If you're looking for a free Royal Caribbean cruise and enjoy running, then there's a great contest for you.  Runners World is offering the, "Ready Sail Race Sweepstakes", where you can have the opportunity to participate in a 5k race in beautiful St. Maarten and a cruise to get there.

The grand prize includes a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas plus an entry into the 2012 Royal Caribbean's Royal 5K in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, which is one of the ports of call of the cruise.

Entry into Runners World's Ready Sail Race Sweepstakes is open to residents of the US and Canada (void in Quebec) aged 18 and up. Enter daily through June 22, 2012.

Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas has made its maiden voyage to China, stopping in Shanghai on Tuesday to begin the ship's summer itinerary.  The arrival culminates Royal Caribbean's shift in attention to China and already, the company is making good on its investments.

Lisa Bauer, senior vice-president, global sales and marketing, of Royal Caribbean, commented on the market in China, "China's cruise market is young and vibrant. Royal Caribbean International is optimistic about the development of the cruise industry here and will continue investment in this market."

Bauer said Royal Caribbean's business has grown tremendously since its entry into the China market in 2008, "The growth rate was above 50 percent at the beginning, when we entered China, and now it is over 100 percent."

Shanghai is aiming to make itself a major cruise center, with a new Five-Year Plan to hopefully become the third cruise center in East Asia, after Singapore and Hong Kong.

Michael Liu, Royal Caribbean China public relations and communications manager, thinks as more mega ships arrive in China, renovation and maintenance are becoming a market with huge potential, "Currently, we have to sail the ships to Singapore for renovation."

Bauer said the line has strict requirements for repair facilities and port infrastructure.

"We are generally satisfied with the infrastructure here but also believe there is still room for improvement," she said, noting that the company is talking with local governments and companies about wider cooperation, including renovation for the ships.

Royal Caribbean plans to introduce Mariner of the Seas, the sister of Voyager, to Shanghai next year, to meet surging demand from Chinese customers.

Photo by xinhuanet.com

Royal Caribbean's schedule for the 2013-2014 cruise season is starting to open for booking and we have the schedule of what is available for booking now and when the rest of the bookings will be available

• Available now
  • Alaska
  • Northern Europe
  • Summer Europe & Transatlantic Cruises
  • Northeast- Caribbean/Bermuda & Canada/New England
  • Australia
  • Summer Caribbean
  • Europe
  • Cape Liberty Winter
  • Florida & Gulf Winter Caribbean
  • Baltimore Summer/Winter & Boston Canada/New England
  • Summer Caribbean & Long Caribbean/Canal
  • Remaining Europe
  • Short Caribbean & Bahamas
• Opening June 2012
  • Summer Asia
  • Colon, Panama & Cartagena, Colombia Winter Caribbean
• Opening August 2012
  • Winter Asia
• Opening October 2012
  • Brazil

Royal Caribbean chairman Richard Fain released a statement about the death of Mikel Semler, who was the Director, Trade Support and Services for Royal Caribbean Cruises.

“It is with great sadness that I report to you that Mikel Semler passed away unexpectedly this weekend. Mike started his career with us 13 years ago (before the delivery of VOYAGER OF THE SEAS) when the concept of our Wichita call center was still just a work in process. He oversaw the creation and development of this important business center. Over the years, Mike built up the size and importance of Wichita as a key part of Royal Caribbean’s ability to handle the needs of our rapidly growing guest base. Currently, the center has over 400 employees handling almost four million calls per year.

At the same time, Mike made sure that the office was a proud supporter of his local community, becoming an active leader and promoter of Wichita and the surrounding community. He was most recently the Chairman of the Kansas Chapter of the Make a Wish Foundation. He also held board appointments for United Way of the Plains (having previously served as its Chairman), Kansas Community in Schools and Go Wichita, a local travel and tourism association.

We will all miss him as a work colleague and friend after his many years of loyal service to Royal Caribbean. His dedication and commitment to our company was an integral part of our success and growth.

It seems hard to imagine it, but Mike was just here in Miami for a two day retreat of the company’s executives. His good humor and focus on the future helped lift all of our spirits and raised the demands we placed on ourselves.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends during this most difficult time. They will remain in our thoughts and prayers.” 

Travel agents are saying that the newly refurbished Rhapsody of the Seas will make the ship easier to sell, thanks in part to the ship's new amenities.

The upgrades that Rhapsody of the Seas received is part of Royal Caribbean's $300 million Royal Advantage program, where the line is looking to upgrade features and services on its older ships to bring them in line with the newer vessels, such as Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

Yuki Battan, owner of a travel agency in Seattle,thinks seeing the upgrades in person will make a difference with clients, "t’s different seeing it and feeling it than just seeing little pictures,” she said. “I can tell clients I got to taste the food and it was great, or the service was excellent.”

Rhapsody of the Seas has several new dining options, including Royal Caribbean's signature steakhouse, Chops Grill, and two restaurants that debuted on the Oasis: Italian restaurant Giovanni’s Table and Asian eatery Izumi.

The ship also has a Park Cafe, the salad and sandwich shop that was born in the Oasis’ Central Park neighborhood. On the Rhapsody, the Park Cafe is on the pool deck.

The ship's five-story Centrum was reinvented and given technology to allow for acrobatics shows done from two chandeliers.

Other new features are a giant screen on the pool deck, a concierge lounge and remodeled bathrooms in all cabins. The Rhapsody also now has the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery for passengers under age 3.  

Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas rescued a sailor racing in the Newport Bermuda Race after he became dehydrated.

The chairman of the 2012 Newport Bermuda Race, John Osmond, said at 3:00 am on Monday Nathan C. Owen reported to be suffering the effects of dehydration.  

Enchantment of the Seas transferred him from his 46-foot sloop "Seabiscuit" at about 200 miles northwest of Bermuda in rough seas.

Enchantment of the Seas was on its way from Bermuda to Boston, Massachusetts when officials at Bermuda’s Rescue Coordination Center contacted the Enchantment of the Seas' captain and requested that the ship be diverted to rescue and treat Owen.

Following the cruise industry-wide booking slump thanks to the Costa Concordia disaster earlier this year, Royal Caribbean appears to be moving back into positive numbers again.  

Tom Fecke, Royal Caribbean Germany chief said, "We are seeing a permanent increase in bookings for a few weeks" and is satisfied with the results.  According to Fecke, compared to the same period earlier this year, bookings are seven percent higher and Fecke hopes to finish the current fiscal year with "small growth".

To achieve this goal, however, Royal Caribbean would have to normalize the booking patterns again.