The Centers for Diseas Control and Prevention is reporting that as of January 24, 2014, 281 of 3,050 passengers have reported symptoms that resemble norovirus.  In addition 22 of 1,165 crewmembers have reported symptoms.

Royal Caribbean is taking these actions to minimize the problem.

• Increasing cleaning and disinfection procedures according to their outbreak prevention and response plan
• Making announcements to both notify onboard passengers of the outbreak and encourage case reporting
• Collecting stool specimens from ill passengers and crew for submission to the CDC lab
• Making multiple daily reports of gastrointestinal illness cases to the VSP
• Preparing additional crew members to join the ship mid-voyage to assist with case management and intensified sanitation procedures
• Consulting with CDC on plans for:
  • Passenger notification procedures and the planned delayed embarkation schedule in Bayonne, NJ on January 31, 2014,
  • Disembarkation plans for active cases, terminal and transport infection control procedures.

​As stated, the next Explorer of the Seas sailing on January 31, 2014 will be delayed for cleaning.

Unfortunately this is the second Royal Caribbean ship this month to suffer the effects of a norovirus outbreak, with Majesty of the Seas having one last week.

Norovirus causes symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.  It's spread from person to person, through contaminated food or water, and by touching contaminated surfaces.  It's important for every cruise passenger on every cruise ship to take steps to avoid getting norovirus.

It seems like things are always changing on Royal Caribbean and when 2014 began just a few short weeks ago, quite a number of new rules and policies changed too.  

One of our favorite readers, Ed Tinkertoy, suggested we list all the changes in one post.  So if you're cruising with Royal Caribbean in 2014, here's what you will need to know that's different this year.

No more late fees for pool towels

Royal Caribbean used to require guests to use their SeaPass card to rent pool towels and would charge them $25 per unreturned towel.  As of January 1, 2014, that policy has been eliminated.

Royal Caribbean cited guest feedback as the reason for this change and now you can take towels without having to show your SeaPass card or worry about being charged about when you return them.

We've also heard towel returns in general are easier now, with towel return bins near the gangway as you come back to the ship from port.  This means more convenience for guests and less hassle, so it's a good change.

Smoking ban on balconies

Royal Caribbean followed a few other cruise lines in forbidding smoking on balconies starting January 1, 2014.  

Smoking in staterooms has been banned for a while but balcony smoking had been permitted. Now, if you want to light up, you have to go to designated smoking areas on the ship or risk a $250 fine.

The new rule generated a lot of feedback on both sides of the argument but the new policy has gone into effect and is now the "law of the land".  

Guest comment cards are now electronic

If you've cruised with Royal Caribbean before, then you are probably familiar with the feedback cards the crew would always encourage you to fill out.  As of January 1, 2014, there are no more cards and instead it's all online now.

Within 24 hours of your disembarkation, you will receive an email from Royal Caribbean encouraging you to share your feedback.  You will have seven days to complete the survey, which is a lot more time than the day or so you had with the cards (assuming you remembered to drop it off).

The new change gives guests more flexibility and time to share feedback and Royal Caribbean claims it takes just 7 minutes to complete.

New unlimited alcohol packages

The new unlimited alcohol packages actually went into effect in November and December 2013, but for anyone cruising in 2014, it may still be news to you.

Royal Caribbean added a new ultimate package for $65 per person, per day, added a few more things to the existing packages and dropped the requirement that required everyone in the same stateroom to buy an unlimited alcohol package.

For guests, the change means more options, less restrictions and all for the same price.  I'd call that a good change!

If it's Friday, then that means it's time to share some great Royal Caribbean photos that our readers sent in.  Each week we invite our readers to send us their best Royal Caribbean photos and we will post them here for all to enjoy.

Our first photo this week comes from Kayla and was taken at the Tulum Mayan Ruins in April 2012 on Voyager of the Seas.  I think I speak for all of our readers Kayla when I say we all wish we could be somewhere with that view and ocean color right now!

This photo is from Bryce Griffler and I'm sure it was a proud moment for him when he got his Platinum Crown and Anchor Society pin while on Majesty of the Seas.  Congratulations Bryce and enjoy that balcony discount!

Corry sent us this photo of him and his boys in Amalfi, Italy while on the Seranade of the Seas for 12 days. Corry says it was a "trip of a lifetime."

Michael Ryan sent is this photo of his granddaughter from her fist cruise on Allure of the Seas while walking on the pier in St Martin.  What a cutie!

Lastly, we have this photo from Don Donahue from his Brilliance of the Seas cruise traveling down the gulf from the port of Tampa.  Beautiful!

Thank you to everyone who sent us a photo to use this week.  We want your Royal Caribbean photos too, so please send us a favorite Royal Caribbean cruise photo to share by using this form.  

Back in 2012, Royal Caribbean commited to eliminate the use of gestation crates, which are used to breed pigs, from its pork supply chain and today we have a timetable for when to expect this to happen.

Royal Caribbean has set a date of 2022 as the target date by which to reach that goal.

By the end of the year, Royal Caribbean will request an update from its current pork suppliers regarding the plans and progress of their respective pork producers in meeting the pork industry goal of moving away from gestation crates in their operations by 2022, in order to determine which producers share Royal Caribbean's objective of moving to a gestation crate free pork supply. Royal Caribbean supports the continual movement of the industry in this direction and remains committed to keeping the treatment of animals in consideration when supplying its fleet with food.

Michael Jones, vice president of supply chain management for Royal Caribbean Cruises, commented on the update, "Royal Caribbean takes corporate responsibility seriously, including when it comes to the welfare of animals in the food system.  Since 2012, we have been pleased to see dozens of top restaurant chains, grocery chains, food service operators, and other food industry leaders adopt similar stances. We support the recent announcements by Smithfield Foods and Tyson Foods - two of the nation's top pork processors -- regarding their shifts toward better housing methods for pigs."

Navigator of the Seas is in the midst of a month-long drydock and among other changes, will receive a new restaurant called Sabor Modern Mexican.  Today we have its menu to share with everyone. 

Sabor Modern Mexican is brand new to Royal Caribbean and will cost $25 per person.

The new restaurant offers modern Mexican food such as red snapper, gazpacho, stuffed jalapenos.  There's also tacos and burritos, although the contents of which are not typical.  Instead there shredded short rib, slow-cooked duck and more.

Tacos, Burritos and Quesadillas

Platos

Sides

You can view the menu in its entirety here.

The new restaurant will be located on deck 4, where The Dungeon night club used to be.

Navigator of the Seas' first cruise back will be on February 5, 2014. Royal Caribbean Blog will provide live coverage of her first week long cruise after refurbishment on February 9, 2014.

We have a brand new Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast episode for everyone to enjoy today!

Episode 25 of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available and this week we are taking a look at the main dining room.

Matt explains what the main dining room experience is all about, outlining how dinner works, what you need to know about special requests and why Matt has come to enjoy eating in the main dining room over the years.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 25.  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!

Local media in Taiwan are reporting that Royal Caribbean plans to propose a development plan for the port of Penghu Jinlongtou, which could be a new homeport in Asia for the cruise line.

SinoShip News reports Taiwan minister of Transportation and Communications, Yeh Kuang-shih, has instructed Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) to coordinate with Royal Caribbean on the investment plan.

Jinlongtou port currently belongs to the Taiwanese navy, and the navy has agreed to hand over the port and transfer its base to another port.

Royal Caribbean is expected to propose a development plan by the end of January.

Beach days when in port on a Royal Caribbean cruise are always a great way to relax and today we're looking at the Sand Castle on the Beach in St. Croix.  Located just a few minutes by taxi ride, the Sand Castle on the Beach offers cruise passengers access to the beach and some other amenities.

Description

Sand Castle on the Beach is a private hotel that offers beach access for a small fee along with some other options a la carte.  Beach access alone is just $5 per person and you can opt for the beach package, which gets you 2 lounge chairs, 1 umbrella & 2 rum punches for $25.

Aside from beach access, your admission also gets you

• Outdoor Shower
• Restrooms
• Restaurant & Bar on Premises
• Fresh Water Sea Side Pool

The beach, which is the reason to come here, is very nice.  It's not the most beautiful beach you've ever seen, but the sand is soft both in and outside of the water.  There's also not a lot of big waves, so it's great for kids or anyone who doesn't like big waves.  There are no toys in the ocean, so it's all about lounging and swimming.

We visited in September and our ship was the only one in port so it wasn't a very busy day and getting there early in the morning there was literally no one else at the beach.  Business picked up as the morning turned to afternoon.

In addition to the pool, the fresh water pool is a nice touch and offers an alternative to the ocean along with chairs and shade in the area surrounding the pool.

Comments

The Sand Castle on the Beach is a great, no-frills private beach for anyone looking to relax and get some basic amenities. The beach is nice and the staff set up our beach chair and umbrella as part of the cost.

From a value standpoint, there's no question this is a great deal.  While I think you will need to rent chairs and umbrellas, you could just go for beach and pool access but since the price is so low, it makes sense to "spring" for the combo.

Our chief complaint was the restaurant/bar.  When we arrived it was closed and the bartender didn't show up until about noon to even start getting the bar set up.  Since we had rum punch vouchers with the package, it was frustrating we had to wait so long to redeem them.  Granted, we were there off season and that contributed to why things didn't open sooner.

Since the Sand Castle on the Beach is a hotel, you may also have an influx of hotel guests.  Since we were visiting in the off-season, there just a few there.

The staff at the hotel are all Americans and speak great English. We also had no problem getting a taxi to get back to the cruise ship.  In fact, there were a few cabs waiting around to take people back.

Overall, Sand Castle on the Beach is a good choice for an inexpensive beach day.  You wont find the amenities of some all-inclusive resorts or other beaches, but it's good for enjoying a beach day.  While the lack of drink service irked us, it wouldn't stop me from recommending Sand Castle on the Beach.

Address: 127 Smithfield, Frederiksted, St Croix, VI 00840

Cost: $5 pass; Use of umbrellas and chairs for additional cost.

Preliminary construction of the new cruise port facility in Bayonne, New Jersey was halted on Friday after it was discovered plans for the port makeover included the removal of hundreds of memorial pavers that surround the September 11 "teardrop" memorial.

Residents were "outraged" according to NJ.com, after learning the $50 million project would include the "temporary" removal of about 300 pavers.

Frank Perrucci, chairman of the Sept. 11 Bayonne Remembers Committee, said he was told by workers at the site that the construction project would cut through a portion of Harborview Park -- where the "To the Struggle Against World Terrorism" memorial is located --  and would mean the "temporary" removal of about 300 pavers.

The memorial will not be affected and workers indicated that the pavers would be put back into place when the construction is complete in May.

The cruise port makeover includes a new Cape Liberty Cruise Port terminal building, a parking garage, an overflow paved parking area and berth improvements on land owned by Port Authority.