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Royal Caribbean's Double Up Sale offers up instant savings and onboard credit

In:
06 Mar 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean's Double Up Sale rolled out today, which offers combinable instant savings and money to spend at sea, in addition to 30% off every guest.

The Double Up Sale is valid on cruises booked between March 6, 2019 and March 10, 2019 and applies to select sailings departing on or after April 6, 2019.

The Double Up Sale includes:

  • 30% off cruise fare for all guests in the stateroom.
  • Up to $200 to spend at sea per stateroom determined by category booked and sailing length:
    • On sailings 5 nights or less, $25 OBC for Interior and Ocean View, $50 for Balconies and $75 for Suites
    • On sailings 6 nights or longer, $25 OBC for Interior and Ocean View, $50 for Balconies and $200 for Suites
  • Up to $200 instant savings per stateroom determined by category booked and sailing length:
    • On sailings 5 nights or less, $25 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $50 for Balconies and $75 for Suites
    • Sailings 6 nights or longer, $25 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $50 for Balconies and $200 for Suites

Onboard credit and Instant savings do not apply to China departures.

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

Royal Caribbean wins four awards in Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards

In:
06 Mar 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

The 2019  Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards were announced today, and Royal Caribbean came away with four wins.

The ninth annual awards celebrate the most popular cruise ships of the year, based on consumer reviews and ratings shared on Cruise Critic over the past year.  

Royal Caribbean won awards for:

  • Best Cabins (Large Ship Category): Harmony of the Seas
  • Best Entertainment (Large Ship Category): Symphony of the Seas
  • Best for Fitness & Recreation (Large Ship Category): Allure of the Seas
  • Best Service (Mid-Sized Category): Grandeur of the Seas

For the full list of winners, visit the 2019 Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards.

Royal Caribbean updates 2020-2021 deployment schedule

In:
04 Mar 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean has posted an update for its remaining 2020-2021 deployments, with some additions to the schedule, as well as date changes.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Pippa Madden alerted us to an updated schedule, which expanded on the previously posted schedule.

  • Week of March 11, 2019 Caribbean (Phase II)
  • Week of March 25, 2019 Dubai
  • Week of April 1, 2019 Australia & Transpacific
  • Week of April 8, 2019 Hong Kong
  • Week of April 29, 2019 China
  • Week of May 20, 2019 Singapore
  • Coming Soon Cuba
  • Coming Soon Odyssey of the Seas

The updated schedule added releases for Hong Kong, as well as referencing a deployment schedule for the recently announced second Quantum Class ship, Odyssey of the Seas.

All itineraries and openings are subject to change without notice. 

Top 10 Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas hidden secrets

In:
04 Mar 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Navigator of the Seas is a classic Royal Caribbean ship that offers as much for guests to see and do as it is a tremendous value.

In 2019, the cruise line invested $115 million in upgrades and, and we have compiled our list of the best secrets that can be overlooked on Navigator of the Seas.

1. Hidden room in Playmakers

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade is a great spot to enjoy pub food, drinks and even a sporting event on television, and if you and your crew are interested in a spot away from the rest of the crowd, check out the Owner’s Box VIP room.

Located to the far right of the bar area, the Owner’s Box VIP room is a first come, first served area that is perfect for friends to watch the game, enjoy drinks and feel like you have your own special spot of the bar.

2. You can visit the helipad

Whether you are looking for the perfect spot for sailaway, or just a great place to enjoy the view, Navigator of the Seas' helipad is the perfect location.

Located on the bow, guests can walk to the helicopter pad and enjoy the unobstructed views that you can only get from the helicopter pad. 

From the helicopter pad, guests can enjoy a near 360-degree view of what is surrounding Navigator of the Seas.

To access the helicopter pad, go outside on deck 5 and then walk forward, climb up a set of stairs and continue walking forward until you reach the helicopter pad.

3. Hidden door to the helipad

Speaking of the helipad, if you want to avoid the stairs that lead up to the front of the ship, there is a secret door that will get you right there.

Walk all the way forward on deck 5 and enter the Star Lounge.  In the daytime, it is usually empty.  Enter the lounge and take an immediate right, just past the DJ booth.

There's a set of unmarked doors that you can simply open up an you will be let out right next to the helipad.  

This is especially helpful if you have a stroller or are in a wheelchair and stairs are a problem.

4. Find the Stowaway Piano Player

One of the best not-so-well-known entertainment options that Royal Caribbean has recently added is the "stowaway" piano player.

The idea is there is a piano player with a far-out piano that will move around the ship and perform for guests but encouraging guests to not report him.  

The piano is no ordinary piano.  It has hidden compartments and functions and can dispense various things, such as lollipops for kids or appear to overheat because of "intense" piano playing.

This neat form of street theater will appear around the ship at different times during the cruise.

5. Balcony dividers can be removed

If you happen to have connecting balcony staterooms, most Voyager-class ships cannot have their balcony dividers removed.  However, on Navigator of the Seas that is not the case.

 If you're interested in opening up balcony dividers on Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas, the balconies are attached to the ships' hull and cannot be removed. But on sister ship Navigator of the Seas, the balcony dividers aren't attached and can be removed.

6. Enjoy the view from Cosmopolitan Club

It is really hard to beat the views of Navigator of the Seas' upper decks from the Cosmopolitan Club.

Located on deck 14 at the aft of the ship, the Cosmopolitan Club offers guests sweeping views of the upper decks and the ocean.  

To get to Cosmopolitan Club, you must use the aft elevators and go up to deck 14.

7. Try the blender bike

In front of the Lime and Coconut bar on deck 11 is a special blender bike, that allows guests to make mixed drinks with pedal power!

Ask the bar staff for your chance to sit on the blender bike and spin the pedals as fast as you can to mix a frozen concoction. It is fun and the reward comes when the drink is fully mixed!

8. Grab a casita

Throughout decks 11 and 12 are casitas along the pool deck that are available on a first come, first served basis.

These casitas have no additional cost, and are available for guests to enjoy at their leisure. They feature comfortable lounge chairs or day beds, and make for the perfect spot for your group to chill, nap or just relax between dips in the pool.

9. Ride the water slides on embarkation day

Perhaps no feature on Navigator of the Seas will be as popular on your sailing as the two water slides, the Blaster and Riptide.  If you want to beat the crowds, head to deck 13 aft as soon as you board.

The first day of the cruise is a busy day, and most guests do not have their bathing suits with them when they board. Bring your swimsuit in your carry on luggage (or wear it to the ship) and then head to the slides in the afternoon.

Most other guests onboard will not have their swim suits or even be aware the water slides are open.  It is the perfect time to get multiple rides in without little or no wait!  This is also a great strategy for the nearby FlowRider.

10. USB outlets at the bar

Did you know some of the popular bars on Navigator of the Seas offer convenient USB outlets for charging your devices while you hang out there?

We spotted USB outlets at the Lime & Coconut and Playmakers, which means all you have to do is remember to bring your charging cord and then plug in while you enjoy drinks, music or the company around you.  

Did we miss any Navigator of the Seas secrets? Share them in our comments!

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: March 3, 2019

In:
03 Mar 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Welcome to March! We hope you are having a great weekend and are ready to sit back, relax and catch up with all the latest Royal Caribbean news!

The big news this week was the completion of Navigator of the Seas' $115 million amplification that introduced a variety of new additions and changes.

The transformed 3,386-guest ship debuts new adventures and Royal Caribbean favorites for all ages, like the longest aqua coaster at sea; the industry’s only head-first mat racer waterslide; a reimagined poolscape infused with Caribbean vibes; the first standalone blow-dry bar at sea; and elevated dining and nightlife. 

Navigator of the Seas is the third ship to be reimagined as part of the Royal Amplified modernization program, an investment of more than $1 billion in the cruise line’s award-winning fleet. The effort spans 10 ships in four years and touches every facet of the guest experience with the introduction of a wide range of new thrills and Royal Caribbean staples meant to appeal to every generation.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 291st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, and it is dedicated to all of our listeners with nothing but your emails being read.

In this episode, Matt dives into the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast email inbox to answer your cruise questions.

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

The South Florida SunSentinel shared a look at Royal Caribbean's entertainment facility.

Eat Sleep Cruise posted a review of Wonderland on Symphony of the Seas.

Cruise Fever shared first impressions of Voyager of the Seas.

Category 2B Spacious Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony on Navigator of the Seas Photo Tour

In:
02 Mar 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean updated its staterooms on Navigator of the Seas as part of the ship's Royal Amplification revitalization, and we have a look at the Category 2B - Spacious Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony.

Category 2B staterooms have two twin beds that convert to a Royal King. In addition, there is a sitting area, private balcony, and a private bathroom.

The spacious ocean view stateroom offers 199 square feet of living space, along with a sofa to sit on during the day.

A private balcony comes with this room, and the balcony measures 65 square feet.

Friday Photos - March 1, 2019

In:
01 Mar 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

The start to another weekend has arrived and we like to kick off our Fridays with our readers' favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photos!

We begin with this photo of Central Park seal on Allure of the Seas, by Kinny Lee.

Next up is this sunset photo by Jean Francois "Jay" Bekono.

Troy shared this photo of learning to surf on the FlowRider on Harmony of the Seas.

Gwendolyn Salzman shared this photo as her ship arrived in Labadee.

Here is a look at the Ultimate Abyss on Harmony of the Seas by Danny Paquot.

Check out this early morning view of the pools on Independnece of the Seas, by Jeff L.

Our final photo this week is by Michael Kho of Radiance of the Seas in Skagway, Alaska, as ssen from Jewel of the Seas.

Thank you to everyone for sharing photos with us this week.  If you want to share your best Royal Caribbean photos, use this form to send them in!

Royal Caribbean kicks off March with 30% off every guest offer

In:
01 Mar 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean is offering 30% off every guest during the month March, with an additional up to $200 instant savings on cruises booked this weekend.

The Winter Cyber Sale is valid on sailings booked between March 1 – 3, 2019 and applies to select sailings departing on or after April 1, 2019.

It includes:

  • 30% off cruise fare for all guests in the stateroom
  • Winter Cyber Sale offers up to $200 instant savings per stateroom determined by category booked and sailing length:
    • Sailings 5 nights or less, $25 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $75 for Suites
    • Sailings 6 nights or longer, $50 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $100 for Balconies and $200 for Suites
    • Onboard credit and Instant savings do not apply to China departures

30% Off Every Guest is combinable with Winter Cyber Sale, 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. Winter Cyber Sale is combinable with promotional OBCs, NextCruise offers, Instant Savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers and Free Upgrades but not combinable with Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. Offer is 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, 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.

Video: Spectrum of the Seas Float Out

In:
28 Feb 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Spectrum of the Seas is getting closer to completion as she was floated out of the dry dock on February 25, 2019 to begin the next phase of her construction at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Designed specifically for the Chinese market, Spectrum is scheduled for delivery in April 2019.

Photos from Spectrum of the Seas leaving her dock

In:
27 Feb 2019
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship floated out of its Meyer Werft shipyard, and we have a first look at what the ship looks like lit up at night.

The talented photographer, Björn Haß, sent us these great shots of Spectrum of the Seas.

All photos by Björn Haß.

The ship is scheduled to be delivered in April 2019.