Happy Mothers Day! All the moms out there deserve a big hug, thank you and hopefully a cruise too.

Speaking of moms, Royal Caribbean went the extra step this week by announcing the first ever Godfamily of a cruise ship when it chose Carlos and Alexa PenaVega's family to be the Godfamily of Symphony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean says they picked this family because they have celebrated a number of family firsts on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, as well as personify the spirit of the new ship, redefining the way families stay and play.

The family will have the honor of formally naming Symphony when she arrives to her permanent home in Miami in November.

Royal Caribbean News

• Independence of the Seas arrived in Southampton after a massive refurbishment.
• Royal Caribbean Icon Class ships will be classed by DNV GL.
• Two of Royal Caribbean's brass received prestigious awards recently.
• Before you buy a drink package, here are some questions to think about.
• Royal Caribbean's parent company announced a $1 billion stock buyback and declared a dividend.
• We spotted these new stateroom attendant magnets on some ships.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 249th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, sharing what it is like to get married on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

In this episode, Beth joins Matt to talk about her recent wedding on Harmony of the Seas.  Beth shares what the experience was like from start to finish, and offers tips and advice for others that might be considering getting hitched at sea.

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

Royal Caribbean released season two of its YouTube series, The Local.

Skift took a look at how cruise lines innovate even when building the same type of ship.

Cruise & Ferry highlighted a Royal Caribbean bartender that reached the top 16 in the Bacardi Cocktail Competition 2018.

Cruise Critic reviewed the new shore excursions Royal Caribbean offers in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Following a multi-million dollar renovation, Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas arrived in Southampton yesterday to begin offering cruises this summer season.

Photo by SBW Photos

Independence of the Seas received upgrades all over the ship that the cruise line believes with delight kids and adults alike.  

The changes to Independence of the Seas include:

• Sky Pad, an out-of-this-world new virtual reality bungee trampoline experience
• Splashaway Bay, interactive aqua park
• The Perfect Storm, a duo of racing waterslides called Cyclone and Typhoon
• “Battle for Planet Z, ”glow-in-the-dark laser tag, an experience in Studio B
• Escape Room: The Observatorium, a new escape room experience where competitors can put their minds to the test, working together to find hidden clues and solve a series of high-tech riddles to unravel a mystery. With only 60 minutes of play, the excitement builds with each tick of the clock. (Surcharge applies to this experience)
• New lounges and Panoramic Oceanview staterooms 
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
• Fish & Ships, a poolside eatery where guests can grab quintessentially British seaside treats
• Sugar Beach candy shop, a wondrous world of delicious delights, along with a few exciting surprises

Photos by SBW Photos

Royal Caribbean estimates Independence of the Seas will bring £44million a year into the local economy of Southampton.

Managing Director, Royal Caribbean International UK and Ireland, Ben Bouldin said “Holiday time is precious, and travellers today have higher expectations and more options than ever before. We don’t just want to meet these expectations, but smash them and redefine how to holiday. From our largest yet hibachi restaurant to a virtual reality bungee trampoline experience, Independence of the Seas is set to be the most spectacular ship sailing out of Southampton this coming season.”

Guests will be welcomed onboard for her first new sailing on 15th May 2018 where she will embark on a two-night cruise to Paris from Southampton. Guests can dabble in modern art at the fabulous Musée d’Orsay, explore the Normandy coast, visit glorious Versailles or take in iconic sights such as the Paris Opera, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.

Following her inaugural sailing, Independence of the Seas will call at destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean until November 2018.

Royal Caribbean was recently honored with two distinctions that honor the terrific work the heads of the cruise line engage in throughout the year.

Royal Caribbean International was honored for its contributions to the communities and environment in which it operates by winning the Humanitarian of the Year Award. President and CEO Michael Bayley was in attendance to receive the award on behalf of the company.

The South Florida nonprofit, Samuel M. & Helene Soref Jewish Community Center (JCC), recognized Royal Caribbean's efforts during last year's unprecedented hurricane season as well as its work in ocean conversation, education and local employee volunteering. More than $200,000 in proceeds was raised at the annual gala in support of the nonprofit as well. 

“This is an incredibly proud moment, to be part of a company that goes above and beyond to do the right thing,” said Michael Bayley. “From our school in Haiti to our relief efforts during the unprecedented 2017 hurricane season, we support the communities we know and love because it’s what good neighbors do.”

Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service, was inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement award. Presented with the award by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain, this was a great thanks from the cruise industry to Vicki for her passion and dedication to the business in the span of her 40-year career.

Freed recently celebrated 10 years at Royal Caribbean International, a decade during which the cruise line has seen its relationship with travel partners grow stronger than ever. Under her leadership, the largest sales team in the cruise industry has received a lineup of awards, including Best in Sales and Service for 10 consecutive years at Travel Weekly’s Readers Choice Awards.

Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., presented the award to Freed after a heartfelt speech noting his and the community’s resounding thoughts, compliments and memories of the industry veteran. “Vicki has been an amazing leader. She has fought for her agents and for our business,” Fain said. “I applaud Vicki’s election to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, and am proud to have the opportunity to present it to her.”

Friday is here, which means two things: the weekend is close at hand and it is time to share our readers' favorite Royal Caribbean photos! Each week, we invite our readers to share with us their favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photos so that we can all enjoy a "virtual escape" to a cruise ship.

Here we go!

Let us begin with this photo of Allure of the Seas off the port side of Harmony of the Seas. Photo taken by Kinny Lee.

Next is a photo of the H2O Zone, taken by Andy Hernandez on Independence of the Seas.

Traveler sent in this photo of the Peekaboo Bridge view on Voyager of the Seas.

Phyllis Adelsberg shared this photo of Hubbard Glacier, as seen on Radiance of the Seas.

Anthem of the Seas was spotted from the top of the Portland Observatory by Travis N. in this photo.

Phillip and Mary (Mimi) Webster took this photo in the Old Town of Quebec City.

Our final photo this week is by Justin Amrhein of Oasis of the Seas in Port Canaveral, as seen from Grandeur of the Seas.

Thank you to everyone for sharing their photos with us this week.  If you want to share your own Royal Caribbean memories with us, use this form to send them in. Have a great weekend!

Royal Caribbean announced today that Symphony of the Seas will not have a Godmother, rather, a Godfamily by choosing Carlos and Alexa PenaVega, along with their 17-month-old son, Ocean.

This is the first time a family will be the Godfamily of a cruise ship. The selection of a new ship’s guiding spirit, customarily a godmother, is rooted in a longstanding maritime tradition. The role is often held by renowned athletes, celebrities and royalty.

Royal Caribbean says they picked this family because they have celebrated a number of family firsts on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, as well as personify the spirit of the new ship, redefining the way families stay and play.

Royal Caribbean’s nearly 25-year relationship with Carlos began on his first cruise when he was just 4 years old, only to be beat by son Ocean, who sailed for the first time at 13 months.

“Carlos and Alexa have been an extension of our family for quite some time, and they truly personify our spirit of innovation and adventure in every way,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We’re very excited to welcome them and their son Ocean as the first-ever Godfamily to officially name a ship. Their passion for cruising and commitment to family make them the perfect choice to serve as the guiding spirits for Symphony of the Seas.”

“Words can’t describe the overwhelming emotions we’re feeling,” said Carlos PenaVega, alongside Alexa and Ocean. “Royal Caribbean ships have been the backdrops to so many unforgettable moments in our life, and it means so much to us to be named Godfamily of Symphony of the Seas. Royal Caribbean continues to make amazing memories with our family, and this next adventure will be our best yet.”

Symphony of the Seas + @thecarlospena + @alexavega + @oceanpenavega = the first ever Godfamily. pic.twitter.com/I69sioDJl1

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) May 10, 2018

The family will have the honor of formally naming Symphony when she arrives to her permanent home in Miami in November.

On top of Royal Caribbean's May Offer of 50% off second guest and kids sail free, certain Royal Caribbean ships qualify for a free upgrade from Ocean View staterooms to Balconies.

When you book now, you’ll enjoy free upgrades from Ocean View staterooms to Balconies on Anthem of the Seas , Serenade of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas . Plus, upgrade from Interior to Ocean View staterooms on Grandeur of the Seas.

Cruise must be booked between 5/10/18 – 5/31/18 and applies to sailings departing on or after 6/10/18.

Offer includes

• 50% off cruise fare of second guest booked in the same stateroom as first full-fare paying guest.
• 25% off cruise fare for third guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualified guests.
• Free Upgrades offer includes free upgrades from ocean view to balcony when sailing in Anthem, Serenade or Mariner of the seas and free upgrades from interior to ocean view when sailing in Grandeur of the seas for any Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, CARIBNE or Canada bookings sailing between 9/1/18 – 4/10/19.
  • Free upgrades refer to purchasing a Balcony at the price of an ocean view and ocean view at the price of an inside at standard/full fare.
• “Kids Sail for Free Offer” offers free cruise fare for 3rd guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on 4 nights or longer Europe, Bahamas, Bermuda, Hawaii, Canada, Coastal and Caribbean sailings departing between September 1, 2018 – May 31, 2019.
  • The Kids Sail Free Bonus excludes sailings between 11/17/18 – 11/23/18, sailings between 12/17/18 – 1/1/19, sailings between 2/15/19 – 2/18/19, sailings between 3/16/19 – 3/30/19 and sailings between 4/13/19 – 4/22/19.

Offer is combinable with select promotions. Offer applies to new, individual and named group bookings confirmed at prevailing rates. Offer open to residents of US, Canada, Puerto Rico and select countries in the Caribbean. 

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd announced  a quarterly dividend of $0.60 per common share payable on July 3, 2018, to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 4, 2018. 

The company also announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the repurchase of $1 billion of the company's common stock over the next two years.

"Over the past five years, we have increased our dividends fivefold and repurchased close to $1.25 billion in common stock," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO.  "We are very pleased to be in a position to improve returns for our shareholders, which remains one of our top priorities."

Royal Caribbean is offering up to 30% off select pre-cruise purchases, with its Sip, Tour & Stream sale.

Offer applies to new purchases made May 9 - May 16, 2018. Discount applies to shore excursion, beverage, and internet purchases on select sailings departing 5/22/2018 - 11/30/2018.

Guests can check which discounts, if any, are available for their upcoming sailing by visiting the Cruise Planner site. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site to view any available offers.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

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

Episode 249 is available for downloading, where we share a listener's experience getting married on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Did you know that you can get married on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship? This week, Beth shares her recent wedding experience while on Harmony of the Seas and talks about what it's like to get married on Royal Caribbean.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 249. 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!

The shipyard charged to build Royal Caribbean's two Icon Class cruise ships has signed a contract for the classification of the ships with DNV GL Maritime.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is envisioned as the primary fuel for the new vessels, which would dramatically reduce or even eliminate emission of nitrogen oxide (NOX), sulphur oxide (SOX) and particulates, as well as cutting carbon dioxide (CO2). The ICON Class will also introduce fuel cell technology, which in combination with hull air lubrication means that the ships could potentially be some of the most fuel efficient cruise vessels ever constructed.  The ship will also take advantage of hull air lubrication, which has been used on other ships in the fleet. 

The final concept for the first vessel is currently being discussed, and the concept design phase is expected to start this spring. The initial building phase of the first ship will begin next year, with keel laying planned for October 2019.