Royal Caribbean versus Disney Cruise Line Podcast Episode

In:
16 Jul 2014

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

Episode 50 is available for downloading where we have an in-depth comparisson of Royal Caribbean versus Disney Cruise Line.

Authors Len Testa and Laurel Stewart are back from their first Royal Caribbean cruise aboard Allure of the Seas and this week we're comparing the two cruise line experiences and seeing which line does better in various aspects of the cruise experience.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 50. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSSStitcher 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!

Online dating sites plan singles dating cruise on Royal Caribbean

In:
15 Jul 2014

Dating sites Match.com and SinglesCruise.com are planning a special Halloween cruise aboard Royal Caribbean for those looking to meet someone special.

Those that book through Match.com or singlescruise.com will have access to special events and a private message board to meet fellow single passengers on their trip.

The first cruise for singles is a Halloween cruise on Allure of the Seas that leaves on October 26 and takes an Eastern Caribbean itinerary.  The cruise will feature a costume contest, Halloween-themed events and mixers and other activities, including a singles dinner and speed dating. 

For more information, visit singlescruise.com.

Credit to USA Today for alerting us to this event.

Royal Caribbean launches 48 hour weekend sale for last-minute summer cruises

In:
12 Jul 2014

Royal Caribbean is offering up to $50 in onboard credit for last-minute summer cruises booked this weekend.

Sailings booked from July 13 through August 31 are eligible but you must book the cruise by Sunday, July 13 at midnight to qualify.

Onboard credit for bookings made this weekend are $25 for interior and ocean view, and $50 for balcony and suite. 

Offer is combinable with current standard/full fare rates and restricted rates (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military, BOGO).

Offer available in the United States and Canada. 

Friday Photos

In:
11 Jul 2014

Once more it is Friday and once more we are sharing lots of fun Royal Caribbean photos our readers have sent in to us.  Let's get started!

This week's first photo comes to us from Michael Poole and it's from Oasis of the Seas in Central Park.  Michael wrote, "I wish I was having dinner in Central Park now".  Me too!

I love the vantage point of this photo from Marc and Lisa Sandhaus from their Legend of the Seas cruise to Labadee.  Beautiful!

Next is a photo from Mary from Radiance of the Seas. Mary writes, "Looking up while relaxing outside the lobby bar aboard the Radiance of the Seas. Great Alaskan cruise!"

The wonderful support group Autism on the Seas sent us this photo from their Group Cruise onboard Grandeur of the Seas.  It was taken during a group excursion at Snorkel Park Beach in Bermuda and it looks like everyone was having a great time!

Last but not least is this photo again taken in Labadee (my favorite!) by Ken Slusser.  It was taken while Ken was on Independence of the Seas and I would love to take a swim there right now!

This week's photos were great but we want more of your Royal Caribbean photos, so please use this form to send us your favorite Royal Caribbean photos so we can share them on the blog!

Cruising 101: Everything Enchantment of the Seas

In:
10 Jul 2014

Royal Caribbean offers quick 3 and 4 night cruises on Enchantment of the Seas out of Port Canaveral, Florida and it's one of the more popular cruises out there, especially for those new to cruising. This post will be an opportunity to explore what is fun and exciting about Enchantment of the Seas.

It's bigger than it used to be

One thing that separates Enchantment of the Seas from her sister ships in the Vision class is she was cut apart in the middle back in 2005 and had a 73-foot extension added and then welded back together.

It's a pretty cool distinction because a mid-body extension like that is pretty darn rare among cruise ships. They added 151 new staterooms and some other neat features we will talk about soon.

Best place for sail away: pool deck

It's no secret that the pool deck is always a great spot for sail away but on Enchantment of the Seas, the pool deck is extra popular because of the short nature of the cruises offered.

These quick itineraries usually give the ship more of a party vibe to them and the pool deck is the place to be when the fun begins after muster drill.

Best place to get a drink: Oasis Bar

You've probably been to your fair share of pool bars, but what makes the Oasis Bar on Enchantment of the Seas really cool is it faces the ocean, allow you to enjoy the view of the ocean as you partake in your preferred adult beverage.

There isn't a whole lot of seating available, but if you get the chance, be sure to enjoy this unique bar experience that cannot be found on any other Vision-class ship.

Watch your step on the floor windows

Part of the ship's extension involved adding floor windows, which give guests an unobstructed view of the ocean below.

Located on the pool deck, the floor windows give you a fun away to see the water below.

Fun things unique to Enchantment of the Seas

Dancing Under the Stars Poolside Party & Late Night Buffet

Late night dancing on the pool deck along with the Pirate Cove Buffet means you can enjoy a special nighttime party that's fun for all ages.

It begins at 11pm and offers a special party that isn't offered on all Royal Caribbean ships.

Suspension bridges

On the pool deck you will find enormous suspension bridges that span the entire pool deck.  These arches are on the top deck of the ship and span more than 65 feet on either side.

Splash Deck

If you have kids, you will love the interactive Splash Deck, which has 64 water jets, 40 of which are connectd to an interactive touch-pad system so kids can direct the water to splash each other.

During the lengthening of the ship, the pool area was increased by 50 percent.

At night, the Splash Deck transforms into a remarkable fountain with a fiber-optic light show.

Jump Zone

Royal Caribbean has added four bungee trampolines that they call the Jump Zone. 

You must be at least six years old and weigh between 40 and 240 pounds to participate.

You will be strapped into a harness that is connected to bungee cords. Once you're ready, you can start jumping around an ding flips during your two-minute jump session.

Enchantment of the Seas Quick Info

Formal Nights: Day 2

Specialty Restaurants: Chops
Other food that costs extra: Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream

Sabor Modern Mexican on Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

In:
09 Jul 2014

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

Episode 49 is available for downloading where we review a brand new specialty restaurant on Navigator of the Seas, Sabor Modern Mexican.

Matt really loves Sabor on Navigator of the Seas so this week, he's dedicated the entire episode to taking an in-depth look at what this new restaurant offers. From decor to service to the food itself, it's a complete tour of what Sabor offers.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 49. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSSStitcher 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 creates virtual reality headsets for agents to explore Quantum of the Seas

In:
09 Jul 2014

Royal Caribbean is once again using technology to make business better for them.  This time, they have created wearable glasses to train agents on what its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas will offer.

Travel Weekly is reporting Royal Caribbean partnered with Jason Bradbury, an expert in technology, to create a new video for agents which is built into a pair of glasses and shows them the facilities on board Quantum of the Seas as well as sister ship Anthem of the Seas.

Starting on July 10, Royal Caribbean sales teams will visit agents with the glasses to test out the glasses.

Royal Caribbean offering "Royal Life" program to Brazil cruises

In:
08 Jul 2014

Royal Caribbean is offering three themed cruises in South America for the 2014/2015 cruise season. The cruises are called Royal Life, Royal Gourmet and Royal Dance.

Royal Life will be a seven-night cruise out of Santos, Brazil on February 1, 2014 and will stop in Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Punta del Este.  This cruise will offer exercise regiments as well as light and healthy food choices.

Royal Gourmet will be a cruise sailing on March 13, 2014 with stops in Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Punta del Este.  Royal Gourmet will bring together a number of major Brazilian chefs that will offer unique programming.

For Royal Dance, Royal Caribbean is partnering with the Dance Studio of Dance Fernando Campani.  The cruise will offer the studios' intense class schedule, with a 14-night trans-Atlantic itinerary that will end in Barcelona, Spain.

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