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Friday Photos

In:
13 Oct 2017

Friday is here and that means it is time to share our readers' favorite Royal Caribbean photos! Each week, we invite our readers to send us photos from their past Royal Caribbean cruises to be showcased on the blog.

With the weekend nearly upon us, here is this week's batch of fabulous photos!

Our first photo this week is from Don Jackson, and it is a rainbow after a morning storm on Anthem of the Seas.

Firegal2539 sent in this photo of Enchantment of the Seas in Nassau, Bahamas.

Here is Explorer of the Seas in Astoria, Oregon, taken by Allen Shaffer.

Travis N. took this photo of English Harbor, Antigua, as seen from Shirley Heights.

Jeff L. shared this photo of Navigator of the Seas docked next to Allure of the Seas in Nassau, Bahamas.

Bob Carpenter took this photo of Oasis of the Seas in Cozumel, Mexico.

Our final photo this week is by Steven and Sharon Kronick, kicking up their feet with a view of Labadee from their Grand Suite on Oasis of the Seas.

Thank you to everyone for their great photos, and we invite everyone reading to send in their photos too.  Use this form to submit your photos to be included in an upcoming Friday Photos post!

Grandeur of the Seas to be first cruise ship to return to St. Maarten

In:
12 Oct 2017

Following the devastation of Hurricane Irma, Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas will be the first commercial cruise vessel to return to the destination post-Irma on Sunday, November 5th.

A delegation from Royal Caribbean recently met with Port St. Maarten Board, Management and Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher, to discuss the recover efforts that underway.

The Royal Caribbean delegation discussed the state of various infrastructure on the island with the Port St. Maarten Management and Board.  They also got an update on the Great Bay Beach Promenade, the commercial center of Philipsburg, Front Street and other areas of interest from a tourism perspective.

Royal Caribbean carried out a site visit as part of their destination readiness assessment to accept cruise passengers, and the availability by early November of tours, shore excursions, shopping, beaches, and other cruise tourism related amenities.

Following the visit, Royal Caribbean praised the Port St. Maarten Board, Management and Government with respect to the diligence carried out by the aforementioned to get the country ‘cruise ready’ for November in order to bring in much needed foreign exchange into the economy that would kick-start the economic engine of the country – (cruise) tourism.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast Episode - Discussing the drink package rule change

In:
11 Oct 2017

Listen to the Show

Royal Caribbean changes its rules and policies from time to time, and recently made a change to its unlimited alcohol package rules that necessitates a discussion on this week’s episode. I will talk about what the change to the drink package is all about, why Royal Caribbean made the change, and what options we all have going forward.

Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...

On this episode:
Running time:

Royal Caribbean reveals new activities, restaurants and entertainment coming to Symphony of the Seas

In:
11 Oct 2017

Royal Caribbean pulled the curtains back on much of the new features and amenities coming to its next Oasis Class cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas.

Symphony of the Seas will offer a variety of new experiences onboard, including

Frictionless arrival

When guests arrive to the port, they can use their mobile phone to check-in and board the ship with just a security checkpoint between the curb and the ship. A redesigned check-in experience will eliminate lines and bypasses the counter. The new process will leverage a combination of facial recognition, bar codes and beacons to make boarding fast and frictionless.

Guests will check-in via the brand’s new mobile app and seamlessly upload their security “selfie” to create their onboard account from the comfort of their home. Upon arrival, guests will go through a security screening and then head straight to their stateroom, where their key will be ready and waiting.

The check-in process will take place via the new Royal Caribbean smartphone app that is under active development.

It will be available in Barcelona and in the new terminal in Miami.

Ultimate Family Suite

The two level Ultimate Family Suite is a dream come true for kids of all ages and will debut eye-popping features, including: an exclusive slide from the kid’s only bedroom down to the living room below; a floor-to-ceiling LEGO wall, an air-hockey table and hidden nooks for chilling. A separate 3D movie theater-style TV room, complete with popcorn machine and a library of video games across multiple gaming systems will bring a new level of euphoria and competition to gamers in every family. And that’s just the inside; the 212 square foot wrap-around balcony touts a bumper pool table, a climbing experience and a full-size whirlpool that will provide unmatched ocean views.

The room can accommodate up to 8 guests.  There is only one of these rooms on the ship.

Hooked Seafood restaurant

Fresh New England style seafood and located in Solarium.  It will feature fresh seafood and a robust raw bar complete with oysters shucked to order.

Located at the front of the ship in the Solarium, the casually sophisticated restaurant will offer expansive views of the open water, serving lunch and dinner.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade

Score an awesome time at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade — whether you’re watching your home team on one of dozens of TVs, making your own legendary plays at the arcade, or refueling on your game day favorites.

Playmakers will be located on the Boardwalk neighborhood and span the entire length of the Boardwalk neighborhood. It will take the place of where Sabor and Starbucks were on Harmony of the Seas.

Starbucks will open on the Royal Promenade, but will not be available during the European season.

Sugar Beach Candy & Ice Cream

Sugar Beach candy and ice-cream shop will bring a sugar high of sweet treats to adults and kids alike, enticing them with colorful candy-packed walls and tempting ice cream and toppings galore. The sweetest spot on the high seas also will feature family-friendly activities for aspirational bakers.

This will replace the retail outlets on the Johnny Rockets side of the Boardwalk.

Laser Tag

In a far-flung galaxy in a distant future, two forces are set to collide. Choose your side, grab your laser blaster, and gear up for a stellar glow-in-the-dark time in Studio B.

An epic glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience.  State-of-the-art technology and special effects will transform Studio B into the ultimate laser tag arena as family, friends and foes battle over the fate of the last planet in the galaxy.

El Loco Fresh restaurant

Fresh. Fast. Authentic. Satisfy your craving for fresh-made Mexican favorites — the craziest thing about it is just how good it is.

It will be located in the Sports Zone, replacing Mini Bites on Harmony of the Seas. It will seat more than 100 guests.

Flight (Royal Theater)

You’re cleared for takeoff in Flight, a one-of-a-kind show that takes you through the history — and the future — of flying.

Flight is an uplifting historical satire on the evolution of air travel that ends with homage to the famed Wright Brothers.

HiRo (Aqua Theater)

A mind-blowing show that combines cutting-edge technology, future-forward choreography, unexpected stunts and highly innovative, physically extraordinary acrobatics.

1977 (Studio B)

This spectacular adventure on ice follows a time traveling, dimension-jumping hero as he is called upon in London to recover Her Majesty's Crown Jewels in time for the famous Silver Jubilee.

1977 will take ice-surface video projection technology to a new level and was developed Panasonic to push the limits of what is possible technologically.

Hairspray

Big hair, big dreams and all the right moves — you can’t stop the beat in this Tony Award-winning Broadway hit.

Escape Room

Vacationers looking for a challenge can experience a new Puzzle Break experience on Symphony, where teams will race against the clock and learn to work together toward a common goal – to escape the submarine-themed room before time runs out.

Royal Caribbean made the announcement of Hairspray coming to Symphony of the Seas last month.

The highly anticipated additions to the Boardwalk will round out the signature offerings that propelled the neighborhood’s popularity. The Ultimate Abyss will catapult only the brave from the tallest slide at sea into the heart of the Boardwalk to revel in their adrenaline rush.

The future

Symphony of the Seas will debut in April 2018 and offer an initial European season prior to coming to Miami in November 2018.

Royal Caribbean said the Godmother naming ceremony will take place once Symphony of the Seas arrives in North America.  In keeping with maritime tradition, the ship will have a naming ceremony in Europe to begin her sailing season.

Discussing the drink package rule change on Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

In:
11 Oct 2017

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

Episode 219 is available for downloading, where Matt discusses the recent change to Royal Caribbean's unlimited alcohol package rules.

Matt talks about what the new rule change is, the impetus for the change, and what it means to someone looking to buy a beverage package on their next cruise.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 219. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Stitcher 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!

Comparative look at damage to Labadee cabana hurricane damage

In:
09 Oct 2017

Hurricane Irma caused some damage to the cabanas at Barefoot Beach, and we have a look at the exact nature of what has changed.

Luckily the noticable damage from the hurricane was mostly relegated to some cabanas on Barefoot Beach, which is the Suites only area.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader twangster took photos of the damage on an October 2017 cruise, which we can compare to photos of Barefoot Beach from last year.

Here is a photo taken from Oasis of the Seas in October 2016. The impacted Cabanas are highlighted.

A similar photo from Harmony of the Seas taken October 2017.

Here are some close ups of the those Cabanas from October 2016. Note the concrete stairs between the over water Cabanas for water access, that will be shown later in another photo.

In this photo, you can see the railings of the stairs used for direct access to the water.

Here is what is left of the same area, October 2017.

Anchored in the bay of Labadee off Columbus Cove there was a work barge full of sand that is being used to replenish the beaches.

Royal Caribbean launches new video series celebrating local peoples and culture

In:
09 Oct 2017

Royal Caribbean launched a new original video series that seeks to celebrate the peoples of the world in The Local.

The idea behind The Local is to showcase people from around the world, their unique passions and their culture.

The first season focuses on three locals from Alaska.  In episode one, Master carver and artist Wayne Price creates fine art in the traditional style of the Tlingit people. Wayne’s artistic creations cover a broad range of design and artifacts, including totem poles, dugout canoes, masks, paddles, clan hats and jewelry. Wayne works with local youth to pass on the craft and culture of the Tlingit people.  

Royal Caribbean has released three episodes to begin with, and all three episodes are available to watch on YouTube.

Episode 1: The Master Carver

Epsidoe 2: The Culinary Connector

Episode 3: The Explorer

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: October 8, 2017

In:
08 Oct 2017

Happy Sunday! It has been a busy week of Royal Caribbean news, and we have it all summarized for you in this round up.

A lot of Royal Caribbean fans had an opinion on the change this week to the rules for purchasing an unlimited alcohol package on future Royal Caribbean cruises.

Royal Caribbean now requires if one adult purchases an unlimited alcohol package, for all adults in the same stateroom to purchase an unlimited alcohol package too.

This policy change matches what other cruise lines have required for years. The change appears to apply to many sailings beginning in late 2017.

There are, however, a number of exemptions to this rule, which simply requires a phone call to get the restriction removed.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 218th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we talked about some "new to me" experiences on Royal Caribbean.

In this episode, Justin and Wendy talked about some things they tried for the first time on a recent Oasis of the Seas cruise.

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

Curb free with Cory Lee interviewed Royal Caribbean's Director of Disability Inclusion.

Cruise & Ferry talked to Richard Fain about why Royal Caribbean is such a true pioneer.

Cruise Habit wrote about Celebrity Cruises' $400 million fleet revitalization.

Photo tour of Category L2 Crown Loft Suite on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas

In:
07 Oct 2017

Suites on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are a wonderful way to indulge with extra space and level of service. The Crown Loft Suite stateroom category on Harmony of the Seas blends luxurious split-level accommodations with Sky Class level benefits of the Royal Suite Class.

Photos of this room come to us from stateroom 1728.

Main level - entrance and living room

The sofa can convert to a double bed.

Main level bathroom

A second bath with shower is located on the main level.

Second level

The master bedroom is on the second level and has a Royal King size bed and private bath.

Balcony

The Crown Loft Suite has a private balcony that measures 114 square feet.

Friday Photos

In:
06 Oct 2017

Every Friday we share Royal Caribbean cruise photos that our readers sent in, as a means of showcasing great photography and giving all of us a "virtual break" to enjoy the view of being on a cruise.  If you want to send in your photo, use this form and we could feature it in an upcoming post.

Our first photo is from the North Star on Anthem of the Seas, taken by Maryjane Tupper.

Craig Martin took this photo on Explorer of the Seas of the t-shirt sale madness on the Royal Promenade.  People really love their $10 shirts!

Here is a shot of Liberty of the Seas docked in Roatan, taken by Katie Shade.  

Mistie Knight and her husband are illusionists that perform on Royal Caribbean regularly.  Here is a photo they took while performing on Serenade of the Seas while the ship was in Geiranger. They found a secret spot near the Flydalsjuvet view point, and took this amazing photo!

Unfortunately, every day on a cruise cannot be warm and sunny.  Jonathan Quealy took this photo on a rainy day aboard Anthem of the Seas.

Here is a photo of Navigator of the Seas, as seen from the top of the Dragon's Breath zip line in Labadee.  Photo was taken by Gina Carlson.

We will wrap up this week's edition of Friday Photos with Stewart's photo of Harmony of the Seas docked in St. Maarten.

Thank you to everyone that shared their photos with us this week! If you want to share with us your photos, use this form to send them in!

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