Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: January 19, 2014

In:
19 Jan 2014

Happy weekend Royal Caribbean fans!

The news this week was all about over sixty passengers on Majesty of the Seas coming down with Norovirus during a 4-night cruise from Miami.

Norovirus is something that happens now and then on different cruise ships and the media loves to harp on these stories and make a bigger deal than it really is. Nonetheless, the people affected by the outbreak had responded well to over-the-counter medication administered on board the ship.

Royal Caribbean is also taking steps to disinfect the ship as well as sanitize the terminal area to prevent the disease from affecting anyone else.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Have you listened to the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast yet? Our second episode came out this week and it's all about Royal Caribbean's staterooms.

Matt looked at the different categories of staterooms Royal Caribbean offers, the differences between them, what you need to know about the special categories and booking tips for getting the staterom you want.

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 is celebrating National Hobby Month by encouraging everyone to try some hobbies on their ships.

Royal Caribbean also posted about why traveling off the beaten path can be a good idea.

Parents Magazine posted why we loved our Royal Caribbean cruise.

Adam Goldstein posted a new blog post about how the Radiance class didn't turn out like they wanted.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: January 12, 2014

In:
12 Jan 2014

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.

This big news this week is Royal Caribbean's CEO Adam Goldstein spoke to CNBC about what Royal Caribbean and the cruise industry have been doing to keep passengers safe.

Goldstein says the negative events of the last two to three years have been "an anomoly" and in his more than two decades at Royal Caribbean, safety has always been a big priority.  

"And so there's no question in our minds, in my mind, that the last two or three years have been an anomaly, and that given the foundation of discipline and attention to detail, the cruise industry will resume its long-term very safe track record. "

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The twenty third episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and we're previewing a listener's cruise on Liberty of the Seas.

In this episode, Matt is joined by Chad from Kentucky, who is sailing on Liberty of the Seas this week.  Todd shares why he booked his first Royal Caribbean cruise, his plans for things to do onboard and what he hopes to do when they visit ports.  Matt also has lots of great listener emails, tweets and Facebook posts 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

The Motley Fool thinks Royal Caribbean's stock is looking good, thanks to Quantum of the Seas anticipation.

CruiseRadio has a new podcast episode with a review of Allure of the Seas.

The Economist claims Royal Caribbean and Carnival's market share has dropped from 77% to 72% in last few years.

Sherry Laskin has an introduction to nine popular cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean.

Adam Goldstein's Blog post last week speaks about the importance to Royal Caribbean of shipyard visits.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: January 05, 2014

In:
05 Jan 2014

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

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.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: December 29, 2013

In:
29 Dec 2013

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 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

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: December 22, 2013

In:
22 Dec 2013

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

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

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: December 15, 2013

In:
15 Dec 2013

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

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.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: December 1, 2013

In:
01 Dec 2013

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 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.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: November 24, 2013

In:
24 Nov 2013

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

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.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: November 17, 2013

In:
17 Nov 2013

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

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.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: November 10, 2013

In:
10 Nov 2013

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 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.

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