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 photo this week is from G.Spindler and it is entitled, "I have a dream...".  Right now, my dream is to be in that kind of a scenario!

Here is a neat photo by Dave Rimington of the reflections of Cozumel, as seen on Allure of the Seas.  Very original photo!

We are going down under for our next photo. It is from Mike and it is of Voyager of the Seas, as seen from the Taronga Zoo in Sydney.  What a beautiful city to sail from!

Denny Allen sent this great photo from Labadee, and to him, it just says, "I'm on vacation."  I love that feeling!

Let us wrap up this week's photos with one more from Labadee. Shannon F sent us this photo of an early morning shot pulling into Labadee, while on Liberty of the Seas.  Can't beat those colors!

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!

This week's podcast episode is ready to go, as we present episode 131 of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast for your downloading pleasure.

This week, Matt looks at a recent survey of the best cruise lines for families and discusses with the survey's author why Royal Caribbean is a great choice for any family.

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

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 131. 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!

Royal Caribbean has released four new Harmony of the Seas construction photos that show off the progress the ship is making.

All photos are copyright Royal Caribbean International.

Harmony of the Seas is under construction at the STX ship yard in France.

Royal Caribbean will begin offering cruises on Harmony of the Seas in Spring 2016.

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas has undergone an extensive new revitalization in dry dock. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the construction of new features such as The Perfect Storm water slides, the Splashaway Bay waterpark and new dining options at the Sabor Mexican restaurant, Giovanni's Italian cuisine, and more.

Royal Caribean reported fourth quarter 2015 financial results of a net income of $206.8 million.  That is up from a net income of $70 million in the same quarter last year.

Royal Caribbean attributes the higher income to stronger demand in the Caribbean and new China sailings in the winter.

Royal Caribbean also reported for the year, a profit of $665.8 million, or $3.02 per share. 

Looking forward to 2016, Royal Caribbean says its bookings are "roughly equal" to last year's record high, and at higher rates.

Continued strength from North American consumers is driving strong demand for North American products such as Caribbean, Alaska, and Bermuda which represent over 50% of capacity for the year. These North American products combined with strong demand for Northern Europe and Asia sailings are expected to more than offset current pricing challenges impacting the Mediterranean, Australia and Brazil.

In the second quarter of 2016, Royal Caribbean International will take delivery of its third Quantum class ship, Ovation of the Seas. Also debuting during the second quarter is its third Oasis class ship, Harmony of the Seas. Splendour of the Seas will leave the Royal Caribbean fleet in April.

"Our core brands are firing on all cylinders, our new ships are performing exceptionally well and our costs are well controlled. This is driving 40%+ earnings growth in two consecutive years," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer. "These very gratifying results combined with a strong start to Wave position us well on our path toward Double-Double."

Royal Caribbean has begun a brand new promotion today on spring and summer cruise bookings with up to $100 off your cruise, plus the value of BOGO Further, including 50% off second guest and up to $300 to spend at sea. 

The Caribbean Escape sale is valid on bookings made February 1 - 7, 2016 on sailings departing on or after March 2, 2016 excluding China departures.

Guests can save up to $100 off their cruise and is combinable with the current BOGO Further promotion.

• Inside
  • $25 off
• Ocean View
  • $25 off
• Balcony
  • $50 off
• Suite
  • $100 off

Offer includes 50% off cruise fare of second guest who must be booked in the same stateroom as a first guest who books at full fare (“BOGO”), 50% reduced deposit, and a total per stateroom onboard credit : $50 for interior, $100 for oceanview, $200 for balcony, and $300 for suite.

See terms and conditions of the BOGO Further for more details on deal rules.

Offer available to residents of United States and Canada.

Thanks to Jason Poole for alerting us to this new promotion!

Royal Caribbean has announced a new partnership with one of Australia’s most popular TV programs, Australia’s Got Talent. 

The popular television show premiers tonight (February 1) in Australia on Channel Nine and celebrates the unique and brilliant talents of Australians from all walks of life.

Royal Caribbean is the major sponsor of Australia’s Got Talent’s “Wildcard” entries. Contestants who are not taken through to the semi-final by the celebrity judges can be voted back into the finals by viewers as Wildcards.

The winning Wildcard entrant will receive a cruise on Explorer of the Seas – Australia’s biggest, newest and most technologically advanced megaliner – plus Royal Caribbean will also offer one lucky Wildcard voter playing from home the chance to win a cruise for two on the same voyage: an 11-night cruise to New Zealand in April 2016, sailing roundtrip from Sydney and including return economy airfares.

“Royal Caribbean is incredibly proud of its world-class onboard entertainment so we’re thrilled to partner with one of Australia’s favourite television programs and showcase the very best of Aussie talent,” said Adam Armstrong, commercial director, Royal Caribbean International.

“We can’t wait to support Australia’s best talent. Explorer of the Seas is Australia’s newest and biggest cruise ship, packed with entertainment for all the family, so it’s a fitting prize for such an incredible competition,” he continued.

Australia’s Got Talent will premiere at 7.30pm on Channel Nine from Monday 1 February 2016.

Royal Caribbean produces a lot of commercials, and one of its newer commercials features a gay couple getting married on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Royal Caribbean wants everyone to consider getting married on a Royal Caribbean ship, and uses couple "Gabriel and Blair" to show how fun and special a wedding at sea can be.

Royal Caribbean describes this advertisement simply as, "You’ve never settled for the ordinary. Your greatest adventure yet should be no different. Venture far from the beaten path with a Royal Caribbean wedding ceremony. Royal Weddings amenities include complimentary planning to ensure every moment becomes a cherished memory for you and your special someone. Discover the breathtaking possibilities onboard and across the world."

Tip of the hat to Instinct Magazine for alerting us to this commercial.