Royal Caribbean Blog

Following more than $100 million in upgrades to Mariner of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has packed a ton of activities for families to enjoy onboard this revamped cruise ship.  From dining, things to do, experiences and more, Mariner of the Seas offers plenty across fifteen decks.

Here is a look at some great things to try onboard Mariner of the Seas that are fun and totally free to enjoy.  That means a great vacation that saves you money! Hopefully, you can enjoy all 15 of these activities on your Mariner of the Seas cruise.

1. Go ice skating

Mariner of the Seas has an ice skating rink in Studio B where one of the ship's best shows is performed during your cruise (more on that later), but guests can also don a pair of ice skates and hit the ice rink too!

Check the Cruise Compass for open skate sessions during your sailing.  Royal Caribbean will provide you with complimentary ice skate and safety equipment rentals.  Just be sure to pack long pants and socks.

2. Bounce on the Sky Pad

Guests can hit up the Sky pad, which is a virtual bungee trampoline experience.  After being hooked up to bungee chords, you put on a virtual reality visor and explore a virtual world while bouncing up and down on a giant trampoline!

There are three different games to try, including being transported to another time and planet to bounce over moon craters or compete in intergalactic games. The out-of-this-world experience is for guests of all ages, and also can be enjoyed without virtual reality headsets, for those who prefer to look out over the ocean as they leap toward the sky.

3. Plunge down the water slides

The Perfect Storm is a duo of racing water slides called Cyclone and Typhoon that are a very popular option for many to enjoy high-speed thrills. 

4. Watch the Crazy Quest

For the adults only, make plans to watch the Crazy Quest on your cruise.  Assuming you have a good sense of humor, the Crazy Quest is an adult scavenger hunt that involves guests going to great lengths to complete a number of physical challenges.

Having seen the Quest many times, it is safe to say no two Crazy Quest shows are the same and there is no telling exactly what you will witness.  It is wild, intense and provides some great late-night entertainment.

5. Go surfing

If you ever wanted to learn to surf, Mariner of the Seas has a Flowrider surf simulator on the back of the ship you can try. The FlowRider is a simulator that sends water a very high speed across a small area that mimics what it is like to surf on the ocean.

Guests can surf until they fall off the board, but the staff is pretty good at challenging the talented guests in an effort to improve their skills and increase the likelihood of falling off.

6. Challenge your friends to laser tag

A recent addition to Mariner of the Seas is a glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience in Studio B, where friends and family can team up to play “Battle for Planet Z.”

7. Climb to the top of the wall

A signature Royal Caribbean activity is the rock climbing wall. Located at the back of the ship, you can try climbing to the top of the wall and ringing a bell before rappelling down.

This is a great personal challenge that also has the added benefit of providing some fantastic views of the ocean from 200 feet above the ocean. Don't worry about safety, because you are harnessed in at all times.

8. Hit the mini-golf course

Families will love the updated mini-golf course at the front of the ship. Mariner Dunes on Deck 13 allows for as many rounds of complimentary golf as you like.

It is a creative course, with plenty of obstacles and even faux water hazards!

9. Eat ice cream!

Did you know there is a self-serve ice cream station at the pool deck with unlimited soft serve ice cream? Grab a cone at your leisure, because very likely you will be having quite a few of these on your cruise.

10. Check out the ice skating show

Studio B is home to one of the production shows on Mariner of the Seas, "Ice Under The Big Top" and is a must-see show.

This ice skating performance combines acrobatics, skill and finesse to bring guests an engaging show. Ice skating shows on Royal Caribbean are well-worth seeing, so be sure to arrive to Studio B at least 15-20 minutes early to grab a seat.

11. Catch a game at Playmakers

While Playmakers Sports Bar costs money to order food or drink, watching a game on one of their many television screens is totally complimentary.

Sports fans will love catching their favorite team playing on game day from the comfort of a table at Playmakers. Heck, you can play a round or two of Jenga or Connect Four in-between innings!

12. Join the party!

You will find deck parties galore on Mariner of the Seas.  From the 70's Dancing in the Street Party, to the Hush! Silent Party, to the sail away parties, there are many opportunities to dance the night away.

13. Catch a movie by the pool

What is better than seeing a recent blockbuster film? How about while swimming in a pool!

A 220-square foot movie screen is located at the pool deck, and there are movies each night to enjoy either from in a pool or hot tub, or just from one of the lounge chairs nearby.

14. Play in a game show

If you are the competitive type, or just enjoy watching others try their best, then catch one of the many games shows onboard.

• Finish That Lyric game show: Guests listen to a bit of a popular song and then must fill in the lyrics that come next once the music stops.
• X versus Y game show: It is the battle of the sexes type game show, which pits men versus women in an adult-oriented contest.
• Love and Marriage game show: See which married couple knows their spouse best in a test of memory and compatibility.

15. Belly Flop Competition

Humans naturally drawn to see who is the best at anything, including who can make the biggest splash in the pool.  This popular contest is something you have to see to believe.

What is your favorite thing to do on Mariner of the Seas? Have you sailed and tried one of these? Share with us your top picks in the comments below!

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.

Royal Caribbean revealed earlier this week the major features and offerings coming to Odyssey of the Seas.

The first Quantum Ultra Class ship to arrive in North America, will feature a two-level pool deck, as well as a collection of restaurant choices to enjoy.

In November 2020, the ship’s inaugural year will kick off with 8- and 6-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Odyssey will then sail to her homeport of Rome in May 2021 and become the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to cruise Europe for the summer. 

Royal Caribbean News

• Voyager of the Seas completed a $97 million Royal Amplification.
• Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line have agreed to build a new cruise port in Saint Lucia.
• Royal Caribbean's CEO hinted at some big changes coming to Odyssey of the Seas.
• A special soda flavor is now available to celebrate Royal Caribbean's 50th anniversary.
• Royal Caribbean is adding more TV sports coverage to select cruise ships.
• Royal Caribbean shared a look at what its Spa Staterooms will look like.
• Everything you need to know about a Royal Caribbean Hawaii cruise.
• We previewed Royal Caribbean's 2020 Europe cruise season.
• First-time cruisers: Where do I get my Royal Caribbean luggage tags?
• Here's a list of the newest Royal Caribbean ships.
• Matt shared his favorite things to order at Izumi Japanese specialty restaurant.
• Our 7 tips for a great Mediterranean cruise.
• How to book a Royal Caribbean shore excursion.
• Michael Bayley expects a 50% increase in Caribbean passengers.
• Royal Caribbean scheduled its third quarter 2019 earnings call with investors.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Helping cruisers by answering their questions is a big part of what we do here, and on this week's podcast episode, Matt dedicates the episode to just that.

This week's podcast episode is all about answering listener emails on a variety of topics from cruise planning, what not to do onboard and more.

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: Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class vs Quantum Class

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 — Why book an inside room on a cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Elliot Advocacy tried to help a woman who tried to board a Royal Caribbean cruise with an Ancestry.com printout.

Blooloop interviewed Royal Caribbean's Vice President that is in charge of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Cruise Critic shared stories from 50 years of Royal Caribbean cruises.

Cruise Hive listed 27 things to do on Harmony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean released a new photo of what its new Spa Stateroom will look like once it debuts in 2021.

Announced last week, the new stateroom category will offer guests new  in-room amenities and spa privileges. It will be available for guests to book on Radiance, Voyager, Freedom, Quantum, Oasis and Quantum Ultra Class ships.

The Spa Staterooms will offer exclusive amenities and perks, like lush bedding and bath products, daily tea and bottled water, and priority spa reservations.

The brand-new category will be available beginning with the cruise line’s 2021-22 sailings.

Royal Caribbean has been celebrating the 50th anniversary of the cruise line's founding with drink cups, dessert, a special sailing, and now, its own flavor of soda.

Royal Caribbean ships with a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine are serving up the Royal Berry Blast in honor of Royal Caribbean's golden anniversary.

Thanks to CGTLH for providing these photos

The soda selection screen denotes the 50th Anniversary logo alongside the special Sprite flavor.

Royal Berry Blast is available with Sprite or Sprite Zero.

Like all drink flavors in the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine, it requires a special cup to access it, which is only available if purchased with a drink package.

The following Royal Caribbean ships have Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines

• Adventure of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Majesty of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas (added in 2019)

Before you arrive at the terminal for your first Royal Caribbean cruise, you will need luggage tags so that your luggage can be delivered onboard the ship.

Luggage tags can be printed at home or obtained at the terminal on embarkation day, and knowing how the process works can make the first day of your cruise as smooth as possible.

Here is the important information for how to get luggage tags for your Royal Caribbean cruise.

What are Royal Caribbean luggage tags?

Similar to checking your luggage at the airport, Royal Caribbean luggage tags allow you to drop off your luggage at the cruise terminal and have it delivered to your stateroom on embarkation day.

Luggage tags are looped around the handle of your bags and they include your name, stateroom number, ship, and itinerary. This ensures the porters and crew onboard know where to bring your luggage once on the ship.

Related: 25 things you need to know for your first day on a cruise ship

Where do I get my Royal Caribbean luggage tags?

Prior to your cruise, you’ll receive eDocs (an electronic document) that outlines your ship, sail date, stateroom, and deck number. You will receive eDocs via email, although they are also accessible on the “Upcoming Cruises” section of Royal Caribbean’s website.

On the last page of the eDocs is a luggage tag that you can print out and attach to your luggage. To attach the luggage tags to your bag, fold the tag, loop it around the handle of the bag, and staple the ends together.

Can I get my luggage tags at the terminal?

If you do not print your luggage tags in advance, you can get luggage tags free of charge at the cruise terminal on embarkation day.

When you arrive at the terminal, you’ll see a drop off area for luggage. At the drop off area will be an area to receive luggage tags for those guests without them. Simply walk to the porter with the luggage tags and tell him your stateroom number. He will write the number on the tag, attach it to your bag, and take your luggage.

It’s recommended to print luggage tags in advance in case of a line to get a luggage tag at the terminal. However, the process is usually quick even if there is a line.

Related: Should you use the porters to take your luggage on your cruise ship?

What if the luggage tag falls off?

It’s possible for luggage tags to fall off in the process of bringing your luggage onboard the ship. The tags are made from paper, so they’re prone to ripping or being damaged in transit.

If your luggage tag falls off, crew members will place the luggage in a designated area onboard with any other luggage that is unidentifiable. Once you realize your luggage has not made it to your room, go to Guest Services and explain the situation. They will direct you to a room with the unidentifiable luggage.

One recommendation to protect luggage tags from falling off or being damaged is to purchase plastic luggage tag holders with a steel hook that attaches to the bag. Luggage tags fit inside these waterproof, clear, and sealed plastic holders, which provide a lot more protection than just a thin piece of paper.

It can’t hurt to have a regular plastic luggage tag on your bag with your name and contact information, either, to help identify your luggage on the chance of delay.

How do luggage tags work on disembarkation day?

Luggage tags are also used on disembarkation day on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but the process looks quite different from embarkation day.

There are two options for disembarking the cruise: self-assist or regular departure.

Self-assist disembarkation does not require any luggage tags and is when guests can disembark the ship at any time, provided they manage their own luggage on the way out. Guests who choose this option must be comfortable carrying luggage without any assistance from porters.

Related: Self-disembarkation on Royal Caribbean cruises

Regular departure, on the other hand, requires luggage tags, which give a set time when you can leave the ship. Toward the end of the cruise, your stateroom attendant will place luggage tags and disembarkation information in your cabin.

Luggage tags come with a specific number to indicate when you can disembark the ship and where your luggage will be placed in the baggage claim area at the terminal.

On the evening prior to departure, place luggage tags on your bags and put your luggage in the hallway outside your stateroom door. The luggage will be collected and taken to baggage claim for you.

Planning your first cruise? Start here: 

• How do I pick the perfect first cruise?
• What I wish I did differently on my first cruise
• 8 things I learned on my first Royal Caribbean cruise
• What to expect on your first cruise

Happy Friday to everyone! When the calendar hits Friday, that means we are sharing our readers favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photos!  

Each week we invite our readers to send us their favorite Royal Caribbean photos and we showcase them all right here!

Our first photo is by Ryan K, and it is of Allure of the Seas in St. Maarten.

Next up is a photo by François St-Onge of the sun starting to set at Labadee.

Gwensel shared this photo of them chilling at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Jason Nolan took a photo of the end of another great day on Explorer of the Seas.

Buddy Cruise hosts an annual special needs conference onboard a Royal Caribbean ship each year! Here is "Buddy" at Coco Cay with the beautiful Harmony of the Seas in the background! Photo by Pamela Arnoldson.

B J Phillips took this photo of Curacao.

Our last photo this week is by Dave Horn from Perfect Day at CocoCay.

We want to share your Royal Caribbean photos too! Send us your favorite, best, most awesome Royal Caribbean cruise photos by using this form and we will feature them in an upcoming Friday Photos blog post!

Royal Caribbean is offering bonus instant savings of up to $150 on new bookings this weekend.

The Soak Up Adventure sale kicks off today and is valid on bookings made October 25 – 29, 2019 on select sailings departing on or after  November 25, 2019.

Offer details: 

• 30% off cruise fare for all guests in the stateroom.
• Kids Sail Free
  • Kids Sail Free provides free cruise fare for 3rd guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on select 4-night or longer Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, CaribNE, Coastal, Europe, Hawaii, and Repositioning sailings departing between November 1, 2019 — May 15, 2020 and August 31, 2020 – December 17, 2020.
  • Offer excludes 2019 Thanksgiving sailings (Sailings between November 23 – 30, 2019), Holiday sailings (Sailings between December 15, 2019 — January 3, 2020), President’s Day sailings (Sailings between February 14 — 17, 2020), Spring Break sailings (Sailings between March 14 — 23, 2020), Holy Week/Easter sailings (Sailings between April 3 — 17, 2020) and 2020 Thanksgiving sailings (Sailings between November 21 – 27, 2020). 
• Soak Up Adventure Sale offers instant savings of up to $150 per stateroom
  • Valid on select sailings departing on or after 11/25/19
  • Savings amount is determined by category booked and sailing length: 
    • 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
• Up to $300 instant savings on select sailings departing on or after November 16, 2019.
  • Savings amount is per stateroom and determined by category booked and sailing length:
    • Sailings 5 nights or less, $50 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $150 for Suites
    • Sailings 6 nights or longer, $75 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $100 for Balconies and $300 for Suites

30% Off Every Guest and Deck the Holiday Deals are combinable with each other 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. 30% Off Every Guest and Kids Sail Free are combinable with each other 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. Kids Sail Free and Deck the Holiday Deals are combinable with each other for sailings departing December 2 - 14, 2019 and November 28 – December 17, 2020 only. 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.  

Offer open to residents of US, Canada, Puerto Rico and select countries in the Caribbean.

Grab your chopsticks and wasbi, because we have a brand new video all about my favorite foods at Izumi on Royal Caribbean.

Izumi is Royal Caribbean's signature Japanese specialty restaurant, and it has become a real favorite across the fleet.  Their menu offers a lot of fantastic choices, and I am sharing my top picks in this video.

And if you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

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 is your favorite thing to order at Izumi?

Royal Caribbean announced today the features, activities, entertainment and more coming to Odyssey of the Seas in November 2020.

The first Quantum Ultra Class ship to arrive in North America, will feature a two-level pool deck, as well as a collection of restaurant choices to enjoy.

Thrills & Activities

Odyssey of the Seas will feature a variety of new offerings for the family ro enjoy, including the next generation of Royal Caribbean’s signature SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea. The most interactive arcade to ever sail will dominate the upper level of SeaPlex with VR games for individual and group play, augmented reality walls and floors for high-tech competitions and family experiences.

The SeaPlex on Odyssey will have a full-sized sports court with bumper cars, and a flying trapeze. The space will also double as a glow-in-the-dark laser tag arena in Clash for the Crystal City. 

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade is coming to the SeaPlex, which will offer club-level views of the competition in the SeaPlex as well as on onscreen. Playmakers will serve up buffalo wings, sliders and the signature Playmakers Burger, alongside ice-cold brews. Guests can also enjoy classic board games, step up to the most interactive arcade at sea, play trivia and pool. Also available is the Owner’s Box VIP area.

Also onboard Odyssey of the Seas will be the FlowRider surf simulator, RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, 40-foot rock climbing wall, and SkyPad bungee trampoline experience.

Pool time

If you want to relax and unwind, the pool deck on Odyssey of the Seas will feature two open-air, resort-style pools and four whirlpools, surrounded by plenty of shady casitas and hammocks.

The Lime & Coconut will also be onboard, featuring two stories of drinks and pool views. El Loco Fresh will also be nearby, with authentic Mexican grab-and-go fare, from tacos and burritos, to quesadillas and an array of fresh salsas.

Kids will be able to enjoy Splashaway Bay, an aqua park that boasts colorful waterslides, fountains, water cannons and more.

Adults can retreat to the Solarium, an exclusive space on the top deck, for some much needed “me time,” including swimming pools and whirlpools, a full-service bar, daybeds and hidden nooks for ultimate relaxation.

Entertainment

Two70 will be on Odyssey of the Seas, boasting 270-degree panoramic windows with sweeping ocean views that can transform into a 135-foot-wide and 22-foot-tall screen to utilize the Vistarama technology.  The iconic venue at the aft of the ship becomes a multidimensional theater – where a troupe of six agile Roboscreens come to life in sync with music, special effects and multitalented live performers and aerialists.  

Guests looking for live music will head to the Music Hall to enjoy cover bands, dancing and lounge space.

The Bionic Bar will also be onboard, which features robots serving up drinks on-demand.

Dining

A number of specialty dining choices will be on Odyssey of the Seas including:

• Teppanyaki, the restaurant serving authentic oriental flavors cooked in one of Japan’s traditional styles.
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Royal Caribbean’s new take on its signature Italian trattoria.
• Izumi, serving sushi and sashimi.
• Chops Grille steakhouse
• Chef's Table
• Wonderland

Debuting in 2020

In November 2020, the ship’s inaugural year will kick off with 8- and 6-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Odyssey will then sail to her homeport of Rome in May 2021 and become the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to cruise Europe for the summer. 

Royal Caribbean International's President and CEO Michael Bayley seems very excited about its next new cruise ship, Odyssey of the Seas, because he recently talked about some big things coming with this ship.

According to trade publication Travel Market Report, Bayley spoke to a number of travel agents about Odyssey of the Seas and the impact it will have on the industry.

"We’re not going to talk about it yet, but it will be a game changer with a lot of brand-new ideas, just as Oasis class was a real game changer. We’ve got a huge amount of innovation and new stuff coming online in the next couple of years that’s going to change the game.”

"We’re working on something super-special for Odyssey. We were in a meeting yesterday and I’m very excited about what we will be announcing, a twist we will be very pleased to announce."

Mr. Bayley also mentioned Odyssey of the Seas will be sailing out of Rome into the Eastern Mediterranean. Following the ship's inaugural season out of Port Everglades, Odyssey will sail back to Rome in the spring for seven- and nine-night sailings in summer 2021 and then return to Fort Lauderdale.

Odyssey of the Seas will also re-focus on its kids programming with new features for children. The ship will feature an area known as The Play Place and include:

• Climbable creations
• Art and science projects workshop
• Tech studio
• "The Arena" for competitive sports and games
• The Hangout with video games
• Revamped Adventure Ocean babies program, with lots of interactive and learning play and music
• Adventure Ocean Junior space (for 3-5 year olds)

Senior VP of Sales, Trade Support and Service Vicki Freed talked about a significant change to the teens area on Odyssey.  The teen club will feature a secret Speakeasy entrance. “It won’t have a sign; it will be a secret place,” Freed said. “To get in, you have to know where it is.” Teens also will have a private outdoor deck and a new arcade lounge with arcade games teenaged guests have suggested.