Did you miss any of this week's Royal Caribbean news? No worries, because we have you covered with our wrap-up of cruise news!

Royal Caribbean began construction of its fifth Oasis Class ship this week.

The steel cutting, marking the official start of construction, took place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Royal Caribbean News

• Two new venues opened at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
• A new dining package was spotted featuring Chops Grille and a choice of another specialty restaurant.
• There are still a few days left in Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner sale.
• Spectrum of the Seas traversed the Suez Canal earlier this week.
• The next Royal Caribbean earnings call with investors has been scheduled.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 299th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring emails from many podcast listeners.

Matt dives into the email bag this week and answers questions about what to do if you have a late flight after your cruise, room upgrades, bringing drinks onboard and more.

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.blog shared info on the ultimate Elvis tribute cruise planned for a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Cruise Industry News wrote about how Royal Caribbean and Celebrity focused on target markets.

Bahamas Eyewitness News reports that Royal Caribbean donated laptops to the National Training Agency.

The Points Guy compared Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Disney for families.

Conde Nast Traveler shared a trick to save up to 40 percent on cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean shared 10 things you didn't know about the Mediterranean.

Spring is here and it is also Sunday, which means we are celebrating warm(er) temperatures and Royal Caribbean news from this week!

Royal Caribbean announced this week it intends to rennovate and expand its corportate headquarters in Miami.

The $300 million plan will expand the company’s workforce capacity from 2,200 to 4,200.

When finished, the renovated and expanded headquarters would include a fitness center, a daycare, a cafeteria, an auditorium and a maritime innovation center for the design development and renovation of cruise vessels.

Royal Caribbean News

• A new souvenir drink cup design has been introduced on Royal Caribbean ships.
• Royal Caribbean will expand facial recognition to more ports to speed up disembarkation.
• So far, no changes to Cuba sailings despite newly announced regulations.
• Here are the waterslide and experiences height, age and weight restrictions at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
• Spectrum of the Seas is now added to the new Royal Caribbean app.
• Virtual reality tours are available for some staterooms on Royal Caribbean's website.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 298th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring the important things to know about staying in a suite.

Before you book a suite, here are some important things to consider and distinctions to be aware of when it comes to Royal Caribbean's suite rooms.

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

In The Loop Travel shares a look at the changes to Navigator of the Seas.

The Points Guy looks at the largest cruise ships in the world.

ZDNet wrote about how to work remotely from a Royal Caribbean ship.

Spring is here and it is also Sunday, which means we are celebrating warm(er) temperatures and Royal Caribbean news from this week!

Spectrum of the Seas was delivered to Royal Caribbean this week, becoming the 26th ship in the fleet.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain and President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley received the new ship from Meyer Wert Yard’s Managing Partner Bernard Meyer and Meyer Werft Yard’s Managing Director Tim Meyer at the official handover ceremony. The first in the Quantum Ultra class of ships, Spectrum will homeport from Shanghai starting June 2019.

The first in the Quantum Ultra class of ships, Spectrum will homeport from Shanghai starting June 2019.

Royal Caribbean News

• The SkyPad is temporarily closed while Royal Caribbean inspects it.
• Royal Caribbean introduced a new ultimate dining package.
• Royal Caribbean UK named the winner of its shore explorer contest.
• Hong Kong sailings for 2020-2021 were released this week.
• Royal Caribbean produced a video of Spectrum of the Seas' delivery.
• Royal Caribbean updated its smart phone app, which included a group chat feature.
• Here is a list of Perfect Day at CocoCay prices.
• Check out the map of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 297th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring a listener's recent cruise on Allure of the Seas.

Lauren Reed joins Matt this week to talk about her recent sailing on Allure of the Seas. Lauren talks about why she picked Allure of the Seas, reviews her stateroom, dining and shore excursions.

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 tips for booking shore excursions.

Eat Sleep Cruise posted a guide to Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

SeaTrade Cruise News reported on how Royal Caribbean is using MFace to speed up disembarkation.

They say April showers brings May flowers, but Sundays bring you a round-up of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news!

The big news this week surrounded the unfortunate accident involving Oasis of the Seas while in Freeport, Bahamas for scheduled maintenance. A construction crane fell and struck the ship, causing damage and injuries to eight workers.

As a result of the accident, Royal Caribbean canceled the next three sailings of Oasis of the Seas.

After assessing the damage to Oasis of the Seas, the cruise line found damage to the Aqua Theatre and some suites. 

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean released new 2020-2021 Australia sailings for booking.
• You can still save up to 30% off pre-cruise purchases through April 7.
• Royal Caribbean released a new video about its big plans for Perfect Day at CocoCay.
• We spotted a new 50th anniversary cake option in the main dining room.
• Kids Sail Free offer is back this month on new cruise bookings.
• Royal Caribbean celebrated April Fools Day with the "announcement" of a new airplane.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 296th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring a look at how to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise with friends and family.

The appeal of going on a cruise with members of your family and/or friends is a great idea, but planning a group sailing comes with its own set of challenges. Matt and Rebecca share tips from their own experiences on how to avoid some common pitfalls.

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 wrote about the realities of seasickness.

Cruise Industry News highlighted the first Asian Captain for Royal Caribbean.

The Sun Sentinel wrote about an 80's themed cruise planned on Explorer of the Seas.

This was a busy week with Royal Caribbean news, and we have a summary of all of the news from this week to make certain you did not miss any of it.

Royal Caribbean moved forward with the acquisition of the Grand Lucayan resort, which appears to be part of its plan to redevelop Freeport Harbor.

The letter of intent was signed and an initial $195 million investment. The development will take place over a 24-month period, with $65 million of the purchase price for the Grand Lucayan Resort.

The Bahamas government reports a theme park and five-star hotel will be part of the redevelopment effort.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean received permission to sail to Glacier Bay in Alaska.
• New 2020-2021 Royal Caribbean sailings from Dubai went on sale this week.
• We answered the question if is The Key is worth it.
• Check out a video of Spectrum of the Seas conveyance to the North Sea.
• Royal Caribbean pledged support for United Nations Global LGBTI Standards Of Conduct For Business.
• A look at the new venues in CocoCay that are now open.
• Twenty new shore excursions were added for Royal Caribbean cruises in the South Pacific.
• We reviewed a flight simulator shore excursion in the Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 295th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, and we are reviewing Matt's cruise on Mariner of the Seas.

In this episode, Matt sailed Mariner of the Seas for a back-to-back group sailing and talks with friends on the sailing about what they thought of the ship, the changes to CocoCay and nore.

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

Miami's Community Newspapers reported on Royal Caribbean Day at FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus.

Seatrade News remembered a former Royal Caribbean executive that passed away.

CNET shared how artificial intelligence has made facial recognition work better, with a Royal Caribbean example.

Reader's Digest provides a look at what Symphony of the Seas looks like.

Cruise Critic interviewed the head of Royal Caribbean's head of food and beverage.

Happy weekend! We hope you remembered to Spring Forward! Here’s all the Royal Caribbean news this week!

Royal Caribbean updated its deployment schedule for the remaining 2020-2021 sailings that not been released yet.

The schedule was changed up a bit, with a few new releases added, including Odyssey of the Seas.

The first batch of these deployments will be announced this coming week.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean won four awards in the 2019 Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards.
• Our top 10 Navigator of the Seas hidden secrets.
• A new Cruise Planner sale began this weekend.
• We published a new video about the most important things to pack for a cruise vacation.
• Check out this week's batch of reader submitted photos.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 292nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, and it features a full recap of the changes to Navigator of the Seas.

In this episode, Gina from CruiseCritic joins Matt to talk about what they thought of the changes to the recently amplified Navigator of the Seas.

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

Bahamas Eyewitness News reports CocoCay is on track for a May opening.

When Tara Met Blog shared tips for cruising on Independence of the Seas.

Orlando Sentinel reported on the changes to Navigator of the Seas.

Eat Sleep Cruise posted a new video that reviews Symphony of the Seas.

Welcome to March! We hope you are having a great weekend and are ready to sit back, relax and catch up with all the latest Royal Caribbean news!

The big news this week was the completion of Navigator of the Seas' $115 million amplification that introduced a variety of new additions and changes.

The transformed 3,386-guest ship debuts new adventures and Royal Caribbean favorites for all ages, like the longest aqua coaster at sea; the industry’s only head-first mat racer waterslide; a reimagined poolscape infused with Caribbean vibes; the first standalone blow-dry bar at sea; and elevated dining and nightlife. 

Navigator of the Seas is the third ship to be reimagined as part of the Royal Amplified modernization program, an investment of more than $1 billion in the cruise line’s award-winning fleet. The effort spans 10 ships in four years and touches every facet of the guest experience with the introduction of a wide range of new thrills and Royal Caribbean staples meant to appeal to every generation.

Royal Caribbean News

• Spectrum of the Seas left her dock in Germany. Check out video and photos of the big event.
• We shared a photo tour of the Category 2B Ocean View Balcony stateroom on Navigator of the Seas.
• Check out these aerial photos of the amplified Navigator of the Seas.
• Speaking of Navigator of the Seas, here is a look at the finishing touches being applied.
• Royal Caribbean was named one of the world's most ethical companies for the fourth year in a row.
• Royal Caribbean shared a video of the propeller being installed on Spectrum of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean won an award for best cruise line for customer support and service.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 291st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, and it is dedicated to all of our listeners with nothing but your emails being read.

In this episode, Matt dives into the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast email inbox to answer your cruise questions.

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 South Florida SunSentinel shared a look at Royal Caribbean's entertainment facility.

Eat Sleep Cruise posted a review of Wonderland on Symphony of the Seas.

Cruise Fever shared first impressions of Voyager of the Seas.

Hope you are having a great weekend.  Here is all of this week's Royal Caribbean cruise news.

The big news of this week was Royal Caribbean's order for a sixth Oasis class cruise ship.

The new ship is scheduled for delivery in the fall of 2023.

Royal Caribbean News

• We have a schedule for when Spectrum of the Seas will leave her dock.
• Speaking of Spectrum, here is a new Spectrum of the Seas construction photo update.
• Royal Caribbean cancelled the first Freedom of the Seas sailing following her scheduled drydock in 2020.
• A Cruise Planner sale is running through early next week.
• Check out this video previewing what's coming to Navigator of the Seas.
• Here is our full review of Paradise Beach in Cozumel.
• In honor of National Margarita Day, we shared Sabor margarita recipes.
• Royal Caribbean launched its stateroom bidding program in Australia and New Zealand.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 290th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which has a review of Matt's recent sailing on Brilliance of the Seas.

In this episode, Matt shares how his first cruise of 2019 was and talks about the experiences, excursions and everything else on Brilliance of the Seas.

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

Disney Cruise Line Blog reported on a joint-effort among Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Disney Cruise Line to build a pier in Grand Cayman.

Cruise Fever listed five venues not to miss on Symphony of the Seas.

Cruise.Blog shared first time cruise mistakes to avoid.

Happy weekend! We hope you are having a wonderful weekend, now it’s time to kick back, relax, and catch up on another week of Royal Caribbean news!

The big news this week came from Royal Caribbean UK in their search for someone to get paid the equivalent of a six-figure salary to travel the world as a ‘global experience hunter’.

Royal Caribbean International opened applications for its first ever Shore Explorer ‘Apprentice-Ship’.  Candidates can apply via Instagram for the opportunity to seek out and test extraordinary shore experiences around the world.

Their only daily task will be capturing their experiences on Instagram, Insta-Stories and IGTV.  Hopeful applicants must be 21 years or over, hold a valid passport and be able to travel this year and be a resident of the United Kingdom or Ireland.

Royal Caribbean News

• We shared a sneak peek at the progress Royal Caribbean is making at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
• We shared a video of how not to get seasick on a cruise.
• Here are 10 ways to save money on your 2019 Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Harmony of the Seas appears to have the chat feature added to the app.
• We posted a review of the Kayak Adventure shore excursion in CocoCay.
• There's still time to take advantage of Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner sale.
• Royal Caribbean made the list of most loved brands.
• Some new port and dock updates from this week.
• Royal Caribbean shared a look at HiRo on Symphony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 288th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, Matt shares the best reasons to cruise on a "smaller" Royal Caribbean ship.

This week's episode is all about the cool thing that you can only do on a smaller Royal Caribbean ship.

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 answered the important question of how much a beer costs on every cruise line.

Reader's Digest listed 12 cruise misconceptions that need to end.

CruiseHive shared 20 ways to experience Havana, Cuba on a cruise.

Quartz wrote about how Royal Caribbean is betting big on Chinese cruisers (and not just in China)

CIO Dive reported on Royal Caribbean's costly digital transformation effort.

Cruise Miss listed her top four things to do on a Caribbean cruise.

Happy weekend! We hope you are in the midst of a wonderful weekend full of friends, fun, and plenty of things to do to pass the time between cruises.  We have a summary of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news in case you missed any of it!

The big Royal Caribbean news this week was Royal Caribbean's announcement of the name for its second Quantum Class cruise ship.

Odyssey of the Seas will be the cruise line's 27th ship in the fleet and will debut in the fall of 2020.

Odyssey will sail from the United States, and Royal Caribbean has promised more details about Odyssey of the Seas later this year.

Royal Caribbean News

• Kids Sail Free offer is back for the month of February.
• During a call with investors, Royal Caribbean talked about booking trends, CocoCay and more.
• Here is when to expect more 2020-2021 sailings to be released for booking.
• We shared tips and tricks for taking a 3-night Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Royal Caribbean posted a new video all about the FlowRider surf simulator.
• We spotted a new Diamond Happy Hour drink menu design.
• Forbes named Royal Caribbean one of America's best employers for diversity.
• Victoria, Canada is expanding its harbor to accommodate Quantum Class ships.
• Michael Poole live blogged this week from Brilliance of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 287th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, friends join Matt to share a review of Independence of the Seas.

Rafael and Alanna are back from their Independence of the Seas cruise and they talk about how their first "big" Royal Caribbean ship sailing went.

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

Disney Cruise Line Blog shared a review of the Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort.

New York Times shared how cruise lines are using technology to add a personal touch.

Miami Herald wrote about new clean fuel regulations for cruise ships, including how Symphony of the Seas complies with the law.

Eat Sleep Cruise reviewed a balcony stateroom on Mariner of the Seas.

Mirror wrote about Royal Caribbean's plans to open private islands around the world.

Tom Loves Cruising shared a review of Independence of the Seas.

Departure Lounge shared cruising tips from a Royal Caribbean expert.