Royal Caribbean Blog

Included with the recent update to Royal Caribbean's app is the option for guests to initiate group chats while on their cruise.

In addition to the one-to-one guest chat feature that is being tested on Harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, the 1.16.0 version of the app comes with a group chat feature.

Thanks to Jody Finds The Travel Deals for providing the screenshots.

The chat feature is currently only available on Harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas while it is being developed and tested.  Eventually, all Royal Caribbean ships will have access to the app, along with chat, however there is no timetable provided for when each ship and/or feature will be released.

There is no cost to use Royal Caribbean's app while onboard and you do not need an internet package to use the app either.

The app is available on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.

Royal Caribbean will introduce a new dining package that includes the most specialty dining options of any of its dining packages.

The Unlimited Dining Package will replace the Ultimate Dining Package, and be available pre-cruise on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner on Friday, April 12th.

Like its predecessor, the Unlimited Dining Package will allow guests to enjoy their meals at specialty restaurants as many times as
they’d like, based on availability. For instance, if they want to eat at the same restaurant twice in one night, they can.

Pricing for the Unlimited Dining Package will be very similar to what pricing for the Ultimate Dining Package was previously. Pricing will vary by sailing and ship class and will start around $24 per person per day for a 7 night sailing.

For specialty restaurants with a la carte pricing, the Unlimited Dining Package allows a $35 food credit per person for each visit.

Chef’s Table and culinary activities are excluded. Johnny Rockets is included in the package. However, beverages are not.

Package does not include beverages, but does provide 40% off bottles of wine under $100, and 20% off bottles over $100.

For Dining Packages, children ages 12 and under are excluded from offer; children ages 6-12 can be added to reservation for a $10 cover change once onboard. Not available on holiday sailings. 

Royal Caribbean has released version 1.16.0 of its new smartphone app, which adds maps and information about Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The release notes indicate the maps of CocoCay are available for ships that visit the island.  The interactive maps for Perfect Day  at CocoCay will be turned on later in May, when ships begin to visit the island following the Perfect Day launch.

The new app is available on these ships:

•  Adventure of the Seas
•  Allure of the Seas
•  Brilliance of the Seas
•  Enchantment of the Seas
•  Harmony of the Seas
•  Independence of the Seas
•  Liberty of the Seas
•  Majesty of the Seas
•  Mariner of the Seas
•  Navigator of the Seas
•  Oasis of the Seas
•  Serenade of the Seas
•  Symphony of the Seas
•  Vision of the Seas

The app is available on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.

It appears Royal Caribbean has temporarily shut down its SkyPad bungee trampoline experience on its cruise ships pending a review of the safety of the ride.

Guests who recently sailed on Independence of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas reported the SkyPad was closed for the duration of their cruise.  Royal Caribbean confirmed via Twitter that the SkyPad is indeed closed for now.

Photo by Michelle May

Hi, Becky. The SkyPad is temporarily unavailable. We're currently conducting a review as the safety as part of our commitment to safety for all of our guests. I'm very sorry for any disappointment this has caused. -Alexis

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) April 7, 2019

We're still running reviews and inspections. We'll be sure to reach out if there's an update.

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) April 7, 2019

Royal Caribbean's review of the experience follows recent litigation that was filed against the cruise line that involved a guest who was injured while on the SkyPad.

The SkyPad is currently available on Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean has selected Harry McNulty as its next world explorer meets social media champion.

McNulty was named by Royal Caribbean UK as the winner of its Shore Explorer contest. The Shore Explorer's job is to discover fun and incredible experiences around the world that will ultimately influence the brand’s shore excursion offerings.

A HUGE congratulations once again to our Shore Explorer winner, Harry McNulty! Here’s his jaw-dropping winning entry: https://t.co/gzZiRxNHya Make sure to check out & follow his Instagram page to see his incredible content where he’ll be posting content from his epic adventures!

— Royal Caribbean UK (@MyRoyalUK) April 8, 2019

Harry will visit places such as Japan, Alaska, Europe and the Middle East, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, opening next month.

Harry is 26 years old and from Dublin, Ireland. He was one of 37,000 UK and Irish applicants for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s shore explorer position. 

View this post on Instagram

So @royalcaribbeanuk Are Looking For The Next #shoreexplorer . This Is A One In A Life Time Opportunity To Travel To 6 Different Countries Over A 3 Week Period And Document The Entire Experience! For The full Video Check My IGTV - Great Surprise At The End ?

A post shared by Harry? (@saltynuts_) on Feb 21, 2019 at 1:07am PST

Royal Caribbean opened the contest up earlier this year, and apprenticeship applicants were required to post an image, video or story on Instagram that showed an ability to capture a moment and tell a story.

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

The big news this week surrounded the unfortunate accident involving Oasis of the Seas while in Freeport, Bahamas for scheduled maintenance. A construction crane fell and struck the ship, causing damage and injuries to eight workers.

As a result of the accident, Royal Caribbean canceled the next three sailings of Oasis of the Seas.

After assessing the damage to Oasis of the Seas, the cruise line found damage to the Aqua Theatre and some suites. 

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean released new 2020-2021 Australia sailings for booking.
• You can still save up to 30% off pre-cruise purchases through April 7.
• Royal Caribbean released a new video about its big plans for Perfect Day at CocoCay.
• We spotted a new 50th anniversary cake option in the main dining room.
• Kids Sail Free offer is back this month on new cruise bookings.
• Royal Caribbean celebrated April Fools Day with the "announcement" of a new airplane.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 296th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring a look at how to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise with friends and family.

The appeal of going on a cruise with members of your family and/or friends is a great idea, but planning a group sailing comes with its own set of challenges. Matt and Rebecca share tips from their own experiences on how to avoid some common pitfalls.

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 wrote about the realities of seasickness.

Cruise Industry News highlighted the first Asian Captain for Royal Caribbean.

The Sun Sentinel wrote about an 80's themed cruise planned on Explorer of the Seas.

Friday is here and that means two things: the weekend is beginning and we have some terrific Royal Caribbean photos to share from our readers.

Each week, we invite our readers to share with us their favorite Royal Caribbean photos in a kind of virtual escape for everyone.

Let's begin with this photo by Akiki Roman of Jordan celebrating his first birthday on Allure of the Seas.

Mike Sperduto took this beautiful photo from his room on Harmony of the Seas.

Kinny Lee shared this great wake view photo.

Joe Moran snapped this photo of Freedom of the Seas docked in St. Maarten.

This photo by Shawn Crossley may as well be a postcard. It is Voyager of the Seas as seen from Mystery Island.

Adam Hall took this photo while sitting poolside on Liberty of the Seas.

Our final photo this week is by Stuart Cole, and it is of Radiance of the Seas in Moorea.

Thank you to everyone who sent in photos this week. We welcome your best Royal Caribbean cruise photos too, and you can send them in by using this form. Have a great weekend!

Royal Caribbean is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and already some of the festivities are underway.  No birthday celebration is complete without a little cake!

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Shawn Wallace enjoyed a special cake while dining in the main dining room on Brilliance of the Seas.

The buttercream birthday cake was served to each table in the main dining room, and is topped with rainbow sprinkles, a swirled lollipop and chocolate coin.

Keep an eye out for this birthday while when you dine at the main dining room on a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2019!

Royal Caribbean is offering up to 30% off pre-cruise purchases with the Slam Dunk Savings sale.

The Cruise Planner sale runs between April 4 and April 11, 2019 and is valid on sailings from April 13, 2019 – October 31, 2019.

It includes discounts on:

• BEVERAGE: Up to 30% off on select sailings
  • Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings).
  • Deluxe Beverage Package. Discount Varies by Ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings).
  • Refreshment Package: 30% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings).
• SHORE EXCURSIONS: Save up to 25% off
  • Save up to 25% on select tours on select sailings. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings).
• INTERNET: Up to 60% off on select sailings
  • VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings).
  • VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4, Device(s): Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings).
• DINING: Up to 50% off on select sailings
  • 3 Night Dining Package. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes MA, MJ, OA Interporting + Master Sailings and Charter Sailings).
  • Ultimate Dining Package on 3 Night,4 Night and 5 Night. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes AD, AL, EX, FR, HM, LB, MJ, OA, OV, QN, RH, SC, SY + Charter Sailings).
• ACTIVITIES: Up to 10% off on select sailings
  • All Access Ship Tour. 10% off. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings).

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

Royal Caribbean International’s Perfect Day at CocoCay is set to redefine private island destinations following a $250 million transformation that will introduce the ultimate combination of thrill and chill. On the unrivaled private island, guests of all ages will be able to enjoy an array of distinct adventures and iconic features from, the tallest waterslide in North America, Daredevil’s Peak; and Oasis Lagoon, the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean -- one-of-a-kind experiences that will top any bucket list.