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Royal Caribbean plans to offset some of its emissions with wind power

In:
11 Oct 2018
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. announced today it has signed a deal with Southern Power for Southern Power's 200-megawatt (MW) Reading Wind Facility. This initiative, which will offset up to 12 percent of Royal Caribbean's emissions beginning in 2020, is one of many programs the cruise line has to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through innovations at sea and in port.

The facility is expected to generate roughly 760,000 megawatt hours per year over the duration of the 12-year agreement, which translates to enough clean energy to offset 10-12 percent of Royal Caribbean's annual carbon emissions starting in 2020. With this innovative program, Royal Caribbean is able to apply a new approach while continuing its primary initiatives to advance sustainability efforts across the company's fleet.

The wind facility is located in Osage and Lyon Counties in Kasnas and the deal provides Southern Power with the economic basis to construct the project. 

"This agreement complements our longstanding strategic initiatives to reduce the company's emissions and become a more sustainable operator," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "We are constantly looking for new ways to reduce our environmental footprint, both in the short and long term, and thanks to our partnership with Southern Power this is the latest step in our journey."

The project is expected to break ground in the second quarter of 2019 and is expected to be complete by the second quarter of 2020. Southern Power will operate and maintain the facility upon completion.

Royal Caribbean is also employing several technologies and innovations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create more efficient vessels, including:

  • Advanced Emission Purification systems, which remove approximately 98 percent of sulfur dioxide emissions
  • Air lubrication systems to reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency
  • Energy management software, an industry first, to achieve top fuel efficiency
  • The introduction of new fuels such as liquefied natural gas, in the near future
  • Onboard the ship: the use of energy-efficient equipment in galleys and the replacement of incandescent bulbs with fluorescent and LED lighting, as well as the introduction of fuel cells

Mariner of the Seas listener cruise review on Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

In:
10 Oct 2018
By: 
Matt Hochberg

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

Episode 271 is available for downloading which has a review of a listener's experience on Mariner of the Seas last week.

Ric from CruiseHabit.com is back to share his experience on Mariner of the Seas.  Ric talks about the recent changes to Mariner of the Seas and how it compares to his previous cruises.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 271. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSSStitcher 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!

Save up to 30% off Royal Caribbean pre-cruise purchases with Countdown to Cruise sale

In:
10 Oct 2018
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean has announced a new week-long sale that offers up to 30% on select pre-cruise purchases.

The Countdown to Cruise sale runs between October 10, 2018 - October 17, 2018 and is valid on select Royal Caribbean sailings from October 20, 2018 - March 31, 2019.

The offer is valid on certain shore excursions, drink packages and internet packages.

Royal Caribbean states guests can expect to see:

  • Beverage Packages: Up to 30% off onboard prices
    • Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Discount varies by ship
    • Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship
    • Refreshment Package: 30% off onboard prices
  • Shore Excursions: Save up to 25% on select tours on select sailings. Discount varies by ship.
  • Internet
    • VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship
    • VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship
  • Dining
    • Dinner at Chops Grille: Save 20% off. Available on select ships.

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 announces 2020-2021 deployment opening schedule dates

In:
09 Oct 2018
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean's eagerly awaited deployment opening schedule appears to be available for its world wide cruise itineraries.

A new Royal Caribbean document points to when Royal Caribbean will post the deployments for regions around the world.

  • Week of November 5, 2018: Alaska & Hawaii (Phase I)
  • Week of November 19, 2018: Europe (Phase I)
  • Week of December 3, 2018: Short Caribbean
  • Week of December 10, 2018: Caribbean (Phase I), Northeast, Canada & Bermuda
  • Week of December 17, 2018: Europe (Phase II)

All itineraries and openings are subject to change without notice. 

Deployment schedules gives consumers an idea of when to expect particular cruise schedules to become available to start looking at future cruises.

Royal Caribbean expands new smartphone app to Majesty of the Seas

In:
09 Oct 2018
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean has added Majesty of the Seas to the list of supported ships that can use the cruise line's new smart phone app.

While there has not been a new release of the app, the list of supported ships in the app now lists Majesty of the Seas in the supported ships area of the app.

Majesty of the Seas becomes to the tenth ship to be able to use the new app. Each ship has varying feature sets, as the app is still under development.

  • Adventure of the Seas
  • Allure of the Seas
  • Brilliance of the Seas
  • Enchantment of the Seas
  • Independence of the Seas
  • Majesty of the Seas
  • Mariner of the Seas
  • Oasis of the Seas
  • Serenade of the Seas
  • Symphony of the Seas

The app is available for download on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.

10 free activities on Symphony of the Seas

In:
08 Oct 2018
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Symphony of the Seas offers guests a lot of fun activities and things to do onboard that will keep your family busy throughout your Royal Caribbean cruise.  In fact, the cruise line includes a lot of entertainment in your cruise fare, which means there is no additional cost to enjoy them.

Among the many choices, we picked out our top ten things to do on Symphony of the Seas that have no additional cost.  

1. Hairspray

Did you know the hit Broadway show, "Hairspray" is included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare?

Hairspray is set in Baltimore in 1962 where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair, only has one passion – to dance. After winning a spot on the local TV dance program “The Corny Collins Show”, she is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. As a trendsetter in dance and fashion she goes up against the program’s reigning princess, wins the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin and plays a major role in the integration of the television show. Welcome to the 60’s!

2. Laser Tag

At special laser tag sessions, Royal Caribbean transforms Studio B into a glow-in-the-dark arena that invites everyone to see if they can conquer the, "Battle for Planet Z".

Guests can don special laser tag vests, grab a laser tag gun and head into the arena for a fast-paced team-game that rewards the group that works well together and coordinates their efforts.  Just like laser tag on land, Battle for Planet Z is a high-energy race with bragging rights for the rest of the cruise on the line!

3. Zip line

On Symphony of the Seas, you can zip line 9 decks above the Boardwalk on a path that measures 82 feet from start to finish.

Passengers must be at least 52" tall to participate and weigh a maximum of 275 pound, also must at least weigh 75 pounds.

The zip line is free and guests must sign a waiver.

4. Ultimate Abyss

Guests wanting a thrill will be sure to checkout the Ultimate Abyss slide on Symphony of the Seas.  

The Ultimate Abyss is more than 150 feet above sea level and offers side-by-side slides that send guests down 10 decks at a rate of 9 miles per hour. Launching onto the ride from a glass platform, guests can take one last look at the Boardwalk 10 decks below before climbing onto a customized mat and taking the plunge into the depths of the daunting slides.

Rides on the Ultimate Abyss are included with your cruise fare, so you will have plenty of opportunity to scream down the slide, over and over again.

5. AquaTheater shows

The AquaTheater is arguably one of the top entertainment venues on any Royal Caribbean ship, because it offers some of the very best shows the cruise has developed.

Onboard Symphony of the Seas, guests can enjoy performances of "AquaNation", which features something Royal Caribbean calls "4D harnessing" for its aerialists, who can move  up and down, side to side and forward and back into the audience space. Another AquaTheater show, "HiRo" is coming soon to Symphony of the Seas and Royal Caribbean promises it will raise the bar for aqua shows with more high flying feats, unexpected stunts and extraordinary acrobatics than ever before.  HiRO pushes the limits of a theatrical production at sea with cutting-edge technology and choreography and. No two shows are the same, making it worth seeing twice. 

The AquaTheater on Symphony of the Seas features two 10-meter high platforms and the hydraulic-floored pool, the largest and deepest freshwater pool at sea, below serves as podiums for high-diving, hair-raising aerobatics that AquaTheater audiences have come to love.

6. Ice skating at sea

While on Symphony of the Seas, you can don a pair of ice skates and try ice skating at sea.  Regardless of your previous ice skating experiences (or lack thereof), anyone can put on a pair of skates and join in.  Free skates are offered throughout the cruise along with special time for advanced skaters.  

Skates and safety equipment are provided for free, although passengers may bring their own skates.  Passengers must wear long pants and must sign a waiver to participate.

Be sure to catch the complimentary ice show in Studio B, 1977, too!

7. Water slides

There is no question guests of all ages find water slides a favorite cruise ship activity, and Symphony of the Seas offers three slides to enjoy over and over again.  

The Perfect Storm trio of water slides offer two racer slides and a champagne bowl slide that are included in your cruise fare.  As you slide down any of the slides, you will twist and turn three decks into a splashy finish.

8. Splashaway Bay

Got kids? If so, expect them to want to spend a lot of time at Symphony of the Seas's aquatic adventure park known as Splashaway Bay.

Splashway Bay has plenty of splashing, with fountains, buckets, sprays and even slides for kids to enjoy to their heart's content.  Splashaway Bay was built to be a focal point of the pool area, and offer yet another improvement on what the cruise line has been known for in the past.

Like all the pool deck fun, Splashaway Bay has no cost to use, and is certain to be a very popular spot with your kids.

9. A ride on the carousel

In the Boardwalk neighborhood, guests young and old can enjoy a ride on a classic carousel that is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. The carousel on Symphony of the Seas is hand-crafted and especially designed by Carousel Works for Royal Caribbean and is one-of-a-kind.

Inspired by turn-of-the-century carousels that were found in the northeastern United States, Symphony of the Seas' carousel is a classic attraction that is as beautiful in design as it is enjoyable to ride.

10. Mini-golf

Miniature golf has been a timeless family activity, and on Symphony of the Seas you can put your putting skills to test.

You can play on the green as often as you like, while enjoying some beautiful views of the ocean that surrounds you.  No reservations are required, just show up and grab a putter and ball.  Be sure to try out night time mini golf one evening to mix things up.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: October 7, 2018

In:
07 Oct 2018
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Happy Sunday! It has been a busy week of Royal Caribbean news, and we have it all summarized for you in this round up.

Royal Caribbean's CEO Michael Bayley commented on a lot of different topics during a question and answer session this week onboard Harmony of the Seas.

Mr. Bayley held a question and answer session with cruisers to address questions and concerns.  In the nearly two hour event, a number of intriguing changes were announced, along with updates to topics of interest to many cruisers.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 270th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt reviewed his recent cruise on Brilliance of the Seas.

Matt is back from a 4-night cruise on Brilliance of the Seas to the Western Caribbean, and he talks about what he did onboard the ship, as well as in Cozumel.  Matt also talked about trying out the ultimate dining package and deluxe beverage package.

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

USA Today compared Symphony of the Seas to the Disney Fantasy.

Traveling Dad shared what he packs for the the first day on Symphony of the Seas.

Tampa Bay Times reported on Port Tampa Bay reaching 1 million cruise passengers for the first time ever.

Cruise Trade News reported Jo Vaughton has been promoted at Royal Caribbean UK.

Royal Caribbean website maintenance window scheduled for October 7

In:
05 Oct 2018
By: 
Matt Hochberg

A heads up for anyone looking to use the Royal Caribbean website, as a maintenance downtime window has been scheduled for much of Sunday, October 7th.

Royal Caribbean has advised us that this weekend, from midnight Saturday until 6 pm Sunday evening, the Royal Caribbean website will be down.

Royal Caribbean says the downtime is for standard maintenance.

Friday Photos - October 5, 2018

In:
05 Oct 2018
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Every Friday we share Royal Caribbean cruise photos that our readers sent in, as a means of showcasing great photography and giving all of us a "virtual break" to enjoy the view of being on a cruise.  If you want to send in your photo, use this form and we could feature it in an upcoming post.

We begin with this photo of Explorer of the Seas near Dawes Glacier in Alaska, taken by Kathy Pfister.

Next up is a photo of Freedom of the Seas, as seen from the helipad.  Photo by Rob Young.

Krisztina Benko took this photo of the pool deck on Majesty of the Seas, while docked in Havana, Cuba.

A peek through the sliding doors on Grandeur of the Seas by Gwendolyn Salzman.

Joe Moran shared this photo of Freedom of the Seas, right after a rain shower passed by the ship.

Check out this shot by David Ep of Grandeur of the Seas and Allure of the Seas in Antigua.

Our last photo for this week is by Michael Bonham, and it is of Explorer of the Seas in Sydney Harbor, as seen from Bridgeclimb.

Thank you to everyone that shared their photos with us this week! If you want to share with us your photos, use this form to send them in!