Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend and ready to talk a little Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean made a big announcement this week, when it released details on the Adventure of the Seas refurbishment.

Adventure of the Seas will undergo a $61 million refurbishment in October-November 2016.

The ship will receive all-new thrills and enhancements, including new dual racer waterslides, Cyclone and Typhoon, the popular FlowRider surf simulator, and a children’s aquapark, Splashaway Bay. In addition, guests will enjoy a new lineup of culinary and entertainment venues with Izumi Japanese Cuisine, the brand’s signature steakhouse, Chops Grille and Boleros Latin Lounge. The ship also will receive more than 100 new staterooms, a refresh of all existing staterooms and a brand new Suites Lounge for the luxury traveler.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean began a new Kids Sail Free promotion.
• Harmony of the Seas began her summer season in Barcelona.
• Tidal Wave water slide opened on Liberty of the Seas.
• Should first time cruisers choose the Oasis-class or Quantum-class?
• Photos of restuarants and bars on Harmony of the Seas.
• Aerial photos of Harmony of the Seas.
• Our top 4 places to use WOWbands on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Our review of Le Galion beach in St. Martin.
• Izumi sushi has been spotted in LIberty of the Seas 'Windjammer.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 149th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where try to answer the question of how much does a Royal Caribbean cruise really cost?

In this episode, we look at the various aspects of a cruise vacation and how to come up with a ballpark-budget of what your Royal Caribbean cruise will cost.

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

Yahoo! Business has a look at Royal Caribbean's ships in Asia.

Eat Sleep Cruise has the top 6 reasons to visit the SeaPlex.

icelolly has a list of the best restaurants on Harmony of the Seas.

Cruise Critic takes a look at new cruise ships that can still have work being done.

Michael Poole is LIVE blogging from Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. Follow along for updates on all the fun!

Today is our last port stop in Royal Caribbean’s private island Labadee. This island stop has always been one my favorites over the years.

When we arrived at 9am, they have a welcome show on their jet ski’s and boats. If you have a balcony on the starboard side (right side) you will hear them blowing the whistles welcoming everyone to the beautiful Labadee. This is when I really started getting excited about our beach day and ready to get off.

Around 10am we were walking off the ship, and noticed the ferry boat halfway down the pier giving free trips over to Columbus Cove Beach.

The ferryboat is only one way, so you must walk or find the bus going back. This beach is where all the kids jumping floats, they also have a full lunch setup. 

Once we were all settled in our beach chairs, which are included in the cruise I decided it was time for a labadoozie.

These drinks are included in the premium drink package in the small plastic cups. However, you can buy the souvenir cup with the drink package for an extra $2.95 and they will fill it all day.

I went with souvenir cup option so I could enjoy it longer in the water.

The bar service was really slow at first, as they were still setting up and having some computer issues, but they worked things out. 

Lunch in Labadee 

For lunch today, I ate the beach lunch in Labdee which is also included in the cruise. The lunch opens at 11:30am and closes at 1:30pm.

I would recommend having an early lunch around when they open. I went through the line at 1:15pm and all the food had been picked over and they were out of their ribs.

I went with a hotdog, chicken legs, and rice for lunch.

The lunch here has never been my favorite but it’s not a bad option if you want to stay out on the beach longer.

After another hour at Labadee we decided to head back to the ship to shower up then nap. We could have stayed a little longer, but we were all just so hot. 

Dinner at Sabor 

I know you must be thinking again! We just love Sabor and wanted something a little more casual for our meal before the Quest. 

Dinner tonight was different that my previous times at Sabor. The restaurant was completely full with a wait, which caused the service to get very backed up. Lucky for us, we had plenty of time and plenty of guacamole.

I ordered the $5 guacamole and $5 chicken quesadillas, that combo is my go to.

There were times where we had to walk up to the sabor bar for more water or refill on our margarita, but it doesn’t bother me. 

Quest 

After dinner tonight we at the Quest in Studio B at 10pm, doors open at 9:30pm.

We arrived around 9:15pm and there was already a line forming to go in. My group had been talking about the Quest all week, so we were really excited.

If you don’t know what the Quest is, I’m not going to spoil it for you, just go.

Our team won first place, so we were all very excited. 

After Quest 

 After the Quest, we were all excited and not wanting the evening to end, so we headed to the pub.

The pub was completely packed; I’d never seen any pub so busy before. The live music has been so outstanding all week, it looks like people are coming back and staying. They tend to have a mixture of all types of music types and they do take requests.

After staying here for a while we decided to check out the solarium under the stars pool party. I will say, it looked really fun but after 15 minuets of being outside I was pretty soaked and which I had my swim trunks on. 

That’s a wrap on my Labadee day, tomorrow is our last day at sea…

With the launch of Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, there is a new ship that can use WOWbands and it got us thinking about the top reasons to use Royal Caribbean's RFID bracelets.

WOWbands allows guests to use these bracelets just like their SeaPass card, but with much more convenience.  They are the latest innovation from Royal Caribbean and incredibly cool.

If you happen to find yourself on a Royal Caribbean ship that has WOWbands, such as Harmony of the Seas, here are the top five places you will find them really helpful.

4. Gym

Those looking to burn off some extra calories on their cruise will really enjoy having a WOWband instead of carrying a SeaPass card.

One constant when it comes to working out is getting sweaty and not having to stash your SeaPass card somewhere makes things much easier.  

Plus, pockets are not common among active wear, so having a bracelet is much more convenient.

3. Casino

The casino on your Royal Caribbean is the place to try your luck, but it seems having to remember your SeaPass card in each slot machine is always a gamble.

The slot machines in the casino allow guests to track their progress and earn points for the money they gamble.  The problem is it is really easy to forget your SeaPass card in the slot machines when you are done playing on that machine.

With the SeaPass card, there is no forgetting your SeaPass card in the machine. Just let the slot machine read your WOWband and you are on your way.

2. At the pool

Just like the gym, when you are ready for a day by the pool, having to carry (and not lose) your SeaPass card is always a challenge, but a WOWband is the perfect accessory.

WOWbands are made from waterproof silicone and can make having access to charging drinks, getting towels and getting back to your stateroom a whole lot easier.

1. Coming back to your stateroom

Eventually, you will have to get back to stateroom and it seems like there are plenty of times you will be returning to your room throughout the day.

With WOWbands, there is no digging for your SeaPass cards because all you have to do is move your wrist in the general direction of the stateroom door reader and you get access!

For parents, who often have their hands full with children, bags or both, WOWbands make things so much simpler.

Where do you like using your WOWband? Tell us in the comments!

Enjoy this LIVE blog from Michael Poole, who is onboard Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas.

It is hard to believe my cruise is already on day 5, it’s flying by fast.

Today we are docked in San Juan from 7am to 2pm.

I’m sad to report I didn’t wake up until 9:30am and my group got off at 7:30am. Since I’ve been to San Juan before I decided to stay on board and just explore an empty ship all morning.

I explored the Boardwalk and even found a monkey out there!

Okay it’s not a real monkey, but he sure was cute. 

Lunch at Park Café 

Since I didn’t eat breakfast I was starting to get hungry, all the lunch options didn’t open until 11:30am. I almost went for Sabor again, but decided I’d go have a big salad in Park Café.

When I arrived to Park Café there was a line, again. It seems that this place has really become more popular over the years because I never recall seeing a line here.

Once you walk in to the left you will see a salad bar, with various toppings. After the salad bar they have pre-made sandwich’s packaged up and small bags of chips.

Followed by the famous roast beef sandwich, my favorite! 

Afternoon on board 

I decided I wouldd go enjoy some time on the pool deck, but I wanted to relax in the solarium.

The solarium on this class ships is really impressive, I like how it’s partly covered with openings to let fresh air come in for a nice breeze. They also have the only freshwater swimming pool on board. 

I’m sad to report when we left San Juan at 2pm we left a family of 4 on the pier, they arrived just minutes before we left.

This is a good wake-up call for myself to make sure I arrive to ship on time and not risk the ship leaving us. 

Dinner – Formal Night 

Tonight was our second formal night, we decided to get ready early and enjoy some pre-dinner drinks in the champagne lounge. This bar is usually very empty but on formal night it’s busy.

Shortly after, we decided we were all a little hungry and didn’t want to wait until dinner to eat, so it’s pre-dinner time.

To do something different we took the Rising Tide bar up to Central Park, then some tapa’s at Vintages.

They have a full menu of the tapa’s you can order starting around $5. They also offer a selection of them for $12-$20, which is great for 4+ people.

Tonight was lobster night in the Main Dining Room and that’s always something to get excited about. The lobster was very enjoyable and they are always willing to bring out more, if you can eat them.

The service has been really good in the dining room, we haven’t had any issues what so ever. I’ll also note one person in our group can only eat gluten free options and the staff has been great about getting him specials items not on the menu. 

Comedy show 

After dinner we had 11pm reservations for the comedy show. I would suggest arriving at least 20-30 minutes before the reserved show time.

There will be two long lines when you arrive, one for reservations and one without.

At 10:55pm they let the standby line start coming in to fill any empty seats. I was actually surprised with the number of extra people got in 20-30, but a large amount also didn’t once it was full.

The show was really funny; they have a host and two comedians, and last one hour. The show is not something you want to take the kids too, as the jokes can push the limits sometimes. Of course, I sat in the front row, seat 1 and was picked on the whole show, but I loved it!

After the show we wrapped up at the pub for a few songs and called it an night. 

Tomorrow is Labadee!

Royal Caribbean confirmed plans for Adventure of the Seas to undergo a $61 million refurbishment in November 2016.

Adventure of the Seas will receive all-new thrills and enhancements, including new dual racer waterslides, Cyclone and Typhoon, the popular FlowRider surf simulator, and a children’s aquapark, Splashaway Bay. In addition, guests will enjoy a new lineup of culinary and entertainment venues with Izumi Japanese Cuisine, the brand’s signature steakhouse, Chops Grille and Boleros Latin Lounge. The ship also will receive more than 100 new staterooms, a refresh of all existing staterooms and a brand new Suites Lounge for the luxury traveler.

We first reported this news back in May 2016, but this announcement confirms the news.

The reinvented Adventure is Royal Caribbean’s fifth ship to undergo revitalization, and at $61 million this will be the brand’s largest investment yet. The massive project will introduce some of the trademark innovations the cruise line is known for, bringing the best of Royal Caribbean onboard.

"We're thrilled to debut an array of new enhancements to one of our guest’s most beloved ships,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “The name Adventure says it all; this ship is packed with action, featuring a mix of signature features and innovations, including thrilling new waterslides and VOOM, the fastest internet at sea."

Every Friday, we invite our readers to share with us their favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photos, so that we can share them right here on the blog.

We have a great batch of photos to showcase this week. Enjoy!

Our first photo is of Enchantment of the Seas from someone who submitted it with a poem.  Here it is:

The beauty of the Miami Harbor reaches its zenith 
Whenever majestic vessels 
Transport joyous travelers
To thrilling locations
throughout the world...

Lyn sent us this photo of Explorer of the Seas in Sydney Harbor.  No poem this time, but quite beautiful nonetheless.

Next, we have a photo of Grandeur of the Seas by Timothy Griffin.  Looks like another day in paradise!

Earl McGrath sent this photo of his kids checking out Liberty of the Seas, while it and Allure of the Seas were docked in Falmouth.

Our next photo is by G.Spindler of Quantum of the Seas in the Azores.  Great looking ship!

Denny Allen sent in this panoramic photo from Labadee, and it is a fantastic view!

Our last photo this week is from John McCormack of Serenade of the Seas docked at Saguenay, Canada during her snowbird cruise in October, 2015.

Would you like your Royal Caribbean photo shown here? Send us your best photos and we will include it in an upcoming Friday Photos!

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas might not have the amazing Japanese specialty restaurant Izumi, but it is offering guests the next best thing: sushi from Izumi!

The Windjammer buffet on Liberty of the Seas has always had its Asian-cuisine section, known as Jade, where guests can sample various Asian food.  

While on Liberty of the Seas last week, reader Rob Chang sent us a photo of the new sushi options in Jade, which carry the Izumi branding.

Sushi from Jade on Liberty of the Seas

Rob reports the sushi tasting of a higher quality and being a better experience than what was there previously.  Plus, the sushi in Jade is still complimentary.

Sushi has been traditionally available at Jade on most evenings, but the quality of the sushi was never spectacular.

Sushi from Jade on Freedom of the Seas

It is not clear yet if this Izumi sushi on Liberty of the Seas is permanent or if it will become available on other Royal Caribbean ships that do not have an Izumi.

The hurricanes of 2017 damaged the beach. We do not recommend going here until it is rebuilt.

Picking the right shore excursion for families is always a challenge because depending on the age of your kids, what is appealing to one family might be completely uninteresting to another family.  When you have young kids, the choices become even more complicated.

Just over the French side of St. Martin is a small beach that offers the perfect kind of beach day for young children or anyone that enjoys going to the beach without waves.

Description

The appeal of Le Galion beach is a horseshoe shaped beach that has little to no waves, which makes it perfect for kids that cannot swim or are not strong swimmers. 

The beach is a short drive from where Royal Caribbean docks its cruise ships and just over the French side of the border.  Upon arrival, there is a large cove surrounded by a beach that provides easy access to the water.

There is no cost to access the beach, but there are charges to use the chairs and/or umbrellas (5 Euros for either).  The beach is frequented by tourists and locals alike, with locals usually setting up further down the beach where they can just put out a beach blanket.

The chairs and umbrellas are provided by the nearby bar and restaurant, which offers waiter service and has a full bar menu, as well as a good-sized lunch menu.  

Over the years, the amenities and offerings at Le Galion beach have been improved and there are diving platforms (complimentary), kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skis and more available for hourly charges.

Comments

Le Galion is a quiet family beach that is great for non-swimmers and kids to have a relaxing day.  The beach is a shallow lagoon, and adults can walk out many dozens of yards from shore and not have the water go past their waist.  

Le Galion also tends not to get as crowded as some other beaches frequented by cruise guests.  It is a laid back beach experience that offers just enough for kids to do, without relying on a ton of water toys that can turn the ocean into a virtual playground.

We have brought our children to Le Galion for years because the beach experience is perfect for kids that just want to splash around without fear of getting knocked over by waves or suddenly finding them in deeper water than before.

The cost to use the beach chairs and umbrellas is fair and waiter service that brings drinks and food is pretty good.  There is nothing else around, so you are dependent on the beach bar for food and drink, but their prices are fair for the French side of the island and the staff speak English and French fluently.

If you want a quiet, relaxing beach that has little-to-no waves, then Le Galion beach is perfect for you.

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, began her inaugural cruise season from her summer homeport of Barcelona, Spain this week.

The cruise line says the ship is coming off of receiving stellar guest satisfaction scores and feedback on its first repositioning cruise, from Southampton, U.K. to Barcelona.

The world’s largest cruise ship is sailing an exclusive five-night Western Mediterranean itinerary with visits to Rome (Civitavecchia) and Naples, Italy at full capacity, with guests representing more than 34 countries.

Harmony of the Seas’ inaugural summer season will offer seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries, showcasing Europe’s most popular destinations – Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Provence (Marseilles), France; Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples, Italy. The adventure-packed ship will reposition to the U.S. in November, where she will make Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, FL her permanent homeport.

Our blogger, Michael Poole, is aboard Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas and LIVE blogging every day his adventure!

Morning Time 

Well, it’s another sea day on board the Allure of the Seas, and I’d say I took full advantage of the day.

I started my day off with off at the Next Cruise Office booking the Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise on Harmony of the Seas, September 16, 2017.

They have a notebook outside the office where you can fill in an appointment time.

The big perk of booking on board is bonus on board credit, which you can take now or push to that cruise. This was a fairly easy process and they pull all your information off the sea pass card. 

Now that I’m excited about my new cruise booking, it was time to head to our pre-arranged bar crawl.

We planned to stop at four bars and then end up at Sabor for lunch. Well after the second bar, I think we all decided to go have some lunch, oh well the bar hop was a good idea right? That’s the beauty about cruising; you can change plans and do what you want. 

Lunch at Sabor 

I know what you must be thinking by now, how many times are you going to eat at Sabor?

Our lunch group was for 10 and the service was a little slower, but that’s expected for a large group.

I had the perfect margarita and the world’s famous guacamole.

They bring a cart over tableside and ask how you would like it prepared: mild, medium, or hot.

For my lunch I went with the chicken quesadilla, not the most exciting thing on the menu but will never let you down.

My total was $10 for the two, so a great option for someone who might be on a budget.

And for those of you who are dying to know, we ordered 6 guacamoles for the table. 

Afternoon on board 

After lunch I had around an hour to kill, so I thought between a nap or swimming for the first time… Well I figure I’ll sleep when I get home, the pool won.

Really surprised myself, but this was my first time in the pool the whole cruise.

The pools have been very busy but I’ve always seen chairs open. I like going to the beach pools because it has tables in between the chairs and umbrella’s to help block some of the sun. 

Mama Mia 

Today we had reservations at Mama Mia and I was so excited about seeing it again.

I saw it a few years back on Broadway when they brought Mama Mia to Quantum of the Seas when she launched.

Our show reservations were for 5pm, but for this show I’d suggest arriving at least 45 minutes early but try for an hour.

If you notice in the picture this was the line at 4pm waiting to get into the show for the prime seat.

The show is two and a half hours long, with a 15-minute intermission.

I’m sad to report I left for coffee at intermission and didn’t return. I was really enjoying the show and they do such a great job, but I was just too sleepy, maybe I should have napped. 

Dinner at Giovanni’s Table 

Tonight we had made reservations for Giovanni’s Table for 13 guests at 8pm. I was really excited about dining here because it’s the best group setting venue with their family style dining.

For our starters, they just brought them all out, so it was fun trying new things you perhaps wouldn’t order before.

I’m a big fan of their lasagna so we contacted our Diamond concierge to have that pre-arranged for us. This is a dish they just serve at lunch, but will often save some for dinner if ask a day before hand.

Our main courses worked the same way; they just brought everything out in the center of the table. At this point in the meal I was getting into what I call a food coma.

The service tonight for a large table like this was absolutely outstanding; we never had empty drink cups, wine glass, ect. After the meal was done, our waiter and chef came out to the table to thank us for dining with them and hoped we had enjoyed their food.

It was funny, because our waiter sat down at the head of the table after to have conversation with us for 10-15 minutes. The cover charge was $25 per person, that also includes gratuities, however we all left extra for their service. 

Well friends today was very action packed from start to finish. At 10:30pm I decided I couldn’t handle anything else except my bed. I wanted to feel very rested for my fun day in St. Maarten. Thanks for following along!