Royal Caribbean Blog

You just picked the perfect Royal Caribbean cruise for you and your family and it sounds like it will be a blast, but you might be wondering what events, activities and specials may be offered on your cruise.  

Each evening, your stateroom attendant will deliver to your stateroom the Cruise Compass, which is a daily guide to the news, events and activities that will be occurring on your ship the next day.

Royal Caribbean packs a lot of things to do into each day and you are best served by reading it each evening to be aware of what is happening onboard. 

The Cruise Compass is more than just knowing what time bingo is at.  It offers you insight into the next day's weather, which bars will have drink specials, shore excursion information and much more.

Some events are not repeated while other activities can change daily, so it is in your best interest to track what is happening so you do not miss any of it.

Cruise Compass structure

Regardless of which ship you are on, the basic structure of the Cruise Compass is fairly consistent.  Oasis and Quantum class ships have a slightly different look to the Cruise Compass, but the organization of the Compass remains similar.

Page One

The first page has an overview of what to expect that day, including where the ship will be (in port or at sea), a weather report, and various specials, offers and events that are highlighted.  By far, the weather report in the upper right hand corner is the most useful information on this page.

The first page also includes a section of "Important things to know today".  It is always good to skim over the list to see if there is anything that stands out.

Page Two

Opening up the Cruise Compass, you will find more events, sales and other offers.

The most important part of this page is the "Activity and Entertainment Highlights," which lists the headline show/performance of the evening.  Since the evening entertainment is usually the most popular and well-known acts onboard, it is always a good idea to see what performances are scheduled for the evening.

In terms of activities listed here, they will all be listed again in the full daily planner, which is coming up on additional pages.  Page two is usually best for glancing quickly over it for anything that jumps out as interesting.

Page Three

The third page is an important page for referencing which venues are open and what time. You will get a breakdown of open hours for many areas of the ship, and most importantly, restaurants.

On this page you will find the dress code for the main dining in the evening, as well as open hours for every eatery onboard the ship. Knowing when restaurants are open is always helpful, because hours stagger quite a bit.

At the bottom of the page, you will find the drink of the day, which features one cocktail that can be purchased at a discount.  If you do not have an unlimited alcohol package, this can be a good value.

Page Four

If you read only one page of the Cruise Compass, make sure it is this one because it lists all of the day's activities.  

Activities are broken down by time of day (morning, afternoon, evening) and provides a chronological list of events throughout the ship.  Each event has a time, title and location for quick reference.

A great strategy for managing this page is to use a highlighter and mark off any events of interest for easy reference later. 

You should also know that the activities listing can be teared off for easy reference later on. Many guests will tear them off, fold it up and place in their pocket.

Kids and Adventure Ocean

Royal Caribbean provides a lot of programming for children and teenagers on their ship.  Some events make it onto the regular Cruise Compass, but there are even more events listed in special daily planners just for the kids.

Just like the Cruise Compass, Adventure Ocean publishes a Kids Daily Planner for children 3-11 years old.  It breaks down the activities lined up for the day while the kids are enrolled in Adventure Ocean.  The activities are broken up by ages for easy reference.

Teenagers get their own planner too, specifically for kids that are 12-17 years old. The Teen planner is a bit more similar to the Cruise Compass in structure, with a chronological breakdown of events and activities that are just for teenagers.

Past Cruise Compasses

Royal Caribbean does not post or publish Cruise Compasses for upcoming sailings in advance.  Nor do they publish their entertainment schedules prior to a cruise. With that in mind, many veteran Royal Caribbean cruisers reference past Cruise Compasses to get an idea of what to expect on an upcoming sailing. 

There is no way to know in absolute terms what your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise will or will not offer, but Royal Caribbean insiders will consult past Cruise Compass' to see what was available on those similar sailings to get an idea of what to expect.

Generally speaking, Royal Caribbean sailings on a particular ship do not change that much from week to week in terms of the activities or entertainment offered.  There will be some discrepancies, but an old Cruise Compass can give you a good ballpark of expectations to plan around.

By reading an old Cruise Compass, you can prepare yourself for activities and events that you might want to participate in, such as themed dance parties, sporting events and anything inbetween.

You can reference our Cruise Compass archive for a listing of past Cruise Compasses that we have found.

Digital Cruise Compass

Royal Caribbean's Royal iQ app is available on select ships and has among its features a digital copy of the Cruise Compass.

In addition to a listing of everything happening onboard, guests can add specific events directly to their own digital calendar for easy tracking. As you make reservations or add activities directly from the daily Cruise Compass to your calendar, your schedule is automatically updated. 

Royal iQ only works when onboard Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas.

Cyber Monday may still be many months away, but Royal Caribbean is offering a "Summer Cyber Sale" later this week with up to $200 instant savings plus 60% off the second guest.

The Summer Cyber Sale will run between June 22-27, 2017 and is valid on all sailings departing on or after July 22, 2017. Offer excludes China departures.

The deal offers

• 60% off cruise fare of second guest booked in the same stateroom as first full fare guest
• 30% cruise fare savings for 3rd and 4th guests booked in the same stateroom as first two qualifying guests
• Kids Sail Free offer
  • Free cruise fare of third and higher guests who are 12 years or younger as of cruise departure date, booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests in a triple or quad occupancy stateroom on 5 nights or longer Bahamas and Caribbean sailings departing Sep. 1, 2017-May 31, 2018
  • Excluding sailings departing 11/17/17-11/27/17, 12/17/17–1/8/18, 2/15/18-2/20/18 and 3/10/18-4/1/18
• Instant Savings
  • $25 off per stateroom for interior and Oceanview on sailings 5 nights or less
  • $50 off per stateroom for balcony and suite on sailings 5 nights or less
  • $50 off per stateroom for interior and Oceanview on sailings 6 nights or longer
  • $150 per stateroom for balcony on sailings 6 nights or longer
  • $200 per stateroom for suite on sailings 6 nights or longer.
• Bonus Instant Savings
  • Bonus instant savings total per stateroom for Crown and Anchor members sailings departing October 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018
    • $50 off per stateroom total for interior and Oceanview on sailings 5 nights or less
    • $100 off per stateroom total for balcony and suite on sailings 5 nights or less
    • $100 off per stateroom total for interior and Oceanview on sailings 6 nights or longer
    • $250 per stateroom total for balcony on sailings 6 nights or longer
    • $300 per stateroom total for suite on sailings 6 nights or longer.

BOGO60 is combinable with Kids Sail Free, Instant Savings Offer, 3rd and 4th Guest Savings, Crown & Anchor discounts and NextCruise offers. BOGO60, Kids Sail Free, Instant Savings Offer and 3rd and 4th Guest Savings are not combinable with restricted rates. All offers are not combinable with any other offer or promotion.

Offer open to residents of U.S. or Canada. 

Symphony of the Seas is one step closer to claiming the title of the world’s largest cruise ship. The ship’s construction continues right on schedule, with Royal Caribbean innovators developing even more groundbreaking wow’s for the latest member of the Oasis class of ships. From the iconic waterfront AquaTheater to the Bionic Bar robot bartenders, the cruise line's best features will combine with exciting new experiences for the ultimate adventure.

Our newest podcast episode is out to help give you a quick "audio escape" to a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Episode 203 is available for downloading, which takes a close look at Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner.

Perhaps no resource is as central to pre-cruise planning as the Cruise Planner. This week, Matt looks at what the Cruise Planner offers guests and what strategies work best for taking advantage of it.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 203. 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!

Royal Caribbean’s hotel procurement team sources all consumables and replaceables aboard some 48 “floating hotels” in its global fleet. Such items as plants and flowers, dishware, bed linens and uniforms, among many others, are obvious. Others – tear-away shorts for “sexy man” contests on the pool deck and holiday decorations – not so much.

Royal Caribbean is offering everyone experience an undersea adventure with a first-of-its-kind social media innovation.

From June 21-25, Through the lens of Snapchat Spectacles, Royal Caribbean's Snapchat Channel will take viewers underwater, thanks to a custom-design scuba mask dubbed "SeaSeekers."

The mask was custom engineered by the cruise line for use with Snapchat Spectacles. It allows the wearer to snap while underwater and will give those above the surface a unique perspective into the intriguing underwater world of marine life. Fans can #SeekDeeper by following @RoyalCaribbean on Snapchat.

There will be three dives that will show what it is like to take an underwater adventure through the eyes of three well-known divers.

• In Cozumel, Mexico marine wildlife photographer and conservationist Roberto Ochoa will give viewers a rare glimpse into the annual migration of Whale Sharks.
• Marine Biologist Gabriela Nava and co-founder of the organization Oceanus, A.C. based in Mexico, will then take viewers to see a coral reef restoration project where she and her team have been working to restore the local reefs.
• In Belize, fans can follow along as free diver Ashleigh Baird visits the Great Blue Hole, an underwater sinkhole that is believed to be the largest of its kind.

"The SeaSeeker will enable all adventure-seekers to get a front-row seat to the thrilling adventures found underwater in a way that has never been possible before," said Jim Berra, chief marketing officer and SVP of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. "Snapchat continues to be a favorite channel for curious travellers and is the ideal platform for this first-of-its-kind undersea exploration. We are excited to find an innovative way to use the Snapchat Spectacles with our SeaSeeker mask so that we can bring the underwater experience to our guests as they visit the incredible destinations we sail to. We’ve even taken the added step of applying for a patent for the SeaSeekers mask so that we can bring it to our guests exclusively."

Fans can follow along on Royal Caribbean’s Snapchat channel or by searching on other social platforms by using #SeekDeeper.

Many Royal Caribbean cruises that visit the Eastern Caribbean will make a stop in St. Maarten, an island split between The Netherlands and France.  St. Maarten is known for its beautiful beaches, and exquisite examples of Dutch and French culture.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships dock on the Dutch side of the island, right outside of the Dutch capital of Philipsburg.  Visitors to St. Maarten will find a good mix of aquatic activities, shopping, dining and more.  Here are some popular options for what to do on your day in St. Maarten.

Shopping in Marigot

The French capital of Saint-Martin is Marigot, and walking its streets evokes a sense of being in a small French village, rather than an island in the Caribbean.

Marigot is full of wonderful shopping and dining choices, along with easy access to the the water.  A visit to Marigot is a great choice for guests looking to do a bit of shopping, or enjoy French food while in town. You can wander the streets of central Marigot, and discover old Creole houses, restored in the traditional Saint Martinoise style and often housing luxury boutiques.

Marigot is also well known for its duty-free shopping, with a focus on luxury and French fashion.

Getting to Marigot requires a short taxi ride.

Airplanes at Maho Beach

It is likely you have seen at some point a video of an airplane landing near Maho Beach, without knowing it is located in St. Maarten.  

Maho Beach is a small beach on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island, located adjacent to Princess Juliana International Airport. Maho Beach is unusually close to the threshold of a runway, and is directly under the flight path, resulting in aircraft on their final approach flying over the beach at altitudes of less than 100 feet above ground level.

The beach itself is white sand and has little to no vegetation because of jet blast erosion. The reason to visit Maho Beach is to see planes landing, and experience the thrill of seeing them in person. The Sunset Bar and Grill is located at the beach, which offers refreshments between landings.

Orient Bay

Orient Bay beach, situated in the north-eastern part of the island, is one of the island’s largest and most popular beaches. The beach offers a full range of tourist amenities, including beach restaurants, hotels, shops and water sports.

Orient Bay is widely regarded to be among the best beaches in the Caribbean, and is the perfect setting for a day at the beach. Orient Beach is the most developed, the most popular and the busiest beach on the island and is reputed as much for its natural beauty and setting as it is for being the island´s foremost swimsuit optional beach.

Orient Bay is the only beach on St. Martin with a large number of beach bars and restaurants directly located on the beach.

Grand-Case

If you want to experience the French side of St. Martin with a bit more authenticity, head over the Grand-Case. The village of Grand Case has retained all its authenticity, particularly in its housing.

Grand-Case is well known for its exquisite dining and has the perfect mix of attractions in and around its center. Grand-Case has all the flavors of French 'haute cuisine' and 'savoir vivre'.

Nearby, visitors can check out the beach that offers several beach bars, restaurants, and small hotels. Frugal travelers, will appreciate the beach side market square with the 'lolos', serving grilled lobster, barbecue food, and local treats.

Phillipsburg

The capital of St. Maarten is Phillipsburg, which was settled by the Dutch in 1631 for the Great Salt Pond located nearby.  Jewelry and souvenir stalls line the main street. A promenade has been developed along the waterfront and is lined with a vast range of restaurants and bars.

Like Marigot, Philipsburg offers duty-free shopping to visitors at the many shops that line the two main streets downtown: Front Street and Back Street. Shoppers will find jewelry, perfumes, appliances, clothing and more for sale throughout the town.

There are also a number of cultural hot spots to check out, including the St. Maarten Museum, Courthouse and Sint Maarten National Heritage Foundation.

Island Tour

Since there is so much to see in St. Maarten, a lot of times a tour of the island makes a lot of sense. Taking a tour of St. Maarten allows you to get a "taste" of the highlights and maybe set yourself up for something on a future visit.

There are a lot of tours you can take, either on your own, with a private driver or through a group tour.  Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, and one of the big factors will be cost. Group tours will be the least expensive options, but you will be at the mercy of the pace of the group.  Conversely, a private tour will allow you to do what you want, when you want, but with the caveat that you will pay more for it.

Island tours are very popular shore excursions and available through third parties or with Royal Caribbean.  Taxis are readily available at the port area, as well as around Philipsburg and most popular tourist areas.

Your Thoughts

Have you tried any of the places we outlined? Do you have a recommendation for something to do in St. Maarten? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

Happy Sunday! We’d like to wish all the dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day! We hope you get to have a relaxing and fun-filled day with your family!

Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the latest Royal Caribbean news!

Royal Caribbean provided our first look at its new non-refundable deposit program with select sailings offering the new option.

Beginning June 13, guests can expect to see the non-refundable deposit option live on various products. Royal Caribbean will work with these test products leading up to the fleet wide launch on July 1, 2017.

As of July 1st, 2017, the fleet-wide launch of nonrefundable deposit fares will debut across all ships.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean confirmed there will be no impact to its Cuba cruises as a result of the new U.S. policy change.
• Royal Caribbean changed its shore excursion cancellation policy.
• A new Cruise Planner sale debuted this weekend.
• There is a new option to pre-purchase arcade credit.
• Royal Caribbean is offering Crown and Anchor Society members a discount on suites on Oasis Class ships.
• Our list of things not to worry about on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 202nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we discuss what you need to know about taking a cruise during hurricane season.

In this episode, Matt talks about what impact hurricanes can have on a cruise, and whether or not taking a cruise during this time of year is a good idea.

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

New York Post shared a look at a recent Allure of the Seas cruise.

My Cruise Course shared a list of their favorite cruise podcasts.

Disney Cruise Line Blog shared tips for packing for a cruise.

Reasons to Cruise compared MSC Meraviglia to Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas.

Cruise Radio released a new episode with a review of Liberty of the Seas.

Travel Weekly reports the new Royal Caribbean sales manager for Scotland.

Royal Caribbean's Pre-Cruise Summer Sale is offering up to 30% off select pre-cruise purchases made via the Cruise Planner.

The three-day sale is available for guests on select sailings, and offers discounts on services, such as unlimited drink packages, internet packages and even some shore excursions and spa treatments. Offer applies to new purchases made June 17 - 19, 2017. Discount applies to beverage, internet, dining and spa packages on select sailings departing July 1 - December 15, 2017. Discount amount varies by amenity type.

The exact discount available will vary from sailing to sailing, but there appears to be a fair amount of discounts applied.

Based on the countdown clock, it appears this promotion ends at midnight on June 19, 2017.

To check what items are on sale for your sailing, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site to see any available offers.

If you have already prepurchased something on the Cruise Planner that is now less expensive, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same service under this promotion.

UPDATE: Royal Caribbean has extended the sale by another 24 hours. Offer applies to new purchases made June 20, 2017. 

President Trump announced new restrictions on Friday to curtail travel and commercial ties between the U.S. and Cuba, but it appears there will be no impact on Royal Caribbean cruises to Cuba.

On Twitter, Royal Caribbean confirmed that there will be no impact to any sailings that visit Cuba as a result of the new U.S. policy toward Cuba.

We're pleased to share there is no impact to any of our cruises to Cuba as announced in the new U.S. policy toward Cuba today.

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) June 16, 2017

Royal Caribbean currently offers year-round sailings to Havana, Cuba on Empress of the Seas from Tampa, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida through March 2019.