Royal Caribbean announced today a new non-refundable deposit program, which is an addition to the traditional refundable deposit model.  

When making a cruise reservation at least 6-months prior to sailing, guests who opt to take advantage of nonrefundable deposit fares will automatically qualify to earn up to $100 per stateroom to spend at sea. Early booking credit is combinable with the existing promotional offer available at time of booking,

As of July 1, 2017, the fleet-wide launch of nonrefundable deposit fares will debut across all ships. A soft launch will occur via promotion on May 26th 2017 on select ships/sail dates.

Royal Caribbean also announced a a non-refundable deposit will become the only option for those guests interested in reserving an upper Suite (specifically Grand Suite or higher). This also holds true for guarantee categories, including W/WS, X/XB, XN, Y/YO, and Z/Z.

In an effort to deter continual or late ship/sail date adjustments, a change fee of $100 per guest will be imposed to all reservations booked under a nonrefundable deposit fare that opts to change either the ship and/or sail date originally selected. Such fees will be incurred, without exception, at time of change, thus, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that your clients are aware of the detailed terms of this program at time of booking. Multiple adjustments to the ship and/or sail date of a booking will result in the assessment of a $100 per guest change fee for each qualifying change made to the reservation. There is no limit on the number of change fees that can be incurred.

Change fees are only incurred should an adjustment to the ship and/or sail date occur; therefore, no change fee will be assessed upon swapping between category types on the same ship and sail date.

If guests opt to cancel a cruise reserved under the nonrefundable deposit fare, that is outside of final payment, guests will receive a Future Cruise Certificate in the amount of their designated cruise deposit, less the $100 per guest change fee. Such Future Cruise Certificates can be applied towards a future Royal Caribbean cruise vacation when reserved within 1 year of the issue date. Thereafter, the Future Cruise Certificate will expire and becomes invalid.

Nonrefundable deposit fares are combinable with promotional onboard credit offers, Crown & Anchor discounts, and NextCruise benefits.

What do you think of this new non-refundable deposit program? Will you take advantage of it? Let us know in the comments!

Forbes announced today that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has been named to the Forbes List of Best Large Employers for 2017.

Forbes surveyed 30,000 American employees working for large or midsize companies. Respondents were asked to rate their employer on the quality of the work environment and whether they would recommend their company to potential employees as one of the most important factors in the assessment.

"I am extremely pleased that Forbes has recognized Royal Caribbean as one of America’s Best Employers of 2017," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "This recognition would not be possible without our employees. It is because of their passion, determination and commitment that we are constantly able to push the boundaries of what is possible."

Have you heard about a maritime tradition known as lucky coins? Guests onboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas can view a piece of the ship's history while onboard.

When Oasis of the Seas was built, one of the first things the crew did was to add a number of "lucky coins" to the ship's keel, as part of maritime tradition. These lucky coins are held in a cabinet that is welded to the ship and has a small commemorative plaque.

To find the lucky coins on Oasis of the Seas, you will need to head up to the bow sundeck on deck 14.  The lucky coins are held in a cabinet that is welded to the ship and has a small commemorative plaque. 

Not only is this area hold a special piece of history, but it is also a terrific uncrowded spot to enjoy the warm Caribbean weather.

Thanks to Tom & Diane Trudnowski for providing the photos.

Are you about to go on your first Royal Caribbean cruise? If you answered yes, then very likely you have a lot of questions.  You might have questions about concepts that are completely new to you, or you simply want verification about what to expect.

We receive many questions from our readers about their first Royal Caribbean cruise, and here are answers to ten of the most common questions from first time cruisers.

How do I get the lowest price for a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Everyone wants to save money on their vacation and get the best possible price, so the question most first timers have is how does one get a deal on their Royal Caribbean cruise.

If you were to ask veteran cruisers who have taken many Royal Caribbean cruises over the years how they get the lowest prices, they will tell you the key is to book a cruise as early as possible. In general, Royal Caribbean fares are the lowest when sailings first go on sale, and as the ship fills up with guests, prices tend to go up.

How early do you need to book? Ideally, booking anywhere from 12-24 months in advance is a great strategy.  Not everyone can plan that far ahead, but if you really want to lock in the best possible price, the best strategy is to book early and then re-price the cruise if new promotions come out that lower the price.  Check with Royal Caribbean what the rules/laws are that pertain to you and the country you reside in for the ability to re-price a booked cruise. North American residents have the ability to re-book and adjust prices with no penalty up until their final payment date.

The other secret to getting the lowest possible price on your cruise is to use a travel agent. Trust us.

What time can I arrive to the cruise?

When you complete the online check-in for your Royal Caribbean cruise, a boarding time will be assigned to you.  However, that time is more of a suggestion than a rule.

What that means is you can arrive to the cruise port earlier than the posted time.  In most cases, arriving before noon will ensure minimal waits at check-in and during boarding.

If you plan on arriving later, keep in mind what time you have to be onboard prior to the sailaway time.  Check with Royal Caribbean on the later boarding times, but plan on arriving earlier than that to ensure no delays.

When can I start booking shows, drink packages, or shore excursions for my cruise?

The simple answer is, it depends. There is no rule that applies to all sailings when these kinds of activities become available for booking. Based on our experience, here are some basic guidelines for when Royal Caribbean usually makes them available for guests to reserve.

Generally, they become available around 90 days, although they can show up earlier than that.

If you do not see any options available, keep checking back for updates.

Can I bring bottled water and/or soda to my cruise?

Yes, you may bring small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages in a carry-on or hand luggage onboard only on boarding day. Checking in non-alcoholic beverages will no longer be permitted.

Specifically, non-alcoholic beverages brought onboard may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz) cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom. Distilled water or specialized beverages such as, milk for medical purposes, dietary or infant use, are permitted.

Can I bring wine on my cruise?

While Royal Caribbean prohibits guests from bringing beer, hard liquor, or fortified wines onboard, wine is allowed.

Guests wishing to bring personal wine and champagne onboard may do so only on boarding day, limited to two (2) 750 ml bottles per stateroom. Wine may be consumed in any shipboard restaurant, dining venue, or within the guests' stateroom.

Keep in mind that you may be charged a corkage fee for opening your wine in a restaurant, bar or lounge onboard.

What drinks and food are included with my cruise fare?

Guests will find plenty of complimentary food and drink available throughout the cruise. While there are some food and drink that come with an additional charge, there is lots provided at no additional charge.

For breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacking times inbetween, there will often be a variety of options available at different venues. There are dining rooms and buffet options, as well as grab-and-go snacking stations throughout the ship. The Cruise Compass (Royal Caribbean's daily newspaper of events and happenings), will list times and locations for all dining options.

In terms of which beverages are included with your Royal Caribbean cruise, Royal Caribbean provides all its guests on all its cruise ships a variety of drinks throughout the day that are included in your cruise fare.

• tap water
• milk
• tea
• coffee (regular and decaf)
• lemonade
• iced tea
• flavored waters juices (at breakfast and not fresh squeezed)
• hot chocolate (via instant packets)

These drinks are available throughout your cruise at a number of locations, so there will always be somewhere to get something to drink for free.

What is formal night, when is it, and how dressed up do I need to be?

Formal night is an evening where the dress code at the main dining room is more upscale. For men, this means collared shirts with nice pants (tie and jacket optional) and for ladies, it is a nice cocktail dress, dress or something else similar.

A typical Royal Caribbean 7-night cruise will feature two formal nights, so be sure to pack accordingly. Keep in mind that formal night dress attire only applies to the main dining room and no where else on the ship.

The first formal night will usually be on the second night of the sailing, whereas the second formal night can vary between the fifth or sixth nights of a 7-night cruise. Shorter cruises (5-nights or less) will only have one formal night.  Cruises 14 nights or longer will have three formal nights.

If I buy a drink package, does the other adult in my stateroom also have to buy a drink package?

Yes, as of 2018, Royal Caribbean requires if one adult elects to purchase an unlimited alcohol package, all adults in the same stateroom must each buy a drink package.

What is the best way to communicate with other guests onboard (like my kids)?

Depending on the age of the people you want to stay in contact with and you/their budget, there are a few different options to allow for easy communication onboard.

Each stateroom has a phone that can be called from any other stateroom or public phone onboard.  If you are trying to reach a guest onboard the ship, you can make a call to their stateroom and optionally leave a message. Use of the phones for calls to a guest's stateroom is complimentary. Of course, it requires the guest to be in the room to answer the call and/or check the voicemail. This can result in "phone tag," where it seems like you are always missing each other.

Some guests opt to use their cell phones, although it is important to understand how to use cell phones on a cruise without racking up a very large bill. There are a variety of messaging apps that can be used with a Royal Caribbean internet package. Alternatively, text messaging may be simpler and more economical.

There are also some low-tech options, such as walkie-talkies or leaving notes on the stateroom door of the person you are trying to contact.

How do I make a dietary restriction/request?

Whether you have a dietary restriction or just a special request with your meals, you will want to make dietary requests up front.

Royal Caribbean can accommodate dietary needs such as food allergies, gluten-free, Kosher, low-fat, and low-sodium.

In additional, vegetarian meals (including Indian-style vegetarian) are available on all menus in the main dining room.  Guests do not need to make a special request for these meals.

Lactose-free/soy milk, Ensure, and Kosher meals are available no extra charge. All you have to do is notify Royal Caribbean at least 45 days prior to sailing (90 days for European/South American Itineraries).

You may also send an e-mail request to [email protected]; please include in the e-mail the guests' names, booking number, ship name and sail date.  It's best to make requests like this at least 90 days in advance of your sailing.

If you forget to make the request in advance, you can always speak to the head waiter in the main dining room. These requests can be for a table or dining rotation change, dietary request or anything else special you want to make certain is covered.

Royal Caribbean announced that Mariner of the Seas will begin her upcoming Southeast Asian season a month earlier, adding 10 roundtrip sailings from Singapore in September 2017.

Mariner of the Seas will be returning to Singapore on September 10th this year for her 2017/18 season, instead of October as originally scheduled. The sales for her new September cruises open for sale today. They include the nine-night one-way cruise from Shanghai to Singapore on September 1st with calls at Xiamen and Ho Chi Minh City plus an overnight in Hong Kong which coincides with the Singapore one-week school holidays; and a mix of three- to five-night Southeast Asian itineraries.

Following her Singapore season, Mariner of the Seas will then be deployed to Miami, Florida in April 2018, after having homeported year-round in Asia out of Singapore and China since 2013.

Sister ship Voyager of the Seas is expected to bring several thousands more tourists to Southeast Asia’s ports for her 2018/19 winter/spring season. Itineraries will be revealed later this month when the season opens for sale.

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend and ready to talk a little Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean made a lot of people living near the Gulf Coast states very happy this week with the announcement of new options to the Caribbean from New Orleans, Galveston and Miami in 2018.

Royal Caribbean will offer once again cruises from New Orleans when Vision of the Seas in the winter of 2018-2019. Vision of the Seas will also offer a pair of Panama Canal cruises prior to her arrival in New Orleans.

Enchantment of the Seas will move to Galveston, Texas, to offer cruises alongside Liberty of the Seas.

Mariner of the Seas will call PortMiami home in 2018, and offer 3- and 4-night itineraries beginning on June 21, 2018.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean began a new sales promotion for May, with 30% off all guests.
• We had two different Symphony of the Seas construction updates this week.
• Here are 10 Royal Caribbean dining mistakes to avoid.
• Our five favorite dishes from Sabor.
• There is a new Explorer of the Seas sailing from Tasmania added for later this year.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 196th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, focusing on Royal Caribbean's specialty dining packages.

In this episode, Matt talks about the specialty dining packages that are available on most sailings and what they offer guests from a savings perspective.

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

CruiseMiss has a guide to Caribbean islands that Royal Caribbean ships visit.

Royal Caribbean celebrated 10 years of offering cruises in China.

CruiseBe shared 7 facts you probably did not know about Radiance of the Seas.

Cruise Hive shared a look at the ship formerly known as Legend of the Seas.

TTG Media has a look at the changes in the sales operations for Royal Caribbean in Europe.

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, we decided to countdown our favorites at Royal Caribbean's Sabor restaurant. Whether you prefer Sabor Modern Mexican or Sabor Taqueria & Tequila Bar, either choice is the perfect way to celebrate.

1. Chicken-Stuffed Jalapeños

Appetizers are the first part of any meal, and the Chicken-Stuffed Jalapeños are a crowd-pleasing favorite at Sabor.

If you are looking for something with plenty of flavor and a good kick, then the Chicken-Stuffed Jalapeños are the perfect choice. Chicken, wrapped in bacon, glazed with a sweet chiptle tomatillo salsa makes for one amazing appertizer. Plus, they are great for sharing.

2. Tacos

When you think of Mexican food, inevitably tacos come to mind.  Sabor's tacos are more than what you might find at a typical fast-food chain that incorporates a large carillon in its logo.

The tacos at Sabor come in a variety of options: barbacoa, pollo, pork and tuna.  Personally, I cannot get enough of the tuna tacos, but whichever variety you choose, Sabor's tacos blend fresh ingredients in a crispy tortilla shell.

3. Banana and Chocolate Chimichanga

The desserts at Sabor tend to be underrated in terms of what most guests talk about, but the dessert tray is something you not to be missed.

Specifically, the Banana and Chocolate Chimichanga is, well, incredible.  Melted chocolate with warm bananas, fried makes for one tasty dessert. It is the kind of dessert you eat a few of, right after declaring there is no possible way that you can eat anymore.

4. Avocado margarita

The hand-crafted margaritas at Sabor are a staple of any meal.  In fact, some guests go just for the margaritas.  Of all the choices, we pick the avocado margarita as our favorite.

What makes the avocado margarita so good? It is a smooth and tarty blend that is as refreshing as it is flavorful. The avocado margarita is the perfect accompaniment to anything on the Sabor menu.

5. Guacamole

When considering the full scope of the Sabor menu, it is hard to overlook the highlight of the entire meal and one dish nearly everyone cannot get enough of: the guacamole.

The handmade guacamole put Sabor on the map when the first Sabor restaurant debuted on Navigator of the Seas in 2014. Since then, legions of Sabor fans have made reservations at Sabor specifically to enjoy this heavenly dish.

What is your top five favorites at Sabor? Share your countdown in the comments below!

Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society has released a new batch of construction photos, highlighting the progress of Symphony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean shared the photos on the official Crown and Anchor Facebook page, as well as with members of the media.

Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis-class ship, under construction at the STX shipyard in France. The ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2018.

Happy Cinco de Mayo and happy Friday! To celebrate the weekend, a Mexican victory over the French, and any other excuse we can think of to get a virtual Royal Caribbean "fix", we are sharing our readers' favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photos.

Appropriately enough, we begin with a photo that Kyle Ritch sent in from Cozumel, Mexico.  It is of the top decks of Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas next to each other.

Here is another photo from Cozumel of Liberty and Freedom docked next to each other, taken by Cristina Myers.

Katie Kaus shared this photo of her and her husband in Nassau, Bahamas with Majesty of the Seas right behind them.

Here is a night photo from Independence of the Seas, taken by George Alcazar.

Rich Weiss took this photo of Harmony of the Seas in St. Thomas.  It is incredible how these ships look at night.

Jill Snyder took this photo from her Aquatheater Suite, onboard Harmony of the Seas.

Our final photo this week is by Paul O Connor, and it is of Serenade of the Seas docked in Olden fjord, Norway.

Thank you to everyone who shared their photos with us this week. If you would like to submit your favorite Royal Caribbean photos, you can use this form to send them in.

Whether this is your first Royal Caribbean cruise or your fiftieth, there are certain nuances and "secrets" to dining on a Royal Caribbean cruise that can be overlooked.  These lapses can result in time or money wasted, or perhaps simply missing out on something you might have otherwise preferred to try. 

Here are a few Royal Caribbean dining mistakes to avoid on your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise.

Waiting to book specialty dining onboard

When researching your Royal Caribbean cruise, it is easy to make note of the really enticing specialty restaurants onboard, and then deciding to dine there once you get onboard the ship. Perhaps this decision is made in an effort to spend onboard credit or just an assumption that there will be plenty of tables available any night of the cruise.

The reality is specialty dining has never been more popular on Royal Caribbean ships.  If you value dining at a specific time and day, or want to enjoy a meal on a formal night or holiday, booking a reservation in advance is critical.  

Royal Caribbean allows guests to book reservations online prior to a cruise, which ensures you get the exact time and day at the restaurant of your choice.  And you can even use your onboard credit for pre-cruise purchases now!

Only ordering one entrée

Did you know that in the main dining room (and some specialty restaurants) you can order as many entrées, appetizers or desserts as you like?

Often first-time cruisers will order food like they do when they go out to a restaurant at home: one appetizer, one entrée and maybe a dessert. But on a Royal Caribbean cruise, not only can you order as much as you want, you should!

The serving sizes of entrées in Royal Caribbean restaurants tends to be on the small side. Plus, you are absolutely allowed to order as much as you want in the main dining room.  This is a great opportunity not only to indulge, but to also try out some new foods, like escargot!

Not bringing wine onboard with you

If you enjoy wine, did you know Royal Caribbean allows guests to bring up to two bottles of wine per stateroom onboard?

While Royal Caribbean prohibits bringing beer or other alcohol on your Royal Caribbean cruise, guests are permitted to bring up to two bottles of wine with them.  If you have more than one room, start multiplying that allotment by the number of rooms you have.  And yes, champagne is allowed too since it is technically considered "sparkling wine."

Not checking your table on embarkation day

If you are in traditional dining for dinner, each guest will be assigned a table in the main dining room upon embarkation.  The table number and dining room is denoted at the bottom of your SeaPass card.  But did you know you can change your assignment?

On embarkation day, a smart idea is to head down to the main dining room and locate your table to see where you are located and what size table you have been assigned.  If the location is not to your liking, or perhaps you are seated at a table larger than your party (which likely means you will be seated with other guests), you can speak to the head waiter on duty and request a change.

The head waiter will do their best to accommodate you, but we have found there is a bit of flexibility with changes.

Not making My Time Dining reservations

If you opted for dinner on your schedule in the form of My Time Dining, while you can just show up and get a table for dinner, we believe it is best to make reservations in advance.

Unless you eat dinner very early or very late, there can be a wait associated with guests who walk up for dinner.  

The wait may be short or long, but it is still a wait.  Prior to your cruise (or even once onboard), you can (and should) make reservations for each evening to ensure you are seated quickly. No one likes to wait to eat, and since the option is there, take advantage of it.

Skipping lunch in the main dining room

Were you aware on sea days the main dining room is open for lunch?

The main dining room for lunch is an easily overlooked lunch option, because many guests either are unaware of it or assume the menu is not different from other venues.  In fact, the lunch menu is quite different and will change every day it is open.  Moreover, lunch in the main dining room features the amazing salad and pasta bar, known as the Tutti Salad bar.

Not buying a drink package before the cruise

If you decide a Royal Caribbean unlimited drink package is worth it, do not wait to buy it onboard the ship.

First, if you purchase it onboard you will have to spend time buying it.  Often there are lines on embarkation day to buy the drink package, and then there is a bit of paperwork associated with its purchase.

Second, if you buy the drink package online before your cruise, it will absolutely save you money on the total cost! There are discounts offered for the drink package if purchased prior to the cruise, which means money saved for something else on your vacation.

Skipping specialty dining because it costs extra

If you are new to cruising, it is easy to skip over specialty restaurants simply because there is an additional cost to them.   I get it, on principle why should you pay more for food when there is plenty of great food available that included with your cruise fare?

The specialty dining onboard a Royal Caribbean ship augments the complimentary food, and offers cuisines and service not found elsewhere on the ship.  Sushi, steak, Mexican, hibachi and much more are available with specialty dining and these restaurants are a great way to celebrate a special occasion, or toast to a wonderful holiday.

You certainly do not have to dine at a specialty restaurant every day, but sprinkling in one or two meals at a specialty restaurant is a great strategy for enhancing the cruise experience.

Missing out on pool deck ice cream

Whether you are six or sixty, do not miss out on the free soft-serve ice cream (technically it is frozen yogurt) available on the pool deck.

If you hang out near the pool long enough, you will likely see guests walking around with ice cream cones.  No pool day is complete without a frigid treat from the soft-serve machine.  If you cannot locate the ice cream machine, ask a crew member for directions.

One great tip is to grab a cup from the Windjammer and fill that up with ice cream.  Better yet, bring ice cream to the pool bar and amazing drinks can happen!

Paying full price for kids at specialty restaurants

If you have kids that are 12 years old or younger, do not pay for them when making a specialty restaurant reservation before your cruise.

Royal Caribbean offers special pricing for children at specialty restaurants, but there is no option online to take advantage of kid pricing.

Instead, make reservations just for the adults in the group, and then inform the restaurant upon check-in that you have children with you.  

We want to hear from you! What is your best tip for avoiding a Royal Caribbean dining mistake? Leave a comment and share with us below!