Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean has a new pre-cruise purchase option on select sailings that combines the deluxe beverage package and the ultimate dining package in one.

The Deluxe Beverage and Ultimate Dining Package offers a bundle of the Deluxe Beverage Package and Ultimate Dining Package for one price.  With this package, you will enjoy

• Unlimited beverages
  • coffee
  • juices
  • sodas
  • bottled water
  • beer, wine
  • spirits
• Discount of 40% off bottles of wine under $100 and 20% off bottles above $100 while dining in specialty restaurants
• Dine at specialty restaurants every night and
• Dine at specialty restaurants at lunchtime on sea days

For restaurants with a la carte pricing, you will receive a $50 food credit.

Thus far, we have spotted this option on Oasis class ships.

Thanks to Royal Caribbean Blog reader Andrew Punch for alerting us to this new offering.

After months of speculation, Royal Caribbean revealed the name of its newest cruise ship for China and celebrated the occasion with a steel cutting ceremony.

At the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, Royal Caribbean announced its new Quantum Ultra class ship will be named Spectrum of the Seas and marked the official start of construction by cutting the first piece of steel.

Spectrum of the Seas is set to debut in 2019 and will be the first Quantum Ultra ship that will specifically be designed for guests in China and the Asia-Pacific region, and will feature cutting-edge and unprecedented experiences and amenities.

“Today is a very special day in the development of our new Quantum Ultra ship, Spectrum of the Seas. We are now one step closer to delighting our guests in Asia Pacific with this remarkable ship,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Spectrum will be another giant leap forward in vessel design and guest experiences that will provide travelers with ample opportunities to create unforgettable memories.”

Royal Caribbean had trademarked the name Spectrum of the Seas in June, but had not commented on the trademark registration until now.

Royal Caribbean has designed Allure of the Seas with the word, "fun" in mind.  In short, there is a ton of activities and things to do on Allure of the Seas. From the spectacle of the AquaTheater shows to the challenge of the mini golf course, you will find no shortage of things to each day of the cruise.

We combed the list of things to do on Allure of the Seas, and came up with our list of nine cannot miss favorite things to try on Allure of the Seas.

Zip lining at sea

Allure of the Seas features its own zip line that is 9 decks above the Boardwalk neighborhood of the ship, and stretches 82 feet from start to finish.  Going for a ride on the zip line means not only a terrific vantage point all around you, but a great family-friendly thrill experience.

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

Guacamole from Sabor

The Sabor restaurant on Allure of the Seas serves up a lot of tasty Mexican cuisine, but at the top of the list has to be a bowl of custom ordered and freshly made guacamole.

The handmade guacamole put Sabor on the map when the first Sabor restaurant debuted on Navigator of the Seas in 2014. Since then, legions of Sabor fans have made reservations at Sabor specifically to enjoy this heavenly dish.

See Mamma Mia! Broadway musical

One of the most successful and beloved Broadway musicals, Mamma Mia!, is available for guests to see onboard Allure of the Seas.  Did we mention there is no additional cost to see the show?

Mamma Mia! features the songs of 70's band ABBA, and is featured on every Allure of the Seas sailing.  Mamma Mia! is the story of a girl getting married and wanting to meet her estranged father. Mamma Mia! played on Broadway for over 10 years.

Guests can pre-book reservations online prior to their cruise, or get tickets once onboard.  Ideally, try to get tickets before your cruise to ensure a smooth and effortless show experience onboard.

Hear the singer in the English Pub

Almost every evening, the English pub on Allure of the Seas is home to a talented singer who plays the kind of bar songs we have all come to enjoy over the years.

Located in the Royal Promenade, you should make an effort to stop by at least one evening to take in a set and sing along to songs you probably know the words to, while enjoying a beer or cocktail.  In fact, the pub is where you will find the widest selection of beers and liquors to choose from.

See the Aquatheater Show

OceanAria is the breathtaking show performed in the AquaTheater on Allure of the Seas and it is a must-see while onboard.

Embark on a mystical adventure under the sea as the ancient underwater civilization of Oceanaria comes to life at the AquaTheater in this original Royal Caribbean production. Aerialists and acrobats spring into action with fountains dipping and playing along to a mesmerizing soundtrack.

Be sure to avoid the first three rows of the theater if you do not want to get wet.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour

Royal Caribbean offers an all access tour for guests to join, where they can peek behind the proverbial curtain and see how a ship as massive and impressive as Allure of the Seas functions.

Guests are escorted through a number of critical areas of the ship, including the galley, bridge and engine room.  It is a fun way to take a glimpse of what it takes to keep Allure of the Seas functioning, and even get those nagging questions you have always wondered about finally answered.

The All Access Tour is available to purchase through the Cruise Planner prior to the cruise.

Be sure to also look out for a complimentary tour of Central Park. The tour offers an interesting look at what it takes to have keep all of those plants and trees be so beautiful. The exact day and time will be listed in the Cruise Compass, onboard Allure of the Seas.

Enjoy a drink on the Rising Tide bar

There is something undeniably cool about a bar that moves between decks, and Allure of the Seas has a bar that does just that.

The Rising Tide Bar continuously moves between the Royal Promenade and Central Park, offering some great views while you enjoy your favorite cocktail. There's just something very cool about being on a bar that moves through the air and with a drink in hand, it's a great place to watch all those people that are watching you.

Have a Kummelweck sandwich

There is a lot of great food on Allure of the Seas, but a hidden gem has to be the roast beef sandwiches from Park Cafe.

These sandwiches are just amazing and no trip to Central Park is complete without one of these tasty (and complimentary) treats.

Go for a ride on the carousel

No cruise aboard Allure of the Seas is complete without a ride (or three) on the Carousel.  Regardless of age, guests of all ages can enjoy the classic nature of this attraction.

Located in the Boardwalk neighborhood, you will find a full-sized, traditional hand-crafted carousel that was specially designed for Royal Caribbean.

Be sure to bring your camera, because there are bound to be terrific photo opportunities and ride during the evening and day to get completely different experiences. Also, check out the carousel at night because like the fairs of the past, nighttime is when these rides really shine when they are all lit up.

Your thoughts

Have you been on Allure of the Seas?  What do you think is something that everyone should try onboard? Share your thoughts in the comments for the blog post!

Chances are if you are sailing on a three or four-night cruise with Royal Caribbean you are stopping in Nassau, Bahamas. This has been a very popular port of call for the cruise line for many years. The actual distance from Miami to Nassau is only 184 miles, so this is usually the first or last stop of the cruise.

There are many excursions offered my Royal Caribbean in the cruise planner for Nassau, but there are not many options for those who might be on a budget. Let’s take a look at my top 5 things to do in Nassau without breaking the bank.

5. John Watling’s Rum Distillery

No matter what bar you visit in Nassau, you will notice they serve John Watling’s Rum. That’s because the distillery is right here in Nassau, in a home that’s over 200 years old. When I visit the distillery I always walk, but it does take 20-25 minutes and a rather large hill up getting there. So if that’s concerning to you just jump in a $10 cab ride.

When you arrive you are greeted with a sample of their famous piña colada. They then give you a quick 10-15 minute tour of the grounds and you end up in their gift shop where you can take the rum home with you. The tour and visit the property is completely free. They do have a nice bar where you can sample their three types of rum or order a full piña colada you sampled coming in.

4. Graycliff Hotel

Visiting this hotel is a pretty unique experience when you compare it to big resorts. The property itself is not very large and open to explore. They do offer day passes around $99pp, but let’s not forget we are looking for ways to save money and still enjoy all that Nassau has to offer. They have a few dining rooms in the hotel and really amazing to see the table setups. You can order pizza here, which is what they are famous for which is around $20.

Once you leave the hotel, right beside it is the Grayliff Chocolate factory. They make everything on the property and hand out free samples once you walk in the gift shop.

3. Queens Staircase

The Queen’s Staircase is almost hard to describe other than using words like, breathtaking. The walk here is only 10-15 minutes and very safe along the way, just look for the Nassau Hospital and the staircase is directly behind it.

Slaves carved the staircase in 1793 and there are a total of 66 steps down into a protected area for the Queen during that time. The area is totally shaded and feels really cool walking through it. Again this option is free to the public, but watch out for the locals trying to act like tour guides and expecting a tip. There is also a little fort outside the staircase you can explore too.

2. Baha Mar Resort

There is a lot of history around building the Baha Mar Resort on Cable beach. However, it’s finally open as of Spring 2017. The resort is on the other side of the island from where you dock, so you must take transportation over. In Nassau they have a city bus that the locals take for $1.25pp and you jump on it near McDonald’s. I know you must be thinking, how did the Atlantis not make this top 5 list, but this property is brand new and being over on Cable beach is a win for me.

My first time to the resort on the side of the island, I could not believe how beautiful and clean it was. Unfortunately, you can’t take use of the pool or beach on the property while visiting but you can gamble, shop, bar and explore the grounds.

1. Junkanno Beach

Coming in at number one is Junkanno Beach; you can’t be in the Bahamas and not enjoy their beautiful beaches. This beach is a short walk from the port and is open to the public. I discovered this beach many years ago and have been visiting ever since. I like being able to walk and leave whenever I want and the best part they have very cheap drinks at the tiki hut on the beach, like $2 beers.

They also have clean public restrooms on the beach that are fairly new. If you are looking for that free Wi-Fi they have that too! A few years ago I wrote my first blog post just on this beach so you can find more about the beach here.

Let me know what you enjoy doing in Nassau below, I’m headed there in a few weeks and would look to try something new on the island!

Happy Sunday! We hope you’re having a great weekend! Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from the week!

Royal Caribbean announced changes coming to its private destination of Labadee, with enhancements to Adrenaline Beach.

Beginning August 14 and running through October 2017, the footprint and quality of the beach and surrounding areas will be nourished. In addition, reef balls will be added to increase the tranquility of the water and to provide exciting new marine habitats and snorkeling paths for cruise line guests.

Work will not take place when guests are on the island.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean released a new smart phone app this week.
• A new sale was kicked off for this weekend.
• Top things to do on a sea day on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
• We shared our readers' favorite cruise photos.
• 7 ways to learn everything you can about your Royal Caribbean cruise online.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 210th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we debate if upgrading your stateroom makes sense in a variety of scenarios.

Often cruisers discover prior to their cruise an opportunity to upgrade their stateroom for more money, and on this week's episode, Michael Poole and Matt discuss what they would do in different scenarios that have been posted online.

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 shared the story behind the cruise line's use of body cameras.

eBaum's World shared a video of Harmony of the Seas guests cheering on a pair of pier runners.

Cruise Habit posted news of Celebrity appointing its first female sea captain to command a Galapagos cruise ship.

Cruise Fever has 9 tips for your next Royal Caribbean cruise.

ZDNet talked with Royal Caribbean's CIO about how Artificial Intelligence plays a part in the cruise line's operations.

Moms of the Seas shared tips for bathing young children while on a cruise.

Browsing the iTunes App Store has revealed a new smartphone app that is only supported currently on Allure of the Seas.

The Royal Caribbean app was released on August 10, 2017 and might be part of the highly anticipated new smartphone app promised as part of a new digital strategy refresh.

The app description describes the new app as a new, official app for the cruise line, "The new, official Royal Caribbean mobile app gives our guests all the information they need to make the most of their cruises. We’re introducing it on Allure of the Seas®, and as we test and adjust this new app, we’ll gradually roll it out across our entire fleet."

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

The current version features include

• Learn about the hundreds of activities, movies, and shows available onboard
• Explore off-ship adventures in places like the Bahamas, St. Thomas, Cozumel, and more
• Peruse complete restaurant menus and bar and lounge options
• Plan a day of indulgence with our array of Vitality Spa offerings
• Use deck plan illustrations to navigate the ship

Royal Caribbean has been hinting at a new app ever since Royal Caribbean CIO Michael Giresi mentioned it in an interview in January 2017. Since then, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain has referenced it during earnings calls with analysts, but feature sets have not been divulged.

Dubbed internally as, "Project Excalibur," this new app will offer new ways for guests to have a simpler experience onboard.

"Starting over two years ago, we have found intuitive digital applications to make the guest experience simpler and more comfortable," Fain announced during the an earnings call earlier this year. "You'll be able to open the door to your room without pulling out a card or a key, request a beverage real-time from the comfort of your lounge chair, and get recommendations for your traveling companion based on their preferences."

"We take our guest vacation time seriously, and technology is a great enabler to improve the use of that."

Every Friday, we ask our readers to send us their favorite Royal Caribbean photos so that we can showcase them here on the blog. After all, looking back on past cruise memories is always a great way to get excited for our next cruise!

We begin our photos this week with this shot by Michael Bonham of sailing away from Cozumel on Allure of the Seas. Liberty of the Seas is still docked in the background.

Michael McKay took this photo of the Ultimate Abyss on Harmony of the Seas.

Candie Britland shared with us this photo of the Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas.

Kris took this photo of his wife while at Lifou, Loyalty Islands, with Radiance of the Seas in the background.

Here is a glimpse of Abu Dhabi as Vision of the Seas is sailing in, taken by Michelle Cousins.

Susan Widdowson took photos of Harmony of the Seas' progress each morning on her transatlantic cruise.  Here is one from when the ship was in the middle of the ocean.

Our final photo this week is by FrodeofNorway, and it is of Independence of the Seas, leaving Oslo.

That wraps up this week's edition of Friday Photos. Thank you to everyone that submitted their photos, and if you would like to, please feel free to share your Royal Caribbean photos with us for a future edition. Have a great weekend!

Royal Caribbean cruises booked this weekend are eligible for bonus savings on top of the current BOGO deal.

Cruise must be booked between 8/11/17 through 8/14/17 12:00 AM EST and  applies to sailings departing on or after 9/11/17. Offer excludes China departures.

Offer includes

• 50% off cruise fare of second guest who must be booked in the same stateroom as a first guest who books at full fare.
• 25% cruise fare savings for 3rd guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests.
• Kids Sail Free offer provides free cruise fare of third and higher guests who are 12 years or younger as of cruise departure date, booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests in a triple or quad occupancy stateroom
  • Kids Sail Free offer is valid on 4-night or longer Europe, Bahamas, and Caribbean Sailings departing 9/11/17 – 5/15/18 excluding holiday sailings departing 11/17/17-11/27/17, 12/17/17–1/8/18, 2/15/18-2/20/18 and 3/10/18-4/1/18.
• Deck the Holidays Deals offer provides savings for guests who book a holiday sailing departing from 12/19/17 through 12/31/17 and 12/18/18 through 12/31/18.
  • Instant savings determined by category booked and sailing length
    • $25 off per stateroom for Interior and Ocean View on sailings 5 nights or less
    • $50 off per stateroom for Balconies and Suites on sailings 5 nights and less
    • $50 off per stateroom for Interior and Ocean View on sailings 6 nights and longer
    • $75 off per stateroom for Balconies and $100 off for Suites on sailings 6 nights or longer
• Instant savings of up to $250 determined by category booked and sailing length
  • $25 off per stateroom for Interior and Ocean View on sailings 5 nights or less
  • $50 off per stateroom for Balconies and Suites on sailings 5 nights and less
  • $50 off per stateroom for Interior and Ocean View on sailings 6 nights and longer
  • $100 off per stateroom for Balconies on sailings 6 nights or longer
  • $150 off for Suites on sailings 6 nights or longer
• Additionally, guests who book a Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas or an Oasis of the Seas sailing departing on or after September 11, 2017, will receive an additional $50 savings per stateroom.

Sail Away Sale is combinable with Deck the Holidays for savings equaling: $50 off per stateroom for Interior and Ocean View on sailings 5 nights or less, $100 off per stateroom for Balconies and Suites on sailings 5 nights and less, $100 off per stateroom for Interior and Ocean View on sailings 6 nights and longer, $175 off per stateroom for Balconies on sailings 6 nights or longer and $250 off for Suites on sailings 6 nights or longer.

Offer is combinable with select promotions.

Offer open to residents of U.S. or Canada. 

The internet is a wealth of information and one of the best means to research pretty much anything, including your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise.  Knowledge is power, and the more you know about what to expect on your Royal Caribbean cruise, the better prepared you will be and we think that leads to a better vacation experience.

Odds are if you are reading this blog post, which happens to be on a website dedicated to all things Royal Caribbean cruise, you probably interested in learning more about your cruise.  With that in mind, we listed our top resources for learning everything you can about a Royal Caribbean sailing. Learning about Royal Caribbean cruises has never been easier, and there is so much great information at your fingertips.  

It is also worth mentioning that, yes, we will shamelessly plug our own content here and there.  We are proud of the content we create on Royal Caribbean Blog, but also recognize there are some outstanding other means to learn about your cruise.  It isn't competition, because we all do things in our own style and at the end of the day, there is great and helpful information for everyone to enjoy. 

Travel agents

Travel agents are more than just a means of booking a cruise for you.  In fact, they are wonderful resources that provide the most personal and customizable information out there.  While you will read, hear and listen to a lot of great Royal Caribbean information on the internet, only travel agents can provide information that is catered exactly to your needs.

Travel agents are well-versed in what is happening with Royal Caribbean these days, and have their own cruising experience to draw upon to share too.  This means when you ask a question, they can answer it in with your family in mind.  We can write a million blog posts here about Royal Caribbean cruises, but it may never address your particular situation.  A good travel agent is that perfect resource.

Beyond just the logistical stuff, talk to your travel agent and ask them about opinions on shore excursions, stateroom types and what constitutes a good deal.  Finding a great travel agent means you have a partner and friend in the process to support you all along the way.

Facebook groups

Arguably the fastest growing and openly available resource on cruising over the last few years are Facebook groups.  Not too long ago, Facebook started allowing folks to create groups on pretty much any topic, and Royal Caribbean groups sprung up quickly.

Facebook groups are kind of like a simpler version of message boards, and they have proven to be a wonderful resource for sharing information.  

These days, there are a lot of Facebook groups dedicated to all aspects of a Royal Caribbean cruise.  They vary in size, scope, and subject matter, but they offer a good way to ask questions and hear other people's experiences.  You can search Facebook to one or more that you like, but here are a list of notable ones we think provide good information.

• Cruise Life Group
• Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society Group
• Royal Caribbean Cruises
• Royal Caribbean Dining
• The Royal Caribbean Club
• Royal Caribbean 1 Love

Podcasts

If you prefer to learn about your cruise by sound, rather than by sight, then podcasts are just for you.  Podcasts are downloadable internet-based radio shows, where periodically new episodes are released that talk about some aspect of a cruise.

The great thing about podcasts are they are perfect for listening to at the gym, in the car, or on a plane flight.  The cruising-related podcasts we listen to are all free to enjoy and most smartphones these days support them.

There are not many podcasts that focus purely on cruising (or Royal Caribbean), but these are worth your time

• Cruise Radio
• Cruise Dudes Podcast
• Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Websites & Blogs

The heart of the internet are websites that share information about cruising (we might be slightly biased in that statement), and there are many great sites dedicated to cruising.

Like this site, most cruising sites deal with a blend of cruise news and cruise information. While you may be focused on learning about your particular sailing, knowing what's happening in the world of cruising is not a bad idea.  Many trends in cruising travel from one cruise line to another, so reading news can be a good barometer of what to expect.

Unlike this site, cruising websites are dedicated to the whole cruise industry, instead of just Royal Caribbean.  The good news is a lot of the information you find on them pertains to Royal Caribbean just as much as other lines.  

Here is our list of our top picks for websites to check out.  Keep in mind there are many more, which is why Google was invented.

• Cruise Habit
• Cruise Fever
• Cruise Hive
• Cruise Critic
• Eat Sleep Cruise
• Royal Caribbean SeaViews
• Royal Caribbean UK Blog

Pinterest

In addition to finding a great recipe for dinner, or a way to decorate your kids' bedroom, Pinterest has a lot of great information on taking a cruise. It particularly excels at showing you related content that you might not have considered searching for, but find interesting nonetheless.

Searching Pinterest for packing tips, cruise reviews, shore excursion ideas and even stateroom decorating tips are all great ideas to search for in preparation for your cruise.

The beauty of Pinterest is once you find something interesting, it is easy to find other relevant content and we quickly find ourselves with a ton of browser tabs open with great things to read.

Documentaries

Television documentaries may not be as prevalent today as they once were, but they provide an entertaining look at many Royal Caribbean cruise ships that if nothing else, will get you excited for your cruise.

The best cruise ship documentary series we know about is called Dream Cruises on AWE TV.  A number of Royal Caribbean ships have been featured on them over the years, and it focuses on what it is like to cruise on these ships, rather than the construction or engineering of them.

Periodically you can search your local listings on your DVR for re-run episodes.  National Geographic, Discovery Channel and the Science Channel have all had documentaries on Royal Caribbean ships over the years.  Keep in mind that most, if not all, of the documentaries you find on television are outdated, and itineraries, onboard amenities and entertainment have likely changed.  Still, it is fun to gather the family and watch these shows for their entertainment value.  

YouTube

Between the millions of cute cat videos and Diet Coke/Mentos experiments, are a lot of great cruise videos on YouTube.  You will find vacation videos, walk-throughs, Royal Caribbean produced episodes and a whole lot more.

YouTube blends entertainment, information, and day dreaming together seamlessly and it is so easy to browse and learn about Royal Caribbean ships, port stops, and nearly everything onboard.

One of the first things we do after booking a cruise, is search YouTube for video tours of the category of stateroom we booked.  Walk-through videos of Royal Caribbean ships provide the perfect means of visualizing what to expect once onboard. 

Your thoughts

What is your preferred way to learn about Royal Caribbean cruises online? Did we miss a resource you know about, or is there one in our list that deserves special attention? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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

Episode 210 is available for downloading where we debate if it is worth the money to upgrade a stateroom.

For a little fun, Matt and Michael consider a few examples of folks who asked for advice if they should upgrade their stateroom.  Matt and Michael engage in a spirited debate of whether it is a good idea or not to pay more for a better room.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 210. 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!