Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend and ready to talk a little Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean made headlines this week when Symphony of the Seas was floated out.

The important construction milestone took place at the STX France shipyard. With the exterior now complete, Symphony of the Seas was floated out of her dry dock to begin the next phase of interior construction.

Symphony of the Seas will remain at this position until her delivery date in mid-April 2018.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean released a video of Symphony of the Seas' float out.
• Royal Caribbean won an Effie Award for its social media campaign.
• Our overview of Royal Caribbean's drink package rules.
• Thinking of booking a last minute Royal Caribbean cruise? Here is what you need to know.
• First time cruiser's guide to onboard activities on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Six things you may not have tried on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 201st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, and we are sharing our best tips for first time cruisers.

In this episode, Matt and Billy each share two aspects of a Royal Caribbean cruise that everyone else seems to enjoy, but not them.  It is a tribute to unpopular opinions.

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

AmyUrquhart.com shared three activities they skip on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean celebrated World Oceans Day with a peek at the most eco-friendly destinations.

Cruise & Ferry reports Port Everglades will refit Terminal 25 as part of a new deal with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Cruise Radio has a review of Wonderland.

Happy Sunday! In case you missed any of the Royal Caribbean news from this week, we have a round-up of it all in one easy to read post!

The big news from this week is the return of the corkage fee for wine guests bring onboard their Royal Caribbean cruise and have opened at a restaurant.

Royal Caribbean updated its policy to charge guests a $15 corkage fee per bottle of wine consumed in public areas.  The new policy began this week.

The corkage fee only applies to wine brought onboard on embarkation, and not wine purchased and/or given on board.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean announced a special solar eclipse cruise on Oasis of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean opened bookings for the 2018-2019 Australia cruise season.
• Royal Caribbean debuted its June sales promotion offer this week.
• Guests can expect to see a new muster drill safety video.
• Uber and Lyft returned to the Galveston cruise market.
• We shared a look back at how Royal Caribbean dealt with Hurricane Andrew.
• Take a look at these seven fun facts about Radiance of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 200th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, and we are sharing our best tips for first time cruisers.

In this episode, Matt opens the phone lines to podcast listeners to share their favorite cruise tips for someone who is taking their very first cruise.

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

CNBC shared a video of Jim Cramer talking cruise stocks, including Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean recapped how 2,000 volunteers from its company helped show up for a weekend of hard work, for a good cause.

Cruise Critic interviewed Royal Caribbean's chief meteorologist.

Cruise Habit discusses what the start of hurricane season means to those going on a cruise.

Alpha looks at the record breaking buildings and structures from around the world.

Royal Caribbean shared insider tips for going to Cuba.

Welcome to our summary of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news.  As we mark a time of remembrance this Memorial Day weekend, we also look forward to fun celebrations with family and friends as the unofficial start to summer has arrived.

Here is a look at all the Royal Caribbean news from this week!

Royal Caribbean made news this week when it announced it has hired the first Chief Meterologist.

James Van Fleet joined Royal Caribbean to develop forecasts for the cruise line's fleet of 24 ships. With his guidance, captains have the added support to continue making informed decisions and delivering the best possible vacation experience for the cruise line’s guests.

Translating technical data into digestable information is second nature for Van Fleet, who’s a veteran TV meteorologist with more than two decades of experience.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean announced the finalists for its adventure seeker contest.
• Royal Caribbean added a new soda and internet combo package for guests to purchase.
• A new Sabor happy hour special debuted on Oasis of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean is celebrating Memorial Day weekend with a new cruise sale and cruise planner sale.
• We had two LIVE blogs this week, onboard Empress of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 199th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with a special interview with the Godmother of Harmony of the Seas.

In this episode, Matt is joined by Brittany Affolter to talk about "her" ship, Harmony of the Seas.  Brittany shares the story of how she came to be the ship's Godmother, and talks about her recent sailing on Harmony.

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

Explore with Ed shared highlights from his Independence of the Seas Mediterranean cruise.

Travel Pulse wonders if the Escape Room trend will continue on cruise ships.

Cruise Habit shares why a a checklist for packing for a cruise is a really good idea.

Daily Echo featured a ten-year-old that build a Royal Caribbean cruise ship out of 2,000 pieces of Lego.

Stay up-to-date with all the Royal Caribbean news from this week with our roundup of all this week's news.

Earlier this week, we reported a new kind of escape room game available on Brilliance of the Seas that will soon make its way to other ships in the fleet.

Puzzle Break CEO Nate Martin spoke exclusively with Royal Caribbean Blog about the work his company is doing to bring new escape rooms to other Royal Caribbean ships.  

The "Royal Mystery" game is a hybrid puzzle hunt escape room experience that is playable by multiple teams at the same time. And it can be played on existing ships in the fleet.

Royal Caribbean News

• Kids Sail Free sale is back for the rest of the month.
• We have a new Symphony of the Seas construction photo update.
• Royal Caribbean pushed back the release of its 2018-2019 Australia sailings until June.
• Royal Caribbean retired its iOS app this week.
• We started two new live blogs: Oasis of the Seas and Empress of the Seas.
• Here are five ways to save hundreds of dollars off your next cruise.
• Our full review of Izumi on Navigator of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 198th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring an interview with Puzzle Break CEO and co-founder Nate Martin.

In this Episode, Matt talks with Nate Martin about the work Puzzle Break is doing with Royal Caribbean and the kind of escape room games that are coming soon to its ships.

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

Seatrade Cruise News cites a poll that Royal Caribbean is tops with millennials.

CruiseBe has 5 places for foodies on Anthem of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean showed how they use data-driven, predictive analytics approach to fleet operations.

Eat Sleep Cruise shared their top 10 things to do in Havana, Cuba.

Happy Mothers Day! All the moms out there deserve a big hug, thank you and hopefully a cruise too.

Royal Caribbean announced a new non-refundable cruise fare program that will begin in July.

As of July 1, 2017, the fleet-wide launch of nonrefundable deposit fares will debut across all ships. When making a cruise reservation at least 6-months prior to sailing, guests who opt to take advantage of nonrefundable deposit fares will automatically qualify to earn up to $100 per stateroom to spend at sea. Early booking credit is combinable with the existing promotional offer available at time of booking.

Change fees are only incurred should an adjustment to the ship and/or sail date occur; therefore, no change fee will be assessed upon swapping between category types on the same ship and sail date.

Royal Caribbean News

• It appears Sabor on Harmony of the Seas has changed to all-inclusive pricing.
• Royal Caribbean opened up cruises to Cuba through March 2019.
• Harmony of the Seas debuted a year ago this week, and we took a look back.
• Forbes named Royal Caribbean one of America's Best Employers.
• Answers to ten commonly asked first time Royal Caribbean cruise questions 
• We shared tips from cruise experts for visiting Cuba.
• A look at the lucky coins hidden on Oasis of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean added 10 new Mariner of the Seas sailings from Singapore.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 197th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, sharing tips about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise to Cuba.

In this episode, Halee joins Matt to talk about her recent cruise to Cuba and what the experience was like on the first sailing.  Halee also shares tips and advice for anyone visiting Cuba soon.

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

Seatrade interviewed Royal Caribbean SVP of Hotel Operations about the changes coming to CocoCay.

In The Loop Travel has a new video from their recent Navigator of the Seas cruise.

Royal Caribbean has ways to make Mother's Day even better with a cruise.

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend and ready to talk a little Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean made a lot of people living near the Gulf Coast states very happy this week with the announcement of new options to the Caribbean from New Orleans, Galveston and Miami in 2018.

Royal Caribbean will offer once again cruises from New Orleans when Vision of the Seas in the winter of 2018-2019. Vision of the Seas will also offer a pair of Panama Canal cruises prior to her arrival in New Orleans.

Enchantment of the Seas will move to Galveston, Texas, to offer cruises alongside Liberty of the Seas.

Mariner of the Seas will call PortMiami home in 2018, and offer 3- and 4-night itineraries beginning on June 21, 2018.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean began a new sales promotion for May, with 30% off all guests.
• We had two different Symphony of the Seas construction updates this week.
• Here are 10 Royal Caribbean dining mistakes to avoid.
• Our five favorite dishes from Sabor.
• There is a new Explorer of the Seas sailing from Tasmania added for later this year.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 196th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, focusing on Royal Caribbean's specialty dining packages.

In this episode, Matt talks about the specialty dining packages that are available on most sailings and what they offer guests from a savings perspective.

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

CruiseMiss has a guide to Caribbean islands that Royal Caribbean ships visit.

Royal Caribbean celebrated 10 years of offering cruises in China.

CruiseBe shared 7 facts you probably did not know about Radiance of the Seas.

Cruise Hive shared a look at the ship formerly known as Legend of the Seas.

TTG Media has a look at the changes in the sales operations for Royal Caribbean in Europe.

Happy weekend! We hope you are enjoying a couple days of rest and relaxation! Now it is time to sit back with a cup of tea or java, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean news… 

Royal Caribbean provided a sneak peak at its next Quantum Class ship, which will be a brand new kind of Quantum Class ship, known as the Quantum Ultra Class.

As part of the cruise line's 2018-19 Asia-Pacific deployment release, the yet-to-be-named ship is the first Quantum Ultra Class ship, and will join sister ships Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas in the region.

The new ship will specifically be designed for guests in the region, featuring even more cutting-edge and unprecedented experiences and amenities.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean made its inaugural visit to Havana, Cuba.
• A new ultimate dining package option is available to purchase.
• Royal Caribbean released stellar first quarter financial results.
• Five interesting facts that emerged from Royal Caribbean's quarterly earnings report.
• Adventure of the Seas will get a refurbishment in January 2018, and subsequently canceled a few sailings.
• Royal Caribbean released new construction photos of Symphony of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean broke ground on a new pier for CocoCay.
• Check out a Grand Suite photo tour on Harmony of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean wrapped up a record cruise season in Australia.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 195th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, and we are talking about what it is like to stay in a suite.

In this episode, Matt talks about his recent suite experience on Royal Caribbean and shares the best aspects of staying in a suite and why it may be worth trying one out.

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 Blog Reader Finds

If you are on a Royal Caribbean cruise and spot something cool, new or just fun, share a photo with us on Facebook or Twitter so we can add it to our Royal Caribbean Blog Reader Finds each Sunday!

Sannie Berg sent this photo of Independence of the Seas visiting Rotterdam, instead of Le Havre due to strikes, from earlier today.

Christine Hirsch took this photo of Explorer of the Seas in Suva, Fiji, while onboard the Oceania Sirena.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

In The Loop Travel has a look at an ideal day in Labadee.

Eat Sleep Cruise has six reasons to visit Sabor on Harmony of the Seas.

CNBC interviewed Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman Richard Fain to discuss the company's quarterly results.

Cruise Hive has four reasons you should prebook.

CruiseBe has a look at the family of cruise lines in Royal Caribbean.

Spring is here and it is also Sunday, which means we are celebrating warm(er) temperatures and Royal Caribbean news from this week!

Royal Caribbean's CEO made news this week, when he briefly mentioned a number of new initiatives and changes coming to the cruise line over the next few years.

In an interview with Travel Weekly, Michael Bayley talked about adding a water park to CocoCay, Majesty of the Seas going to Cuba and overnight stays in CocoCay.

Bayley also talked about what guests can expect on Symphony of the Seas, and when the next batch of information will be revealed.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's first cruise to Cuba set sail this week.
• Royal Caribbean added a new floating bar in Labadee.
• Five things to love about Liberty of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean rolled out a Chops Grille lunch option.
• We added a new Symphony of the Seas construction photo update.
• The internet/drink package combo is back for sale on pre-cruise purchases.
• Royal Caribbean scheduled its first quarter 2017 earnings call with investors.
• There is an option to get a discount on specialty restaurants if you dine there the first night.
• Excursion review of Kukoo Kunuku Palm Beach Tour in Aruba.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 194th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which reviews the Private Journeys shore excursion option.

Have you ever struggled with finding the perfect shore excursion for your family? Royal Caribbean has a new custom shore excursion option that we tried out on a recent cruise.  In this episode, Matt and Christie discuss their experience with Private Journeys and what to expect if you try it out.

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 has a look at the Ultimate Abyss slide on Harmony of the Seas.

TTG Media has a look at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. cruise industry first transgender policy.

Travel Pulse covered the recent dress code updates by Royal Caribbean.

Travel Weekly reported on a new airport luggage service at Port of Seattle.

Happy Easter! Whether you are celebrating the beautiful Spring holiday with a luxurious meal, or hunting for eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny, I hope that you are having a relaxing Sunday.

Have you ever been to Kennedy Space Center near Port Canaveral, Florida? It is the preeminent attraction near the port, and a monument to some incredible moments in human history.  We visited Kennedy Space Center for the first time on a recent cruise visit.

Royal Caribbean offers a few shore excursions that tour Kennedy Space Center, and we shared our experience at the center, including seeing one of the space shuttles.

Royal Caribbean News

• A tropical cyclone caused Voyager of the Seas to change itineraries.
• Royal Caribbean UK launched new fly-cruise packages.
• A new video showcasing the Hideaway Heist on Harmony of the Seas.
• Answers to 10 common questions about the unlimited drink package.
• Our guide to Anthem of the Seas for first time cruiser's.
• We shared our readers' favorite Royal Caribbean photos.

On This Week in Royal Caribbean History

Two years ago this week, Royal Caribbean announced it was doing away with the last-minute cruise discounts on cruises more than two to four nights in length.

Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain called the long-held practice “disruptive” to loyal customers and travel agents during a conference call on first-quarter earnings.

In the time since, Royal Caribbean tweaked the policy a couple of times, but retains the program to this day.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Cruise Habit looks at what documents or authorization one needs to cruise to Cuba.

Adventures with Beci shares a tip for what to do if your favorite shore excursion is sold out.

CruiseBe has 9 facts you might not know about Oasis of the Seas.

EatSleepCruise shared a photo tour of a Central Park View Stateroom on Harmony of the Seas.

Traveling with Mom has the ultimate guide to cruising with a family on Allure of the Seas.

They say April showers brings May flowers, but Sundays bring you a round-up of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news!

The Royal Caribbean news everyone was talking about this week was another update to Royal Caribbean's suggested attire, where shorts, tees, and tank tops were removed from the list.

Royal Caribbean revised its dress code suggestions just around two weeks after it added shorts to the list, which generated a lot of discussion as well.

The change applies to the casual dress code, and as many cruise veterans have noted in our comments, the dress code has rarely been enforced.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean announced a new partnership with Puerto Rico to improve the Pan American II Pier.
• New construction photo update from Symphony of the Seas shows the AquaTheater suites ready to be installed.
• Check out our list of the Top 10 Anthem of the Seas hidden secrets.
• Royal Caribbean kicked off a 100 hour weekend sale.
• Our full review of the British Colonial Hilton day pass in Nassau, Bahamas.
• We shared a look at the tapas plate available at Vintages on Navigator of the Seas.
• Take a photo tour of a Grand Suite on Anthem of the Seas.
• A new Harmony of the Seas' Ultimate Abyss Vinfographic was released.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 192nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which has five rules for getting a great price on a Royal Caribbean cruise,

Among all the questions typically asked, Matt finds the most common one is about how to get a "deal" on a Royal Caribbean cruise.  In this episode, Matt shares the five things anyone can do to get a great price.

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.

Join us aboard the largest cruise ship in the world!

We are so excited to announce the next group cruise for readers and staff of RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com aboard Harmony of the Seas!  This is an exclusive group where we are inviting you, our readers, to join us on a fantastic Harmony of the Seas sailing on an 7-night cruise to the Western Caribbean.

This Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise is all about enjoying a fun Royal Caribbean cruise along with other fans who are big fans of Royal Caribbean.  Don't miss this opportunity to check out the amazing ship as well as be a part of exclusive events for those that book with our group!

For more details on booking the cruise, the itinerary and prices, check out the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise page and if you have any questions, email me!

On This Week in Royal Caribbean History

Two years ago this week, Royal Caribbean took delivery of Anthem of the Seas at a ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Ship builder Meyer Werft handed over the second Quantum-class cruise ship to Royal Caribbean. Immediately after that ceremony, Anthem of the Seas began heading to Southampton, U.K. for her inaugrual sailings.

Anthem of the Seas spent the summer in Southampton, prior to crossing the Atlantic to her permanent homeport in Cape Liberty, New Jersey later that year.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Mikayla Jane Travels offers an ultimate guide to Voyager of the Seas.

Travel + Leisure shared five things to know about Symphony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean has a list of how to make the best use of 8 hours in Labadee.

Cruise Habit answers what exactly are harbor pilots.

Royal Caribbean is also working with the WWF to find sustainable tour operators.