Royal Caribbean named Michael Giresi new senior vice president and chief information officer. 

Giresi will report directly to Adam Goldstein, president and COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Goldstein commented on Giresi's hiring, "Michael's background and experience implementing leading edge technology, combined with the skills of our seasoned management team, will be vital as Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. continues to innovate and accelerate its global expansion.  His broad experience and proven leadership will provide the company with the necessary tools to marry technology solutions that will continue to differentiate us."

Giresi joins Royal Caribbean after serving as 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.  Throughout his career, he has held various management positions, including executive vice president and CIO for Direct Brands, Inc, CIO for Godiva Chocolatier and director of information technology for the Campbell Soup Company.

"I am looking forward for the opportunity to join Royal Caribbean, a company that stands for excellence in the travel industry," said Giresi. "Working with the IT team, we will create the infrastructure necessary to move the company to the next level."

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.

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.