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.

Grandeur of the Seas had to go in for immediate repairs to fix an issue with her rudder earlier this week.

During a sailing, Royal Caribbean notified guests that Grandeur of the Seas was experiencing a technical issue which limits the operation of one of the two rudders used to steer the ship. As a result, the ship would be delayed in returning to Baltimore by two days.

The repairs took place on January 11, with the ship returning to Baltimore on January 13.  This caused the current sailing to be extended by two days and the next sailing to be shortened by two days.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean announced it will hold a Symphony of the Seas event in London.
• Our top ways to save money on your 2018 Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Are you cruising with children? Here is our guide to going on Royal Caribbean with kids.
• Top 10 tips for taking a Royal Caribbean cruise by yourself.
• Answers to commonly asked questions about Royal Caribbean's unlimited alcohol package.
• Here are the easy steps to follow to book a Royal Caribbean dining package.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 232nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we talk about what to do if the price of your Royal Caribbean cruise drops.

Getting the best possible price for your cruise vacation is a goal every savvy traveler seeks, and on this week's episode, Annette and Matt talk about how to find price drops and what to do if the price does indeed change.

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 listed five new cruise ships slated for Florida debuts in 2018.

Eat Sleep Cruise listed 10 signs you are addicted to Royal Caribbean.

Cruise Habit explained cruise line transfers that get you to and from your cruise.

Happy New Year! The first week of 2017 had plenty of Royal Caribbean news, and we have it all summarized for you in this week's round-up!

Earlier this week, it became apparent that there will be no DreamWorks characters on Symphony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean confirmed via Twitter that Symphony of the Seas will not have DreamWorks characters or shows onboard its newest ship.  This is a change from the other three Oasis class ships, which all featured DreamWorks characters.

There is no indication as of yet why Symphony of the Seas will not offer the DreamWorks characters.

Royal Caribbean News

• The January Wave Season offer features 30% off all guests and onboard credit.
• What first time cruisers need to know before booking a Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Our list of 10 awesome things to do on Anthem of the Seas.
• Here is a cruise hack for maximizing the Crown and Anchor Society discount on Voom internet packages.
• Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. hired a new Chief Human Resources Officer.
• Everything you need to know about formal night on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 231st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, we offer packing tips for going on an Alaska cruise.

On this episode, Sheri joins Matt to discuss packing strategies for going on an Alaska cruise, and what sort of things you ought to pack that might not be considered for a Caribbean cruise.

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 Chicago Tribune looks at how technology is changing cruising.

Royal Caribbean UK interviewed Rhapsody of the Seas' environmental officer.

The SunSentinel says don't be quick to blame cruise lines for excursion accidents.

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 a majority of the headlines surrounded a shore excursion accident in Mexico for some guests from Serenade of the Seas.

At least 12 tourists died in the crash. Royal Caribbean has confirmed 27 cruise ship passengers were on the bus that suffered the accident, which were sailing on Serenade of the Seas and Celebrity Equinox.

The crash occurred as the bus was on its way to the ruins at Chacchoben, about 110 miles south of Tulum.

Royal Caribbean News

• We're hearing Royal Caribbean will raise its automatic gratuity rate.
• Independence of the Seas had a gastrointestinal virus that affected 332 passengers.
• Royal Caribbean shared new Symphony of the Seas construction photos.
• Check out these 7 surprising facts about Harmony of the Seas.
• The over the water cabanas at Labadee's Barefoot Beach are back.
• We answer the question of what time to get to your cruise port on embarkation day.
• Royal Caribbean won five awards at the 2017 Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.
• Shay Mitchell has a new Adventurist video to share this week.
• Royal Caribbean is planning to update its casino rewards program.
• Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. named a new Chief Information Officer.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 229th 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

Daily Post is reporting Holyhead, England is considering building a new cruise berth to accomodate large cruise ships.

Skift is reporting on how cruise lines will keep trying to get your attention in 2018.

Eat Sleep Cruise shared 20 top family cruise tips.

Cruise Critic reported on Royal Caribbean's return to St. Maarten.

Shooting the Sea Breeze shared the different sanitation levels Royal Caribbean employs.

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 Carbbean released 2019 itineraries for Alaska and some European sailings.

Across eight ships, guests can now book a variety of sailings to these destinations.

Royal Caribbean News

• Deck-by-deck look at the changes coming to Independence of the Seas.
• Guests can now book post-cruise excursions to Elizabeth, New Jersey.
• Royal Caribbean released a new video on why you ought to cruise to Alaska.
• Our readers shared some great Royal Caribbean tips for a better cruise.
• Here's an overview of entertainment on Royal Caribbean cruises.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 228th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, Matt talks about the Solarium on Royal Caribbean ships.

In this episode, Matt provides an overview of the adults-only pool area, discusses the appeal of these areas, and shares some differences between each of them.

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

Skift interviewed Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain about building smarter ships.

Yahoo shared a look at Royal Caribbean's big bet on tech.

Cruise Critic highlighted 8 of the coolest cruise ship atriums, and one Royal Caribbean ship made the list.

Cruise Habit wrote about the realities of Norovirus and cruise ships.

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!

The United States Virgin Islands and Royal Caribbean teamed up to help re-build Magens Bay beach, which re-opened this week.

Royal Caribbean International partnered with the Department of Tourism, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the Magens Bay Authority and other government agencies and businesses to restore the world-renowned beach.

Cleanup crews have been working daily since the hurricanes to remove fallen trees and debris, repair buildings, and replant hundreds of native plants and trees.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean kicked off its monthly sales promotion this week with 30% off all guests and kids sail free on select dates.
• Royal Caribbean is testing a new "intelligent elevator" on Harmony of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean released 2019-2020 Bemuda, Canada, & New England itineraries.
• The Human Rights Campaign named Royal Caribbean a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.
• Royal Caribbean added new stateroom categories for 2019 Alaska sailings on Radiance of the Seas.
• Check out our 2018 Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning Guide.
• Royal Caribbean introduced $100 per person deposits on non-refundable NextCruise bookings.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 227th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, which talks debates interior versus balcony staterooms.

It is a debate every cruiser has, and it boils down to considering the merits of price, space, itinerary and more. This week, we share the considerations you ought to look at before booking the right room for you.

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.

Come cruise with us on Royal Caribbean!

We recently announced some new Royal Caribbean sailings that we have booked and are inviting you to join us for a RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com group cruise! This is an opportunity to join Matt, and other Royal Caribbean fans on some exciting cruises!

Choose from any of these great options!

• March 2019: Back-to-Back Double Dip on Mariner of the Seas
• July 2019: Anthem of the Seas to Bermuda and the Caribbean
• New Years Eve 2019: Freedom of the Seas to the ABC Islands from San Juan

For more details on booking the cruise, the itinerary and prices, check out our Events page and if you have any questions, email me!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Forbes wrote about Royal Caribbean using technology to improve the guest experience.

Beyond Ships interviewed Cruise Director Abe Hughes.

SecureIDNews looked at facial recognition on cruise ships.

Another week has gone by and that means we are all one week closer to our next Royal Caribbean cruise!

Royal Caribbean announced earlier this week it will expand sailings to Cuba, as well as add two new ports to visit.

Majesty of the Seas will begin offering sailings to Cuba in 2018, becoming the second Royal Caribbean ship to sail to Cuba after Empress of the Seas. The new Cuba ports will of Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos on the southeast coast, will be visited by Royal Caribbean and add a new dimension to an array of 4- to 8-night Caribbean adventures on Empress of the Seas.

All sailings to Cuba will offer shore excursions designed for guests to experience the destination and to comply with the people-to-people educational exchange activities requirement as set forth in the U.S. regulations.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean published new Symphony of the Seas construction photos.
• Ovation of the Seas is set to return to her homeport of Sydney, Australia.
• Royal Caribbean released a new video about the best way to visit Cuba (hint: it's on a cruise ship).
• We reviewed Nachi Cocom in Cozumel, Mexico.
• Check out a photo tour of a balcony stateroom on Independence of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 226th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, Matt shares his review of Independence of the Seas.

In this episode, Matt returns from a 4-night Western Caribbean sailing on Independence of the Seas, and shares his thoughts on the ship and what he did onboard and onshore.

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 Miami Herald interviewed various CEOs about what consumers really want.

The Real Deal reported Royal Caribbean's CEO sold his waterfront Miami home.

Asia Food Journal wrote about how Royal Caribbean does food preparation while at sea.

The Street shares how Royal Caribbean uses cruise bookings to predict the economy.

We wrapped up a busy week of Royal Caribbean fun, but if you missed any of it, we have it all wrapped up nicely for you in this weekly news round-up!

Royal Caribbean began releasing its 2019-2020 itineraries, starting with the 7-night Caribbean sailings across six ships.

Bookings opened up earlier this week for Allure, Freedom, Harmony, Liberty, Oasis, and Symphony of the Seas.  Bookings will open next week for short Caribbean summer 2019 sailings.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean announced four cruise ships will be redeployed in 2018-2019.
• U.S. News and World Reports named Royal Caribbean the Best Cruise Line for the Money.
• Our step-by-step instructions for how to book specialty restaurant reservations.
• Royal Caribbean has completed some of the beach enhancements on Labadee.
• Adventurist Shay Mitchell shared a number of videos from Oasis of the Seas.
• Six cool features we really like in Royal Caribbean's new smartphone app.
• Check out our Anthem of the Seas Grand Loft Suite photo tour.
• Spark Cooperative is looking to disrupt the cruise industry with its new guest experience planning software.
• ABB is ready to deliver its first fuel cell system for Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean Podcast

The 224th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which features Matt's take on Royal Caribbean's recent tech announcement.

In this episode, Matt reviews what was announced by Royal Caribbean in its Project Excalibur reveal.  Matt talks about why each of these new innovations represent a major shift in the guest experience.

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

Travel Agent Central talks with a Royal Genie, to get a sense of what to expect from Star Class.

The Cruisington Times shared what they saw at Royal Caribbean's tech announcement.

Eat Sleep Cruise has a list of 10 foods you must try on Harmony of the Seas.

Happy Sunday! Temperatures may be dropping, but there is plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share.  This is your weekly summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this past week, perfectly fitted for your consumption.

It was a busy news week for Royal Caribbean, beginning with a major announcement early in the week with 2019-2020 deployments.

Royal Caribbean teased for a few days its big announcement, and then revealed a number of deployment changes coming.  This includes Ovation of the Seas offering cruises to Alaska, moving of Harmony of the Seas to Port Canaveral, and short cruises on a pair of Voyager class ships.

The newly announced itineraries will go on sale over the next few weeks, with the remaining 2019-2020 sailings to be announced sometime next year.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean announced new fleetwide technology innovations coming soon.
• Construction formally began this week on Spectrum of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean released a new video of Spectrum of the Seas' keel laying ceremony.
• Royal Caribbean reported record third quarter earnings.
• We shared some interesting anecdotes from Royal Caribbean's leadership.
• We shared a list of the five most exciting Royal Caribbean cruises of 2018.

Royal Caribbean Podcast

The 223rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which talks about cruising from Port Everglades.

In this episode, Matt talks about how to get to the terminal, parking, and everything you should know if you are cruising from Fort Lauderdale.

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 Radio released a new podcast that talks about Royal Caribbean's tech announcement.

Cruise Critic reported the new Port Tampa Bay terminal is open and ready to accomodate Royal Caribbean ships.

Cruise and Ferry has a look at the cruise line bartenders competing in Bacardi's cocktail competition.

TheStreet has Jim Cramer's takeaways from Royal Caribbean's third quarter earnings.

Cruise Habit covered Royal Caribbean's tech announcement.

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 tease for a big announcement next week.

Royal Caribbean is promising to reveal something next Tuesday, with simply the tag line of, "Mark your calendars and tune in on November 7, 2017! The Thrills are about to get even bigger."

This has prompted a number of guesses from our readers, including enhancements to CocoCay, new itineraries, and other speculative ideas.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean provided answers to some commonly asked questions about cruises sailing out of San Juan.
• Royal Caribbean has scheduled its third quarter earnings call with investors for next week.
• Here are eight tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers.
• A Cruise Planner sale ends at the end of today.
• Royal Caribbean UK is sponsoring the Chorley Football club.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

On this week's episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast, Matt talks all about cruise sales and what they entail.

These days, there seem to be new Royal Caribbean sales promotions every week, and this episode is discussion of what the sales are all about, how lucrative the deals can be, and if you ought to wait for a sale.

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

Travel Market Report talked with Royal Caribbean's CEO about facial recognition and non-refundable cruise deposits.

Cruise Critic reviewed a recent sailing on what used to be Royal Caribbean's Song of America.

Mesophere shared how they collaborated with Royal Caribbean to bring microservices to cruise ships.

Eat Sleep Cruise reviewed Johnny Rockets on Majesty of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean tried to answer the question of which room to book for a cruise.

Travel Agent Central shared remarks by Royal Caribbean's CEO about hurricanes, travel agents, and more.

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.

Royal Caribbean shared some great news this week, with dates of when it will return to some hurricane-ravaged islands in the Eastern Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean will return to San Juan, Puerto Rico and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, which will be a, "major milestone towards the revival of these Caribbean gems which were impacted by recent hurricanes."

Royal Caribbean has been working closely with the governments of Puerto Rico and St. Maarten, and local businesses, and plans to offer destination experiences that will allow guests to enjoy the natural beauty, historic landmarks and culture of these idyllic islands.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean released new Symphony of the Seas construction photos.
• We interviewed Royal Caribbean's top cruiser, who has over 7000 Crown and Anchor Society points.
• What you need to know about self-disembarkation on Royal Caribbean cruises.
• Eight awesome reasons to buy an unlimited alcohol package.
• Here is a list of free beaches in the Caribbean to visit.
• Royal Caribbean won two awards at the Travel Weekly Asia awards.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Royal Caribbean announced some of the activities, restaurants, and amenities coming to Symphony of the Seas, and we discussed every inch of the big announcement.

In this week's podcast episode, Matt and Michael share their thoughts on what was revealed.  It is an in-depth look at some of the exciting features coming to Royal Caribbean's next cruise 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 shared 11 tips for staying connected while on a cruise ship.

Moms of the Seas talked about how safe the child care is on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Seatrade Cruise News posted the departure of Royal Caribbean's Chief Human Resources Officer.