Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site is where you can purchase shore excursions, reserve a drink package or book a spa appointment. It is your one-stop-shop for organizing your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise, and we have fun tip to make planning your activities a little bit easier.
The Cruise Planner offers guests a lesser-known option to add a Personalized Activity, which essentially is a placeholder for any event, activity or meetup you want to put on the schedule for you and your family.
Here is how to add your own Personalized Activity to the calendar for reference later:
Do you have a cruise booked on Harmony of the Seas and want to know all the nuances and tricks to the ship before you get onboard? If so, we have the perfect video for you.
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas is not only one of the cruise line's newest and most impressive ships, she is packed with tons to do. To ensure you have the best cruise ever on her, I have shared the important things to know about Harmony before you get onboard.
By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!
So check out the video and then let us know: What important tips or suggestions would you share with someone going on Harmony of the Seas for the first time?
Royal Caribbean cruises booked this weekend may qualify for 60% off second guest, kids sail for less and up to $150 instant savings.
New cruises booked January 23 – 26, 2020 on sailings departing on or after February 23, 2020 are eligible for this weekend sale.
The offer includes:
BOGO60 provides 60% savings off the price of cruise fare of the second guest booked in the same stateroom as first, full-fare paying guest.
BOGO60 also provides 30% cruise fare savings for third guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests.
In addition, BOGO60 offers up to $150 instant savings per stateroom on select sailings:
Sailings 5 nights or less, $25 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $50 for Balconies and $75 for Suites
Sailings 6 nights or longer, $50 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $150 for Suites
Instant savings do not apply to China departures
Kids Sail Free provides free cruise fare for 3rd guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger as of cruise departure date, booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests in a triple of quad-occupancy stateroom.
Kids Sail Free applies to 4-night or longer Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, CaribNE, Coastal, Europe, Hawaii, Repositioning and all 2020 Serenade of the Seas sailings departing between January 27, 2020 - December 17, 2020 and January 8, 2021 – May 17, 2021.
Offer excludes 2020 President’s Day sailings (Sailings between February 14 – 17, 2020), 2020 Spring Break sailings (Sailings between March 14 – 23, 2020), 2020 Holy Week/Easter sailings (Sailings between April 3 – 17, 2020), Peak Summer (Sailings between May 15 – August 31, 2020), 2020 Thanksgiving sailings (Sailings between November 21 - 28, 2020), 2021 President’s Day Sailings (Sailings between February 12 – 15, 2021), and 2021 Spring Break and Easter sailings (Sailings between March 13 – April 4, 2021).
Explore More Sale offers up to $150 per stateroom to spend at sea on select sailings departing on or after February 23, 2020:
Sailings 5 nights or less, $25 OBC for Interior and Ocean View, $50 for Balconies and $75 for Suite
Sailings 6 nights or longer, $50 OBC for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $150 for Suites.
Onboard credit does not apply to China departures.
Alaska Kicker applies to new bookings made between December 27, 2019 – January 31, 2020 and applies to select sailings departing between May 15, 2020 - September 11, 2020 on Ovation of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas.
Instant savings amount is per stateroom and determined by category booked: $25 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $50 for Balconies and $100 for Suites.
BOGO60 is combinable with Kids Sail Free and Alaska Kicker, as well as promotional OBCs, NextCruise offers, instant savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Free Upgrades, Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. Alaska Kicker is combinable with Kids Sail Free as well as well as with promotional OBCs, NextCruise offers, Instant Savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers Free Upgrades, Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. Explore More Sale is combinable with BOGO60, Kids Sail Free and Alaska Kicker as well as with promotional OBCs, NextCruise offers, Instant Savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Free Upgrades and Shareholder Benefits, but not combinable with Crown and Anchor discounts. Offers are not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events, and Net Rates. Promo Code driven offers are based on select ships and sail dates and must be applied at time of booking; limit one promo code per booking.
Offer available to residents of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and select countries in the Caribbean.
A man from Naples, Florida was found dead after the Coast Guard found his body underwater while Oasis of the Seas was docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
CBS News reports a spokesperson for the Coast Guard in San Juan said surveillance footage showed what appeared to be a "clean jump" from about 177 feet up.
UPDATE: @USCG says surveillance video shows "a clean jump" by a 46yo man from Naples, FL., who dropped 177 feet, from the 10 story deck of @RoyalCarribean's 'Oasis of the Seas', last night, while the ship was docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Divers recovered the mans body. pic.twitter.com/vbUWaorB3k
Oasis of the Seas is currently chartered for an annual cruise that caters to the LGBTQ+ community, known as Atlantis.
The Coast Guard investigation is ongoing, as they try to determine what motivated the man.
Update 1:30pm: Royal Caribbean has issued a statement on the incident.
"We are assisting authorities with their investigation of the death of a male guest in San Juan, Puerto Rico, last evening."
"Security footage indicates the man intentionally went overboard from Oasis of the Seas. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time."
Royal Caribbean cruises are known for a variety of amazing and innovative things to do onboard, and among the many things guests look forward to enjoying on their cruise are the towel animal creations their stateroom attendants may leave as a surprise.
The artistry of folding bath towels into animals and other creations has become a favorite tradition of cruising.
If you would like to bring a little bit of this fun home, we have a step-by-step guide for creating nine of these while not onboard.
Making towel animals at home can remind you of the fun times you had onboard, and perhaps serve as a good reminder to book another cruise soon so that you can meet more of these fun pals onboard!
Did you try to make a towel animal? Share with us a photo of your creations in the comments!
Our newest podcast episode is out to help give you a quick "audio escape" to a Royal Caribbean cruise!
Episode 338 is available for downloading, where we share a review of our recent cruise on Royal caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas.
Matt just got back from a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise aboard Brilliance of the Seas, and invited Billy to share his thoughts on trying a Radiance Class ship for the first time.
Royal Caribbean's latest Cruise Planner sale has begun, where guests can save up to 30% off pre-cruise purchases.
The Countdown to Cruise promotion runs between January 22, 2020 - January 30, 2020 and is valid on sailings from January 31, 2020 - August 15, 2020.
Royal Caribbean states guests can expect to see:
BEVERAGE: Up to 40% off on select sailings.
Classic Soda Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings & SC)
Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings + SC)
Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings + SC)
Refreshment Package: 30% off onboard prices: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings + SC)
Water Packages - 12 & 24 bottles: 40% off onboard prices: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings, VI & SC)
SHORE EXCURSIONS: Up to 25% off
Shore Excursions: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings & SC)
INTERNET: Up to 55% off
The Key: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings, MJ & SC)
VOOM Surf & Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Devices(s): Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings & SC)
VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Devices. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings & SC)
DINING: Up to 55% off
Unlimited Dining Package on 3N - 9N sailings. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings, MJ, & SC)
ACTIVITIES: 10% off
All Access Ship Tour: 10% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings & SC)
GIFTS & GEAR: Up to 20% off
Anniversary Decorations with Champagne: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
Happy Birthday Chocolate Cake and Strawberries:: 20% off onboard prices (Excludes Charter Sailings QN, SC & VY)
Happy Birthday Vanilla Cake and Strawberries: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
Inky Beach Set: 20% off onboard prices. 20% off onboard prices.. (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe): 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
Inky Travel Set: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
Red Wine and Cheese: 20% off onboard prices.(Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
Royal Caribbean Beach Towel: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
PHOTO PACKAGES: Up to 40% off
All Digital + Prints: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings AD, AN, EX, GR, HM, ID, JW, LB, MA, MJ, NE, NV, OA, OV, OY,QN,RD, SC, SY, VI, VY)
All Digital: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings, GR, JW, MJ, NE, OY, RD,SC, VI)
All Prints: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings, AD, AN, EX, HM, ID, LB, MA,NV, OA, OV, OY, QN, SC, SY, VY)
Strawberries with Champagne: 20% off onboard prices.(Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
White Wine and Cheese: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
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.
You booked your first Royal Caribbean cruise and excited to get onboard and start your adventure, but you may be feeling a little apprehensive about what awaits you as well.
It is natural to be curious what a cruise vacation is all about, so we have some important things to know about planning your first Royal Caribbean cruise.
You can (and should) pre-plan
While a Royal Caribbean cruise is pretty easy to navigate and have a great time, you really should take some time before the cruise and plan ahead.
Royal Caribbean rewards guests who pre-purchase select activities, packages and offerings with discounts and advanced access. Moreover, by planning ahead, you can not only learn a lot about what the ship offers, but waste a whole lot less time.
One of the biggest mistakes first time cruisers make is not doing enough research before the vacation, and then lamenting lost opportunities.
There is a lot of things to do, see and experience during your cruise, so do not let a potentially amazing family experience pass you by simply because you were not aware it was an option.
You can check-in before the cruise and save time at the terminal with Royal Caribbean's online check-in.
If your ship supports check-in via the app, be sure to use the app to check-in to potentially take advantage of Expedited Arrival.
Even if Expedited Arrival is not available for you, completing online check-in before your cruise will make things go quicker in the cruise terminal, and that means getting onboard sooner.
You should also download the Royal Caribbean mobile app (free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store) to not only assist with check-in, but help plan your cruise. Depending on the ship you are sailing on, there are a variety of features available through the app.
If you were not already aware, Royal Caribbean packs a ton of things to do on their cruise ships. These floating cities are an incredible place to spend your cruise vacation, and many first timers are unaware of the scale of activities.
The best strategy for keeping up with everything you can do onboard is to read the Cruise Compass. 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.
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.
Most importantly, there is a chronological listing of events from the early morning to the late evening. Each event has a time, event name, location and possibly brief description listed. There will also be an indication if this event costs extra.
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.
More than likely, the cabin you booked is going to be much smaller than hotel rooms on land.
Royal Caribbean's cabins are quite comfortable, and there is still a good amount of storage space and cozy accommodations.
The reason why the smaller size of the room does not matter much is because in reality, you will spend a lot less time in the room than you think.
With so many activities, entertainment and places to visit, cruise cabins are most often used as a place to sleep and shower, rather than a spot you spend a great deal of time. Moreover, there is a tremendous amount of public space on each ship, where you feel drawn to during the day and evening.
Food, Glorious Food!
In terms of dining, you will find an incredible amount of dining choices day and night while on Royal Caribbean. Certainly any concerns of there not being enough food to eat will quickly be forgotten.
Royal Caribbean includes a great deal of food in the cruise fare, in addition to specialty dining options that cost extra.
Complimentary food is available for all meals, and time inbetween. Simply put, there is plenty of great food included in the cost of your Royal Caribbean cruise. One can easily go an entire food and enjoy nothing but food that has no additional cost from morning to night. After all, that is what the concept of a cruise has been for a long time.
In addition to all the food that is included in your cruise fare are specialty dining options, that carry with it an extra cost to enjoy the food there. The exact amount extra will vary from restaurant to restaurant, and ship to ship.
In most cases, the specialty dining options offer a greater variety of food choices than what is available at complimentary dining locations. Royal Caribbean has designed its specialty restaurants around themes or cuisines (Italian, steakhouse, sushi, etc).
The crew onboard your ship are amazing, and will do whatever they can to ensure you have a great cruise.
From your stateroom attendant, to dining room waiters, to the activities staff, you will find crew members that are dedicated, friendly and compassionate. It seems there is a smile and friendly, "hello" around every corner of the ship.
The crew wants you to have a fantastic cruise, so if there is something missing, broken, or could be improved, do not hesitate to speak to a crew member about how it can be made better.
If you do encounter an issue, or think there can be an improvement, do not hesitate to talk to a crew member about your concern.
Shows every night
If you were worried about being bored on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you will quickly discover that there is plenty to do while onboard.
Each evening, there will be stage productions, featured entertainers, live music and more to enjoy. Quite often, you have multiple entertainers and shows available to see overlapping each other, which means you have a lot to enjoy.
Royal Caribbean's entertainment is the cruise line's secret weapon, because they have been upping their game over the last few years to bring guests the kind of shows and spectacles you would expect to find in Las Vegas or New York.
Select ships offer full Broadway shows, comedian performances, Latin bands, DJ parties and newly released films to enjoy.
You should plan your evenings to combine a show or performance along with a great dinner meal.
What to wear on your Royal Caribbean cruise is usually a source of frustration by new cruisers, because they want to be prepared and specifics on what to wear are a bit vague.
There are dress codes each evening that only pertain to the main dining room. When you see things like "formal night" or "casual" dress code, those refer to the appropriate attire to be worn during dinner in the main dining room.
Elsewhere on the ship, you can wear whatever you please. Specialty restaurants have their own dress codes, which supersede the main dining room dress code. In general, these are more relaxed.
In addition, there may be themed nights on select evenings of your cruise. These are very much optional, but there can be 70s, 80s or other themed dance parties going on during the cruise. Royal Caribbean does not publish what they are, or when they are, in advance, so your best bet is to read a past Cruise Compass from the ship and itinerary you are sailing on to get an idea what to expect.
The good news is cruising these days is a far cry from the "old days" of cruising in the last century when ball gowns and tuxedos with tails and top hats. Royal Caribbean is pretty open about what you can wear throughout the cruise but at dinner time, there's still a few elements of formality left to consider. And for those that don't want to dress up beyond t-shirts and shorts, Royal Caribbean has options for you as well.
Of course, your cruise will take you to some amazing places around the world. Your best bet is to research the ports of call you will visit, and make plans before you arrive.
Shore excursions are a major part of any Royal Caribbean cruise because a large part of your overall vacation is exploring the ports of call you will visit. You have just a few hours at each stop, but it should be enough to get a taste of the city you are visiting.
Before you even look at one shore excursion, you should research the most popular activities in each port.
When looking at shore excursion options, you can book tours through Royal Caribbean or on your own. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, so I advise to consult both.
The key is to determine which tours you want to book, and reserve it in advance. In some cases booking in advance will save you money, and everyone can benefit from having the luxury of time to consider all options.
Remember that awesome service the crew provides to you? They deserve a reward for the hard work put in daily to make your cruise better.
On Royal Caribbean, gratuities apply to all passengers. Royal Caribbean charges $14.50 per person, per day for most guests. This rate applies to interior cabins, ocean view, balcony and junior suites. The cruise lines charges $17.50 per person, per day for guests in grand suites and above.
You can also opt to go to Guest Services to have the gratuities adjusted. Guests have until the morning of their departure to make changes to the gratuities they pay.
Does Royal Caribbean's The Key program sound like a great way to get extra benefits and perks?
While it may sound like a good idea, our newest video looks at why the perks are not as great as it seems, and how to get similar benefits without the extra cost!
By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!
So check out the video and then let us know: Do you think The Key is worth the cost? Which benefits stand out as the best? Let us know in the comments!
Which is the best side of a cruise ship to be on? Is it better to be on a higher deck on a cruise ship? Where is the best place on a cruise ship to avoid seasickness?
New cruisers often are curious about how important their cabin selection is, and what is the best spot for them on a cruise ship.
There are a number of considerations when it comes to picking the best place to stay on a cruise ship, and a lot of has to do with convenience and seasickness.
Cabin size and cost
Likely the first consideration when picking the perfect stateroom for you is the price and how much space it offers.
Just like picking a hotel room, your cruise ship cabin options come in a variety of sizes, layouts and prices.
When choosing a room, you will first have to figure out which stateroom category you desire, which places the stateroom in a ballpark of price and amenities.
Interior rooms will offer the least amount of space at usually the lowest price. Balcony rooms and suites offer the most space and amenities with also the highest price tag.
Where the room is located can dictate price and options. In general, many cruisers prefer mid-ship room locations on a lower deck, especially if getting seasick is a major concern.
Rooms that are located at the very front or very aft of the ship, and/or rooms on higher decks have a reputation of there being more noticeable movement.
Whether your room is on the port or starboard side of the ship is in most cases totally irrelevant. There are a few rare itineraries where the side of the ship your room is on may matter subjectively, but it is not a factor that I recommend considering.
Picking the right room is often a question of determining which public areas you prefer to be near. Rooms in close proximity to pools, restaurants, Adventure Ocean, elevators, the fitness center and more may be something to look into when picking the right room.
When in doubt, go for a room towards the center of the ship. Getting a mid-ship cabin means shorter walks to get places, because you are always near what is happening onboard.
If mobility is a concern, picking a room near an elevator towards the middle of the ship is usually the best course of action. In addition, Royal Caribbean offers special accessible room categories for those in a wheelchair.
When picking a room, be sure to consider what is one deck above or below your room. Public venues above or below your room can sometimes lead to unwanted noise bleed. Consulting deck plans for your ship is the best way to figure out what is around your cabin.
Views
What you can see from your cabin is a major consideration when picking the perfect room.
Inside staterooms tend to be the cheapest option available, because they offer no windows or balcony and the least living space. You could move up to an oceanview room, which features a porthole to the ocean. Adding a private balcony means much more living space in your room, and outdoor space to see, smell and take in the views around you. Then you have suites which offer the most space and balcony area, at the highest price.
There are some rooms that offer obstructed views, which means you get a discount on the normal cost of the room, but something is blocking your view outside. How much of your view is blocked will depend on the room.
Royal Caribbean also offers staterooms that face inward to the ship, rather than to the ocean. Central Park Balcony rooms, Boardwalk Balcony rooms and Promenade View rooms are all examples of staterooms that offer windows and private verandas sans the ocean around you. These can be fun alternatives, that are often much cheaper than their ocean-facing counterparts.
Which cabin location on a cruise ship is best?
The short answer is, there is no one cabin location that is best for everyone.
You have to weigh the considerations outlined here and decide which is most important for you.
Overall, the cost and location of the room are the primary factors when picking the perfect room on a cruise. This may mean paying more than others to get that awesome stateroom in the perfect spot.
Many first-time cruisers are very concerned with getting seasick, and while it can happen, it should not be a primary concern when choosing a room. Do not let this fear force you to overpay for a cabin that looks to be the only choice worth considering. Yes, staying somewhere toward the middle of the ship on a lower deck is the best spot to minimize the sensation of movement, but you can venture a bit off center if it means saving a lot of money.
Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial fan blog written for other fans of Royal Caribbean International. The Royal Caribbean Blog is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International
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