If you're going to Royal Caribbean's private island of Labadee and intersted in renting a cabana, here's a guide to what you need to know about renting your own cabana.

How much are the cabanas?

• Nellie's Beach cabanas
  • Over water cabana: $495
  • Beach cabana: $395
• Barefoot Beach cabanas (available to suite guests only)
  • Over the water cabana: $495
  • Hilltop cabana: $395
  • Beach front cabana: $395
  • Standard beach cabana: $295

Who are cabanas good for

The cabanas at Labadee are perfect for someone who is planning on spending the whole day on Labadee and wants to have a a private beach experience.

What's included

• Private ocean view cabana rental for the full day
• Furnished with 2 luxurious resort-style lounge chairs & a sofa
• Four bottles of water (in a cooler)
• Floating beach mats and snorkeling gear.
• Towels for your use during the day
• Barefoot Beach cabanas have a private beach only for cabana rental guests

How to rent the cabanas

Cabanas may be rented online prior to your cruise through Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner section.  

Suite guests get first access to the cabanas but we have seen access for non-suite guests to book cabanas online.  Suite guests may also email their concierge prior to your cruise to reserve one.

You may also go to the Explorations (shore excursions) desk onboard your Royal Caribbean ship and put your name down on a list.  It's best to put your name down as soon as possible for the best chance at getting a cabana.

In regards to the online system, make sure you are only selecting one person in your party when making the reservation online. Don't worry, the rest of your group will be allowed in as the reservation is good for up to 6 people.

What's the difference between Nellie's Beach cabanas and Barefoot Beach cabanas?

Barefoot beach is reserved for suite guests only, where as Nellies is open to everyone.  As a result, the beach is far more crowded (relatively speaking) at Nellie's Beach.

In addition, those at Nellie's Beach will be escorted over to Barefoot Beach for the private lunch buffet. Your cabin attendant will inform you when it is time and walk you over.

Blog reader Tony mentioned a new policy for those that have cabanas at Nellie's Beach. Nellie's Beach cabana rentals do not have access to the private lunch buffet at Bearfoot Beach. If you booked before October of last year you were eligible after that Nellie's Beach cabanas use the regular buffet areas.

Royal Caribbean reported its 2014 second quarter financial results today, and higher European deamand helped second-quarter profit beat estimates and the company raised its outlook for the full year.

Royal Caribbean said it earned $137.7 million, or 62 cents a share, in the quarter, up from $24.7 million, or 11 cents a share, in the same period a year ago.

Royal Caribbean Chief Financial Officer Jason T. Liberty said in a statement, "higher pricing for close-in European sailings propelled us above the top end of our guidance for the quarter.  While the environment in the Caribbean remains promotional, our European itineraries continue to resonate well with strong demand from all markets."

Onboard revenue initiatives continue to deliver positive results with a 3% increase for the quarter. This is the tenth consecutive quarter of onboard revenue growth.

Liberty also commented, "overall business has been solid and our equity investments continue to outperform, allowing us to deliver even better returns to our shareholders."

Hey everyone! Episode 51 of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available for your listening pleasure.

This week, Matt discusses where and when tipping is expected and suggested on a Royal Caribbean cruise.  There's been some changes recently in how Royal Caribbean handles tips as well as more "gray areas" of when it may be expected.

Matt discusses who is most likely to get a tip as well as how automatic tipping has been instituted in certain areas of the cruise experience.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 51. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS 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!

Go behind the scenes at Meyer Werft's cabin factory where Quantum of the Seas staterooms are constructed using a production line. From carpeting to art on the wall, this manufacturing process ensures the highest quality standards throughout.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia Jr. issued a statement today about his meeting with officials from three cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, to provide feedback on how the Philippines could become a cruise destination.

“The cruise giants were open to working with the Philippines in destination development while they discussed infrastructure requirements, “ Cuisia said after a recent economic diplomacy mission to the US state of Florida, where he met with cruise-company officials.

During the meeting, Cuisia took the opportunity to emphasize to the cruise-line executives the notable destination possibilities in the Philippines, particularly Vigan City in Ilocos Sur province, which is now vying to be one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.

The Royal Caribbean officials who met with the Embassy team were Guillermo Villa, Vice President for Human Resources; Maria del Busto, Chief Human Resources Officer; and Sonia Diaz-Del Oro, Associate Vice President for Global Learning and Organizational Development.  Royal Caribbean currently employs about 16,000 Filipinos, which is second to Carnival.

If you're new to cruising, often there's a lot of confusion and misconceptions surrounding the idea of dress codes and how formal (or informal) you have to be on your Royal Caribbean cruise.  It's time to clear the air about what to wear!

Here's the quick and simple answer: 

You don't have to dress up at all!

That's right, if you want to wear shorts and tanktops all day, every day of your cruise there is no reason you cannot.  Royal Caribbean has a few dress codes that are only for dining in select restaurants. Otherwise, you can wear whatever suits you all the time.

When and where you will need to dress up

The only places you will need to adjust what you wear is in select restaurants.  The main dining room has a dress code for every night, which is stipulated in the Cruise Compass.  It varies from casual to formal and applies to dinner only.  

For breakfast and lunch (if open,), the main dining room has a less stringent dress code of no swimsuits, hats, tanktops or other pool clothing.

The specialty restaurants always have a dress code that falls somewhere between casual and formal that Royal Caribbean calls "smart casual".  Royal Caribbean defines it as, "jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women.

Other complimentary restaurants such as the Windjammer or Seaview Cafe simply require shoes and a shirt. 

Casual is okay

Worrying about the dress code can be a major obstacle for those new to cruising but it really does not have to be a problem at all.  

Some people enjoy dressing up and others despise it and it's okay for both people.  Royal Caribbean offers dress code suggestions with alternative dining venues if you choose not to dress up.  

In fact, a lot of veteran Royal Caribbean cruisers will tell you they really enjoy dining in the Windjammer every night for the wide variety of food and relaxed atmosphere.  

If you feel like packing a collared shirt and "nice" jeans and maybe a dress to have a nice night out, that's okay too.  Royal Caribbean wants every guest to feel comfortable and under no pressure when it comes to what to wear at dinner.

Don't worry!

The bottom line is don't worry about dress codes.  At all.  They exist but they are suggestions and you will not be ostricized for not following them.  

There are lots of places to eat onboard if you choose not to follow them and even when you do follow them, the dress codes are pretty relaxed. Royal Caribbean ships are not full of people in tuxedos and formal ball gowns.  

Enjoy your Royal Caribbean cruise experience without worrying about what you will be wearing at any given time.

One of our blog readers, Shawn Wallace, is beginning his cruise this week on Freedom of the Seas and took some time to share photos of areas around the ship. Enjoy!

The Royal Promenade

KIds pool area, H2O Zone

Mini golf

Enjoying a drink to celebrate the beginning of a Royal Caribbean cruise

Adventure Ocean Explorers Room

Little People poster in Nursery

Galileo main dining room

One of the many innovations on the Oasis-class cruise ship are the Central Park view staterooms.  This stateroom category is available on all of Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships and we thought it would be useful to look at what this stateroom does (and does not) include and why you might want to consider booking it for your next cruise.

What is a Central Park View stateroom?

The Central Park view stateroom with balcony is a balcony category stateroom but instead of offering a balcony that overlooks the ocean, this stateroom category offers a view of the Central Park neighborhood.

The idea was a first in the cruise industry because prior to Oasis of the Seas, balconies had never been internally facing. 

The Central Park balconies offer the same fresh air and light that ocean view balconies do but with the opportunity to enjoy the ambiance of Central Park along with the people watching aspect.  In addition, Central Park view balcony staterooms are often slightly cheaper than ocean view balconies.

The exact size of a Central Park view stateroom with balcony is 182 square feet with a 50 square foot balcony.

What are the disadvantages of booking a Central Park View stateroom?

To some people, a balcony without an ocean view isn't a balcony so that may be an issue. In addition, overlooking Central Park can add some noise to your balcony experience.  We think the noise factor for Central Park balconies is not as high as their Boardwalk balcony brothers.

There's also less privacy with a Central Park balcony since there are other balcony staterooms on the opposite side of Central Park that face your balcony.

Summary

Central Park balcony staterooms offer the balcony experience for a slight discount and a great way to enjoy Royal Caribbean's magnificent Central Park neighborhood.

The opportunity to have a balcony experience but with a completely unique feel that is unmatched anywhere else is another Royal Caribbean benefit.  Staying in these staterooms gives you space and a different perspective.

While this balcony stateroom doesn't offer a view of the ocean, having a balcony, regardless of view, is still what makes a great cruise experience.

Royal Caribbean is offering a new deal for those looking to getaway on a cruise during Christmas or New Years this year.  

Book any Caribbean or Bahamas holiday cruise departing from December 15-31, 2014, and Royal Caribbean will give you up to $400 onboard credit and 10% off your cruise fare.

The onboard credit deals is as follows

• 3-5 night cruises
  • Interior & Ocean View staterooms
    • $100 per stateroom
  • Balcony & Suite Staterooms
    • $200 per stateroom
• 6 night or longer cruises
  • Interior & Ocean View staterooms
    • $200 per stateroom
  • Balcony & Suite Staterooms
    • $400 per stateroom

This sale runs through July 31, 2014 and excludes Explorer of the Seas and QUantum of the Seas departures as well as Grandeur of the Seas December 27, 2014 sailing. 10% offer is applied per guest, for 1st and 2nd guests in the stateroom.

Offer available in the United States and Canada.