Good news, we are all one week closer to our next Royal Caribbean cruise!  In case you missed any of the Royal Caribbean fun from this week, here is our weekly round up!

Icon of the Seas reached its next major construction milestone this week.

The new ship was floated out of the dry dock and into its outfitting dock at the Meyer Werft shipyard.

Essentially, Icon has moved from a dry dock to a wet dock.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean CEO: Chat feature in app will be free starting in 2023
• Royal Caribbean adds price tracker feature in new cruise search update
• 22 new trademarks that are probably things to do on Icon of the Seas
• Answers to Wonder of the Seas questions our readers wanted to know
• Best cabins to book for an Alaska cruise
• New Royal Caribbean Sky Junior Suite with benefits: average or epic?
• How different is a 3-night vs 4-night cruise?
• How much does a cruise cost?

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 478th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring a look at Matt's cruise on Odyssey of the Seas.

Matt is back from an 8-night Odyssey of the Seas cruise to the Southern Caribbean and shares what he liked and didn't like about this 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.

New RCB Video: How 'Back To Normal' is a Cruise?

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — How 'Back To Normal' is a Cruise? — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

7 TikTok cruise tips and if they actually work

I reviewed 7 cruise tips shared by people on TikTok.

Just like anything on the internet, just because it's on the internet, doesn't mean it's true.  So I wanted to check out the top cruise advice to see which tips were being shared and if I agreed with them or not.

I found 7 popular videos that cover various aspects of going on a cruise with tips and tricks that I thought were worth evaluating since they had fairly high view counts.

Royal Caribbean reveals new restaurants, bars, and activities on Icon of the Seas

More venues were revealed that we can expect to see on Icon of the Seas.

A variety of bars, restaurants, and activities were shared by Royal Caribbean that not only announced what they are, but also shared new concept art for each one.

5 real-life places that inspired Royal Caribbean cruise ship design

Did you know some of Royal Caribbean's best known activities and onboard features were ideas that came from places in the real world?

When new cruise ships are being designed, ideas come from different sources, including well-known locales.

Here are five things on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that you could recognize as being similar or alluding to places you may have visited.

Happy December! We cannot believe that we are already one full week into the month – there is so much going on with holiday preparation and shopping and baking!

Want to see the new main dining room menus Royal Caribbean is testing?

If you haven't heard, Royal Caribbean is testing a new main dining room menu on Symphony of the Seas.  It is simultaneously surveying past cruisers on new menus.

We now have a look at seven new menus Royal Caribbean is testing. Whether or not they end up being used across the fleet remains to be seen.

Royal Caribbean News

• Here's a look at Royal Caribbean's possible new main dining room menus
• Sky-high demand breaks Royal Caribbean single day booking record again
• What I liked (and disliked) about my Odyssey of the Seas cruise
• 10 new Icon of the Seas designs preview more of the cruise ship
• Royal Caribbean cruises in December 2022: What to expect
• The best Alaska cruises for every travel style
• Guide to Seattle cruise port for Alaska cruises
• Hubbard Glacier vs. Glacier Bay: which glacier is better to see on a cruise?

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 477th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available to enjoy featuring an interview with Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider.

In this episode, Mr. Schneider talks about the big reveal of Icon of the Seas and what we can expect leading up to the ship's launch.

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.

New video: 47 Easy tricks to make your cruise so much better

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 47 Easy tricks to make your cruise so much better — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

What happened to Royal Caribbean's first cruise ships?

Ever wondered what happened to the very first Royal Caribbean cruise ships now that they aren't in the fleet?

Song of Norway, Nordic Prince, and many others graced the seas long before the current fleet.  So where are they now?

Here's a look at where each ship went after leaving the fleet, and what their fate is today.

How much can you save by sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

Everyone loves finding a great cruise deal, so how much money can you expect to save by sailing on an older ship?

You’ll often see savings in the hundreds of dollars when cruising on an older ship. This means you're able to stretch your vacation budget much further.

To illustrate this point, here's how much you can expect to save by sailing on an older cruise ship.

What you should know about cruising from Galveston instead of Florida

If you've never cruised from Galveston before, there are a few important things to know compared to cruises from Florida.

Every embarkation port has its nuances, and there are a few important details you should be aware of that you are likely to encounter on these sailings.

7 cruise ship main dining room rules to follow — Plus 1 to break

When you dine at the main dining room on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, there are certain expectations and rules to expect.

Etiquette at the main dining room on a cruise ship is not all that different from a land-based restaurant, but there are a few nuances that first time cruisers may be unaware of before they step aboard.

Here is my list of 7 main dining room guidelines you should know, as well as one well-known supposed rule that I think you can disregard.

Happy Sunday and Happy Thanksgiving weekend! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday with family and friends! There is a lot of Royal Caribbean news to share this week.

Mistakes can happen to anyone, but there are some mistakes that will ruin your cruise vacation.

More than likely you'll have a great time on your cruise and enjoy the experience, but there are some pitfalls that can wreak havoc with your plans.

By knowing what these are, you can bypass the worst kind of cruise mistakes.

Survey shows possible new main dining room menu

There's more evidence that a new main dining room menu is on its way.

Royal Caribbean sent past guests an email survey with options for a new main dining room menu, and asked them for feedback.

The survey not only included a look at a possible new menu, it also asked for feedback on the main dining room experience overall.

New video: Things you'll notice when cruising on an older cruise ship

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Things you'll notice when cruising on an older cruise ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

How much cash should you bring on a cruise?

Before you get on a cruise, how much money should you bring with you?

While Royal Caribbean is a cashless ship for most transactions, there are still quite a few good reasons to have cash with you.

Both onboard and off the ship, having at least some cash will make things easier for you.

Why booking my excursions in Europe with the cruise line was the best decision

Is it better to book tours through the cruise line or on your own?

There's compelling reasons for both, but on a recent European cruise, Allie found clear reasoning to go with Royal Caribbean's shore excursions.

She booked 4 tours through Royal Caribbean and feels it was the absolute best decision she could have made.

Guide to Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package

Ready to enjoy all the specialty dining on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

Royal Caribbean’s Unlimited Dining Package provides all the specialty dining restaurants you can handle, and there are important distinctions when purchasing this option you should know about.

From getting the most value out of it to costs, here's the important details about the Unlimited Dining Package.

Happy Sunday! Temperatures may be dropping, but there is plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share. This is your weekly summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this past week, perfectly fitted for your consumption.

There were plenty of opinions from cruise fans over a main dining room test happening on Symphony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean is testing a new dinner menu only on Symphony of the Seas that aims to expedite service there.

The new menu is slimmed down, and there's also now a charge for additional lobster tails.

Royal Caribbean News

• TikTok mom named new cruise ship Wonder of the Seas' godmother
• Royal Caribbean signs deal to build new cruise terminal in Miami in new deal with port
• What I liked (and disliked) about my Liberty of the Seas cruise
• Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing in Alaska in 2023
• Should you buy annual travel insurance plans?
• Better pre-cruise stay option: Airbnb vs hotel?

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 476th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available to enjoy, where Kurt reviews his Oasis of the Seas cruise.

Not only did Kurt sail on Oasis of the Seas, but his cruise occurred at the same time Hurricane Ian was in the tropics, and he talks about its impact on his 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.

New RCB Video: Liberty of the Seas Cruise Ship Tour

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Liberty of the Seas Cruise Ship Tour — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday deals

Ready to take advantage of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals from Royal Caribbean?

Royal Caribbean’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday cruise deals runs between November 18 - November 22, 2022 and applies to sailings departing on or after December 18, 2022.

You can view the full details of Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale details.

Royal Caribbean releases 2024 European cruise itineraries

You can now book a summer cruise to Europe in 2024.

Six ships (plus the World Cruise) will offer cruises around Europe between the months of May and October 2024.

The new sailings are available to book via Royal Caribbean's website.

Royal Caribbean talks Icon of the Seas launch

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas launch was a huge success, and we talked with Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider about what went right.

After months of speculation and barely any information, Royal Caribbean provided information on what Icon of the Seas will look like, where it will sail from, and important information about what guests can expect in terms of fun things to do.

This exclusive interview shares a look at what Royal Caribbean has planned for Icon of the Seas, and what's still to come.

Another busy week of Royal Caribbean fun just wrapped up, but if you missed any of it, I have a concise look at all of it for you in this weekly news round-up!

Royal Caribbean's new cruise terminal in Galveston opened this week.

Terminal 3 is the new home for Allure of the Seas, and is a brand new $125 million cruise terminal.

The terminal will break even more new ground as the first LEED Zero Energy facility in the world, generating 100% of the energy it needs through onsite solar panels.

Royal Caribbean News

• 7 new things Royal Caribbean leaked about Icon of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean releases new 2024 Alaska cruises to book
• Royal Caribbean adds 363-ton dome to top of Icon of the Seas
• Top 10 Liberty of the Seas hidden secrets
• Subtropical storm Nicole disrupts Royal Caribbean cruise itineraries
• I spent $250 to upgrade my cruise ship cabin: Was it worth it?
• Can you work remotely from a cruise ship in 2022? I put it to the test
• Top 10 cocktails to try on your next Royal Caribbean cruise

New RCB Video: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

New Icon of the Seas aerial construction photos

Want to see what Icon of the Seas looks like right now?

We took a series of new drone photos that showcase the construction progress being made, including the addition of the AquaDome.

Icon of the Seas is scheduled to be delivered in late 2023 and begin sailing in January 2024.

What it's like to go on a $99 Royal Caribbean cruise

What do you get for a $99 cruise fare?

Nicole recently sailed on Liberty of the Seas after spotting a last-minute deal for just $99 per person.

What sort of cabin can you get for just $99, and what is real cost of the cruise once you sail?

7 things I did right (and 3 mistakes) on my recent cruise ship port day

Jenna recently spent a day in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and shared the things she liked and didn't like about her port day.

Even if you do a lot of planning, mistakes can happen and she had that experience.

Here are the top 7 things Jenna did right (and 3 mistakes) on her recent cruise ship port day.

5 things I purchased for a cruise that I regretted buying

Whether I thought they would make my life easier, or just improve the vacation experience, in practice, I've regretted a few purchases I made for a cruise.

At the time of purchase, it sounds like a revelation and I usually end up buying it because I think to myself how could I not buy it to improve my vacation.

Here is my own list of things I bought for a cruise that ended up being a terrible purchasing decision for me.

Happy Sunday! Temperatures may be dropping, but there is plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share.  This is your weekly summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this past week, perfectly fitted for your consumption.

Royal Caribbean shared when it will put new cruises on sale in 2024-2025.

While not complete, the initial deployment schedule gives an idea of when to expect new cruises to book to  Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean promises more release dates will be announced soon for other 2024 - 2025 sailings.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean drops pre-cruise testing requirement for almost all cruises
• Royal Caribbean adds daily limit to unlimited dining plan a la carte restaurants
• Royal Caribbean makes small change to make it easier to track Diamond drink vouchers
• Royal Caribbean has quietly brought back pre-cruise entertainment reservations on some cruise ships
• The best cruise itineraries for every type of traveler
• Royal Caribbean cruises in November 2022: What to expect
• What families will love about Icon of the Seas' new dedicated family neighborhood

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 475th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available to enjoy, where Matt lists the things that change about how you cruise as you cruise more often.

Cruising a lot changes your outlook on how you cruise, and I have a list of 5 things I think people that cruise a lot would tell first time cruisers about how the process changes.

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.

New RCB Video: Where to keep Seapass Card, phone, and cash when on a shore excursion?

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Where to keep Seapass Card, phone, and cash when on a shore excursion? — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Group reports first quarterly profit in almost three years

Royal Caribbean reported its third quarter earnings this week, and had positive cash flow for the first time in almost three years.

Royal Caribbean Group posted better than expected earnings for the third quarter of 2022 with a total revenue of $3.0 billion and net income of $33 million.

Revenue hitting $3 billion is the highest since the third quarter of 2019.

What to expect with Royal Caribbean's Black Friday and Cyber Monday cruise deals

While Royal Caribbean’s Black Friday sale changes year to year, there will undoubtedly be a sale for cruise fares and add-ons.

Just like so many retailers, there will be a post-Thanksgiving sale to look for and it will bring potentially higher savings.

You might be wondering how lucrative these sales will be, and if it will save you any money.

Royal Caribbean is targeting people who vacation in Orlando

Are you a family that typically does a land vacation in Orlando? Royal Caribbean wants you to go on a cruise instead.

During Royal Caribbean Group's earnings call with investors this week, Royal Caribbean Group executives talked about how Icon of the Seas was designed to attract families away from a land vacation in Florida.

The ship's new family-centric offerings are part of the cruise line's more aggressive marketing approach to Orlando attractions.

Happy (almost) Halloween! I don't have any bad Halloween themed puns to include here, just the latest Royal Caribbean news to catch up on before you hit up the neighborhood for candy.

You can now book a cabin on Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship.

Icon of the Seas sailings from Miami are now available for booking on Royal Caribbean's website.

It appears the maiden voyage in late January 2024 is already sold out, but you can book other cruises through April 2025.

Icon of the Seas will sail year-round, 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami. Every cruise will visit Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean News

• 7 of the most cutting-edge features coming to Icon of the Seas
• More people just booked Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship than ever before
• Royal Caribbean updates: first ship uses renewable fuel, Galveston & more
• Allie live blogged her Odyssey of the Seas Mediterranean cruise 
• Save up to 35% on pre-cruise purchases with Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner sale
• Get up to 25,000 rewards points from American Express with this new offer

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

One of the most common questions asked is if someone that has only done big ships will enjoy a smaller ship.

This week's podcast episode is a dive into what you should know about venturing away from Royal Caribbean's biggest ships and trying a small ship.

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.

New RCB Video: 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Is Allure of the Seas the "worst" Oasis Class ship?

Allure of the Seas is the only Oasis Class cruise ship that doesn't have waterslides, the Ultimate Abyss, and many other ship wide enhancements, so does that make Allure a bad choice?

Often there are comments posted online about how Allure of the Seas feels outdated, so is that really the case?

Jenna sailed on Allure of the Seas to see for herself how the ship stacks up.

The secret crew-only areas on a cruise ship

Have you ever wondered what the crew areas of a crew ship look like?

Guests aren't allowed to ever go to these areas of the ship, which leaves a lot of people wondering what it's like there.

Bryan James works on Wonder of the Seas and shared a glimpse of what his cabin and crew restaurants, laundry, and stores look like.

How to communicate with other friends and family on your cruise

Whether your kids, siblings, friends, or neighbors on the same cruise as you, there's going to be a need to send a message while on a ship. So what's the best way to do communicate with someone on a cruise ship?

We've got a list of common and useful ways of doing being able to easy contact someone, with each method coming with pros and cons. 

How to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise on any budget

Royal Caribbean cruises are affordable vacations for guests of pretty much any budget, which makes them an attractive way to vacation.

Whether you are going all out, counting every last penny, or looking for a reasonable value, there are options that should fit into any family spending plan.

Here is a look at tips and tricks for how to plan a memorable cruise vacation on a low, moderate, and high budget.

Happy Sunday! We are so happy that you stopped by and hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Grab a mug of your favorite hot beverage, sit back, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean news.

The big news this week was Royal Caribbean revealing Icon of the Seas to the public.

For the first time, we got to see what the new cruise ship looks like, as well as the major features onboard.

Designed with families in mind, Icon of the Seas will have 8 neighborhoods, including four new neighborhoods: Surfside, Thrill Island, Chill Island, and The Hideaway.

Icon of the Seas will be the biggest cruise ship in the world and begin sailing from Miami in late January 2024.

Your first chance to book a cruise will be on Tuesday, October 25, while Crown & Anchor loyalty members will be granted early access to bookings on Monday, October 24.

More Icon of the Seas

• Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites
• The Ultimate Icon of the Seas Dining & Lounges Guide

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

What does Matt think of Icon of the Seas?

Matt shares his thoughts on Royal Caribbean's big reveal on this week's podcast episode, including a first-hand report of what happened at the media event held at Royal Caribbean headquarters.

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.

New RCB Video: 5 cruise ship shore excursions I tried and instantly regretted

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 5 cruise ship shore excursions I tried and instantly regretted — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

50 best cruising with kids tips & secrets

If you're going on a cruise with kids, then we have all the best tips and tricks to help you have a fabulous cruise.

When you go on a cruise with your family, it can mean a mix of ages and even generations, and we wanted to focus on the sort of things families should know before they go on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Whether you are taking your own kids or going with someone else's, here are the top 50 best tips for cruising with kids on Royal Caribbean.

Odyssey of the Seas live blog

Allie is live blogging from Odyssey of the Seas this week!

She's sailing a 12-night Holy Land cruise aboard one of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships that includes three days in Israel, along with stops in Limmasol (Cyprus), Santorini (Greece), Rhodes (Greece) and Chania (Greece).

Follow Allie's adventure every day with her live blog posts.

Ultimate Guide to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner site

Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner is where you book add-ons like shore excursions, drink packages, specialty restaurants, and internet packages. It’s your go-to place to see what is available on your upcoming cruise.

If you’re new to Royal Caribbean, the Cruise Planner can feel a bit overwhelming at first. 

Here’s our Ultimate Guide to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner site.

The fall temperatures may be dropping, but the Royal Caribbean news from this week is as hot as ever, and we have it all summarized for you in this week's round up!

The price for your next cocktail probably went up by a dollar.

Royal Caribbean has raised the price of a signature cocktail from $13 to $14 per drink, before gratuity. The price used to be $13 per drink.

While the individual Royal Caribbean drink prices have gone up by a dollar, your Royal Caribbean drink package benefits & Diamond drink vouchers have also been increased to match the price change.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is ready to open the world's first renewable energy cruise terminal
• Royal Caribbean updates: Starlink on more ships, construction photos & more
• The ultimate kids cruise packing list
• 15 most commonly asked cruise questions we've been asked in 2022
• Check out our Independence of the Seas live blog

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 472nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt weighs the benefits of going on a short 3-night cruise.

After sailing on Independence of the Seas for the weekend, Matt talks about whether a short cruise is over too quickly.

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.

New RCB Video: What it's like on a cruise ship during a hurricane

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — What it's like on a cruise ship during a hurricane — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

What you'll notice when cruising on an older cruise ship

There's nothing wrong with cruising on an older ship, but pretty quickly you'll notice a few things that are different from new ships.

Older ships offer a tremendous value and offer more varied itineraries, but they also have nuances about them that stand out from other ships.

Before you step aboard, here are the biggest changes you'll notice about Royal Caribbean's older cruise ships.

Why my first European cruise wasn't what I expected

Jenna had traveled to Europe prior to ever taking a cruise, so how would the ship-based trip compare to her other visits?

As soon as she stepped foot in her first European cruise port, her concerns were quickly admonished.

Her European cruise experience wasn’t at all what she expected, and it quickly became her favorite destination to cruise in the world.

Disney Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean

Which family cruise line offers a better cruise experience: Disney Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean?

Sylvia took a cruise on the Disney Wish and Mariner of the Seas during the same week to put the two offers to the test.

I hope everyone reading this is having a wonderful Sunday and enjoying some time this weekend with friends, family and some good food too.  Here is a summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this week in one easy-to-read blog post for your convenience!

We have new photos of Icon of the Seas ship construction to share this week!

We're as curious as you to know what this new cruise ship is all about, so RoyalCaribbeanBlog commissioned photos to be taken from the shipyard to see what's new and different.

Not only has the bow been nearly all installed, but a number of top deck designs are starting to take shape. You can view all the Icon of the Seas construction photos and see for yourself!

Royal Caribbean News

• Spotted: Royal Caribbean makes face masks optional for crew members
• Royal Caribbean brings back kids cruise free promotion
• Royal Caribbean offering fall fares as low as $89 per person
• Royal Caribbean cruises in October 2022: What to expect
• Should you book the Izumi pre-fixed sushi option?
• We're live blogging from Independence of the Seas this weekend!
• Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel Review

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 471st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt sums up his Allure of the Seas cruise and answers many more listener emails.

As an addendum to last week's episode, Matt talks about the rest of the sailing and how the hurricane impacted the sailing.

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.

New RCB Video: I tried the best inside cabin hacks

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — I tried the best inside cabin hacks — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

I tried The Key (again) to see if it's worth it

On a recent 6-night cruise on Allure of the Seas, Jenna purchased The Key to see if the experience was any better or different than in the past.

The Key provides VIP benefits to guests that pay for it, but is it worth it to spend the extra money?

Royal Caribbean advertises plenty of benefits, but are they as good as they sound?

Is Black Friday the best time to buy a Royal Caribbean drink package?

One mantra I see cruise fans repeat is the advice for people to wait for Black Friday to buy their cruise add-ons because they feel the best discounts are offered that week.

The problem with waiting for any one sale is you're putting a lot at risk for a potential discount that may or may not materialize.

Should you wait or book now? Here's a look at the pros and cons of waiting for a Black Friday sale.

Allure of the Seas Guide & Review

Want to know everything about Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas?

Our planning guide will give you all the important information about Allure before you get onboard.