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 News

Here's what happened in the world of Royal Caribbean this week

• Royal Caribbean changed how it prices its unlimited alcohol packages.
• Quantum of the Seas suffered a few tech issues on its first day.
• A giant wave hit Explorer of the Seas.
• Quantum of the Seas began her trans-Atlantic voyage home.
• Royal Caribbean will roll out RFID WOWbands over the several years to the rest of the fleet.
• We offered first time cruisers a look at the differences between Royal Caribbean ships.
• Our look back at Royal Caribbean's (soon to be) extinct restaurants.

Quantum of the Seas coverage

We're knee-deep in Quantum of the Seas coverage, so if you missed any of it, here's a quick run down of what happened this week

• Five beautiful Quantum of the Seas photos in Southampton
• Videos
  • SeaPlex on Quantum of the Seas
  • An inside look at Quantum of the Seas' bridge
  • Virtual Balconies
  • Skydiving on Quantum of the Seas
  • Quantum of the Seas' historic maiden voyage
  • Royal Caribbean's final touches on Quantum of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The sixty-sixth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available that is all about booking shore excursions.

Matt previews his cruise this week on Quantum of the Seas and discusses what his plans are for his short trip and what he hopes to see and 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

Travel Shop Girl reviewed her Oasis of the Seas balcony stateroom.

Yahoo! Lifestyle shared how much fun they had on Quantum of the Seas.

Gizmodo shared a look at how the virtual balconies work.

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 announced all the new technology for Quantum of the Seas earlier this week and the big event revealed how amazing this new ship will be.

Luggage tracking, RFID wristbands, robot bartenders and more will be available on Quantum of the Seas and Royal Caribbean is billing the new ship as, "the world's most futuristic ship."

Combined with insanely fast internet speeds at sea, the new ship promises to be pretty darn impressive.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean will expand Dynamic Dining to Oasis of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas will get the Broadway show "We Will Rock You"
• Tropical Storm Cristobal alters two cruise ship itineraries
• Everything we know about Royal Caribbean's RFID WOWbands
• Royal Caribbean wins first place in web site suvery

99 Days of Quantum

We're counting down the days until Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, debuts with a blog post each day about what makes this cruise ship so amazing.

• American Icon Grill
• Quantum of the Seas technology reveal images
• Cocktails about Quantum of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas construction photos
• Single cabin staterooms
• Wink
• Bionic Bar

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The fifty-sixth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and we're taking a look at the newly announced tech on Quantum of the Seas

In this episode, Matt looks at the big announcement by Royal Caribbean this week and discusses all the new technology coming to the ship.  There's a lot of new innovations to be excited about and this is our look at what to 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

The Roaming Scribe has an interview with Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain.

TheEMCeffect has a touching story about how Royal Caribbean helped make their cruise right.

From the Deck Chair is lukewarm on the new technology coming to Quantum of the Seas.

CruiseHangout shares his thoughts on the Quantum tech reveal.

The Quantum of the Seas news is really starting to flow now and this week we heard about the next Quantum of the Seas reveal event that will occur tomorrow.

On August 25, Royal Caribbean will hold a media event at the Meyer-Werft shipyard in Germany to show off all the technology Quantum of the Seas will have.

Tech writer David Pogue will host the event and it will be live streamed online at 10am eastern time.

The technology reveal for Quantum of the Seas is expected to follow the recent dining and entertainment reveal events in showcasing what's new and exciting for Quantum of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has built a reputation of pushing the envelope when it comes to technology on its cruise ships and this event should further than agenda.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean released 2015 Legend of the Seas Singapore itineraries.
• Information you need to know about upgrading your stateroom.
• Don't miss our Royal Caribbean burger showdown.
• Our reader photo report from Explorer of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean opens staff training center in China.
• A quick weekend WOW Sale wraps up today.
• New video about Quantum Experience Advisor Michael Schwartz and his new beer he is bringing to Quantum of the Seas.
• Haiti has negotiated a new passenger fee with Royal Caribbean.

99 Days of Quantum

We're counting down the days until Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, debuts with a blog post each day about what makes this cruise ship so amazing.

• SeaPlex
• Beautiful evening Quantum of the Seas photos
• RipCord by iFLY
• High-speed Internet
• Music Hall
• Mamma Mia
• ROBOSHOW

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The fifty-fifth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and we're previewing a podcast listener's upcoming cruise on Allure of the Seas.

In this episode, Matt kicks off a new series counting his favorite five things to do see, eat or watch and this week it was the Top 5 things on Freedom 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

EatSleepCruise has a list of four essential rules to get Dynamic Dining Reservations.

Seatrade Insider writes the San Juan pier expansion will make it ready for Quantum and Oasis-class cruise ships.

Travel Pulse says cruise lines are eager to attract solo travelers by reducing or eliminating the dreaded single supplement.

TravelWeekly posted about how an unexpected drop in fuel prices has helped cruise lines' bottom lines.

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.

The big news this week was all about Quantum of the Seas and her float out that took place a few days ago.

After a few days delay due to poor weather, Quantum finally made her way out of the Meyer Werft shipyard dry dock and is now one step closer to launching.

With Quantum of the Seas succesully floated out, the ship will begin functionality tests.  Royal Caribbean also announced a countdown of less than 100 days until her official debut.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean kicked off a 5-day WOW sale yesterday that offers onboard credit and reduced deposits.
• Royal Caribbean posted an updated Quantum of the Seas cutaway that reveals a lot more of the ship.
• Anthem of the Seas is now back in dry dock now that sister Quantum left.
• Royal Caribbean unveiled its $5 million art collection on Quantum of the Seas, including a giant pink polar bear.
• Royal Caribbean is investing $2 million to prevent Norovirus on its cruise ships.
• First time cruisers, don't miss our guide to disemberkation day on your Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Did you know about these lost Royal Caribbean ship names?

99 Days of Quantum

To celebrate the countdown until Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas debuts, we kicked off a brand new blog series, 99 Days of Quantum, that looks at what makes this new ship so amazing.  Each day we are posting a new blog post all about Quantum of the Seas so here's what you might have missed this week.

• North Star
• Virtual Balconies
• Wonderland
• Beautiful float out photos of Quantum of the Seas
• Sonic Odyssey
• Royal Loft Suite

Stay tuned to Royal Caribbean Blog each day for a brand new post all about Quantum of the Seas untils he debuts (93 more days!).

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The fifty-fourth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and we're previewing a podcast listener's upcoming cruise on Allure of the Seas.

In this episode, Matt invites podcast listener Danielle Perry to discuss her family's first Royal Caribbean cruise and why she chose to cruise on Royal Caribbean as well as why they picked Allure 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

Royal Caribbean posted an article about what happens if there is a hurricane during your cruise.

CruiseInd has started up its Quantum of the Seas live blog that will track the new ship's progress.

Royal Caribbean explores Quantum of the Seas' art theme.

Travel Weekly posted a new service for cruise visitors to Bermuda that allows easier access to Horseshoe Bay.

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.

Quantum of the Seas float out was scheduled to happen yesterday but the big step had to be delayed for a few more days due to poor weather.

Quantum of the Seas will now be floated out on August 12 at 4pm local time, which is a better time for Americans to see it than it's original time slot.

If all goes well, she will begin her thruster and stabilizer tests following the float out.

Royal Caribbean News

• Preview of Voyager of the Seas' upcoming changes
• First time cruisers: taking the kids on a cruise
• Royal Caribbean is appealing to be able to trademark "Broadway at Sea"
• Learn all about Royal Caribbean's Promenade View staterooms
• Quantum Experience Advisor Dhani Jones released a new video about spinning classes

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The fifty-third episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available, previewing a listener's Jewel of the Seas cruise.

This week Matt invited listener Kris to preview his upcoming Jewel of the Seas cruise as well as discuss what there is for kids to do on a 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

Royal Caribbean COO Adam Goldstein shared business travel advice on LinkedIn.

Motley Fool is writing about how Royal Caribbean's massive internet upgrade is about getting more Millennials to cruise.

Seatrade Insider says Royal Caribbean China chief Zinan Liu will deliver the keynote Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific speech.

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 News

Here's what happened in the world of Royal Caribbean this week

• Quantum of the Seas' float out is scheduled for August 9.
• Royal Caribbean has brought back two popular sales that started this week.
• Anyone over the age of 5 will now have to pay a surcharge for the Dreamworks Character Breakfast.
• Why you should book an interior stateroom versus why you should book a balcony.
• Quantum of the Seas' lifeboats are on their way to the ship.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The fifty-second episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available that is all about booking shore excursions.

We recorded a live episode of the podcast this week to celebrate our one year anniversary of the podcast. Our listeners called in with their thoughts on booking an interior stateroom versus a balcony.

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 writes about Royal Caribbean is hoping to lure new passengers with flexibile dining.

TTG Digital says Royal Caribbean to launch new travel agent incentive.

Happy Easter to all of our readers.  Have a great day and by far the big news this week was Royal Caribbean's deployment news regarding its Quantum-class ships.

Royal Caribbean announced it will send its brand new Quantum of the Seas to China in 2015, less than a year after it debuts in New York. 

In turn, Anthem of the Seas will now head up to New York instead of Fort Lauderdale for the winter 2015.  Liberty of the Seas will cover the New York market in between both ships.

The news shows how much Royal Caribbean believes in the burgeoning Chinese cruise market, but it did leave many fans disappointed that there won't be much time in the United States to enjoy Quantum of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean announced 2015-2016 deployments for Liberty of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas and Vision of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean rolled out its new Crown and Anchor Society Exclusive Rates.
• Video of how Royal Caribbean's navigational team works to provide a stable cruise.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The thirty-seventh episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available that is all about booking shore excursions.

This week we will look at all the different booking incentives Royal Caribbean offers its guests and which ones tend to be a better deal than others. We also have lots of listener feedback 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

BuzzFeed explains why Quantum of the Seas represents a critical tests for the cruise industry.

Mommy Musings has her top 10 experiences on Liberty of the Seas.

CruiseInd has analysis of Quantum of the Seas going to China.

Happy Sunday and I hope you had a great week (and weekend)!  This week's biggest news was Royal Caribbean's CEO, Adam Goldstein, has been promoted and the company is now looking for a new CEO.

Goldstein is now the president and chief operating officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the parent company of Royal Caribbean International.

Among other duties, Goldstein's new position will have him working with Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain on the strategic direction for the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean News

• Quantum of the Seas floats!
• Almost 100 passengers are sick on Grandeur of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean announced Australia and South Pacific cruises for 2015-2016.
• Our Royal Caribbean Italian food showdown.
• We reviewed Goff's Caye excursion in Belize City.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The thirty-sixth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available that is all about booking shore excursions.

Royal Caribbean recently announced its brand new approach to dining for the Quantum­-class cruise ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas and this week Matt is exploring what Dynamic Dining is and if this is a change for the best.

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

MDLblog has photos of his food from his Navigator of the Seas cruise.

Disney Cruise Line Blog has a book review of the Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line.

Royal Caribbean has the top 3 tips for picking the right vacation destination.

Seatrade Insider says Royal Caribbean government relations now fall under Kalisch.

NBC Miami reports a 10-month old was airlifted from Enchantment of the Seas after having difficulty breathing.

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.

Broadway fans will rejoice in Royal Caribbean's big announcement this week that one of the longest running Broadway shows of all time, Andrew Lloyd Weber's CATS, is coming to Oasis of the Seas.

As part of the ship's refurbishment later this year, Royal Caribbean will swap out Hairspray and replace it with CATS.

Oasis of the Seas will be going into drydock in while in Europe on October 2014.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean announced Michael Schwartz is the Quantum Experience Advisor for culinary.
• Royal Caribbean is going to send Explorer of the Seas to UK in 2015.
• Royal Caribbean will then send Explorer of the Seas to Australia later in 2015.
• Explorer of the Seas is getting virtual balconies and a 3-D movie theater.
• Here's everything we know about Royal Caribbean's dynamic dining.
• Royal Caribbean announced 2015-2016 southern Caribbean itineraries.
• Our top 10 Royal Caribbean dining tips.
• First look at the SeaPlex Dog House on Quantum of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The thirty-fifth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and we're reviewing our recent cruise aboard Navigator of the Seas.

In this episode, answers the question of how do you figure out the right Royal Caribbean cruise for you.  Matt offers ways to sift through all the cruises Royal Caribbean offers to figure out which cruise options to choose from and ultimately make a decision.

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.

Join us for the first ever Royal Caribbean Blog Cruise!

We're so excited to announce the first ever group cruise for readers and staff of RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com aboard Quantum of the Seas!  This is an exclusive group where we are inviting you, our readers, to join us on one of the first Quantum of the Seas sailings on an 8-night cruise to the Caribbean.

This Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise is all about enjoying this brand new ship with other fans who are big fans of Royal Caribbean.  Don't miss this opportunity to check out the brand new cruise 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

Cruise Law News is reporting a gastrointestinal outbreak on Gradeur of the Seas.

Cruise Hive has a report of two port workers were killed during Independence of the Seas' unberthing process.

Cruise Miss shares her thoughts on Royal Caribbean's Dynamic Dining.

Jason Leppert has a new vidcast all about cruising.

It was a big week for Royal Caribbean news and if you missed any of it, we have the full recap right here.

Any self respecting Royal Caribbean fan probably heard the big news when on Wednesday Royal Caribbean announced its new evolution of cruise dining called Dynamic Dining for its Quantum-class cruise ships.

Dynamic Dining boils down to there will be no main dining room on Quantum of the Seas or Anthem of the Seas. Instead, there will be 5 complimentary restaurants along with a slew of specialty restaurants and quick dining locations.

Needless to say, the change has gotten Royal Caribbean fans talking and there's vocal fans in support and in opposition to Dynamic Dining.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean CEO Adam Goldstein held a Google+ Hangout to discuss Dynamic Dining with fans.
• Why Matt thinks Dynamic Dining is a great idea.
• Royal Caribbean is giving passengers on Adventure of the Seas refunds.
• Royal Caribbean sent Navigator of the Seas on a shortened cruise after the oil spill delay.
• Royal Caribbean has joined an alliance to develop sustainable Caribbean destinations.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The thirty-fourth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and we're reviewing our recent cruise aboard Navigator of the Seas.

In this episode, Matt talks about Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program, the Crown and Anchor Society.  Matt explains how the program works and why you would want to join it.  He's also reading messages, comments and questions from all of our podcast listeners.

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.

Join us for the first ever Royal Caribbean Blog Cruise!

We're so excited to announce the first ever group cruise for readers and staff of RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com aboard Quantum of the Seas!  This is an exclusive group where we are inviting you, our readers, to join us on one of the first Quantum of the Seas sailings on an 8-night cruise to the Caribbean.

This Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise is all about enjoying this brand new ship with other fans who are big fans of Royal Caribbean.  Don't miss this opportunity to check out the brand new cruise 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 News

CruiseInd has analysis of why they think Royal Caribbean did away with traditional dining.

Seatrade Insider reports on how Royal Caribbean discussed cruise safety oversight at NTSB forum.

Metro has a video of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver discussing why he opened a restaurant on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Beyond Ships has an interview with Legend of the Seas captain.