Get an exclusive look into the kitchen at Jamie’s Italian. See how handmade pasta takes shape on Harmony of the Seas!

Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas was kept in port through Tuesday morning, after U.S. Coast Guard inspectors forced the ship to remain in port until an issue with the lifeguards was resolved.

Cruise Critic reports a spokesman from the U.S. Coast Guard cited the delay stems from the ship's older life jackets, "generally speaking, problems with older life jackets can include fraying straps that could break when a person was in the water or disintegrating foam that will not float in the water."

Royal Caribbean sent messages via Twitter to convey the company is working around the clock to fix the issues.

@rockytopinfl We're currently working around the clock to get all issues resolved. All future sailing will not be impacted by this.

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) February 14, 2017

There has not been any indication yet when Majesty of the Seas will be able to set sail on her 4-night Bahamas cruise, nor what impact the delay will have on the ship's itinerary.

9:30am Update: Royal Caribbean is offering guests a 25% refundable onboard credit, and a 25% Future Cruise Certificate.

@eric_thebruce The comp offer is a 25% refundable onboard credit, and a 25% Future Cruise Certificate.

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) February 14, 2017

There are many great stateroom choices when booking a cruise, and certainly a room with private balcony is one of the most intriguing options. Having your own private space to enjoy the view of the ocean, a gentle breeze and the activities in port are a fabulous way to spend any cruise.

In addition to just the view, there are some really fun things to try when staying in a balcony room.  Here are some of our top picks for favorite things to do on a balcony while on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Enjoy a meal

Royal Caribbean puts tables on the balcony for a reason, and enjoying a meal outdoors is always a really fun way to enjoy a meal while onboard.

Room service is included in the cruise fare, so you might consider ordering a snack or full meal to be delivered to your stateroom.  When the waiter brings the food, direct them to bring it to the balcony and they will be happy to set it up for you there. In fact, if you are staying in a Grand Suite or above, meals from the main dining room can be delivered to your room as well.

Another option is to bring something back from elsewhere on the ship to enjoy on the balcony. A few slices of pizza from Sorrento's, or just a plate of goodies from the Windjammer are always good options.  Guests can bring food from pretty much anywhere onboard and take it to go for enjoying on the balcony.  We really love bringing Izumi sushi back to the balcony to eat with a fabulous view.

Watch a show

On Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas, there are balcony rooms that offer a full or partial view of the AquaTheater, which has some truly impressive physical feats on display in a variety of shows.

Each ship has rather large suites that overlook the AquaTheater perfectly.  Granted, these suites are not inexpensive, but many guests love having an unfettered and private area just for them to enjoy the view of the ocean and the AquaTheater.

Likewise, there are standard Boardwalk Balcony staterooms towards the rear of the ship that also provide a view of the AquaTheater.  Some of these rooms will offer partially blocked or full views of the AquaTheater action too.

Bring drinks back

Just like food, enjoying a few cocktails on your balcony is a great way to take advantage of having a private balcony.  It is easy enough to grab some drinks from somewhere onboard and bring them back to your stateroom to enjoy.

Whether it is sailaway and you are enjoying a toast to the best cruise ever, or just want to get away from the rest of the crowd and sip some bubbly while you watch the waves pass by, enjoying a drink on a balcony is a wonderful way to spend time onboard.

Read a book

You can read a book anywhere on a Royal Caribbean ship, but there is something extra relaxing about pulling up a chair, propping your feet on the balcony and opening up a great book to enjoy.

Reading a book while the ocean breeze passes you by is nearly as relaxing as one of the services offered by the Vitality Spa, and usually quiet enough to become immersed in the story unfolding between the pages.

Go in the hot tub

Certain suites on Royal Caribbean ships actually come with their own hot tub, which means you always have a reserved spot to enjoy the calming warm waters of your own Jacuzzi.

Just like the AquaTheater suites, suite staterooms that have a hot tub are not going to come cheap, but if you value having the best kids of accommodations onboard, it is hard to go wrong with a hot tub that only you can get to use.  Our scientific research team assures us that nearly any view is better in a hot tub.

Watch the sun rise and set (many times)

If you are not enjoying the spectacle of the sun rising and setting at least a few times during your cruise, you are missing out.  When you have a balcony stateroom of your own, you can see one of nature's most beautiful events with the utmost convenience.

Granted, your balcony will need to be facing the east or west to witness this occurrence, but if things do line up, be very certain to take advantage of it. 

Happy weekend before Valentine's Day! We hope you are having a fun and relaxing weekend. The perfect compliment to any Sunday is our round-up of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news.

Royal Caribbean announced, and then subsequently extended a new WOW Sale promotion, where guests can take advantage of a number of great offers.

The WOW Sale includes 60% off the second guest, up to $200 in onboard credit and 50% reduced deposit for bookings made through February 13.  This offer is open to residents of the United States and Canada.

The WOW Sale is combined with the February Wave Season offer that is going on, and we have heard from lots of readers who have been able to take advantage of this latest promotion.

Royal Caribbean News

• Enjoy this photo tour of the water slides on Adventure of the Seas.
• If you were wondering, here are the pros and cons to Royal Caribbean's drink packages.
• Our comprehensive guide to Royal Caribbean's Voom WiFi internet options.
• We' are counting down the top 5 Harmony of the Seas bars and lounges.
• We spotted new tiki mugs for sale on Labadee and on Royal Caribbean ships.
• The secrets to taking great photos on your Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 184th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and have an overview of the main dining room on Royal Caribbean ships.

In this episode, Matt discusses what the main dining room offers guests, and shares tips and strategies for a great time dining there throughout the cruise.

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 Miami Herald looks at how Ovation of the Seas caters to the Chinese guest.

Royal Caribbean has a look at the "where" and "when" of sailings.

One Boston Herald writer is enjoying cruising after years of avoiding it.

TimeOut London has a look at 10 awesome robots (including one on Royal Caribbean).

Condé Nast Traveler shares 10 amazing Caribbean gems that are sure to move higher up on your travel list.

Royal Caribbean has a list of the coolest new 2017 cruises.

No visit to Royal Caribbean's private destination of Labadee is complete without the official drink of this oasis, the Labadoozie. And now, Royal Caribbean is offering new tiki cups that will let you toast to good times in style.

Thanks to Melinda for sharing these photos!

This new cup design is available as a souvenir cup and sold at many locations in Labadee. The cups come filled with a Labadoozie, and cost $15.28 with alcohol, or $10.18 without alcohol.

Like all souvenir cups, these are not included in any Royal Caribbean drink package, but can be purchased a la carte with the SeaPass card.

Do you like these tiki cups? Will you buy one on your next visit? Share your thoughts in our comments!

Friday is here and we are sharing our readers' favorite Royal Caribbean photos, because who does not enjoy a "virtual escape" to a Royal Caribbean cruise? 

Put your sunglasses on in your cubicle, and enjoy this week's edition of Friday Photos.

Our first photo is from Fatima of sunset in the Mediterranean while aboard Rhapsody of the Seas.

Here is a great shot of the water slides on Harmony of the Seas by Sarah Plazak, which was taken shortly after Harmony of the Seas left port in Port Everglades. 

Lynn Thomas sent this photo of Oasis of the Seas while docked in Falmouth, Jamaica.  Look at the size of the ship relative to the buildings in the port!

Here is the view from Cynthia Barbour's cabana in Labadee, which looks like the perfect way to spend the day. In fact, it is my favorite spot on Labadee!

Our next photo is of Susan Widdowson dipping her toes in the Mediterranean, right before Harmony of the Seas made her transatlantic crossing.

Here is a photo from a gondola excursion through the canals of Venice that D J Ep took last year. 

We wrap up this week's edition with this photo by Mark Reed and his girlfriend on their first day on Harmony of the Seas.

Thank you to everyone who shared their Royal Caribbean photos this week, and if you want to share yours, please use this form to send them in for a future Friday Photos post. Happy weekend!