Back in 2012, Royal Caribbean commited to eliminate the use of gestation crates, which are used to breed pigs, from its pork supply chain and today we have a timetable for when to expect this to happen.

Royal Caribbean has set a date of 2022 as the target date by which to reach that goal.

By the end of the year, Royal Caribbean will request an update from its current pork suppliers regarding the plans and progress of their respective pork producers in meeting the pork industry goal of moving away from gestation crates in their operations by 2022, in order to determine which producers share Royal Caribbean's objective of moving to a gestation crate free pork supply. Royal Caribbean supports the continual movement of the industry in this direction and remains committed to keeping the treatment of animals in consideration when supplying its fleet with food.

Michael Jones, vice president of supply chain management for Royal Caribbean Cruises, commented on the update, "Royal Caribbean takes corporate responsibility seriously, including when it comes to the welfare of animals in the food system.  Since 2012, we have been pleased to see dozens of top restaurant chains, grocery chains, food service operators, and other food industry leaders adopt similar stances. We support the recent announcements by Smithfield Foods and Tyson Foods - two of the nation's top pork processors -- regarding their shifts toward better housing methods for pigs."

Navigator of the Seas is in the midst of a month-long drydock and among other changes, will receive a new restaurant called Sabor Modern Mexican.  Today we have its menu to share with everyone. 

Sabor Modern Mexican is brand new to Royal Caribbean and will cost $25 per person.

The new restaurant offers modern Mexican food such as red snapper, gazpacho, stuffed jalapenos.  There's also tacos and burritos, although the contents of which are not typical.  Instead there shredded short rib, slow-cooked duck and more.

Tacos, Burritos and Quesadillas

Platos

Sides

You can view the menu in its entirety here.

The new restaurant will be located on deck 4, where The Dungeon night club used to be.

Navigator of the Seas' first cruise back will be on February 5, 2014. Royal Caribbean Blog will provide live coverage of her first week long cruise after refurbishment on February 9, 2014.

We have a brand new Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast episode for everyone to enjoy today!

Episode 25 of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and this week we are taking a look at the main dining room.

Matt explains what the main dining room experience is all about, outlining how dinner works, what you need to know about special requests and why Matt has come to enjoy eating in the main dining room over the years.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 25.  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!

Local media in Taiwan are reporting that Royal Caribbean plans to propose a development plan for the port of Penghu Jinlongtou, which could be a new homeport in Asia for the cruise line.

SinoShip News reports Taiwan minister of Transportation and Communications, Yeh Kuang-shih, has instructed Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) to coordinate with Royal Caribbean on the investment plan.

Jinlongtou port currently belongs to the Taiwanese navy, and the navy has agreed to hand over the port and transfer its base to another port.

Royal Caribbean is expected to propose a development plan by the end of January.

Beach days when in port on a Royal Caribbean cruise are always a great way to relax and today we're looking at the Sand Castle on the Beach in St. Croix.  Located just a few minutes by taxi ride, the Sand Castle on the Beach offers cruise passengers access to the beach and some other amenities.

Description

Sand Castle on the Beach is a private hotel that offers beach access for a small fee along with some other options a la carte.  Beach access alone is just $5 per person and you can opt for the beach package, which gets you 2 lounge chairs, 1 umbrella & 2 rum punches for $25.

Aside from beach access, your admission also gets you

• Outdoor Shower
• Restrooms
• Restaurant & Bar on Premises
• Fresh Water Sea Side Pool

The beach, which is the reason to come here, is very nice.  It's not the most beautiful beach you've ever seen, but the sand is soft both in and outside of the water.  There's also not a lot of big waves, so it's great for kids or anyone who doesn't like big waves.  There are no toys in the ocean, so it's all about lounging and swimming.

We visited in September and our ship was the only one in port so it wasn't a very busy day and getting there early in the morning there was literally no one else at the beach.  Business picked up as the morning turned to afternoon.

In addition to the pool, the fresh water pool is a nice touch and offers an alternative to the ocean along with chairs and shade in the area surrounding the pool.

Comments

The Sand Castle on the Beach is a great, no-frills private beach for anyone looking to relax and get some basic amenities. The beach is nice and the staff set up our beach chair and umbrella as part of the cost.

From a value standpoint, there's no question this is a great deal.  While I think you will need to rent chairs and umbrellas, you could just go for beach and pool access but since the price is so low, it makes sense to "spring" for the combo.

Our chief complaint was the restaurant/bar.  When we arrived it was closed and the bartender didn't show up until about noon to even start getting the bar set up.  Since we had rum punch vouchers with the package, it was frustrating we had to wait so long to redeem them.  Granted, we were there off season and that contributed to why things didn't open sooner.

Since the Sand Castle on the Beach is a hotel, you may also have an influx of hotel guests.  Since we were visiting in the off-season, there just a few there.

The staff at the hotel are all Americans and speak great English. We also had no problem getting a taxi to get back to the cruise ship.  In fact, there were a few cabs waiting around to take people back.

Overall, Sand Castle on the Beach is a good choice for an inexpensive beach day.  You wont find the amenities of some all-inclusive resorts or other beaches, but it's good for enjoying a beach day.  While the lack of drink service irked us, it wouldn't stop me from recommending Sand Castle on the Beach.

Address: 127 Smithfield, Frederiksted, St Croix, VI 00840

Cost: $5 pass; Use of umbrellas and chairs for additional cost.

Preliminary construction of the new cruise port facility in Bayonne, New Jersey was halted on Friday after it was discovered plans for the port makeover included the removal of hundreds of memorial pavers that surround the September 11 "teardrop" memorial.

Residents were "outraged" according to NJ.com, after learning the $50 million project would include the "temporary" removal of about 300 pavers.

Frank Perrucci, chairman of the Sept. 11 Bayonne Remembers Committee, said he was told by workers at the site that the construction project would cut through a portion of Harborview Park -- where the "To the Struggle Against World Terrorism" memorial is located --  and would mean the "temporary" removal of about 300 pavers.

The memorial will not be affected and workers indicated that the pavers would be put back into place when the construction is complete in May.

The cruise port makeover includes a new Cape Liberty Cruise Port terminal building, a parking garage, an overflow paved parking area and berth improvements on land owned by Port Authority.

Royal Caribbean will hold a conference call on January 27, 2014 at 10am to discuss its fourth quarter 2013 financial results.

The call will be available on-line at the company's investor relations web site, www.rclinvestor.com. To listen to the call by phone, please dial (877) 663-9606 in the US and Canada. International phone calls should be made to (706) 758-4628. There is no passcode or meeting number. A replay of the webcast will be available at the same site for a month following the call.

Happy weekend Royal Caribbean fans!

The news this week was all about over sixty passengers on Majesty of the Seas coming down with Norovirus during a 4-night cruise from Miami.

Norovirus is something that happens now and then on different cruise ships and the media loves to harp on these stories and make a bigger deal than it really is. Nonetheless, the people affected by the outbreak had responded well to over-the-counter medication administered on board the ship.

Royal Caribbean is also taking steps to disinfect the ship as well as sanitize the terminal area to prevent the disease from affecting anyone else.

Royal Caribbean News

• In the UK, Royal Caribbean has a new e-brochure for iPad.
• Quantum of the Seas could be used as a backdrop for a music festival in Germany.
• Royal Caribbean released a new webisode starring Genvieve Gorder about Quantum of the Seas' design.
• Video of Quantum of the Seas' bow sections being towed to the shipyard.
• Everything you wanted to know about onboard credit.
• Cabanas on CocoCay information.
• Ever wondered why there are classic cars on Royal Caribbean's Royal Promenade?
• How to find last minute deals on Royal Caribbean cruises.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Have you listened to the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast yet? Our second episode came out this week and it's all about Royal Caribbean's staterooms.

Matt looked at the different categories of staterooms Royal Caribbean offers, the differences between them, what you need to know about the special categories and booking tips for getting the staterom you want.

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.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Royal Caribbean is celebrating National Hobby Month by encouraging everyone to try some hobbies on their ships.

Royal Caribbean also posted about why traveling off the beaten path can be a good idea.

Parents Magazine posted why we loved our Royal Caribbean cruise.

Adam Goldstein posted a new blog post about how the Radiance class didn't turn out like they wanted.

Dozens of cruise passengers on Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas started feeling sick during a 4-night cruise from Miami.  Royal Caribbean confirms 66 passengers have reported the symptoms of Norovirus.

In addition, two crew members have also felt ill.  

Royal Caribbean believes the cause to be norovirus, according to the company’s statement.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta describes norovirus as a very contagious bug that can be spread by infected persons, in contaminated food or water, or through contact with contaminated surfaces. The CDC says norovirus affects nearly 20 million people in the U.S. each year, and results in between 570 to 800 deaths.

The cruise line said passengers affected by the illness had responded well to over-the-counter medication administered on board the ship.

The company said it enhanced cleaning on board the ship during the cruise to help prevent the spread of the illness.

After the ship docked, the company said it “conducted an extensive and thorough sanitizing on board the ship and within the cruise terminal, to help prevent any illness from affecting the next sailing.”

Passengers who boarded The Majesty of the Seas Friday received a letter asking if they had experienced any gastrointestinal symptoms within the last three days. Those who felt uncomfortable were allowed to reschedule their trip, the cruise line said.