Royal Caribbean is using virtual reality as a tool to showcase their newest ship, Harmony of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship while under construction at the STX shipyard.
Thank you to Steve & Debbie Wilson for providing this Cruise Compass.
Michael Poole is onboard Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas and is live blogging his adventure. Follow along right here!
It’s day 2 onboard the Brilliance of the Seas, so I thought waking up at 5:30am was a good idea. Funny I woke up and thought it was around 8-9am, but in those inside cabins you really have no idea what time it is.
Since, I was awake I thought I’d go explore the ship a little. If you have never woke up early, I encourage you to do it at least once, really neat experience to feel like you are the only person on board.
I then decided to go enjoy the Diamond lounge. At 7am, they brought in some trays of fruits, pastries, and juices. They also have a nice coffee maker in there that’s easy to use, with one-touch commands.
I had decided to watch sunrise on the top decks, also a must-do at least once on a cruise. I discovered a suite only deck all the way forward, and watched the sun come up there.
I honestly didn’t know it was suite only area until I was leaving, they have a little sign on the staircase.
Okay it’s almost 8am now, so I was already ready for a nap. I rested for an hour or so to get ready for a full day in Key West at Noon.
The Brilliance docked in Key West right on time, and within a few minutes they let all the guests off.
My suggestion, unless you have a planned excursion to make, just give it 15-20 minutes to clear out downstairs. There was a very long line to get off the ship, but it did move fast.
I did notice, we did not have to go through United States Customs, like we did on my Majesty of the Seas cruise last October. Since Key West was our first stop out of the USA, we were in the clear.
My plans for the day were just to explore, do a few Periscopes and enjoy lunch at Sloppy Joes.
When I got to the restaurant it was 11:50am, and they don’t open until noon. There was already about 10 people waiting on the sidewalk, and it quickly grew.
If you are looking for a casual, fun restaurant, with live music this is your place. Someone online suggested I order the fish taco’s there, and they didn’t let me down.
After lunch I explored the town and took some pictures, I did notice they just added Senor Frogs there, which was empty.
Once I got back onboard, I decided it was time I enjoy the pool deck.
I grabbed a Stella ($6.98), which they charge Florida sales tax since we are docked here.
The pool was full with kids playing ball, jumping and having fun. I quickly moved into the Solarium and to find kids in this pool too! The staff came by a few minutes later and asked the children to exit the pool area.
Since I was already in the solarium, how can you pass by park café without getting a snack? I stopped for a roast beef sandwich, and it was hands down the best one I’ve ever eaten. I think the trick is a lot of the gravy!
I thought tonight was formal night, since it was day 2 and that’s when it usually is. However, it was casual attire and I was a little dressed up.
I again went up to the Diamond Lounge for a few free cocktails. The staff in there is so great, when they see your drink just halfway gone; a new one is on the way, which I never turn away!
After an hour or so here, I decided to go visit the pub, which is beside the casino.
The staff in there let me order any beer I wanted with my C&A diamond drink coupons. In fact, they surprised me with a few different options, really great crew in there.
Well friends, I decided to go back to the Windjammer, and I’m glad I did. Tonight’s dinner was so good! They had so many options, even chicken fried rice, yum.
Matt would be happy also, they had the main dining room lasagna.
The service was also really great; they kept bringing me new water while I was eating. Also, one of the main chefs came to my table to see how I was enjoying the meal; you don’t get this in the main dining room.
After dinner, I explored the ship and enjoyed some live music which seems to be everywhere on this ship.
That’s it for day 2, tomorrow we have our first sea day.
Today I paid for two Stella’s, one before Key West and one once I was back on board. So a total cost of $14 for the two beers.
However, I did have two beers in Key West at the restaurant for $5 each, but still when you factor those I’m under the daily drink package cost.
Now let’s see if I can hold out on the package for our first sea day tomorrow.
I thought I’d mention the WiFi onboard; it’s $20 per day for one device.
I used my Diamond C&A coupon, which is pre-loaded when you buy it on board. The coupon was $40 off, so for five days the package cost me $60.
Other than ships with Voom, the Wi-Fi is working great. I’m able to send a picture about every 60 seconds via email, and my devices are staying connected all over the ship.
Blog writer Michael Poole is onboard Brilliance of the Seas for back-to-back Brilliance of the Seas cruises this week, and he is LIVE blogging all of it right here. Enjoy!
Hi friends, my cruise is finally here! I woke up early and watched the Brilliance of the Seas dock in Tampa on the webcam. Over the past year this has become a morning tradition of mine.
I arrived to the port at 12:00 on the dot and my first thoughts were there are no signs that tell you where to go.
The Vision of the Seas was beside us, so I could imagine first time cruises, not knowing which ship/terminal to pull up to.
Once we pulled up, security asked us which ship we were sailing on, I suppose people get it mixed up often. Once I arrived to the Brilliance terminal, there were lines out on the sidewalk. Yikes, it was so hot and we were just standing outside.
This was the line to go through security; it didn’t take too long approximately 20 minutes. Once you get through security you are then asked to complete the health form, prior to approaching the check-in desk. The only line at this point was the non-crown and anchor members, all others were wide-open.
The ship itself is in great shape, everything still looks new from the dry dock she received two years ago.
When you walk on, you have to walk through the shops to get to the Centrum. The Centrum on the Brilliance is much larger than those on the Vision class. I did notice the R Bar was a little smaller than the one on the Enchantment.
The Next Cruise desk is now a full venue on deck 5 with the beautiful new décor. I also noticed they have six desks in there now, so they must be seeing a lift in their on board bookings.
The pool deck was full of passengers already enjoy their first day in the sun.
However, there are a lot of kids and I’m talking in the masses. But you just have to expect that around this time of year, it does make me miss the kid’s pool on the Freedom/Oasis class ships.
Since I’m sailing solo on this leg of the cruise, I booked a Solo cabin. There are only three of these cabins on board and they were added during her last dry dock.
First, let’s start out with the location of the cabin, it’s on deck 4 beside the centrum. I really love having easy access to the centrum, it’s about four steps away and I’m there. I was a little worried about possibly hearing music or the R Bar from my cabin, but so far I’ve heard nothing.
Okay let’s talk about the cabin, it’s around 100sq feet with a twin bed. I was expecting the cabin to feel much smaller than the standard inside cabin, however it doesn’t at all. In fact, I feel like there is more space to walk around the cabin.
The closet is much easier to access since it’s not beside the door when you walk in. I would recommend this cabin’s to all solo cruisers, and will likely book them again.
Almost sail away time, we had the mandatory muster drill at 3:15; they shut down all the bars down at 2:45 to prepare for the muster drill.
As everyone knows, this is the worst and best part of the cruise. Worst, because they pack you on the outside decks very close to others. But best, because when it’s over you are officially on vacation! It was over around 3:30, and I ran up to the pool deck, and yes I was almost running.
They had a poolside lunch with hotdogs and hamburgers to enjoy during sail away. I also saw little mini bars set up all around the pool decks, I’m sure they needed these two weeks ago on college spring breakers.
I met a bartender who said they were hit really hard with college crew for the last two weeks, but none on this sailing. We sailed before the Vision of the Seas so I was able to take some great pictures of her. I must be honest, seeing the Vision really made me miss the Enchantment; I just love that class of ships.
After sailing for around two hours out of Tampa you get to pass under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. If you have never gone under a bridge on a cruise ship, it’s a really fun experience.
I was actually enjoying a cocktail in the Diamond lounge and ran outside, just in time to see it. We had 2-3 feet clearance from the top of the ship, so everyone was clapping once we passed.
The captain also blows the horn as we are going under, so be sure to experience this from the outside decks.
For dinner tonight, I decided to do something different, this is starting to seem like the theme of this cruise. But I dined in the Windjammer for the first time for dinner.
I was actually surprised for two reasons. One they have so many options and two it was very full of guest. I enjoyed some grilled fish and 1 or maybe 2 cuts of prime rib, and maybe grabbed some pasta too! I liked being able to sample a little of everything and leave when you wanted.
And sadly, this is where day 1 comes to an end, after dinner I decided to get some sleep and call it a night. After a full day on board it just finally caught up to me. Tomorrow we are in Key West!
As I mentioned in my first post, I didn’t purchase the drink package on this sailing. I tried to enjoy myself just as I did have the package, and order at will.
I ordered 3 beers before sailaway/during for a total cost $22.
In the evening time, I used my diamond cocktails perks pre-loaded to the seapass card. For those unaware, once you reach diamond level you get three drinks per evening at any bar from 5:00pm-8:30pm.
So for day 1 looks like a saved a few dollars by buying them at bar price, but I didn’t enjoy post dinner entertainment. Let’s see if it holds true tomorrow…
Spring is here and so is this week's Royal Caribbean news round-up, where we share with you all of the Royal Caribbean news from this week so you do not miss a thing!
The big news this week was Royal Caribbean's reveal of the entertainment on Ovation of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean announced the various entertainment options across this brand new Quantum class cruise ship, including shows in Two70, the Main Theater and more.
Quantum of the Seas will debut in April 2016, and offer a number of shows not seen on any other ship in the fleet.
To celebrate the countdown until Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas debuts, we kicked off a brand new blog series, 99 Days of Harmony, that looks at what makes this new ship so amazing.
Each day we are posting a new blog post all about Harmony of the Seas, so here's what you might have missed this week.
The 138th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where we have an exclusive interview with the Allure of the Seas hotel director.
In this episode, Matt sits down with Royal Caribbean' Joao Mendonça to discuss how a ship the size of Allure of the Seas functions so well and provide a "behind-the-scenes" look at Allure 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.
The Street interviewed Royal Caribbean COO Adam Goldstein about cruises to Cuba.
In The Loop Travel has a video tour of Oasis of the Seas.
Eat Sleep Cruise wonders if Empress of the Seas is going to Cuba.
Shermans Cruise has a list of 5 wacky classes to take at sea.
We're counting down the days until Harmony of the Seas debuts later this year with our 99 days of Harmony blog series. Each day we will post something about Harmony of the Seas to share with all of you!
Boardwalk balcony staterooms
On Harmony of the Seas, guests can choose from a number of different stateroom options and one of the unique options to the Oasis class ships are the Boardwalk view staterooms.
Balcony staterooms that overlook the balcony offer a great vantage point of all the fun going on in the Boardwalk neighborhood, as well as a partial view of the ocean. That is the appeal of this category of staterooms, where you can peek out your balcony onto the bustling Boardwalk and see just how many incredible onboard amenities are at your fingertips.
Of course, Boardwalk Balcony staterooms also offer the opportunity to relax in larger staterooms. Royal Caribbean created these rooms with a special focus on comfort and convenience, Harmony of the Seas staterooms boast contemporary and smart design with innovative storage to maximize your living space.
Beginning in November 2016, guests staying in Boardwalk view balcony staterooms will be able to enjoy complimentary amenities such as free food, drinks and more.
The new EAT • DRINK • PLAY complimentary amenities offer guests in Boardwalk balcony staterooms
Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Harmony!
We're counting down the days until Harmony of the Seas debuts later this year with our 99 days of Harmony blog series. Each day we will post something about Harmony of the Seas to share with all of you!
Of all the features being added to Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, the Ultimate Abyss is something brand new to any Royal Caribbean ship and it has generated a lot of interest.
This 10-story slide is more than 150 feet above sea level and begins in the Pool and Sports Zone at the aft of the ship down to the Boardwalk neighborhood below.
Today we have a new photo of its progress to share, as it appears that this intense slide is in the stages of being added.
Unlike the other slides onboard, Ultimate Abyss will not be a water slide and will start at the top of the AquaTheater and bring guests down to the Boardwalk.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Harmony!
This week's batch of beautiful Royal Caribbean photos is here and it's always fun to share with all of you the great photos our readers take while on their cruise vacation.
The photos we have to show this week are fun and of course anyone can send us their Royal Caribbean photos to use as well!
Our first Royal Caribbean photo this week comes to us from Allison, and it is of Radiance of the Seas docked in Hobart, Australia. Love the perspective of Radiance versus the sail boats.
Great composition in this photo of Navigator of the Seas by Justin York, as seen from Senor Frogs in Cozumel.
Next is a photo from Explorer of the Seas off the coast of Southern Spain by Henry H. Is there ever a bad looking photo of Spain?
All CocoCay fans are sure to love this shot by Justin. Just a perfect looking day in paradise!
Courtney sends us this photo from the very top of Labadee, just before hooking up to the zip line. What a view!
Ken Slusser has a photo of Quantum of the Seas arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and this is a wonderful shot of Quantum's bow!
Our last photo this week is from Rich Triplett and it is an early morning view from his aft balcony on Radiance of the Seas, looking back at Jewel of the Seas as she enters Skagway, Alaska.
Thank you to everyone that sent in their photos this week and if you have Royal Caribbean photos, well, we want to see them! You can use this form to send us your photos and we will feature them on an upcoming Friday Photos blog post!
Watch a hyper-lapse tour of the world’s largest ship, Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas at STX Shipyard in France.
Our newest podcast episode is out to help give you a quick "audio escape" to a Royal Caribbean cruise!
Episode 138 is available for downloading, where we have an exclusive interview with Allure of the Seas' Hotel Director, Joao Mendonça.
Mr. Mendonça gives us an inside look at how he and his team keep Allure of the Seas up and running so well. It is a fascinating look at what it takes to keep the largest cruise ship in the world functioning so well.
Here’s the podcast page for Episode 138. 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!