Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas features two glass enclosures for either side of the ship's upper-deck pool, patio and bar area that was made by OpenAire and it has become a popular spot on the ship.

Photo by OpenAire

The retractable roof retracts into a central core and wall panels that slide down to railing height that allows the space to go from indoor to outdoor easily and quickly.

When it's cold outside or the weather does not cooperate, both of these 3,706-square-foot structures close automatically and silently, letting guests continue enjoying all of the ship’s amenities. The design has brought extremely positive reviews for both Anthem of the Seas and OpenAire.

Anthem of the Seas is the second collaboration between Royal Caribbean and OpenAire.  OpenAire created a similar retractable roof for sister ship Quantum of the Seas.  The work done on Quantum of the Seas made the work on Anthem of the Seas much easier.

Photo by OpenAire

The retractable roof will also create significant future operational savings for Royal Caribbean, as the thermally-broken aluminum framing is maintenance-free and resistant to corrosion caused by an outside atmosphere of salt air and the moist chemical aquatic inside environment. By allowing the ocean’s sunshine and breezes into the pool area, it also reduces HVAC energy use by 27% compared to a traditional enclosure.

OpenAire will complete work on a retractable enclosure for Royal Caribbean’s upcoming Ovation of the Seas ship this fall.

Summer is coming to an end, but there is still plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share from this week!

Royal Caribbean gave us another peek at the construction progress being made on its third Oasis class cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean released a few new photos of Harmony of the Seas under construction at the STX shipyard in France.

Harmony of the Seas will begin service in spring 2016.

Royal Caribbean News

• Tropical Storm Erika changed itineraries for a few Royal Caribbean ships this week.
• Royal Caribbean adjusted the unlimited drink package pricing.
• Royal Caribbean has made changes to prepare Quantum of the Seas for China.
• Today is the last day for a Weekend WOW sale.
• Check out our photo tour of the Royal Suite on Oasis of the Seas.
• 6 of the best ways to celebrate a special occasion on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
• 10 tips for an amazing Royal Caribbean wedding.
• 6 of the best reasons to stay in an inside Royal Caribbean stateroom.
• 7 surprising facts about Freedom of the Seas.
• 11 of the most amazing Royal Caribbean moments.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 107th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, Matt is reading your emails.

In this episode, Matt digs into the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast email inbox and dedicates this week's episode to our listeners.  Matt reads questions about going with a group, Grandeur of the Seas, shore excursion ideas and more.

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

The Street has a look at the over-the-top world of cruise ship vacations.

In The Loop Travel has a look at the activities that will be available on Harmony of the Seas.

Cruise Law News reports Vision of the Seas rescued migrants near Greece.

Eat Sleep Cruise has a list of the top 10 cruise gadgets for 2015.

Maketh-The-Man shares his experience on Anthem of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean has a list of their 9 favorite things to do in Alaska.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas has a lot of different staterooms to choose from and today, we will look at the Royal Suite with Balcony (RS) stateroom to give you an idea of what to expect if you book this category.

Harold Banks took photos of his Royal Suite, which was in stateroom 1701 on Oasis of the Seas during the July 11, 2015 sailing.

The Royal Suite measures in at 1250 square feet and has a balcony that is 172 square feet.

Grand Suites on Oasis of the Seas feature Grand entrance with doorbell, master bedroom with Queen bed and sitting area, master bath with tub, shower, two sinks and bidet. Living room sofa converts to a double bed; guest bathroom with shower, entertainment center, and the dining room features a dry bar, piano area with dry bar, closets, an interactive flat-screen TV, mini-safe, radio, telephone, and a hairdryer. The private balcony features a Jacuzzi and dining area.

All photos by Harold Banks

Royal Caribbean announced the boarding time for Freedom of the Seas will be changed due to the predicted path for Tropical Storm Erika,

Royal Caribbean is asking all guests on Freedom of the Seas that are departing this Sunday to arrive to the ship between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The ship will now depart at 3:30 p.m.

Royal Caribbean has previously changed the boarding time for Independence of the Seas and altered Adventure of the Seas' itinerary due to Tropical Storm Erika.

Royal Caribbean also indicated they are monitoring Erika's path and changes could be coming to Enchantment of the Seas & Majesty of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean will announce any further changes, with the next update coming on August 29 at 5pm.

Royal Caribbean has released new photos of Harmony of the Seas construction.

Harmony of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's third Oasis class cruise ship, and will debut in Spring 2016.

The photos were taken earlier this month at the STX shipyard in France. All photos are copyright Royal Caribbean International.

Many guests choose to take a Royal Caribbean cruise as the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion in their life, such as a honeymoon, anniversary or birthday.

Often, we get emails asking about special activities to do to celebrate these happy times and here is our list of the best ways to celebrate on a Royal Caribbean ship!

6. Room decorations

How about having your stateroom decorated before you arrive onboard your ship?

Royal Caribbean sells a variety of stateroom decoration packages that will add signs, banners, ribbons and more to your stateroom to let everyone know someone in this room is special!

To purchase any of the decorations, try the Gifts & Gear page on Royal Caribbean's website and order the right room decoration package for you.

Most of the packages are fairly inexpensive, usually starting at around $45.

5. Spa treatments

Perhaps there is no more indulgent thing to do onboard a Royal Caribbean ship than treat yourself to some time at the Vitality Spa.

Royal Caribbean offers a wide variety of services at the spa, from massages to facials to acupuncture and more.  

For those celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary, try one of the couples massages available.  And be sure to look at opportunities to mix and match services.  Perhaps a massage to start with and a trip to the salon to get her hair done before dinner.

Spa reservations can be made online prior to your cruise or once you are onboard.

4. Special dinner at a specialty restaurant

A great way to celebrate anything from a holiday to birthday to "I can't believe we're back on a Royal Caribbean cruise" is a dinner at one of Royal Caribbean's specialty restaurants.

Depending on which Royal Caribbean ship you are on, there are a variety of restaurants to choose from and each has their own appeal.

It is hard to go wrong with any of the choices, so look at which restaurant's menu appeals the most to you!

Be sure to mention in the reservation and when you check in the special occasion you are celebrating.

Our favorite restaurants for a special night out

• Wonderland
• 150 Central Park
• Chops Grille
• Sabor Modern Mexican

3. Indulgent shore excursion

While you may first consider things to do onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, do not overlook the places your ship will visit because there are some really fun things to do on shore to celebrate too.

Royal Caribbean offers many different kind of shore excursions and for a special occasion, perhaps this is the excuse to try a shore excursion you have always wanted to do.

Parasailing, all-inclusive resort visits, tours of historical landmarks and more are available in many ports and it should be about picking something unique to do that you will not forget.

Research the ports you will be visiting and review your options.  Often, there are shore excursion ideas you may not have even been aware they exist.

Some good picks for a celebratory shore excursion

• Sky ride to Paradise Point in St Thomas
• Rent a cabana on Labadee
• All-inclusive beach and water park resort in Falmouth

2. Order a full cake

Photo by Susan Slinkard

As you can see, there are a lot of ways to celebrate a special occasion but a cake is always a classy way to show you care.

Royal Caribbean sells a variety of 8-inch round cakes that can serve up to 8 guests that you can pre-order for your cruise.

The cakes are available in chocolate or vanilla and are decorate for the occasion.

Special occasions include

• Bon Voyage
• Happy birthday
• Congratulations

These cakes cost $16.95 from the Gifts and Gear section of Royal Caribbean's web site.

1. Rent the North Star

If you are sailing on one of Royal Caribbean's Quantum class cruise ships, how about some time alone in the 300-foot observation pod known as North Star?

You can reserve time in the North Star for a private viewing.  This will allow you to not have any line to wait in, as well as just you and who you want in the North Star with you.

Royal Caribbean has even performed weddings in the North Star, for a truly unique way to say, "I do."

What is your favorite way to celebrate a special day on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

For this weekend only, Royal Caribbean is giving guests up to an extra $50 in onboard credit that is combinable with the BOGO Plus offer.

Royal Caribbean is offering

• Book an Interior or Ocean View stateroom and receive $25 onboard credit
• Book a Balcony or Suite and receive $50 onboard credit

This onboard credit offer is on top of Royal Caribbean's BOGO+, which offers Buy One Guest, Get Second Guest 50% Off + Free upgrades promotion.

This Weekend WOW Sale applies to sailings departing on or after September 28, 2015, excluding China departures.

O­ffer is combinable with current standard/full fare rates, restricted rates (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military, BOGO, Upgrade o­ffers), and Next Cruise o­ffers. O­ffer is not combinable with any other o­ffer or promotion. 

Renovatins to the Galveston cruise terminal are running behind schedule, which means by the time Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas arrives in November, the terminal will still be under construction.

The Houston Chronicle reports the terminal expansion was originally planned to be completed back in May, but construction roadblocks and an archeological dig for a 19th century Texas Navy ship have increased costs and delayed work.

The port of Galveston is working to add 92 feet to the 1,000-foot-long berth and build a new passenger check-in, luggage screening and waiting area.

Royal Caribbean struck a five-year deal with Galveston last year to bring a larger ship to the port on the condition that the port expand the terminal.  Liberty of the Seas will replace Navigator of the Seas, and bring with her, an extra 500 more passengers. 

Port Director Michael Mierzwa said, "We're incurring some additional expenses, but it's not Royal Caribbean's fault, it's our fault."

In the interim, the port's board of trustrees approved a plan to add an air-conditioned tent, portable restrooms and additional seating - until the second building is complete.

Royal Caribbean announced today a change in the itinerary for Independence of the Seas due to the anticipated path of Tropical Storm Erika.

Independence of the Seas will now depart Port Everglades at 3:00 p.m. Check in and boarding will take place between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Royal Caribbean also indicated they are monitoring Erika's path and changes could be coming to Adventure of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean will announce any further changes, with the next update coming on August 28 at 5pm.