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

Episode 119 is available for downloading where Matt shares his thoughts on his recent 2-night cruise aboard Anthemof the Seas.

Matt experiences a lot onboard Anthem of the Seas, and this week, he dives into what makes Anthem of the Seas unique and discusses the aspects of dining, entertainment and accomodations that stood out and why.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 119. 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!

It’s been an exciting week as we have a front row seat to all the Royal Caribbean news from this week!

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean announced it ordered a fifth Quantum class cruise ship.

The new and unnamed cruise ship will be ready for deliver in the fall of 2020.

There is also no word yet on where this ship be based out of or any real details other than the ship will be built.

Royal Caribbean News

• Read our Anthem of the Seas live blog, which took place this weekend onboard New York's newest ship.
• It looks like Grease will be the Broadway show on Harmony of the Seas.
• Harmony of the Seas will have Jamie's Italian specialty restaurant.
• Royal Caribbean added three new Majesty of the Seas sailings after the refubishment.
• Royal Caribbean's BOGO GETTER sale was announced.
• Royal Caribbean will be broadcasting live from Anthem of the Seas on Periscope.
• Royal Caribbean spoke about the possibility of returning to the west coast.
• Photos of Anthem of the Seas arrival in New York Harbor.
• Our in-depth shore excursion review of Nachi Cocom in Cozumel.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas arrived in New York this week and Matt has the chance to cruise on her.

In this episode, Matt offers an in-depth preview of his Anthem of the Seas cruise, including what he has planned to do onboard and why this ship's arrival is so exciting.

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.

Let's cruise together on Allure of the Seas

I want you to join me on Allure of the Seas!

The Royal Caribbean Blog staff are going on Allure of the Seas and we are inviting all of our blog readers to join us!

We will be sailing on Allure of the Seas on February 21, 2016 and there are some fabulous rates available.  Interior staterooms start at only $850 per person (double occupancy)!

Read all the details (and the fun meets we already have planned).  This will be an amazing week with plenty of surprises and exclusive events for those that book into our group!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

MEI Travel posted a tour of a Family Junior Suite on Anthem of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean has a list of the top 10 amazing zip lines on the planet.

Royal Caribbean announced today that Jamie's Italian specialty restaurant will be available on its third Oasis class cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas.

Jamie's Italian is a specialty restaurant created by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver that offers rustic Italian dishes made from seasonal ingredients and tried and true recipes.

Jamie's Italian first debuted on Royal Caribbean's Quantum class ships, and Harmony of the Seas will be the first cruise ship outside of the Quantum class to offer this venue.

Harmony of the Seas is still under construction at STX France shipyard and will debut in April 2016, offering cruises in Europe before moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in late 2016 to be homeported there.

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

Episode 118 is available for downloading, where Matt previews his upcoming 2-night cruise on the brand new Anthem of the Seas.

Matt will be boarding Royal Caribbean's newest ship this week for a glimpse at what this ship has to offer. Matt previews what he has planned for the cruise, what he's excited about and previews what content will be coming to the blog as a result of this cruise.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 118. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Stitcher or on iTunes!

Take a listen and as always, let us know what you think! Please rate and review the podcast on iTunes and leave your comments below!

Royal Caribbean announced today it has ordered a fifth Quantum-class cruise ship that will be ready for delivery in the fall of 2020.

We love the Quantum-class so much, we're ordering another one (that's 5 for those keeping count)! pic.twitter.com/FSNwAtyXN3

— Royal Caribbean PR (@RoyalCaribPR) November 3, 2015

The new ship will be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

"It is such a pleasure to announce the order of another Quantum-class ship as we are welcoming Anthem of the Seas to North America," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "These ships have been received with excitement, and performed exceptionally well, across the globe. We fully expect that momentum to continue as we add to this innovative class of ships."

"At Royal Caribbean we are focused on continuously improving efficiency and sustainability, and the fifth Quantum class vessel will be clear evidence of this," said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "Of equal importance is our ability to consistently surpass guest expectations, and we are harnessing the power of the latest technology to do so on this ship."

Royal Caribbean has raised the price of its Nellie's Beach cabanas as well as the beach beds on its private destination of Labadee.

Prices posted on Cruise Planner show the beach cabanas at Nellie's Beach have gone from $350 to $395.  

There has been no change in the price for the the over the water cabanas at Nellie's Beach, which are still $495.

Royal Caribbean raised the price of these cabanas last month, when the price went from $250 to $350.

In addition, the relatively new Labadee beach beds have also seen a price increase, from $175 to $195.

Tip of the hat to Royal Caribbean Blog reader WAAAYTOOO for alerting us to this news!

Will you book a cabana or beach bed on Labadee? Tell us in the comments!

During its third quarter earnings call with investors, Royal Caribbean confirmed Empress of the Seas will return to its fleet following a restructuring of sister company Pullmantur cruises.

Photo by Chris&Steve

Royal Caribbean Chief Financial Officer Jason Liberty announced that Empress of the Seas will return to Royal Caribbean's fleet following an "extensive refurbishment" in Spring 2016.

Reports emerged yesterday that Empress of the Seas was on her way back.  

Empress of the Seas is simply known as Empress in Pullmantur, but when she returns to Royal Caribbean, she will go back to being called Empress of the Seas.

Empress debuted in 1990 as the Nordic Empress before being renamed in 2004 as Empress of the Seas.  Empress of the Seas' final cruise took place on March 7, 2008 and was subsequently transferred to Pullmantur Cruises and renamed Empress.

Empress can accommodate 2,020 guests and 685 crew members.

Are you excited about Empress of the Seas returning to Royal Caribbean? Share your thoughts in the comments.