Unfortunately Royal Caribbean news was dominated this week by the outbreak of gastrointestinal sickness (most likely Norovirus) on Explorer of the Seas.

After hundreds of passengers got sick earlier in the week, Royal Caribbean decided to bring the ship back two days early for thorough cleaning.  Royal Caribbean also went a step further to offer 50% refunds on the cruise fare to all passengers on the ill-fated ship.

In the end, over 600 cruise passengers became sick and it created a media circus around the ship.  Royal Caribbean apologized to its guests for disappointing them and will take "several steps to compensate them for their inconvenience."

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean posted its fourth quarter profits that beat Wall Street estimates.
• Royal Caribbean decided to skip the option to build a fourth Quantum-class cruise ship.
• However, Royal Caribbean is still considering building a fourth Oasis-class ship.
• Royal Caribbean signed a five-year deal with the Port of Galveston.
• Here's our guide to avoid getting sick with Norovirus on your cruise.
• How to make Royal Caribbean specialty restaurant reservations.
• We have a preview of Royal Caribbean's virtual balconies that debut next week.

Royal Caribbean Podcast

In the mood for a beach day? The twenty-sixth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and we're exploring Royal Caribbean's private island of CocoCay.

In this episode, Matt gives an overview of this island paradise including what there is to do here, the dining options on the island and a look at the cabanas available to rent.  This island in the Bahamas is a popular destination for Royal Caribbean fans because of how beautiful the landscape is and how relaxing an experience it is.

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

CruizeCast has a new podcast episode out, with a review of the Caribbean Princess.

Cruise Critic has a look at what it's like to have Norovirus and be quarantined on a cruise ship.

Another week has come to an end and we've gone through and hand-picked some fun articles for you to take a look at in case you missed any of it.

We got our first look at the menu for Royal Caribbean's newest restaurant, Sabor Modern Mexican.  The new restaurant will debut on Navigator of the Seas when she emerges from drydock next week.

Sabor's menu is divided into three basic sections: homemade tortilla favorites, platos chiquitos and platos fuertes.  Sure there's tacos, burritos and quesadillas, but there's also pan-seared red snapper, ceviche, and chili calamari.  

The new restaurant will cost $25 per person and is located on deck 4, where the The Dungeon night club used to be.  

Royal Caribbean News

• Norovirus struck another Royal Caribbean ship this week, sickening 300 on Explorer of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean gave an update on its efforts to eliminate gestation crates.
• Construction of a cruise port for Quantum of the Seas was temporary halted this week.
• We have a list of the new policies Royal Caribbean started in 2014.
• Want to get excited for your Royal Caribbean cruise? We have the guide to show you how!
• We have a review of a beach excursion in St. Croix.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The twenty-fifth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and we've got an in-depth look at the main dining room experience on Royal Caribbean ships.

This week, Matt takes you through everything the main dining room offers as well as the options available to make your experience better. Eating in the main dining room is a major component of any Royal Caribbean cruise and Matt wants to show you why he likes eating there on all of his cruises.

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

Royal Caribbean posted an article about the benefits of long weekend getaways to break those winter blues.

Little Mummy posted a blog post about what a seven year old can do on a cruise.

Happy weekend Royal Caribbean fans!

The news this week was all about over sixty passengers on Majesty of the Seas coming down with Norovirus during a 4-night cruise from Miami.

Norovirus is something that happens now and then on different cruise ships and the media loves to harp on these stories and make a bigger deal than it really is. Nonetheless, the people affected by the outbreak had responded well to over-the-counter medication administered on board the ship.

Royal Caribbean is also taking steps to disinfect the ship as well as sanitize the terminal area to prevent the disease from affecting anyone else.

Royal Caribbean News

• In the UK, Royal Caribbean has a new e-brochure for iPad.
• Quantum of the Seas could be used as a backdrop for a music festival in Germany.
• Royal Caribbean released a new webisode starring Genvieve Gorder about Quantum of the Seas' design.
• Video of Quantum of the Seas' bow sections being towed to the shipyard.
• Everything you wanted to know about onboard credit.
• Cabanas on CocoCay information.
• Ever wondered why there are classic cars on Royal Caribbean's Royal Promenade?
• How to find last minute deals on Royal Caribbean cruises.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Have you listened to the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast yet? Our second episode came out this week and it's all about Royal Caribbean's staterooms.

Matt looked at the different categories of staterooms Royal Caribbean offers, the differences between them, what you need to know about the special categories and booking tips for getting the staterom you want.

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

Royal Caribbean is celebrating National Hobby Month by encouraging everyone to try some hobbies on their ships.

Royal Caribbean also posted about why traveling off the beaten path can be a good idea.

Parents Magazine posted why we loved our Royal Caribbean cruise.

Adam Goldstein posted a new blog post about how the Radiance class didn't turn out like they wanted.

Hope you had a great week (maybe one week closer to your next Royal Caribbean cruise?) and you had a chance to keep up with what's new with Royal Caribbean this week. But if not, here's a roundup of this week's news.

This big news this week is Royal Caribbean's CEO Adam Goldstein spoke to CNBC about what Royal Caribbean and the cruise industry have been doing to keep passengers safe.

Goldstein says the negative events of the last two to three years have been "an anomoly" and in his more than two decades at Royal Caribbean, safety has always been a big priority.  

"And so there's no question in our minds, in my mind, that the last two or three years have been an anomaly, and that given the foundation of discipline and attention to detail, the cruise industry will resume its long-term very safe track record. "

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is offering up to $400 on 2014 cruises as part of a new promotion.
• Royal Caribbean named a new director of sales for the UK and Ireland.
• Check out our guide to Royal Caribbean's best stage shows.
• Cathelco will provide the hull and seawater pipework system protection for Quantum of the Seas.
• Speaking of Quantum of the Seas, here are the top 5 things we really want to know about the ship.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The twenty third episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and we're previewing a listener's cruise on Liberty of the Seas.

In this episode, Matt is joined by Chad from Kentucky, who is sailing on Liberty of the Seas this week.  Todd shares why he booked his first Royal Caribbean cruise, his plans for things to do onboard and what he hopes to do when they visit ports.  Matt also has lots of great listener emails, tweets and Facebook posts to share.

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 Motley Fool thinks Royal Caribbean's stock is looking good, thanks to Quantum of the Seas anticipation.

CruiseRadio has a new podcast episode with a review of Allure of the Seas.

The Economist claims Royal Caribbean and Carnival's market share has dropped from 77% to 72% in last few years.

Sherry Laskin has an introduction to nine popular cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean.

Adam Goldstein's Blog post last week speaks about the importance to Royal Caribbean of shipyard visits.

Sit back and catch up on this week's Royal Caribbean news.  We've gone through and hand-picked some fun articles for you to take a look at in case you missed any of it.

Say goodbye to Royal Caribbean's unreturned towel fee.  This week Royal Caribbean announced it was eliminating the fee due to guest feedback.

Previously Royal Caribbean charged guests $25 per unreturned pool towel but Royal Caribbean decided to get rid of the fee, citing guest feedback and a desire to offer its guests greater convenience.

The new towel policy went into effect January 1, 2014.

Royal Caribbean News

• Sadly two cruise passengers were lost at sea this week, one on Independence of the Seas and another on Adventure of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean also changed its paper surveys to electronic format this week.
• A new Royal Caribbean deal is offering up to $300 in onboard credit on 2014 cruises.
• Everything you wanted to know about Royal Caribbean's NextCruise Certificates.
• A new survey says Quantum of the Seas is the most anticipated cruise ship of 2014.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The twenty second episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available so bring your juicy cups because we're talking about bringing kids on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

This week Matt looks at what Royal Caribbean provides kids in programming and entertainment onboard its cruise ships. There's a lot of different things to do, both organized and on your own, for kids to do.  

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

Royal Caribbean Fans has a 2013 retrospective article.

Beyond Ships has an updated and expanded profile of Independence of the Seas.

Happy New Year to all of our friends in blog land!  It's almost time to welcome a brand new year and once again I'm reminded by how lucky this site is to have so many supportive readers like all of you.  From our family to yours, we wish you a happy new year and hope that 2014 is better than ever!

Christmas week was a slow news week but it ended on a high note with the news of a new specialty restaurant coming to Navigator of the Seas.

As part of Navigator's planned refurbishment in January, Royal Caribbean will add Sabor Modern Mexican to the ship on deck 4 where the Dungeon nightclub used to be.

Royal Caribbean describes the restaurant as, "Sabor Modern Mexican provides guests an opportunity to enjoy creative yet recognizable modern Mexican cuisine and beverages with polished casual service in a contemporary setting."

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean will end its partnership with Fisher Price as of January 1, 2014.
• A Grandeur of the Seas passenger was flown back to the United States due to health reasons.
• Here are 10 ways to save money on your Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Rock star Alice Cooper will headline a Rock Legends cruise on a Royal Caribbean ship.
• We're sharing how to plan an excursion in Belize City.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The twenty first episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available for downloading and we're previewing Royal Caribbean's upcoming year in 2014.

This week, Matt looks at the big changes comign to Royal Caribbean in 2014 and which events happening this year should be on your radar.  There's new ship refurbishments, a brand new ship launching and big news for Europeans too.

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 Law News is reporting a possible Norovirus outbreak on Oasis of the Seas.

Beyond Ships has a photo guide to Labadee.

CruiseLine.com has 9 Questions for Kristin Chenoweth, Godmother of Quantum of the Seas

Just a few days until Christmas and if you were busy getting ready, then we have all the Royal Caribbean news from this week to share with you.

Quantum of the Seas news was the big story this week, with a study proving that she is just too darn big to go to Bermuda.

Tests revealed the existing North and South Channels were not big enough to safely accommodate the vessel, especially in high winds. If Bermuda wants to be able to host Quantum of the Seas, then dredging will need to begin soon.

It's unclear as of yet what the Bermuda government will do, if anything, to accomodate Quantum of the Seas from being able to visit the island.

Royal Caribbean News

• New Royal Caribbean unlimited alcohol packages available for purchase online.
• Travel Weekly named Royal Caribbean the best cruise line for the 11th year in a row.
• What would it cost to do EVERYTHING on a Royal Caribbean cruise?  We did the math to find out.
• Freedom of the Seas rescued two sailors that were adrift at sea.
• We listed the top ten Royal Caribbean news stories of 2013.
• A passenger fell off Rhapsody of the Seas and the crew was able to find their body.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The twentieth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and we're discussing transatlantic Royal Caribbean cruises.

This week, podcast listener Ron reviews his recent transatlantic cruise.  Transatlantic cruises are the sort of cruise that people either think would be really fun or not fun at all, so Matt and Ron talk about the appeal of a transatlantic cruise as well as who might find transatlantic cruises enjoyable.

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 Maven has a new post about how Royal Caribbean kids busy all day long.

Royal Caribbean shared holiday baking tips from their pastry chefs.

Travel Weekly has an update on their UK office's new boss.

Cruise Radio has a new podcast episode reviewing Brilliance of the Seas

Baby it's cold out there... But here, we're talking about warm Caribbean cruises and time spent by the pool deck.  We've gone through and hand-picked some fun articles for you to take a look at in case you missed any of it.

The big news this week is it appears Royal Caribbean will be sending Jewel of the Seas to Los Angeles in 2015.

It's not clear how much time Jewel of the Seas will spend on the west coast, but it is a step forward to bringing cruise ships back to an area that has been devoid of cruise ships for a few years now.  The port schedule lists three stops in 2015, which could very well be part of a Panama Canal cruise itinerary.

Royal Caribbean has not made any announcement about returning to Los Angeles, but in the past port schedules have been good indicators of what Royal Caribbean intends to do.

Royal Caribbean News

• U.S. News and World Reports listed Royal Caribbean as the top cruise line for the money.
• Check out our guide to getting to Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades).
• Royal Caribbean could return to Dubai in 2015.
• Have you tried the savory bites in the main dining room?
• Serenade of the Seas' maiden cruise took place from New Orleans earlier this week.
• Royal Caribbean is going to build a new training facility at a South Florida University.
• Bringing an infant on a Royal Caribbean cruise?  Here are our tips to prepare you.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The nineteenth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and we're discussing Royal Caribbean's dress codes.

This week, Matt looks at what to pack for your cruise during the day, what to wear to dinner and what you can do if you don’t want to get dressed up at all.  We've also saved some time to answer listener emails, posts and tweets.

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

Our friends at Cruize Cast have a new podcast episode all about their group cruise that they are planning.

Kuki has a new blog post about being attached to technology at sea.

Cruise Currents reports Medevaced three guests from a Freedom of the Seas cruise.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving in the United States and elsewhere a relaxing weekend.  If you missed any of the Royal Caribbean news this week, here's our quick way to catch up!

Royal Caribbean dropped the big news on Thursday that Mamma Mia! will be the next Broadway show on Quantum of the Seas.

During the Thanksgiving Day Parade, television commentators made the announcement and Royal Caribbean followed it up confirming the news.  This will be the fourth Broadway show to be added to a Royal Caribbean ship.

The Broadway show news is one more bit of information come out about the brand new cruise ship, although there's still plenty more announcements we can expect to hear about in the next few months.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is planning a 3-day WOW sale to coincide with CyberMonday starting tomorrow.
• Royal Caribbean has hired a marketing firm to attract younger people to Anthem of the Seas.
• Looking for a Royal Caribbean themed gift? Try one of these Royal Caribbean books!
• Royal Caribbean released a new video all about cruising the western Caribbean.
• What is a courtesy hold?

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The seventeenth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and listener Michael Poole returns to the show to share his experience on Oasis of the Seas.

You may recall on episode 13 Michael previewed his cruise and this week he is back to discuss how his cruise went and review his time.  We will look at the excursions he took, specialty dining experiences and how well the unlimited alcohol package worked for him.

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 Critic has a list of the CyberMonday cruise deals.

Cruise Hive has the 7 best cruise lines for families this Christmas.

It was a busy week for Royal Caribbean, culminating with news that the second ship in the Quantum-class, Anthem of the Seas, will be based in Southampton, UK when she debuts in spring 2015.

Royal Caribbean made the big announcement at a special event in London on Thursday, signaling its intentions to up the stakes in the competition for the British cruise market.

While Anthem of the Seas will spend her summers in England, she will head back to Fort Lauderdale for the winter months.  Royal Caribbean also said Anthem of the Seas will replace Independence of the Seas, although itineraries for both ships are still to be announced.

We can expect itineraries to go on sale in early 2014, along with more announcements about entertainment onboard.

Royal Caribbean News

• There's the possibility Quantum of the Seas could be too big for Bermuda's dock.
• Anthem of the Seas had her first block put in place.
• Royal Caribbean has a new television commercial out.  What do you think of it?
• We got a sneek peak at Royal Caribbean's new Thanksgiving Day Parade float.
• Royal Caribbean's first ship, Song of Norway, was sold for scrap metal.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Have you checked out the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast yet? Our newest episode is out previewing Quantum of the Seas!

Royal Caribbean's next cruise ship is already getting people excited over what's in store, so this week Matt lists everything we know about the ship as well as a few rumors of things we think are coming too.

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 And Ferry asked Royal Caribbean CEO Adam Goldstein about Anthem of the Seas' entertainment options.

Travel Weekly confirmed trade relations inspired Royal Caribbean's decision to put Anthem of the Seas in England.

South Florida Parenting thinks Vision of the Seas' revitalization have expanded family offerings onboard.