When the calendar says it is Friday, that means we are sharing our readers' favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photos.  Sit back, and enjoy this week's batch of Royal Caribbean photo goodness!

Our first photo this week is from Dan, and it is of Empress of the Seas in Havana, Cuba. Dan took this photo from El Morro fort.

Randy Wilson took this photo in San Juan while sailing on Freedom of the Seas.

This photo is from Independence of the Seas, taken by Elaine Scotti.

Here is another photo from San Juan, this one of Anthem of the Seas taken by Jason Nolan.

Here is a shot of Adventure of the Seas taken by Mark Harrison while docked in St. Maarten.

Laura took this photo of Tim on Serenade of the Seas.  The resemblence is uncanny!

Our final photo this week is by Jeff L.  It is a photo of the Royal Promenade on Navigator of the Seas on embarkation day.

That wraps up this week's edition of Friday Photos.  If you would like to share your own Royal Caribbean photos with us, send them in via this form.  Have a great weekend!

Royal Caribbean's new offer this weekend allows guests to get 50% off the second guest, plus a bonus of up to $250 instant savings and up to $100 onboard spending money.

To qualify for this deal, the cruise must be booked between 7/14/17-7/17/17 on sailings on or after 8/14/17. Offer excludes China departures.

The Summer Seeker Sale includes

• 50% off cruise fare of second guest booked in the same stateroom as first full fare guest and 25% cruise fare savings for 3rd and 4th guests booked in the same stateroom as first two qualifying guests.
• Deck the Holidays Deals offer provides savings for guests who book a holiday sailing.
  • Sailings departing from 12/19/17 through 12/31/17 and 12/18/18 through 12/31/18.
  • Instant savings determined by category booked and sailing length
    • $25 off per stateroom for interior and oceanview on sailings 5 nights or less
    • $50 off per stateroom for balconies and suites on sailings 5 nights and less
    • $50 off per stateroom for interior and oceanview on sailings 6 nights and longer
    • $75 off per stateroom for balconies on sailings 6 nights or longer
    • $100 off per stateroom for suites on sailings 6 nights or longer
• Additional savings determined by category booked and sailing length
  • $25 off per stateroom for interior and oceanview on sailings 5 nights or less
  • $50 off per stateroom for balconies and suites on sailings 5 nights and less
  • $50 off per stateroom for interior and oceanview on sailings 6 nights and longer
  • $100 off per stateroom for balconies on sailings 6 nights or longer
  • $150 off per stateroom for suites on sailings 6 nights or longer.
• Non-refundable deposit bookings that are booked six months or more prior to the cruise departure date are eligible to receive a per stateroom onboard credit in the following amount
  • Sailings 5-nights and less
    • $25 OBC for interior and oceanview,
    • $50 OBC for balcony and suite
  • Sailings of 6-nights and longer
    • $50 OBC for interior and oceanview
    • $100 OBC for balcony and suite

 Offer open to residents of U.S. or Canada. 

Refer to royalcaribbean.com for complete terms and conditions.

Royal Caribbean has added a second cruise ship that will call on Cuba, Majesty of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Majesty of the Seas will depart Port Canaveral on March 25, 2019 for a 4-night cruise that will visit Havana, Cuba.  Thus far, this is the only sailing to Cuba on Majesty of the Seas available for booking on Royal Caribbean's website.

Until now, Empress of the Seas has been the only Royal Caribbean ship to offer cruises to Cuba, having begun service in April 2017.

Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley had indicated the cruise line had plans to send Majesty of the Seas to Cuba in an interview earlier this year.

Weather Decision Technologies, Inc. (WDT) announced that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) has selected WDT’s WeatherOps risk mitigation system to implement on all of the ships in the Royal Caribbean International fleet, as well as in the emergency operations centers in Miami as of November 2017.

WDT’s WeatherOps platform was chosen to support RCL’s global cruise line operations after real-world validation and the approval of each captain in each division. RCL’s shore side team in Miami will also utilize WeatherOps to support captains across the fleet and ensure that logistics and weather safety across all aspects of the company’s operation are handled with respect to any weather hazards or delays.

"We are extremely excited to be using WDT’s innovative technology to ensure that our ships and Captains can plan the safest route possible for our guests and crew members," said James Van Fleet, Chief Meteorologist, Royal Caribbean International. "Our goal is always to make sure our guests have the best vacation possible, and this technology helps us do that."

Royal Caribbean announced a list of changes coming to Independence of the Seas that will be added in an upcoming refurbishment.

Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society confirmed the list of changes that will occur in April 2018. During the revitalization the ship will receive several new features including

• a trampoline park
• water slides
• escape rooms
• laser tag

These ideas were proposed by travel agents in the UK and Ireland as part of a contest held with Travel Weekly UK. 

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

Episode 206 is available for downloading where Matt shares his thoughts on his recent cruise aboard Harmony of the Seas.

Matt experienced a lot onboard Harmony of the Seas, and this week, he dives into what makes Harmony of the Seas unique and discusses the aspects of dining, entertainment and accomodations that stood out and why.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 206. 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!

Multi-platinum selling band DNCE will perform aboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas for the cruise line's Great American Eclipse cruise.

On August 21, DNCE will headline Royal Caribbean’s solar eclipse viewing party with a surprise guest for an out-of-this-world performance aboard the exclusive 7-night Total Eclipse Cruise on board Oasis of the Seas, one of the world’s largest and most adventure-packed cruise ships.

DNCE frontman Joe Jonas and all-star bandmates, including bassist and keyboardist Cole Whittle, guitarist JinJoo and drummer Jack Lawless, will perform the band’s heart-pumping hits like “Kissing Strangers,” “Body Moves” and, of course, “Cake by the Ocean.” Guests booked on the Total Eclipse Cruise can visit Royal Caribbean’s website and reserve their complimentary seats for the concert by logging on to their reservation.

DNCE live from world's largest cruise ship!

A post shared by Royal Caribbean Blog.com (@royalcaribbeanblog) on Nov 11, 2016 at 3:23pm PST

“When we were invited to headline this once-in-a-lifetime event, we didn’t think twice. What could be more out of this world than witnessing a full solar eclipse at sea? ” said Joe Jonas. “We’re stoked about coming back on board with Royal Caribbean to put on a lights-out performance with a very special guest. It’s beyond exciting to be able to celebrate this crazy moment in history out in the middle of the ocean.”

This will be DNCE's second live performance on a Royal Caribbean ship. The band played on sister ship Harmony of the Seas in November 2016 to celebrate Harmony's arrival in the United States.

In addition to the viewing party, guests on Oasis of the Seas will be treated to other eclipse-themed activities, including dance parties, trivia, interactive science fun for kids and their families, and tasty cocktails and dishes.

The 7-night Total Eclipse Cruise on board Oasis of the Seas will set sail on Aug. 20, 2017 from Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida, and visit Caribbean destinations in the Eastern Caribbean. Those interested in booking this sailing can book now by visiting RoyalCaribbean.com/TotalEclipse, calling (800) ROYAL- CARIBBEAN or contacting their travel agent.

With ships around the world, Royal Caribbean welcomes guests from nearly every country. When it comes to dining, while their appetites and tastes differ, their expectations remain the same– fresh, delicious and authentic cuisine. Traveling chefs from across the fleet collaborate to perfect new menu items, but guest feedback ultimately determines which dishes make the cut. Every aspect of the ships’ main dining rooms, from the menu to the atmosphere to the service, sets the table for an unforgettable experience.

Royal Caribbean Cruises (Asia) Pte Ltd. celebrated its 10th anniversary last week with a celebration in Singapore at Clifford Pier, together with more than 150 trade, media, corporate and government partners from the region.

Guests in attendance were regailed with a look at the milestones reached over the past 10 years, from the first ship Rhapsody of the Seas’ arrival in 2007 to the most recent homeporting of Asia’s largest Ovation of the Seas in Singapore this year. In addition, the new TVC ‘Where Everyone Gets What They Need’ was unveiled, while guests got a virtual experience of Royal Caribbean’s most popular features from the new head-mounted display (HMD) VR headset – the ‘Holideck’ – on display.

Sean Treacy, Royal Caribbean’s Managing Director for Asia Pacific, thanked their team and travel partners for all of their support, "The last 10 years have seen Royal Caribbean flourish tremendously, having expanded our regional footprint from just one office in Singapore to six across Asia Pacific, and from one to three ships for our fleet in Singapore today. We are committed to continue bringing innovative and quality ships and growing Royal Caribbean as the top vacation choice for travellers in the region."