We're hosting LIVE coverage of Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas dining announcement event that will begin on Wednesday, March 26 at 6pm eastern. We will post live blog coverage in this post.
A member from Cruise Critic posted a screenshot of what could be Royal Caribbean's strategy for dining aboard its Quantum-class cruise ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, called Dynamic Dining.
Here's the description from Royal Caribbean:
Dynamic Dining, a new world of culinary exploration onboard Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas has been selected for this reservation. It's dining at sea reimagined - to give you more distinct options plus total flexibility to shape your own delectable journey. There are no set dining times, no assigned seats, no required formal nights. Instead, let your appetite be the guide, as 18 tantalizing possibilities lay before you. Daily reservations can be made for select restaurants on-line up to 4 days prior to departure at www.RoyalCaribbean.com/PreCruisePlanner. Reservations can also be made or amended onboard. Pre-cruise reservations are strong recommended to confirm your desired dining time at your restaurant of choice and ensure reduced wait times. Dynamic Dining does not guarantee multiple tables together for parties of over 16 guests.
Dynamic Dining also seems to confirm the earlier list of new restaurants on Anthem of the Seas that was leaked online as well.
This change will eliminate the main dining room all together and offer a number of restaurants for passengers to choose and further reduce the formality of set dining times as well as relax dress codes.
Royal Caribbean is expected to make the formal announcement about Dynamic Dining and other dining options onboard its Quantum-class cruise ships later tonight. Royal Caribbean Blog will provide live coverage of the event.
Royal Caribbean announced it will offer a full refund to all passengers on the March 23rd sailing of Adventure of the Seas and 50% off a future cruise after mechanical problems crippled the ship and forced it to remain in San Juan since Sunday.
Royal Caribbean did indicate Adventure of the Seas is planning on sailing as soon as possible, with stops in Antigua, St. Lucia and St. Croix as soon as possible.
Adventure of the Seas first reported a problem last week, when oil started leaking from one of its fixipods which required a signifigant decrease in propulsion. The ship limped back to San Juan, where it has been ever since.
Passengers on last week's sailing and this week's sailing have been upset with Royal Caribbean over inconsistent communication.
Update: Due to delays on the 3/23 Adventure of the Seas sailing, guests onboard will receive a full refund & a 50% future cruise certificate
— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) March 26, 2014The ship will continue on from San Juan to Antigua, St. Lucia and St. Croix as soon as possible.
— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) March 26, 2014Great news, Episode 34 of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available for your listening pleasure.
This week, Matt explains what Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society is and why you might want to join. Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program offers guests a lot of rewards and opportunities and this week's episode is an introduction into what Crown and Anchor Society is all about.
We also have a lot of your emails, voicemails and messages to share with everyone.
Here’s the podcast page for Episode 34. 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!
Earlier this week Royal Caribbean cancelled this week's Navigator of the Seas cruise because of an oil spill in Houston harbor but has decided to go ahead with a shortened 4-night cruise for anyone on the original sailing that wants to go.
Navigator of the Seas will leave this morning on a cruise to Cozumel and then return to Galveston to resume normal operations. Those on the original sailing can still get a full refund and 25% towards a future sailing even if they choose to go on the 4-night sailing as well.
Royal Caribbean notified passengers late Tuesday evening of the decision after the United States Coast Guard opened Galveston harbor back up to operations.
The collision between a barge and another vessel Saturday near the Texas City Dike spilled 160,000 gallons of heavy oil into Galveston Bay and has forced the U.S. Coast Guard to close the Houston Ship Channel.
Royal Caribbean sees India as an emerging cruise market that they want to target for increasing the amount of people who cruise with them.
Royal Caribbean Regional vice president Gavin Smith said, "Cruising is now popular in the metro cities and spreading to the mini-metros... Most of the major cruise liners are present in India today. Cruising is now a part of the consideration set of the affluent and well travelled.
Tirun Travel Marketing, which represents Royal Caribbean in India, is expanding its network in India. At present it has a network of seven offices and plans more.
The numbers look good so far for India with over 1,00,000 Indians taking a cruise vacation in 2013. Year-to-year growth is at about 8 percent and locals expect that rate to continue again this year.
Royal Caribbean is holding a big event on Wednesday to announce dining options on its brand new Quantum of the Seas cruise ship but we've got an advanced look at what we can expect to be announced.
A leaked document listing all the floor plans for Anthem of the Seas was accidently posted and lists the public areas, including all the restaurants onboard. The big news is there is no more main dining room and instead quite a number of restaurants for guests choose from.
Below is a list of all the restaurants onboard Anthem of the Seas, complimentary and specialty. We do not know how much of a difference there will be with Quantum of the Seas, if any.
From beef Wellington to chicken a l’orange, the world’s classic dishes come together for formal night, every night.
Where the freshest ingredients of the wild are evolved to the height of contemporary cuisine.
James Beard Award-winner Michael Schwartz brings you delicious yet uncomplicated pub fare, plus his namesake craft beer.
For an authentic New York pizzeria experience, head to Sorrento’s for fully-loaded pies right out of the oven. Sample rotating creations from chorizo to Hawaiian to Pizza Florentine – with classic cheese and pepperoni always on call. For an authentic New York pizzeria experience, head to Sorrento’s for fully-loaded pies right out of the oven. Sample rotating creations from chorizo to Hawaiian to Pizza Florentine – with classic cheese and pepperoni always on call.
America’s favorite comfort foods, homespun in our kitchen with a few creative twists.
Weave your way through a vibrant tapestry of Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Indian cooking.
Our chefs twist the kaleidoscope to invent fantasy gourmet dishes, magical elixirs, and more never-before-seen fare.
Chef Jamie Oliver presents a menu of rustic Italian favorites, handmade with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Exclusively for suite guests, a fresh new fusion of California cool and Med-inspired taste.
The first food truck at sea, serving up traditional hot dogs, brats, and sausages, plus a variety of toppings to split a long bun.
A global culinary pavilion that invites you to explore the world, dish by dish. Enticing food islands weave throughout, showcasing international fare while mapping your way between new, interactive stations with pressed paninis, fresh juices, and desserts at the on-site bakery. Plus a new 24-hour station, The Grill, with all-day breakfast and more on a menu that changes daily.
Our hallmark restaurant now features a revamped menu that brings contemporary flair to traditional steakhouse offerings.
A once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience. In this exclusive space, 14 guests will enjoy a five-course menu of gourmet selections specially prepared and personally presented by the Chef de Cuisine. Every course is accompanied by wine pairings chosen to enhance your enjoyment of each dish.
The traditional Japanese dishes at Izumi will impress you with their pure, delicate flavors, freshness of ingredients and impeccable presentation. Diners can choose from popular sushi rolls, sashimi, our Hot Rock (Ishiyaki) Plates, sukiyaki and more.
All the style of a classic ‘50s diner, now serving poolside — burgers, fries and the best old-fashioned malted milk shakes.
During the day enjoy a classic bistro plate with a loved one or bring the family to this delicious dining experience that has something for everyone.
Royal Caribbean has cancelled the maligned Navigator of the Seas cruise that was delayed embarking due to an oil spill in Houston harbor and has since been stuck in Galveston harbor.
Passengers on the cancelled cruise will get a full refund and 25% in future cruise credit. Royal Caribbean is also allowing guests to stay onboard Navigator of the Seas until March 30.
The collision between a barge and another vessel Saturday near the Texas City Dike spilled 160,000 gallons of heavy oil into Galveston Bay and has forced the U.S. Coast Guard to close the Houston Ship Channel.
@RoyalCaribbean Cruise canceled. RC offering full refund.
— Shawn Pilkington (@ShawnPilkington) March 25, 2014Over the weekend, Royal Caribbean had two of its ships impacted by two very different issues and we want to know what your opinion of how Royal Caribbean handled these incidents.
Photo by Houston Chronicle
First was Adventure of the Seas, who had a propulsion problem where in the middle of her Southern Caribbean itinerary the ship encountered oil loss from one of her fixipod units that forced its shutdown. The result was she had to skip a couple of ports and travel at a slower speed. Adventure of the Seas made it back to port yesterday in San Juan, albeit delayed.
The other incident was Navigator of the Seas was delayed a number of hours from docking in Galveston due to an oil spill in the harbor. The incident affected other cruise ships as well and Navigator of the Seas was not able to dock in Galveston and let off its passengers and take on the new passengers until late Sunday.
In both cases, Royal Caribbean is being accused by some of poor communications by the cruise line to its passengers in terms of keeping them updated. Some say Royal Caribbean did not effectively keep passengers onboard and on shore updated with what was happening and what the future may hold. On the other hand, others point out many of the variables were out of the company's hands and when they did know something, they conveyed it.
We want to know what your opinion is of how Royal Caribbean handled both situations. Comment in this post if you think they handled it well or not and why!
Royal Caribbean announced it will return to the Persian Gulf to offer cruises for the 2015-2016 cruise season.
Royal Caribbean will send Splendour of the Seas and offer 16 roundtrip cruises on a weekly basis from December 2015 to March 2016 and will dock at ports in Dubai, Oman and Abu Dhabi.
Royal Caribbean left the Gulf region in 2013 due to a lack of revenue but clearly feels now is the right time to return.
Helen Beck, Royal Caribbean regional director, commented on the return, “Following on from positive and collaborative discussions with our key partners in the region, we are pleased to announce our return to cruising in the Arabian Gulf for the winter of 2015 / 2016. This is a welcome step in continuing to promote the economic and touristic benefits of cruising and I’m sure the season will be very successful.”