Visit our travel agent friends at MEI Travel

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: December 3, 2017

In:
03 Dec 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Another week has gone by and that means we are all one week closer to our next Royal Caribbean cruise!

Royal Caribbean announced earlier this week it will expand sailings to Cuba, as well as add two new ports to visit.

Majesty of the Seas will begin offering sailings to Cuba in 2018, becoming the second Royal Caribbean ship to sail to Cuba after Empress of the Seas. The new Cuba ports will of Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos on the southeast coast, will be visited by Royal Caribbean and add a new dimension to an array of 4- to 8-night Caribbean adventures on Empress of the Seas.

All sailings to Cuba will offer shore excursions designed for guests to experience the destination and to comply with the people-to-people educational exchange activities requirement as set forth in the U.S. regulations.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 226th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, Matt shares his review of Independence of the Seas.

In this episode, Matt returns from a 4-night Western Caribbean sailing on Independence of the Seas, and shares his thoughts on the ship and what he did onboard and onshore.

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

The Miami Herald interviewed various CEOs about what consumers really want.

The Real Deal reported Royal Caribbean's CEO sold his waterfront Miami home.

Asia Food Journal wrote about how Royal Caribbean does food preparation while at sea.

The Street shares how Royal Caribbean uses cruise bookings to predict the economy.

Photo tour of Category 6B Spacious Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony on Independence of the Seas

In:
02 Dec 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Here is a look at the category 6B Spacious Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony Stateroom, which will take you through the cabin to provide an idea of what to expect if you book this category stateroom.

On Independence of the Seas, we reviewed stateroom 7234, which is located on Deck 7 near the forward elevator bank.  The distance to the elevators is quite short, so it made for an easy walk whenever we were forward.  Moreover, it was only two decks from the Royal Promenade, so we were able to do a lot of stairs instead of relying on the elevators.

Entry to the stateroom is by magnetic key card, which is above the door handle.

The room also has a rather large sofa to sit on during the day.

The bed is joined together but can be split apart if need be. There is a large, flat screen television across from it and two night stands on opposite sides of the bed. Access to the balcony is also on the other side of the bed.

This stateroom features a 65 square foot private balcony.

A 6B stateroom features a full bathroom, including a stand up shower.

Video: The Absolute Best Way to Visit Cuba

In:
01 Dec 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean now is sailing to two exciting new ports, in addition to visiting the nations's capital of Havana, guests can now explore Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos on the southeast coast of the island. Plus, guests can stay overnight and experience the island’s vibrant night life.

Friday Photos

In:
01 Dec 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Friday is here and that means so is the weekend and our opportunity to share Royal Caribbean photos that readers sent us!  Every week, we ask our readers to send in their favorite Royal Caribbean photos, so that we can feature them here.

Enjoy this week's photo set!

We begin with a photo by Melanie Phoenix-Edwards of a family photo after dinner at Chops Grille on Harmony of the Seas.

Next is this photo by Kelli Staack of a beautiful sunset, as seen from the Boardwalk on Harmony of the Seas.

Stephanie Bally shared this photo from her recent cruise.

Here is a photo of Explorer of the Seas in Sydney Harbor, taken by Jarrod Quantrelle.

Jenn Ullram took this photo of Anthem of the Seas, while spending the day at CocoCay.

John Bamber shared his boarding photo from his Anthem of the Seas cruise.

Our last photo this week is from Ken Slusser, and it is of a sunset as seen from the back of Independence of the Seas.

Thank you to everyone that shared these great photos.  Do you want your photo included in our weekly photo showcase?  Use this form to send us your favorite Royal Caribbean photos and we will be sure to show it off to the world!

Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas to return to Sydney

In:
01 Dec 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas will return to her homeport of Sydney, Australia on Thursday December 7, 2017, which will mark her second season of cruising down under.

After making her way from Singapore via Fremantle, Adelaide and Hobart, Ovation of the Seas returns to her Sydney summer home port for her second and significantly longer season down under.

Celebrating her second birthday in April 2018, she is the first brand new cruise ship to be based here and represents the single largest investment in Australia’s cruise industry.

At 348 meters long, 18 decks high and weighing 168,666 tons, Ovation of the Seas is the world’s equal-fourth largest cruise ship and the largest cruise ship to ever sail Australian waters, with capacity for 5,000 guests and 1,500 crew.

“The return of our billion dollar baby, Ovation of the Seas, marks a particularly special milestone for us at Royal Caribbean and for Australian travelers, because it also marks our 10th season down under,” says RCL Cruises managing director, Adam Armstrong.

“Ten years ago, our philosophy was to bring the world’s most cutting-edge cruise product to Australia’s doorstep. In 2007, we embarked on a cruising revolution with the mighty Rhapsody of the Seas and today, we continue this proud tradition of delivering Australians with the world’s best holidays at sea with the ground-breaking, all-new Ovation of the Seas, one of our four Australian-based megaliners,” Armstrong said.

With capacity for close to 5000 guests, Ovation of the Seas will deliver significant economic benefits to the state each time she calls. Her first visit to Sydney for the season is expected to inject $2.5 million into the NSW economy in passenger spend alone, and $33 million into NSW throughout the season with 13 turnarounds at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Ovation of the Seas arrives in Sydney at 6:30am with 4800 guests onboard hailing from more than 30 different countries. She will dock at the Overseas Passenger Terminal until 6:30pm, before departing on a 10 night New Zealand cruise.

Symphony of the Seas construction photo update

In:
30 Nov 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean has released a new set of photos that show the construction progress being made on Symphony of the Seas.

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

Royal Caribbean expands Cuba sailings in 2018 and adds two new ports

In:
30 Nov 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean announced today it is doubling its sailings to Cuba in 2018, with two ships offering cruises there - Majesty of the Seas and Empress of the Seas.  In addition, Royal Caribbean is adding two new destinations to itineraries.

The new Cuba ports will of Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos on the southeast coast, will be visited by Royal Caribbean and add a new dimension to an array of 4- to 8-night Caribbean adventures on Empress of the Seas that open for sale today.

Departing from Miami year-round, Empress cruise vacations will include 7-night Best of Cuba itineraries to Cienfuegos, Havana and Nassau, Bahamas; 5-night sailings visiting Key West, Florida and spending the night in Havana; and an immersive 8-night journey to Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba, Grand Cayman, and Labadee, Haiti. Majesty of the Seas will continue the 4- and 5-night offerings to Havana that include day and overnight stays, departing from Tampa from April to October 2018, and Ft. Lauderdale from November 2018 to March 2019.

All sailings to Cuba will offer shore excursions designed for guests to experience the destination and to comply with the people-to-people educational exchange activities requirement as set forth in the U.S. regulations.

“Cuba is such an important part of Caribbean culture, and we can’t wait to call on Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos next year, showcasing even more of the country’s scenic beauty, rich history and distinctive architecture,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Cruising remains the easiest way to visit Cuba, and with both Empress and Majesty sailing there in 2018 and 2019, we hope to make it that much easier for adventure seekers to experience the legendary island.”

Excursion Focus: Nachi Cocom Beach Break review in Cozumel, Mexico

In:
29 Nov 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

For years, I have read so many glowing reviews of Nachi Cocom Beach Club in Cozumel, Mexico that I just had to try it out for myself to see what all the clamor was all about.

Nachi Cocom is an all-inclusive resort that offers guests a day pass experience, where they can enjoy unlimited refreshments, food, and access to pristine water on the beach and pool.  It also distinguishes itself by advertising it limits the amount of guests that may visit on any given day to ensure no crowds.

While in Cozumel on a recent Independence of the Seas cruise, I decided to bring the family and experience Nachi for myself.

Description

Nachi Cocom is an all-inclusive beach resort minutes away by taxi to where Royal Caribbean docks its ships.  It is a private beach that is roughly 1980 square feet in size, that features a number of amenities including:

  • Outdoor Jacuzzi
  • Outdoor swimming pool
  • 1 swim up bar
  • 1 beach bar
  • Restrooms
  • Fresh water Showers (outdoor)
  • Hammocks
  • Palapas "Natural umbrellas" (first come, first serve).
  • English speaking staff
  • On site accessible self- parking
  • Private Dock
  • Lounge chairs
  • Free Wireless internet Service

Getting to Nachi means likely taking a taxi.  On our trip, it cost $17 each way for the taxi (total, not per person) from where our Royal Caribbean ship docks.  The drive is maybe 10-15 minutes, and is in an area of Cozumel that is does not have much except for beaches and natural vegetation.  There is a parking lot that you can park at, if you choose to rent your own car.

Upon arrival, you are greeted by a staff member who will welcome you and take your group photo (which will later be offered to sell to you).  Afterwards, you check-in at the kiosk to confirm your reservation.

Reservations are strongly encouraged, and can be made via the website.  Reservations require a small deposit to secure your spot, with the remainder of the cost paid at check-in.  They take cash or credit cards (Visa or Master Card). Be sure to bring a print out of your confirmation.

At the time of this review, the cost of admission was as follows:

  • Adult (16 years old and over): $55 per person
  • Child 12-15 years old: $39 per person
  • Child 04-11 years old: $19 per person
  • Infant 3 and under: $0

After you are checked-in, you will be assigned a waiter who will allow you to pick a spot on the beach.  The spots, which are palapas that have lounge chairs underneath, are first-come, first served.

Once you pick a spot, you are free to explore the grounds.  There is a large beachfront access, along with private pool and hot tub.  Towards the back of Nachi are some hammocks.

Your waiter is your go-to representative while at Nachi.  He will take your drink and food orders, and deliver them right to your palapa.  You do have the option of going to the swim up bar at the pool, or the beach pool if you prefer.  There are seats at both bars to enjoy drinks.

Nachi does not offer activities, but they do partner with a third-party company that offers beach massages, water sport rentals, parasailing and more.  The representatives for this company can be found roaming the beach, if you so choose.

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included with the price of admission, and you can order as much of each as you like.  On our visit, the kitchen did not open until 10:30am, but once it opened, we could order as much as we liked throughout the day.  Likewise, the drink service is available as soon as Nachi opens, and offers beer, cocktails, shots, and pretty much anything else you would expect to find at a bar.

Comments

On an island that offers so many beach experiences, Nachi Cocom has built a reputation on offering great service, and low crowds.  After my visit, I can see why Nachi stands out among the choices.

We tried Nachi Cocom based on reputation, and for a relaxing day for kids and adults.  At its heart, Nachi is all about relaxing and lounging on the beach, by the pool, or both.  Nachi intentionally does not offer tons of activities, because it wants a low-key experience for its guests.  For some, that may be a problem but we enjoyed taking it easy.  For us (and especially the kids), it was about enjoying time in the water.

The food was pretty good, and certainly indicative of the kind of freshly made Mexican cuisine that we have always enjoyed.  While it may not be the best local food in Cozumel, it does offer some good choices across a good-sized menu.  If you are looking for truly authentic Mexican cuisine, you may not find it here, but the food at Nachi is still better than some overly touristy spots downtown.

Overall, Nachi Cocom is the kind of place families and friends can go for a relaxing day by the beach, with plenty of food and drink to go around. The admission price for Nachi is quite reasonable, especially for those that plan to drink a lot.  We found the cost for our young children to be extremely good.  The level of service and terrific atmosphere at Nachi make it clear why so many people have been a fan of Nachi Cocom for so long.

Independence of the Seas Cruise Review on Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

In:
29 Nov 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Hey everyone! Episode 226 of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available for your listening pleasure.

This week, Matt is back from his latest Royal Caribbean cruise on Independence of the Seas and is sharing everything about his experience onboard this impressive ship.  From what's new on the ship to the dining to the ports of call, this episode is full of details from Matt's cruise experience.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 226. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS 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!

Royal Caribbean's Cyber Week sale offers up to $150 to spend at sea

In:
28 Nov 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean is continuing the Cyber Monday fun with a Cyber Week Sale, with some bonus savings included.

Royal Caribbean cruises booked between 11/28/17 through 12/4/17 11:59 p.m. EST on sailings departing on or after 12/28/17 are valid for this sale.

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.
  • Kids Sail for Less includes 25% cruise fare savings for 3rd guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests.
  • Cyber Week Sale provides onboard credit determined by category booked and sailing length:
    • $50 to spend onboard for Interior and Ocean View on sailings 5 nights or less
    • $75 to spend onboard for Balconies and Suites on sailings 5 nights and less
    • $50 to spend onboard for Interior and Ocean View on sailings 6 nights and longer
    • $100 to spend onboard for Balconies on sailings 6 nights or longer
    • $150 to spend onboard for Suites on sailings 6 nights or longer

Cyber Week Sale offer excludes China departures. Offer is combinable with select promotions.

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