Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas rescued a group of Cubans that were spotted at sea on Sunday morning.

Daily Mail reports the Cubans were spotted in a makeshift raft and taken onboard until the US Coast Guard arrived to take custody of them.

Independence of the Seas is on a 5-night Western Caribbean cruise that left Port Everglades, Florida on Saturday.

Royal Caribbean in Mexican was voted,  “Best Cruise Line Overall” in the Food and Travel Reader Awards 2015.

This is the second time Royal Caribbean has won the award by Food & Travel, which is one of the top magazines in Mexico.

Royal Caribbean Mexico General Manager André Pousada commented on the win, “We are thrilled to be awarded for the second consecutive year andare thankful for Food and Travel readers who voted for Royal Caribbean, the cruise line that features innovative amenities and entertainment for the whole family."

Food and Travel, the leading tourism and lifestyle magazine that combines adventure, gastronomy and photography with recipes and insider tips for travelers, announced the winners last night at an event held in Mexico City. The Food and Travel Readers Awards pays tribute to the best in the industry, recognizing restaurants, chefs, tourist destinations and travel companies for their outstanding achievements.

The winners are determined by readers and individuals who are invited to nominate and vote for the best in 21 categories representing different segments of the tourism industry.

The first Tiffany & Co. at sea has opened on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas.

Sue Karalun shared this photo of the brand new store that opened on the ship earlier today.

Tiffany & Co. store is available for guests to shop at in the Central Park neighborhood of the ship, and replaces the Britto store that used to be in this location.

The Tiffany & Co. boutique will extend 875 square feet and feature meticulous attention to detail and noble materials, including marble, glossy lacquers, polished metals, cerused walnut paneling, velvet drapery and upholstered walls. 

“Nothing can compare to the Oasis-class vacation experience, a testament to Royal Caribbean’s 40 year legacy of innovation,” said Mark Tamis, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “Tiffany & Co. is a distinguished global luxury brand and having a boutique on board will truly enrich the premium onboard experience for our guests. From surprising your loved one with a timeless keepsake to popping the question with the perfect engagement ring, what better way to remember a cruise adventure of a lifetime.”

Royal Caribbean Australia is offering guests a 72 hour sale that promises great rates on Australian cruises.

The 72-hour sale is valid on

• Explorer of the Seas voyages departing 16-Dec-15, 17-Jan-16 & 28-Jan-16
• Radiance of the Seas voyages departing 15-Dec-15 & 07-Jan-16 
• Voyager of the Seas voyage departing 30-Jan-16 only

New bookings must be made within the 72 hour sale period of Tuesday 17 November 2015 10:00am AEDT – Friday 20 November 2015 09:59am AEDT.

This sale only applies to Interior (category Z) and Balcony (category X) staterooms.  72 Hour Sale is based on 'guarantee' staterooms (category Z, Y and X). The exact stateroom grade, number and location on the ship will be allocated at the discretion of Royal Caribbean International.

Our newest podcast episode is out to help give you a quick "audio escape" to a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Episode 119 is available for downloading where Matt shares his thoughts on his recent 2-night cruise aboard Anthemof the Seas.

Matt experiences a lot onboard Anthem of the Seas, and this week, he dives into what makes Anthem of the Seas unique and discusses the aspects of dining, entertainment and accomodations that stood out and why.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 119. 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!

It’s been an exciting week as we have a front row seat to all the Royal Caribbean news from this week!

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean announced it ordered a fifth Quantum class cruise ship.

The new and unnamed cruise ship will be ready for deliver in the fall of 2020.

There is also no word yet on where this ship be based out of or any real details other than the ship will be built.

Royal Caribbean News

• Read our Anthem of the Seas live blog, which took place this weekend onboard New York's newest ship.
• It looks like Grease will be the Broadway show on Harmony of the Seas.
• Harmony of the Seas will have Jamie's Italian specialty restaurant.
• Royal Caribbean added three new Majesty of the Seas sailings after the refubishment.
• Royal Caribbean's BOGO GETTER sale was announced.
• Royal Caribbean will be broadcasting live from Anthem of the Seas on Periscope.
• Royal Caribbean spoke about the possibility of returning to the west coast.
• Photos of Anthem of the Seas arrival in New York Harbor.
• Our in-depth shore excursion review of Nachi Cocom in Cozumel.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas arrived in New York this week and Matt has the chance to cruise on her.

In this episode, Matt offers an in-depth preview of his Anthem of the Seas cruise, including what he has planned to do onboard and why this ship's arrival is so exciting.

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.

Let's cruise together on Allure of the Seas

I want you to join me on Allure of the Seas!

The Royal Caribbean Blog staff are going on Allure of the Seas and we are inviting all of our blog readers to join us!

We will be sailing on Allure of the Seas on February 21, 2016 and there are some fabulous rates available.  Interior staterooms start at only $850 per person (double occupancy)!

Read all the details (and the fun meets we already have planned).  This will be an amazing week with plenty of surprises and exclusive events for those that book into our group!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

MEI Travel posted a tour of a Family Junior Suite on Anthem of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean has a list of the top 10 amazing zip lines on the planet.