2019.

The move meant a number of sailings had to be cancelled, with guests who had booked one of those sailings receiving letters to inform them of the change and to provide rebooking options.

It appears Jewel of the Seas will sail out of PortMiami between January and April 2019.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean cancelled all shore excursions involving a ferry in Cozumel.
• Royal Caribbean announced its 2019-2020 deployment schedule.
• A new offer began this week, with 30% off all guests and Kids Sail Free. 
• Our own Michael Poole is live blogging from Brilliance of the Seas this week.
• Here is a first look at the pub changes on Quantum Class ships.
• Our list of five common myths people use to avoid trying a Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Royal Caribbean named Sean Treacy its new Associate Vice President Strategic Planning for International.
• Royal Caribbean has partnered with Malaysia to expand a cruise port.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 239th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, all about Matt's favorite spots to enjoy sail away from while on Royal Caribbean.

In this episode, Matt counts down the places on a Royal Caribbean cruise he thinks are the best for when it is time for your cruise ship to depart a port.

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

GTP Headlines reports Royal Caribbean has registered its cruise ships with HELMEPA.

Orlando Sentinel wrote about Symphony of the Seas debuting this month.

Loop shared 9 things to know about Symphony of the Seas.

Hope you are having a great weekend.  Here is all of this week's Royal Caribbean cruise news.

Symphony of the Seas completed its first set of sea trials earlier this week.

The sea trials took place between February 15 and 18, where almost every onboard system was tested. The ship is in its "completion phase", which means it is getting prepared to be delivered to Royal Caribbean in late March.

The sea trials included over 80 hours of sailing that covered 1,000 nautical miles off Belle-Île island. During the trials, the full range of the ship’s systems were activated at sea, most of those being already adjusted and presented for commissioning, both to Royal Caribbean and to the classification society.

Royal Caribbean News

• Symphony of the Seas will have a new set of sea trials scheduled for March 3rd.
• Royal Caribbean shared photos of Symphony of the Seas' sea trials.
• A new drone video was released, offering a look at every angle of Symphony of the Seas.
• Ovation of the Seas hosted the biggest game of Hide and Seek.
• We reviewed the Izumi sushi making class on Brilliance of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean will be hosting a website usability test in mid-March.
• Royal Caribbean produced a new video that offers a hyperlapse look at Symphony of the Seas' construction.
• Royal Caribbean was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the third year in a row.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 238th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available that focuses on answering the many emails we receive from podcast listeners.

In this episode, Matt opens up the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast inbox and dedicates the entire episode to answering questions and comments sent in by listeners.

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

Tampa Bay Business Journal reports Port Tampa Bay saw record cruise passenger weekends (thanks in part to Royal Caribbean).

Travel Codex looked at Liberty of the Seas and the activities offered onboard a recent cruise.