If it's Friday, that means we are sharing our reader's best Royal Caribbean photos in this week's Friday Photos showcase.  As always, we want to include as many of our readers photos as we can, so be sure to send us your best Royal Caribbean photos too!

We begin with a photo by Michael Bonham of Allure of the Seas docked next to Liberty of the Seas in Cozumel. It is always fun when two giant ships meet like this.

Here is a photo of the Amalfi Coast of Italy, by D J Ep.  I do not believe European ports get enough credit for being as photogenic as they are.

Next is Independence of the Seas leaving Southampton by David Donnelly.  Also included in this photo is a gratuitous amount of lens flare, which will make JJ Abrams smile somewhere.

Here is a night photo of Navigator of the Seas as she is about to depart Lisbon, Portugal by 2boomerstravel.  I will never tire of how Royal Caribbean ships look at night when all the lights are turned on.

We have another night photo, this one of Freedom of the Seas in San Juan, Puerto Rico, by Alice Hoey. Freedom of the Seas stopped here because of Hurricane Matthew, and I relish any opportunity to visit Old San Juan.

Jose San Martin shared this photo of enjoying a moment of peace aboard Navigator of the Seas. Jose noted, "Voyage after voyage, it never gets old."  Well said!

Our last photo this week is by Mark Greenwald and it is of him and his favorite bartender on Grandeur of the Seas, Alex. Mark met Alex on Navigator of the Seas in 2009 and ran into each other again on Grandeur and instantly remembered each other.  

Do you have Royal Caribbean photos that you want to share?  We'd love to feature them so send them in by using our nifty submission form and maybe your photos will show up in next week's edition!

In addition to Royal Caribbean's unlimited alcohol packages, there are two additional packages available that offer guests convenient drink options in their stateroom.

The Royal Gifts shop has two packages that combine Coca-Cola products with a bottle of liquor.

Bacardi Gold and Coca-Cola Package

Cost: $40

This package includes: (1) 375 ml. bottle of Bacardi Gold and 4 Coca-Cola cans.

This product is not available on the following ships:

• Explorer Of The Seas
• Legend Of The Seas
• Mariner Of The Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum Of The Seas
• Radiance Of The Seas
• Splendour Of The Seas
• Vision Of The Seas
• Voyager Of The Seas

Bombay Sapphire and Tonic Package

Cost: $43

This package includes: (1) 375 ml. bottle of Bombay Sapphire and 4 Tonic water cans.

This product is not available on the following ships:

• Explorer Of The Seas
• Legend Of The Seas
• Mariner Of The Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum Of The Seas
• Radiance Of The Seas
• Splendour Of The Seas
• Vision Of The Seas
• Voyager Of The Seas

Either of these drink packages can be purchased prior to a cruise, and be delivered to a guest's stateroom.

The newest, largest and most tech-laden cruise ship to ever call Australia home arrived yesterday in her new homeport of Sydney.

Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas has pulled into Sydney Harbour, which marks a momentous occasion for the Australian cruise market. Ovation of the Seas becomes Royal Caribbean’s fifth locally-based cruise ship, joining sister ships Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Legend of the Seas, and making Royal Caribbean the single largest cruise line operating in Australia this season.

"Ovation of the Seas is an absolute game changer for cruising down under. SuperCruising is a holiday experience unlike anything else you can find in Australia – and it can only be found on Royal Caribbean," said Adam Armstrong, managing director, Australia & New Zealand. 

"Over the last decade we have committed to bringing the biggest and best cruise ships to our doorstep – and today is the climax of that story. This occasion marks the first time that a cruise line has ever based a brand new ship in this market."

"At 348m long, 18 decks high, weighing in at 168,666 tons and with capacity for 5,000 guests and 1,500 crew, Ovation of the Seas is the fourth largest cruise ship in the world, making her the largest cruise ship to sail Australian waters, and by far the largest ship ever home-ported here."

Ovation of the Seas' two-day visit to Sydney is expected to inject over $3.3 million in passenger spend alone, while her maiden Australian season is expected to inject more than $35 million into the national economy.

CNN announced the details of this year's “New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin,” and it includes coverage from onboard a Royal Caribbean ship.

The annual special will air on Saturday, Dec. 31, from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (ET) and will feature correspondant Randi Kaye on board Harmony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean and CNN teamed up for a similar broadcast in 2014, when Quantum of the Seas first debuted.

Royal Caribbean is very excited to offer its first cruises to Cuba, and we have a first look at the first excursions Royal Caribbean will offer while visiting Havana.

Within 90 days of sail date, guests that have booked a Royal Caribbean cruise will be able to choose from Royal Caribbean shore excursions as an option to fulfill one of the 12 requirements to visit Cuba.

Havana by Classic American Car

Explore 1950's Cuba in a vintage American automobile on a 3 hour road trip across the Malecón (Avenida de Maceo), which is a broad esplanade, roadway and seawall which stretches for 8 km (5 miles) along the coast in Havana, Cuba, from the mouth of Havana Harbor in Old Havana, along the north side of the Centro Havana neighborhood, ending in the Vedado neighborhood.

Easy Panoramic Havana - $49 per person

Travel via motor coach along seaside El Malecón promenade. There are photo stops at both El Morro Castle and harbor of Havana. This includes a stop in Revolution Square.

Best of Havana - $115 per person

Full day tour that lasts 8 hours, and is an all-encompassing trip through bustling Havana.  

Guests will visit artisan market and notable squares, including enjoying an authentic Cuban meal.

Hemingway's Havana - $89 per person

Explore Cuba and the late American novelist Ernest Hemingway.  This is a 4 hour tour that takes guests where Hemingway lived, fished, dined and sipped his favorite cocktail.

Old Havana City Sightseeing - $59 per person

Explore Cuba's Capital city with a 4-hour bus ride through Havana's city center.

Old Havana Heritage Walking Tour - $49 per person

Discover Havana's captivating history and cultural charms.  This is a half-day walking tour adventure.

This week's podcast episode is ready to go, as we present episode 176 of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast for your downloading pleasure.

This week, we present a look at the top 5 things to do aboard Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas.  The ship offers a lot to see and do and Matt has  sifted through everything onboard to find the top 5 experiences they enjoy the most.

There's also lots of reader emails and voicemails to share this week about everything Royal Caribbean.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 176. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS 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!

The prospect of escaping the snow, wind and general grayness of winter and going on a warm, Royal Caribbean cruise often sounds like the perfect plan.  Of course, going on a Caribbean cruise in winter means what you will need to think about packing will be different than cruises throughout the rest of the year.

Going on a winter cruise can see quite a swing in temperatures and conditions.  This post will cover a few things you should take on any winter Royal Caribbean cruise, plus some additional items to consider when the weather is expected to be unseasonably cold.

The weather getting to your embarkation port

From the moment you leave your home to stepping foot inside inside the cruise terminal, there are a lot of weather variables to consider along the way. While a summer cruise simplifies packing since it is likely warm everywhere, you can see quite a different in temperatures before stepping foot onboard.

Depending on where you live, winter can mean packing quite differently for the very beginning and very end of your trip.  Keep in mind that even if it is not that cold on the day you leave, coming back a week or so later could result in vastly different temperatures. Bringing jackets and sweaters makes sense, although it comes at the expense of taking up extra room in your suitcase.  Nonetheless, this may be an unavoidable issue, unless you opt to leave all the cold weather clothing in your car at the airport and hope for the best once out of the elements.

Of course, the weather in departure ports in Florida or Texas can vary considerably.  Some days will be in the upper 70s or even low 80s, but other days can see temperatures drop into the 60s or even lower. Generally speaking, packing in layers is the key.  Cold fronts in these parts of the country are short-lived, and will not last long.  Still, you do not want to be that family purchasing coats and sweaters at the first store you see for full retail price.

If your cruise is out of New Jersey or Baltimore, then it is much more likely that it will be cold for the first day of your cruise and even another day or two. 

Packing a light jacket, like this Columbia Down Jacket, can be perfect because it compresses really well and takes up barely any suitcase room. It is smaller and warmer than fleece, and although a bit pricey, these last a long time and are perfect for cold weather.

Winter weather on your cruise

The issue with most winter cruises is what the weather is like on the first and last day of the cruise. Depending on where your cruise sails from, there is the possibility of it being chilly, or even plain cold.  Anthem of the Seas sailings from Cape Liberty have even been known to have snow in the forecast.  For cruises that leave from ports in the north, it is best to pack different layers.  Onboard the ship, it will be plenty warm inside. The pool deck and other outdoor areas will be cold, but activities will be limited to indoors until the weather improves.  

The good news is the weather in the tropics tends to be very steady throughout the year.  While cold fronts can move through, generally speaking, once your Royal Caribbean ship gets to the various ports on your itinerary, things will warm up quickly.  This means you can pack shorts, t-shirts and flip flops, and forget about the weather at home.

The Bahamas tends to be a bit cooler than the rest of the Caribbean, with warmer temperatures the further south you go.  To give you an idea of what to expect, here are the average high temperatures for popular Caribbean ports in the winter.

Cozumel

• December: 75 degrees
• January: 75 degrees
• February: 75 degrees
• March: 77 degrees

Nassau, Bahamas

• December: 72 degrees
• January: 70 degrees
• February: 70 degrees
• March: 72 degrees

St. Thomas

• December: 85 degrees
• January: 85 degrees
• February: 85 degrees
• March: 85 degrees

Labadee

• December: 85 degrees
• January: 85 degrees
• February: 85 degrees
• March: 87 degrees

As you can see, the temperature warms up nicely as you get into the Caribbean.  Packing layers is probably the best strategy for avoiding costly last-minute purchases and/or suffering through cold spells.

Winter cruise tips

Here are some general tips for anyone taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in the winter to keep in mind, especially when considering what to pack.

• Cruises coming from the north will likely see colder temperatures until the ship passes the Carolinas, at which point day time temperatures will start to rise.
• It is generally warm enough to swim during most winter months.  Water temperatures take longer to change than air temperatures, so the warm summer months will keep it warm enough to enjoy for the most part during winter.
• Windbreakers are the perfect type of jacket if it is not quite warm enough yet to break out the shorts.  Try one of these jackets for men and women.
• Anthem of the Seas (and other Quantum class ships) were designed for cold weather, and feature an indoor pool in addition to the enclosed Solarium.
• Winter is the dry season in the tropics, so while it may not be 90 degrees, the chance of rain during winter drops dramatically, as does the humidity. This means great weather for shore excursions.

Your Thoughts

What you recommend packing for a winter Royal Caribbean cruise? Share some of your favorites in the comments. If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below and we will try to help!

Royal Caribbean’s Izumi is known for the freshest sushi and sashimi and, now onboard Harmony of the Seas, guests can also experience a hibachi experience where chefs cook tableside on teppanyaki grills. Chefs show off their meticulous cooking skills entertaining guests with playful tricks, all while preparing an Asian-inspired meal to perfection. From taking their seats to the final bite, guests at Izumi are treated to a multisensory experience.

You might have heard that Royal Caribbean is now offering cruises to Cuba, but before you step foot in Havana, here are some important bits of information to know.

Who can travel to Cuba?

It is true Royal Caribbean now offers cruises to Cuba, but there are still United States regulations in place that allow for certain types of travel by U.S. persons to Cuba.

Permitted travel is generally classified into 12 categories. If a trip to Cuba meets all of the requirements of one of these 12 categories, you are authorized by OFAC to travel under a “general license,” meaning that you may travel without any additional government approvals.

The general license categories include:

• Educational activities, including people-to-people travel
• Humanitarian projects
• Religious activities
• Professional research and meetings
• Family visits
• Official government business
• Journalism
• Public performances, clinics, workshops, exhibitions and athletic competitions
• “Support for the Cuban people”
• Activities of private foundations or research for educational institutes
• Exporting or importing information or “information materials”
• Travel related to some authorized export transactions

All guests traveling to Cuba must meet the requirements of one of the 12 categories of permitted travel authorized by the United States government. 

People-to-people tours are education-based trips designed to promote interactions between travelers and the Cuban people. People-to-people travel allows for little, if any, free time, as your time will be spent experiencing Cuba at its most authentic, through visits to Cuba’s most sought after destinations.

What about international guests not from the United States?

All guests regardless of country of residence will be required to meet one of the twelve general license categories while onshore in Cuba.

How will I certify I have met one of these requirements?

In accordance with U.S. law, all guests (including children) traveling to Cuba will be required to complete a travel affidavit identifying the category of travel under which they are visiting. This must be completed prior to boarding the vessel.

For ease of completion, Royal Caribbean has arranged the affidavit Into 3 parts:

• Part A: Guests exclusively participating in the Royal Caribbean tour program should select Part A and complete the identification information in the last section.
• Part B: Guests traveling on a self-guided people-to- people exchange program should select Part B and complete the identification information in the last section. Part B does allow for guests to split their full-day schedule between tours purchased from Royal Caribbean and activities organized on their own.
• Part C – Guests that have not certified in Part A and B, including those passengers who plan to split their schedule between people-to-people activities offered by Royal Caribbean and activities otherwise meeting the requirements of one of the 12 general licenses, should select Part C and complete the identification information in the last section. 

You will need a Visa to enter Cuba

Guests are required to purchase a visa to travel to Cuba. Royal Caribbean will facilitate this for our guests at a cost of $75 per person.

This fee will be added to your onboard account on Day 1 of the cruise. Each guest will receive their Visa during embarkation in Miami and will be responsible for providing their Visa to the Cuban authorities upon arrival in Cuba.

If a guest loses their Visa, they will be able to purchase a new Visa onboard at an additional cost of $75.

Do I need a passport to visit Cuba?

A passport will be required for all guests sailing to Cuba with us. Guest passports must be valid for six months after their travel date to Cuba.

In order to travel to Cuba, all guests, including children, will be required to have a passport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not allow U.S. guests to travel to Cuba with a driver’s license and birth certificate. Guest passports must be valid for six months after their travel to Cuba.

Can Cuban-Americans cruise to Cuba on Royal Caribbean?

Yes. Cuban-American persons born in Cuba are permitted to arrive in Cuba by vessel. However, if you are a Cuban-born traveler, you may need additional documentation.

Those who left Cuba prior to January 1, 1971, must travel to Cuba with their U.S. passports. But unlike U.S. born Americans, they will need a special type of visa; an H1 visa, which they need to apply for prior to travel. The visa application process can take up to 90 days. Cuban-born citizens who came to the U.S. after January 1, 1971, must travel to Cuba using their Cuban passports. They do not need a visa. They do however need to complete a One-Page Entry Request Application.

To learn more, you can visit the Cuban Embassy website (http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/sicw/EN/ConsularServices.aspx). 

What is it like in Cuba and what can I bring home?

Here is Royal Caribbean's description of Cuba: You will be among the first to explore Cuba with Royal Caribbean. Infrastructure is at a minimum and authenticity is at a premium. The food is rich in culture, but potentially unfamiliar. Walking surfaces may be uneven, and depending on the time of year, the intensity of the heat can be significant.

Guests are generally authorized to bring into the United States merchandise acquired in Cuba for personal use as accompanied baggage.

Any additional tips for visiting Cuba?

• Drink only bottled water
• Due to the tropical climate, wear loose fitting airy clothes, comfortable shoes and a hat
• Only a few places are air conditioned; bring a fan and/or mister
• Purchase items only from authorized sellers o Exchange money only at CADECAs (Currency exchange houses) or hotels
• Carry with you
  • Passport
  • Visa
  • SeaPass card
  • Cash