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

Episode 110 is available for downloading, where Matt shares excursion ideas for cruises to Cozumel and Belize City.

Cozumel and Belize City are two common Caribbean ports that many guests will sail to and this week, we look at what to expect in each port and some of the popular shore excursion ideas to consider.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 110. 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!

We love to discover new changes aboard Royal Caribbean's cruise ships and today we have a look at the cabanas that were added to Allure of the Seas.

Photo by Rich Freudenberg

These cabanas are located on the Suite sun deck, up on deck 17.

The cabanas have no additional cost for guests to use them, but guests must be staying in a suite stateroom (Grand Suite or above) to get access to the cabanas.  

Photos by Photo by Rich Freudenberg

Cabanas are available on a first come, first served basis.

Royal Caribbean recently added a shower to the cabana area and according to the ship's Hotel Director, they are planning to add a Jacuzzi on the Suite Sun Deck to enhance the Royal Suite Program.

Would you like to spend the day in a cabana on the Suite Sun Deck? Let us know in the comments!

Guests booking Freedom of the Seas can earn an extra three points in Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program, Crown and Anchor Society, when each guest spends a minimum of $450 per person on pre-cruise and onboard purchases.

If you can act fast and book a last-minute Freedom of the Seas cruise on one of the following sailings, you will qualify for the deal

• September 13, 2015
• September 20, 2015
• September 27, 2015

This is a pilot program by Royal Caribbean to award additional Crown and Anchor Society points to those that spend a certain amount of money on their cruise.

The total qualifying spend must be greater than or equal to $450 times the number of adults in the stateroom. If this is met, each guest in the stateroom will receive three aditional points.

The following purchases qualify towards the $450 threshold:

• Shore excursions
• Food and beverage
• Spa treatments
• Retail purchases
• Photo purchases
• Art purchases
• Other onboard activities.

The deal excludes these types of purchases

• Onboard charges for casino
• Air or hotel reservations
• Dining booked through the call center
• Items from the Gifts & Gear website
• Promotional onboard credit
• Gratuities

Gold status and higher Crown & Anchor members over the age of 18 will receive an additional three cruise points per sailing when each member in the stateroom makes $450 USD or more in purchases during the sailing and after all credit and refunds have been applied, if any.  Onboard credits do not count towards the $450.

All adults in the stateroom must meet the minimum amount independently. 

Amount of guest’s purchases will be calculated upon the end of the cruise.

Points will be added to eligible Crown and Anchor Society member’s account 60 days after cruise completion.

For a limited time, Royal Caribbean is offering its high speed internet service, Voom, for free to those that book qualifying Harmony of the Seas cruises.

Royal Caribbean is tacking on free Voom internet for two guests on top of its popular BOGO Plus deal that is currently available.

Guests staying in an ocean view, balcony or suite stateroom will receive Voom unlimited internet package for two devices.  A two-device Voom package would ordinarily cost $22.50 per day for the duration of the cruise.

The Harmony of the Seas cruise must be booked between August 17 and October 11, 2015.

Offer applies to all Harmony of the Seas sailings departing between May 29 - Oct 16, 2016.

Offer includes one Voom internet package for two devices. Offer applies to ocean view, balcony, and suite staterooms. Voom unlimited internet package applicable to guest 1 and guest 2.

Offer does not apply to third and higher occupancy guests.

Offer available to residents of United States and Canada.

Happy Labor Day weekend to everyone celebrating!  Hope many of you are getting a chance to enjoy some time with family and while you are relaxing, here are all the Royal Caribbean news from this past week!

Royal Caribbean named a new Chief Information Officer this week, Michael Giresi.

Michael joins Royal Caribbean as its new Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer and will report directly to Royal Caribbean President and COO Adam Goldstein.

Giresi was mostly recently the senior vice president and CIO for Tory Burch, where he was responsible for the implementation of new infrastructure and technology initiatives for one of the fastest growing fashion brands in the world.

Royal Caribbean News

• Some Quantum of the Seas passengers had to be removed from the ship when the cruise was over.
• Royal Caribbean study shows family time is most important reason to book a vacation.
• We previewed the family fun on Harmony of the Seas.
• Explorer of the Seas is offering a new dining package.
• 8 things you must do at Labadee.
• Everything you wanted to know about Royal Caribbean sushi.
• The first President's Cruise date has been changed.
• 6 reasons to stay in a balcony stateroom.
• Royal Caribbean will test Wollongong as a homeport alternative to Sydney.
• Our 10 favorite Royal Caribbean crew members.
• Have you tried Starbucks on Royal Caribbean?

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 108th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, we preview a listener's back to back cruise on Independence of the Seas.

In this episode, Susan joins Matt to preview her upcoming cruises on Independence of the Seas.  We discuss why Susan booked back to back cruises and what she has planned onboard.

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.

Join us aboard the largest cruise ship in the world!

We're so excited to announce the next group cruise for readers and staff of RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com aboard Allure of the Seas!  This is an exclusive group where we are inviting you, our readers, to join us on a fantastic Allure of the Seas sailing on an 7-night cruise to the Western Caribbean.

This Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise is all about enjoying a fun Royal Caribbean cruise along with other fans who are big fans of Royal Caribbean.  Don't miss this opportunity to check out the amazing ship as well as be a part of exclusive events for those that book with our group!

For more details on booking the cruise, the itinerary and prices, check out the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise page and if you have any questions, email me!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

Royal Caribbean has a list of the most romantic spots on Anthem of the Seas.

Michael Poole posted a video of the Aqua Show on Oasis of the Seas.

Eat Sleep Cruise has a list of the top 10 things to do on embarkation day.

Guests sailing on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas can purchase a dining package that gets them access to three specialty restaurants for one low price.

Photo by sky0000547

The Fine Dine package costs $45 per person, per cruise and includes 

• 1 dinner at Chops Grille
• 1 dinner at Giovanni's Table
• Unlimited 20% off at Izumi

Royal Caribbean claims dining at these venues without the package would cost $75, netting guests a $30 savings.

Fliers for the packages are available on Explorer of the Seas and started appearing onboard earlier this summer.

Royal Caribbean has been experimenting with offering dining packages throughout this year.  Earlier this year, unlimited dining packages have been offered on a few Royal Caribbean ships.

One of the most popular foods these days has to be sushi and on a Royal Caribbean cruise, guests can enjoy sushi throughout their cruise.

Sushi is a healthy and incredibly tasty meal that seems to becoming more and more popular.  Here is where you can get sushi on a Royal Caribbean cruise, how much it will cost and everything else important to know.

Izumi

When Royal Caribbean launched Oasis of the Seas back in 2009, the cruise line added a brand new specialty restaurant dedicated to sushi and Japanese cuisine, Izumi.

Izumi specialty restaurants have spread like wild fire to many other ships in the fleet and each Izumi restaurant offers guests popular sushi rolls, sashimi, hot rock (Ishiyaki) plates, sukiyaki and more.

For sushi lovers, Izumi is the place onboard Royal Caribbean to get sushi because of the quality and variety available.

The following Royal Caribbean ships have Izumi available onboard

• Oasis of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Radiance of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas
• Splendour of the Seas
• Voyager of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Legend of the Seas
• Vision of the Seas

Izumi is a specialty restaurant that charges a la carte for items on the menu.  There is no cover charge, and instead you are charged for what you order.

Izumi is open for dinner on every night and lunch on sea days.

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi

Royal Caribbean re-imagined Izumi in recent refurbishments for the Oasis class ships, that combines what you would typically find in Izumi on other ships with a hibachi experience.

In addition to the sushi rolls and sashimi offered at Izumi, guests can also order from a full teppanyaki menu.

The hibachi meals have a cover charge that includes the entree. Choices include Beef, Chicken, Lobster or Shrimp.

Each meal includes soup or salad, edamame app, fried rice or lo mein noodles, cooked veggies and dessert.

Essentially, the restaurant is divided in two sections: one section for sushi and the other section for the hibachi.

Sushi is priced exactly the same at Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, with sushi priced for each individual roll or piece.

Izumi Express

As of July 1, 2016, all Royal Caribbean ships also offer an Izumi Express option, where guests can purchase take-out sushi.

Izumi Express is a takeaway service that offers packaged sushi, ready to go, at a very discounted price.

Jade

On some Royal Caribbean ships, there is a section in the Windjammer called Jade, where guests can enjoy Asian food of all kinds.

In the evenings, Jade usually offers sushi rolls to guests that are complimentary.

The selection of sushi available at Jade is more limited than Izumi, with usually a half dozen hand rolls available at any given time. There is no nigiri sushi and none of it is made to order.

The chief benefit to Jade is that it is complimentary and available in the evening for dinner.  

Jade sushi was Royal Caribbean's first foray into sushi but has largely been replaced or superceded by Izumi.  

Jade is still available on a number of Royal Caribbean ships, mostly those ships that lack an Izumi.

Which sushi have you had on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Tell us in the comments!

Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society sent an update out to its members that it will be changing the date of its planned 2016 President's Cruise and offer a new itinerary.

The President's Cruise was originally scheduled for September 11, 2016 on Allure of the Seas but has now been changed to September 18, 2016.

Royal Caribbean cites the reason for the change being they received "an overwhelming response to our 'Save the Date' email survey'.

The new itinerary will sail out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and call in Nassau, Bahamas, an extended call in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and spend the day in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas before returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  This is an itinerary that Allure of the Seas has never offered previously.

The President's Cruise is a new event for Royal Caribbean, in which Crown and Anchor Society members have been invited to cruise with Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley and will be invited to exclusive events.

When someone thinks about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise, odds are they imagine staying in a stateroom that has a large sliding glass door that opens up onto a balcony with a gentle breeze flowing in.  Of course, that is because balcony staterooms have become the idealized way to enjoy a cruise and there is no question that a balcony stateroom offers guests a lot.

We recently looked at the reasons to stay in an inside stateroom but today we are moving on up to a balcony stateroom and listing our top reasons to stay in a room where you can enjoy the outdoors just as much as the indoors!

6. It may not be that much more money

Once upon a time, balcony staterooms were not as common as they are today, and so, prices for balcony staterooms were significantly more than an inside stateroom.

Today, Royal Caribbean is offering more balcony staterooms on its ships than ever before and that means the price difference is generally not as great as it once was.

Odds are you will still pay more for a balcony stateroom compared to an inside or oceanview stateroom, but the cost difference may only be a couple of hundred dollars difference.

It is always worth pricing out a balcony stateroom to see how much more it will cost, because in many cases there is not a large price discrepancy.

5. Some itineraries make a balcony a must

Photo by moknits

The view you get from a balcony stateroom is always impressive but on certain itineraries, past cruisers will tell you a balcony is a must.

Sailings that go to Alaska, the Mediterranean or other scenic destinations mean having a balcony gives you your own private spot to watch glaciers go by or be able to see beautiful ancient architecture.

Having the ability to simply walk out of your stateroom at any time and enjoy the view is an important factor for reserving a balcony stateroom. 

4. Balcony staterooms are bigger

At its core, a balcony stateroom will usually offer more living space than inside or oceanview staterooms.

This means more space to spread out and enjoy the room.  

Instead of doing that "inside stateroom shuffle" to get around people and objects, a balcony stateroom can allow you the space to more casually walk around your stateroom.

In addition, the balcony itself gives you extra square footage of living space to enjoy beyond what you will find inside.

3. Crown and Anchor Society members can get discounts on balcony staterooms

If you are a Platinum or higher member in Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program known as Crown and Anchor Society, then you can qualify for a balcony discount.

Royal Caribbean offers its repeat customers balcony discounts, with the exact amount depending on your status in the program.

The special rates get you a per stateroom dollars off discount that is open to Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Crown & Anchor Society members.

The exact discount depends on the length of your cruise, how far in advance you book and your standing in Crown and Anchor Society. 

2. Royal Caribbean balconies are more than the ocean

On Royal Caribbean's Oasis class cruise ships, staying in a balcony can be more than just a view of the ocean.

On these ships, guests can also book balcony staterooms that overlook Central Park, the Boardwalk or the AquaTheater.  

Instead of looking at out the ocean, guests can enjoy the ambiance of these amazingly decorated neighborhoods and get a view that is completely unique to these ships.

These staterooms are perfect for people watching and enjoying a view of what is happening onboard the ship at that moment.

1. Having your own private space outdoors

Most guests that book balcony staterooms over and over again will tell you the reason they do so is to have your own spot outdoors, away from the crowds.

You can have room service bring your meals out there, or perhaps enjoy a nice cup of coffee or tea in the morning and enjoy the sunrise.  

Balconies are also great spots for a nap, reading a book or having the door open to let in the ocean breeze.  These are just some of the experiences that bring balcony cruisers back again and again.

Do you prefer staying in a balcony stateroom? Post your thoughts in the comments!

One of the signature onboard activities that Royal Caribbean has become well-known for is the rock climbing wall.  Since the first rock climbing wall debuted on a Royal Caribbean ship, the experience has spread to every other ship in the fleet making it a favorite among guests.

Rock climbing walls were added to all of Royal Caribbean's ships following great guest feedback.

The 30-foot rock wall offers different tracks for various experience levels and is open for most of the day.  

It's open to kids and adults and Royal Caribbean provides all the safety equipment that you will need, including helmets, harnesses and shoes.  You just need to bring a pair of socks.

Climbers need to be at least 6 years old and sign a waiver.  Climbing the rock wall is free and no reservations are required.

For advanced climbers, Royal Caribbean will offer advanced climbing sessions, speed-climbing competitions and for teens, teen tournaments.

Photo by Dale Morton

On the Oasis class cruise ships, you will find two rock climbing walls, which offer double the capacity of climbers compared to other ships in the fleet.

What makes the rock climbing wall so much fun is that it is an exhilarting challenge to try and climb up all the way to the top and ring that bell to let everyone around know you conquered it.

There are different paths on the rock wall to allow beginner climbers and advanced climbers alike have a go at it.  Once you conquer one side, try the next side!

Royal Caribbean's rock climbing walls are a great way to stay active, challenge yourself and have fun all at the same time!

Have you tried the rock climbing wall yet? Tell us how you did in the comments!