Royal Caribbean part of group opposing PortMiami stadium

In:
21 Apr 2014

Royal Caribbean is part of a coalition that is in opposition of plans to build a 25,000-seat soccer stadium in PortMiami.

The coalition is called, "Miami Seaport Alliance" and is against the plans. Royal Caribbean's opposition stems from the fact the stadium would be located adjacent to its headquarters.

The coalition cites concerns congestion in the area that is already congested.  Miami Seaport Alliance president, John Fox, commented on the idea, "When there’s a Heat game, or things going on at the Arsht Performing Arts Center, we now have an art museum that’s fantastic, there’s a children’s museum there, there’s a science museum coming,” Fox said. “And so, even forgetting the cruise and cargo interests, there’s horrendous, horrendous traffic problems."

Fox is the former vice-president of government relations for Royal Caribbean.

The group includes seven or eight members, according to Fox, which includes Royal Caribbean, labor unions, freight forwarders and other companies.

The soccer stadium proposal is championed by soccer star David Beckham.  Beckham prefers the stadium in the port because of the downtown Miami skyline view.

Royal Caribbean Post Round-Up: April 20, 2014

In:
20 Apr 2014

Happy Easter to all of our readers.  Have a great day and by far the big news this week was Royal Caribbean's deployment news regarding its Quantum-class ships.

Royal Caribbean announced it will send its brand new Quantum of the Seas to China in 2015, less than a year after it debuts in New York. 

In turn, Anthem of the Seas will now head up to New York instead of Fort Lauderdale for the winter 2015.  Liberty of the Seas will cover the New York market in between both ships.

The news shows how much Royal Caribbean believes in the burgeoning Chinese cruise market, but it did leave many fans disappointed that there won't be much time in the United States to enjoy Quantum of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean News

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The thirty-seventh episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available that is all about booking shore excursions.

This week we will look at all the different booking incentives Royal Caribbean offers its guests and which ones tend to be a better deal than others. We also have lots of listener feedback to share!

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.

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

BuzzFeed explains why Quantum of the Seas represents a critical tests for the cruise industry.

Mommy Musings has her top 10 experiences on Liberty of the Seas.

CruiseInd has analysis of Quantum of the Seas going to China.

Friday Photos

In:
18 Apr 2014

Friday is here and that means we're sharing our reader's favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photos to give the rest of us a little "cruise fix" until our next cruise.  Let's see what we have this week.

Jared sent us this photo from St. Maarten with a number of cruise ships in port, including Independence of the Seas, which is on the right. I love to compare ships when in port and this is a great view!

John McCormack sent us this photo of the cast of the Ice Games show on Allure of the Seas. Love the shows in the evening!

How about a black and white photo of Oasis of the Seas by Connor De La Pena? A black and white photo here and there is always a nice change.

How about another photo of Independence of the Seas? Here's one from Jeremy from the pool deck and boy, do I wish I was looking at this right now!

Frank Battiston sent in this great sunset photo from Allure of the Seas.  It was taken on his Aqua Theater Suite deck and it looks amazing!

Last, but not least, we have this photo by John Siegmund of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge sailing into Cape Liberty on morning of departure on Explorer of the Seas. Great view!

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 announces New York and Galveston deployments for 2015-2016

In:
17 Apr 2014

Royal Caribbean announced today its plans for cruise ships sailing out of Galveston, Texas and the New York area.  

Royal Caribbean re-confirmed Liberty of the Seas will sail out of Cape Liberty in summer 2015 as well as confirming that Navigator of the Seas will remain in Galveston, Texas to offer seven-night cruises throughout summer 2015.

By winter 2015-2016, Anthem of the Seas will replace Liberty of the Seas in offering cruises out of Cape Liberty.  In turn, Liberty of the Seas will head to Galveston to offer weekly Caribbean cruises there.  Finally, Navigator of the Seas will sail six- and eight-night Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale.

Brilliance of the Seas and Vision of the Seas will return to Tampa in winter 2015-16.

Liberty of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas’ 2015-16 cruise seasons are now open for booking.

Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members have the exclusive privilege to book Anthem of the Seas’ winter 2015-16 season starting April 25, 2014, in advance of the general opening to the public on April 29. 

Anthem of the Seas to be based in New York for winter 2015-2016

In:
16 Apr 2014

Following Royal Caribbean's big news that Quantum of the Seas will go to China in 2015, sister ship Anthem of the Seas is going to also be moving in 2015.  She will replace Liberty of the Seas in Bayonne, New Jersey for the winter 2015-2016 cruise season.

Anthem of the Seas is the second in the Quantum-class of cruise ships Royal Caribbean is building and will debut in Southampton, England in April 2015 first and then move to New York for the winter.

This is a change for Anthem of the Seas since she was previously planned to be sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida in winter 2015.

Royal Caribbean sending Quantum of the Seas to China in 2015

In:
16 Apr 2014

Royal Caribbean announced today it will send its brand new Quantum of the Seas to home port in Shanghai (Baoshan), China in May 2015.

In China, Quantum of the Seas will join Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas in Asia, increasing the company’s capacity in the region by 66 percent.

The move by Royal Caribbean shows how important the Chinese cruise market is to Royal Caribbean by putting a brand new cruise ship there instead of the usual pattern of older ships going to Asia.

MORE: ANTHEM OF THE SEAS TO REPLACE QUANTUM OF THE SEAS | QUANTUM OF THE SEAS GALLERY

Royal Caribbean COO Adam Goldstein commented on the announcement, "Consumers in China have grown to expect the best the world has to offer, and Quantum of the Seas meets that standard like no other ship.  We are ready to accelerate the growth of this vital market with a ship that will capture the imagination of travelers looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation experience."

"Every trend we are seeing in China tells us we can achieve real long-term competitive advantage and appealing returns on our investments in this fast-growing market by accelerating our presence there,” Goldstein said. “We will have to be nimble, but the ability to move fast is one of our strengths."

To replace Quantum of the Seas once it leaves New York, Liberty of the Seas will sail up and take her place and offer cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean for the winter of 2015-2016.

Booking Incentives on Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

In:
16 Apr 2014

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

Episode 37 is available for downloading where we look at what booking incentives Royal Caribbean offers.

Matt look's at all the different booking incentives Royal Caribbean offers its guests, including what they are and which ones tend to be a better deal than others.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 37. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSSStitcher 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!

Royal Caribbean launches new Crown and Anchor Society Exclusive Rates

In:
15 Apr 2014

Royal Caribbean launched today its newest discount cruise program for Crown and Anchor Society members, dubbed Crown and Anchor Society Exclusive Rates

The Crown and Anchor Society Exclusive Rates replace the Crown and Anchor Society Savings Certificates and offer lower on select cruises directly from the Crown and Anchor Society section of the Royal Caribbean web site.

The new Crown and Anchor Society Exclusive Rates offer discounts on select cruises. Travel agents can apply Crown and Anchor Society Exclusive Rates for any customer.

For guests, this new programs means discounts are applied instantly instead of having to do math to see what the discount will be.  The aim of the new program is to simplify discounts for guests.

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