Happy Sunday and I hope you had a great week (and weekend)!  This week's biggest news was centered around Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship that is still under construction, Quantum of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean announced a new program called, "Quantum Experience Advisors" that will bring industry professionals in to help design the ship and ensure "every aspect of the guest experience has been maximized to the fullest extent."

The first member of the Quantum Experince Advisors is HGTV star Genevieve Gorder. Gorder is being tasked with interior design, key amenities and activities on the Quantum-class.  Thus far, Gorder has reviewed plans, fabrics, carpets and furnishings for the ship’s luxurious accommodations.

Royal Caribbean has indicated we will meet more members of the Quantum Experience Advisors as time goes forward.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean announced Lisa Bauer is leaving the company along with 100 layoffs.
• Should you take a cruise close to home or fly to your cruise? We share the pros and cons of both.
• Royal Caribbean is investing in their onboard internet for guest satisfaction and for bigger profits.
• Royal Caribbean's board of directors named a new lead director.
• Royal Caribbean UK launched a new game for the iPad and promises an iPhone version is coming soon.
• Considering Royal Caribbean's wine package?  Here's everything you need to know.
• We launched a new live blog series on Freedom of the Seas.  Check out the first post.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The sixth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available that is all about booking shore excursions.

It seems like everyone books shore excursions on their cruise vacation, so this week Matt looks at the benefits and drawbacks of booking your shore excursions through Royal Caribbean or on your own.  There isn't a wrong answer, but Matt thinks depending on your comfort level, there's some good choices to consider.

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 posted some design tips that Genevieve Gorder shared for the home.

Cruise Maven has her list of the best 5 specialty restaurants on Allure of the Seas.

Travel Weekly has a group of travel agents assess the pros and cons of Royal Caribbean's recent restructure in the UK.

Travel Weekly also has a report that Royal Caribbean is reporting some of the Australia itineraries are not ideal because of port issues.

This week was PACKED with Royal Caribbean news so if you missed any of it, here's a great chance to recap what happened around the Royal Caribbean World.

The biggest news of the week was Royal Caribbean's decision to ban smoking on its balconies, joining some other cruise lines who also institutde the prohibition recently. Needless to say, this has a lot of people either very happy or very upset.

The smoking ban begins on January 1, 2014 and applies to all forms of smoking, including e-cigarettes.  If you are caught smoking in your stateroom or balcony, Royal Caribbean will charge your onboard account a $250 cleaning fee.

Smoking isn't completely banned onboard Royal Caribbean ships.  In fact, Royal Caribbean promises many places onboard to light 'em if ya got 'em.

Royal Caribbean News

• The other big news was a leak that shows Anthem of the Seas will likely be homeported in Southampton, England in 2015.
• If you have daughters and are sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise during the holidays, the Barbie Experience can be had for 30% off.
• Royal Caribbean named a new Senior Vice President of Marine Operations.
• Did you know about this week's Royal Caribbean Secret?
• We reviewed the Freedom-ice.com ice skating show on Freedom of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean released 2014 Asia cruises for Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The fifth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available, where we are talking about everything Freedom of the Seas.

Freedom of the Seas remains one of Royal Caribbean's most popular cruise ships we look at what's so great about Freedom of the Seas, our favorite things to onboard and we even share a few Freedom of the Seas secrets.  Mike Rahlmann joins the show this week to spread the good word about Freedom of the Seas.

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 Currents has a photo gallery of Liberty of the Seas' sailaway.

Dream Designs shared a blog post detailing their award ceremony that was held on Brilliance of the Seas earlier this summer.

Frommers has a list of their 10 favorite experiences in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Happy Labor Day weekend to all of our American readers!  This weekend marks the unofficial end to summer and Royal Caribbean had plenty going on this week, so let's jump right in.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean CEO Adam Goldstein confirmed there will not be a water slide on Quantum of the Seas.
• Speaking of Quantum of the Seas, her engines arrived this week.
• Have you ever stayed onboard your Royal Caribbean ship when it was in port? We share why you might want to stay onboard too.
• Royal Caribbean announced it will add a second cruise ship to Tampa next year.
• Royal Caribbean released the Brazil 2014-2015 schedule.
• In other new ship news, the French shipyard where the third Oasis-class ship will be built is getting ready to begin construction.
• Check out these amazing robots that Royal Caribbean will be using onboard Quantum of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The fourth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and it's all about Royal Caribbean's private destination of Labadee.

This beach destination is one of my favorite Caribbean ports of call and there's a lot to do here.  We discuss Labadee's beaches, shore excursions you can try, the cabanas you can rent and the food available to eat there.

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 has a list of the best onboard cruise ship activities, and there's a few Royal Caribbean staples included.

BerNews says Reverend Run from the rap group Run D.M.C. was spotted on a Royal Caribbean cruise this week.

Cruise Critic has its list of the best cruise ships for sea days and there's plenty of Royal Caribbean ships making the list.

Sit back and catch up on this week's Royal Caribbean news.  We've gone through and hand-picked some fun articles for you to take a look at in case you missed any of it.

We're big fans of Royal Caribbean's private destination of Labadee and this week we posted an in-depth first timer's guide to this little piece of paradise.

From the different regions of Labadee, to what each beach offers, this is your virtual tour guide to what to do when you arrive here.  Just as important as the beaches, we did not neglect to mention to try at least one Labadoozie while you're there!

Here we go, let's dive in!

Royal Caribbean News

• Going to Europe next year? Royal Caribbean is offering free shore excursions for kids on its 2014 European cruises.
• Royal Caribbean has renewed its partnership with Bank of America and expanded its credit card reward program.
• Here's our list of the top 10 classic Royal Caribbean television commercials. Have you seen them all?
• Royal Caribbean was beat up in the media this week so Matt posted an op-ed piece defending Royal Caribbean.
• Looking to take better photos on your next Royal Caribbean cruise? Timothy Corbin shares some helpful tips.
• Have you taken a ride on the carousel on the Oasis-class ships?
• Don't miss this week's batch of photos our readers sent in for Friday Photos.
• If you're going to Labadee, be sure to consult our first timer's guide to Labadee.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The third episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and we're going BIG, discussing Oasis of the Seas.

Joining us on this week's show is Beci Mahnken of MEI Travel, and we looked at why Oasis of the Seas is so impressive, innovations on the ship and we also shared tips for what not to miss 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

Someone created a 1:1 scale replica of Quantum of the Seas in Minecraft. 

USA Today has a list of the best fast food at sea, which includes the Boardwalk Dog House.

Cruise Critic has information on everything you need to know about repositioning cruises in 2013.

We had fun this week sharing lots of Royal Caribbean news from many aspects of the company's operation.  From Barbados to St. Lucia to New Jersey, there's lots to catch up on this week if you missed any of it.

Let's dive in!

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean celebrated a huge milestone this week when it welcomed its 50 million guest.
• The city of Bayonne approved the loan to Royal Caribbean to expand Cape Liberty to make room for Quantum of the Seas.
• Speaking of ports, Royal Caribbean is considering partnering with St. Lucia to build a new cruise terminal.
• Need more Caribbean news?  Royal Caribbean will once again offer year-round cruises to Barbados.
• We shared some great photos by our readers in this week's Friday Photos.
• Here's a video of how Royal Caribbean is designing Two70 aboard Quantum of the Seas.
• Do you love escargot when you're on a Royal Caribbean cruise?  We think it's a classic Royal Caribbean food.
• We launched a complete listing of Oasis of the Seas deck plans for you to easily see where everything is onboard the ship.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Have you listened to the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast yet? Our second episode came out this week and it's all about Royal Caribbean's specialty restaurants.

We looked at how specialty restaurants have become very popular recently, what restaurants are currently available and what the future holds for these eateries.

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 Radio has a new podcast episode with a review of cruising on Jewel of the Seas

USA Today has a new photo tour of Grandeur of the Seas.

Travel Biz Monitor has more information on a deal for cruisers from India to save 20% on their next Royal Caribbean cruise.

If you liked a little of everything when it comes to Royal Caribbean news then this was the week for you.  

Over the course of the week we learned more about Quantum of the Seas and what we can expect from it.  It's clear that people are excited to know everything they can about this ship and we started out with a list of everything we know about the virtual balcony.  

This was followed up by an interesting list of frequently asked questions about Quantum of the Seas that gave us a few more details about venues, dining, entertainment and more.

Royal Caribbean News

• If Royal Caribbean wants to build a fourth Oasis-class cruise ship, they have to decide by December.
• There's a new video of Quantum of the Seas' keel-laying and Anthem of the Seas' steel-cutting ceremonies.
• We shared a secret spot on Allure of the Seas to check out if you want to get away from the crowds.
• Have you considered buying the unlimited alcohol packages on your next Royal Caribbean cruise?  We broke down the cost per day to see how much you really need to drink to make it worth while.
• Royal Caribbean is launching an 11-day sale for residents of the United Kingdom.
• We had our very first edition of Friday Photos, where we shared your Royal Caribbean vacation photos.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is live!  We're covering eveyrthing Royal Caribbean and inviting you to explore every aspect of a great cruise vacation.  Check it out at RoyalCaribbeanPodcast.com!

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.

We want to hear from you when it comes to this podcast because we want it to be an interactive show.  If you have questions, comments or thoughts, share them with us.  We might even include it on the show!

Take a listen to Episode 1 of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast!

Join us for the first ever Royal Caribbean Blog Cruise!

We're so excited to announce the first ever group cruise for readers and staff of RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com aboard Quantum of the Seas!  This is an exclusive group where we are inviting you, our readers, to join us on one of the first Quantum of the Seas sailings on an 8-night cruise to the Caribbean.

This Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise is all about enjoying this brand new ship with other fans who are big fans of Royal Caribbean.  Don't miss this opportunity to check out the brand new cruise ship as well as be a part of exclusive events for those that book with our group!

For more details on booking the cruise, the itinerary and prices, check out the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise page and if you have any questions, email me!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Travel Weekly has a detailed post about how Haiti wants to lure Royal Caribbean passengers beyond Labadee.

Inverclydenow mentions a visit by Vision of the Seas.

The CLIA is touting innovations in cruising that are coming soon, such as virtual balconies coming to Navigator of the Seas.

RoyalCaribbeanPR is reporting Explorer of the Seas will receive a new parade called "Royalapalooza", which first debuted on Mariner of the Seas.

It's August and Royal Caribbean news this week really heated up with lots of news and changes.  It's hard to pinpoint the biggest but if I had to pick one, it would be centered around Royal Caribbean's two newest ships.

On Friday, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas moved one step closer to being built...at the same time! Quantum of the Seas kicked things off with its official keel-laying, which officially begins formal construction of the ship.  

Right after that, Anthem of the Seas had her steel-cutting ceremony.  We're still about 18-24 months away from both ships taking passengers but it's starting to get exciting!

Royal Caribbean News

• What are Royal Caribbean's dress codes? We explored what to wear on your Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Have you ever tried this Royal Caribbean classic food, the honey stung chicken?
• Two new Royal Caribbean sales this week, starting with free drinks for kids and adults on cruises out of the UK.
• The other new sale is for North and South American cruisers who can get a balcony for the price of an oceanview cabin.
• We got a new glimpse at Quantum of the Seas' North Star mockup.
• Royal Caribbean is ending cruises that leave from France next year.
• Want to stay fit on your Royal Caribbean cruise? Check out our guide to the gym and exercise programs.
• Royal Caribbean followed through with their promise to release cruise crime data.

Join us for the first ever Royal Caribbean Blog Cruise!

We're so excited to announce the first ever group cruise for readers and staff of RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com aboard Quantum of the Seas!  This is an exclusive group where we are inviting you, our readers, to join us on one of the first Quantum of the Seas sailings on an 8-night cruise to the Caribbean.

This Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise is all about enjoying this brand new ship with other fans who are big fans of Royal Caribbean.  Don't miss this opportunity to check out the brand new cruise ship as well as be a part of exclusive events for those that book with our group!

For more details on booking the cruise, the itinerary and prices, check out the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise page and if you have any questions, email me!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

The Miami Herald's readers helped another reader who wanted the recipe for a salad dressing that was offered on Royal Caribbean cruises back in the 1980s.

Cruising with Kids? Fox News has a list of what the cruise lines do to accommodate children.

Speaking of kids, Royal Caribbean thinks cruising is a family affair and all generations can enjoy it together.

Welcome to this week's post round up and there was a lot of news and happenings this week in the world of Royal Caribbean.  

In addition to the news this week, we showcased 33 beautiful Royal Caribbean photos worthy of drooling all over your keyboard as well as a list of all the fun onboard outdoor activities on Royal Caribbean ships.

Were you able to catch up with it all?  If not, let's dive into what happened this week for a look back.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's second quarter financials were released and the company did really well.
• The cruise industry is preparing for new air pollution laws set to go into effect in North America and Royal Caribbean's approach involves something called scrubbers.
• Royal Caribbean was summoned to Congress and pledges to provide lots more onboard crime data.
• Royal Caribbean's plan to redevelop Cape Liberty to make room for Quantum of the Seas was approved by the port.
• We know a little more about the fire on Grandeur of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean chairman Richard Fain attributes a strong financial quarter to increased revenue and efficiency. 

Join us for the first ever Royal Caribbean Blog Cruise!

We're so excited to announce the first ever group cruise for readers and staff of RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com aboard Quantum of the Seas!  This is an exclusive group where we are inviting you, our readers, to join us on one of the first Quantum of the Seas sailings on an 8-night cruise to the Caribbean.

This Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise is all about enjoying this brand new ship with other fans who are big fans of Royal Caribbean.  Don't miss this opportunity to check out the brand new cruise ship as well as be a part of exclusive events for those that book with our group!

For more details on booking the cruise, the itinerary and prices, check out the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise page and if you have any questions, email me!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Seatrade Insider has a look at how the China-Japan territorial dispute has affected Royal Caribbean's bottom line.

Cruize Cast has a brand new podcast episode out discussing cruising to Italy.

USA Today has a photo tour of a former Royal Caribbean ship, the Song of America.

The New York Times has a great look at travel bloggers and how they pay for their trips.

It was hot this week outside and the Royal Caribbean news was heating up as well with a little bit of news about some new yet-to-be-built Royal Caribbean cruise ships emerging.

So crank up the air conditioning and enjoy this week's Royal Caribbean news roundup!

Royal Caribbean News

• A company has been selected to provide all of the steel for the third Oasis-class cruise ship that will be built.
• Royal Caribbean is promising to keep a cruise ship in Baltimore despite other cruise lines leaving.
• Royal Caribbean is offering a sale on Christmas week cruises until the end of this month to spur some new holiday traditions.
• We now know handicapped accessible cabin information onboard Quantum of the Seas.
• Do you love labadoozies as much as we do? This week we took a look at this signature Royal Caribbean drink.
• If you're looking to book an excursion on your own, check out our guide to third party excursions.
• Royal Caribbean has scheduled its second quarter financial results call for later this month.

Join us for the first ever Royal Caribbean Blog Cruise!

We're so excited to announce the first ever group cruise for readers and staff of RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com aboard Quantum of the Seas!  This is an exclusive group where we are inviting you, our readers, to join us on one of the first Quantum of the Seas sailings on an 8-night cruise to the Caribbean.

This Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise is all about enjoying this brand new ship with other fans who are big fans of Royal Caribbean.  Don't miss this opportunity to check out the brand new cruise ship as well as be a part of exclusive events for those that book with our group!

For more details on booking the cruise, the itinerary and prices, check out the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise page and if you have any questions, email me!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Travel Agent Central has a comment by a Royal Caribbean official released following a scathing article on using travel agents to book a cruise.

eTravel Blackboard has an article about why the 2014/2015 summer cruise season in Australia will be the biggest yet.

Florida Today has the results of a new study that says the cruise industry is boosting the local economy in South Florida.

Cruize Cast has a new podcast episode out looking at Carnival Cruise Line.

Happy weekend Royal Caribbean fans!  The big news this week surrounded the return of Grandeur of the Seas to service after more than a month of canceled cruises to repair fire damage to the aft of the ship.  

While a few parts of the ship are still being repaired, most of the ship is good to go. Check out our photo update from onboard Grandeur of the Seas and see how this great ship looks like.

Royal Caribbean News

• The third Oasis-class cruise ship Royal Caribbean has on order has secured financing.
• Wondering how to book an excursion through Royal Caribbean? We share the basic steps on when and how to book your adventures off the ship.
• Word on the street is that Quantum of the Seas will make stops in Bermuda in 2015.
• Speaking of Quantum of the Seas, it looks like the shipyard where she's being built is getting ready to lay the keel.
• Have questions about Royal Caribbean's unlimited alcohol package? Here are answers to all the questions we could think of!
• Want to work for Royal Caribbean and live in Brazil? Royal Caribbean is hiring!

Join us for the first ever Royal Caribbean Blog Cruise!

We're so excited to announce the first ever group cruise for readers and staff of RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com aboard Quantum of the Seas!  This is an exclusive group where we are inviting you, our readers, to join us on one of the first Quantum of the Seas sailings on an 8-night cruise to the Caribbean.

This Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise is all about enjoying this brand new ship with other fans who are big fans of Royal Caribbean.  Don't miss this opportunity to check out the brand new cruise ship as well as be a part of exclusive events for those that book with our group!

For more details on booking the cruise, the itinerary and prices, check out the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise page and if you have any questions, email me!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

USA Today reports we still don't know what started the fire on Grandeur of the Seas.

Cruise Critic is reporting a number of passengers have been bumped off of Grandeur of the Seas due to repairs not being complete.

The Royal Gazette covered a group of students in Bermuda that received Royal Caribbean's Hospitality award scholarship.