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

Episode 58 is available for downloading which has a review of a listener's experience on Allure of the Seas last week.

Podcast listener Danielle is back to share her experience on her family's first Royal Caribbean cruise aboard Allure of the Seas.  Before her cruise, she was nervous about trying Royal Caribbean so we get to see if her fears were realized or nothing to worry about.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 58. 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!

The city of Malaga, Spain is getting ready to celebrate the arrival of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas with festivities to commemorate the occasion.

Oasis of the Seas arrives on Thursday and will be the first stop in Europe for this giant cruise ship.

Malaga's Department of Tourism has prepared musical activities in different parts of the historic center.  Activities are planned between 10:00am and 2:00pm. At noon the Flamenkura group will perform on stage on the main square of the Constitution. Between 12:00 and 2pm Alcazabilla street will host performances of Laura León Sánchez, Isa and the Flemish Flamenco Group.

At 11.00am, the mayor, Francisco de la Torre, and the Councillor for Tourism, Julio Andrade, will go aboard Oasis fo the Seas to deliver a commemorative plaque to the ship's captain.

Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Make-A-Wish New Jersey are teaming up to offer a special two-night pre-inaugural cruise on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, that will benefit the Make-A-Wish foundation.

The special Quantum of the Seas cruise sails November 14-16, 2014 and all proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Make-A-Wish New Jersey.

Those interested in going on this cruise can find booking information online here.

Please call Danielle Nalbone, Director of Special Events at Make-A-Wish NJ with any additional questions at 609-371-9474 or [email protected].

We're counting down the days until Quantum of the Seas debuts later this year with our 99 days of Quantum blog series. Each day we will post something about Quantum of the Seas to share with all of you!

Drone footage of Quantum of the Seas

I really love checking out remote controlled drone videos and Royal Caribbean posted a video they took of this brand new ship with a remote controlled drone. 

Enjoy!

There's less than 99 days until Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas debuts so we're counting down each day with a brand new blog post all about Quantum of the Seas. Read our blog each day for a new post all about this amazing cruise ship.

Solarium

One of the best things Royal Caribbean offers is the adults-only pool area known as the Solarium.  It's more than just an escape, it's an area for adults to really kick back and relax.

Quantum of the Seas will offer a glass-canopied Solarium pool complete with the Solarium Bistro, which will serve light-fare food.  There's also whirlpools in the Solarium for those looking to really forget their troubles.

The Solarium will be located at the front of Quantum of the Seas and will offer a fantastic view of the sky and sea.

In terms of the pool, you will find all of the Solarium features  guests love and, new to Quantum of the Seas, a series of cascading lagoons in the center of the Solarium, where guests can swim as well as in the main pool. 

For adults looking to relax, the Solarium on Quantum of the Seas will be the perfect refuge.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

One of our blog readers, Danielle Perry, just returned from a week-long cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas and we have a photo report to share with all of you.

Enjoy!

Royal Caribbean has signed a $50 million contract with ABB to provide extensive maintenance to its cruise ships.  

The new deal will last 15 years and will cover two Oasis-class cruise ships as well as four ships for sister company Celebrity Cruises.  The goal of the deal for Royal Caribbean is to increase cost efficiency and predictability of maintenance costs. 

The contract also includes an option to extend the agreement to additional existing vessels, vessels that are currently under construction and future newbuilds. 

The contract provides Royal Caribbean with a range of services that optimize the life cycle of the vessels: scheduled dry docking services, Azipod propulsion unit modernizations and condition based maintenance services, which contributes to better predictability of maintenance  costs. 

To celebrate the launch of Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas in less than 100 days, we're counting down each day with some really cool about the ship.  Check out our blog each day for a brand new post all about Quantum of the Seas.

FlowRider

A signature Royal Caribbean onboard activity will be making its way to its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas.

Quantum of the Seas will feature the 40-foot-long FlowRider surf simulator on the aft of the cruise ship.  The FlowRider has been part of every new Royal Caribbean ship for quite a while now.

In fact, the FlowRider first debuted on Royal Caribbean back on the Freedom-class of ships and it's been added to the Oasis-class and is even being retro-fitted onto select Voyager-class ships too.

READ YESTERDAY'S POST ABOUT VISTARAMA

The FlowRider allows guests to try their hand at stand up surfing in a controlled environment.  You can also opt to just do some boogie boarding if standing up just isn't in the cards.

There will also be stadium seating available to enjoy watching others (talented or not) give it their best effort on the FlowRider.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

We're counting down the days until Quantum of the Seas debuts later this year with our 99 days of Quantum blog series. Each day we will post something about Quantum of the Seas to share with all of you!

Vistarama

Inside Two70, you'll find of the premiere shows Royal Caribbean is bringing to Quantum of the Seas, Vistarama.

Vistarama takes over Two70 and offers a floor-to-ceiling view of pretty much any scene, real or imagined.  This 12K resolution show (that's 12 times high definition!) is projected against Two70's windows and will amaze with stunning views.

READ YESTERDAY'S POST ABOUT GENEVIEVE GORDER

Using 18 projectors, Vistarama can create an ambient surface that is over 100 feet wide and over 20 feet tall. Vistarama promises to be a show that will overwhelm your senses.

The power of the projections is really at the heart of this show and they will transform Two70 before your eyes.  

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas debuts in less than 100 days so we're counting down all the great things about Quantum of the Seas. Each day we will post something about Quantum of the Seas to share with you.

Genevieve Gorder

Royal Caribbean went to interior design expert Genevieve Gorder to be the first Quantum Experience Advisor to help establish what the inside of Quantum of the Seas will look like and to make sure it was impressive.

What you see when you walk onboard Quantum of the Seas is important because in order for Quantum of the Seas to give passengers that "WOW" factor, the ship needs to say "WOW".

READ YESTERDAY'S POST ABOUT QUICK BOARDING

Genevieve has worked hand-in-hand with Royal Caribbean's design team, influencing the décor and furnishings aboard the ship with her unique style.

Royal Caribbean has set out to make Quantum of the Seas to be incredibly impressive and Genevieve's attention to detail for the ship's textiles, patterns and colors is among the most important functions of her position.

Genevieve's addition to the design team augments Royal Caribbean's established design structure with an outside voice that can help give a breath of fresh air to the process.

For Genevieve, her approach is to focus on the accessories, textiles and accessories that will help make the look of the ship really "pop".

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!