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Video: Sneak Peek - Oasis of the Seas is Amplified

In:
12 Nov 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean has released a brand new video today that offers a behind-the-scenes look at Royal Caribbean's largest amplification to date.

Currently undergoing a major, $165 million transformation, Oasis of the Seas will soon emerge from her upgrades to offer guests a new level of fun at sea.

From the tallest slide at sea, The Ultimate Abyss, to the cruise line’s first barbecue restaurant – Portside BBQ – and the Ultimate Panoramic suites with 200-degree, floor-to-ceiling views, the original gamechanger that revolutionized the industry marks its 10-year anniversary in a big way.

The amplified Oasis will debut her new look in November 2019 to begin 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami, FL before heading to the Big Apple in May 2020 as the largest ship to ever sail from the Northeast.

Royal Caribbean named best cruise line for the money

In:
12 Nov 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

U.S. News & World Report named Royal Caribbean International as the best cruise line for your money in its 2020 list of the best cruise lines.

With more than 20 cruise ships, Royal Caribbean is one of the largest lines sailing the ocean today. Having the ability to accommodate thousands of guests per ship allows the company to keep rates low. In fact, travelers may find itineraries in popular Caribbean, European and Alaskan destinations for less than $200 per person.

The top five for the Best Cruise Line for the Money were:

  1. Royal Caribbean International
  2. Celebrity Cruises
  3. Norwegian Cruise Line
  4. Princess Cruises
  5. Carnival Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean has won this award in 2017, 2015 and 2013. It was edged out last year by Celebrity Cruises.

U.S. News & World Reports compiles its rankings based on "an analysis of expert and user opinions." U.S. News ranked the cruise lines based on a methodology that factors in itinerary affordability, health ratings and reputation among experts and travelers.

You can sign up to be alerted of Royal Caribbean's Black Friday & Cyber Monday deals

In:
11 Nov 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

If you want to be among the first to know what Royal Caribbean's Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals will be, the cruise line is allowing guests to sign up for a notification.

Royal Caribbean typically does not post its Black Friday offers much in advance, so it appears as the cruise line is offering guests who really want to know as soon as possible a new option.

Guests can sign up to receive an email from Royal Caribbean when the deals are announced. A special form is available to fill out and submit.

You can view past Black Friday deals in our Black Friday post archive.

If you are eyeing a pre-cruise discount on a shore excursion, beverage package, WiFi access or more, keep in mind all purchases made via the Cruise Planner site can always be cancelled and rebooked if the price drops.

Let us know in the comments: Did you sign up for the email alert?

How to get a military veteran discount on a Royal Caribbean cruise

In:
11 Nov 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean offers special rates for police, firefighter and military members on select sailings. 

These special rates are meant to recognize and reward those that serve their county and community.

Police and Firefighters

Special rates for fire and police require there must be at least one guest in the stateroom that is an active or retired, volunteer or employee of a local, state or federal law enforcement agency or fire department in the United States.

When boarding the ship on the first day of your cruise, you will be required to present valid proof of employment (badge or ID) plus a second form of identification when boarding the ship.

Spouses, parents, in-laws, children or other family members or friends are not eligible for the rate without the eligible person occupying the stateroom. 

Military Rates

To qualify for a Military rate, at least one guest in the stateroom must be classified as one of the following,

  1. Active personnel currently serving in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves or Canadian National Defense.
  2. Retired from any of the divisions listed directly above.
  3. Veterans with an Honorable Discharge serving a minimum of 2 years, or 6-months in an active war zone, in any of the United States service divisions listed above.

At least one guest per stateroom must be eligible to be considered in compliance with these rates.

Spouses of actively deployed military personnel are eligible to book one stateroom as long as the eligible spouse is occupying the stateroom. This rate also applies to all other guests traveling in the same stateroom.

Spouses of deceased military personnel are also eligible for the military rate. As proof of eligibility, spouses must present the Pink or Tan Dependent Military ID upon check-in.

if you are unable to provide proof upon check-in at the pier, it will result in the reservation being re-priced to the lowest available fare for that particular day and the guest will be responsible to pay for any differences immediately or risking denial of boarding.

How to get the special rate

To check for special rates, inform your travel agent or Royal Caribbean representative at the time of booking that you qualify for a veteran rate. 

These special rates will vary from sailing to sailing, and there are potentially more lucrative discounts available depending on the ship and sail date you choose.  

Founder of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line dies

In:
11 Nov 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean announced one if its founders passed away over the weekend. Edwin Stephan died November 8. He was 87.

In 1969 Stephan founded the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, and his contributions helped create the modern cruise industry we know today. Under his leadership in 1970, the company launched Song of Norway, the first ship purpose-built for warm-water cruising. Since that initial voyage, Stephan’s fledgling company has grown into the world’s second largest cruise line, a multi-billion-dollar global company of six brands, operating 63 ships across seven continents.  

Stephan retired in 2003, when he was vice chairman of the board of directors.

Royal Caribbean announced to celebrate his memory, flags will be flown at half-mast on the cruise line's ships this week.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: November 10, 2019

In:
10 Nov 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

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.

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean announced its 2021 Alaska, Hawaii and Transpacific sailings.

Ovation, Radiance and Serenade of the Seas will return to the Pacific Northwest in 2021 to offer varying 7-night itineraries sailing from Seattle, Vancouver, British Columbia; and Seward, Alaska.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 327th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available to enjoy, where Matt is joined by Royal Caribbean's Global Vice President Culinary, Dining & Beverage to take a look back at how dining on Royal Caribbean has changed.

Linken D'Souza shared an inside look at how Royal Caribbean's world-reknown innovations extend to the culinary experience as well.

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: Things that cost extra on Royal Caribbean that are totally worth it!

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 that cost extra on Royal Caribbean that are totally worth it! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Family Traveller shared what it is like to cruise with a toddler.

CruiseLine.com compared Perfect Day at CocoCay to Castaway Cay.

CNBC interviewed Richard Fain about the growing global presence of the cruise line.

Spotted: Digital stateroom key on Oasis of the Seas

In:
09 Nov 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Guests with upcoming sailings on the amplified Oasis of the Seas are seeing a new option to use Royal Caribbean's app to open their stateroom door.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers Ashley Chandonia and Victoria Wittle shared screenshots of their app offering the new option.

The app works in conjunction with a SeaPass card.

Spectrum of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to offer a digital key and control the stateroom television from the app.

The app is available for download from the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.

Royal Caribbean branded beer debuts at Perfect Day at CocoCay

In:
08 Nov 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean's exclusive brand of beer made its debut today at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Guests sailing on Symphony of the Seas had the opportunity to be the first to sample the, "Chilla Thrilla" beer at the cruise line's private island destination.

Photo by Elise Jackson

Photo by Vicki Sheppard

The beer is a collaboration between Royal Caribbean and Funky Buddha Brewery, which we first reported on last month.

Chilla Thrilla will be available at Perfect Day at CocoCay for guests to enjoy.

What is Star Class?

In:
08 Nov 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

At the top of the Royal Suite program is Star Class, which offers guests sailing in Royal Caribbean's most spacious and well-appointed rooms the top tier of benefits.

The Royal Suite Class are suites offered on the Icon, Oasis and Quantum Class ships. These ships include:

  • Oasis of the Seas
  • Allure of the Seas
  • Harmony of the Seas
  • Symphony of the Seas
  • Quantum of the Seas
  • Anthem of the Seas
  • Ovation of the Seas
  • Wonder of the Seas
  • Utopia of the Seas
  • Icon of the Seas
  • Star of the Seas

What is a Star Class suite on Royal Caribbean?

The top tier of the Royal Suite Class is Star Class, and guests staying in this room receive a wide array of amenities, perks and services while onboard.

The benefits of Star Class include:

  • Dedicated check-in line
  • Priority boarding
  • Access to Coastal Kitchen restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Bathrobes
  • L'Occitane 50 ml Bathroom Amenities
  • Duxiana Mattress
  • Frette Linens
  • In Room Mr. Coffee/Tea Service
  • Complimentary Voom high-speed WiFi
    • Each guest booked in Star Tier suites will receive complimentary VOOM on one individual device of their choice.
  • Concierge service
  • Access to Sun Suite Deck
  • Exclusive signature activities
  • Complimentary Minibar stocked with Coca-Cola Beverages and Water
  • Laundry and Ironing Services
  • Priority Departure
  • Royal Genie
  • Complimentary Gratuities
  • Complimentary Specialty Dining
  • Complimentary Deluxe Beverage Package

What rooms are Star Class?

The Star Class cabins are hotel-style stays, with the most spacious to enjoy at sea. 

  • Royal Loft Suite
  • 4 Bedroom Villa Suite
  • Owner’s Loft Suite
  • Grand Loft Suite
  • 1 Bedroom Owner’s Panoramic Suite
  • 2 Bedroom Grand Panoramic Suite
  • Star Loft Suite
  • 2 Bedroom Spacious AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony
  • 2 Bedroom AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony
  • Ultimate Family Suite
  • Ultimate Family Townhouse
  • Royal Loft
  • Icon Loft

What is Royal Genie service?

Arguably the best perk of staying in a Star Class room is your own Royal Genie.  All suites within the Star tier will receive the Royal Genie experience.

The Royal Genie's job is to craft experiences, and curate your entire vacation around what you wand your family want.  They offer their guests VIP experiences all around the ship.

There are many services offered by the Royal Genie, here are the top services offered:

  • Exclusive access to private Shore Excursions, VIP Seating, signature activities and more, before they open to anyone else.
  • Helps coordinate in-suite parties, such as surprise parties, cocktail hours and more.
  • Keeps suite stocked with favorite snacks and drinks.
  • Expedited Boarding and Departure
  • Personal shopper to help guests shop for gifts, keepsakes and all the best brands onboard.
  • Provide a personal photographer to remember the cruise.

Due to the exclusive nature of these services, they cannot be extended to friends and family members sailing on the same voyage who are not booked as Star guests.

In the weeks before the sailing, Royal Genies will learn guests' specific preferences.

  • 2 weeks before: The Royal Genie will contact a guest to confirm arrival information via e-mail.
  • 10 days before: The Royal Genie will invite guests to download the Loop app – an exclusive Star Tier messaging tool that allows fast, easy and convenient communication between them and their Royal Genie. Loop will be available from point of download until four days after their cruise.

How much do I tip a Royal Genie?

The short answer is, there is no pre-determined or advised amount.  It is completely up to you.

Many cruisers have thoughts on how much to tip their Royal Genie, so you may find their input helpful.

Friday Photos - November 8, 2019

In:
08 Nov 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

The weekend is here, and so are our readers' favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photos! Each week, we share the best photos that our readers have sent in. 

If you want to submit your photos for a future Friday Photos post, be sure to send them to us via this form.

First up is a photo by Mac and Lori of a whale, with Radiance of the Seas in the background. 

Next up is a photo of Allure of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas docked next to each other in Cozumel. Photo by Patrick Russo.

Dave Horn shared this photo of Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda.

Here is a shot of the Boardwalk on Harmony of the Seas, taken by Jason Peterson.

Diesel Strommer sent in this photo of Symphony of the Seas docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

We have a sunset photo taken onboard Majesty of the Seas by Julie Tessel.

Our final photo is by David Summer, and it is of Spectrum of the Seas docked in Osaka, Japan.

That wraps up this week's edition of Friday Photos. If you want your Royal Caribbean photo featured here, use this form to send them in!