Royal Caribbean Blog

With the new year just days away, that means a brand new year of Royal Caribbean cruises to enjoy and with it, some changes.  I have picked out six of the most significant changes that guests going on a cruise in 2020 are likely to notice.

Coco Beach Club opening 

Royal Caribbean estimated the Coco Beach Club and the floating cabanas are slated to open on January 31, 2020.

The Coco Beach Club is a exclusive area of Perfect Day at CocoCay that offers an oceanfront infinity pool, upgraded cuisine and the only floating cabanas in the Bahamas. Plus, there is a complimentary restaurant at Coco Beach Club featuring lobster, snapper, and steak— plus a buffet of soups, salads, and starters. 

The Coco Beach Club will offer the first and only floating cabanas in The Bahamas that seeks to offer guests with an additional level of luxury.

Allure of the Seas amplification & summer in Europe

In summer 2020, Allure of the Seas will get her turn for a massive $165 million amplification that  will add new features, including the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, completely redesigned Adventure Ocean kids and teens spaces, the first Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, and Quantum Class original Music Hall.

After the work is completed, Allure will offer 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises sailing roundtrip from Barcelona during the summer 2020 season.

In November 2020, Allure will make its way coast to coast to Miami for the winter season.

Odyssey of the Seas launch

Anytime a new cruise ship launches, that is a big deal, and the second Quantum Ultra Class ship will make her debut in November 2020.

Odyssey of the Seas will be the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to arrive in North America, and will feature a two-level pool deck, as well as a collection of restaurant choices to enjoy.

Odyssey's inaugural year will kick off with 8- and 6-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, FL. She will then sail to her homeport of Rome in May 2021 and become the first Quantum Ultra Class ship to cruise Europe for the summer. 

End of neighborhood balcony perks

When the calendar changes from 2019 to 2020, the neighborhood balcony perks on Oasis Class ships will cease to be offered.  Royal Caribbean announced in September 2019 that it would end the program on all sailings departing on or after January 1, 2020.

The Dine, Drink & Discover program offered extra benefits to guests who booked Boardwalk Balcony and Central Park Balcony staterooms on Oasis Class ships. 

If you had a neighborhood balcony room booked before September 18, 2019, then you will be grandfathered in for any sailing departing on-or-after January 1st, 2020. 

Royal Caribbean returns to New Orleans

Royal Caribbean will mark its return to offering cruises from the Big Easy, with Majesty of the Seas being homeported from New Orleans.

Majesty of the Seas will sail 7 night sailings primarily to the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay, with some Western Caribbean itineraries too.

Explorer of the Seas & Freedom of the Seas amplifications

In addition to the upgrades for Allure of the Seas, the Royal Amplified program will also enhance Explorer of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas.

Freedom of the Seas will be first up for changes in March 2020, with a $116 million amplification that will add the Perfect Storm duo of waterslides, a redesigned Adventure Ocean, a Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and a reimagined pool deck that will feature Splashaway Bay, El Loco Fresh and The Lime & Coconut.

Beginning in May 2020, Explorer of the Seas will be reimagined with a $110 million amplification that will add the Perfect Storm racer waterslides, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen; a redesigned, resort-style poolscape with signature poolside bar The Lime & Coconut; and transformed kids and teens spaces. 

Which Royal Caribbean change are you most excited about for 2020? Tell us in the comments!

Good news, we are all one week closer to our next Royal Caribbean cruise!  In case you missed any of the Royal Caribbean fun from this week, here is our weekly round up!

Royal Caribbean made headlines this week with the announcement it will build a brand new state-of-the-art cruise terminal in Galveton, and announced it will send an Oasis Class cruise ship there to be homeported.

Allure of the Seas will be based in Galveston, beginning in November 2021 and offer 7-night sailings.

The brand new Terminal 3 will be big enough to handle Royal Caribbean's largest cruise ships, including an Oasis Class ship or the new Icon Class ships slated to debut in 2022.

Royal Caribbean News

• A volcano in New Zealand erupted while a Royal Caribbean shipw as nearby.
• Royal Caribbean cancelled all shore excursions that visit active volcanoes.
• Spectrum of the Seas sailings from China in 2021 were released.
• There are still a few days left in Royal Caribbean's pre-cruise sale.
• Check out our first timer's guide to Oasis of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean was named Best Cruise Line Overall for the 17th consecutive year.
• I shared my favorite Royal Caribbean cruise hacks.
• When is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?
• We made a new video that looks at ten awesome free things to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Russia has announced new rules for cruise ship visitors that go to St. Petersburg on your own.
• Our full review of the Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 332nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, Matt talks with podcast listener Kurt about his recent Adventure of the Seas cruise.

In this episode, Kurt shares why he booked Adventure of the Seas, what he thought of the ship, activities, excursions and more during his sailing.

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.

Cruise with Matt to New England and Canada!

Have you heard about our group cruise for readers and staff of RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com aboard Brilliance of the Seas? This is an exclusive group where we are inviting you, our readers, to join us on a fantastic Brilliance of the Seas sailing on an 7-night cruise to Canada & New England.

This Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise is all about enjoying a fun Royal Caribbean cruise along with other fans who are big fans of Royal Caribbean.  Don't miss this opportunity to check out the amazing ship as well as be a part of exclusive events for those that book with our group!

For more details on booking the cruise, the itinerary and prices, check out the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise page and if you have any questions, email me!

New RCB Video: 6 things you should buy before Royal Caribbean raises the price

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 6 things you should buy before Royal Caribbean raises the price — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Cruise Addicts wrote about how cruising on the world's biggest cruise ship is just different.

Travel Awaits listed 8 things you can do at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean has come away with a number of awards at the Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards, including the honor of being named the “Best Cruise Line Overall” and “Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean” for the 17th year in a row and “Best Cruise Line Sales & Service” for the 12th consecutive year.

~Me and Christi, with one of the gongs, @RoyalCaribbean won Best Entertainment, in the industry. #SymphonyoftheSeas is best ship (with... #Flight, #Hairspray, #HiRO, #1977) and a bunch more awards! A great year for us. @TWRCA @TWtravelnews https://t.co/2N47duWaKP pic.twitter.com/bHHLwlEHzV

— Nick Weir (@NickWeirShowbiz) December 13, 2019

The 2019 awards were held at the Conrad New York in New York City, and the awards recognize the best in travel, as voted on by the travel advisor community. 

The 2019 awards gala in New York City, recognizing the best of the best in travel as voted on by the growing travel advisor community, also honored the cruise line with the following awards once again: “Best Overall Individual Cruise Ship” for Symphony of the Seas and “Best Entertainment.”

The complete list of awards won by Royal Caribbean include:

• Best in Cruises Lines: Caribbean
• Best in Cruises Lines: Entertainment
• Best in Cruises Lines: Sales & Service
• Best in Cruises Lines: Overall
• Best in Cruise Ships: Overall Individual (Symphony of the Seas)

The awards are presented to suppliers considered by Travel Weekly readers as those that have led the way in product and service in the past year.         

If it's Friday, that means we are sharing our reader's best Royal Caribbean photos in this week's Friday Photos showcase.  As always, we want to include as many of our readers photos as we can, so be sure to send us your best Royal Caribbean photos too!

Our first photo is by Lynne Easterbrook, and it is a view of Sydney Harbour from her balcony.

Next up is a shot of Julie's son, Dylan, enjoying his first visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Gillian Barbara Sheila Miller sent in this photo of Independence of the Seas docked in Lisbon, Portugal.

Tyler Ryan sent in this photo from Navigator of the Seas, docked with another Royal Caribbean ship next to her.

We go back to Sydney for our next photo, with a look at Radiance of the Seas by Big Tule.

Kevin Lee snapped this photo while enjoying another fine day at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Speaking of CocoCay, Maureen McFarland takes us back to the island before the Perfect Day changeover.

Our final photo this week is by Tammy Winklepleck, and it is a look at Oasis of the Seas docked in Labadee.

Do you have Royal Caribbean photos that you want to share?  We'd love to feature them so send them in by using our nifty submission form and maybe your photos will show up in next week's edition!

Royal Caribbean announced it will send the first Oasis Class ship to be home ported from Galveston, Texas in 2021.

In conjunction with the cruise line's announcement it has signed a long-term agreement to build a brand new state-of-the-art cruise terminal in Galveston, Allure of the Seas will sail from Galveston beginning in 2021.

Allure will sail 7-night Caribbean itineraries from Galveston and will be the biggest and boldest ship sailing from the Lone Star state. It appears the first sailing will be November 10, 2021.

“We are excited to partner with the Port of Galveston to develop a world-class facility which will allow us to sail our newest, largest and most innovative ships from Texas starting with Allure of the Seas, one of the largest ships in the world,” Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “The new terminal will allow us to increase our guests to the region by 50% generating a $100 million economic impact within the first year of operation.”

In November 2021, the newly completed terminal will welcome one of the largest cruise ships in the world, Allure of the Seas. 

Allure of the Seas is scheduled to under go a $165 Royal Amplification in summer 2020, that will add a variety of new amenities, activities and things to do onboard. 

Among the many changes, Allure will receive the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea that touts a 10-story plunge; The Perfect Storm, a thrilling trio of multistory waterslides; and an array of culinary possibilities with more restaurants, including the introduction of Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar and returning favorites Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and El Loco Fresh; and more.

Royal Caribbean revealed the 2021 sailings for Spectrum of the Seas from China and are available to book.

In 2021, Spectrum of the Seas will sail from Shanghai, China and offer a variety of sailings to destinations around the Far East.  Spectrum will also offer culturally-immersive sailings with stops at some of Japan’s most incredible destinations.

You can view all of Spectrum of the Seas 2021 sailings.

Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society members can begin booking sailings on December 12, 2019, with the general public available to begin booking on December 13, 2019.

Royal Caribbean packs its cruise ships with so many fun things to do, and many have no additional cost to enjoy.

In this video, we have a look at some of my favorite things to do on a Royal Caribbean ship that is included with your cruise fare.

And if you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

So check out the video and then let us know: What is your favorite free activity on a Royal Caribbean ship?

Royal Caribbean's Season's Savings Sale offers guests 30% off every guest, Kids Sail Free and bonus onboard credit of up to $150.

Season’s Savings Sale applies to new bookings made between December 12 - 16, 2019

• 30% off cruise fare for all guests in the stateroom
  • Cruise must be booked between December 4 - 26, 2019
  • Offer applies to select sailings departing on or after January 4, 2020. 
• Kids Sail Free applies to new bookings made between December 4 - 26, 2019.
  • Kids Sail Free provides free cruise fare for 3rd guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger as of cruise departure date, booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests in a triple of quad-occupancy stateroom.
  • Kids Sail Free applies to select 4-night or longer Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, CaribNE, Coastal, Europe, Hawaii, Repositioning and all Serenade of the Seas Alaska 2020 sailings departing between January 4, 2020 - December 17, 2020.
  • Offer excludes Odyssey of the Seas Europe sailings, President’s Day sailings (Sailings between February 14 – 17, 2020), Spring Break sailings (Sailings between March 14 – 23, 2020), Holy Week/Easter sailings (Sailings between April 3 – 17, 2020), Peak Summer sailings (Sailings between May 15 – August 31, 2020) and Thanksgiving sailings (Sailings between November 21 - 28, 2020).
  • Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional and apply to all guests.   
• Season’s Savings Sale offers up to $150 onboard credit per stateroom to spend at sea on select sailings departing on or after January 12, 2020.
  • OBC amount determined by category booked and sailing length:
    • Sailings 5 nights or less, $25 OBC for Interior and Ocean View, $50 for Balconies and $75 for Suites
    • Sailings 6 nights or longer, $50 OBC for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $150 for Suites
  • Onboard credit does not apply to China departures.   

30% Off Every Guest and Kids Sail Free are combinable with each other as well as with promotional OBCs, NextCruise offers, instant savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Free Upgrades, Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. Season’s Savings Sale is combinable with 30% Off Every Guest and Kids Sail Free, as well as with promotional OBCs, NextCruise offers, Instant Savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Free Upgrades, and Shareholder Benefits, but not combinable with Crown and Anchor discounts. Offers are not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events, and Net Rates. Promo Code driven offers are based on select ships and sail dates and must be applied at time of booking; limit one promo code per booking.

Offer available to residents of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and select countries in the Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean and the Port of Galveston signed a long-term agreement to build a new cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston.

Rendering of the new cruise terminal design

The Houston Chronicle reports the agreement was approved by the Port of Galveston's board on Wednesday, and will result in Royal Caribbean investing around $100 million to construct the 150,000-square-foot Terminal 3, which is slated to open in November 2021.

The new cruise terminal will be big enough to handle Royal Caribbean's largest cruise ships, including an Oasis Class ship or the new Icon Class ships slated to debut in 2022.

The facility will feature state-of-the-art technology, including mobile check-in and facial recognition to expedite guest arrival. The terminal will be designed and developed sustainably to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental) certification standards.

Royal Caribbean has strongly hinted at the possibility of an Oasis Class ship coming to Galveston over the last year. Moreover, Royal Caribbean's schedule for its Oasis Class ships is released through early 2022, with the exception of Allure of the Seas. Allure has no scheduled sailings currently available to book beyond November 2021.

Terminal 3 will be built on 10 acres of land at Pier 10, and will be used by Royal Caribbean, which will lease the terminal land for 20 years. The cruise line will then have the option of extending that lease for an additional 10 years, up to four times.

While some preliminary work has already begun on the terminal, construction of the terminal will begin in April 2020.

The port will be responsible for items including maintenance, a new surface parking lot, and improvements to the dock to accommodate the larger vessels. Royal Caribbean will help with the cost of improving the docks.

Royal Caribbean informed its guests that it will no longer offer shore excursions that visit a volcano.  

In the wake of the tragedy on White Island in New Zealand, the cruise line sent emails to guests with shore excursions booked for a volcano visit anywhere that those tours will be cancelled. 
 

In the next 24 hours, guests will receive an updated invoice advising of the full refund, which they can expect to see back on the  original form of payment within 7-10 business days.