Happy Sunday! It has been a busy week of Royal Caribbean news, and we have it all summarized for you in this round up.

The big news this week was all about the impact of Hurricane Matthew on Royal Caribbean's operations. A number of sailings were impacted, including one Majesty of the Seas cruise that was canceled.

At first, Royal Caribbean delayed the sailing by a day but then decided to cancel the October 8th cruise because of the path of the storm.

The massive hurricane presented too large of a problem for the sailing to operate, and thus, Royal Caribbean took the rare action of actually cancelling the entire cruise.  Royal Caribbean gave guests the choice of a full refund for the cruise fare paid or future cruise credit of 150% of the cruise fare paid.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's CEO provided an update on damage to its private destinations.
• Guests can save up to 30% off their drink packages before the end of this weekend.
• Hurricane Matthew delayed three ships sailaway times to give guests ample time to arrive.
• Our blogger, Michael Poole, is live blogging from Enchantment of the Seas.
• Top 16 things everyone needs to try at least once on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
• Our full review of Chops Grille on Freedom of the Seas.
• Ovation of the Seas will host professional FlowRider lessons on one sailing.
• Shore excursion review of the Cozumel Food Tour.
• Our picks for the best spots on Allure of the Seas throughout the day.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 166th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we discuss what you need to know about choosing a stateroom for your Royal Caribbean cruise.

In this episode, Matt looks at the different stateroom categories available and provides information and tips on choosing the right stateroom 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.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Beyond Ships shared a photo feature of Navigator of the Seas in Europe.

Cruise Critic has a look at why following a hurricane matters.

Eat Sleep Cruise reports on the Royal Suite Class.

Ever since Hurricane Matthew passed through the Caribbean, many Royal Caribbean fans have been concerned about what damage the storm had on the cruise line's private destinations.  Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley shared an update with guests aboard Allure of the Seas.

Thanks to Kathy Van Wormer Sanders for sharing this letter

Here is the excerpt from the letter regarding Labadee, "In Haiti, the area near Cap Haitien that is home to Labadee was thankfully spared the worst of the storm.  Our staff was able to remain onsite throughout the week and is making sure the facility is in a clean and safe condition.  The school we operate for local children was closed for several days but class will be back in session next week."

In regards to CocoCay, there were fewer details that Bayley shared, "There are fewer details to share yet in the Bahamas, but he need will no doubt be great, and we will do all we can to assist.  We are in contact with the Bahamian government to understand their most urgent needs and how we can help."

Royal Caribbean is also providing aid and supplies to the people of Haiti, as outlined by Bayley in the letter, "Together with our longtime NGO partner, the Pan-American Development Foundation (PADF), we are already providing relief supplies to affected areas near Port-au-Prince, and have established a matching fund for contributions.  PADF is using our seed money to purchase tarps, water, rice and beans for areas hit by the storm.  There's good news, in that hospitals are operating, but that means medical supplied will be needed soon.  We have also sent trucks with mattresses, sheets and blankets to some hard hit areas, and our ships will also be dropping off supplies."

Royal Caribbean is actively working on providing ways for its guests to donate to help support these efforts, "We expect to have our relief plans for the region fully shaped in the next few days, including ways guests can help."

If you would like to donate towards the rebuilding efforts, consider a donation to the Help Haiti Now effort by PADF.

The effects of Hurricane Matthew are still being felt with three more Royal Caribbean ships that will have a delayed departure.

To give guests more time to arrive to the ship with transportation issues for Freedom of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas.

New departure times are:

• Oasis of the Seas sailing from Port Everglades on Saturday, October 8, will now depart at 7:00 p.m.
• Allure of the Seas sailing from Port Everglades on Sunday, October 9, will now depart at 7:00 p.m.
• Freedom of the Seas sailing from Port Canaveral on Sunday, October 9 will now depart at 9:00 p.m.

If there are any questions, please contact Royal Caribbean at 866-562-7625.

Many guests with cruises booked are reporting seeing up to 30% off certain unlimited beverage packages for their upcoming Royal Caribbean cruises.

Royal Caribbean has been offering 20% the alcohol packages for a while now, but for the next 60 hours, there are now discounts of up to 30% off certain packages.

The exact discount will vary from sailing to sailing, but the Deluxe unlimited alcohol package has been spotted with 20-25% off deals and the Refreshment package has been seen with a 30% discount.

Based on the countdown clock, it appears this promotion ends at midnight on Sunday night, October 9, 2016. This promotion has been extended through midnight on October 10, 2016.

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site and navigate to the Dining & Beverage section to see any available offers.

If you have a drink package already prepurchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same drink package under this promtion.

Thanks to Royal Caribbean Blog reader Michael C for assisting with this information!

Do you see a similar discount for your sailing? Share the details in the comments and if you will buy one!

Every Friday we share Royal Caribbean cruise photos that our readers sent in, as a means of showcasing great photography and giving all of us a "virtual break" to enjoy the view of being on a cruise.  If you want to send in your photo, use this form and we could feature it in an upcoming post.

Our first photo is of Independence of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas docked in Labadee.  This photo was taken by Joe L. while on his honeymoon and it is a beautiful shot!

Here is a photo of the Solarium on Allure of the Seas, by Bob Carpenter.  Bob said this is one of the most relaxing spots on the ship and I can tell you all from experience that Bob is indeed correct!

Next up is this photo of Dickensons Bay in Antigua by Pamela.  That is one really nice looking beach!

Take a look at this photo by Dan of Explorer of the Seas, as seen from the Space Needle in Seattle.  Hard to beat a view like this!

Tara Franz sent this photo of her daughter performing (she is the butterfly) in an Adventure Ocean show onboard Allure of the Seas.  So cute!

Next is a photo of Grandeur of the Seas, as seen from the beautiful sandy shores of CocoCay.  Emmanuel Mossino shared this photo and it instantly put me in the mood for a beach day.

Our last photo this week is from Richard Dreyer of Central Park on Allure of the Seas. This is my favorite neighborhood on Allure of the Seas, and a great look at how large this space really is.

Thank you to everyone that shared their photos with us this week! If you want to share with us your photos, use this form to send them in!

Royal Caribbean is offering bonus instant savings on top of its current promotion of 60% off the second guest, and 30% off third and fourth guests.

The Columbus Day sale is valid on bookings made October 7-11, 2016 on sailings departing on or after Nov. 7, 2016 (excluding China departures).

This offer includes

• Instant savings per stateroom based on category booked:
  • $25 off per stateroom for inside and oceanview categories
  • $50 off per staterooms for balcony and deluxe categories
• 60% off cruise fare of second guest who must be booked in the same stateroom as a first guest who books at full fare
• 30% cruise fare savings for 3rd guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests
• Free upgrade from Ocean view to balcony on offer eligible Anthem of the Seas sailings
• Bookings made Oct.1-11, 2016 for eligible Bahamas and Caribbean holiday sailings, offer includes a per stateroom onboard credit based on sailing length:
  • $100 OBC per stateroom for holiday sailings 3-5 nights departing December 22-31, 2016 and 2017
  • $100 OBC per stateroom for holiday sailings 6-9 nights departing December 15-31, 2016 and 2017
  • $200 OBC per stateroom for holiday sailings 10 nights or longer departing December 15-31, 2016 and 2017. 

BOGO60 is combinable with adjoining 30% Savings for 3rd and 4th guests, Columbus Day Weekend Savings, Anthem Upgrade, Holiday OBC, Crown & Anchor discounts and NextCruise offers. BOGO60 and 3rd and 4th Guest Savings are not combinable with restricted rates (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military). Columbus Day Weekend Savings, Anthem Upgrade and Holiday OBC are combinable with restricted rates (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military) and NextCruise offers. Columbus Day Weekend Savings and Holiday OBC are not combinable with Crown & Anchor discounts. Anthem Upgrade is combinable with Crown & Anchor discounts. All offers are not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events, Net Rates, Shareholder Benefits.

Offer available to residents of United States and Canada.

Two Royal Caribbean ships will have delayed boarding due to Hurricane Matthew and its impact on the state of Florida.

PortMiami closed in anticipation of the storm, and Royal Caribbean indicated that due to the closure and the storm's location, boarding for Empress of Seas and Enchantment of the Seas will now begin on Friday, October 7 at 5 p.m.

Royal Caribbean is asking guests that are on either of these sailings not to arrive to the port before 5 p.m.

If there are any questions, please contact Royal Caribbean at 866-562-7625.

This announcement comes on the heels of news that the October 8th Majesty of the Seas sailing has been canceled. 

Hurricane Matthew has caused a number of delays and cancelations, although the scheduled sailings for Freedom of the Seas and Allure of the Seas remain as planned for now.

@MissCMBeasley Freedom is set to leave on time this Sunday, Christine. Any updates can be found here: https://t.co/zmcot8Gmib

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) October 6, 2016

@mokylatn Allure is scheduled to leave on time. No changes have been made at this time.

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) October 6, 2016

The path of Hurricane Matthew has caused Royal Caribbean to make the decision to cancel its October 8th sailing of Majesty of the Seas.

The cruise line looked at the path of Hurricane Matthew and decided to cancel the cruise to avoid putting the ship, guests and crew in the path of the massive storm.

@susieeq47 Hi Susan. The 10/8 Majesty of the Seas sailing has been cancelled due to weather. Please contact us our your travel agent.

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) October 6, 2016

BREAKING: @RoyalCaribbean cancels #MajestyoftheSeas' Oct. 8 sailing out of @canaveralport, citing trajectory of #HurricaneMatthew.

— Gene Sloan (@CruiseLog) October 6, 2016

Royal Caribbean had planned on having Majesty of the Seas take a shorter sailing and depart on October 8.  The path of the storm and impact on the ship's departure point of Port Canaveral have caused the cruise line to reconsider its plans and cancel the sailing completely.

5:02pm UPDATE: Guests will have the option to receive a full refund of the cruise fare paid or future cruise credit in the amount of 150% of the cruise fare paid. Refunds will automatically be issued within one week to the form of payment applied unless Royal Caribbean is contacted and a future cruise credit is requested.

Due to Hurricane Matthew, Royal Caribbean has had to make changes to the itinerary for the current and next sailing of Majesty of the Seas.

Port Canaveral will be closing all marine traffic on Thursday, and anticipate reopening on Saturday. 

As a result, Majesty of the Seas next sailing will now depart Port Canaveral on Saturday, October 8, 2016. Due to the revised itinerary, Royal Caribbean International will provide each stateroom with an onboard credit in the amount of one day based on the cruise fare paid, which will be credited to guests' onboard accounts.

As a gesture of goodwill, we will also be providing all sailing guests with a 33% future cruise credit.

A letter with more details and information about the updated itinerary will be provided at boarding.

As we reported yesterday, Empress of the Seas is also delayed returning to PortMiami by at least one day.

If there are any questions, please contact Royal Caribbean at 866-562-7625.

Royal Caribbean International will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and will provide updates as soon as they become available.

This week's podcast episode is ready to go, as we present episode 166 of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast for your downloading pleasure.

This week, we take an in-depth look at the stateroom choices available on a Royal Caribbean cruise. After picking the ship, your stateroom is the next most important choice in the cruise planning process and there are a lot of factors that contribute to picking the right one for you.

There's also lots of reader emails and voicemails to share this week about everything Royal Caribbean.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 166. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS or on iTunes!

Take a listen and as always, let us know what you think! Please rate and review the podcast on iTunes and leave your comments below!