Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean is making changes to its onboard cruise booking incentive program, known as NextCruise.

We first heard about the changes on a Cruise Critic message board post, and it appears the changes are being directed to travel agents first.

Effective on August 1, 2017, the reduced deposits incentive will be eliminated.  The deposit required onboard will be equivalent to the same value as shoreside deposit, which ranges between $100 - $450 per cabin, depending on the length of the cruise.

In addition, Royal Caribbean is altering the onboard credit offered to those that book cruises onboard.

• 4-5 night cruises
  • Interior/Oceanview rooms: $25
  • Balcony/Junior Suites: $50
  • Grand Suite and above: $150
• 6-9 night cruises
  • Interior/Oceanview rooms: $50
  • Balcony/Junior Suites: $100
  • Grand Suite and above: $300
• 10 nights or longer cruises
  • Interior/Oceanview rooms: $100
  • Balcony/Junior Suites: $200
  • Grand Suite and above: $500

As of August 1, 2017, NextCruise will only offer the future onboard credit option.  Royal Caribbean claims this change was due to lack of popularity of the Instant Onboard Credit option.

Guests booking NextCruise will have the choice to have either the Refundable or Non-Refundable Deposit Fare program while onboard.  Both the Refundable and Non-Refundable fares are combinable with NextCruise Onboard credit.

It seems like it is heating up everywhere with summer upon on us, and we have the best reading material to enjoy while sitting by the air conditioning.

While in Europe, Royal Caribbean has temporarily switched Sabor on Navigator of the Seas to an Indian restaurant.

The change occured to cater to the tastes of its British cruisers, and took place on this past week's sailing.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean will hold a quarterly earnings call next week.
• 5 things to love about Rhapsody of the Seas
• We posted a photo tour of a Spa Junior Suite on Anthem of the Seas.
• 9 important things to know before buying an unlimited alcohol package.
• We spotted a swan drink floatie for sale.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 208th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we discuss taking a shore excursion to St. John.

St. John is located nearby St. Thomas, and an easy and fun way to spend the day.  Matt discuses how to get to St. John, as well as what makes this island paradise so lovely.

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 Fever shared that Grandeur of the Seas received a perfect health score from the CDC.

John Bamber shared how he enjoyed his Royal Caribbean cruise following weight loss surgery.

Royal Caribbean shared top five can't miss adventures onboard.

Holly Smith Photography shares a trip report from her Empress of the Seas cruise to Cuba.

Travel Weekly wrote about Royal Caribbean appointing new key account and regional sales managers.

Miami Herald interviewed a few CEOs about balancing work with family, including Richard Fain.

Junior Suites are a popular choice for many Royal Caribbean guests, and on Anthem of the Seas, there is an additional option known as the Spa Junior Suite.  Today we have a look at one of these Spa Junior Suites to give you an idea of what to expect if you book a similar stateroom.

Karah Ryan Smith shared photos of her Spa Junior Suite, which was stateroom 13642 on Anthem of the Seas during her recent sailing.

In recent years, Royal Caribbean has begun offering on its Quantum-class ships a new type of Junior Suite, known as the Spa Junior Suite.

The Spa Junior Suite comes in at 267 square feet and offers a large, spa-inspired split bath with soaking tub.  There's also a shower with frosted glass wall that allows natural light from living area.

The bath tub also features a rain shower head and a hand held shower head.

A private balcony allows for 81 square feet of additional space to enjoy.

Every Friday, we show off the Royal Caribbean photos that our readers have sent us in a special blog post.  Each week, we invite our readers to send us their favorite Royal Caribbean photos and we post them right here.

Without further adieu, let's jump right into this week's batch of photos!

We kick off this week's photos with this photo by Elaine Scotti of the "Captain" on the bridge on board Anthem of the Seas.

Daneil took this photo on Allure of the Seas as the ship was sailing at sea.

Adam Hall took a family photo while in Cozumel, with a backdrop of Liberty of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

Here is a photo of Labadee, taken by Bob Carpenter while on an Oasis of the Seas cruise.

Bryan Grantham's wife took this photo of a classic car while touring Havana, Cuba.

Jill Snyder took this beautiful photo from her Aquatheater suite on Harmony of the Seas.

We wrap up this week's edition with a photo of Stephanie Anderson's son having some fun on Harmony of the Seas.

Would you like to submit your Royal Caribbean photos for a future Friday Photos post? Use this form to send them to us and we will feature them very soon!

This week's podcast episode is ready to go, as we present episode 208 of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast for your downloading pleasure.

This week, Matt reviews his recent visit to St. John while on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Matt offers tips and advice for anyone considering visiting this serene oasis.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 208. 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 will hold a conference call on August 1, 2017 at 10am to discuss its second quarter 2017 financial results.

The call will be available on-line at the company's investor relations web site, www.rclinvestor.com. To listen to the call by phone, please dial (877) 663-9606 in the US and Canada. International phone calls should be made to (706) 758-4628. There is no passcode or meeting number. A replay of the webcast will be available at the same site for a month following the call.

Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas is a popular ship that offers cruises in Europe and North America. There is a lot to love about this ship, and we have five important facts you should be aware of before your next cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas.

Covered Solarium

The adults-only enclave of the Solarium is always a popular spot with many Royal Caribbean fans, and the fact it has an enclosed Solarium means the fun is available rain or shine.

The Solarium offers a terrific pool, along with comfortable lounge chairs and lots of sun (or shade, if that is your preference).  Whether on a sea day, or just a break between activities, the Solarium is the perfect refuge for guests looking to sit back, and relax.

Great itineraries

These days, Rhapsody of the Seas splits her time between North America and Europe.  This means that Royal Caribbean fans have the opportunity to take advantage of some great destinations.

In the fall and winter, Rhapsody calls the Port of Tampa home. Tampa is a convenient and lovely cruise terminal to sail from, including an amazing sailing underneath the Sunshine Skyway bridge. At sea, Rhapsody visits some beautiful ports in Central America, including Costa Maya and Roatan.

In the spring and summer, Rhapsody heads to Europe, where she offers a variety of itineraries from Venice.  Guests sailing on Rhapsody of the Seas will have the opportunity to visit the historic and beautiful ports of the Eastern Mediterranean, including Dubrovnik, Santorini and the Amalfi Coast.

Park Cafe

Royal Caribbean added Park Cafe to the cruise ship's Solarium, and that means not only a convenient spot to enjoy a quick meal, but one of the best sandwiches ever: the Kummelweck roast beef sandwich!

The Kummelweck sandwich was first offered on Oasis class ships, but Park Cafe has spread to other ships in the fleet since then. Guests are served a rare, thin cut of beef dipped in au jus accompanied by a secret sauce. If it sounds mighty tasty, that is because it really is and something that is a must-try (at least a half dozen times) for any guest.

Bars to visit late at night

If your idea of a fun cruise is staying up late and enjoying drinks while perhaps dancing, talking or relaxing into the late hours of the evening, then there are a few bars you will find open later than others.

On Rhapsody of the Seas, the Casino Bar, Viking Crown Lounge, R-Bar and Schooner Bar remain open later than other bars. Guests who want to avoid an (earlier) last call notice, should head to one (or a few) of these locations to enjoy uninterrupted late-night beverages.

Specialty restaurant

Just because Rhapsody of the Seas is smaller in size than the Oasis or Freedom class ships, does not mean she lacks the variety of specialty dining those ships offer.

During their cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas, guests can choose from Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table, Izumi and Chef's Table.

With Royal Caribbean's dining packages, enjoying some (or all) of these restaurants is very convenient and affordable.

Your favorite

What is your favorite thing about Rhapsody of the Seas? Is it on our list or do you have something you think is worth the cruise fare alone? Tell us about in this blog post's comments!

While Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas is offering cruises from the United Kingdom this summer, the cruise line has temporarily changed Sabor Modern Mexican to Sabor Indian Cuisine to cater to the tastes of its British cruisers.

Amanda Scriven-Purcell shared photos on Facebook of the changeover, with a look at the Indian food offered.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Craig Duncan is also on Navigator of the Seas, and indicated the change was made on the current sailing to cater to the U.K. market.

This is not the first time Royal Caribbean has made a temporary change to its specialty restaurants.  On Radiance of the Seas, Rita's Cantina became Rita's Crabshack while the ship was in Alaska.

Last year, we ran across Royal Caribbean selling drink floaties onboard its ships and the cruise line seems to have augmented its offerings with a new kind of drink floatie.  Yes, the one we have all been asking for... the swan drink floatie.

On Harmony of the Seas we spotted the swan floatie alongside the usual drink floatie assortment in the Boardwalk gift shop.

Just like the other drink floaties, the swan floatie is an inflatable life preserver for your drink that fit around most beverages or cups.

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend! Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from the week!

Royal Caribbean announced its holiday sailings in December 2017, with confirmation of events happening onboard and great rates still available.

All December long, Royal Caribbean is getting in the holiday spirit with special holiday sailings. From a tree-lighting ceremony right on deck to an arrival parade with Santa himself. And it all culminates in the biggest New Year’s celebration at sea.

There are twenty Christmas sailings and sixteen New Years Eve sailings to consider as the perfect vacation to celebrate.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is now offering swim lessons onboard their ships.
• Check out these nighttime photos from Harmony of the Seas.
• We shared a guide to visiting St. John while on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Royal Caribbean showed off its Innovation Lab in a new video this week.
• You can read our full review of Sabor on Harmony of the Seas.
• A look at the Royal Mystery escape room game that is now offered on Harmony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 207th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we discuss what you need to know about taking a last minute Royal Caribbean cruise.

In this episode, Matt shares strategies for booking a last minute cruise, as well as areas of the planning process that are different when booking close to the sail date.

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 Enthused shared a list of her favorite cruise podcasts.

Cruise Habit shared what the muster drill exactly is and why it is important.

Cruise Hive shared how to make your first day on a cruise count.