Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Equinox joined Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas in a program that tracks ocean circulation dynamics and measures atmospheric and oceanographic conditions, on repeated journeys.

Royal Caribbean does its part to help conduct scientific research by  the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The scientists capture and analyze oceanographic and atmospheric data on  the vessels sailing worldwide. 

The scientists record ocean temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll concentration, as well as properties of the ocean’s surface, such as reflectance and absorbance. In addition, they measure meteorological properties, such as wind speed, wind direction, barometric pressure and humidity. These data help scientists monitor, understand, and forecast climate change and its effects on marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs. Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and help sustain the livelihoods of local people, especially in developing countries, where coral reefs contribute about one-quarter of the annual total fish catch, providing food to about one billion people in Asia alone. 

“Royal Caribbean is extremely proud of the collaboration with the OceanScope program to foster greater understanding of the global climate system and the oceans on which our ships sail,” said Rich Pruitt, Vice President, Safety and Environmental Stewardship, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Our business depends on ocean health, and part of protecting ocean health is understanding the atmosphere and its effects.” 

Funded in part by RCL’s Ocean Fund, The University of Miami’s OceanScope equipment on Explorer of the Seas has tracked ocean circulation dynamics since 2000, in the North Atlantic basin that the ship sails through while on Bermuda and Caribbean routes from the US Northeast. The Allure of the Seas lab tracks these conditions through the Eastern and Western Caribbean, and has done so since 2012. The installation of an OceanScope lab on Celebrity Equinox will provide insight into the ocean dynamics in the Mediterranean Sea, across the North Atlantic and along the Iberian Peninsula. 

Southampton, England is welcoming back two Royal Caribbean ships for the summer 2014 season, Independence of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas.  Their arrival kicks off the 2014 summer seasons for the second year in a row.

Adventure of the Seas arrived back on May 4th while Independence of the Seas will return on May 17.

Adventure of the Seas returns with new upgrades and features, including flat screen TVs in every stateroom. Giovanni's Table, Wi-Fi throughout the ship, a new Concierge Lounge for suite guests, a Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society members and digital signage throughout the ship.

Adventure of the Seas will offer 7 to 16-night cruises around the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, in addition to shorter sailings closer to home.

Independence of the Seas will offer new itineraries, including more, shorter sailings such as  three-night cruises to Le Havre for Paris and four night cruises to Le Havre for Paris and Zeebrugge for Bruges.

The ship will also offer six night cruises to France and Spain, an eight-night cruise to Norway, various 14-night Mediterranean cruises, plus 11 and 12-night Canary Islands cruises as part of its 2014 summer season.

During the keel-laying ceremony for the third Oasis-class ship at STX in St. Nazaire, France, Royal Caribbean announced that a fourth Oasis-class ship is planned. The keel laying, during which a 1,000-ton block was lifted by crane into the building dock, marks the beginning of the physical construction of Oasis III.

A brand new stage show made exclusively for Quantum of the Seas will be called, "Starwater".

The new show features, "A beautiful and highly visual production featuring Dancers and Singers all under the spell of our Muse who transports the audience as she orchestrates an eternal fusion the universe and sea to her will. Starwater takes place in our new signature venue Two70 featuring branded technology Vistarama® and Roboscreens™ that can only be experienced onboard Quantum of the Seas."

Starwater will be shown in Two70 and feature the Roboscreens Royal Caribbean previewed last summer.

Royal Caribbean announced today a partnership with Coca-Cola to bring the 2014 FIFA World Cup games to its cruise ships.  

The Coca-Cola Party at Sea will be complete with broadcast of the games at the official watch party hosted by Coca-Cola and complete with samba dancers. 

Ships will offer soccer match broadcasts in public viewing areas and in guest staterooms. Throughout the cruise, guests also will experience additional family activities, Adventure Ocean activities, giveaways and more for everyone to enjoy during their vacation – free of charge.

Limited edition Coca-Cola soccer themed souvenir cups will accompany the purchase of any all-inclusive soda beverage package.

“Royal Caribbean is proud to partner with The Coca-Cola Company to host their Party at Sea,” said Nick Weir, vice president, entertainment, Royal Caribbean. “We know how important this event is to our guests and we are certain that even casual soccer fans will enjoy the experience of watching the competition onboard our family of ships.” 

For more information, visit RoyalCaribbean.com/WorldCup.

Royal Caribbean is offering its first summer sale with up to $400 in onboard credit when you book a cruise between May 7 and 31.

Cruises of six-nights or longer departing to the Caribbean and Bahamas between July 1 and December 31, 2014 are eligible for the sale. 

The offer applies for all new U.S. and Canadian bookings made from May 7 - 31, 2014, for sailings departing from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2014. Vacationers will receive $50 onboard credit per interior or oceanview stateroom; $100 onboard credit per Jr. suite or stateroom with balcony; and $200 onboard credit per Grand Suite or higher category stateroom.  As an added incentive, the cruise line is also doubling onboard credits up to $400 for all eligible sailings between Dec. 15 and Dec. 31, 2014. The offer is valid fleetwide, excluding Quantum of the Seas. 

Details on this promotion are available at www.RoyalCaribbean.com/MayWow.

Royal Caribbean layed the keel for it third Oasis-class cruise ship by placing a 1,000 ton block into position.  

Photo by Royal Caribbean

In addition to keel-laying, the coin ceremony was held at STX France shipyard.  

The keel-laying marks the official beginning of a ship's construction.  The third Oasis-class ship is scheduled to be completed in 2016.

Photo by Lyan Sierra-Caro

Also during the ceremony, Royal Caribbean chairman Richard Fain announced the company would build a fourth Oasis-class cruise ship that will be ready by 2018.

Let's start the weekend off with some great Royal Caribbean photos by our readers.  Each week we ask our readers to send us their photos and here's just a few that we have to show off this week.

Hunter Raines sent us this week's first photo from Margaritaville in Falmouth, with Liberty of the Seas in the background.  Now that is what I call a view!

Next is a photo from Nick in the Viking Crown lounge on Explorer of the Seas.  I love spending time here and enjoying a drink or two.  You cannot beat the view!

Next is a photo of sunset while on Liberty of the Seas in Cozumel by John Siegmund.  Great shot John!

Jeremy sent us this photo of Strings ice show on Independence of the Seas.  I love the ice shows Royal Caribbean puts on because it's always an impressive display.

Let's go to this photo next by Steven Brinkman of the Royal Promenade on Navigator of the Seas.  Steven said he took this photo during a port day because he wanted photo without lots of guests in the background.  Mission accomplished!

Last, but no least, is this photo by Ken Slusser of his selfie with Jeff Eaton, cruise director on Independence of the Seas during his March 2014 cruise.  Love how "into it" these cruise directors get!

Thank you to everyone who sent in photos and don't forget that we want to see your photos too.  Use our form to send us your favorite Royal Caribbean photos and we will share them in an upcoming Friday Photos post!

Royal Caribbean announced today it has ordered a fourth Oasis-class cruise ship to be built at STX France that will be ready in 2018.

Royal Caribbean chairman Richard Fain made the announcement today at the keel-laying ceremony for the third Oasis-class ship in STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The order of a fourth ship in the Oasis class is subject to documentation and satisfaction of financing and other customary conditions. Projected capital expenditures for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 are $1.4 billion, $1.4 billion, $2.2 billion, $0.3 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, taking into account this order and existing ship orders.

“The Oasis Class was a revolution in maritime design when it was launched in 2009. Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas continue to be in a class by themselves both in terms of guest satisfaction and financial returns. Today’s announcement is a reflection of their success,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “We are thrilled to announce the order of a fourth Oasis-class ship during the keel-laying milestone of the third. This announcement is also a testament to the men and women of STX France who have worked so hard and so cooperatively on Oasis III.”

The third Oasis-class ship is also being built in Saint-Nazaire, France. It is scheduled for delivery in mid-2016.

Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas was the shooting location for a brand new Tamil film, written and directed by Aishwarya R Dhanush, called, "Vai Raja Vai".

Some scenes in the film were shot onboard the ship as part of a a seven-night itinerary across Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Ratna Chadha, Chief Executive, TIRUN Travel Marketing, India Representative for Royal Caribbean International, said, “We are honoured to have had the crew of ‘Vai Raja Vai’ onboard. The staff onboard the ship were excited at the opportunity to interact with celebrated cinematic figures from the South Indian film industry. We were thrilled to be able to showcase our largest and most innovative ships in Asia and some of her many offerings, and look forward to hosting more such shoots from the film industry onboard our other ships as well.”