I hope everyone reading this is having a wonderful Sunday and enjoying some time this weekend with friends, family and some good food too. There was a lot of Royal Caribbean news this week, and we have summarized all up into one easy-to-read blog post for your convenience!
Cruises are back around the world, including the United Kingdom, and this week's podcast episode is a look at how cruises are going on the other side of the pond.
Emma has sailed on a few different cruise lines since cruises restarted from England, and shares her thoughts on what cruising looks like this summer from the U.K.
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!
New RCB Video: Odyssey of the Seas 2021 Cruise Ship Tour
One of the best ways to learn about what sort of events a cruise ship offers is to consult a past Royal Caribbean Cruise Compass. Here is a look at recent Cruise Compasses we have added.
8 Cruise ship activities Royal Caribbean abandoned
Royal Caribbean isn't afraid of trying something new, and sometimes that means a good idea today gets replaced tomorrow.
Cruise lines are always looking for ways to keep their offerings in line with customer trends, so it is not uncommon for a ship to offer a certain activity but have it replaced later on.
Royal Caribbean's priority access program that anyone can buy, The Key, is coming back, and already many guests are reporting changes to the program on various ships.
Last week, RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com reported on changes to The Key on Symphony of the Seas, and those same changes are being done on many other ships in the coming weeks.
RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com readers have reported getting emails from the cruise line informing them of new policy changes to The Key, primarily a result of Covid-19 protocols.
The Key is an optional add-on you can purchase to get VIP treatment in certain situations onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
Emails sent to guests that purchased The Key list the same changes as a result of Royal Caribbean's need to maintain healthy protocols onboard.
Here is a list of the changes to the program:
Priority access in the terminal (within booked arrival time) on Day 1
Priority access will not be offered in Vancouver, Canada or any Australia ports
Carry-on luggage drop-off in the Main Dining Room with stateroom delivery
Carry-on luggage is limited to two pieces per guest cannot weigh more than 25 pounds per carry-on.
Complimentary room service for the duration of the cruise and 25% off onboard dining purchases
Private time at onboard activities including Rock Climbing, FlowRider and more
Priority departure at tender ports of call from ship-to-shore
Early access at shows in the Main theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70 (all guests must have a reservation to qualify)
VOOM Surf & Stream 1-Device high speed internet — 1 package per paying guest
On debarkation day, a special "grab and go" breakfast bag and choice departure
The changes to The Key began with Symphony of the Seas on the October 2 sailing, and will fleetwide (excluding China sailings) as Royal Caribbean begins to roll out the changes across the ships.
The price of The Key varies, and starts at $25.99 per day, per person, although there can be discounts available to bring that price down.
All guests over the age of 6 in the same room must purchase The Key.
Most of the comments seemed to be in favor of the changes.
Melanie Harris simply said, "I really like the changes, glad we have it."
Erin Berton Baker added, "If that is permanent I’d seriously consider. Love the free room service!"
Susan Christmas bought The Key after reading about the changes, "I think it's better. After I saw this post, I went and booked it."
Yvonne P. Dumont did not like the change to the boarding day lunch, "I’m disappointed about the amazing lunch not offered anymore on boarding day anymore."
The State of Florida is ready for another round of a legal fight over mandating Covid-19 vaccines.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) won a lawsuit earlier this summer against Florida over a state law that banned businesses from denying entry to customers who were not vaccinated.
Florida filed documents on October 4th with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to appeal the preliminary injunction NCLH won, and asking the appeals court to vacate the decision.
United States District Judge Kathleen M. Williams granted NCLH the preliminary injunction, but Florida wants that decision reversed.
In the 69-page filing, Florida argues the U.S. constitution gives companies no right for private companies to refuse service to prospective customers who fail to disclose private medical documentation.
NCLH argued that Florida's law violated its First Amendment rights and dormant Commerce Clause claims.
Florida says its law that was shot down by NCLH's lawsuit neither violates the First Amendment nor the Commerce Clause.
Section 381.00316 does not violate the First Amendment because it affects what businesses cannot do—condition service on customers providing documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination—“not what they may or may not say,” Rumsfeld v. FAIR, Inc., 547 U.S. 47, 60 (2006), and thus does not implicate the First Amendment. Indeed, FAIR and Wollschlaeger v. Governor of Florida, 848 F.3d 1293 (11th Cir. 2017) (en banc), compel this result.
Nor does Section 381.00316 violate the dormant Commerce Clause. Under the Pike balancing test—the analysis that all parties agree applies to the statute—Florida’s law is constitutional because any indirect effects it has on interstate commerce do not clearly exceed the local benefits of the law.
In May 2021, Florida passed a new law that banned businesses, schools, and government agencies from requiring people to show documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccinations or post-infection recovery before gaining entry.
Breaches of this law would face a fine of $5,000 per violation.
Subsequently, in July 2021, NCLH sued Florida to get an injunction against the law, because the company says the law prevents them from operating their business safely.
NCLH believes the law puts them, "in an impossible dilemma" to operate sailings from Florida. In their view, they would either have to be "on the wrong side of health and safety" or on the wrong side of Florida law.
Judge Williams agreed with NCLH's points, and said the law did not go far enough if it meant to protect the medical privacy of private citizens.
The Judge pointed out that businesses and employers are able to require Covid-19 test results, hospital records,other vaccination records, as well as information regarding exposure to third parties with Covid-19. Therefore, Florida failed to explain why proof of Covid-19 vaccination documents are more medically sensitive or need more protection than these other documents.
Just like any theme park, entertainment plaza, or local attraction, cruise ships will try out an idea for an activity and later on decide to get rid of it.
What is new and interesting today could become passé and old hat tomorrow. Cruise lines are always looking for ways to keep their offerings in line with customer trends, so it is not uncommon for a ship to offer a certain activity but have it replaced later on.
Over the years, Royal Caribbean has tried many different activities for guests. Some have become staples of the Royal Caribbean brand, while others had a short run and were replaced by something else.
Here is a look at nine things you used to be able to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that are now gone.
Golf simulator
Royal Caribbean is known for having a surf simulator and even a sky diving simulator, but they used to also have a golf simulator.
A number of cruise ships had a golf simulator, including Voyager and Radiance Class ships, where you could practice your golf swing on a variety of virtual golf courses.
It cost $25 for up to 4 people, and there would be a selection of a few different clubs, including a driver, 3-wood, 5-wood, 3-9 irons and a sand wedge.
Just like the real thing, one passenger would stand in front of the simulator to take their swings, while the others in the group stood off to the side to watch.
Golf simulators are no longer offered onboard, with the space taken up during recent sports deck refurbishments.
Inline skating rink
Another sports deck feature found primarily on the Voyager Class ships was an inline skating course.
Alongside the mini-golf course was an inline skating track for guests to use. Royal Caribbean would provide helmets and skates and navigate the course.
The track had padded barriers in case you (likely) slammed into the wall on your way.
Like the golf simulator, the inline skating was ditched to make room for water slides and a FlowRider.
Night clubs
Royal Caribbean used to have dedicated night clubs on many of its cruise ships, including the Voyager and Freedom Class ships.
Each had its own name, such as The Crypt or The Labyrinth, and they were a two-deck level space with an entrance near the Schooner Bar.
During the day, the nightclubs were closed, but at night, they became a loud party zone.
Royal Caribbean decided the space was not being utilized well by only being open at night, so they converted the lower portion to new staterooms and the upper part became a specialty restaurant.
Not to worry, there is still a nightclub experience offered onboard, just not in a dedicated area.
Pets at Sea
Remember when Build-a-Bear was a really big deal? As a parent, I remember my kids always wanting to go get a new pet every time we went to the mall, and I guess that trend made it to Royal Caribbean as well.
Royal Caribbean's first Oasis Class ships had a dedicated shop in the Boardwalk neighborhood where you could create your own stuffed animals, many with a nautical theme.
Pets at Sea was a souvenir option where guests picked an animal and outfit, and then stuffed the pet with a fun machine before taking it home with them.
Alas, the shops were replaced during ship refurbishments to make way for other retail experiences.
Boxing ring
A neat idea to enhance the fitness center offerings was to include a boxing ring on Freedom Class ships.
For an additional fee, the full-sized boxing ring allowed guests to spar with an experienced instructor.
Whether it was not popular enough to warrant keeping it, or perhaps another reason, the boxing ring was removed, leaving a fairly large dance studio space in its stead.
Eco-learning station
On at least Explorer of the Seas, there used to be something called the Eco-learning station.
The ship's Eco-Learning Stations were located on either side of the Aquarium Bar on deck 4. The stations produced a large data set of complementary, comprehensive atmospheric and oceanographic measurements along the cruise ship's itinerary and provided over 80,000 cruise ship passengers with guided tours of the research laboratories aboard.
Data collected by the Ocean Lab program was placed in the public domain, and made available to researchers, students, and the public through an online portal.
Royal Caribbean then downsized the scope of the station, allowing it to still acquire atmospheric and oceanographic data, but the outreach program aboard with a full-time marine technician and a different visiting scientist researcher or lecturer on each cruise was removed.
Eventually, the area was completely removed and replaced with The Tavern in a 2015 refurbishment.
The Barbie Premium Experience was available for girls aged between four and eleven and included a pink Barbie themed stateroom and signature gifts, including a Barbie Doll to take home.
In addition, there was a Tiaras & Teacups party, Mermaid dance class, Fashion Designer workshop and a Barbie Fashion Show.
The premium experience cost $349.00 and was only available on cruises over 5 nights long.
At some point, Royal Caribbean removed the offering from its ships.
DreamWorks Experience
Back in 2010, Royal Caribbean partnered with the animation company DreamWorks to bring its well-known characters from movies such as Madagascar and Shrek to its cruise ships.
With this partnership, some Royal Caribbean ships featured DreamWorks parades, ice skating shows and AquaTheater shows. There were also character breakfasts, movie screenings, photo opportunities, special Adventure Ocean programming and more.
The DreamWorks Experience was found on:
Oasis of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas
In 2018, it was announced the partnership would end for sailings on or after April 1, 2019. Royal Caribbean said the decision was made as part of its regular process of reviewing and refreshing its onboard offerings.
So many things from the 1970s
All of the activities listed so far go back to the late 1990s or 2000s, but going on a cruise in the early days of Royal Caribbean was a completely different experience all together.
The cruise experience, and the ships, have radically changed since the 1970s and 1980s, and with it what you used to be able to do onboard.
Song of Norway had its own radio station where you could send radiograms or make ship-to-shore telephone calls.
Passenger talent night allowed passengers to sing, dance, make magic, or just about anything else they were brave enough to demonstrate in public.
Casino night was held on two-week cruises, and the crew would allow guests to run the games.
Lest we forget skeet shooting was available on sea days where you could shoot clay pigeons off the back of the ship.
Royal Caribbean cruises in October 2021: What to expect
Have a cruise in October, or are you thinking of booking a cruise?
Between the end of the Alaska and European cruise seasons and the heating up of Caribbean itineraries, there are lots of ships back in service this month.
It looks like Royal Caribbean may start offering guests the opportunity to use The Key priority access program again.
The Key is an optional add-on guests can purchase to get them select VIP benefits.
An email sent to guests who have The Key booked on Symphony of the Seas next week have an update that lists some of the changes to expect to the program, at least in the interim.
RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader DanielB shared the email that lists the changes Royal Caribbean has planned for someone who purchases The Key on their ship.
Enjoy priority access at the terminal within your arrival time.
Drop off your carry-on luggage in the Main Dining Room on Deck 3 by 2:00 PM - your carry-on luggage will be hand delivered to your stateroom.
Instead of a complimentary embarkation lunch, we'll provide you with complimentary room service for your entire cruise, along with 25% off all onboard dining purchases!
Enjoy exclusive time at some of our onboard activities such as rock climbing, FlowRider, etc.
Priority departure from ship-to-shore at tender ports.
Take advantage of early access at shows in the Main Theater, however a reservation is needed so don't forget to book in advance!
Enjoy our VOOM Surf & Stream package, now including high speed internet, for one device (1 package per guest).
On debarkation day, along with choice departure, you'll now have a special "grab and go" bag that includes goodies to enjoy as you may your way back home.
It sounds as though guests who purchased The Key will still have to adhere to their check-in time selected via the Royal Caribbean app, but will have the chance to board quicker than others in that same time slot.
Royal Caribbean has pushed back its final payment date for more cruises.
The cruise line informed guests that it has decided to push the final payment date for all sailings departing in January 2022.
Guests on sailings departing between January 1, 2022 through January 31, 2022, will now have until 30 days prior to their sail date to make their final payment.
Royal Caribbean hopes this flexibility of having more time to make final payment date will keep guests from cancelling their cruises, "Our hope is that this gives you a little extra flexibility when making the best decision for you and those in your party."
"Rest assured, no action is needed on your part, and no cancellations will occur until the new final payment date."
No action is required on the part of guests or travel agents, and no cancellations will occur until the new final payment date.
This change means guests have more time to cancel their cruise and get a 100% cash refund.
Ordinarily, final payment date for a cruise is 90 days before sailing.
Even with the pushed back final payment date, guests could still cancel their cruise without penalty, up to 48 hours before sailing and qualify for a 100% future cruise credit.
Royal Caribbean's Cruise with Confidence program offers future cruise credits for cancellations past final payment date.
One major shift coming out of the pandemic for Royal Caribbean is the world is going to expect something different.
Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider spoke at Seatrade Cruise Global on Wednesday about his company's efforts, and believes digital is now the expectation, and not just an enhancement.
"I think we're going to come out of this pandemic where digital is now just the norm and most people's expectation shot through the roof," Mr. Schneider stated after answering a question about digital transformation.
"It's going to be the world is going to expect something very different coming out of the pandemic than they did going into it."
According to Schneider, that expectation is already taking place with the cruise line app.
Prior to the pandemic, Royal Caribbean saw about 70% adoption rate of the cruise line app on a ship that had the app available. Since the restart of operations this year, the adoption rate jumped to the mid to upper 90s.
"As we've turned back on ships, our focus hasn't been go to market communication to tell you to use an app. It's been all of the other health and safety information that we have to tell you."
Something else that has shifted a lot has been the desire by guests to complete online check-in.
"Right before the pandemic, we had gotten our check in numbers like 90 percent, and I was really curious what was that last 10 percent."
Mr. Scheider wanted to dig into who that last 10% was that was not doing check-in, and many stereotypically assumed it was the older generation that was hesitant to adopt tech as part of their vacation experience.
His research showed this breakdown of guests who checked in via the Royal Caribbean app before embarkation day in the days before the pandemic:
People over 65: 99.5%
Gen X: 98.5%
Millenials: 82%
"It was millennials that were dragging down our digital engagement."
One change Royal Caribbean made since cruises restarted this year was to allow guests to check-in via the app up to one hour before boarding.
"As we implemented one hour check in, we saw all of our numbers go up. Boomers stayed the same, Gen X went up a little bit, and then millennials are the one that brought the percentage up."
Mr. Schneider believes this data shows that age isn't a factor in preventing technology adoption, but rather, how the technology is implemented to reach all guests' needs.
Disconnect moments
While technology is a fascinating new tool for Royal Caribbean, some passengers want to take a break from it.
Mr. Schneider admitted that there is a percentage of guests who want "disconnect moments" during their vacation, and that means Royal Caribbean must integrate technology into the cruise ship life without making it a full-time experience.
"What you do see and hear from people is people do want to find these disconnect moments. And so our job is to build technology and experiences that allow them to connect or disconnect as much as they want."
Royal Caribbean Group announced it has reached a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The deal will further enhance Crown Bay in St. Thomas, as well as a significant redevelopment of Frederiksted, St Croix in the future.
The agreement is the first step in a longer process of expanding the cruise line's visits to the islands, as well as looking at ways to expand the port facilities and guest experience at both islands.
Royal Caribbean Group will expand its presence in St Thomas and St Croix. The new deal will have specific targets for bringing guests to each island.
The MOU is a recommitment from Royal Caribbean Group to extend its existing 10-year, pier-use agreement for preferential berthing at VIPA’s cruise facilities in Crown Bay, St. Thomas and Frederiksted, St. Croix.
In addition to guaranteed minimum revenues to the Virgin Islands and increased cruise visits to both St. Thomas and St. Croix, Royal Caribbean Group has expressed an interest in developing enhancements to the cruise facility in Crown Bay and making landside improvements in the Crown Bay District and St. Croix to enhance the island’s tourism products.
In the short term, Royal Caribbean will bring more passengers to St. Thomas and St. Croix, but down the line, enhancing the piers is a big part of the deal.
A third pier will be added to Crown Bay in St. Thomas, which will mean there will be three berths there. Two of these berths will be capable of handling an Icon Class cruise ship.
In addition, Royal Caribbean will look to expand Frederiksted, St. Croix. This will include work on dredging the pier to accommodate larger ships. Currently, the pier in St. Croix can only handle ships as large as a Voyager Class ship.
Jayne Halcomb, Royal Caribbean Group Director of the Caribbean/Americas, said they will focus on creating more opportunities for guests to explore.
Ms. Halcomb said community integration will be a big part of the project to ensure local businesses can prosper and grow due to new traffic. All of this work will have an eye on sustainable development.
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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