Royal Caribbean has announced a new batch of promotions for December 2016 that can provide some significant savings on new cruises booked.

There are a number of offers available, and here is a full breakdown of each.

1, 2, FREE

Every third night of the cruise is free. 1,2, Free is valid on all sailings departing on or after January 1, 2017. Excluding China departures.

• 3-5 night cruises
  • Includes 1 nights free
• 6-8 night cruises
  • Includes 2 nights free
• 9-11 night cruises
  • Includes 3 nights free
• 12-14 night cruises
  • Includes 4 nights free
• 15-17 night cruises
  • Includes 5 nights free
• 17-20 night cruises
  • Includes 6 nights free
• 21-23 night cruises
  • Includes 7 nights free
• 24 night cruise
  • Includes 8 nights free

The 1-2-Free Offer is combinable with Kids Sail Free, Anthem Upgrades, Crown & Anchor Balcony & Suite Discount, Cyber Sale, Next Cruise offers, and Shareholders benefits. It is not combinable with any other offer, restricted rate, or promotion.

Kids Sail Free

Kids 12 years and under, sail free on 5 nights or longer sailings departing January 5, 2017- February 15, 2018.

Exclusions: Sailings departing on or after, February 16-23, 2017, March 10-20, 2017, April 6-16, 2017, May 16-September 4, 2017, November 16-26, 2017, December 15, 2017-January 5, 2018 as well as China, Alaska itineraries and Harmony of the Seas sailings.

Anthem Upgrade

Enjoy balcony accommodations for the price of an oceanview on sailings departing on or after January 1, 2017.

Crown and Anchor Discount

From December 1, 2016 – January 4, 2017, Crown & Anchor Society members can enjoy the balcony and suite discount of the tier above them, on Anthem of the Seas. For a limited time, even Gold members can enjoy this benefit– a member benefit usually only valid for Platinum and above members. PLUS, Pinnacle members will receive an additional $25. See discount chart below for the discount amounts per tier .

Cyber Sale

The cyber sale allows guests to receive up to $100 onboard credit, per stateroom, when they book between December 1-7, 2016.

• Sailings 5-Nights or less
  • Interior/Oceanroom views will receive $25 OBC per stateroom
  • Balcony/Suites will receive $50 OBC per stateroom
• Sailings 6-Nights or longer
  • Interior/Oceanroom views will receive $75 OBC per stateroom
  • Balcony/Suites will receive $100 OBC per stateroom

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

Episode 174 is available for downloading, which offers advice for someone new to Royal Caribbean on a great first cruise.

There are a lot of ships and itineraries to consider, and so this week, Matt is discussing which options might make the most sense for someone looking to try Royal Caribbean for the first time.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 174. 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!

Royal Caribbean guests can now pre-purchase a Cafe Select Coffee Card prior to their cruise via the Cruise Planner site.

The Cafe Select Coffee Card offers 15 specialty espresso-based coffees for a fixed price that can be used at any time during the cruise. Royal Caribbean claims the coffee card can save up to 50% on individually purchased coffees.

The terms and conditions for the card stipulates that the specialty coffees provided by the card do not include any beverages served inside licensed Starbucks stores/cafes.

The Cafe Select Coffee Card has been available on Oasis class ships since this summer, but this option is now available for guests to pre-purchase on the Cruise Planner site.

When you wake up onboard Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, you will probably be wondering where you can get something to eat to start your day. 

There are some obvious choices, but there is also some other options less passengers visit too. Depending on what you're in the mood for, there is something for everyone.

Windjammer

The all-encompassing Windjammer Marketplace is the most popular choice for breakfast, primarily because it offers the greatest variety of food.

For families or just groups that can't all agree on one thing, this is the best option. There is so much to choose from and also has a rather large seating area.  

The Windjammer is also a very popular choice, so it tends to get the most crowded of any breakfast location available on Harmony of the Seas.  During prime breakfast hours on sea days, it can get quite busy and lines to find a table are not uncommon.

Park Cafe

Located in Central Park, Park Cafe is a great alternative to Windjammer because it has a mix of pre-prepared and freshly made breakfast choices. While Park Cafe may not have the variety of choices that the Windjammer does, it does also include some breakfast stations not found anywhere else on Harmony of the Seas.

The menu here offers a little of everything, including a full bagel bar. There's also cereal, pastries, and some hot breakfast items. 

Johnny Rockets

Did you know that Johnny Rockets on Harmony of the Seas is complimentary for breakfast?  All Oasis-class ships offer this option, but many guests are unaware that breakfast is served here, nor that it is included with your cruise fare (Johnny Rockets has a cover charge for lunch and dinner).

The Johnny Rockets breakfast menu on Harmony of the Seas is a traditional American breakfast, with pancakes, omelettes, French toast and the like.  In fact, Johnny Rockets is one spot onboard Harmony of the Seas to get omelet made-to-order.

Johnny Rockets tends to be not very crowded for breakfast, because many guests are unaware of this option, and it also has a large seating capacity (indoor and outdoor seating options).

Mini Bites

Perhaps the fastest breakfast option that is not named "Windjammer" would be the Mini Bites station on Deck 15.

Mini Bites is kind of like a hotel hot breakfast buffet that merged with the Windjammer.  One particular distinction of Mini Bites is that it offers a custom omelet station.

Whether you choose to enjoy your breakfast at one of the many tables nearby, or take it elsewhere on the ship, Mini Bites is a great choice for someone that wants to get something hot and quick.

American Icon Grill

For fans of the main dining room breakfast experience, American Icon Grill is the next best thing.

Having breakfast at the American Icon Grill means you will be seated at a table (sometimes with other guests) and order off a set breakfast menu.  

What attracts most people to breakfast at the American Icon Grill is the table-service experience that is more formal than a buffet. As such, keep in mind that a breakfast in American Icon Grill is designed to be a bit more leisurely, so those looking for a grab-and-go option may want to dine elsewhere.

Just like the Windjammer, it can get busy here too during peak dining times.

Coastal Kitchen

If you happen to be staying in a suite while on Harmony of the Seas, there is a dedicated spot to enjoy breakfast just for you.  

Coastal Kitchen is a complimentary restaurant that is open to suite guests exclusively.  For breakfast, it is only available for guests staying in Sky or Star Class suites and is similar to the main dining room experience in terms of it being a relaxed, sit down environment.

As a suite guest, the appeal of Coastal Kitchen is that it is your exclusive spot onboard Harmony of the Seas to enjoy breakfast without the crowds.

Solarium Bistro

For something "off the beaten path", try the Solarium Bistro on Deck 15. The Solarium Bistro offers a buffet, but the options vary from what you might find at the Windjammer and it tends to be less crowded than some of the other spots mentioned earlier.

What we like about Solarium Bistro is the fact it is less crowded than the Windjammer or Park Cafe, yet offers a good variety of breakfast choices that should satisfy most palettes.

Cafe Promenade

If your idea of breakfast is coffee and a croissant or donut, then head down to the Royal Promenade and grab something quickly at Cafe Promenade.

Danishes, croissants and muffins are the kind of quick grab-and-go breakfast options available (along with a cup of coffee).

Cafe Promenade is great if you are running off the ship for a shore excursion or just want something simple.

What's your favorite spot for breakfast on Harmony of the Seas? Share it with us in the comments below!

Happy Thanksgiving! As you are enjoying turkey, pumpkin and cranberry leftovers, check out this week's round-up of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news.

Royal Caribbean rolled out a new combo offer that packages Royal Caribbean's high speed Voom internet with the deluxe internet package.

The "Sip and Stream" package is now available via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner and discounts the total price of trying to purchase the same options individually. For one low price, guests that pre-purchase this combo package can save money on their total cruise price.

There was more Royal Caribbean news from this week, so read on to see it all!

Royal Caribbean News

• Tropical Storm Otto forced Royal Caribbean to change Empress of the Seas' itinerary.
• Our list of 10 free activities on Harmony of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean kicked off its Cyber Monday sale, which runs through Monday.
• Royal Caribbean is offering discounts on select pre-cruise purchases through Monday.
• Read our live blog from Independence of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 173rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which features a behind-the-scenes look at how Royal Caribbean created the entertainment for Harmony of the Seas.

Matt had the exclusive opportunity to interview Royal Caribbean Managing Producer Alex Marchant to discuss how shows like Columbus, The Musical! were created.

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

OpenJaw reviewed their time onboard Harmony of the Seas, particularly the entertainment.

Royal Caribbean offers an inside look at what it is like to perform on a cruise ship.

CruiseHabit offers insight into how to pack for a 4-night cruise.

Royal Caribbean is offering discounts on select pre-cruise purchases via its Cruise Planner site that coincides with Black Friday.

The Black Friday through Cyber Monday Super Sale runs through the end of Monday, November 28 at midnight and applies to options like beverage packages, shore excursions and more.

The exact discounts available will vary from sailing to sailing, but it may be worth checking which discounts are available for your sailing.

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site and navigate to the Dining & Beverage section to see 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.

Tropical Storm Otto has forced Royal Caribbean to make an itinerary change to Empress of the Seas' scheduled itinerary.

In a letter distributed to guests onboard, the ship's Captain explained the storm's effect of high winds and rain in the vicinity of Falmouth, Jamaica are expected to significantly disrupt the guest experience. Therefore, Empress of the Seas will visit Ocho Rios, Jamaica instead on November 24 from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Due to the proximity of Ochio Rios to Falmouth, shore excursions booked with Royal Caribbean will continue to run as usual, with just three exceptions.

Royal Caribbean has a new option that we have spotted in the Cruise Planner that combines two popular cruise add-ons into one package together.

The Deluxe Package And Voom One Device offers guests the deluxe beverage unlimited alcohol package and a one-device Voom plan in one combo.

The cost of this package was listed at $49 per guest, per day. Compared to buying the two options separately, there are savings to the guest.

Keep in mind that this option may not be available for all guests, and exact pricing may vary depending on your sailing.

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

Episode 173 is available for downloading, where we offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how Royal Caribbean created the amazing entertainment on Harmony of the Seas.

In this week's episode, Matt sits down with Royal Caribbean Managing Producer Alex Marchant to discuss how Royal Caribbean brought the various shows on Harmony of the Seas to fruition, from concept to constuming to curtains up.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 173. 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!