One of the most endearing neighborhoods found on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class cruise ships is the Boardwalk, which is reminiscent of the whimsical seaside resorts. Dedicated to family, fun and nostalgia, the Boardwalk neighborhood was inspired by both the seaside piers that dot the coast of England and the nostalgic boardwalks of yesteryear such as Coney Island.

The Boardwalk is one of seven distinct "neighborhoods" that help break up an Oasis class ship.  Located at the aft of the ship, the Boardwalk is a rather large area on the ship that offers lots of entertainment throughout the day and evening.

The area is well known for the dining and entertainment options, as well as view of the ocean.  Being at the rear of the ship, guests can catch a glimpse of the ocean, along with a show or something to eat. Boardwalk is an area for the entire family to enjoy together, whether young or just young at heart. The elements of the Boardwalk are a dynamic way to engage families in classic fun with a colorful original carousel as well as casual eateries, retail outlets and carnival games. 

There is plenty to see and do in the Boardwalk and here is a look at what you can look forward to on your next cruise.

Dining

Royal Caribbean offers some terrific dining options in the Boardwalk, including restaurants and bars.

These include

• Restaurants
  • Boardwalk Dog House
  • Sabor (Harmony)
  • Johnny Rockets
  • Cups & Scoops (Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas)
  • Starbucks (Harmony of the Seas)
  • Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade (Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas)
  • Sugar Beach candy shop (Symphony, Wonder, and Utopia)
• Bars
  • Sabor Bar
  • Playmakers

The various restaurants in the Boardwalk are inviting choices for lunch or dinner.  Johnny Rockets is open for breakfast (with no charge for breakfast), and as you stroll the Boardwalk, most of the options are perfect for dropping in for a bite to eat.  The Boardwalk features some of the best dining choices aboard any Royal Caribbean ship.

Staterooms

There are a number of staterooms that offer views of the Boardwalk neighborhood on Oasis-class ships, a feature that is unique to this class of cruise ship. 

On Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships, guests can reserve three types of staterooms that offer a view of the Boardwalk.

Boardwalk View Stateroom with Balcony

Balcony Boardwalk staterooms offer a sitting area (some with sofa bed), minibar and private balcony overlooking the amusements and exciting entertainment down on the Boardwalk.

Boardwalk balcony staterooms are 182 square feet in size, with a 52 square foot private balcony (on Oasis of the Seas, the balcony is 47 square feet).

These rooms are a very popular and attractively priced option. Depending on your stateroom location, there is the possibility of seeing the ocean and/or AquaTheater from the balcony.

Boardwalk View Stateroom

Similar to the Boardwalk View with Balcony rooms, the Boardwalk View rooms are like oceanview staterooms, but with a porthole instead of a balcony that overlooks the Boardwalk.  These rooms offer convenient access to the Boardwalk neighborhood.

The rooms are 187 square feet on Oasis of the Seas and 191 square feet on Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas in size. The rooms feature two twin beds that convert to Royal King, boardwalk view, sitting area, and a private bathroom.

Boardwalk View rooms will cost less than their balcony cousins, but still offer a way to see all the happenings on the Boardwalk.

AquaTheater Suite

One of the most luxurious stateroom options on Oasis-class ships are the AquaTheater suites, which offer the perfect vantage point for entertainment in the AquaTheater.  They also are immaculately furnished and feature private wrap-around balconies and more.

The appeal of these staterooms are the top-of-the-line experience, along with the fantastic views.  It goes without saying that a suite experience is the ultimate way to splurge and enjoy oneself on a cruise, and these AquaTheater suites are tough to beat.

AquaTheater suites range in size, but expect a room around 650-823 square feet in size, with a private balcony that is around 600-803 square feet in size.  Yes, this is a big room.

Entertainment

Like all areas of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the Boardwalk offers many things to see and do as well.

The centerpiece of Boardwalk is a one-of-a-kind carousel. Handcrafted from poplar wood specially for Royal Caribbean, the full-sized, traditional carousel features 18 figures suspended from stainless steel poles showcasing a time-honored menagerie of animals such as zebras, giraffes, and lions, alongside a variety of hand-painted horses including a princess horse and a crowned frog prince.

The lead horse, customarily the fanciest horse of the carousel, is adorned with Royal Caribbean logos, while a single chariot serves as a stationary seat for two. The frame of the carousel has a red and golden yellow facade, turn-of-the-century artwork scenery panels, and LED lights that twinkle during the day and night.

Many shows will take place in the AquaTheater, which is a remarkable outdoor venue that features a backdrop of the ocean across the horizon. Guests will find a variety of shows during the day and a dazzling ocean front theater with water and light shows, and professional aquatic acrobatic and synchronized swimming performances by night. 

The AquaTheater is a distinct high diving, acrobatic performance space introduced by Royal Caribbean with the Oasis class of ships, that feature two 10-meter high platforms and the hydraulic-floored pool, the largest and deepest freshwater pool at sea, below will serve as podiums for high-diving, hair-raising aerobatics that AquaTheater audiences have come to love. With seating for 600 theatergoers, the AquaTheater features some of the very best entertainment found on any Royal Caribbean ship, and the diving shows are not to be missed. 

There are two rock climbing walls that flank the AquaTheater, with multiple climbing routes that offer the right kind of challenge for climbers of all levels.

The Boardwalk Arcade is another fun family option, where you can try your luck at ring toss, skeeball, and other beloved carnival games.

Boardwalk Must-Dos

Of all the experiences available in the Boardwalk neighborhood, there are a few must-do activities we recommend all guests check out for themselves.

Take a ride on the Carousel

No cruise aboard an Oasis-class ship is complete without a ride (or three) on the Carousel.  Regardless of age, guests of all ages can enjoy the classic nature of this attraction.

Be sure to bring your camera, because there are bound to be terrific photo opportunities and ride during the evening and day to get completely different experiences.

AquaTheater shows

The evening AquaTheater diving and acrobatic shows are some of the best entertainment Royal Caribbean offers and should not be missed.  The shows are awe-inspiring athletic and artistic masterpieces that feature incredible diving performances.

There are several different shows featured in the evening across the Oasis-class ships.

• Oasis of the Seas: Aqua80s
• Allure of the Seas: Aqua80Too
• Harmony of the Seas: The Fine Line
• Wonder of the Seas: inTENse
• Symphony of the Seas: HiRo
• Utopia of the Seas: Aqua80Too

What do you enjoy about the Boardwalk? Share your thoughts in our comments!

Every Friday, we share our readers favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photos because, we all can use a "virtual escape" to relive some great cruising memories.

If you want your photo featured in an upcoming Friday Photos post, be sure to use this form to send it to us.

Our first photo this week is from Scott Singer, and it is of his son, Oliver, who fell in love with the Johnny Rockets menu while on a 14-night cruise. Love those burgers and shakes!

Next, we have Serenade of the Seas in Geiranger, Norway by Allen S. The natural beauty of Scandinavia is amazing.

Staying in Europe, here is a photo by Dave Rimingtonn of him enjoying Ouzo, while enjoying the view of the beautiful Rhapsody of the Seas in Santorini. Opa!

Scott Allan sent this photo of a very colorful Schooner Bar aboard Brilliance of the Seas.  Looks like another fun evening in a classic Royal Caribbean bar!

Next up, we have Legend of the Seas in Manila, Philippines, taken by Princelee Acupan.  Legend of the Seas is well-versed in cruises around that part of the world, having sailed Asian waters for many years now.

Who among us has not recreated a photo similar to this? With apologies to James Cameron, this is something we all try, including Wendy Hoggarth's husband and daughter.

Our final photo this week is from Julie Brown, and it is of the Christmas tree found on the Royal Promenade of Adventure of the Seas.  Spending the holidays on a Royal Caribbean ship is terrific!

Thank you to everyone that sent in their photos that were featured this week, and we want to see your Royal Caribbean photos too! Use this form to send them in and we will feature them in an upcoming edition of Friday Photos!

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.

Thanks to Shannon for alerting us to this news!

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.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 160. 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!

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!