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Royal Promenade on Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

In:
Podcast
10 Feb 2016

Episode 132 of the Royal Caribbean Blog podcast is now available for downloading and it is all about a signature aspect of many Royal Caribbean ships: the Royal Promenade.

In this episode, Matt takes a look at what makes the Royal Promenade such a beacon activity on a Royal Caribbean ship, what guests can expect to see and do there and why the Royal Promenade is one of Matt's favorite spots on a cruise.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 132. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Stitcher 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!

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast Episode - Royal Promenade

In:
10 Feb 2016

Listen to the Show

Download this episode

There are certain aspects of a Royal Caribbean ship that guests associate with being truly a Royal Caribbean feature. Over the years, Royal Caribbean has added a lot to its ships but one particular feature stands out as something unequivocally Royal Caribbean and that is the Royal Promenade. This cavernous hub of shopping, dining and entertainment is an area of many Royal Caribbean ships were it seems guests are always going to spend time.

On this episode:
Running time:

Photos of new Liberty of the Seas racing water slides

In:
Liberty of the Seas
09 Feb 2016

Two of Royal Caribbean's newest water slides opened today on Liberty of the Seas.

The racing slides, known as The Perfect Storm, opened on Liberty of the Seas to guests today to enjoy.  The Tidal Wave slide should be open tomorrow.

Typhoon and Cyclone slides

Tidal Wave slide should open tomorrow.

Photo by Chris Bowers

Guests have the choice between riding the green or orange slide.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Chris Bowers reported there was an LED light in the green slide and it was a "fast ride."  He also noted that if you have a choice, he preferred gren because it had great visuals.

Royal Caribbean offering 30% off every ship and every sailing

In:
Cruise Deals
09 Feb 2016

Royal Caribbean's next cruise deal will begin next week with 30% off each guest on every ship and every sailing, including Caribbean, Europe, Alaska and exotic itineraries.

The new cruise deal runs between February 16 and April 3, 2016 and applies to all sailings departing on or after March 16, 2016, excluding China departures.

Guests will get 30% off the standard cruise fare for all guests in a stateroom. Single travelers, as well as 3rd and 4th guests in a booking, sailing on applicable sailings are eligible to take advantage of 30% off.

Offer is combinable with Crown & Anchor discounts, NextCruise offers, and Shareholders benefits.

Offer is not combinable with restricted rates (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military) or 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.

Offer available to residents of the United States and Canada.

Royal Caribbean offering deals on trans-continental voyages from Australia

In:
Australia
08 Feb 2016

Royal Caribbean is offering deals on repositioning cruises that depart Australia, including cruises to Hawaii and Singapore.

Offer is valid for new bookings made through February 27, 2016 on all Royal Caribbean voyages departing after 3 January 2016 onwards. Offer excludes all China sailings.

Qualifying cruises are eligible for

  • Up to 50% off the total fare of the second passenger who must be booked in the same stateroom as a first passenger who books at full fare. 
  • 50% Reduced Deposit is applicable to bookings made more than 70 days prior to the departure date (90 days prior to departure for holiday sailings).
  • Onboard credit for sailings on Royal Caribbean Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Trans-Pacific and Asia Repositioning cruises departing between 03 January 2016 and 22 April 2017 will also receive
    • ​​Interior: US$200 per stateroom
    • Oceanview: US$200 per stateroom
    • Balcony: US$300 per stateroom
    • Suite: US$500 per stateroom

Buy One Get One Up To 50% off promotion is combinable with Standard pricing, Crown & Anchor discounts and Next Cruise offers only.  Offers are not combinable with Standard Group pricing, Cruisetour pricing or any other offer, promotion or restricted pricing including but not limited to: Air Offers, Flash/Mega Sales, Going Going Gone rates, Net rates, Closed User rates, Interline rates, Seniors rates, Military rates, Category Specials, Travel Agent rates, Friends and Family rates or Employee rates unless otherwise stated.

Royal Caribbean cancels remainder of Anthem of the Seas sailing and offers refunds

In:
Anthem of the Seas
08 Feb 2016

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas is returning home to Cape Liberty, New Jersey after encountering a severe winter storm in the Atlantic.

Royal Caribbean announced the ship will return to her homeport out of concern for guests' comfort due to the weather forecast in the area.

Royal Caribbean issued a statement, where it explained that th decision was made, "due to weather forecasted for the next few days that is likely to impact the ship’s original itinerary. We are also sensitive to the fact that our guests have already been through an uncomfortable ride. Returning to Cape Liberty minimizes the risks of further bad weather affecting our guests’ voyage; we are optimistic that they will have a smooth sail home."

Royal Caribbean is giving all guests aboard Anthem of the Seas a full refund and a future cruise certificate worth 50% of the cruise fare paid.

Royal Caribbean also reitterated its commitment to the safety of its guests, crew and ship, "Safety is our highest priority and ships are designed to withstand even more extreme circumstances than Anthem of the Seas encountered. While the weather was unpleasant, the ship remained seaworthy at all times."

Anthem of the Seas encountered a sever winter storm off on Sunday that had to deal with waves over 30 feet in height and wind speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas encounters unexpected large storm

In:
Anthem of the Seas
08 Feb 2016

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas was caught in a big winter storm over the weekend that reportedly had waves of over 30 feet and hurricane force winds.

Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez released a statement regarding Anthem of the Seas situation, "On Sunday, February 7, while sailing to Port Canaveral, Florida, Anthem of the Seas experienced extreme wind and sea conditions, with wind speeds higher than what was forecasted. In an abundance of caution, the Captain asked all guests to stay in their stateroom until the weather improved. "

"At this time there have not been any serious injuries reported. The ship has sustained some damage to the public areas and guest staterooms, which in no way affect the sea-worthiness of the ship."

Photos sent to us by a Royal Caribbean Blog reader.

Reports on social media indicate passengers were instructed to remain in the stateroom during the worst of the storm, with complimentary in-room movies offered as well as access to the minibar.

Royal Caribbean also reports that due to the weather, Anthem of the Seas' arrival to Port Canaveral has been delayed.

The good news is the weather forecasted for the rest of Anthem of the Seas voyage past Port Canaveral appears to be much calmer.

UPDATE: Royal Caribbean is sending Anthem of the Seas back to Cape Liberty and offering passengers refunds.

First look Liberty of the Seas post-drydock photos

In:
Liberty of the Seas
07 Feb 2016

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas returned to service after a nearly month-long refurbishment and offered her first sailing to guests beginning today.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Chris Bowers is aboard Liberty of the Seas and shared with us photos of the more noticable changes.

Chris noted that the new water slide area is closed until Tuesday.

Water slides. Photo by Royal Caribbean International

Splashaway Bay aqua park

Sabor Modern Mexican specialty restaurant

Giovanni's Table specialty restaurant

R-Bar

Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Chris Bowers

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: February 7, 2016

In:
Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up
07 Feb 2016

Good news, we are all one week closer to our next Royal Caribbean cruise!  In case you missed any of the Royal Caribbean fun from this week, here is our weekly round up!

During Royal Caribbean's quarterly earnings call, they announced a simpler no last minute discount program, aimed at making the policy simpler to understand.

Royal Caribbean will not offer any new discounts within 30 days of a sailing on all Royal Caribbean cruises, excluding 3 and 4 night sailings.

The policy is in effect in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Ireland markets and protects against last minute discounts in the weeks leading up to a cruise.

We have a lot more Royal Caribbean news to share, so let us jump right in!

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Reader Finds

If you are on a Royal Caribbean cruise and spot something cool, new or just fun, share a photo with us on Facebook or Twitter so we can add it to our Royal Caribbean Blog Reader Finds each Sunday!

Mike Eads took this shot of Enchantment of the Seas docked in Port Canaveral this week.

Ben noted that Apple updated its 3D Flyover maps for the Virgin Islands and Royal Caribbean ships can now be seen from there.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 131st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, Matt is discussing why a families will feel right at home on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

In this episode, Matt invites the author of a recent ebook onto the podcast to discuss why Royal Caribbean came out at the top of their list for best cruise lines for a family.

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.

How you can support Royal Caribbean Blog

So many of our readers have reached out to us to ask how they can help the blog and we are introducing the Royal Caribbean Blog Insiders for just that reason.

The Insiders group is a way readers can contribute to Royal Caribbean Blog and help fuel some of the really amazing ideas, projects and new content that we have lined up.

As a way of saying thank you for your contribution, there are some fun rewards for being a member of the Royal Caribbean Blog Insiders.

Becoming a member of the Royal Caribbean Blog Insiders is completely up to you and you can cancel at any time. No questions asked! 

As always, thank you for visiting Royal Caribbean Blog and being a part of our community!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Beyond Ships has an interview with Anthem of the Seas' hotel director.

ShermansCruise shared what cruisers need to know about the Zika Virus.

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