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.

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.

The big Royal Caribbean news this week is the changes to the unlimited alcohol packages that Royal Caribbean rolled out on Friday.  Royal Caribbean added a few new plans and then changed its existing plans.

After being rumored for a few days, Royal Caribbean rolled the new beverage plans out, starting with a new non-alcohol plan as well as an ultimate alcohol package that promises to include, "virtually unlimited options".

Royal Caribbean also added to the existing Select and Premium unlimited alcohol packages the Coca-Cola Freestyle cups and a discount on the onboard wine packages without any price increase.

Royal Caribbean News

• The other big news this week is that Allure of the Seas will be getting a one week refurbishment in February 2014 to address propulsion issues, at the expense of having to cancel one sailing.
• There's a new Quantum of the Seas progress photo to view.
• We had an exclusive interview with a Royal Caribbean designer how new cruise ships are designed and built.
• Royal Caribbean also changed this week the way they handle complimentry stateroom upgrades.
• Royal Caribbean is going to test a new Wi-Fi system that they hope will increase internet speeds for guests at sea.
• There's a new Quantum of the Seas video showing how they are using virtual reality to design the ship.
• Royal Caribbean is also planning to make a big announcement on November 21 and we're pretty sure it will be Anthem of the Seas will be sailing out of Southampton, England.
• Royal Caribbean pledged $1 million to the victims of the Phillippines typhoon Haiyan.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The fifteenth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and we're discussing a core question of why to cruise with Royal Caribbean.

This week, Matt looks at what he finds appealing about Royal Caribbean and what seperates Royal Caribbean from its competitors.  Rather than compare Royal Caribbean directly to other cruise lines, Matt focused on what Royal Caribbean does really well.

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 five coolest things on Vision of the Seas.

BeyondShips has a photo tour of Brilliance of the Seas' refurbishment.

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.

If you've ever been to the Caribbean island of Barbados, you know how beautiful a destination it is so this week we reviewed a Barbados group tour excursion.

The Tyrone Griffith tour offers 3 to 4 hours of guided tour in an air conditioned bus, with stops at some of the most scenic places on the island.  In addition, there's beer, water and run punch included for the price.  We have a full review of this excursion and if it's worth the money.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean announced three new offers on 2014 cruises.
• Allure of the Seas seems to be affected by propulsion issues.
• San Juan, Puerto Rico is going to expand its cruise pier to make room for Quantum of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean's Chairman told travel agents the company depends on them at a recent conference.
• Quantum of the Seas godmother Kristin Chenoweth will be on Royal Caribbean's Thanksgiving Parade float.
• Voyager of the Seas returned to Australia this week.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The fourteenth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and we're talking about when to book a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Specifically, we dive into the debate of if you should book your cruise well in advance or wait to the last minute.  We will compare the benefits and disadvantages to both and help you decide which choice makes the most sense.

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

Wells Fargo favors Royal Caribbean as best poised to offset Caribbean pricing pressures.

Babble has an interesting look at Royal Caribbean's medical center and what happens when you get sick.

It's been quiet in terms of Quantum of the Seas news but we got a few tidbits this week related to Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship that is actively under construction.

Ship builder Meyer Werft launched the Quantum of the Seas webcam, which will offer periodic photo updates of how the ship's construction is progressing.  The photo of the webcam may only update one per week or so, but it's still a welcome addition to be able to see Quantum become a reality.

The other Quantum of the Seas news is a report that previously scheduled itineraries for that included a stop in Samana, Dominican Republic are being cancelled next year.  Itineraries that had stops scheduled in Samana have now mostly replaced the Samana port call with an additional day in San Juan or a sea day.  

What else was in the news this week? Read on…

Royal Caribbean News

• There's a report that indicates Allure of the Seas will go to Europe in 2015.
• Royal Caribbean is in talks with Curacao to build a new mega cruise ship pier.
• Royal Caribbean's third quarter financial earnings report is scheduled for October 24.
• Royal Caribbean won the Best Entertainment award for the third year in a row.
• Like night photos of cruise ships? Check out our Jewel of the Seas night photo gallery.
• Royal Caribbean's CEO was none too happy with the shutdown of the United States governement in the past two weeks.
• Here's our full review of the Seaview Cafe.

Royal Caribbean Podcast

The eleventh episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and this week we are sharing our first time on Royal Caribbean stories.

In this episode, Matt shares his first experience on a Royal Caribbean cruise, including why he booked it, what he liked about it and why Matt decided to cruise with Royal Caribbean again (and again and again).  We also have lots of your listener feedback to share 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

Royal Caribbean has a post up about how formal wear has changed on cruises.

Kuki has a new post wondering if ship libraries are wasted space.

Cruise Director Richard Spacey wrote about cruise vacation etiquette.

Dhani Jones, Quantum of the Seas advisor, is on a Fox Sports Radio podcast describing his work with Royal Caribbean.

MyNews13 has information on Port Canaveral is hosting an annual convention to discuss port expansion.

The big news this week was once again about Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas.  We learned that former NFL star and TV show host Dhani Jones will be the second member of the Quantum Experience Advisors.

Jones will be the Sports and Fitness celebrity expert advisor for Quantum of the Seas and is responsible for coming up with new exciting activities for cruise ship guests.

Jones has taken a look at the existing Royal Caribbean programming for guests as well as the signature Royal Caribbean offerings. He has come up with some new ideas for the Quantum-class ships and been lending his expertise on the latest active trends and providing fresh ideas for SeaPlex.

What else was in the news this week? Read on…

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean may have dropped Vantage of the Seas as a possible name for a new cruise ship.
• Royal Caribbean will now give solo cruisers double Crown and Anchor points.
• We reviewed quite possibly the most beautiful beach we've ever been to, Bikini Beach in St. Martin.
• Royal Caribbean will be offering up to $100 onboard credit to celebrate National Cruise Week.
• TTG Asia has awarded Royal Caribbean its sixth-consecutive cruise line of the year award.
• A couple on Jewel of the Seas shared how they helped rescue overboard sailors on a recent cruise.

Royal Caribbean Podcast

Bottoms up!  The tenth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and we're discussing everything related to the unlimited alcohol packages.

In this episode, Matt explores the different unlimited alcohol packages Royal Caribbean offers to its guests and describes what each package includes, how much you have to drink to get your moneys worth out of it and answer the always difficult question of are the unlimited alcohol packages worth it.

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

Kuki has a blog post recommending being realistic about your cruise budget.

Cruise Critic wants to know who would be your dream Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas celebrity advisor.

Arthur Frommer thinks bumper cars and ice skating rinks dont belong on cruise ships.