Royal Caribbean is busy with plenty of changes, and I want to make sure you're aware of everything happening.

Between the major announcements, there are a good amount of smaller updates that occur every week, so this is a quick round-up of Royal Caribbean news from this week.

Many thanks to the RoyalCaribbeanBlog community for helping spot what has changed.

If you ever have a news tip, feel free to email it to [email protected] for possible inclusion in a future update!

New biodegradable straws

There's a new kind of biodegradable straw on at least some Royal Caribbean ships.

Royal Caribbean got rid of plastic straws on its cruise ships in 2018, but the paper straw replacements have been received with mixed reactions.

According to the StrawFish website, the straws are able to biodegrade without the need for oxygen, in a process called anaerobic biodegradation. This is essential because landfill conditions consist of extremely low oxygen levels.

In fact, they've been tested to 100% biodegrade in under 27 weeks in natural landfill conditions.

So far they've been spotted on Harmony, Freedom, and Jewel of the Seas.

Readers that tried them have all reported them being a far better solution compared to the paper straws they replaced.

Thanks to twangster and Dan Kohout for providing photos.

First Royal Caribbean ship to reach 100% capacity

We may have had the first Royal Caribbean cruise ship get to full capacity since the pandemic.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Shannon Ford is sailing on Odyssey of the Seas this week and reported the ship's Captain mentioning during her sailing.

The Captain added this is the first sailing to be sold at 100%.

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Spring break has seen many ship capacities rise from around 50-60% limits that were in place in January and February.

New shampoo and body wash

Guests are seeing a new brand of shampoo, body wash, and conditioner in their cabin on at least some ships.

Janet Pirkle shared a photo of the new Salt + Breeze brand toiletries that were added to her Junior Suite on Mariner of the Seas.

Other cruisers reported seeing Salt + Breeze brand liquids added to select cabins on Harmony, Explorer, Odyssey, and Independence of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean is still using Malin & Goetz on other ships in the suites.

Galveston cruise ship terminal construction update

Royal Caribbean's new cruise terminal in Galveston is making significant progress in its construction.

Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees posted an update on the progress of Pier 10.

The new building should be complete in about 8 months.

Once complete the 68-foot-tall building will be faced with colorful blue panels, vertical accent windows, and the distinctive Royal Caribbean anchor logo.

For the first time in two years, Royal Caribbean will offer a Kids Sail Free offer.

While the cruise line has brought out a number of different promotions during the pandemic, kids sail free has been absent until now.

The Kids Sail Free deal has been a popular option for families because kids 12 years old and under staying in the same room as two adults are free to cruise.

Beginning on March 24, the kids sail free offer is back, which can be combined with a few different other discounts.

The new offer includes up to $550 off the cruise fare, plus 30% off every guest, and kids sail free.

The new deal begins March 24, 2022, so you will not see new pricing until that date.

Deal details

Kids Sail Free applies to new bookings made between 3/24 – 3/31/22 on sailings departing on or after June 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023.

It provides free cruise fare for third guests and higher who are 12 years old and younger as of departure date on sailings 3 nights or longer booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests in a triple or quad occupancy stateroom.

Kids Sail Free excludes Thanksgiving sailings departing 11/18/22 – 11/25/22, Holiday sailings departing 12/22/22 – 1/8/23, Spring break sailings departing 3/10/23 – 3/24/23, and Easter sailings departing 4/6/23 – 4/16/23.

Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional and apply to all guests.

Up to $550 off Extension applies to new bookings made on 3/24– 3/28/22. Up to $550 off Extension provides up to $550 USD instant savings for select sailings departing on or after 4/24/22.

Savings amount is per stateroom and varies by category booked and sailing length:

• Sailings 5 nights or less, $25 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $150 for Suites
• Sailings 6 nights or longer, $50 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $100 for Balconies and $550 for Suites.

Offer open to residents of US, Canada, Puerto Rico and select countries in the Caribbean. 

Is this a good deal?

Kids Sail Free deals definitely save money, but the issue has always been finding dates that were not blacked out. With Kids Sail Free being offered over the summer, there is ample opportunity for families to take advantage of the offer.

Your best value with Kids Sail Free will be in the higher category rooms, especially balcony and suite rooms, where the savings on the third and fourth passenger are more substantial.

Of course, Kids Sail Free deal requires the kids to be in the same stateroom as the parents, so you cannot split across multiple rooms and use the offer.

Using a good travel agent, you can easily compare and contrast prices between sailings.

With Royal Caribbean's European cruise season just weeks away from beginning, the cruise line has begun to publish its health protocols for cruises in the region.

Guests with cruises booked in Europe this summer have been anxious to know what the onboard experience will be like, as well as what changes they can expect. 

Royal Caribbean has been cautious with announcing protocols, as government regulations and health expert recommendations have been changing regularly. But the first set of protocols for cruisers is starting to emerge.

Royal Caribbean informed passengers on its transatlantic sailings, as well as cruises from Copenhagen, Denmark, of what to expect for Covid protocols.  Protocols for other ships sailing in Europe in 2022 are expected soon.

Royal Caribbean also added that these protocols are subject to change due to evolving government regulations in the region.

Here's a look at the first protocols released so far on Royal Caribbean's website.

Transatlantic

Royal Caribbean has released protocols for guests sailing from U.S. to Europe on Transatlantic cruises.

These apply to the following sailings:

• April 20, 2022 Wonder of the Seas sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Barcelona, Spain
• April 23, 2022 Odyssey of the Seas sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Rome, Italy
• April 29, 2022 Vision of the Seas sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Barcelona, Spain
• April 29, 2022 Jewel of the Seas sailing from Miami, Florida to Amsterdam, Netherlands
• May 2, 2022 Anthem of the Seas sailing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey to Southampton, U.K.

Vaccination

For transatlantic sailings, all guests, regardless of age, must be fully vaccinated. Guests who do not meet this requirement, including unvaccinated children under age 12, will not be permitted to board a transatlantic sailing departing from the U.S. to Europe.

Additionally, all crew members onboard will be fully vaccinated.

Testing

Depending on where your ship sails to, the testing requirements are different.

Most transatlantic guests must show a negative result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 1 day before boarding day. This is due to a requirement from the government of Spain for ships that visit the country.

Guests on the May 2nd Anthem of the Seas sailing to the U.K. will have 2 days to complete this test.

During the cruise, guests 12 and older who are considered unvaccinated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or who are not up-to-date with their vaccines will require additional testing during the sailing depending on itinerary. 

Masks

Masks are optional for vaccinated guests onboard. Masks will be required in Adventure Ocean, in the terminal, and may be required at various destinations.

Excursions

Fully vaccinated guests can visit most ports of call freely. Depending on their itinerary, guests who are not up-to-date with their vaccines/ boosters may require multiple tests to disembark in ports of call.

Cruises from Copenhagen, Denmark

Voyager of the Seas will sail from Copenhagen in the summer of 2022.

Vaccination

All Royal Caribbean guests aged 12 and older must present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination approved by the WHO or EMA, with the final dose administered at least 14 days before sailing.

Children aged 11 and under do not require COVID-19 vaccination to cruise. However, kids aged 5 to 11 who have been vaccinated may present proof of full vaccination and follow the protocols for vaccinated guests. 

All crew onboard the ship are fully vaccinated and receive a booster dose as they become eligible.

Testing

Sailings longer than 10 nights may have additional onboard testing requirements.

Pre-cruise

Besides what Royal Caribbean requires, non-EU or Schengen visitors must present a negative Covid-19 antigen test taken within 24 hours of their flight departure time.

Prior to embarkation day, fully vaccinated guests will need to show a negative result for an antigen test taken no more than two days before boarding day.

Unvaccinated kids age 2 to 11 will take a complimentary test when checking in at the terminal.

During the cruise

Depending on their itinerary, guests who are not up-to-date with their vaccines/ boosters or whose vaccine is not approved by the EMA, may require multiple tests and curated shore excursions to disembark in ports of call.

For sailings from Copenhagen, this currently includes guests age 12 and above for the rest of Europe.

Prior to disembarkation

Guests age 15 and above not up-to-date with their vaccines/ boosters , will take an antigen test within two days of disembarkation day. Guests will be notified onboard about how to register for this test.

Guests under 2 years of age do not need to complete a pre-cruise test.

Masks

Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests.

Masks are required for all children age 2 and older while at the Adventure Ocean youth program. Guests under 2 do not have to wear a mask at any time. 

Excursions

Fully vaccinated guests can visit most ports of call freely. Depending on their itinerary, guests who are not up-to-date with their vaccines/ boosters may require multiple tests to disembark in ports of call.

Royal Caribbean has released its plans for cruises down under in 2023-2024.

Three cruise ships will sail from Australia: Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.

"It’s thrilling to welcome back two Quantum Class ships Down Under, demonstrating Royal Caribbean’s commitment to the region. Plus, because there’s always more room for adventure with Royal Caribbean, we’ve taken the opportunity to bring Enchantment of the Seas to Australia to offer unique sailings that visit new destinations we know our guests are excited to explore," said Gavin Smith, managing director of Australia and New Zealand, Royal Caribbean International.

"We look forward to even more guests, their loved ones and families creating memories while holidaying with us in several of the most spectacular places on earth."

Here's a look at each of the ships sailing from Australia:

Quantum of the Seas

Homeport: Brisbane

Following its first summer season in Brisbane in 2022, Quantum of the Seas returns to offer 3- to 13-night cruises.

Itineraries include visits to destinations in Queensland, such as Airlie Beach and Cairns, Queensland. Longer sailings visit places in the South Pacific, such as Port Vila, Vanuatu, and Noumea, New Caledonia.

Ovation of the Seas

Homeport: Sydney

Ovation of the Seas will sail from Australia for the fifth season and offer a series of 9- to 11-night cruises around New Zealand, including Milford Sound, Wellington and Bay of Islands. 

There are also 3- to 9- night cruises around Australia that visit Hobart, Adelaide and Eden; as well as cruises to the South Pacific islands.

Enchantment of the Seas

Homeport: Sydney

Enchantment of the Seas will sail from Australia for the first time, and she will visit some brand new destinations for any Royal Caribbean ship, such as Kangaroo Island and Gladstone, Australia. 

Royal Caribbean has arranged a series of 8- to 11- night cruises to the South Pacific that visit Raiatea, French Polynesia; Isle of Pines, Mare; and Lifou, New Caledonia.

If you have the time, check out the 34-night circumnavigation cruise that visits all of Australia and New Zealand by booking a combination of two itineraries.

Availability

These new sailings are available to book immediately.

To sweeten the deal, Royal Caribbean is offering half-price deposits for sailings booked by Australians between March 23 and April 5.

There's a change of plans for Radiance of the Seas winter plans.

Instead of cruising from Australia, Royal Caribbean will be based in New Orleans, Louisiana and Galveston, Texas.

The original plan was for Radiance to offer sailings from Sydney, Australia from October 2022 through April 2023. In an email to travel agents, the cruise line acknowledged the disappointment this change has caused, "We know this news may be disappointing, and we apologize for the impact to your clients' vacation plans."

There was no specific reason given why Radiance was deployed away from Australia.

Guests booked on Radiance of the Seas from Sydney will be given options for cancellation or rebooking.

Return to New Orleans

Royal Caribbean hasn't sailed from New Orleans since before the pandemic, when Majesty of the Seas was based there.

Traditionally, New Orleans has been a port Royal Caribbean bases its ships from year-round. Instead, it would base ships there temporarily, rather than having a permanent presence.

New sailings

Radiance of the Seas will offer a Panama Canal crossing from Los Angeles on October 20, 2022, when she will begin sailing from New Orleans 

Radiance will begin her New Orleans cruises on November 3, 2022 with a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise.

Once in New Orleans, Radiance will offer 4-7 night Western Caribbean cruises that visit destinations in Mexico, Belize, Jamaica, and and Cayman islands.

In early 2023, Radiance moves to Galveston, Texas where she will offer 7-10 night Western Caribbean cruises.

The new Radiance of the Seas cruises are not yet available to book.

Going on a cruise ship right now feels as close to "normal" as we've ever been since early 2020.

With cruise ship health protocols so effective in keeping Covid-19 cases down, and Royal Caribbean opting into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) highly vaccinated program, face masks are optional onboard while indoors for fully vaccinated passengers. In addition, other policies have been scaled back.

I sailed on Wonder of the Seas for two weeks with the new protocols in place and wanted to share my experience for anyone who's wondering how close to normal cruising is right now.

Keep in mind that my experience is not indicative of what your experience will or will not be. I hope it sheds some insight into what the written policy really means in practical terms.

What's changed?

The biggest difference you'll notice is that you don't have to wear a face mask indoors anymore.

As of February 25, 2022, Royal Caribbean made masks optional for fully vaccinated passengers.

Unvaccinated children to continue wearing masks indoors and in crowded settings. Masks are required for all children while at the Adventure Ocean youth program. Guests under 2 do not have to wear a mask at any time.

Masks should also be worn at the cruise terminal during the boarding and screening process, as well as during disembarkation. 

Another big change is vaccinated zones are a thing of the past.

Instead of having select bars and lounges off limits to unvaccinated kids or having vaccinated-only performances in theaters, these distinctions have gone away.

Another big change is Adventure Ocean no longer has limited capacity.  While face masks are required of all children in Adventure Ocean, there's no need for advance reservations for children three years and older.

My experience with the relaxed protocols

Having had been on more than a dozen cruises with various health protocols, it was a bit strange having a more open feel to the cruise ship experience.

It took me about three days to stop feeling like I forgot to put my mask on when I would leave my stateroom. Remembering to grab and put on a mask when I left my cabin became an almost Pavlovian response. 

Needless to say, it was a welcome feeling.

When my kids joined me for the second sailing, they asked me when that feeling goes away, because they too felt like they were forgetting something.

Speaking of my children, it was an absolute joy to not have to make reservations for Adventure Ocean anymore.

Under the old protocols, Adventure Ocean limited capacity and required reservations so that everyone had a fair chance to get their kids in at least some days.

In practice, it just annoyed everyone and it left many families at a disadvantage without supervised child care in the evenings.  In the early days of very low ship capacity, this wasn't a big deal because there were few kids. But as ship capacity went up in the late winter, Adventure Ocean didn't scale up their capacity and it was disappointing.

Other than requiring masks, Adventure Ocean is essentially back to normal with their admission policy, as well as games. All the kids' favorite activities are back.

Another result of Royal Caribbean opting into the highly vaccinated program with the CDC is more activities can return, such as laser tag and pool deck activities like sexiest man competition.

Guests are able to sit at bars, and there are no longer tables designated off limits to promote social distancing.

In summary, I found cruising with the relaxed protocols a welcome change. While I didn't mind cruising with a mask on indoors, being able to remove my mask once onboard brought back the sense of cruising again the way it used to be more than ever.

Increasing capacity

The days of lower ship capacity are quickly becoming a memory, as we're seeing Royal Caribbean ships move their capacity limits higher.

A running thread on the RoyalCaribbeanBlog message boards tracks the amount of passengers on a given sailing, and there appears to be anecdotal evidence of higher amounts of passengers this month than last month.

Based on double occupancy, some ships are seeing much higher guest counts. It's also worth noting Spring Break has begun and demand for cruises is higher this time of year than earlier in the year.

• Adventure of the Seas March 14 sailing: 2933 passengers (94% capacity)
• Mariner of the Seas March 17 sailing: 3,000 passengers (89% capacity)
• Wonder of the Seas March 11 sailing: 4,396 passengers (76% capacity)
• Anthem of the Seas March 20 sailing: 3281 passengers (78% capacity)

More passengers on a cruise ship isn't a bad thing. Rather, it's a sign of healthy demand for cruising and a return to the norm of what ships were like prior to the pandemic.

Another benefit to more guests onboard is certain activities feel more active. Theater shows, musical performances, and trivia are all much more well attended, which adds to the energy of these experiences.

Core Covid protocols remain

While some Covid-19 protocols have been scaled back, the core Covid protocols are still in place.

Pre-cruise covid testing for all passengers and a requirement all cruisers 12 years old and above be fully vaccinated remains for all ships, and there is no indication these protocols are going anywhere.

Moreover, enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols are being utilized onboard ships. Royal Caribbean already enhanced its air-filtration systems before cruises restarted in 2021 to ensure the airborne spread of Covid would be a nearly non-existent threat.

Thankfully, the emuster process remains unchanged as well. Guests complete most of the safety drill on their smartphone at their leisure on the first day, and simply have to report to their muster station so they know where it is located.

This was a busy week with Royal Caribbean news, and we have a summary of all of the news from this week to make certain you did not miss any of it.

Royal Caribbean changed its policy for unvaccinated guests on shore excursions.

For departures on or after March 18, 2022: all guests, regardless of vaccination status, may visit most ports freely or book a shore excursion.

There are a few exceptions, such as Barbados or Falmouth.

Royal Caribbean News

• CDC lowers travel warning against cruise ships
• Australia cruise ship ban will end on April 17
• CDC relaxes more cruise ship Covid-19 protocols
• Royal Caribbean updates: Hideaway Beach, fuel surcharge & more!
• Wonder of the Seas Guide, itinerary, features, and more
• The Mason Jar Southern food restaurant review on Wonder of the Seas
• The most Instagramable places on Wonder of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean launches new pre-cruise sale on drink packages, wifi and more
• The questions people are asking about Wonder of the Seas
• Easy Monkey, Sloth & Iguana tour review in Roatan
• My Impressions of Perfect Day at CocoCay: Revisiting 13 Years Later

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 446th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring a roundtable review of Wonder of the Seas.

In this episode, Erica Silverstein and Ashley Kosciolek from The Points Guy talk with Matt about what they experienced on Wonder of the Seas.

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.

New RCB Video: Royal Caribbean Dining Package Pros & Cons

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Royal Caribbean Dining Package Pros & Cons — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Wonder of the Seas vs other Oasis Class ships

What's different about Wonder of the Seas compared to other Oasis Class ships?

In some ways, Wonder of the Seas can be looked at as an “Oasis Plus” class compared to just an Oasis Class ship.

Whether you’re simply curious as to what Wonder of the Seas is like or you are planning a cruise on the ship, it’s helpful to know the ins and outs of how Wonder of the Seas differs from other Oasis Class ships.

Royal Caribbean launches hotel booking platform

Royal Caribbean will let you book airfare and now hotels along with your cruise.

The new Royal Caribbean Hotels program is a partnership with Priceline, which aims to offer cruisers an easy way to get a pre-cruise hotel.

Royal Caribbean says this new program offers exclusive rates with thousands of hotels in every Royal Caribbean departure and arrival port, including those in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific as well as North, South and Central America.

What it's like to go on an Alaska cruise in the early season

What's it like to cruise to Alaska in May or early June?

The early cruise season in Alaska is often overlooked due to the fact that it does not fit in the school vacation schedule and that temperatures may not be as high as in the peak of summer.

Here’s an overview of what to expect on an Alaska cruise in the early season.

On Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its requirements for cruise ships sailing in U.S. waters by relaxing a few protocols.

All the cruise lines operating in the United States, including Royal Caribbean, are operating under the CDC's Covid-19 Program for Cruise Ships. This is a series of regulations that govern Covid-19 protocols onboard.

Over the last few weeks, the CDC has rolled back many Covid-19 protocols surrounding the operation of cruise ships, including twice lowering the warning level for travel on cruise ships.

The CDC changed three rules that make things easier for the cruise lines.

Interactive experiences

Cruise ship operators may resume interactive experiences such as galley tours and cooking classes. 

Up until now, these onboard activities were prohibited, such as interactive cooking, culinary workshops and demonstrations, mixology/blending classes, and galley and other "behind the scene" tours.

With the change, the requirements for food services for cruise ships operating under the CDC's classification of highly vaccinated ships (which is what Royal Caribbean does), become recommendations instead of requirements.

This opens the way for activities such as sushi making classes, behind-the-scenes tours, and cupcake making classes to resume.

Quarantine in own cabin

If a traveler identified as a close contact is disembarking the ship within 36 hours, the cruise line may allow the traveler to stay in the original cabin if the traveler will be the only person in that cabin.

Previously, they would have been moved to quarantined area of the ship with special cabins for someone confirmed or suspected of having Covid-19.

Port agreements

The CDC also revised the requirements cruise lines must have with the ports their ships sail from.

Specifically, the CDC modified port agreements, removing ship and capacity limits at ports. 

Cruise industry reaction

Following the changed rules, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) issued a statement that characterized these revisions as, "welcome changes."

"CLIA cruise line members continue to lead the way in unmatched health and safety measures compared to virtually any other commercial setting. "

"The updates announced today acknowledge the effectiveness of the cruise lines in their ability to create an environment that provides one of the highest levels of COVID-19 mitigation and reflect the improvements in the public health landscape."

"CLIA member cruise lines will continue to operate in a way that prioritizes the health and safety of everyone onboard, as well as the communities that we visit."

We're almost through the work week, and I've got an update to share about different Royal Caribbean changes and happenings.

Throughout the week, Royal Caribbean news comes in, and some of it is not necessarily worthy of an individual article, but I think readers will still want to know about it.

If you ever have a news tip, feel free to email it to [email protected] for possible inclusion in a future update!

Hideaway Beach construction

As reported last week, the new adults-only beach area at Perfect Day at CocoCay is under construction.

Previously, the land was being cleared, but actual construction began recently.

The current estimate is for Hideaway Beach to open in mid to late 2023.

Oil surcharge?

Rising crude oil prices have impacts throughout society, including cruise ships.

Some have wondered if fuel surcharges could return to cruise fares, but Royal Caribbean says don't expect them.

According to a report by The Points Guy, Royal Caribbean has no plans to bring back fuel surcharges, even if oil prices continue going up.

The price of West Texas Intermediate oil had gotten as high as $130 per barrel, but has come back down to around $100 per barrel more recently.

Island hop

A favorite topic to track here on Royal Caribbean Blog is new trademark filings, and Royal Caribbean has a new one.

The cruise line trademarked, "Island Hop" without much indication what it could be used for.

The description for Island Hop is "Travel agency services, namely, making reservations and bookings for transportation; Travel agency services, namely, making reservations and bookings for cruises; Travel arrangement"

Galveston cruise terminal construction

Royal Caribbean's new cruise terminal in Galveston continues to move forward.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader billdauterive shared new photos while sailing past the construction site on Adventure of the Seas.

The new $125 million cruise terminal will open in Fall 2022 in time for Allure of the Seas to begin cruising from there.

New cruises from Los Angeles delayed

Royal Caribbean has pushed back when its new batch of cruises from Los Angeles will be posted.

The 2023-2024 cruises from L.A. have been delayed until the week of April 4.

Prior to that release, Australia's deployments for 2023-2024 will be posted next week, followed by Barbados & Panama sailings the week of March 28.