Royal Caribbean is bringing back two very popular sales starting August 1, 2014: Buy One, Get One 50% off or Third and Fourth passengers sail free.

Guests will have the choice of

• Buy one guest, get one guest for 50% off
• Kids sail free (third and fourth passengers, regardless of age will sail for free)

Guests who book a balcony or suite may also choose to get up to $1,000 off your stateroom when also booking ChoiceAir.

The new sales are good for bookings made between August 1 and September 15, 2014 on all ships excluding Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.  The deal applies to all sailings departing on or after October 15, 2014, excluding all sailings between December 15-31, 2014

Starting September 1, 2014 Royal Caribbean will add a $10.00 per person cover charge to all guests six years and older for its DreamWorls Character Breakfast.

The DreamWorks Character Breakfast is offered on Royal Caribbean ships that have the DreamWorks Experience, including Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas.

The character breakfast had been complimentary for all ages until now but the change goes into effect starting on sailings that depart on or after September 1, 2014.  It features characters from Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar during a special breakfast event.

There are no changes to the breakfast event other than the cover charge for those six years old and older.  The change could be to help ease crowding with this popular event.

Reservations are recommendaed and may be made online in the Pre Trip Planner or onboard your ship.

We love timelapse videos and this great video was taken on Allure of the Seas by Ken Slusser that was shot from deck 10 port while the ship was departing Labadee.

There's a great fade to darkness while the Aqua Theater comes to life.  Enjoy!

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

Episode 52 is available for downloading which has a look at the internet options while on your Royal Caribbean cruise.

Matt broadcasted this episode live and invited listeners to call in and share their thoughts on if booking a balcony stateroom is better than an inside stateroom.  Cost versus space and everything inbetween!

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 52. 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!

Yesterday we started a fun debate about booking a balcony stateroom versus an interior stateroom and today we get to show the other side of that debate with why you should book an interior stateroom.

Big savings

Booking an interior stateroom will save you money on your Royal Caribbean cruise, which is money you can turn around and use on the ship.

Since few of us have unlimited cruise budgets, saving a couple of hundred dollars can make a big difference to if a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation can happen or not.  Moreover, booking an interior stateroom may mean the money saved can pay for the bulk of the cruise's incidental costs.

Depending on the price difference, booking interior cabins can really add up to savings.

Sleep and shower, what else do you need?

Royal Caribbean ships offer so much these days onboard, from rock climbing walls to FlowRiders to the many activities and games offered throughout the day.  So with all that going on, who has time to actually spend in the stateroom?

Many people that opt for interior staterooms will tell you that they spend so little time in their staterooms that it's just not worth it to spend more on a balcony stateroom they just wont fully use.

Best sleep ever?

Have you ever slept in an inside stateroom? When it's time to go to sleep it's pitch black to the point you cannot see your hand in front of your face, whether it's 10pm or 10am.  

For those that like a good night's sleep, inside staterooms offer quiet and darkness no matter the time and it's been among my best nights of sleep.

Rooms with a view without the cost

Sure balcony cabins offer great views but there are inside staterooms that offer unique views themselves.

Virtual balconies, promenade view, Centrl Park view, and Boardwalk view staterooms are all available and they offer a great perspective without the balcony price. 

So which stateroom is right for you? Interior staterooms or balcony staterooms - post your vote in the comments below!

The brand new lifeboats for Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas are on their way to the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany for installation.

The lifeboats were constructed at the Fassmer shipyard in Motz on the Ems.  They are 12.5 meters long and 5.4 meters wide and are being shipped by barge.

Quantum of the Seas will debut in November 2014 and will be the first ship in the brand new Quantum-class of cruise ships for Royal Caribbean.

Today we will begin a fun "debate" between the pros and cons of booking a balcony stateroom versus something less expensive, like inside or ocean view staterooms.  We will begin with the argument for balcony staterooms and then tomorrow will post the rebuttal for booking interior staterooms.

The view!

Without a doubt, the best reason to book a balcony stateroom on a Royal Caribbean cruise is for the view you can have anytime you want.  Waking up to the ocean breeze is something that never gets old.

Plus being on a cruise ship, there's always something to see and enjoy, from other ships and islands passing by to the wildlife and even just the sea.  It's a spectacle that when you see it, you know how great a view it is.

Dinner with a breeze

A really fun way to spice up your meals is to eat on your balcony.  Royal Caribbean provides a table in addition to chairs to enjoy whatever food you bring back to the stateroom on the balcony.

In addition, you can order room service and have it set up on your balcony.  Forget breakfast in bed, breakfast on your balcony is where it's at!  

Alternatively you can bring back a cup of coffee, small snack or full meal enjoy with your feet propped up as you watch the ocean go by.

Balcony means more space inside too

As you move up the categories of Royal Caribbean staterooms, balcony staterooms come with more space compared to interior staterooms.  As anyone that has cruised before will tell you, every square foot matters!

When you book a balcony stateroom, you get more inside as well as the space from your balcony.  It all adds up to more room for everyone to manuever in and makes the entire experience less crowded.

Great spot for sail away

When it's time for your cruise to begin or for your Royal Caribbean ship to leave port, nothing beats being outside to see the ship leave.

Having your own balcony stateroom means you get to experience this anytime without worrying about finding a spot.  You will always have a reserved place to enjoy the ship coming in and out of port.

Royal Caribbean balconies are more than the ocean

Of course ocean view balconies are what Royal Caribbean offers most of but did you know that you can also get a balcony that overlooks other places onboard your ship?

On the Oasis-class cruise ships, you can choose between Central Park View or Boardwalk View balcony staterooms.

These unique balcony staterooms offer the outdoor experience but with a completely different take on them. Perfect for people watching as well as enjoying the view of what's happening onboard the ship right now.

Are you convinced yet to book a balcony stateroom?  Share your thoughts about booking a balcony stateroom in the comments below.

The Port Everglades webcam posted this neat video of Oasis of the Seas leaving Port Everglades earlier today. 

I love these drone videos and this is a great perspective. Enjoy!

Royal Caribbean is inviting its Crown and Anchor Society members to sail aboard an annual traditon of a member cruise. This year the member cruise is a 12-night fall foliage cruise from Quebec City on Serenade of the Seas on September 25, 2015.

The Crown and Anchor member cruise offers members-only events and activities, surprise parties exclusive benefits, and the opportunity to socialize with other Crown & Anchor Society members.

The 2014 members cruise sailed to the Baltics and North Sea recently and for those that like to sail with other Royal Caribbean fans, the member cruise can be a popular choice.

We love to share your Royal Caribbean photos every Friday and give everyone a quick "mental escape" to look at some stunning photos.  We want your photos too, so send us your best Royal Caribbean photos to share with the world.

Leading things off this week is a photo by Michael Poole of Enchantment of the Seas as seen from CocoCay.  Not sure if I wish I was on Enchantment or CocoCay more right now!

Next we have this photo by Greta looking out at her balcony as the sun is rising on Freedom fo the Seas.  If I ever woke up early enough to see sunrise, this would be something great to see.

Here's a photo from Marie Coschigano in St. Maarten of my good friend Leo Brown.  Leo has driven me a few times in St. Maarten and I'm so happy to see others have enjoyed his services too!

Garrett Keating sent me this photo from Explorer of the Seas on his way to Bermuda and because it's well established that I am a sucker for sunset photos, you will understand why I am including this one. Absolutely beautiful photo!

Mike from Autism on the Seas sent in this photo from Freedom of the Seas this week as it was on its way to Jamaica.  Autism on the Seas is such a wonderful organization and this photo is a great shot!

If we didn't include your photo this week, then that means you need to send it in to us for use on a future Friday Photos post.  We want to see your favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photos and you can use this form to send them to us.