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Restaurant Review: Chops Grille on Harmony of the Seas

In:
05 Sep 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

On a recent Harmony of the Seas cruise, we took the opportunity to try Chops Grille.  With dining packages becoming so popular, we decided to visit the Royal Caribbean specialty restaurant of all time (historically speaking).

Chops Grille is located on deck 8 in Central Park.  Having dined at Chops Grille on a number of other ships, it has always been a reliable and delectable restaurant.  The ambiance alone is worth the reservation.

Guests have the option to dine inside or outside, although the weather may dictate how viable the outdoor seating is for your enjoyment.  

The Chops Grille menu on Harmony of the Seas features the "classic menu", as opposed to the new Chops Grille menu that is starting to make its way around the fleet. The differences are mostly minor, but it is worth noting that the dinner menu may change soon too on Harmony of the Seas (if it has not already).

Every Chops Grille meal begins with a serving of breads and butter. I enjoyed the different choices, with the hard roll being a favorite.

My favorite appetizer is the French Onion Soup, which is served with a generous amount of onions underneath a cheese and bread topping.  You can find French Onion Soup in the main dining room, among other places, and I really think the French Onion Soup from Chops Grille is the best.

We also tried the mesculun salad, which has a very good balsamic dressing.  Not too rich or overpowering, and the greens were fresh and crunchy.  

Of course, the star attraction at Chops Grille are the steaks.  Guests have the choice of a number of cuts of meat, including dry age steaks that cost extra.  Having tried the dry aged steaks on Anthem of the Seas, I felt confident in sticking with a tried and true Chops Grille favorite: the filet mignon.

While I might sometimes prefer the NY Strip steak for the flavor, the tenderness and lean cut of the filet mignon always makes it a great choice.  Like so many other times at Chops Grille, the steak was cooked exactly the way I wanted it.  Your waiter will also provide a choice of steak sauces to add, such as a bearnaise sauce.

Of course, the sides you can order at Chops Grille really enhance the main course.  We tried the roasted mushrooms and Gruyère Cheese Tater Tots. I could probably be satisfied with a meal consisting just of the mushrooms, so combining the mushrooms with the steak is a recipe for one happy blogger.

For dessert, I traditionally order the red velvet cake, but decided to try something different this time.  The Huckleberry Cheesecake is a relatively new dessert option that many really enjoy.  I opted to have my Huckleberry sauce on the side just so I could manage the cake to sauce ratio (I prefer a hint of sauce, rather than a dousing).

Conclusion

Having dined at Chops Grille for many years, on many ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, I can safely say that the Chops Grille experience remains a quality dining experience. The consistency of the food and service is excellent, and dining at Chops Grille in Central Park adds another level to the overall experience.

While I may have preferred the beef tenderloin from 150 Central Park, I certainly did not regret my Chops Grille meal in the least bit.

There is one consideration about dining at Chops Grille on Harmony of the Seas, and that is the price.  These days, dinner at Chops Grille will run $49 per person, which is a lot for any specialty restaurant. If you have sticker shock about it, the best strategy is to consider a dining package to help bring the cost down.  Dining packages will cost you more in total out of pocket, but the per dinner experience is typically slashed considerably and that makes the value of Chops Grille far better.

If you have dined at Chops Grille many times as well, you will find Chops Grille to be a familiar choice and very similar to other Chops Grille restaurants across the fleet. If you are new to Royal Caribbean, Chops Grille is a solid choice for anyone that wants a really good specialty restaurant experience. 

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: September 2, 2017

In:
03 Sep 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a wonderful weekend and we cannot wait to share with you all the exciting Royal Caribbean news from this week!

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas returned to Galveston this week, following a week-long detour to avoid Hurricane Harvey.

The Port of Galveston re-opened to cruise ship traffic earlier in the week, and Liberty of the Seas arrived on Friday.  

Liberty of the Seas is planning to depart on September 3rd for her regularly scheduled sailing.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 213th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we share a first-time Royal Caribbean cruiser's review of Oasis of the Seas.

In this episode, Mike and Michelle talk about their first Royal Caribbean cruise experience after years of cruising with Disney Cruise Line.

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

Cruise Habit shared the reason why power strips are not allowed on cruise ships.

US Business Leadership Network named Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd one of the best places to work for disability inclusion.

USA Today compared Harmony of the Seas to the Norwegian Escape.

Cruise Critic wrote about the drop in drink package prices for Australians.

Moms of the Seas answered the question if Oasis of the Seas is toddler friendly.

Royal Caribbean changes Allure of the Seas' itinerary due to Hurricane Irma

In:
01 Sep 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean announced it has changed the scheduled itinerary for Allure of the Seas due to the recently developed Category 2 hurricane.

Hurricane Irma is expected to begin a northwest turn just before Saint Maarten on Wednesday, according to Royal Caribbean Chief Meteorologist James Van Fleet.

Given the storm's location and for the comfort and safety of our guests and crew, Royal Caribbean felt it necessary to alter the currently scheduled Eastern Caribbean itinerary for Allure of the Seas September 3 to a Western Caribbean itinerary. The new itinerary is outlined below.

DATEDAYPORTARRIVALDEPARTURE
03-SepSundayFort Lauderdale, Florida 4:30PM
04-SepMondayAt Sea
05-SepTuesdayCozumel, Mexico8:00AM7:00PM
06-SepWednesdayAt Sea
07-SepThursdayFalmouth, Jamaica8:00AM3:00PM
08-SepFridayLabadee, Haiti10:30AM6:30PM
09-SepSaturdayAt Sea
10-SepSundayFort Lauderdale, Florida6:00AM 

Pre-booked shore excursions for our previous ports of call will be cancelled and refunded to the guest’s original form of payment while onboard. Guests will also have the ability to book shore excursions for our new ports of call at the Shore Excursions desk onboard Allure of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean noted they do not expect to make any further itinerary changes, but it may happen depending on the path of the storm.

James Van Fleet will continue to offer more frequent updates on his twitter account.

Friday Photos

In:
01 Sep 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

This week's batch of beautiful Royal Caribbean photos is here and it's always fun to share with all of you the great photos our readers take while on their cruise vacation.

The photos we have to show this week are fun and of course anyone can send us their Royal Caribbean photos to use as well!

We begin with Joe Carolan's photo of Enchantment of the Seas in Nassau, Bahamas. If you look close enough you can see the Majesty's Viking Crown Lounge.

Next, here is a photo from Navigator of the Seas by Irina. I have been on Navigator a number of times, but do not recall ever finding this.

Phillip Webster took this photo while in Havana, Cuba, on Empress of the Seas.  They took the photo in a 1952 Buick.

Karina D'Avignon took this photo while snorkeling in Bonaire, while on Navigator of the Seas. 

Here is a shot of Allure of the Seas, taken in Port Everglades while Ken was aboard Freedom of the Seas.

Check out this photo in Wonderland on Harmony of the Seas, taken by George Alcázar.  Great view of the Boardwalk!

Our last photo this week comes to us from Thomas Lemmer.  It is of Anthem 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 offering up to 30% off Cruise Planner purchases with Labor Day Weekend sale

In:
01 Sep 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean is offering up to 30% off certain Cruise Planner purchases during its Labor Day Weekend sale.

Guest that log into the Cruise Planner will find certain items discounted.  The exact discount available will vary from sailing to sailing, but we spotted the Royal Refreshment package discounted 30% off, along with similar discounts for many spa treatments and some shore excursions.

Based on the countdown timer, the sale expires at midnight on Tuesday, September 5 2017.

Royal Caribbean offering BOGO 50% off second guest, discount for kids and bonus spending during Labor Day Sale

In:
01 Sep 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean's Labor Day Sale is offering guests 50% off the second guest, kids sail for less, and up to $250 in spending money onboard.

The Labor Day Sale is valid on cruises must booked between September 1, 2017 through September 5, 2017 at 12:00 AM EST  and applies to sailings departing on or after October 1, 2017. 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.
  • Labor Day sale provides onboard credit determined by category booked and sailing length:
    • $25 to spend onboard for interior and oceanview on sailings 5 nights or less
    • $50 to spend onboard for balconies and suites on sailings 5 nights and less
    • $50 to spend onboard for interior and oceanview on sailings 6 nights and longer
    • $75 to spend onboard for balconies on sailings 6 nights or longer
    • $100 to spend onboard for suites on sailings 6 nights or longer
  • Deck the Holidays Deals offer provides additional onboard credit for guests who book a holiday sailing departing from December 19, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and December 18, 2018 through December 31, 2018.
    • Includes an onboard credit determined by category booked and sailing length: $25 more to spend onboard for interior and oceanview on sailings 5 nights or less, $50 more to spend onboard for balconies and suites on sailings 5 nights and less, $50 more to spend onboard for interior and oceanview on sailings 6 nights and longer, $100 more to spend onboard for balconies on sailings 6 nights or longer, and $150 more to spend onboard for suites on sailings 6 nights or longer.

BOGO offer is combinable with NRDB OBC, promotional OBCs and instant savings, NextCruise offers, restricted discounts (for example, Senior, Resident, Military), Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. Deck the Holidays sale is combinable with NextCruise offers, NRDB OBC, and restricted discounts (for example, Senior, Resident, Military) but is not combinable with Shareholder benefits and Crown and Anchor discounts. BOGO50 bookings made for China departures are combinable with NextCruise offers and Crown and Anchor balcony/suites discounts only. All 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, Net Rates.

Port of Galveston reopens for return of Liberty of the Seas

In:
31 Aug 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

The Port of Galveston announced the Captain of the Port has opened the Port of Galveston (Galveston Ship Channel) and surrounding area to all inbound/outbound vessels with a draft of 33ft or less in daylight only.

The re-opening of the port means cruise ships, like Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, are able to dock there once again following the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey.

Liberty of the Seas is on her way back to Galveston, and is due to arrive on Friday morning.    Royal Caribbean is expecting Liberty of the Seas' next sailing to take place on Sunday, September 3rd. 

Royal Caribbean recommends those traveling to Liberty of the Seas review the latest information on road conditions at the Texas Department of Transportation’s website.

Both of Houston's airports, George Bush International Airport and Hobby Airport, resumed operations with limited domestic airline passenger service yesterday afternoon.  Authorities at both airports are expecting to resume full service by this weekend.

Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist, James Van Fleet is onboard Liberty of the Seas and will continue to monitor the situation in the Galveston/Houston area.

Royal Caribbean has a phone number open for guests that have questions about their upcoming Liberty of the Seas sailing, or if you are coping with significant storm impacts that affect your ability to get away for your cruise. The phone number is 1-800-256-6649.

Royal Caribbean updates website with new look to booking engine

In:
31 Aug 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean has updated the look to the part of its website where visitors can book their cruise.

The updated look makes quickly comparing prices between different sailings simpler, as users can click between different sail dates and see pricing without leaving the search result page.

Do you like the new design for the cruise booking engine? Share your thoughts in the comments!

First timers try Oasis of the Seas on Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

In:
30 Aug 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

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

Episode 213 is available for downloading, which has a review of Oasis of the Seas by two first time Royal Caribbean cruisers.

Matt has tried for years to convince two of his friends to finally try Royal Caribbean after only cruising Disney Cruise Line. This week, Mike and Michelle share their experience on their first Royal Caribbean cruise from onboard Oasis of the Seas. They share what they liked and did not like about their first time on Royal Caribbean.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 213. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSSStitcher 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!

25 tips for a great day at Royal Caribbean's Labadee

In:
29 Aug 2017
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean's private destination of Labadee in Haiti has been a popular cruise destination for many years, and whether you are planning a day for the first time or fifteenth time, it seems like there is so much to see and do.

We decided to share our top tips for the best things to see, do, eat, and explore on Labadee.

1. Labadee is quite beautiful when you see it in person and via photos, but underneath that gorgeous blue water are some rocks.  You should consider buying water shoes to use in Labadee (and other beach stops during your cruise).  Water shoes are easy to pack, fairly inexpensive, and make exploring the underwater world of Labadee super easy.  It also makes getting around Labadee, both on land and in the water, simpler and easier.

For adults, try the Aleader brand water shoes for men and women because not only do they protect your feet, they also do not look like typical water shoes.  For the kids, try the Northside Brille II Water Shoe for girls and the Aleader Boys Water Shoes.

2. There is no need to worry about being hungry on Labadee, because Royal Caribbean provides lunch on the island at three different locations.  Lunch on Labadee consists of salads, burgers, hot dogs, chicken and more freshly prepared food.  Lunch begins serving at 11:00am.

3. Just like onboard your Royal Caribbean ship, the SeaPass card is the primary method of purchasing things on Labadee.  The only exception are the craft markets, where locals sell items to you.  It is probably a good idea to bring a little bit of cash with you, but your SeaPass card works in most places too.

4. The premier attraction in Labadee is the Dragon's Breath Flight Line.  From the mountaintop launch point, guests glide down the zip line over the ocean at speeds of 40 to 50 mph.  It is not just a fun thrill, but also provides the best view of Labadee available.

5. If you are interested in having some extra privacy, or cushier accommodations in Labadee, then you should consider renting a cabana or beach bungalow.  Each provides a secluded spot for you and your family to enjoy.  Guests can reserve a cabana or beach bungalow before their cruise, by visiting Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner.  They can also be rented once onboard the ship, but they tend to rent quickly.

6. If cabanas or bungalows are a bit out of your price range, beach beds and beach loungers are two inexpensive rental options that also provide a more comfortable day in Labadee.

7. If you are looking for a bit of nature, be sure to check out the nature trails, located throughout Labadee.  Labadee has a lot of natural beauty to behold and walking around will give you a good sense of the layout of the beaches as well as an appreciation for the natural wonders. Be sure to bring your camera.

8. Columbus Cove is the least crowded beach in Labadee, but can be a far walk to get to.  Look for a complimentary ferry ride that takes guests from the dock that your cruise ship is docked at, and brings you right to Columbus Cove.  Not only is it quick and convenient, but it provides a beautiful view of Labadee.

9. If you need to get around Labadee without walking, Royal Caribbean provides a complimentary shuttle service that takes guests all along the middle of Labadee.  There are clearly marked tram stations, where you can grab the next shuttle.

10. Young children may find a lot of fun at the Adventure Ocean Oasis, located roughly in the middle of Adrenaline Beach.  This is a splash pad area, with fountains, geysers, and buckets of water spraying everywhere.  It can be the perfect spot for children to play, and for you to cool off.

11. Speaking of Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean's award-winning children's programming, Adventure Ocean, will be open while the ship is docked in Labadee.  This can be a great option for adults who want to take in an excursion, but need supervision for their children.

12. Your Royal Caribbean drink packages will work while in Labadee, just like they do onboard the ship.

13. Kids (and those young at heart) will gravitate towards Arawak Aqua Park, which is an aqua park in Columbus Cove. There, you will find floating trampolines, pyramids and water slides.

14. There is also the Dragon's Splash Waterslide located nearby to the Aqua park and features a 300-foot slide that drops you into a 18-foot splash zone.

15. Royal Caribbean provides two major spots to do some shopping in Labadee: the Artisan Market and the Artisan Village. The Market is more of a store, with pre-set prices and offering hand-made goods. The Village is more of an open air market, where guests are expected to haggle with the vendors. Keep in mind that both places take cash only.

16. A day in Labadee offers a lot, but you will want to pack water resistant sunscreen, hats and sunglasses for a day in Labadee. You may also consider bringing your camera, beach toys, and other fun options.  If you forget something in your stateroom, you can always go back and get it!

Consumer Reports recommends two sunscreens that are great for use at the beach. If you prefer a lotion, try the Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50.  If spray sunscreen is more your style, the Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection SPF 70 received high marks.

17. Barefoot Beach is reserved for guests residing in Grand Suites and above.  It is an exclusive perk for suite guests, and the only area in Labadee where all guests cannot go.  If you happen to be staying in a suite, Barefoot Beach is a great choice for the smaller crowds.  Plus, there is an exclusive lunch buffet reserved just for suite guests.

18. Labadee itself has an interesting past. It was named after the marquis de La Badie, a Frenchman who first settled the area in the 17th century. The peninsula was named Labadie, although Royal Caribbean spells it "Labadee" to make it easier for English-speakers to pronounce.

19. There is a swim-up bar at Adrenaline Beach, where guests can wade through the ocean to the bar, climb up and order and enjoy a drink.

20. If you are looking for other fun excursions in Labadee, consider parasailing, renting a jet ski, deep sea fishing, or even taking a ride on the alpine coaster.  All can be reserved prior to your cruise, via the Cruise Planner.

21. The official drink of Labadee is a Labadoozie.  It is a fruit concoction, that is served with rum.  You can order them without rum as a cold treat for kids.

22. Royal Caribbean added in 2016 a DreamWorks photo safari excursion, which might be a great family activity on Labadee. There are two excursions to choose from, both of which include a DreamWorks photo safari for kids to enjoy.

23. A good way to stay hydrated is to bring bottled water with you to Labadee. There are water fountains around Labadee, but the convenience of having water bottles is a great perk.  Bottled water is included with the Deluxe and Refreshment packages.

24. There are not many of them, but towards the interior of Labadee you can find hammocks to enjoy.  Go early if you want to grab one.

25. Read the Labadee map before you arrive to get a basic understanding of where things are located, how to get to the area you want, and get a good understanding of what is available in Labadee.  All too often, we spot guests arriving in Labadee that are unaware of where things are located.