Royal Caribbean announce it is cancelling its three cruises in Quebec, Canada for Brilliance of the Seas.

Port of Quebec spokesman, Anick Métivier, commented on the decision, "This is a repositioning of the ship that the cruise line has decided to do.  Cruise lines reposition their ships generally based on fluctuations of the international market, and it is beyond our control."

As a result of the cancellation, the Port of Quebec has downgraded its projections for cruise passengers for the year from 117,500 to 111,000.  Despite the cancellation, this will still be the second best cruise season ever for Quebec.

Two other Royal Caribbean ships are still planning cruises to Quebec.  Explorer of the Seas will be arriving in Quebec from September 18 to 20, 2013 and another visit planned in 2014.  Legend of the Seas will make her inaugural visit to Quebec in 2014 as well.

We're starting a new weekly feature on Royal Caribbean Blog called "Friday Photos", where each Friday we will feature photos from the Royal Caribbean vacations of our readers.  

We asked for submissions earlier this week and you can always send us your photos for future blog posts.  We'd love to feature photos of the ships, excursions, activities onboard and anything else that reminds you of a great time while sailing with Royal Caribbean.

Let's go to this week's photos and we've got some great ones to kickstart this feature.

Our first photo is from Jeff Robertson and he describes it as, "This is my girlfriend Sarah drinking a labadoozie and floating in front of The Freedom of the Seas".  Looks perfect!

Next up is Susan Cavalieri, who sent in this picture from the Concierge beach on CocoCay.  According to her, it's "possibly the most beautiful beach I've ever spent time on".  

This photo is from Dawn Lytten, who is taking a page from Royal Caribbean's last marketing campaign by saying, "I'm the one who answered to the sea calling."

Next up is from KateSMUA (a name only a mother could love) and says, "check out this pic of me & my friend on the amazing horse riding trip in Falmouth!".  I really don't think riding a horse on the beach ever gets old.

This photo is from Harry Yerikyan and I love seeing the scale of these massive cruise ships.  In this case, it's Oasis of the Seas on the left and a Celebrity Cruise ship next door.  

Patricia Hall sent us this photo of Freedom of the Seas in the Caribbean.  Hard to tell which is more beautiful: the ship or the water color!

Last but not least, Daniel Stober sent in this photo taken from an aft balcony looking out.  Sometimes there's no beating enjoying the view from your balcony and taking it all in.

Thanks to everyone who sent in their photos this week.  Be sure to send your photos in as well by using this form.

Last December, Royal Caribbean made headlines when it ordered a third Oasis-class cruise ship and then went on to order 3 Quantum-class cruise ships.  It turns out Royal Caribbean might not be done ordering new cruise ships.

UBS Investment Research cruise industry financial analyst Robin Farley says Royal Caribbean currently has an option for a fourth Oasis-class order.  If ordered, that fourth Oasis-class ship would be delivered in mid-2018.

Royal Caribbean must decide relatively soon, as the option for the fourth Oasis-class ship expires in December.

Farley feels lower prices to build new ships, thanks to lack of new ship builds recently, are what may compel Royal Caribbean to consider yet another new cruise ship order.

Royal Caribbean is launching another sale for residents of the United Kingdom starting today.  In addition to it's free drinks and free balcony upgrade promotions, starting today an 11-day WOW sale is going on for residents of UK & the Republic of Ireland.

If you book by a cruise between September 1 and December 31, 2013, you will receive $100 (£65) in onboard credit for your cruise.  To qualify for the sale, the cruise must be booked by August 19, 2013.

Unlike WOW Sales in the United States, there does not appear to be a difference in the amount of onboard credit depending on cruise length. 

Onboard spend is only valid for bookings made in balcony & suite categories, including X & W guarantees.  Transatlantic sailings are included in the sale.

We stumbled across a list of frequently asked questions that Royal Caribbean created related to Quantum of the Seas and there's some new details here that was news to us.  

The document, aimed at travel agents, answers a number of concerns people have raised about the new ship and while it does not divulge everything we wanted to know, it does give us a better glimpse at what we can expect.

After going through the document, here's what we found interesting.

General

• There will be no Studio B/ice skating ring.  Space for this is being taken up by SeaPlex (bumper cars, circus school, roller skating area)
• Dining venue information will "be revealed later in the year"
• There will be a Royal Promenade
• There will be a Broadway show, which will be announced "soon".
• There will be one rock climbing wall and it will be 30 feet high.
• Barbie Experience will be available on Quantum of the Seas
• Dreamworks Experience will be available on Quantum of the Seas but "at a later date"

NorthStar

• NorthStar will accomodate 13 guests, plus a wheelchair guest (14 total)
• North Star will be complimentary and available for guests at sea, as well as in port. Three premium packages also will be available for advance purchase and booking, including 
  packages for Sunrise and Sunset flights, or a Private Flight, which is ideal for marriage  proposals and wedding ceremonies. All packages include a pre-flight reception, in-flight 
  Champagne toast, a commemorative flight certificate, and a post-flight brunch or dinner
• NorthStar will be 3.6 meters x 4.5 meters in dimension
• NorthStar arm extends up to an 80-degree angle, and descends to a horizontal position to fully rest on the top deck. The length is 41 meters, or 135 feet long. 
• NorthStar will require guests to be seated and will feature air conditioning and heat

RipCord

• Ripcord restrictions are: 
  • Those less than 6 feet tall must weigh less than 230 lbs, and those over 6 feet must weigh less than 250 lbs.
  • Children under 18 years of age need to have a parent or guardian to sign their waiver. 

SeaPlex

• ​Bumper car rides will last approximately 3 – 5 minutes and there will be up to 30 cars to choose from.
• At this time, it is still not determined whether the Circus School will be complimentary or not
• Bumper cars will be offered throughout the day in SeaPlex. They are open to guests on a first come, first served basis
• Roller Blades are NOT permitted in SeaPlex

Two70°

• Approximately 475 guests will fit comfortably in Two70°.

We're very excited to launch the brand new Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast!

Head on over to http://www.royalcaribbeanpodcast.com and click on the first episode post (Welcome)! From there you can download the podcast or listen immediately.

We plan to explore the many facets of a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation, which covers everything from the Royal Caribbean cruise ships to activities, excursions, planning your cruise vacation and more. We’ll always be answering listener questions, so send yours to us in the subject line!

There’s lots more to come! We look forward to your feedback as we keep on learning!

Royal Caribbean's Ocean Fund has made possible a new initiative by the Caribbean island of Roatán to become the first tourist destination in Honduras to complete a comprehensive 360-degree assessment and action plan for destination-level sustainability.

The project aims to allow Roatán's thriving tourism industry to have a long-term support for the environment that draws so many tourists. Of all the tourists that visit Honduras, 55% go to Roatán.

The Rapid Sustainable Destination Diagnostic was carried out by the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative in close collaboration with global non-profit organization Sustainable Travel International, Honduras’ Ministry of Tourism and Roatán’s local Geotourism Council.

The evaluation of Roatán’s performance was based on five elements of sustainability: sustainable tourism planning and governance, economic linkages, preservation of cultural heritage, social and community issues, and environmental protection.