Royal Caribbean's cruise ships are as beautiful to look as they are fun to cruise aboard, and the sheer beauty of these ships should not be overlooked by guests. Royal Caribbean designed its cruise ships to be innovative, both in what they offer for guests to do, as well as design. Where other cruise lines tend to base their ship designs on past patterns, Royal Caribbean has created its own tradition.
Given how recognizable Royal Caribbean ships are, this is the first in a series of blog posts to look at the beautiful designs that encompass a Royal Caribbean ship. Hopefully this will provide insight into the design of these areas, as well as highlight the beautiful and creative designs that shape these magnificent ships.
A focal point of the cruise experience is dinner, and Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas has perhaps one of the most striking dining rooms available in its main dining room. Today it is simply the Sapphire Dining Room, but for many years it had a different name that helps explain why its dining room looks the way that it does.
The stunning three-level formal dining room on Explorer of the Seas is linked by a grand staircase, dramatic fluted, gold-leaf columns, golden velvet curtains, and a domed ceiling with a gold sky burst rays. The Sapphire Dining Room features a gilded sunburst of gold and silver leaf that bathes the three-story dining room in a luxurious glow.
Lush carpets, classical music and white glove service all accentuate the terrific food served in here.
Prior to being renamed to the Sapphire Dining Room, each floor of the dining room bore the name of a famous explorer from history: Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco de Gama. A series of intricate mosaics adorne the walls (covering an area of 663 sq. ft.) of the dining rooms. The murals, rendered in stone and glass mosaic, depict the constellations in the night skies present at the time of their global discoveries.
Guests visiting Royal Caribbean's private destination of CocoCay have a new option for a little privacy and fun. Beach Bungalows are now available on Royal Caribbean's web site to reserve.
Royal Caribbean built 35 of these beach bungalows in the South Beach area of the island. Each bungalow rental costs $225 and accommodates up to six guests.
Royal Caribbean describes these beach bungalows as a haven of tranquility, a type of "members-only" area. Each beach bungalow includes floating beach mats, water, and beach towels. Transportation to and from Beach Bungalows is via private Cocolimo shuttle transportation.
These new beach bungalows are in addition to the CocoCay cabanas available for rent that have been available for a number of years.
Royal Caribbean has been working on adding upgraded enhancements to CocoCay since July, and the South Beach area is seeing a lot of attention. In addition to the beach bungalows, there are new restrooms that have been added that are just a 5 minute walk from South Beach, as well as 650 new lounge chairs at South Beach.
Royal Caribbean's unlimited drink packages include a lot of different drinks and in a great majority of drinks, but there are a handful of exceptions. These are few and far between, but it is important to be aware of what is not included prior to making the decision to purchase an unlimited beverage package.
These five drinks are not the only drinks not included in a drink package, but these are the ones most likely to be encountered.
If you happen to dine at Johnny Rockets on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you will enjoy some really tasty burgers, fries and onion rings, but if you want to wash it down with a milkshake, you will have to pay extra for it.
The thick and frothy milk shakes that Johnny Rockets are well-known for how good they are, and guests on a drink package will have to pay extra for them.
If you are a Crown and Anchor Society member, all levels usually enjoy a buy one, get one free milkshake coupon that is preloaded on SeaPass cards.
2. Starbucks on Oasis-class ships
On Oasis-class cruise ships, the standalone Starbucks locations serve the same caffeinated beverages many folks enjoy on land, but Starbucks is not included in any drink package.
This can be confusing, since on other classes of Royal Caribbean ships, Starbucks beverages are brewed and included under certain drink packages, but the Starbucks locations on Oasis-class ships are considered standalone Starbucks locations and the drink packages are not covered.
Perhaps one of the new pre-paid coffee drink cards will be available on your cruise to get you plenty of Starbucks drinks to enjoy.
3. Room service
Room service is included in your cruise fare and it is hard to deny the great pleasure of enjoying food brought to your room or private balcony, but do not expect extra-cost beverages to be included with your drink package.
Sodas, beers or any other alcoholic or premium non-alcoholic beverage delivered to your room will come with an extra cost.
4. Minibar
Just like room service, the drinks that are waiting for you in your stateroom's minibar are not included in any drink package.
It can be tempting to grab something out of the minibar, but keep in mind anything taken from the minibar will be charged to your SeaPass card.
5. Very few beers
Royal Caribbean's all-you-can-drink alcohol packages include plenty of beers. In fact, nearly all the beers available on your Royal Caribbean cruise are included in the drink packages but there are a few exceptions.
In general, the excluded beers come with a slightly higher cost because they are often in rather large size. Chimay Blue 750ml is the one beer that is not included in the drink packages.
Our newest podcast episode is out to help give you a quick "audio escape" to a Royal Caribbean cruise!
Episode 160 is available for downloading, where we are joined by travel pro Dan Moore to discuss his recent cruise on Harmony of the Seas.
In this episode, Dan talks about his recent cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship and shares what he enjoyed about the ship. Dan talks about what makes Harmony of the Seas such a compelling cruise and why it is a game-changer.
Guests onboard Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas can get a real taste of New York when they dine in the Windjammer's New York Deli. Experience specially prepared deli favorites like pastrami sandwiches, rye bread and kosher pickles that the Big Apple is so well known for.
Royal Caribbean is bringing back its WOW Sale, with 30% off every guest, up to $200 onboard credit and 50% reduced deposit.
The WOW Sale runs between August 23 - 27, 2016 and is valid on all sailings departing on or after September 23, 2016 (excluding China departures).
The offer includes
30% off all guests
Onboard credit
Cruises 5 nights or less
$50 onboard credit per stateroom
Cruises 6 to 9 nights
$100 onboard credit per stateroom
Cruises 10 nights or longer
$200 onboard credit per stateroom
50% reduced deposit
WOW Sale is combinable with 30% Savings, Holiday OBC, standard/full fare and restricted rates (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military, etc.) and Next Cruise offers. WOW Sale is not combinable Crown & Anchor discounts, Shareholder Benefits or Loyal to Royal Sales. All offers are not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events, and Net Rates. WOW Sale is valid for Cruisetour package.
Offer available to residents of United States and Canada.
Royal Caribbean has canceled to scheduled stops in St. Thomas due to an approaching tropical storm.
Concerns over a tropical disturbance in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Invest 99-L, which may develop into a tropical depression or storm in the days ahead, forced Royal Caribbean to make the change, according to Virgin Islands Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe.
St. Thomas Source is reporting Oasis of the Seas was scheduled to visit Crown Bay on August 23 and the Freedom of the Seas was scheduled for August 24.
According to guests onboard, Oasis of the Seas will skip both St. Thomas and St. Kitts, and instead visit San Juan on August 23 from 1:30pm to 11:30pm, then have a sea day, and then visit Labadee from 8am to 4:30pm.
Freedom of the Seas will skip both St. Thomas and St. Martin and instead be at sea on August 23, then stop at Costa Maya, Mexico on August 24, Cozumel, Mexico on August 25, and then spend the remaining days at sea before returning back to Port Canaveral on August 28.
Police in Bermuda responded to a report that a Royal Caribbean passenger on Grandeur of the Seas was found dead in his stateroom. No foul play is suspected in the incident.
According to Bernews, a police spokesperson said, “At 1:40pm on August 20, 2016, police received a report of a death onboard the cruise ship, Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas which was berthed at Heritage Wharf in Dockyard.
The passenger is a 45-year old male from the United States and his death was certifies by the doctor aboard Grandeur of the Seas.
“Foul play is not suspected and the Bermuda Police Service is liaising with the relevant ship authorities.”
Perhaps no space on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas is as innovative, impressive and down right fun as the aft-facing theater known as Two70.
Two70 is an unique venue to the Quantum class of ships, and offers guests multiple experiences throughout the day that makes Two70 a hub of entertainment. This means, there is almost always something going on in Two70, and it has quickly become a favorite among guests.
If you have a cruise booked on Anthem of the Seas, here is the important information to know about everything going on in Two70.
What is shown in Two70
Royal Caribbean offers a few different shows in Two70 to enjoy. Exact shows and schedules will depend on your sailing.
Vistarama
Ordinarily, Two70's giant windows offer sweeping views of the ocean, but quickly those windows can be transformed into a theater experience with Vistarama. Vistarama transforms Two70’s floor-to-ceiling sea view into any scene, real or imagined. You will find cityscapes, glass windows, expansive rooms and a lot more.
Vistarama is made possible by 18 projectors that combine to create an ambient surface over 100 feet wide and over 20 feet tall in stunning 12K resolution.
Vistarama is not just a passive experience, because impromptu digital shows come to life at any point in the show. Simply put, Vistarama is a stunning display that is as beautiful as it is immense in scale.
There will be different Vistarama shows throughout any given point in the cruise, so it is one of those experiences you need to stop by and see what is being shown.
Roboshow
RoboShows are perhaps the most impressive use of the amazing troupe of six agile Roboscreens, that are capable of moving in many different directions and tells a story through the use of amazing technology, music and well-choreographed video.
Each of the Roboscreens measures seven feet and is controlled by mega-powerful robotic arms. When working in tandem, the Roboscreens can twist, spin and move all around to offer a very impressive visual experience.
Of course, the show is why guests should stop by, and there are a variety of different shows to see. Each is unique and it is something that has to be experiences to truly understand and enjoy.
Spectra's Cabaret
Spectra's Cabaret is an original Royal Caribbean production that is shown in the evenings and is a featured show onboard Anthem of the Seas.
Trying to explain Spectra's Cabaret is not easy, but it features the Maestro and his Agents of Rhythm, whom take the audience through an, "an electric multi-dimensional cabaret" that involves singing, dancing, plenty of lighting effects, integration with the Roboscreens and much more.
What is truly impressive about Spectra's Cabaret is that it is a multi-media extravaganza brimming with kaleidoscopic sounds, effervescent colors and dazzling movement. Spectra’s Cabaret blends live performance and experiential cinema along with music from popular culture. In short, it is like nothing you may have seen before.
Virtual Concert & Virtual Symphony
Royal Caribbean has built a reputation for offering terrific music on its cruise ships, and Two70 offers virtual concerts that are the next best thing to the real thing. In fact, it can be difficult sometimes to hear a difference.
There are Virtual Concert & Virtual Symphony performances offered throughout Anthem of the Seas sailings, that feature performances by the American Philharmonic Orchestra or the Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns.
This is a real concert that was recorded in ultra-high definition and broadcast on the amazing screens in Two70.
Seminars
There is a lot of entertainment offered in Two70, but some of it involves you. Often, there will be classes and lessons offered in Two70 during the day, where guests can go to learn about a certain topic. This can come in the form of dance classes, educational seminars and more.
We have seen a lot of different kinds of classes offered here, including ballroom dance (which is quite popular), culinary lessons and jewelry making workshops.
Nightclub
When evening turns to night, Two70 is transformed yet again into an adults-only nightclub. Club two70 offers plenty of music for adults to dance to, in a nightclub kind of experience.
Loud music, flowing drinks and plenty of space to dance. With the large dance floor and ample seating, Club two70 is a mix of a lounge and club that should provide the right kind mix of both for guests looking to dance the night away.
The view
While there is lots of great entertainment in Two70, visiting this part of the ship is worth it just for the sweeping views available. Whether you are in port, or out at sea, there is always a very impressive landscape to enjoy.
Two70 got its name by the fact it offers a two hundred and seventy degree view of the aft of the ship, and this means you can enjoy one of the best views on the ship, inside or outside.
In truth, Two70 acts kind of like the ship's "living room," and like most living rooms, it is a great place to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view from the comfort of a couch.
Cafe @ Two70
It just would not be a Royal Caribbean cruise if there is not food conveniently located nearby, and adjacent to Two70 is the cafe that shares its name: Cafe @ Two70.
Throughout the day, guests can get meals and snacks from Cafe @ Two70. By far, the best choice for food here is the Kummelweck Sandwich. This sandwich was first offered on Oasis-class ships, but is available on Anthem of the Seas in Cafe @ Two70. It is essentially a rare, thin cut of roast beef, dipped in au jus and served on a roll with a touch of horseradish.
If it sounds mighty tasty, that is because it really is and something that is a must-try (at least a half dozen times) for any guest.
There is plenty more of food served in Cafe @ Two70, and is a great less-crowded breakfast option. Regardless of which meal you choose to eat here, the best part is taking your food over to Two70 and enjoying the view with your food!
Two70 Bar
If you like a view with your drink, head over to Two70 on one of Anthem of the Seas ships because it is hard to beat what you can see here.
With all the goings-on in Two70, grabbing a drink at Two70's bar makes for the perfect accompaniment to any performance.
Besides the view, the drink quality at this bar is quite good. In our experience, this bar tends to rely less on mixes and hand-crafts many of the drinks served here. This means the quality of the drinks are far often superior to other locations onboard.
Your thoughts
Have you been to Two70 on Anthem of the Seas? What is your favorite aspect of Two70? Which performance stands out as a real crowd pleaser? Share your opinion in our comments below!
Welcome to this week's edition of the Royal Caribbean post round-up, where we summarize all of the Royal Caribbean news and information from this week into one handy-dandy post! There is plenty of great content to enjoy, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's round-up!
These new sailings extend through the end of December, and offer a variety of itineraries, including many longer sailings.
Guests can embark on Empress of the Seas sailings that range from 4- to 8-nights, and will visit ports all over the Caribbean.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this news is what was not announced, in that these new sailings signal there will be no Royal Caribbean sailings to Cuba this year.
Trying Royal Caribbean for the first time is something a lot of people consider, and this week, James comes on the podcast to review his recent Allure of the Seas sailing. James discusses what he and his family thought of Royal Caribbean and what their experiences were like onboard.
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 Blog Reader Finds
If you are on a Royal Caribbean cruise and spot something cool, new or just fun, share a photo with us on Facebook or Twitter so we can add it to our Royal Caribbean Blog Reader Finds each Sunday!
Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial fan blog written for other fans of Royal Caribbean International. The Royal Caribbean Blog is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International
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