Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean held the official groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for a new pier to be added on its private destination of CocoCay.

Photo by Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society

The groundbreaking ceremony was held while Enchantment of the Seas was visiting CocoCay on a short Bahamas cruise.

Last month, Royal Caribbean announced the small island in the Bahamas will get a number of enhancements over the next couple of years, with a pier being among the first changes coming.  Once complete, the new pier will be able to handle even Oasis Class ships.

Guests visiting CocoCay have had to be ferried over on tender boats, but weather conditions have had a tendency to impede on that process.  With a pier, Royal Caribbean ships can more easily visit CocoCay.

UPDATE: Royal Caribbean confirmed the pier should be complete in June 2018.

Royal Caribbean announced the first Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship will be based in the Asia-Pacific region. Set to be launched in spring 2019, the yet-to-be-named ship is the first Quantum Ultra Class ship, and will join sister ships Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

The new ship will specifically be designed for guests in the region, featuring even more cutting-edge and unprecedented experiences and amenities. The announcement was made as Royal Caribbean unveiled its full roster of 2018-19 China, Singapore and Australia itineraries.

2018-19 China, Singapore, Australia Deployment Highlights

As part of the deployment plans for 2018-19, Mariner of the Seas will reposition to a new home in Miami, Florida embarking on a “Global Odyssey” from Asia that features three long sailings from Singapore to Dubai; Dubai to Barcelona; and Barcelona to Miami. The “Global Odyssey” opens for sale on May 2, 2017.  Voyager of the Seas will have her first full season in Singapore in 2018-19, offering 3- to 7-night adventures throughout Southeast Asia with stops that include ports in Thailand and Malaysia.
        
The new 2018-19 deployment season presents additional highlights, including an expanded offering of open-jaw itineraries for adventure-seekers traveling down under with new 10-night open-jaw itineraries between Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne or Sydney, Australia on Radiance of the Seas. During the winter, Ovation of the Seas will reposition to Sydney for her longest season in Australia, reclaiming the title as the largest ship based in the region.

Royal Caribbean’s China 2018-19 itineraries for Quantum and Voyager will be available to book beginning April 26, 2017, followed by Ovation on April 27. Australia and Singapore sailings will be open as of May 16, 2017.

Royal Caribbean announced to travel partners that Adventure of the Seas will undergo a 30-day refurbishment to add new features and updates and complete work that was delayed last year.

Adventure of the Seas dry-dock will begin on January 31, 2018 and will include the addition of specialty restaurant Izumi Japanese Cuisine, new inside and oceanview staterooms and a Suite Lounge.

In order to accommodate the dry-dock, Royal Caribbean canceled the January 13, 2018 through February 10, 2018 sailings.  Guests booked onboard for the affected sailings will need to be reaccommodated.  As a gesture of good will, Royal Caribbean will be offering the following compensation package.

• Guests will receive $200 onboard credit per standard stateroom, $400 onboard credit for suites (category JS and above) when rebooking any Royal Caribbean sailing.
• Guests who incur a fee due to the change in their airline reservations will be reimbursed up to $200 per person, for Domestic Flights & $300 per person, for International Flights.

Guests may re-book on the select sailings below, in like accommodations, at the protected/lowest available cruise fare or any other Royal Caribbean sailing at prevailing rate. Price protection is limited to the cruise fare only. Taxes, fees, gratuities and other non-cruise fare items are subject to prevailing rates regardless of the sailing chosen.

• Adventure of the Seas – February 12, 2018
• Adventure of the Seas – March 10, 2018
• Adventure of the Seas – March 17, 2018
• Adventure of the Seas – April 7, 2018
• Adventure of the Seas – April 14, 2018
• Jewel of the Seas – January 14, 2018
• Jewel of the Seas – January 21, 2018
• Jewel of the Seas – January 28, 2018
• Jewel of the Seas – February 4, 2018
• Jewel of the Seas – February 18, 2018
• Jewel of the Seas – February 25, 2018
• Jewel of the Seas – March 4, 2018
• Jewel of the Seas – March 11, 2018

The work scheduled is to complete upgrades that were originally scheduled for Adventure of the Seas' revitalization in November 2016, but had to be cut back due to Hurricane Matthew. 

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

Episode 195 is available for downloading, where we take an in-depth look at what staying in a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise truly entails.

In this episode, Matt talks about the general suite experience, and why someone might want (or not want) to stay in a suite.  Matt shares what the benefits and perks are, which benefits are the most useful and evaluating when it makes sense to give it a try.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 195. 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!

With limitless capabilities across lighting, technology and scenery, the Royal Theater even makes Broadway directors and producers feel like kids in a candy shop. The state-of-the-art venue rivals those on land with impressive technology ranging from lifts and a tracking system to a fly space that allows performers to soar overhead. Royal Caribbean’s entertainment team thrives on innovation, and with the endless possibilities, they produce next-level original shows and Broadway-favorites to treat guests to an incredible experience at sea.

Royal Caribbean released a new batch of construction photos, highlighting the progress of Symphony of the Seas.

Symphony of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis Class ship, under construction at the STX shipyard in France. The ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2018.

With the departure of Explorer of the Seas from Sydney on Saturday evening, Royal Caribbean has concluded a record breaking 2016/2017 summer seas in Australia.

The company’s three brands, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, based an unprecedented seven ships in the region – 15 percent of the global fleet – including two new ships; the newest and biggest Australia has ever seen, Ovation of the Seas, and the boutique, freshly revitalised Azamara Journey.

Adam Armstrong, managing director, RCL Australia & NZ, commented on the big year down under, “We increased capacity by 17 percent, introduced two new ships to the region, completely refreshed another, launched a brand new cruise port in Wollongong, and wowed Aussies, Kiwis and more than 50,000 guests from overseas on over 90 different itineraries around Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Asia. What’s more, Royal Caribbean International became Australia’s largest cruise line in terms of capacity over the summer season. It truly has been a record breaking seven months."

“Royal Caribbean changed the game for cruising down under when we introduced supercruising to Australia, with the incredible US$1 billion Ovation of the Seas,” Armstrong continued.

The spectacular vessel arrived in December to much fan-fare and was the first brand new ship to be based in Australian waters. 

Radiance of the Seas made waves this season opening up a new port for the industry, becoming the first cruise ship to bring passengers to the NSW coastal city of Wollongong and arriving to huge celebrations from locals of the Illawarra. The City of Wollongong also welcomed Voyager of the Seas twice during the season.

Radiance of the Seas also made maiden calls for Royal Caribbean to the beautiful South Pacific islands of Tonga, visiting Vava'u and Nuku’alofa in December. Meanwhile, identical sister ships Explorer of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, known as the South Pacific sisters, made their mark with dedicated sailings all season to the South Pacific islands of Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia.

The upcoming 2017/18 season will see four Royal Caribbean International ships return, including the ground-breaking Ovation of the Seas for a longer second season, along with South Pacific sisters Voyager of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean made history yesterday with the cruise line's inaugural visit to Cuba with Empress of the Seas. Guests participated in curated excursions throughout Havana, including rides in 1950s classic American cars to the city’s most famous locales, including the old quarter and the Havana Club Museum.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of Cuba’s future, ushering in Royal Caribbean’s next big adventure with Empress of the Seas’ first visit to Havana. Vacationers will now be able to experience a destination like no other, with authentic and immersive experiences that bring to life the vibrancy of Havana and its traditions,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

The vibrant Cuban culture extends beyond land to the experience onboard Empress of the Seas. From cortaditos and café con leche in Café Royal to salsa music and dancing in Boleros Latin lounge, guests will enjoy a range of onboard activities developed to bring the spirit of the island to life throughout the entire journey.

After returning to Miami, Florida, Empress of the Seas will reposition to Tampa, Fla. for the summer season – the cruise line’s first ever summer program from the destination – offering a series of four, five and six-night sailings, including day and overnight visits to Havana, along with stops in Key West, Fla. and Belize City, Belize, as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. Sailings from Tampa are available through Nov. 4, 2017 when Empress returns to Miami for the winter season, adding calls to CocoCay and Nassau in The Bahamas.               

Royal Caribbean's Empress of the Seas arrived in Havana, Cuba earlier this morning, marking the first Royal Caribbean International ship to stop in Cuba.

Thanks to Halee Whiting for providing these photos.

Empress of the Seas departed Miami earlier this week, as part of a 5-night sailing that culminated with an historic first visit to Cuba. The cruise has been filled with a number of special events and festivities, from cortaditos and café con leche in Café Royal to salsa music and dancing in the Boleros Latin lounge.  There was even a special Cuban-inspired dining room menu.

After months of negotiating, Royal Caribbean announced it would offer cruises to Cuba in December 2016.  Royal Caribbean offers regular sailings to Cuba, including some sailings with an overnight visit, through the end of 2016, along with stops in Key West, FL. and Cozumel, Mexico.

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We will update this post with additional photos and coverage as the day progresses. Keep checking back.

Spring is here and it is also Sunday, which means we are celebrating warm(er) temperatures and Royal Caribbean news from this week!

Royal Caribbean's CEO made news this week, when he briefly mentioned a number of new initiatives and changes coming to the cruise line over the next few years.

In an interview with Travel Weekly, Michael Bayley talked about adding a water park to CocoCay, Majesty of the Seas going to Cuba and overnight stays in CocoCay.

Bayley also talked about what guests can expect on Symphony of the Seas, and when the next batch of information will be revealed.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's first cruise to Cuba set sail this week.
• Royal Caribbean added a new floating bar in Labadee.
• Five things to love about Liberty of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean rolled out a Chops Grille lunch option.
• We added a new Symphony of the Seas construction photo update.
• The internet/drink package combo is back for sale on pre-cruise purchases.
• Royal Caribbean scheduled its first quarter 2017 earnings call with investors.
• There is an option to get a discount on specialty restaurants if you dine there the first night.
• Excursion review of Kukoo Kunuku Palm Beach Tour in Aruba.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 194th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which reviews the Private Journeys shore excursion option.

Have you ever struggled with finding the perfect shore excursion for your family? Royal Caribbean has a new custom shore excursion option that we tried out on a recent cruise.  In this episode, Matt and Christie discuss their experience with Private Journeys and what to expect if you try it out.

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 has a look at the Ultimate Abyss slide on Harmony of the Seas.

TTG Media has a look at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. cruise industry first transgender policy.

Travel Pulse covered the recent dress code updates by Royal Caribbean.

Travel Weekly reported on a new airport luggage service at Port of Seattle.