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.

Royal Caribbean fans were surprised to hear the Crown and Anchor Society Member Director will be leaving her role.

Millie Quiles sent an email to Crown and Anchor members that she will be stepping down from the role at the end of January.

Quiles spent almost ten years being the face of Crown and Anchor Society and working with members on a daily basis.  We will miss her contributions to the program and Royal Caribbean!

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's CEO talked about a new app update and tech coming to Icon Class.
• Royal Caribbean scheduled its fourth quarter earnings call with investors.
• Royal Caribbean announced its 2018 travel partners of the year.
• We shared a new video with the top cruise terms you should know before cruising.
• Royal Caribbean announced a new head of Sales for Singapore.
• Michael started off a new live blog from Brilliance of the Seas.
• Check out our overview of refundable vs non-refundable cruise fares.
• Video: What's coming to Royal Caribbean in 2019.
• The new smartphone app is now available on Vision of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 286th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and we take an in-depth look at cruising from Australia.

Friend of the show Pippa joins Matt to talk about all aspects of a cruise from Australia and what someone looking to cruise down under can expect.

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 Hive wrote ten reasons you need to take a cruise this year.

Eat Sleep Cruise listed the top cruise ships of 2019.

Travel and Whims shared 24 things you'll want to know before cruising Royal Caribbean.

Happy weekend! We hope you are enjoying a wonderful and relaxing weekend and managing to stay warm. Now it is time to sit back with a cuppa tea or java, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean cruise news.

It now appears Royal Caribbean's second Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship will visit the UK after it launches next year.

Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley hinted at the fact Royal Caribbean will offer sailings to the United Kingdom in October 2020.

Royal Caribbean's first Quantum Ultra Class, Spectrum of the Seas, will launch in April and head to Shanghai to begin sailing from June. However, the second Quantum Ultra ship will "definitely not" be going to China.

Royal Caribbean News

• The new cruise terminal in Galveston will feature facial recognition technology.
• Royal Caribbean added a new flight simulator shore excursion.
• Check out our top 10 Alaska cruise planning tips.
• We listed one must-eat place on every Royal Caribbean ship.
• Here are the Royal Caribbean bars you can also grab a bite to eat in addition to a drink.
• Enjoy these tips and tricks for the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 285th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we have a review of a multi-port Cuba itinerary.

Royal Caribbean recently expanded its sailings to Cuba to include even more stops on the island. This week, Bryan shares his review of an Empress of the Seas cruise that visited three different ports in Cuba.

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

Simply Emma shared her wheelchair accessible experience on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Eyewitness News posted news that Royal Caribbean gave scholarships to two maritime students in the Bahamas.

Travel Weekly interviewed Ben Bouldin, Royal Caribbean International’s associate vice-president and UK managing director.

Welcome to this week's round-up of all the Royal Caribbean news and happenings.  Hope you are staying warm and are ready to cozy up to some great Royal Caribbean fun.

Oasis of the Seas made headlines this week when she had to cut her voyage short by a day due to an outbreak of gastrointestinal virus.

After a couple hundred guests became ill, Royal Caribbean decided to cancel the rest of her sailing and Oasis returned to Port Canaveral on Saturday.

“We think the right thing to do is to get everyone home early rather than have guests worry about their health,” said Rob Zeiger, chief communications manager for Royal Caribbean. “Returning on Saturday also gives us more time to completely clean and sanitize the ship before her next sailing.”

Royal Caribbean News

• We shared a new photo report of the construction progress being made on CocoCay.
• Royal Caribbean is offering a sale on pre-cruise purchases through January 16.
• Answers to some really common Royal Caribbean dining questions.
• Royal Caribbean released a new video about the shows on Symphony of the Seas.
• The top travel gadgets to bring on a cruise vacation.
• Our guide for first time cruisers on what to pack for a cruise.
• 8 cool things for kids to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 284th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we debunk common reasons some people avoid a cruise vacation at all.

Over the years we have heard every excuse why some people refuse to cruise, and on this week's episode, Matt and Billy take some time to go over why these excuses are simply unfounded.

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

USA Today reported that gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships are at a multi-year low.

Cruise Industry News listed 24 new cruise ships to debut in 2019 (including a Royal Caribbean ship).

Cruise Critic investigated if the US Government shutdown will affect cruises.

Happy New Year! The first week of 2019 had plenty of Royal Caribbean news, and we have it all summarized for you in this week's round-up!

Royal Caribbean updated its opening of Perfect Day at CocoCay timeline this week.

The implication with this change is that the opening of the new pier will now be pushed back to March 2019.

The pier completion date has slid a few times since the project was originally announced.  Previously, it was expected that the pier would be complete in January 2019.

Royal Caribbean News

• Air2Sea now offers Book Now Pay later option for its flights.
• How much does a cruise cost? Here is a look at the answer.
• A guide to Royal Caribbean 2019 new cruise ships & refurbishments.
• Our photo tour of Category 2J Central Park Balcony stateroom on Symphony of the Seas.
• We shared a guide to family cruising on Symphony of the Seas.
• We shared 38 Royal Caribbean drink recipes that you can use for any party.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 283rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, share our top tips for how to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise if money is tight.

On this episode, Matt talks about how to cruise if you are on a budget and what strategies you can use to keep the cost down.

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 Industry News reported on a former Royal Caribbean ship returning to Brazil for 2019-2020 cruise season.

Cruise Radio shared a report of how Royal Caribbean has dropped a warning about crime in Nassau.

USA Today previewed the new cruise ships of 2019.

Travel Pulse shared 20 great cruises to plan for in 2019.

Happy New Year! Before we pop champagne and toast to a better year next year, we have some Royal Caribbean cruise news to share.

We had a hint of what may be to come with a new trademark registration for something called the Fly Rider.

Royal Caribbean filed a trademark for the phrase, "Fly Rider" and mentions it is "entertainment services, namely, providing an amusement park ride in the nature of a zip line roller coaster ride".

Perhaps this will be a preview of a new feature coming to a Royal Caribbean ship soon.

Royal Caribbean News

• Harmony of the Seas is testing a self-service cash advance option.
• We shared the top 10 Royal Caribbean news stories of 2018.
• Wondering what Christmas is like on Royal Caribbean?
• We posted the "best of the best" Friday Photos from 2018.
• Royal Caribbean posted its January sales promotion offer.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 282nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, Matt shares his favorite cruise memories of 2018.

On this episode, Matt looks back on his year of cruising in 2018 and picks which moments stood out to 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

Orlando Sentinel shared what's new in Florida cruises for 2019.

Cruise Fever listed 10 ways cruises are changing.

Cruise Hive reported on the search for an overboard Royal Caribbean crew member has been suspended.

Merry Christmas! The holidays are here, and so is our weekly round up of this week's Royal Caribbean news.

There was a lot of Royal Caribbean news this week, but the big news came when Royal Caribbean revealed its 2020 European sailings.

A total of eight Royal Caribbean ships will sail around Europe in 2020, including six ships that had their 2020 itineraries go on sale this week.

Among the notable deployments to Europe in 2020 will be Allure of the Seas, which will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona on March 1, 2020 and then begin offering 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises until Allure heads to Miami on November 1, 2020.

Royal Caribbean News

• Empress of the Seas rescued two mariners who were lost at sea for 20 days.
• We published our 2019 Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning guide.
• With 2019 right around the corner, here are six big changes coming in the new year.
• Royal Caribbean returned to New Orleans to offer cruises once again from The Big Easy.
• We ranked the best Cozumel beach resorts.
• Royal Caribbean was named the Best Cruise Line Overall for the 16th year in a row.
• We reviewed the Mayan Princess Resort in Roatan.
• If you are going on Royal Caribbean, here are the top 5 foods the cruise line is best known for.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 281st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, we are sharing three wishes for Royal Caribbean.

On this episode, Matt and Billy make wishes for changes we would make if we had access to a genie (and opted not to wish for wealth and a long life).

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.

How you can support Royal Caribbean Blog

So many of our readers have reached out to us to ask how they can help the blog and we are introducing the Royal Caribbean Blog Insiders for just that reason.

The Insiders group is a way readers can contribute to Royal Caribbean Blog and help fuel some of the really amazing ideas, projects and new content that we have lined up.

As a way of saying thank you for your contribution, there are some fun rewards for being a member of the Royal Caribbean Blog Insiders.

Becoming a member of the Royal Caribbean Blog Insiders is completely up to you and you can cancel at any time. No questions asked! 

As always, thank you for visiting Royal Caribbean Blog and being a part of our community!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Bloomberg wrote that instead of cruise lines competing over larger ships, it's all about amenities now.

Cruise Hive named Mariner of the Seas the Best Refurbishment of the Year in its Cruise Ship Awards.

Bahamas Eyewitness News reports Royal Caribbean wants Bahamian participation in a Port of Nassau redevelopment.

Cruise Fever compared the different cruise line loyalty programs.

Cruise Radio listed six reasons Symphony of the Seas should be your next family vacation.

Good news, we are all one week closer to our next Royal Caribbean cruise!  In case you missed any of the Royal Caribbean fun from this week, here is our weekly round up!

Royal Caribbean made headlines this week when it announced its 2020-2021 Northeast sailings and revealed Oasis of the Seas will sail from the New York City area in 2020.

Oasis of the Seas arriving to Cape Liberty on May 6, 2020 and staying through October 25, 2020.  Oasis of the Seas will return to Florida on November 4, 2020.

When Oasis arrives in Cape Liberty, she will offer a quick 4-night Canada Getaway cruise on May 6 before offering 7-night sailings down to the Bahamas, with stops in Port Canaveral, Nassau and CocoCay.  On August 1, 2020, she will offer an 8-night sailing that adds a stop in Miami.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean released 2020-2021 itineraries for Northeast, Bermuda and Caribbean.
• Check out these funnel cakes that are now available in CocoCay.
• We reviewed the DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay in Miami.
• Our full review of Mr. Sanchos Beach Club in Cozumel.
• Royal Caribbean treated breast cancer survivors to a cruise vacation.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 280th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, Matt talks with Colleen from Cruise Critic about the awards Royal Caribbean recently won.

In this episode, Colleen shares what catapulted Royal Caribbean ahead of other cruise lines to win three distinct awards at the Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards.

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.

Cruise with Matt to New England and Canada!

We are so excited to announce the next group cruise for readers and staff of RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com aboard Brilliance of the Seas!  This is an exclusive group where we are inviting you, our readers, to join us on a fantastic Brilliance of the Seas sailing on an 7-night cruise to Canada & New England.

This Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise is all about enjoying a fun Royal Caribbean cruise along with other fans who are big fans of Royal Caribbean.  Don't miss this opportunity to check out the amazing ship as well as be a part of exclusive events for those that book with our group!

For more details on booking the cruise, the itinerary and prices, check out the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise page and if you have any questions, email me!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Eyewitness News reported Royal Caribbean hired more than 200 Bahamians.

Beyond Ships reviewed Terminal A cruise terminal in PortMiami.

Cruise & Ferry shared why Royal Caribbean worked with Elation Professional to provide lighting to Symphony of the Seas.

Marine Insight reported that Royal Caribbean was named Best Cruise Line at the 2018 National Geographic Traveler Awards Russia.

Eat Sleep Cruise shared their restaurant menus on Symphony of the Seas.

Happy December! We cannot believe that we are already one full week into the month – there is so much going on with holiday preparation and shopping and baking!

Royal Caribbean announced this week that it will end its parternship with DreamWorks.

Starting on all sailings departing on or after April 1, Royal Caribbean will cease to offer the DreamWorks experience on any of its ships.

All cruises that depart before April 1 will have the DreamWorks experience for the entirety of the cruise; programming will not cut off mid-cruise.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean has agreed to build a new cruise terminal in Galveston.
• Two more Royal Caribbean ships can now use the new smart phone app.
• We shared our top 10 Symphony of the Seas hidden secrets.
• Cruise Critic named Royal Caribbean the best cruise line for entertainment and suite offerings.
• 2020-2021 Short Caribbean sailings went on sale this week.
• Our full review of Royal Caribbean's new VIP guest experience, The Key.
• Royal Caribbean kicked off its December sales promotion this week, with 30% off all guests.
• Take a photo tour of a Grand Suite on Symphony of the Seas.
• Take a look at the Perfect Day at CocoCay map.
• Here's a look at the CocoCay pier progress.
• Royal Caribbean shared a new video of the family adventures available on Symphony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 279th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, we share what you need to know before going on a cruise from Terminal A in PortMiami.

Royal Caribbean's brand new cruise terminal in Miami is open, and Matt shares a guide for going from curb to ship in Terminal A.

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

Orlando Sentinel shared how an astronaut helped Royal Caribbean develop a show on Symphony of the Seas.

Seatrade Cruise News reports Royal Caribbean named a new member to its Board of Directors.

TravelBiz reported Royal Caribbean has won the title of favorite cruise line in India.

Happy Sunday! November has arrived, and we hope you had a great week with friends, family, and plenty of food.  Each week we summarize all of this week's Royal Caribbean news, just in case you missed any of it.

The big news this week was Royal Caribbean's announcement of the major changes coming to Navigator of the Seas in 2019.

Navigator of the Seas will undergo a refurbishment in early 2019, and will feature a number of changes including an awe-inspiring Caribbean poolscape, waterslides, the first blow dry bar at sea, nightlife and dining, and thrilling activities for the whole family.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean held a grand opening ceremony for Terminal A in PortMiami.
• Kids Sail Free offer is back for the month of November.
• Check out these self-service merchandise machines found on Symphony of the Seas.
• Here's the latest look at the CocoCay pier progress being made.
• Navigator of the Seas had to divert to Vigo, Spain to conduct emergency repairs earlier this week.
• Royal Caribbean created a fun timelapse video of Symphony of the Seas' departure from Malaga.
• We tried to answer as many of the commonly asked Symphony of the Seas questions as we could.
• Royal Caribbean released a new version of its smart phone app.
• Royal Caribbean thinks Symphony of the Seas offers the best family vacation at sea.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Have you ever dined at Izumi Japanese specialty restaurant?

In this week's podcast episode, Matt shares an overview of what Izumi offers, the various options across the fleet, and mentions which menu items are his favorite.

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.

New RCB Video: Royal Caribbean cruise money saving tips

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Royal Caribbean cruise money saving tips — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

The Pinay Solo Backpacker Blog shared a guide for first timers to Ovation of the Seas.

Disney Tourist Blog shared their first impressions of Royal Caribbean from a Disney Cruise Line sucker loyalist.

CNBC quoted Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman Richard Fain talking about fuel costs and their effect on earnings.

Cruise Habit recorded a podcast about cruise line loyalty programs (including Crown and Anchor Society).

Happy Sunday! We are so happy that you stopped by and hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Grab a mug of your favorite hot beverage, sit back, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean news.

Lots of our readers were talking about the confirmation that Anthem of the Seas will move to Southampton in 2020.

Royal Caribbean UK and Ireland managing director Ben Bouldin confimed the rumor after months of speculation that one of the Quantum Class ships would sail from the UK in 2020.

It remains to be seen which ship will replace Anthem of the Seas in Bayonne, New Jersey. 

Royal Caribbean News

• We shared the photos from inside Royal Caribbean's new cruise terminal in PortMiami.
• Here is what the new chat feature looks like on Royal Caribbean's smartphone app.
• Royal Caribbean provided guidance on its new smartphone app roll out schedule.
• We posted a new video of the azipod installation on Spectrum of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean entered the TTG Travel Awards' Hall of Fame.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

First time cruisers on Royal Caribbean might be wondering what pitfalls to avoid, and so we shared some good advice on this week's podcast.

In this week's podcast episode, Matt invited podcast listeners to call in and share their own experiences of making mistakes onboard, as well as other miscalculations they may have seen.

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.

New RCB Video: Why book an inside room on a cruise

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Why you should book an inside stateroom on a cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

CNBC shared a talk with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain.

Travel Weekly profiled Richard Fain and shared how the cruise line is using wind power.

The Jersey Momma posted reviews, tips and advice for an Anthem of the Seas cruise.