Royal Caribbean Blog

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.

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

Episode 296 is available for downloading, where Matt and Rebecca share tips and tricks for planning a Royal Caribbean cruise with a large group.

Going on a cruise with friends and family is a fantastic idea, but there are some logistical hurdles to overcome in the process. This week, Matt and Rebecca share some strategies for ensuring your group sailing goes off without a hitch!

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 296. 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 has cancelled the next three scheduled sailings of Oasis of the Seas, following an accident where a construction crane struck the ship at a shipyard yesterday.

After assessing the damage to Oasis of the Seas, the cruise line found damage to the Aqua Theatre and some suites. As a result, Royal Caribbean has begun alerting guests on affected sailings that the next three sailings have to be canceled in order to make repairs.

Yes, Barrie. Unfortunately, we'll need to cancel the next 3 sailings for repairs. Your sailing shouldn't be impacted.

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) April 2, 2019

Guests on the affected sailings should be sent shortly to inform them about compensation due to the cancellation. According to one tweet, a full refund of the cruise fare and a 100% Future Cruise Certificate is being given.

I'm sorry to confirm we've had to cancel your sailing. You'll get a full refund of your cruise fare along with a 100% Future Cruise Certificate to apply towards another sailing. I'm very sorry about this and understand your disappointment. -Paula

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) April 2, 2019

Oasis will head from Grand Bahama shipyard to be serviced at facilities in Cadiz, Spain. Oasis will resume her scheduled itineraries, beginning with the May 5 sailing from Barcelona.

In an email to guests, Royal Caribbean expressed recognition that personal injuries were limited, "We are very grateful that there were no life-threatening injuries and everyone is recovering, as the safety of our crew and guests is always our number one priority."

The cancellations come after Oasis of the Seas was hit by a construction crane while the ship was undergoing scheduled repairs in Freeport, Bahamas.

No passengers were on Oasis of the Seas at the time of the incident, and media reports indicate only eight non-life threatening injuries from the accident.

Oasis of the Seas was in the Bahamas for a short period of work. 

We have a RoyalCaribbeanBlog video today, discussing the merits of if The Key program is worth the money!

The Key offers guests premier access to unique experiences and special amenities during your vacation.  It includes a welcome lunch at Chops Grille, Jamie’s Italian or Giovanni’s Table; private hours at onboard activities like the Flowrider, Rock Climbing Wall; access to VIP seating section at shows and more.

Of course, The Key comes with a daily cost and we are discussing if The Key is worth it for your family to buy in our latest video!

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 episode!

So check out the video and then let us know: What is your best advice for someone planning a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Royal Caribbean’s Australian 2020/21 summer cruise season sailings are now available for booking, which include four ships from two home ports – including Sydney and from November 2020, Brisbane’s brand new International Cruise Terminal.

More than 80 sailings are available to choose from, ranging from 2 to 19 nights to destinations in the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia.

After a three year absence, Royal Caribbean will return to home porting in Brisbane with Radiance of the Seas, fresh from a multi-million dollar makeover. Radiance will offer 22 Brisbane sailings, focusing on 7-11 night South Pacific cruises, plus three sampler cruises. 

Serenade of the Seas will sail from Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal for the first time from October 2020 to April 2021, offering 21 Sydney sailings ranging from 5 to 19 nights to a range of destinations, including the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. 

Ovation of the Seas, returns for her fifth season down under. Ovation of the Seas will offer 19 sailings from Sydney, ranging from 2 to 19 nights to destinations including the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. 

Voyager of the Seas returns to Sydney in October 2020. Voyager of the Seas will offer 22 sailings, focusing on South Pacific voyages of between 9 and 13 nights, plus three sampler cruises.

Video appears to show a construction crane has hit Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas while the ship was undergoing scheduled repairs in the Bahamas.

BP BREAKING| Bahamian police on Grand Bahama confirms an accident that occurred at GB Ship Yard.

Police nor our teams on the ground can confirm if anyone has been injured... pic.twitter.com/mQ6QXYa3Hw

— Bahamas Press (@Bahamaspress) April 1, 2019

No passengers were on Oasis of the Seas at the time of the incident, earlier today.

A video tweeted by Bahamas Press showed the construction equipment lying against the vessel at the Great Bahamas Shipyard near Freeport.

Oasis of the Seas was in the Bahamas for a short period of work. No passengers were onboard the ship at the time of the accident.

According to police, there were several injuries – none of them thought to be life-threatening. It is unclear if there will be any impact on scheduled Oasis of the Seas sailings.