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.

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

• The shutdown of the United States government affected Brilliance of the Seas passengers
• Good news for surfers out there; Royal Caribbean is now allowing tricks on the FlowRider
• Genvieve Gorder released her first Quantum of the Seas webisode
• We reviewed dinner at Chops Grille on Jewel of the Seas
• We also reviewed the Royal Caribbean calling plans provided by AT&T Wireless
• Royal Caribbean announced new Ocean Voyage cruise packages for trans-Atlantic cruises
• Royal Caribbean also announced the 2014-2015 season for Mariner of the Seas

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

Royal Caribbean released the Cupcake Cupboard's recipe to make gluten-free pumpkin cupcakes.

Legend of the Seas was named 2014 Ship of the Year in annual German cruise award "Der Deutsche Kreuzfahrtpreis".

Philly.com has a list of eight ways to save money on a cruise vacation.

Happy Sunday and I hope you had a great week (and weekend)!  This week's biggest news was centered around Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship that is still under construction, Quantum of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean announced a new program called, "Quantum Experience Advisors" that will bring industry professionals in to help design the ship and ensure "every aspect of the guest experience has been maximized to the fullest extent."

The first member of the Quantum Experince Advisors is HGTV star Genevieve Gorder. Gorder is being tasked with interior design, key amenities and activities on the Quantum-class.  Thus far, Gorder has reviewed plans, fabrics, carpets and furnishings for the ship’s luxurious accommodations.

Royal Caribbean has indicated we will meet more members of the Quantum Experience Advisors as time goes forward.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean announced Lisa Bauer is leaving the company along with 100 layoffs.
• Should you take a cruise close to home or fly to your cruise? We share the pros and cons of both.
• Royal Caribbean is investing in their onboard internet for guest satisfaction and for bigger profits.
• Royal Caribbean's board of directors named a new lead director.
• Royal Caribbean UK launched a new game for the iPad and promises an iPhone version is coming soon.
• Considering Royal Caribbean's wine package?  Here's everything you need to know.
• We launched a new live blog series on Freedom of the Seas.  Check out the first post.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

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

It seems like everyone books shore excursions on their cruise vacation, so this week Matt looks at the benefits and drawbacks of booking your shore excursions through Royal Caribbean or on your own.  There isn't a wrong answer, but Matt thinks depending on your comfort level, there's some good choices to consider.

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 some design tips that Genevieve Gorder shared for the home.

Cruise Maven has her list of the best 5 specialty restaurants on Allure of the Seas.

Travel Weekly has a group of travel agents assess the pros and cons of Royal Caribbean's recent restructure in the UK.

Travel Weekly also has a report that Royal Caribbean is reporting some of the Australia itineraries are not ideal because of port issues.

This week was PACKED with Royal Caribbean news so if you missed any of it, here's a great chance to recap what happened around the Royal Caribbean World.

The biggest news of the week was Royal Caribbean's decision to ban smoking on its balconies, joining some other cruise lines who also institutde the prohibition recently. Needless to say, this has a lot of people either very happy or very upset.

The smoking ban begins on January 1, 2014 and applies to all forms of smoking, including e-cigarettes.  If you are caught smoking in your stateroom or balcony, Royal Caribbean will charge your onboard account a $250 cleaning fee.

Smoking isn't completely banned onboard Royal Caribbean ships.  In fact, Royal Caribbean promises many places onboard to light 'em if ya got 'em.

Royal Caribbean News

• The other big news was a leak that shows Anthem of the Seas will likely be homeported in Southampton, England in 2015.
• If you have daughters and are sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise during the holidays, the Barbie Experience can be had for 30% off.
• Royal Caribbean named a new Senior Vice President of Marine Operations.
• Did you know about this week's Royal Caribbean Secret?
• We reviewed the Freedom-ice.com ice skating show on Freedom of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean released 2014 Asia cruises for Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The fifth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available, where we are talking about everything Freedom of the Seas.

Freedom of the Seas remains one of Royal Caribbean's most popular cruise ships we look at what's so great about Freedom of the Seas, our favorite things to onboard and we even share a few Freedom of the Seas secrets.  Mike Rahlmann joins the show this week to spread the good word about 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

Cruise Currents has a photo gallery of Liberty of the Seas' sailaway.

Dream Designs shared a blog post detailing their award ceremony that was held on Brilliance of the Seas earlier this summer.

Frommers has a list of their 10 favorite experiences in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Happy Labor Day weekend to all of our American readers!  This weekend marks the unofficial end to summer and Royal Caribbean had plenty going on this week, so let's jump right in.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean CEO Adam Goldstein confirmed there will not be a water slide on Quantum of the Seas.
• Speaking of Quantum of the Seas, her engines arrived this week.
• Have you ever stayed onboard your Royal Caribbean ship when it was in port? We share why you might want to stay onboard too.
• Royal Caribbean announced it will add a second cruise ship to Tampa next year.
• Royal Caribbean released the Brazil 2014-2015 schedule.
• In other new ship news, the French shipyard where the third Oasis-class ship will be built is getting ready to begin construction.
• Check out these amazing robots that Royal Caribbean will be using onboard Quantum of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The fourth episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and it's all about Royal Caribbean's private destination of Labadee.

This beach destination is one of my favorite Caribbean ports of call and there's a lot to do here.  We discuss Labadee's beaches, shore excursions you can try, the cabanas you can rent and the food available to eat there.

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 has a list of the best onboard cruise ship activities, and there's a few Royal Caribbean staples included.

BerNews says Reverend Run from the rap group Run D.M.C. was spotted on a Royal Caribbean cruise this week.

Cruise Critic has its list of the best cruise ships for sea days and there's plenty of Royal Caribbean ships making the list.

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.

We're big fans of Royal Caribbean's private destination of Labadee and this week we posted an in-depth first timer's guide to this little piece of paradise.

From the different regions of Labadee, to what each beach offers, this is your virtual tour guide to what to do when you arrive here.  Just as important as the beaches, we did not neglect to mention to try at least one Labadoozie while you're there!

Here we go, let's dive in!

Royal Caribbean News

• Going to Europe next year? Royal Caribbean is offering free shore excursions for kids on its 2014 European cruises.
• Royal Caribbean has renewed its partnership with Bank of America and expanded its credit card reward program.
• Here's our list of the top 10 classic Royal Caribbean television commercials. Have you seen them all?
• Royal Caribbean was beat up in the media this week so Matt posted an op-ed piece defending Royal Caribbean.
• Looking to take better photos on your next Royal Caribbean cruise? Timothy Corbin shares some helpful tips.
• Have you taken a ride on the carousel on the Oasis-class ships?
• Don't miss this week's batch of photos our readers sent in for Friday Photos.
• If you're going to Labadee, be sure to consult our first timer's guide to Labadee.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The third episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and we're going BIG, discussing Oasis of the Seas.

Joining us on this week's show is Beci Mahnken of MEI Travel, and we looked at why Oasis of the Seas is so impressive, innovations on the ship and we also shared tips for what not to miss onboard.

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

Someone created a 1:1 scale replica of Quantum of the Seas in Minecraft. 

USA Today has a list of the best fast food at sea, which includes the Boardwalk Dog House.

Cruise Critic has information on everything you need to know about repositioning cruises in 2013.

We had fun this week sharing lots of Royal Caribbean news from many aspects of the company's operation.  From Barbados to St. Lucia to New Jersey, there's lots to catch up on this week if you missed any of it.

Let's dive in!

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean celebrated a huge milestone this week when it welcomed its 50 million guest.
• The city of Bayonne approved the loan to Royal Caribbean to expand Cape Liberty to make room for Quantum of the Seas.
• Speaking of ports, Royal Caribbean is considering partnering with St. Lucia to build a new cruise terminal.
• Need more Caribbean news?  Royal Caribbean will once again offer year-round cruises to Barbados.
• We shared some great photos by our readers in this week's Friday Photos.
• Here's a video of how Royal Caribbean is designing Two70 aboard Quantum of the Seas.
• Do you love escargot when you're on a Royal Caribbean cruise?  We think it's a classic Royal Caribbean food.
• We launched a complete listing of Oasis of the Seas deck plans for you to easily see where everything is onboard the ship.

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 specialty restaurants.

We looked at how specialty restaurants have become very popular recently, what restaurants are currently available and what the future holds for these eateries.

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 has a new podcast episode with a review of cruising on Jewel of the Seas

USA Today has a new photo tour of Grandeur of the Seas.

Travel Biz Monitor has more information on a deal for cruisers from India to save 20% on their next Royal Caribbean cruise.

If you liked a little of everything when it comes to Royal Caribbean news then this was the week for you.  

Over the course of the week we learned more about Quantum of the Seas and what we can expect from it.  It's clear that people are excited to know everything they can about this ship and we started out with a list of everything we know about the virtual balcony.  

This was followed up by an interesting list of frequently asked questions about Quantum of the Seas that gave us a few more details about venues, dining, entertainment and more.

Royal Caribbean News

• If Royal Caribbean wants to build a fourth Oasis-class cruise ship, they have to decide by December.
• There's a new video of Quantum of the Seas' keel-laying and Anthem of the Seas' steel-cutting ceremonies.
• We shared a secret spot on Allure of the Seas to check out if you want to get away from the crowds.
• Have you considered buying the unlimited alcohol packages on your next Royal Caribbean cruise?  We broke down the cost per day to see how much you really need to drink to make it worth while.
• Royal Caribbean is launching an 11-day sale for residents of the United Kingdom.
• We had our very first edition of Friday Photos, where we shared your Royal Caribbean vacation photos.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is live!  We're covering eveyrthing Royal Caribbean and inviting you to explore every aspect of a great cruise vacation.  Check it out at RoyalCaribbeanPodcast.com!

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.

We want to hear from you when it comes to this podcast because we want it to be an interactive show.  If you have questions, comments or thoughts, share them with us.  We might even include it on the show!

Take a listen to Episode 1 of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast!

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

Travel Weekly has a detailed post about how Haiti wants to lure Royal Caribbean passengers beyond Labadee.

Inverclydenow mentions a visit by Vision of the Seas.

The CLIA is touting innovations in cruising that are coming soon, such as virtual balconies coming to Navigator of the Seas.

RoyalCaribbeanPR is reporting Explorer of the Seas will receive a new parade called "Royalapalooza", which first debuted on Mariner of the Seas.