Taking a Royal Caribbean cruise is a great family vacation because of all the great things to see and do onboard. Swimming, fine dining, kids clubs, Broadway shows, and massages are just a few of the wonderful activities available to do onboard. With so many choices, you may be wondering what you can do to ensure you not only see it all, but don't miss anything.
Today I am sharing not just 10 tips for a great Royal Caribbean cruise, but 10 tips I personally use on every cruise I take!
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Did you know Royal Caribbean regularly gives out free alcoholic beverages on their cruise? We have the top seven ways to score a free drink in our brand new video!
We are all trying to save a little bit of money and keep that bar bill down, so this week Matt shares seven tried-and-true methods of getting an alcoholic beverage on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
We love a little intrigue as much as the next person, but nothing beats finding out about a secret, right? Today, we are talking about dining on Royal Caribbean in our latest RoyalCaribbeanBlog video.
For instance, did you know you on Oasis Class ships you can enjoy breakfast at Johnny Rockets without any additional cost?
We also have ways to avoid lines at the Windjammer buffet stations, getting a discount on a specialty restaurant, where your drink packages work and a lot more. Check out this video for our tips and tricks!
First time cruisers are always wondering what pitfalls they can avoid and what “secrets” they should be aware of to enhance their first cruise. After all, we all want our first cruise to not only be free of issues, but also a fantastic experience overall. To that point, I wanted to share five of my favorite tips and advice for someone new to Royal Caribbean that they should be aware of for their sailing. These are the tips and tricks I use on every sailing I go on, and I think you should too.
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Navigator of the Seas is a classic Royal Caribbean ship that offers as much for guests to see and do as it is a tremendous value.
In 2019, the cruise line invested $115 million in upgrades and, and we have compiled our list of the best secrets that can be overlooked on Navigator of the Seas.
1. Hidden room in Playmakers
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade is a great spot to enjoy pub food, drinks and even a sporting event on television, and if you and your crew are interested in a spot away from the rest of the crowd, check out the Owner’s Box VIP room.
Located to the far right of the bar area, the Owner’s Box VIP room is a first come, first served area that is perfect for friends to watch the game, enjoy drinks and feel like you have your own special spot of the bar.
2. You can visit the helipad
Whether you are looking for the perfect spot for sailaway, or just a great place to enjoy the view, Navigator of the Seas' helipad is the perfect location.
Located on the bow, guests can walk to the helicopter pad and enjoy the unobstructed views that you can only get from the helicopter pad.
From the helicopter pad, guests can enjoy a near 360-degree view of what is surrounding Navigator of the Seas.
To access the helicopter pad, go outside on deck 5 and then walk forward, climb up a set of stairs and continue walking forward until you reach the helicopter pad.
3. Hidden door to the helipad
Speaking of the helipad, if you want to avoid the stairs that lead up to the front of the ship, there is a secret door that will get you right there.
Walk all the way forward on deck 5 and enter the Star Lounge. In the daytime, it is usually empty. Enter the lounge and take an immediate right, just past the DJ booth.
There's a set of unmarked doors that you can simply open up an you will be let out right next to the helipad.
This is especially helpful if you have a stroller or are in a wheelchair and stairs are a problem.
4. Find the Stowaway Piano Player
One of the best not-so-well-known entertainment options that Royal Caribbean has recently added is the "stowaway" piano player.
The idea is there is a piano player with a far-out piano that will move around the ship and perform for guests but encouraging guests to not report him.
The piano is no ordinary piano. It has hidden compartments and functions and can dispense various things, such as lollipops for kids or appear to overheat because of "intense" piano playing.
This neat form of street theater will appear around the ship at different times during the cruise.
5. Balcony dividers can be removed
If you happen to have connecting balcony staterooms, most Voyager-class ships cannot have their balcony dividers removed. However, on Navigator of the Seas that is not the case.
If you're interested in opening up balcony dividers on Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas, the balconies are attached to the ships' hull and cannot be removed. But on sister ship Navigator of the Seas, the balcony dividers aren't attached and can be removed.
6. Enjoy the view from Cosmopolitan Club
It is really hard to beat the views of Navigator of the Seas' upper decks from the Cosmopolitan Club.
Located on deck 14 at the aft of the ship, the Cosmopolitan Club offers guests sweeping views of the upper decks and the ocean.
To get to Cosmopolitan Club, you must use the aft elevators and go up to deck 14.
7. Try the blender bike
In front of the Lime and Coconut bar on deck 11 is a special blender bike, that allows guests to make mixed drinks with pedal power!
Ask the bar staff for your chance to sit on the blender bike and spin the pedals as fast as you can to mix a frozen concoction. It is fun and the reward comes when the drink is fully mixed!
8. Grab a casita
Throughout decks 11 and 12 are casitas along the pool deck that are available on a first come, first served basis.
These casitas have no additional cost, and are available for guests to enjoy at their leisure. They feature comfortable lounge chairs or day beds, and make for the perfect spot for your group to chill, nap or just relax between dips in the pool.
9. Ride the water slides on embarkation day
Perhaps no feature on Navigator of the Seas will be as popular on your sailing as the two water slides, the Blaster and Riptide. If you want to beat the crowds, head to deck 13 aft as soon as you board.
The first day of the cruise is a busy day, and most guests do not have their bathing suits with them when they board. Bring your swimsuit in your carry on luggage (or wear it to the ship) and then head to the slides in the afternoon.
Most other guests onboard will not have their swim suits or even be aware the water slides are open. It is the perfect time to get multiple rides in without little or no wait! This is also a great strategy for the nearby FlowRider.
10. USB outlets at the bar
Did you know some of the popular bars on Navigator of the Seas offer convenient USB outlets for charging your devices while you hang out there?
We spotted USB outlets at the Lime & Coconut and Playmakers, which means all you have to do is remember to bring your charging cord and then plug in while you enjoy drinks, music or the company around you.
Did we miss any Navigator of the Seas secrets? Share them in our comments!
Check out our Royal Caribbean Blog video, which is all about ways to save money on your Royal Caribbean cruise!
What's better than a Royal Caribbean cruise? A Royal Caribbean cruise with discounts! We are sharing some of our favorite ways to spend less and still enjoy a great cruise vacation. From how to save on drinks and shore excursions, to who to book with to get the lowest price, we have quite a few strategies for keeping money in your pocket.
Mariner of the Seas has quickly become one of Royal Caribbean's most popular cruise ships, thanks to a $120 million refurbishment in 2018 that amped the ship up with new thrills, restaurants, staterooms and entertainment.
There is a lot to love about this ship, and we are sharing out top must-do tips for going on a Mariner of the Seas cruise.
Don't miss the signature activities
A big component of the ship's refurbishment was to add new thrills and activities onboard the ship, and you have to make time to check them all out on your sailing.
We begin with the Sky Pad, a gravity-defying bungee trampoline experience amped up with virtual reality. Royal Caribbean took the idea of a bungee trampoline, and infused it with a few different augmented reality options to offer guests a really fun experience.
The FlowRider surf simulator has become a staple of fun on many Royal Caribbean ships. and Mariner of the Seas now offers one as well. The 40-foot-long surf simulator allows guests to try their hand at surfing or boogie boarding. Or you can take a seat in the bleachers and watch other guests give it a shot.
Families are sure to love the new Perfect Storm water slides on Mariner of the Seas. A thrilling pair of three-story-high racer water slides called Cyclone and Typhoon beckon to be ridden again and again and again.
Get a drink in the Bamboo Room
Lounges are not new to Royal Caribbean, but the cruise line hit a homerun with the Bamboo Room lounge. It is the first in Royal Caribbean's fleet and offers a laidback Polynesian throwback vibe, featuring kitschy-cool craft cocktails like the Island Old Fashioned and Tiki Tea.
What makes the Bamboo Room so darn cool is the combination of decor, great menu, and fun times. When you are looking for a spot to grab a few drinks, the Bamboo Room is a must-visit place.
Book a panoramic stateroom
If you are eyeing going on Mariner of the Seas, be sure to price out one of the newly added Panoramic staterooms.
The Panoramic Ocean View Stateroom gives much more of a view than a traditional oceanview room, with a floor to ceiling wrap around panoramic window that is 76 inches high by 103-321 inches wide. That is a big window.
As you might imagine, the reason to book a stateroom like this is for the amazing views without the balcony view price.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Royal Caribbean moved Mariner of the Seas back to the United States in 2018 to offer short 3- and 4-night sailings, and that means every cruise visits the cruise line's private destination of CocoCay.
Beginning May 2019, Mariner will sail to the new Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first destination in Royal Caribbean’s recently announced collection of private island experiences around the world. This means CocoCay will offer a new water park, pool, zipline, private enclaves, new dining opportunities and more. Perfect Day at CocoCay is sure to be a hit with families, and Mariner of the Seas can take you there on every sailing.
Try a specialty restaurant (or two)
In addition to the new thrills added to Mariner of the Seas, the ship offers some terrific specialty dining venues that should not be missed.
One of our favorite specialty dining options on any ship is Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, which is Asian-inspired dining featuring hibachi, sushi and sashimi and more. A hibachi meal is fun for the whole family, and offers authentic flavors, the freshest ingredients and impeccable presentation.
Jamie's Italian serves fresh, handmade and rustic Italian fare by Chef Jamie Oliver, one of Britain’s most famous chefs. Jamie's Italian was created by Jamie Oliver because of all the types of food to choose from, he loves Italian the most. In terms of this restaurant's theory, Jamie designed the menu to strip food down to its essence, working with simple, quality ingredients with no pretense or ego.
Chops Grille has become a staple of Royal Caribbean dining and it is a restaurant guests come back to time and time again because they really enjoy everything about the experience. Steak cooked to order, along with an array of complimentary side dishes and excellent appetizers make for a truly compelling choice for dinner any night of the cruise.
Your thoughts
What is your favorite thing about Mariner of the Seas? Is it on our list or do you have something you think is worth the cruise fare alone? Tell us about in this blog post's comments!
Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas offers sailings that span the globe and we have a few lesser-known tidbits about Explorer of the Seas that you may want to know about prior to getting onboard.
Hot tub in the spa
Walking around Explorer of the Seas' pool deck, you will find some great pool options including the ever popular hot tub. Did you know there is a bonus hot tub in the Vitality Fitness Center that you can use anytime?
Located at the entrance of the Fitness Center is a rather large hot tub that is available for use by all guests. Not only is this hot tub larger than the ones on the pool deck, but it also is great if the weather outdoors is not exactly pool weather.
Complimentary sauna and steam rooms
Speaking of the Fitness Center, Explorer of the Seas also offers complimentary steam room and sauna room access.
Right across from the aforementioned hot tub is the Fitness Center changing rooms, which also have access to the steam and sauna rooms. Feel free to use either venue during your cruise, as there is no additional cost to them on Explorer of the Seas.
Restrooms with a view
In places like Alaska, where the view outdoors never ceases to amaze, you may want a great view outdoors all the time. On Explorer of the Seas, the men's and women's restroom on deck 11 aft offer not only the necessary facilities, but also a fantastic view outside.
A floor-to-ceiling window greets guests in the public restroom outside the Windjammer.
Peek-A-Boo bridge
One of the best features of Royal Caribbean's Voyager Class ships has to be is the Peek-A-Boo bridge feature, where guests can peer into the bridge of Explorer of the Seas almost any time.
The observation window allows guests to look down onto the bridge and observe what the officers are up to in their daily navigational duties.
To reach the Peek-A-Boo bridge, head up to deck 11 and walk past the sliding doors that go forward of the Solarium and do not seem to lead anywhere.
From there, keep walking forward until you reach the front of the deck and you will see an area that provides a view of the bridge.
Find the ship's Godmother
It is not difficult to locate, but there is a small plaque notating Explorer of the Seas' Godmother, Three-time Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
Every Royal Caribbean cruise ship has a ceremonial Godmother, who is selected to christen a new cruise ship when it launches. Joyner-Kersee, who became the first woman to score 7,000 points in the 1986 heptathlon, was the second Olympian to christen a Royal Caribbean ship, following figure skater Katarina Witt.
You can find a plaque dedicated to Ms. Joyner-Kersee on Deck 4 near the aft elevator bank.
Couch in Windjammer
If you are looking for arguably the most comfortable spot to enjoy the many bounties found in the Windjammer, try one of the tables that offers couch seating.
Towards the back of the Windjammer in the aft seating area, you will find a few tables that offer a couch on either side of the table. Don't dawdle, because these seats go quickly.
Main dining room design
While dining in the main dining room, be sure to check out the amazing art and design of the main dining room of Explorer of the Seas.
The stunning three-level formal dining room on Explorer of the Seas is linked by a grand staircase, dramatic fluted, gold-leaf columns, golden velvet curtains, and a domed ceiling with a gold sky burst rays. The Sapphire Dining Room features a gilded sunburst of gold and silver leaf that bathes the three-story dining room in a luxurious glow.
A series of intricate mosaics adorn the walls (covering an area of 663 sq. ft.) of the dining rooms. The murals, rendered in stone and glass mosaic, depict the constellations in the night skies present at the time of their global discoveries.
Helipad
Whether you are looking for the perfect spot for sail away, or just a great place to enjoy the view, Explorer of the Seas' helipad is the perfect location.
Located on the bow, guests can walk to the helicopter pad and enjoy the unobstructed views that you can only get from the helicopter pad.
From the helicopter pad, guests can enjoy a near 360-degree view of what is surrounding Explorer of the Seas.
To access the helicopter pad, go outside on deck 5 and then walk forward, climb up a set of stairs and continue walking forward until you reach the helicopter pad.
Did we miss any Explorer of the Seas secrets? Share them in our comments!
Independence of the Seas is an impressive Royal Caribbean cruise ship that completed a massive refurbishment in 2018 to offer all new experiences and features onboard.
There is a lot to love about this ship, and we have eight important facts you should be aware of before your cruise on Independence of the Seas.
8. Largest hibachi at sea
Photo by Travis Kamiyama
Ever since Royal Caribbean added a teppanyaki style dining option to Izumi locations on Oasis Class ships, they have become extremely popular with guests. As a result, Royal Caribbean opted to add the first Izumi location to a Freedom Class ship and offer the biggest hibachi in the entire fleet.
Izumi Japanese specialty restaurant has been among the fastest spreading restaurants across Royal Caribbean ships, and Independence of the Seas is now home to the twenty-first location. It is not only the first Izumi location on a Freedom Class ship, but also the largest capacity for the popular hibachi side.
7. Water slides and water fun
Families are sure to love the addition of the Perfect Storm water slides and Splashaway Bay to Independence of the Seas.
Independence of the Seas offers two racer slides, Cyclone and Typhoon, which offer guests an exhilarating ride down each slide for a wet and wild finish.
In addition, Splasahway Bay has replaced the H2O Zone to bring the next level of aquatic park fun for families. Splashaway Bay features water slides, fountains, pools and a really large drench bucket.
6. Laser tag
At special laser tag sessions, Royal Caribbean transforms Studio B into a glow-in-the-dark arena that invites everyone to see if they can conquer the, "Battle for Planet Z".
Guests can don special laser tag vests, grab a laser tag gun and head into the arena for a fast-paced team-game that rewards the group that works well together and coordinates their efforts. Just like laser tag on land, Battle for Planet Z is a high-energy race with bragging rights for the rest of the cruise on the line!
5. Grease
In 2016, Royal Caribbean added the Broadway musical, Grease, to Independence of the Seas and it is available to enjoy on your cruise with no additional cost.
This stage production of Grease was specially adapted by Royal Caribbean Productions and features all of your favorite songs, such as “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’,” “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” “Born to Hand-Jive,” “Beauty School Dropout” and more.
The best news about Grease on Independence of the Seas, is that the show is included in the cost of your cruise fare, so you can enjoy a Broadway show while onboard for absolutely no additional cost.
4. Views from the helipad
Independence of the Seas has a large helipad at the bow of the ship, which is a great venue for guests to enjoy during most times. The helipad is the perfect spot for sailaway, stargazing, enjoying a view of the ocean or just a spot to sit down on one of the benches and relax.
To access the helicopter pad, go outside on deck 4 and then walk forward, climb up a set of stairs and continue walking forward until you reach the helicopter pad.
If you want to go out to the helipad and avoid the flight of stairs out on deck 4, you can cut through Pyramid Lounge on deck 5 at the front of the ship. Walk in and you'll see a DJ booth on the right. Walk past that booth and you'll see a set of doors that look like they're crew only, but they're not. They lead right out to the entrance to the helipad. Only a short flight of stairs and you are there.
3. Cantilever hot tubs
Hot tub Jacuzzis are always a great way to relax and forget all of your worries, and on Independence of the Seas, there are cantilever hot tubs that offer as wonderful a view as they are comfortable.
The hot tubs on Independence of the Seas are 16-person, half-moon whirlpools that cantilever out 12 feet over the ship's side, to offer some incredible views of the ocean below. And oh yea, they are super relaxing too.
2. FlowRider
One of the more popular features on Independence of the Seas is the FlowRider surf simulator on deck 13.
The FlowRider is a simulator that sends water a very high speed across a small area that mimics what it is like to surf on the ocean. Guests can try their hand at stand-up traditional surfing or boogie boarding.
The FlowRider is included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare, and you may try your hand at surfing as many times as you like. Just hop back in line and wait for a turn.
There is the opportunity to book private lessons for an additional cost. At last check, private lessons cost $60 per person and lasts about an hour. Each lesson will have six to eight guests.
Private lessons can be booked onboard the ship and is sometimes available via the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner.
1. Sky Pad
Looking to try something completely different that offers thrills, high-tech and a humble brag worthy message to friends back home? The Sky Pad on Independence of the Seas is perfect for you!
Royal Caribbean offers guests an opportunity to try a virtual reality bungee trampoline experience. Guests have the option to put on a virtual reality headset, and then strap into a bungee trampoline experience.
Your favorite
What is your favorite thing about Independence of the Seas? Is it on our list or do you have something you think is worth the cruise fare alone? Tell us about in this blog post's comments!
Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial fan blog written for other fans of Royal Caribbean International. The Royal Caribbean Blog is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International
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