Royal Caribbean reports it is investing $115 million into a revitalization of Navigator of the Seas ahead of the ship’s 2019 Caribbean season, when it will offer short, three- to four-night cruises out of Miami. 

The revamped ship will sail its first cruise February 24, 2019, as well as a number of additional cruises starting in May of that year calling at the cruise line’s new private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

In a written statement Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said that the project builds on the line’s Royal Amplified modernization program, which began with Independence of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas. 

The refresh will add a number of new top-deck amenities to Navigator of the Seas. These include The Blaster, the cruise line’s first-ever aqua coaster and, according to Royal Caribbean, the longest waterslide at sea. The attraction will see guests hop on a two-person raft that will propel them through more than 800 feet of hills, drops and straightaways, including a section that extends over the side of the ship. Also new will be Riptide, a headfirst mat racer that speeds through a translucent tube for ocean views, a FlowRider surf simulator and a rock climbing wall. 

The ship’s pool area will be completely reimagined, with a resort-style deck that includes a Splash Pad for toddlers, as well as a new, two-level poolside bar called The Lime and Coconut. El Loco Fresh, serving Mexican street fare, and Johnny Rockets Express, serving American classics, will also be new poolside grab-and-go food and beverage venues. 

In terms of dining and nightlife, the ship will get the cruise line’s signature Royal Promenade, which first debuted on the Voyager Class, with new restaurants, retail and nightlife. There will be a To Dry For blow dry bar offering blowouts, hairstyling and polish changes, plus a selection of wines and champagnes, as well as The Bamboo Room. First introduced on Mariner of the Seas, The Bamboo Room is a Polynesian-themed watering hole with kitschy-cool cocktails and tiki-chic décor. For those looking to catch the big game or host game night, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade has 50 big-screen TVs, tabletop games, tournaments, trivia, a new Owner’s Box VIP room, and a menu of classic bar fare with a twist.

For dining, popular Royal Caribbean restaurants will join a refreshed Chops Grille steakhouse. Guests can go for Jamie’s Italian to get a taste of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s rustic Italian dishes made with seasonal ingredients and homemade pastas crafted in-house daily. For fresh seafood and ocean views in a casual setting, guests can find New England-inspired dishes, from lobster and crab claws to local fish and just-shucked oysters, at Hooked Seafood. Also new on board will be a Starbucks.

Finally, the project will include a number of new family-friendly amenities beyond the top decks, including glow-in-the-dark laser tag with Battle for Planet Z in Studio B, mini-golf and the Royal Escape Room: The Observatorium, where family, friends and foes team up to solve new mind-bending puzzles before time runs out.  

Younger kids will enjoy Royal Caribbean’s new take on the Adventure Ocean youth program in a newly designed open, free play space. The teen areas will also sport updates with a redesigned Living Room, the teen-only laidback hangout, as well as a new “hidden” entrance and outdoor deck.

When Navigator arrives to Miami after its modernization, the ship will sail a series of five- and nine-night Caribbean itineraries. The ship will then offer vacationers three-night weekend and four-night weekday sailings to the Bahamas starting May 2019, becoming the first to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay – the debut destination in the cruise line’s recently announced private island collection. With a $200 million makeover, the family destination will have Thrill Waterpark with 13 slides, like Daredevil’s Peak – the tallest waterslide in North America; Oasis Lagoon, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool; Up, Up and Away, the helium balloon that floats up to 450 feet in the air for the highest vantage point in the Bahamas; Chill Island for some R&R on the beach; and South Beach with sports, paddle-boarding, glass-bottom kayaking and more.

By Travel Agent Central
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Add Royal Caribbean to the list of cruise lines raising prices for drinks packages. 

Effective Jan. 1, the cost of the line's main drinks package, the Deluxe Beverage Package, will range from $63 to $70 per person, per day, according to a price grid recently updated on the line's website. That's up more than 10% from the current range of $57 to $63 per person, per day. 

Including the automatic gratuity of 18% that Royal Caribbean adds to drinks bills, the full cost of the Deluxe Beverage Package starting in January will range from $74.34 per person, per day to $82.60. 

Royal Caribbean in January also will hike the price for its less-inclusive Premium Refreshment Package to $29 per person, per day on all ships. The package currently ranges in price from $26 to $29 per person, per day. Also going up, sharply, will be the cost of a soda-only Classic Soda Package. It'll cost $12.99 per person, per day starting in January on all ships, up from a range of $8.50 to $9.50 per person, per day.

The new soda package price will be 36.7% to 52.8% higher than current rates. 

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson contacted about the price hikes noted that not everyone would pay the higher pricing. Royal Caribbean ships sometimes offer drinks packages at lower prices than the official rates found on the line's website, associate vice president for public relations Ted Miller told USA TODAY. 

"It does vary based on demand and time of year," he said.  The Deluxe Beverage Package includes a wide selection of cocktails, beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, premium coffee, tea, fountain soda and bottled water.  The Premium Refreshment Package includes non-alcoholic drinks only, including premium coffees and teas, bottled water, fresh-squeezed juices, non-alcoholic cocktails and fountain soda.  The Deluxe Beverage Package must be purchased by all adult passengers staying in the same cabin, a rule designed to prevent multiple passengers sharing a single drinks package.

At the new rates, two cruisers sharing a cabin on a typical seven-night cruise would pay at least $1,040.76 for a Deluxe Beverage Package. 

Royal Caribbean joins Norwegian Cruise Line in hiking drinks package rates sharply as 2019 approaches. Norwegian Cruise Line this month pushed through a 11.2% price hike across its fleet for a top-tier Ultimate Beverage Package.

By Gene Sloan, USA Today
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Royal Caribbean is throwing itself a blow-out anniversary party, and you're all invited. 

The Miami-based cruise giant has revealed plans for a 50 Years Bold Birthday Cruise to celebrate its 50th anniversary, which is this year. 

Kicking off in Miami on Nov. 2, the one-week voyage will take place on Royal Caribbean's new Symphony of the Seas – the world's largest cruise ship.

Billed as the "biggest, boldest birthday party ever," the cruise will feature special events and surprise performers, according to the line. It'll also include a stop at Royal Caribbean's soon-to-be-revamped private island, CocoCay. 

Royal Caribbean was founded in 1968 by a trio of Norwegian shipping companies. Its first ship, Song of Norway, began sailing in 1970. 

From simple beginnings, Royal Caribbean has grown into the largest cruise line in the world by ship capacity and is known for the biggest, most amenity-filled vessels in the industry. It now operates 25 ships, seven of which rank among the 10 biggest cruise vessels in the world. 

Unveiled in March, the 228,081-ton Symphony of the Seas is built on the same platform as Royal Caribbean's 2-year-old Harmony of the Seas, the previous size leader in cruising. But it eclipses its sibling by more than 1,000 tons and offers several new features.

Among the additions are a first-of-its-kind, two-deck-high family suite with a slide between floors, a revamped boardwalk amusement area, a new laser tag attraction and a new-for-Royal Caribbean seafood restaurant. Symphony also has more cabins than Harmony. 

The Symphony can hold up to 6,680 passengers and sails with a crew of 2,200, meaning that on busy weeks it could be home to nearly 9,000 people.

By Gene Sloan, USA Today
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Royal Caribbean has announced that as of September 30, 2018, they will no longer offer their Sitter at Sea program onboard their cruise ships.

The popular cruise line has decided to terminate the in-room babysitting service due to a lack of available caregivers, which results in an inconsistency to offer the service on every cruise ship.

The Sitter at Sea program offered childcare in the guest’s own stateroom between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2 a.m. The cost for the service was $19 an hour, with a limit of 3 children per family, with each child needing to be above the age of one.

Royal Caribbean updated their website in regards to their babysitting service, saying they will continue to honor the program for all ships that depart before September 30, as long as sitters are available. Once onboard, guests should visit Guest Services to inquire about availability.

Although Sitter at Sea is being discontinued, the cruise lines other programs geared towards children will remain intact.

The Royal Babies & Tots program provides children 6-18 months of age with activity-filled interactive classes developed by early childhood experts. For children 18-36 months, a 45-minute interactive playground session is available. All children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

The line also offers what they call the ‘Late Night Party Zone.’ Adults can enjoy some kid-free fun while their kids spend the night partying with new friends. Extended hours are offered in the Adventure Ocean and teen-only spaces. After 10:00 p.m., an hourly rate does apply.

By Jessica Zickefoose, TravelPulse
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Tourists looking to take their emotional support peacock on their next cruise adventure may be out of luck.

Royal Caribbean International RCL, -1.65% the world’s second largest cruise line by number of passengers, will no longer allow travelers to bring their emotional support animals with them aboard its ships, effective immediately, a cruise industry blog first reported Tuesday. If passengers made reservations to sail with emotional support animals before July 30, they will still be allowed on board, but subsequent reservations won’t accommodate them.

“We are updating the policy to differentiate emotional support animals from service animals that are trained and certified to perform a function for a person with a disability,” a spokeswoman for Royal Caribbean said in an email to MarketWatch. “It is important to us that all our guests enjoy their vacation, which is why we put into practice this new policy. Royal Caribbean’s policy remains the same for service animals traveling with guests that have a physical or non-physical disability.”

The company did not say whether the policy would apply to other cruise lines owned by parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises, such as Celebrity Cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not accept emotional support animals onboard its ships, and neither does Carnival Corp. CCL, -0.20% but they do allow service animals. “Norwegian Cruise Line accepts service animals that are trained to perform a specific task,” a Norwegian spokesperson said. On Carnival ships, trained and certified service animals as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice can accompany passengers.

“Cruise lines have quite strict animal guidelines, only allowing service and support animals onboard most lines,” Faust said. The one exception: Cunard Line, a subsidiary of Carnival, has kennels onboard for pet owners to use to house their pets during their trip. Cunard’s website even features photos of a porter walking a bulldog on the ship’s deck.

Emotional support animals have become a hot-button issue, particularly in the travel industry. While state and local jurisdictions may expand further on what can be considered a “service animal,” under federal law service animals are dogs trained individually to do certain work or perform tasks for someone who has a disability. These tasks can include everything from guiding someone who is blind to assisting people with psychiatric disabilities so that they don’t engage in impulsive or harmful behaviors.

Emotional support animals meanwhile are typically not trained by professionals. Additionally, emotional support animals are often considered to be pets, whereas service dogs are working animals and not companions in the same sense. People have claimed creatures ranging from lizards to hamsters to peacocks as support animals.

“It’s a topic that is quite contentious among travelers, due to logistical issues and the lines’ otherwise tight guidelines regarding animals onboard,” Faust said. “With policies continuing to change throughout the travel industry — whether by air, land or sea — it’s more important than ever to familiarize yourself with the guidelines of your travel company of choice to ensure you’re booking with a company that can best meet your needs.”

By Jacob Passy, Marketwatch
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It’s a must watch video, so cancel your plans and tune into Channel 10 on Sunday the 19th of August at 3.30 pm to watch Flight Centre’s latest episode of The 48 Hour Destination, filmed entirely on-board Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas.

Flight Centre Travel Consultants Greer Gardiner and Tayla Barkhusen have the time of their lives as they attempt t...o experience all the incredible features on-board Ovation of the Seas in just 48 hours.

With the highest market penetration for cruising of any country, Royal Caribbean’s new Vice President and Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, Susan Bonner is set to make her mark in in Australia. Susan also noted that there are some exciting announcements to come all will be revealed at the appropriate time.

Susan is responsible for the business operations of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises in the region, reporting to Gavin Smith, Senior Vice President International.

“With the highest market penetration for cruising of any country, I’m looking forward to continuing the incredible momentum our brands are experiencing in this region,” said Susan, “We truly believe there is a cruise out there for everyone, and our three distinctive lines offer award-winning cruise experiences to put us top of mind when Aussies consider their next holiday.”

With the 2018/19 Australian cruising season to be the biggest on offer with the three brands associated with Royal Caribbean International, their might be other exciting announcements to come, but all will be revealed in good time Bonner said".

Susan comes to Sydney from Royal Caribbean’s Miami office, where she served as Vice President of Celebrity Cruises’ Revenue Management and On-board Revenue, and was integral in launching the line’s luxury Solstice Class ships. Prior to that, she led the Revenue Management and On-board Revenue performance of Royal Caribbean International during the line’s historic introduction of the Quantum Class megaships.

Susan is a passionate advocate of gender equality, women in leadership and workplace diversity, part of an empowering female line-up at RCL which includes the first female CEO of a publicly traded cruise company, Celebrity Cruises’ Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, and an Australian office in which two thirds of the management team are women.

Bonner pursued her higher education by studying marketing at the prestigious Tulane University in New Orleans. As well as holding a passion for travel and cruising, Susan is a hot yoga enthusiast and the proud mother of a 19-year old son who attends military school back in the US.

Information supplied by: Royal Caribbean International And www.australiancruisingnews.com.au The HOME Of Australian Cruising!

Get ready for a new era of short cruises out of Miami. 

Royal Caribbean's 3,114-passenger Mariner of the Seas on Monday will begin three- and four-night voyages to the Bahamas out of the city, becoming the newest and biggest vessel in the market for such trips. 

The new sailings come in the wake of a massive, $120 million makeover of the ship that included the addition of new deck-top water slides, a FlowRider surfing pool, a virtual reality bungee trampoline experience and other fun-focused attractions. 

Also added to Mariner: A new Italian restaurant by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and a retro-chic tiki bar. 

Formerly based in Asia, Mariner spent a month in a shipyard in Cadiz, Spain to undergo the overhaul. The vessel originally was built in 2003. 

The new virtual reality attraction on Mariner is called Sky Pad. Passengers wear virtual reality headsets while on a bungee trampoline to experience what it's like to bounce over moon craters. They also can compete in "intergalactic games."

Two new water slides Mariner, called Cyclone and Typhoon, spiral around the back of the ship near the new FlowRider surfing pool and Mariner's existing rock-climbing wall. 

The new, glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience takes place in Studio B, Mariner's ice skating rink. Mariner also has a new escape room experience called The Observatorium. 

The new Jamie Oliver restaurant, Jamie's Italian, is a concept that already exists on several other Royal Caribbean ships. Other food and beverage options added to Mariner include Japanese eatery Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, which also appears on a number of other Royal Caribbean vessels.

The new tiki bar, dubbed The Bamboo Room, is a new concept for Royal Caribbean that only will be found on Mariner for now. It boasts a Polynesia theme and serves hand-crafted cocktails. Mariner also received a new sports bar and arcade.

Mariner's new schedule of three- and four-night voyages to the Bahamas will feature stops in Nassau and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination.

By Gene Sloan, USA Today
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The world's ultimate fitness cruise will sail its maiden voyage from Miami to the Bahamas Jan. 21-25, 2019. WOD on the Waves will bring together fitness enthusiasts, health and wellness experts, and some of the world's top athletes to celebrate the fitness community on board Royal Caribbean International's Mariner of the Seas.  

This 4-night, 5-day cruise will offer fitness enthusiasts the opportunity to experience an action-packed getaway with all the perks, plus daily scheduled fitness classes led by athletes, coaches and trainers; workshops on elite nutrition and training strategies; athlete-curated meals; costume theme nights; and entertainment and shore excursions starring the athletes.

The daily, customized classes will dive into barbell technique, aerobic capacity, dumbbell method and sandbag classes.

Joining the cruise's lineup of curated activities are some of the fittest men and women in the industry, including:

• Rich Froning – Four-time individual winner of The Reebok CrossFit Games and two-time winner of the Affiliate Cup Championship at The Reebok CrossFit Games with his team CrossFit Mayhem Freedom
• Brooke Wells – Three-time Reebok CrossFit Games competitor. Brooke finished first at 2018 The Reebok CrossFit Central Regional. This will be her fourth visit to the Games.
• Josh Bridges – Retired Navy SEAL turned CrossFit Games competitor. Josh secured his fifth trip to The Reebok CrossFit Games this year by winning the 2018 Reebok CrossFit West Regional
• Dan Bailey - Five-year individual Reebok CrossFit Games veteran
• Patrick Vellner – Two-time podium finisher at The Reebok CrossFit Games. Pat finished in third place in the 2016 and 2017 Reebok CrossFit Games and is headed back in 2018 after finishing in first place at the 2018 Reebok CrossFit East Regional
• Chyna Cho – Five-time Reebok CrossFit Games athlete. Chyna placed third in the 2018 Reebok CrossFit West Regional, and is headed back to the games for her sixth appearance
• Margaux Alvarez – First-place finisher in the 2018 Reebok CrossFit South Regionals competition, securing her sixth visit to the 2018 Games
• Conor Murphy – Retired Navy Seal. Member of the 2017 CrossFit Games team, Reebok CrossFit One
• Jen Smith – Three-time Reebok CrossFit Games athlete, who placed fifth in the 2018 Reebok CrossFit East Regionals competition – securing her fourth trip to the 2018 Games
• Elijah Muhammad – Two-time Reebok CrossFit Games athlete
• James Hobart – Eight-time CrossFit Games veteran. Member of three Reebok CrossFit Games Affiliate Cup Championship teams. The only person to ever be a member of two different Affiliate Cup Championship teams
• Spencer Hendel - Spencer is a six-time individual Reebok CrossFit Games veteran. He will be making his seventh trip to The CrossFit Games this summer as a member of the Reebok CrossFit One team
• Austin Malleolo – Four-time Reebok CrossFit Games athlete who will return for his fifth trip to the Games in 2018 with his team, Reebok CrossFit One

Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas most recently completed an extensive $120 million amplification this month, introducing entirely new experiences and venues. Guests can choose from a vast array of restaurants serving delectable dining, from sushi and hibachi to freshly made pasta at Jamie's Italian, and tasty bar bites and arcade games from Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. An exciting nightlife scene will come alive across a lineup of bars and lounges, including the new tiki-chic Bamboo Room. There are also a range of activities during the day, featuring rock climbing, ice skating and surfing – Royal Caribbean signatures – as well as Sky Pad, the new virtual reality, bungee trampoline experience; an Escape Room adventure for friends, families and strangers alike to team up and solve a puzzle before time runs out; and glow-in-the-dark laser tag.

WOD on the Waves will depart from Miami on Jan. 21, 2019, and visit Nassau, Bahamas and Royal Caribbean's private island CocoCay, Bahamas, before returning to Miami on Jan. 25, 2019.

About WOD on the Waves

WOD on the Waves is the world's ultimate fitness cruise. It exists to celebrate the fitness community's work hard/play hard attitude. The first voyage takes place in January 2019. Train hard and party harder with the fittest athletes on earth.

By WOD on the Waves Cruise
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A shower at sea should be an experience, and on this cruise ship, it will be.

Onboard Royal Caribbean’s new Spectrum of the Seas, select guests will be able to indulge in a shower with “unparalleled water views” — because their bathroom is actually floating off the side of the ship with nothing underneath it.

Guests who book the 2,809-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite will get a bevy of unique features, but the most eye-popping is the bathroom that juts out over the side of the ship.

The suite’s bathroom is cantilevered off the side of the boat, allowing guests to shower and bathe while suspended over the high seas. (The mock-up does not show any toilets in the floating bathroom.)

The two-level, three-bedroom suite can accommodate up to 11 guests, and features a slide for kids (or kids at heart) to get from the upper level down to the bottom. In addition to the floating bathroom, there’s also an en-suite recreation room for nights of karaoke, video games, or movie marathons.

As always, this ultimate experience doesn't come cheap: Booking the suite for a seven-day sailing starts at $50,000.

The Spectrum of the Seas will debut in Spring 2019 with cruises from Shanghai. Royal Caribbean says the new ship — capable of carrying up to 4,246 passengers — will be the largest sailing in Asia.

The ship is the first in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Ultra class of ships. Other notable features on the ship include the Sky Pad, a VR bungee jumping experience, on the ship’s aft.

By Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure
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A passenger on a Royal Caribbean South Pacific cruise has allegedly demanded a full refund for his ticket, claiming his vacation was “ruined” by a snoring neighbor.

Brendan Ritson and his partner were onboard an 11-day Royal Caribbean cruise from Sydney, Australia to Fiji in 2016, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

According to the publication, the pair found a water leak in their cabin the first night and were upgraded to a larger and more expensive room.

Three nights later, Ritson said a mother and daughter moved into the room next door, which is when the problems began.

Ritson claims the mother and daughter were “very loud” and they “snored, spoke loudly, argued and used offensive language,” Insider reported.

He allegedly reported the disturbance to cruise staff twice in one night. The Royal Caribbean cruise ship management claims it offered to move Ritson and his partner to a smaller room – equivalent to the one the couple had booked originally. However, Ritson refused because he “did not want to be downgraded,” Insider reported.

Ritson continued to complain, stating the snoring was so loud, he and his partner were being kept awake. Though, once again, Ritson refused to change rooms.

Once the vacation ended, Ritson reportedly filed for a full refund of $3,270.29 from Royal Caribbean Cruises with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Court. However, after the initial hearing, Insider reported the amount was reduced to $2,436.78 covering only the cost of accommodation.

Despite the lowered amount, Ritson’s appeal for compensation for his “ruined” vacation was rejected in court.

"I accept the noisy neighbors' snoring caused Mr. Ritson and his partner annoyance, even great annoyance, and disturbed their sleep and enjoyment of the cruise," Adjudicator Howe said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, before declaring Riston’s refusal to move to a different room was “unreasonable.”

Howe went on to point out that Ritson’s first complaint about the noise did not come until nearly a week after the two new neighbors moved in.

Royal Caribbean was not immediately available for comment. 

By Alexandra Deabler, Fox News
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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is best known for high-energy innovation, with onboard rock-climbing walls and surf pools on its Royal Caribbean ships and cutting-edge dining on its Celebrity brand.

Thursday the Miami-based company announced it will purchase a 66.7 percent stake in Silversea, a privately owned ultra-luxury and expedition cruise leader. For luxury vacationers, the union will likely bring expanded offerings and greater value for money, said experts.

The deal unites "two companies with bold, long-term visions for the cruise industry," according to a statement from Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean's shares moved up on the news.

The purchase price of the equity acquisition is estimated at $1 billion. Silversea owner and co-founder Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio will hold the remaining ownership of the Monaco-based company and act as its executive chairman. CEO Roberto Martinoli will continue in his role. Though Silversea doesn't sail from South Florida, it has 183 employees in its U.S. headquarters in downtown Miami. That office will continue to be run by industry veteran Mark Conroy.

For Royal Caribbean, the acquisition adds a luxury component to its existing portfolio of general audience and premium offerings. "Our focus has been to be the leading brand in each of our market segments, to offer the best crew and facilities," said Royal Caribbean chairman and CEO Richard Fain in an interview. Growth in luxury travel, especially in luxury expedition voyages, left the company with a gap in its offerings. While Royal Caribbean could have built its own expedition division, "we saw that there is a synergy here with Silversea. ... Silversea exemplifies the innovation that is so important to us. This is a chance of a lifetime."

The marriage brings Silversea greater resources for marketing, distribution and financing of new ships and greater buying power for supplies and back-end operations. The company has nine ships and travels to more than 1,000 destinations. Last year it christened a new all-suite expedition vessel, Silversea Muse; it is slated to launch two sister ships in 2020 and 2021.

"For Silversea, it is a unique opportunity," said D’Ovidio. "We have huge market potential and brand recognition but we needed to have more distribution. We needed more of a powerhouse."

For travelers, Silversea has brought a luxury approach to expedition cruising — one of the fastest-growing segments of cruising.

"Traditional expedition cruises were like camping at sea," said Carolyn Spencer Brown, chief content strategist for Cruise Critic. "Everything was about what you did on land. Silversea was the first to understand people want to be as comfortable on the ship as they would be in a hotel."

Silversea's new vessels offer all-suite accommodations for a maximum of 596 guests, gourmet dining in multiple venues, pool, spa, gym and casino.

Other lines including Ponant, Scenic and Lindblad have also added new amenity-rich expedition vessels. Today, "expeditions aren't just for the heartiest of hearty adventurers," said Brown. "These travelers still want to have vibrant, sophisticated experiences on board and on tours."

For travelers, the deal will make small-ship cruising more accessible — and give it a greater share of voice in the overall cruise marketplace, said Brown. Travelers who find the idea of large-ship cruising daunting will likely be less intimidated. And while prices for trips to remote places aren't likely to drop, extra amenities are likely to be added in, raising the value for the cruiser. 

Royal Caribbean also own Azamara, a premium brand known for its medium-sized ships and overnight port stays. It recently announced the addition of a third vessel. The company has 66,000 employees. 

By Jane Woolridge, Miami Herald
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After a decade of rapid growth and development in China and introducing the world's most technologically advanced cruise ships to the market, Royal Caribbean International is once again set to redefine vacations in the region with the debut of its newest ship, Spectrum of the Seas. Designed and built to deliver an unforgettable vacation experience for all guests, the first in the Quantum Ultra class of ships will boast the cruise line's first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories, innovative dining concepts, and stunning features and experiences – many of which have never before been seen at sea. Accommodating 4,246 guests at double occupancy and 1,551 international crew members, Spectrum will be the largest and most expensive ship in Asia when she sails from Shanghai starting in June 2019.

Designed and built to deliver an unforgettable vacation experience for all guests, the first in the Quantum Ultra Class of ships – Spectrum of the Seas – will boast the cruise line’s first private enclave for suite guests, innovative dining concepts, and stunning features and experiences – many of which have never before been seen at sea. Accommodating 4,246 guests at double occupancy, she will be the largest and most expensive ship in Asia when she sails from Shanghai, China in June 2019.

"When Quantum of the Seas made her debut in Shanghai three years ago, it changed the face of cruising in China. Fast forward to today, and we are revealing just how we'll transform the cruise vacation market, yet again, with the debut of Spectrum of the Seas," said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "The introduction of our highly anticipated Quantum Ultra Class will represent a quantum leap forward in ship design and experiences specifically tailored to Chinese guests."

FIRST-AT-SEA ADVENTURES

Custom built for the Chinese market, Spectrum of the Seas will feature bold and unexpected experiences, including the iconic Sky Pad, a virtual reality, bungee trampoline experience located on the aft of the ship. Guests will strap in and don their VR headset to transport themselves to another time and planet. The out-of-this-world experience is for guests of all ages, and also can be enjoyed without headsets, for those who prefer to look out over the ocean as they leap toward the sky.

ULTRA-LUXURIOUS, PRIVATE SUITE ENCLAVE

The first Quantum Ultra ship will debut Royal Caribbean's first exclusive suites-only area, which will feature the exquisite Golden and Silver suite accommodations in a private enclave at the forward end of the ship on decks 13 through 16. Vacationers booked in these luxury suites will have special keycard access, a private elevator and a dedicated restaurant and lounge. In addition to a range of exclusive amenities, guests will have access to The Balcony – a private outdoor space for sunbathing and relaxing – that offers the best views on board; and The Boutique, a shopping area where travelers can book private shopping experiences.

For families that want to experience more quality time together, Spectrum of the Seas will introduce the two-level, 2,809-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite, accommodating up to 11 guests. The three-bedroom suite, which will include a master bedroom with a bathroom that extends over the side of the ship to provide unparalleled ocean views, along with two additional suites for grandparents and other family members. Kids have their own kid-friendly space on the upper level, complete with an in-suite slide that will transport them to the living area below. Everyone in the family can enjoy time together in the recreation room, featuring surround-sound equipment for a night of karaoke, movies or video games.

REVOLUTIONARY DINING

Spectrum of the Seas will feature an awe-inspiring three-level main dining room with 1,844 seats to serve a variety of Chinese and Western a la carte options rotating each day of the sailing. For guests looking for a more casual venue, the Windjammer Marketplace – 20 percent larger than those on Quantum Class ships – will offer a wide buffet selection of Chinese and Western dishes, including noodles, pizza, Japanese teppanyaki and mini hot pot.  

Vacationers celebrating a special evening can enjoy a new specialty restaurant. Sichuan Red, located in the Royal Esplanade, will serve authentic cuisine from the Sichuan province of China. Royal Caribbean's popular signature restaurants, including Wonderland's Dadong – a new outpost of Chinese chef Dong Zhenxiang, renowned for his much-coveted roast duck dish; Jamie's Italian by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver; Izumi Japanese cuisine; and Chops Grille will join the lineup as well. In addition, the new Leaf and Bean traditional tea room and café parlor will debut on the Royal Esplanade. The quaint spot will offer a range of authentic Chinese teas, classic coffee drinks as well as freshly baked Chinese and Western desserts and pastries.

ULTRA-TRANSFORMATIVE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCES

New to Royal Caribbean and first on Spectrum of the Seas is Star Moment, a lively and energetic karaoke venue where family and friends can belt out and sing like stars. The cruise line also will enhance SeaPlex – the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea, where families can enjoy bumper cars, roller skating and basketball – with new augmented reality walls and floors, providing guests with thrilling, high-tech interactive experiences.

Additional innovations guests will find on board include the North Star, a glass capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean for incomparable panoramic views; RipCord by iFly, a heart-pounding skydiving simulator experience; and the FlowRider surfing simulator. Travelers also will be dazzled with Spectrum's cutting-edge and transformative venues, such as Two70 with its expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking, 270-degree views of the ocean.

The venue returns with its signature Vistarama technology, which transforms the panoramic windows into a projection surface more than 100 feet wide and over 20 feet tall showcasing spectacular digital shows. The innovative Vistarama is complemented by six agile Roboscreens, measuring over 7 feet tall and controlled by powerful, yet nimble, robotic arms that create scenes as they soar and twist solo or as one. This unique state-of-the-art venue serves as a great room for relaxing by day and an immersive, multimedia entertainment spectacular by night.

COMPELLING AND IMMERSIVE ITINERARIES IN ASIA

Royal Caribbean will deliver a more diversified lineup of cruises in the Asia region for 2019, which includes new longer sailings with exciting first-time destinations, weekend cruises for quick getaways, warm winter itineraries to tropical destinations – to escape the cold weather, and special holiday and festival sailings to discover new cultures and traditions. Guests can choose from 27 unique itineraries, featuring 23 destinations across three countries, departing from ports such as Shanghai, Tianjin, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China.

When Spectrum of the Seas debuts in April 2019, she will sail a 51-night Global Odyssey from Barcelona, Spain to Shanghai, taking vacationers to 13 countries. Guests with limited time also can choose to sail one or more of the five separate segments of the Global Odyssey. When Spectrum arrives at her new home in Shanghai in June 2019, she will introduce new itineraries with visits to new ports, such as Hakodate and Niigita, Japan; Ilocos, Philippines; and Vladivostok, Russia. In winter 2019, the ship will reposition to Hong Kong to offer special holiday cruises.

Meanwhile, the iconic and widely popular Quantum of the Seas will sail her farewell season from Shanghai before moving to Tianjin in summer 2019. Voyager of the Seas is set to return to Hong Kong and Shenzhen for the summer, and will sail a variety of itineraries calling on Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines.

These new itineraries and more are now open for sale.

By Royal Caribbean
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Royal Caribbean International may be on the hook for $20.3 million after losing a case against a former employee who suffered a catastrophic injury in 2008 while she was working on board.

In August 2008, New Zealander Lisa Spearman was a marketing and revenue manager on the Miami-based cruise line's Voyager of the Seas, which was sailing from Barcelona, Spain.

While in port, the ship was conducting a routine fire safety drill in which some of the vessel's semi-water tight doors — powerful doors that prevent water from flooding the ship — are closed, according to Deborah Gander, Spearman's attorney. A nurse from the port who was unaware of the drill tried to open one of the doors with a handle. Spearman was on the other side.

As the nurse tried to pass through the door, she fell, according to the suit, and Spearman lunged forward to help her. When Spearman put her hand on the handle to keep the door open, the sliding door lurched back into its recess pocket in the wall, mashing Spearman's hand into a space only big enough to fit a pencil.

As bystanders called the ship's bridge to disable the doors, Spearman's hand was sucked into the door's pocket three more times, Gander said. The nurse was unharmed, but Spearman broke her middle finger and her index finger. The nails on both fingers were ripped from their cuticles.

Gander argued before a jury last month that Royal Caribbean was negligent in its training to staff. Crew were not trained to operate the type of door that crushed Spearman's hand, and the nurse was not told by crew at the port that a security drill was taking place. The incident was not unprecedented: in the three years prior to the 2008 incident, 12 Royal Caribbean crew members suffered hand injuries when the doors slid back into their pockets, according to information Royal Caribbean provided during discovery in the case.

Following Spearman's injury, Royal Caribbean referred her to a doctor in Barcelona who misdiagnosed her condition and splinted her fingers in the wrong position, further worsening the damage. For two years, Spearman underwent therapy in her native New Zealand while Royal Caribbean paid her a daily disability payment of $25, as stipulated in her employee disability insurance coverage.

Spearman was later diagnosed with a chronic pain syndrome associated with a nervous system malfunction. It causes severe pain that runs into her other arm and up to her head, Gander said. Spearman also suffered from post traumatic stress disorder following the accident. She is unable to properly move the fingers on her right hand.

By 2010, Royal Caribbean discharged Spearman, citing that though her job on the ship was clerical, because of her injury, Spearman would not be able to perform the necessary safety tasks that require lifting 50 pounds.

Spearman sued in 2016. As part of the lawsuit, filed in judicial court in Miami-Dade County, Spearman alleged that Royal Caribbean was negligent with regard to the door, failed to provide proper medical care, discharged her for a non-performance-related reason, breached its contract with her and failed to pay her full wages.

The three-week jury trial ended Friday after the jury found Royal Caribbean at fault. The court ordered the cruise line to pay Spearman $20.3 million in damages, lost wages. and future medical expenses.

"We hope this case will bring awareness and lead to substantial safety changes aboard cruise ships so that injuries like Lisa’s, and those of the twelve other crewmembers, can be avoided,” Gander, of Coral Gables-based Colson Hicks Eidson, said in a statement.

Royal Caribbean said it "respectfully disagrees" with the outcome of the case.

"We are considering our legal options, and we intend to appeal the decision," the cruise line said.

By Chabeli Herrera, Miami Herald
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Royal Caribbean’s new bungee-jumping, trampolining, virtual reality attraction has made its debut on Independence of the Seas.

The feature was installed on the top deck during a dry dock for the 3,858-passenger ship that will spend the summer based in Southampton, England before returning to Fort Lauderdale in November.

The 154,407-gross-ton ship that debuted in 2008 and was once the largest at sea before the line’s Oasis-class vessels debuted, is the first of several Royal Caribbean ships that will eventually get the new attraction that will among other adventures, let riders virtually walk on the moon.

The attraction is also coming to Mariner of the Seas in June, which sails out of Miami, after it goes into dry dock for $90 million of refurbishments.

Riders who choose to don VR glasses can simulate bouncing over moon craters and compete in intergalactic games. Open to all ages, the ride will also be available in real life, as in you don’t have to wear the VR glasses.

The structure that looks like the top half of a giant yellow-and-red whiffle ball features four bungee trampolines and four virtual reality experiences.

“By taking a feature, like a trampoline experience and enhancing it with virtual reality, Royal Caribbean differentiates itself in the market while becoming even more appealing to families who want a terrific cruise vacation that is in their budget while not compromising on the fun things they can do onboard,” said Matt Hochberg, who runs the website RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com.

The new feature is among several being added to both ships including their own versions of the The Perfect Storm water slides, which first debuted on Harmony of the Seas. Both Independence of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas’ versions will only have two slides, though: Cyclone and Typhoon. Also coming is glow-in-the-dark laser tag called “Battle for Planet Z” and Puzzle Break: The Observatorium, a 60-minute escape room adventure.

Both ships are also getting Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and Sugar Beach candy shop, new venues that made their debuts this year on Symphony of the Seas. Both ships will also be getting Izumi Hibachi & Sushi.

Independence of the Seas also now sports Fish & Ships, a poolside eatery.

Mariner of the Seas, on the other hand, will get a retro Tiki bar called The Bamboo Room as well as become the latest home for celebrity Chef Jaime Oliver’s rustic Italian dining concept Jamie’s Italian. Ccaffeine fans will be happy to get a Starbucks on board. And Mariner will get a rock climbing wall and FlowRider surf simulator.

The 138,279-ton, 15-deck Mariner of the Seas debuted in 2003. Its dry-dock work will be done in May and June in Cadiz, Spain before heading back to PortMiami for 3- and 4-night Bahamas itineraries. Independence of the Seas will return from England to begin 4-, 5- and 6-night Western Caribbean voyages starting Nov. 17.

By Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
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A passenger aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship off the Jersey Shore was airlifted to an Atlantic City hospital by the Coast Guard on Friday evening, according to authorities.

The 71-year-old man, who was suffering from possible kidney failure, was hoisted off the deck of the 1,142-foot vessel “Anthem of the Seas” by an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew out of Air Station Atlantic City. The patient, who was not identified, was then transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, according to a prepared statement from the Coast Guard on Saturday.

“It is imperative to alert the Coast Guard to these emergencies as soon as possible,” said Petty Officer First Class Charles Reaves in the statement.  “In this case, the timely notification allowed our crews to reach the man and deliver him to higher medical care quickly and efficiently.”

At 6:20 p.m. Friday, “Anthem of the Seas” was about 51 miles east of Cape May County – en route to Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne after a trip to the Bahamas – when the ship’s captain radioed the Coast Guard’s Fifth District Command Center in Portsmouth, Virginia to request a medical evacuation.

The condition of the patient was unavailable Saturday night.

“Anthem of the Seas” arrived in Bayonne on Saturday morning and was scheduled to depart for Bermuda on Saturday evening.

By Erik Larsen, App.com
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If you’ve ever wished to be lost at sea with the “Property Brothers,” your dreams are coming true — HGTV stars Jonathan and Drew Scott have teamed up with Royal Caribbean for an upcoming cruise.

The 39-year-old identical twins announced the news on Instagram Monday ... with identical posts.

“Who wants to go on vacation with us?! #SailingWithTheScotts 2018 is officially on! We're set to embark December 3rd-7th and we've got EPIC events planned for you, like exclusive behind the scene viewing parties of our shows, and shore excursions with yours truly as your tour guide,” the captions read.

The Scotts are encouraging fans to reserve their spots now, as their 2015 fan cruise previously sold out, People reports.

The 2018 Sailing with the Scotts trip will sail from Miami to the Bahamas aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas. Guests can look forward to “design workshops, meet-and-greets, an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the latest season of “Brother vs. Brother,” theme parties, incredible food and live entertainment, plus exotic ports of call in CocoCay and Nassau,” the itinerary on the official site reads.

For every cabin sold, the pair intend to donate to WE Charity, which works to provide clean water to people living in developing countries. Ticket prices range from $809 to $2,119.

Fittingly, the Mariner of the Seas ship was renovated in February for a cool $90 million, USA Today reports.

Updates aboard the 3,114-passenger vessel include new deck-top water slides, a virtual reality bungee trampoline, a surfing pool, restaurant by Jamie Oliver, tiki bar, not to mention 24-hour room service and "the fastest Internet at sea," — just in case you can’t live without HGTV for four nights.

By Janine Puhak, Fox News
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TAMPA, Fla. -- You can now win a cruise playing the Powerball lottery in Florida.

All Powerball tickets purchased from April 15 to May 30 can be entered into the Florida Lottery's Power Cruise promotion for a chance to win cash prizes or a private chartered 5-night Royal Caribbean cruise.

Players may enter their tickets by scanning the barcode printed on Powerball tickets using the Power Cruise Collect ‘N Win App or by manually entering the number printed next to the barcode at www.flalottery.com/powercruise.

The Power Cruise app is free and may be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store. To play the Collect 'N Win game you will need to register Florida as your state and create an account.

To object is fill up a Power Cruise game card in the app or online. Each ticket will randomly generate 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 symbols. When five symbols, plus the free symbol, are collected on a game card, the player will earn an entry into the next drawing.

Five drawings will be held every Thursday in May, with 25 cruises awarded each week.

The 5-night vacation for two onboard the Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas cruise ship will set sail January 19, 2019, from the Port of Fort Lauderdale with more than 725 Powerball winners from more than 20 states.

Cruise passengers will enjoy a live VIP concert and a chance to win $250,000 in onboard prizes.

To learn more about the Power Cruise promotion, visit flalottery.com.

By Sean O'Reilly, WFTS.com
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It was a big day for the cruise world as Royal Caribbean's record-breaking Symphony of the Seas sails with paying passengers for the first time.  

The 228,081-ton vessel — the largest cruise ship ever — departed Barcelona Saturday evening on a five-night voyage to Italy that features stops in Naples and Civitavecchia, the port for Rome. 

Designed for vacationers who love big, bustling mega-resorts, Symphony is built on the same platform as Royal Caribbean's 22-month-old Harmony of the Seas, the previous size leader in cruising. But it eclipses its sibling by more than 1,000 tons and offers several new features.

Among the additions are a first-of-its-kind, two-deck-high family suite with a slide between floors, a revamped Boardwalk amusement area, a new laser tag attraction and a new-for-Royal Caribbean seafood restaurant. Symphony also has more cabins than Harmony. 

The Ultimate Family Suite on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas features two bedrooms and is chock full of fun zones.  Royal Caribbean International Symphony can hold up to 6,680 passengers and sails with a crew of 2,200, meaning that on busy weeks it could be home to nearly 9,000 people.

Symphony has been under construction since early 2015 at the giant STX France shipyard in St. Nazaire, France — the same shipyard that built Harmony. Built at a cost of more than $1 billion, it was delivered to Royal Caribbean in St. Nazaire on March 23 and has spent the past week re-positioning to Barcelona.

Symphony will spend its first few months sailing in the Mediterranean out of Barcelona before moving to Miami to operate cruises to the Caribbean. 

Symphony and Harmony are the latest, biggest vessels in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class series. Two other Oasis Class ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, debuted in 2009 and 2010, respectively. 

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class vessels have made waves in the cruise industry since they began debuting in 2009. All of the Oasis Class ships are in excess of 225,000 tons — more than 30% larger than the next largest cruise vessels. 

With the addition of Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has 25 ships. 

By Gene Sloan, USA Today
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