Royal Caribbean Blog

Thanks for joining us for another weekly look at all of the Royal Caribbean news from this week.  The late-summer heat is still on, and we have plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share from this week.

A tropical storm in the Atlantic caused three Royal Caribbean ships to change itineraries in order to avoid being impacted by the storm.

Royal Caribbean announced changes for Freedom of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Empress of the Seas that resulted in some variations to the pre-set plans.

The changes for each ship were made to ensure the safety of every guest and crew member aboard.  There have been no futher itinerary updates announced for other ships.

Royal Caribbean News

• A New York deli is now available on Anthem of the Seas.
• Everything about Two70 on Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class ships.
• 5 things to love about Independence of the Seas.
• A passenger was found dead on Granduer of the Seas.
• New beach bungalows and beach beds are available to rent on CocoCay.
• 5 beverages not included in any Royal Caribbean drink package.
• A new Starbucks pre-paid coffee card was spotted on Oasis of the Seas.
• A look at the beauty of the main dining room on Explorer ofthe Seas.
• All about the Boardwalk neighborhood on Oasis-class ships.
• First time cruiser's guide to the Vitality Spa.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 160th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we talk with travel expert Dan Moore about Harmony of the Seas.

Harmony of the Seas is generating a lot of attention with all of its amazing features and Dan Moore recently sailed on her while in the Mediterranean.  Dan shared with us his the favorite aspects of the ship, as well as his tips for a great time.

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 Blog Reader Finds

If you are on a Royal Caribbean cruise and spot something cool, new or just fun, share a photo with us on Facebook or Twitter so we can add it to our Royal Caribbean Blog Reader Finds each Sunday!

First drinks of our cruise and first time DB & The Princess have been sighted on @royalcar… https://t.co/HoC5IdQung pic.twitter.com/pqZ99yre6b

— DB and The Princess (@EatSleepCruise) August 27, 2016

@theRCLblog Touring the Explorer of the Sea, pretty sweet! pic.twitter.com/DVVE888m06

— Michael Rinehart (@MikeTweetsStuff) August 26, 2016

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

My Travel Monkey shared a trip report from Independence of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean lists the reasons a balcony stateroom is the best choice for a room.

Cruise Hive is reporting 3 cruise ship passengers injured on an excursion.

Cruise Habit has a look at cruising during hurricane season.

Royal Caribbean shares a look at the Wayfinders on its ships.

Cue the lavender scented oil, because we are talking about the ultimate means of relaxation on a Royal Caribbean cruise: the Vitality Spa.

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a spa and fitness center, which offers guests services, seminars and treatments that are aimed at making you feel better, look better and be healthier.  It's a splurge for guests that want to indulge during their vacation.

The spa costs extra, and can be booked online before the cruise or once onboard the ship.

The exact size and range of services will vary from ship to ship, but there are important considerations to know before stepping foot inside.

Spa services

Royal Caribbean's Vitality Spa offers quite a variety of services.  Typically, the spa is split into three main areas: the salon, the treatment area and the fitness center.  

The salons will typically offer manicures, pedicures, waxing, hair styling, barber services for men and more.

In the treatment part of the spa, guests can choose from deep-tissue massages, acupuncture, bamboo massages, teeth whitening, Botox, detox services and much more.  

A full list of spa services will be available once onboard your ship, although you can also get a pretty good idea of what is available by browsing the spa services listed on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site.

Booking spa services

Royal Caribbean allows guests to reserve spa appointments either online before a cruise or once onboard.  

Booking spa services online in advance of your cruise will help break up the total cost of the cruise, as well as guarantee an appointment for a specific day and time.  It is important to note that spa services are rarely discounted prior to the cruise.

Most guests tend to book spa reservations once onboard the ship.  Slots do tend to fill up as the cruise progresses, but if you are flexible with appointment day and times, you can often find availability.  Each day, the Vitality Spa will offer some sort of discount or package deal, with the most lucrative deals often on port days.  Regardless, these specials are only available for booking the day they are offered. 

Reservations for the spa onboard the ship can be made at the spa entrance, by calling the spa directly from a courtesy phone or by contacting suite or Diamond concierge attendants.

If you want to have a service performed on a certain day or time (such as getting your hair or nails styled prior to formal night), reservations made as soon as possible are recommended. 

Gratuities

Keep in mind that it is customary to provide an additional gratuity for services performed at the spa.  Generally, Royal Caribbean will add an 18 percent tip to the receipt when paying for the service.

You do have the option of providing an additional tip if you choose, but it is not required.

Thermal Spa

Select Royal Caribbean ships offer a thermal spa, which is a collection of services that can be enjoyed on your own.  The exact options will depend on your ship, but usually it includes

• hot stone chairs
• rainforest shower room
• infrared sauna
• steam room

Royal Caribbean sells day-passes for this service, which offer unlimited access to the thermal spa.  These passes are limited in quantity to prevent overcrowding.

The Thermal Spa option is available on Radiance, Oasis and Quantum class ships.

Teen services

On Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships, the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center includes a separate YSPA (teen spa) area.

The YSPA offers treatments and services for guests that are 13-17 years old.

YSPA menu has facials, massages, nail and hair treatments. Sample treatments available in the YSPA are Acne Attack facial, Beach Babe deep conditioning hair treatment, Sole Mate pedicure and more.

Just like the adult area of the Vitality Spa, treatments at YSPA have an additional charge per service.

Spa tips

• Tours are available at anytime of the spa, but try to take a tour on embarkation day when they are the easiest to take.
• You can often ask the Spa staff what the specials will be in the days ahead.  You might not be able to book it, but at least be aware of what specials will be available later to book.
• There are certain activities held at the spa with no additional charge.  Theses events may have a sales-pitch to them, but there are some complimentary seminars and evaluations offered.
• Note the name of a crew member that performs a service at the spa that you like, so if you return, you can request that person again.

One of the most endearing neighborhoods found on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class cruise ships is the Boardwalk, which is reminiscent of the whimsical seaside resorts. Dedicated to family, fun and nostalgia, the Boardwalk neighborhood was inspired by both the seaside piers that dot the coast of England and the nostalgic boardwalks of yesteryear such as Coney Island.

The Boardwalk is one of seven seven distinct "neighborhoods" that help break up an Oasis class ship.  Located at the aft of the ship, the Boardwalk is a rather large area on the ship that offers lots of entertainment throughout the day and evening.

The area is well known for the dining and entertainment options, as well as view of the ocean.  Being at the rear of the ship, guests can catch a glimpse of the ocean, along with a show or something to eat. Boardwalk is an area for the entire family to enjoy together, whether young or just young at heart. The elements of the Boardwalk are a dynamic way to engage families in classic fun with a colorful original carousel as well as casual eateries, retail outlets and carnival games. 

There is plenty to see and do in the Boardwalk and here is a look at what you can look forward to on your next cruise.

Dining

Royal Caribbean offers some terrific dining options in the Boardwalk, including restaurants and bars.

These include

• Restaurants
  • Boardwalk Dog House
  • Sabor (Oasis, Allure and Harmony)
    • Sabor on Allure of the Seas review
    • Sabor on Oasis of the Seas review
  • Johnny Rockets
  • Cups & Scoops (Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas)
  • Starbucks (Harmony of the Seas)
  • Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade (Symphony of the Seas)
  • Sugar Beach candy shop (Symphony of the Seas)
• Bars
  • Sabor Bar

The various restaurants in the Boardwalk are inviting choices for lunch or dinner.  Johnny Rockets is open for breakfast (with no charge for breakfast), and as you stroll the Boardwalk, most of the options are perfect for dropping in for a bite to eat.  The Boardwalk features some of the best dining choices aboard any Royal Caribbean ship.

Staterooms

There are a number of staterooms that offer views of the Boardwalk neighborhood on Oasis-class ships, a feature that is unique to this class of cruise ship. 

On Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships, guests can reserve three types of staterooms that offer a view of the Boardwalk.

Boardwalk View Stateroom with Balcony

Balcony Boardwalk staterooms offer a sitting area (some with sofa bed), minibar and private balcony overlooking the amusements and exciting entertainment down on the Boardwalk.

Boardwalk balcony staterooms are 182 square feet in size, with a 52 square foot private balcony (on Oasis of the Seas, the balcony is 47 square feet).

These rooms are a very popular and attractively priced option. Depending on your stateroom location, there is the possibility of seeing the ocean and/or AquaTheater from the balcony.

Boardwalk View Stateroom

Similar to the Boardwalk View with Balcony rooms, the Boardwalk View rooms are like oceanview staterooms, but with a porthole instead of a balcony that overlooks the Boardwalk.  These rooms offer convenient access to the Boardwalk neighborhood.

The rooms are 187 square feet on Oasis of the Seas and 191 square feet on Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas in size. The rooms feature two twin beds that convert to Royal King, boardwalk view, sitting area, and a private bathroom.

Boardwalk View rooms will cost less than their balcony cousins, but still offer a way to see all the happenings on the Boardwalk.

AquaTheater Suite

One of the most luxurious stateroom options on Oasis-class ships are the AquaTheater suites, which offer the perfect vantage point for entertainment in the AquaTheater.  They also are immaculately furnished and feature private wrap-around balconies and more.

The appeal of these staterooms are the top-of-the-line experience, along with the fantastic views.  It goes without saying that a suite experience is the ultimate way to splurge and enjoy oneself on a cruise, and these AquaTheater suites are tough to beat.

AquaTheater suites range in size, but expect a room around 650-823 square feet in size, with a private balcony that is around 600-803 square feet in size.  Yes, this is a big room.

Entertainment

Like all areas of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the Boardwalk offers many things to see and do as well.

The centerpiece of Boardwalk is a one-of-a-kind carousel. Handcrafted from poplar wood especially for Royal Caribbean, the full-sized, traditional carousel feature 18 figures suspended from stainless steel poles showcasing a time-honored menagerie of animals such as zebras, giraffes and lions, alongside a variety of hand-painted horses including a princess horse and a crowned frog prince.

The lead horse, customarily the fanciest horse of the carousel, is adorned with Royal Caribbean logos, while a single chariot serves as a stationary seat for two. The frame of the carousel has a red and golden yellow facade, turn-of-the-century artwork scenery panels, and LED lights that twinkle during the day and night.

Many shows will take place in the AquaTheater, which is a remarkable outdoor venue that features a backdrop of the ocean across the horizon. Guests will find a variety of shows during the day and a dazzling ocean front theater with water and light shows, and professional aquatic acrobatic and synchronized swimming performances by night. 

The AquaTheater is a distinct high diving, acrobatic performance space introduced by Royal Caribbean with the Oasis class of ships, that feature two 10-meter high platforms and the hydraulic-floored pool, the largest and deepest freshwater pool at sea, below will serve as podiums for high-diving, hair-raising aerobatics that AquaTheater audiences have come to love. With seating for 600 theatergoers, the AquaTheater features some of the very best entertainment found on any Royal Caribbean ship, and the diving shows are not to be missed. 

There are two rock climbing walls that flank the AquaTheater, with multiple climbing routes that offer the right kind of challenge for climbers of all levels.

The Boardwalk Arcade is another fun family option, where you can try your luck at ring toss, skeeball and other beloved carnival games.

Boardwalk Must-Dos

Of all the experiences available in the Boardwalk neighborhood, there are a few must-do activities we recommend all guests check out for themselves.

Take a ride on the Carousel

No cruise aboard an Oasis-class ship 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.

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.

AquaTheater shows

The evening AquaTheater diving and acrobatic shows are some of the best entertainment Royal Caribbean offers and should not be missed.  The shows are awe inspiring athletic and artistic masterpieces that features incredible diving performances.

There are three different shows featured in the evening across the Oasis-class ships.

• Oasis of the Seas: Oasis of Dreams
• Allure of the Seas: OceanAria
• Harmony of the Seas: The Fine Line

Guacamole at Sabor

On three Oasis-class ships, Sabor is priced a la carte, and that means it is easy to drop in for arguably the best food on their menu, the guacamole.  

The guacamole at Sabor is authentic and incredibly tasty, and has been widely regarded by other Royal Caribbean fans as superior to most other guacamole they may have tried.  Enjoy a serving of guacamole and chips either in the restaurant or take it to go to enjoy elsewhere. Regardless, you will find the perfect snack on your cruise.

The Boardwalk is available on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.

What do you enjoy about the Boardwalk? Share your thoughts in our comments!

Guests visiting Royal Caribbean's private destination of CocoCay have a new option for a little privacy and fun.  Beach Bungalows are now available on Royal Caribbean's web site to reserve.

Royal Caribbean built 35 of these beach bungalows in the South Beach area of the island. Each bungalow rental costs $225 and accommodates up to six guests.

Royal Caribbean describes these beach bungalows as a haven of tranquility, a type of "members-only" area. Each beach bungalow includes floating beach mats, water, and beach towels. Transportation to and from Beach Bungalows is via private Cocolimo shuttle transportation.

These new beach bungalows are in addition to the CocoCay cabanas available for rent that have been available for a number of years.

Royal Caribbean has been working on adding upgraded enhancements to CocoCay since July, and the South Beach area is seeing a lot of attention. In addition to the beach bungalows, there are new restrooms that have been added that are just a 5 minute walk from South Beach, as well as 650 new lounge chairs at South Beach.

Thanks to Shannon for alerting us to this news!

Royal Caribbean's unlimited drink packages include a lot of different drinks and in a great majority of drinks, but there are a handful of exceptions. These are few and far between, but it is important to be aware of what is not included prior to making the decision to purchase an unlimited beverage package.

These five drinks are not the only drinks not included in a drink package, but these are the ones most likely to be encountered.

1. Johnny Rockets milkshake

UPDATE: As of July 2018, the milkshakes at Johnny Rockets are included with the drink packages.

If you happen to dine at Johnny Rockets on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you will enjoy some really tasty burgers, fries and onion rings, but if you want to wash it down with a milkshake, you will have to pay extra for it.

The thick and frothy milk shakes that Johnny Rockets are well-known for how good they are, and guests on a drink package will have to pay extra for them.

If you are a Crown and Anchor Society member, all levels usually enjoy a buy one, get one free milkshake coupon that is preloaded on SeaPass cards.

2. Starbucks on Oasis-class ships

On Oasis-class cruise ships, the standalone Starbucks locations serve the same caffeinated beverages many folks enjoy on land, but Starbucks is not included in any drink package.

This can be confusing, since on other classes of Royal Caribbean ships, Starbucks beverages are brewed and included under certain drink packages, but the Starbucks locations on Oasis-class ships are considered standalone Starbucks locations and the drink packages are not covered.

Perhaps one of the new pre-paid coffee drink cards will be available on your cruise to get you plenty of Starbucks drinks to enjoy.

3. Room service

Room service is included in your cruise fare and it is hard to deny the great pleasure of enjoying food brought to your room or private balcony, but do not expect extra-cost beverages to be included with your drink package.

Sodas, beers or any other alcoholic or premium non-alcoholic beverage delivered to your room will come with an extra cost.

4. Minibar

Just like room service, the drinks that are waiting for you in your stateroom's minibar are not included in any drink package.

It can be tempting to grab something out of the minibar, but keep in mind anything taken from the minibar will be charged to your SeaPass card.

5. Very few beers

Royal Caribbean's all-you-can-drink alcohol packages include plenty of beers.  In fact, nearly all the beers available on your Royal Caribbean cruise are included in the drink packages but there are a few exceptions.

In general, the excluded beers come with a slightly higher cost because they are often in rather large size.  Chimay Blue 750ml is the one beer that is not included in the drink packages.

Guests onboard Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas can get a real taste of New York when they dine in the Windjammer's New York Deli. Experience specially prepared deli favorites like pastrami sandwiches, rye bread and kosher pickles that the Big Apple is so well known for.

Welcome to this week's edition of the Royal Caribbean post round-up, where we summarize all of the Royal Caribbean news and information from this week into one handy-dandy post!  There is plenty of great content to enjoy, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's round-up!

Royal Caribbean announced new Empress of the Seas sailings through the end of 2016, which are now available to book.

These new sailings extend through the end of December, and offer a variety of itineraries, including many longer sailings.

Guests can embark on Empress of the Seas sailings that range from 4- to 8-nights, and will visit ports all over the Caribbean.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this news is what was not announced, in that these new sailings signal there will be no Royal Caribbean sailings to Cuba this year.

Royal Caribbean News

• Check out the impressiveness of Harmony of the Seas, as seen in these infographics.
• Sushi to go was spotted on Majesty of the Seas.
• 5 ways to save money on drinks (without buying a drink package).
• Here are the differences between Royal Caribbean's ships.
• 7 tips for a great Royal Caribbean cruise to the Baltic countries.
• The most important things to pack for your Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 159th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we share a first-time Royal Caribbean cruiser's review of Allure of the Seas.

Trying Royal Caribbean for the first time is something a lot of people consider, and this week, James comes on the podcast to review his recent Allure of the Seas sailing.  James discusses what he and his family thought of Royal Caribbean and what their experiences were like onboard.

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 Blog Reader Finds

If you are on a Royal Caribbean cruise and spot something cool, new or just fun, share a photo with us on Facebook or Twitter so we can add it to our Royal Caribbean Blog Reader Finds each Sunday!

Sun coming up over Olympia on the #Rhapsodyoftheseas @theRCLblog pic.twitter.com/vM34UkjhzL

— Luke Gustafson (@lukegus) August 17, 2016

Great time last week on @RoyalCaribbean's #OasisOTS. Amazing dining service & entertainment. @RCLcorp #Cruise #RCI pic.twitter.com/p1qvsCYKr0

— David Stern (@StarshineCruise) August 19, 2016

Smooth seas @RoyalCaribbean @theRCLblog @mpoole3 @jepoole @sonic15e pic.twitter.com/xtLZ1V5aYb

— NV1 (@NickVitani) August 20, 2016

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Planet Minecraft has a full 1:1 scale reproduction of Allure of the Seas. You're welcome, Internet.

Cruise Critic tried the zipline on Harmony of the Seas.

CNN Money looks at the Chinese cruise market that loves cruising.

CruiseHabit has a look at which cruise line is good for first timers.

Eat Sleep Cruise has a full review of the Puzzle Break on Anthem of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean UK has a list of 5 things to love about St. Lucia.

Royal Caribbean shares a look at its security chief.

Royal Caribbean has a fairly large fleet of ships, with 26 different elegant vessels that offer cruises around the world, and often those new to Royal Caribbean may be wondering what the differences are between them.  Understanding what each ship offers makes the decision of which ship to sail on an easier process.

Here is a guide to understanding the similarities and differences among Royal Caribbean's cruise ships and what each class of ship offers.

Royal Caribbean ship classes

Royal Caribbean defines its fleet of ships by the classes.  Think of this like the model of a car, where many ships have a common base among them, and that common base is the distinguishing factor from other classes of ships.  Each class of ships has a similar size, structure and signature offerings that separate themselves from the other classes of ships.  The ship classes are an easy way to group Royal Caribbean ships, and quickly know the basic differences.

Within each class of ships, there can be varying degrees of differences between "sister ships."  These differences vary, with some classes of ship having barely any noticeable differences to other ship classes having more noticeable features among the vessels.  The key concept to understand is that while each class of ships are a grouping, within that grouping there can be more subtle differences between the ships.  As an example, Liberty of the Seas offers water slides, whereas her sister ships of Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas do not.  Royal Caribbean continuously works on and upgrades their ships, with regularly scheduled drydock sessions and these can result in new offerings onboard.

Today, Royal Caribbean has eight classes of ships in the fleet.

Oasis class

These are the largest cruise ships in the world, with seven distinct neighborhoods that help differentiate each area of the ship for easier navigation.  Oasis of the Seas launched in 2009, and was a revolutionary ship because of its overall size and offerings.  Oasis-class ships are known for the Central Park and Boardwalk neighborhoods, as well as the Aqua Theater and zip-line on the ship.   Because of the ship's enormous size, it offers pretty much everything Royal Caribbean is known for.

• Oasis of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas

Quantum class

The newest class of cruise ships, the Quantum class ships are slightly smaller than the Oasis class, but have made their mark on the cruise industry by combining a large ship size with impressive tech. Quantum class ships have two main features that stand out, the North Star observation pod and Two70 theater.  Quantum class ships also feature a Royal Esplanade district, which offers dining, shopping and bars.  Being the newest class of ships, Quantum class ships offer the latest designs onboard and their integration of tech is unparalleled.

• Quantum of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas

Freedom class

The Freedom class ships are known for their size and offering a good mix of activities.  Freedom class ships were the largest in the world when they debuted, but have been dwarfed by newer ships in the last ten years. While no longer the biggest, they are still quite large and offer a lot.  Recent refurbishments have upgraded their offerings and they compare very well to their bigger sister ships.  Freedom class ships offer FlowRiders, a Royal Promenade and cantilevered hot tubs. In terms of value, Freedom class ships are in that "sweet spot" of offering many of the popular amenities Royal Caribbean is known for at a great price.

• Freedom of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas

Voyager class

Voyager class ships were the first class of ships by Royal Caribbean to offer amenities we know come to expect onboard, such as ice skating, the Royal Promenade, miniature golf and more.  In the past few years, Royal Caribbean has refurbished many of the ships in this class to offer even more options for guests.  New restaurants, water slides, entertainment and FlowRiders have provided even more fun onboard.  Voyager class ships are very similar in build and look to Freedom class ships, but slightly smaller.

• Voyager of the Seas
• Adventure of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas

Radiance class

Royal Caribbean designed Radiance class ships to be able to go anywhere, while providing views of the ocean all over the ship.  Radiance class ships are about half the size of the classes of ships mentioned earlier in this post, but they still offer plenty to do onboard. Radiance class ships offer a rock-climbing wall, pools, lounges and sleek design.  Radiance class ships are popular with Royal Caribbean veterans for their elegant offerings and relaxing atmosphere.

• Brilliance of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Radiance of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas

​Vision class

Like the Radiance class, Vision class ships are on the smaller side and offer a great pool deck, casino, themed dining rooms.  Just like the Radiance class, recent refurbishments have brought many new restaurants and entertainment to these ships.  Combined with the great value of a Vision class ship, guess can enjoy cruises to nearly anywhere.

• Enchantment of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Vision of the Seas

What is important to know between the classes

When you compare ships to each other in order to pick one that will be the best fit for your vacation, there is a lot to consider.  Ship size is not the only factor, with many details contributing to the overall decision.  Every Royal Caribbean ship offers a lot to see and do, but if the main features are not of interest to you or the ship is missing something that you want, then it will not be a good fit.  Having a good understanding of the key factors between the ships will make the decision much easier.

Kids

All Royal Caribbean ships offer the award-winning Adventure Ocean program, which provides complimentary supervised programming for children between the ages of 3 and 17. Many families look to Adventure Ocean to be the center piece of their family's day, and cruising with children is at the heart of the Royal Caribbean cruise experience.

The important difference among Royal Caribbean's ships when it comes to kids is knowing that the larger (and newer) the ship, the more wide-ranging facilities and activities there are for kids.  With each new class of ship, Royal Caribbean has placed a larger emphasis on kids facilities and the newest ships certainly offer the most impressive experiences. 

Families should by no means avoid smaller ships.  There is plenty for kids to onboard, but it is important to know the scope of facilities and activities for children is considerably different between a Quantum class ship and a Radiance class ship.

Cost

A very noticeable difference between Royal Caribbean ships is the price.  In general, the price of a cruise on a given ship will go down as newer ships are introduced.  Royal Caribbean charges a premium for its newer ships, and the effect that pricing strategy has on its older ships is prices tend to go down over time.

I believe all of Royal Caribbean's ships offer a tremendous value, but the value of the not-as-new ships provide is hard to overlook.  The newest ships will usually come with a higher price tag, but depending on your desire for the latest and greatest, the price you pay will be affected by it.  Price should not be the sole factor in determining which ship you sail on, but we recognize that it is a powerful factor.

Itinerary

Not all Royal Caribbean ships can visit the same ports, and which area of the world you have in mind to visit may dictate largely which ships you will want to sail on.  It has been hotly debated over the years whether the ship or the destinations are the primary decision making factor, but it is difficult for anyone to overlook the ports a ship will visit because where your ship goes is a major part of the vacation.

Cruises to smaller ports, like Northern Europe, East Asia and the South Pacific may require smaller ships since the docking facilities there are not able to handle larger ships.  Some ports, like those in Alaska, have additional environmental regulations that limit the kind of cruise ships that can visit.

The more popular cruising destinations of the Caribbean and Mediterranean can handle much larger ships, and ports around the world are upgrading their port facilities to be able to handle larger ships.

Onboard offerings

I always share the story of a cruise I took on Brilliance of the Seas to help prove a point about the differences between ship classes.  I was lounging in the Solarium when a guest next to me started vocally complaining to his wife about the lack of things to do onboard.  Into his rant, he mentioned that compared to his recent Oasis of the Seas cruise, there was nothing to do onboard.

The takeaway from this experience is it is important to know what each ship offers (and does not offer) onboard in terms of activities, entertainment, dining and more. If you want a never ending array of "things to do," then lean towards taking a cruise on the larger ships.  If your idea of a good time is lounging by the pool and exploring the ports of call you visit, then any size ship will be fine. The key is knowing if there is a FlowRider, particular specialty restaurant or something else important to you onboard the ship you are considering.

From all-new stage productions to high-tech ice shows, amazing theme parties and breathtaking diving performances, Harmony of the Seas is taking entertainment to the next level. Guests can sing-along with Broadway favorite “Grease” in the Royal Theater or be part of the party with high-energy parades, live DJ performances and even a thrilling escape game, Puzzle Break: Escape the Rubicon!

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!

A change is coming to Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty benefits that will result in the dropping of a balcony discount on last-minute booked cruises.

The Crown & Anchor Society discount that Platinum and above level members enjoy will not be offered on cruises booked less than six months prior to the sail date, beginning on September 1, 2016.

Cruises booked six months or more from sail date will still be eligible for the balcony discount.

Royal Caribbean stated the change was made because a large majority of Crown & Anchor guests reserve outside of the 6 month window, and those that do book sooner often find it more beneficial to take advantage of other promotions that may not be combinable with the balcony discount.

Royal Caribbean News

• A new balcony discount is coming later this month.
• Royal Caribbean is building a new innovation lab at PortMiami.
• This will be the biggest cruise season for Royal Caribbean in Singapore, ever.
• What clothing to wear on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Royal Caribbean drink package prices.
• Everything about food on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Next Cruise details, information and tips.
• 5 things to bring to Labadee to make your trip awesome.
• A look at the fighter jet art on Freedom of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 158th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we share a first-hand review of Empress of the Seas.

Empress of the Seas has recently returned to Royal Caribbean's fleet of ships, and our own Michael Poole had a chance to take a weekend cruise on her. Michael talks about what he liked about the cruise and who would love a cruise on Empress.

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 Blog Reader Finds

If you are on a Royal Caribbean cruise and spot something cool, new or just fun, share a photo with us on Facebook or Twitter so we can add it to our Royal Caribbean Blog Reader Finds each Sunday!

A traditional Nova Scotian welcome to passengers and crew visiting @portofhalifax today aboard #GrandeuroftheSeas! pic.twitter.com/XD9gO7FJt7

— Halifax Seaport (@HalifaxSeaport) August 10, 2016

July 2016- Liberty of the Seas docked in Labadee, Haiti. Onboard 9 night Bermuda and Caribbean! pic.twitter.com/XbmNMUvfUk

— Andrew Page (@AndrewPage_) August 8, 2016

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

On The Water has an interview with the actress that plays Jan in Grease on Harmony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean posted on YouTube a 360 degress ride video from the Ultimate Abyss.

Cruise Fever shared Grandeur of the Seas' perfect CDC health inspection report.

TTG Asia shared the results of a survey by Royal Caribbean that show most Singaporeans underestimate the value of a cruise.

TravelPulse shared a 4K video review of Harmony of the Seas.