Hurricane Milton is disrupting the cruise industry beyond changes in ports, as three different Royal Caribbean ships are stuck at sea.Guests onboard Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas were all due back into port on Friday, but that is now not possible.The combination of Hurricane Milton and port closures are why these ships will need to delay … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean is doubling down on the private island experience by announcing a new, bigger and bolder beach day, and this one is in Mexico.Perfect Day Mexico will open sometime in 2027, transforming the port of Costa Maya.Royal Caribbean has hinted it has big plans to develop an ambitious cruise day experience for its passengers, and it's positioning it in the Western Caribbean to compliment … [Read more...]

Hurricane Milton's wrath has changed so many cruise ship itineraries, even as the storm approaches landfall in Florida.Cruise ships have been altering their plans for a few days now, but because of the storm's enormous size and changing forecasts, more changes are still occurring.Forecasters say Hurricane Milton will make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast late Wednesday as a Category 3 storm.The … [Read more...]

After six months on pause, Royal Caribbean is now cruising to Labadee, Haiti again.In March 2024, the cruise line cut visits to its private beach due to internal strife within Haiti.Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach area, is a walled-off, exclusive beach on a peninsula in northern Haiti. Located 130 miles north of the capital, Port-au-Prince, Labadee has been closed out of "an … [Read more...]

Less than one year after their last gratuity increase, Royal Caribbean is set to increase gratuities for passengers once again.Starting November 1, 2024, the cruise line will raise the daily gratuity rate by 50 cents per day, bringing the new rate for standard cabins to $18.50 per person, up from $18.00, and suites to $21.00 per person, up from $20.50. It is the same amount for all passengers, … [Read more...]

I recently spent 4 nights in an inside cabin while aboard Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, the Utopia of the Seas.Just launched this summer, Utopia of the Seas is the latest iteration in the record-breaking Oasis Class ship.The seventh Oasis Class vessel is breaking new records of her own: Utopia is the first Royal Caribbean mega-ship to debut offering only 3 and 4-night cruises. A … [Read more...]

Intro TextHave our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise State of residence State Which ship? What type of cabin would you like? Where are you interested in cruising? Appeared first on: Royalcaribbeanblog.com … [Read more...]

Changes coming to Royal Caribbean may offer you new ways to vacation, or shake up the cruise industry.Royal Caribbean is never content maintaining the status quo when it comes to their product. I'm reminded of Royal Caribbean Group Chairman Richard Fain's comments about how there is no "new normal" when it comes to cruise."When we design our ships, we talk about a design formula of one third … [Read more...]

Intro TextHave our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise State of residence State Which ship? What type of cabin would you like? Where are you interested in cruising? Appeared first on: Royalcaribbeanblog.com … [Read more...]

Intro TextHave our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise State of residence State Which ship? What type of cabin would you like? Where are you interested in cruising? Appeared first on: Royalcaribbeanblog.com … [Read more...]

The picturesque metropolis of Stockholm boasts a rich maritime heritage, stunning architecture, and an impressive array of museums and attractions. With so much going on, the city has something to offer every visitor. From the Viking powerhouse of Birka to the future cities exhibit in the National Museum of Science and Technology, here we suggest seven very different attractions that will give you … [Read more...]

When Toby Keith sang his hit song about loving a bar, I feel the same thing about the Mason Jar bar.Royal Caribbean created the first Mason Jar on Wonder of the Seas when that ship debuted in 2022, and followed it up with a second on Utopia of the Seas. A third location will be added next year to Allure of the Seas when she gets a major update.On any ship, there are dozens of bars you could visit, … [Read more...]

Stockholm is a city with a diverse and vibrant culinary scene, reflecting its deep-rooted Scandinavian traditions and cosmopolitan nature. There’s something to satisfy every palate in the Swedish capital but here we share with you five very different places to try on your next visit. Whether you’re looking for a gourmet tasting menu, some of the city’s finest seafood, authentic Thai cuisine, the … [Read more...]

The Elmqvist family has been celebrated for its dedication to fresh seafood and traditional Swedish fare for almost 100 years. Lisa was the daughter of a fisherman and began trading her produce at a street market by the waterfront before moving to Östermalm’s Saluhall, which was renovated in 2020 and is located at Östermalmstorg in the heart of Stockholm. Four generations later, the Lisa … [Read more...]

Happy Sunday, and welcome back to our round-up of all the latest Royal Caribbean news. It's been a busy week for the cruise line, so sit back, relax, and enjoy.Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship is closer to completion.Star of the Seas just reached an important milestone in her construction: sitting in water.Amid a huge celebration, Star of the Seas was floated out on the Meyer Turku shipyard … [Read more...]

If you’re looking to combine Swedish maritime charm with modern luxuries, look no further than Hotel J in Nacka Strand. With its prime location overlooking the picturesque Djurgården island, the red-bricked hotel is somewhere to enjoy life at an easier pace – even by Swedish standards – away from the hustle and bustle of Stockholm’s city centre. The welcome We arrived after enjoying a … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean is making changes to avoid the soon-to-be-Hurricane Milton.The storm, a Tropical Storm, is forecasted to be a major hurricane that will make category 3 before making landfall in Florida midweek.In anticipation of the storm, Royal Caribbean has changed the itineraries for four ships so far to avoid the storm.Harmony of the Seas, which will leave Galveston, Texas on Sunday, will skip … [Read more...]

Intro TextHave our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise State of residence State Which ship? What type of cabin would you like? Where are you interested in cruising? Appeared first on: Royalcaribbeanblog.com … [Read more...]

With it looking likely Florida will see a major hurricane next week, many cruisers are eager to know how the storm will impact their cruise.It's quite early, but Royal Caribbean Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer is already tracking the storm's development and working with ship Captains to determine the best approach.Mr. Setzer provides expert advice, but ultimately the Captains decide the best and … [Read more...]

After an unforgettable stay on the island Utö, we found ourselves travelling back towards Stockholm but with a few hours to spare before checking into our hotel at Nacka Strand. I had previously scoured Google Maps to see if I could spot something interesting to do on our route, which was when I stumbled upon KAYAKOMAT. Eager to find a way to further explore the archipelago independently, … [Read more...]

The beautiful island of Utö in the Stockholm Archipelago is much loved for its scenic landscape and peaceful way of life, as well as celebrated for its rich maritime history. It has a very short tourist season in the Summer but is a popular destination for nature lovers, enjoying a mix of rugged coastlines, sandy beaches and lush forests. And just a short walk from the northern shore of the … [Read more...]

We're about a year away from the potential opening of Royal Caribbean's first ever beach club.Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is an ambitious new project that will introduce a pay-to-play option for cruise ship passengers in the heart of Nassau, Bahamas.While visiting Nassau on Saturday, construction progress shows land that's been cleared of the old buildings and looks to be in the prep stages … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean is known for the amazing shows on its cruise ships, but etiquette still applies even if you're in a theater at sea.While there's clearly a difference between the Aquatheater on Utopia of the Seas and the Winter Garden Theater in Times Square, New York, respecting the performers and your fellow guests is still important.There are plenty of unwritten rules on a cruise ship, and … [Read more...]

Once, Katherine asked me, “What was your happiest moment?” I can’t remember what I said. I think it was a family Thanksgiving vacation in Barcelona, far away from eating turkey but close to Gaudi. Katherine’s happiest moment was a deep powder day, making turns down a run at Alta Ski Resort in Utah.  Most advanced skiers know the feeling. It’s like your chest is full of monarch … [Read more...]

What's the best cabin for a first-time cruiser?Planning your first cruise feels daunting because of all the decisions you'll have to make.It can take a considerable amount of time to navigate all the nuances of choosing your first sailing, from picking the ship to the itinerary.When you book your first cruise, you'll also have to select a stateroom category.Royal Caribbean ships have countless … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program provides exclusive benefits at sea, but it also entitles members special offers while on land.Most cruise lines offer loyalty programs, but the Crown & Anchor Society is among the most enticing. With onboard benefits like complimentary drinks, a private lounge, and free wifi at higher tiers, the loyalty program is undeniably useful while on a Royal … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean recently extended status matching benefits to Celebrity Cruises, and I couldn't help but try Celebrity again.I took my first Celebrity Cruises last year on two of their newest and biggest ships: Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Ascent. I enjoyed my first experiences on the sister brand to Royal Caribbean, but I was disappointed with the infinite balcony experience as well as the … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean is ready to restart cruises on the world's biggest cruise ship.In a rare move, the cruise line previously canceled Icon's 7-night sailing that was set to leave on September 28th.Now, Icon of the Seas is set to return to her scheduled sailings on October 5th, 2024. The cruise line informed passengers and travel agents booked on the next sailing they've completed the necessary … [Read more...]

Star of the Seas is sitting in water for the first time.Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship is being built at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, and has reached an important construction milestone. It's taken 19 months to reach this milestone, and represents thousands people's collective effort to reach it.Star of the Seas is the second Icon Class ship, following up the wildly successful Icon of … [Read more...]

Intro TextHave our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise State of residence State Which ship? What type of cabin would you like? Where are you interested in cruising? Appeared first on: Royalcaribbeanblog.com … [Read more...]