Royal Caribbean’s Private Journeys Excursions
RCI passengers seeking personalized shore excursion experiences can take advantage of the company’s “Private Journeys” program.
The USD 100 concierge service enables passengers to book port calls tailored to their interests, travel style and budget. Private Journeys allow access to 1 of 9 professional Destination Insiders who help planning every detail of the shore excursion before the cruise starts. Activities can include private yachting, cooking with Michelin-starred chefs, food tasting. The USD 100 fee for Private Journeys is applicable to excursion’s final cost.
Private Journeys are offered as a 3rd excursion choice . The new choice offers direct booking through RCI . Booked passengers have to provide Private Journeys’ staff with their idea/basics of what they want . Then they work with local tour guides to design the excursion. The contact with Private Journeys is by email or phone.
“Private Journeys” RCI tour deals guarantee: priority disembarkation, sure return to the cruise ship , convenient access to private tour vehicles, quality of service .
Eat Lunch In Specialty Dining
Weve always enjoyed the Main Dining Room food, especially considering this is already included in our paid cruise fare. However, speciality dining can be a nice change from the traditional dining and certainly offers an elevated experience.
If youre on a budget, consider enjoying the specialty dining restaurants for lunch. The menu is very similar to dinner, but the cost is usually half what youd spend at dinner.
You can also use your loyalty BOGO dining benefit for specialty lunches. Weve found this to be a great deal – and often gives a more personalized experience with less cruisers choosing to enjoy specialty lunch dining.
New Internet Packages Cost
RCI’s ship internet offering was revamped from only one plan into different per day packages with pricing based on the number of included devices. Two new packages are currently available for booking:
- Note: All below listed unlimited Internet package prices are “Cruise Planner” booking rates and include the 30% pre-cruise booking discount. Packages can be purchased onboard and also pre-purchased via RCI’s “Cruise Planner” booking system.
- “Voom Surf Voyage” is the “light package” providing high-speed Internet for general web browsing, e-mails and social media platforms . The “Voom Surf Voyage” Internet package cost depends on the number of mobile devices using it. “Voom Surf” pricing is as follows: $13 , $12 , $10 and $20 .
- “Voom Surf + Stream” is the “real deal”, offering unlimited Internet activities, including high-speed video streaming . The “Voom Surf + Stream” Internet package cost also depends on the number of mobile devices included. Voom Surf + Stream pricing is as follows: $18 , $16 , $14 and $28 .
Occasionally, Royal Caribbean offers VOOM package discounts for passengers with pre-purchased online internet packages. Discounts are also offered for Royal Caribbean loyalty program members when the VOOM package is purchased onboard.
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Stock Shareholders Get Onboard Credit
If youre into financial investing, consider adding RCL to your portfolio. Royal Caribbean shareholders are eligible to receive onboard credit when they hold at least 100 shares of the cruise line.
Royal Caribbeans website defines that a shareholder is eligible if the cruiser holds at least 100 shares of RCL at the time of sailing. Cruises that are 5 nights or less will receive $50 per stateroom. Sailings that are 6 to 13 nights will receive $100 onboard credit. Shareholders who are sailing on 14 or more nights will receive $250 onboard credit. To receive your credit, cruisers need to complete the Shareholder Onboard Credit Offer Request and submit 2-3 weeks before sailing.
Passenger Shipping Pause 2020
Due to the Coronavirus crisis, RCG-Royal Caribbean Group suspended its entire fleet’s passenger shipping operations worldwide by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 15, 2020, through early-July 2021.
Next are listed all RCI ships and their first departure dates/regions/homeports – ADVENTURE OTS , ALLURE OTS , ANTHEM OTS , BRILLIANCE OTS , ENCHANTMENT OTS , EXPLORER OTS , FREEDOM OTS , GRANDEUR OTS , HARMONY OTS , INDEPENDENCE OTS , JEWEL OTS , LIBERTY OTS , MARINER OTS , NAVIGATOR OTS , OASIS OTS , ODYSSEY OTS , OVATION OTS , QUANTUM OTS , RADIANCE OTS , RHAPSODY OTS , SERENADE OTS , SPECTRUM OTS , SYMPHONY OTS , VISION OTS , VOYAGER OTS , WONDER OTS .
All affected bookings received full refunds , including on prepurchased through RCI cruise packages and services. With rebooking are offered 125% refunds in FCC to be used on itineraries that depart up to September 30, 2022. The FCC must be redeemed by December 31, 2021. Full cash refund or changing the FCC to a monetary refund must be done by March 31, 2021. Within 45 days , all taxes, port fees and pre-purchased packages-amenities are automatically refunded to the original form of payment.
RCI’s Cancellation Policy was extended to allow penalty-free cancellations up to 48 hours prior departure and receive an FCC. The policy was also enhanced with two new rebooking options – “Best Price Guarantee” and “Lift and Shift” .
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Johnny Rockets Has Free Breakfast On Oasis Ships
Johnny Rockets can be found on plenty of Royal Caribbean ships, including Voyager, Freedom and Oasis class ships. Typically, this requires a $6.95 cover charge for your dining experience .
If youre sailing on Oasis class ships, Johnny Rockets offers free breakfast! Though it’s a specialty restaurant, Johnny Rockets serves a classic American breakfast free of charge on Oasis, Allure, Harmony and Symphony of the Seas. This can offer a great option for breakfast to switch it up from the Windjammer each morning.
Review Of Royal Caribbean
RCI is a subsidiary company and largest brand of RCG . This Norwegian-American corporation is currently ranked the world’s second-largest passenger shipping company . However, RCG owns the world’s biggest passenger ships. As of 2020, RCG controlled ~24% of the global ship cruising market , had full ownership of 4 brands , 49% stake in Pullmantur , 50% stake in TUI Cruises , 19% stake in Wamos Air .
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Cococay Island Refurbishments 2018
Since 2015, RCCL invests huge money in the corporation’s private Bahamian island CocoCay. In March 2018, Royal Caribbean announced a USD 200-million project for developing private land destinations in the regions of the Caribbean, Asia, and Australia-Oceania. As part of this project, on CocoCay will be built unique water attractions.
CocoCay has 3 new beaches. Chill Island Beach offers private cabanas and daybeds. South Beach is specifically designed for beachside activities and offers bungalows, daybeds, teepees . Coco Beach Club is an exclusive beach with overwater cabanas providing premium island vacation experiences. Coco Beach cabana rentals are inclusive of 1 hammock, 1 waterslide, dedicated service . The complex also has a freshwater infinity pool, full bar, restaurant.
In May 2018, RCI announced plans to build permanent accommodations on CocoCay allowing Suite passengers to stay on the island overnight . The concept includes premium cabanas serving passengers on any of the RCI ships calling at CocoCay.
In 2017-2018 was constructed a new pier , as well as a basketball court, bocce ball court, bowling court, volleyball nets, large-size pool table.
In 2016 the private island was upgraded with a swim-up bar at Barefoot Beach, new cabanas, new island dock , 35 beach bungalows at Barefoot Beach.
In 2015, the island was upgraded with new trams and was added a new / shorter tram route and a new freshwater shower .
Rci’s Wedding Packages & Vow Renewals
Standard wedding packages include priority services , non-denominational officiant, pre-recorded music, 3-tier cake, chocolate-covered strawberries, a specialty restaurant dinner and in-bed breakfast , themed cabin decorations, 1-hour photo service, 1x champagne bottle , keepsake wedding certificate .
Wedding package add-ons may include beauty services , live music, DJ , cocktail reception .
Wedding packages are priced between USD 2000-5600 .
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Royal Caribbean Blog Is Your Ultimate Source For Royal Caribbean Coverage
Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more.
Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience.
Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you’re new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource for keeping up to date with what’s new and exciting with Royal Caribbean.
Rci Cruise Cancellation Policy
Starting April 18, 2018, Royal Caribbean passengers who want to cancel an upcoming cruise without penalty have to do so farther out from the departure date than before. The new RCI cruise cancellation policy simplifies the penalty fee schedule by reducing the number of itinerary categories from 5 to 2: those of 1 to 4 nights and those 5 nights or longer.
The previous time when RCI updated its cancellation policy was on March 7, 2016.
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Royal Caribbean Cruise Compass
When you’re planning for your next Royal Caribbean cruise, quite often people want to know the sort of activities that are going on the ship these days. Royal Caribbean does not publish its Cruise Compass daily activity guide but lots of guests bring them home and share them with others. We’ve embarked on a plan to showcase all of the Cruise Compasses we can find to help you plan for your next trip
On this page you will find a listing of all the Royal Caribbean Cruise Compasses we’ve found but if you have one that you would like to share, email us a copy!
Rci’s Shipboard Dreamworks Experience Program
“DreamWorks Experience” was a family-themed program via a partnership between Royal Caribbean International and Amblin Partners . Universal Pictures is the distributor of the DreamWorks movie productions through its subsidiary company Touchstone Pictures.
RCI’s DreamWorks programming featured 3D movies and DreamWorks characters meets-and-greets. It was introduced in June 2010 and terminated in March 2019. This new entertainment program was geared toward families and offered DreamWorks movie-themed activities on only 9 RCI ships . The list of such activities included:
- DreamWorks characters meetings and greetings . The list of characters included Po , Shrek, Fiona, Puss , Alex, Gloria, King Julien, penguins .
- Character Breakfasts were offered in the Main Dining Room restaurant.
- 3D DreamWorks movie screenings were available in the Royal Theater , including first-run movies which premiered on the ship were on the same day they went at land-based theaters. Among the films were “Shrek”, “Madagascar”, “How to Train Your Dragon”, “Kung Fu Panda”.
- DreamWorks channel was part of the in-cabin TV programming.
- Themed activities and games included 3D animation workshops, storytime, themed dance parties, character story-based adventure games, regular character visits to kids facilities, onboard parades, meet-and-greets with photo ops .
- DreamWorks shows were available in Studio B and AquaTheater .
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Harmony Of The Seas Staterooms And Suites
Cruise staterooms are notorious for being small. While the basic staterooms on the Harmony of the Seas are small, they are organized in a way that makes them feel bigger.
For a normal stateroom, you can choose between an interior and balcony stateroom. The interior rooms are the smallest and least expensive. I recommend an interior stateroom for kids or solo cruisers, but the lack of closet space will be cramped for two adults. While balcony staterooms cost more, they are well worth the price for two adults.
Each room includes a king bed or two twins, a couch, a desk/vanity area, a closet, and a bathroom. A balcony room includes a small outdoor area with a chair.
For a higher price tag and more luxury, there are many great suite options. The most basic suite is a junior suite which is like a balcony stateroom with more floor space. There are also lofts, two-, and three-bedroom suites.
The suites are a great option for families staying together or luxury travelers. The suites also include premium onboard amenities such as access to the coastal kitchen restaurant, complimentary Wi-Fi, priority boarding, and a dedicated concierge.
Overall, unless you get a top-tier suite, your room on board is not likely to be a highlight of your trip. But for a cruise ship, the Harmony has the best layout and design of any cruise staterooms Ive been in.
Review Of Harmony Of The Seas
The 2016-built Harmony of the Seas cruise ship is the first of all four identical Oasis Plus-class Royal Caribbean liners , with sisterships Symphony OTS , Wonder OTS and Utopia OTS . The Royal Caribbean Harmony ship exceeds in size and passenger capacity the original Oasis-class vessels Oasis OTS and Allure OTS. Its building cost is USD 1,35 billion .
The vessel is currently Bahamas-flagged and registered in Nassau.
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Cruise Compass Daily Programs Anthem Of The Seas
There is so much to do on a cruise ship and you will certainly never get bored. We often get asked what can you do, what times are restaurants and bars open and what sort of entertainment should we expect.
To help answer some of those questions, in this post we share the daily programs called the Cruise Compass that were delivered to our cabin every day on the Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas Cruise Ship.
All this information could be found on your Royal Caribbean App too which you could access via your phone or on screens around the ship. However as we are a middle aged couple in our 50s we do still like to be old school and have a paper copy so we can scribble all over it and plan our day!
We hope you find these programs useful so it will give you an idea of planning your day too!
Destination Make A Difference
You can cruise on an identical class ship within Royal Caribbean but find that the onboard experience is vastly different. For example, I cruised on the Spectrum of the Seas in July 2019 from Shanghai to Japan. This was unlike any Royal Caribbean experience wed ever had!
Loyalty Benefits worked slightly differently, as the Spectrum of the Seas was built to cater directly to the Chinese market. Because of cultural differences, some of the onboard amenities were not free. For example, the North Star onboard Quantum-class ships is usually free for North American sailings. In the China market, this was an additional cost of $40 per person. Bumper Cars and iFly were also an extra expense on the Spectrum of the Seas.
On our sailing, the traditional Diamond Lounge with complimentary drinks was also located in a corner of the Solarium, which was unusual. As Diamond Plus members, we had access to special dining and an exclusive solarium.
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Crown And Anchor Society
This is the first cruise since we turned Pinnacle nine months ago that we are allowed back into the suite lounge and have access to Coastal Kitchen for lunch and dinner. Even though the two venues are connected, our sea pass cards only unlock the door to the suite lounge and not Coastal Kitchen.
On Harmony, Pinnacles are still not permitted in Coastal Kitchen for breakfast. There is a pinnacle breakfast available daily at Chops. We went yesterday as soon as they opened. We waited 45 minutes for our food to come out, only for it to be cold. It was very disappointing.
The top tier event was held in the main theater. That was a first for me. Im used to it being in the aqua theater on the larger ships or the Star Lounge or Viking Crown lounge on smaller ships. Platinum members and above were invited to the event. It was a full house. Captain Johnny and Paul, the Loyalty Ambassador welcomed two new couples to the Pinnacle Club, recognized folks that were reaching 1050 and 1400 point milestones and introduced the top three cruisers. The passengers per tier were as follows:
- 1,276 Gold Members
Understand Cruising With Confidence
Royal Caribbean has one of the best pandemic policies when it comes to canceling and rescheduling. The Cruising with Confidence policy allows you to cancel your sailing, for any reason, up to 48 hours before departure and receive 100% of your cruise value in future cruise credit.
This policy has been continuing to be extended as the pandemic drags on. Currently, cruises that sail before September 2022 and are booked before March 31, 2022 are eligible for the policy.
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Masks Optional In Cruise Terminal
I received my e-mail from Royal Caribbean with their updated Healthy Sailing instructions two days before the cruise.
The read that masks are optional for vaccinated guests onboard and also in the terminal, unless required by local regulation.
It felt odd to enter Port Canaverals terminal without a mask. Thats something I havent done in over two years.
Top 5 Tips For The Harmony Of The Seas
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See The Dinner Menu Early
When Royal Caribbean started to add interactive screens onto each deck, we discovered that you could see the nightly Main Dining Room menu on the screens in the morning! For a while, you only could see the menu when you sat down each night at dinner, so this was a fun discovery.
The Royal Caribbean app also offers cruisers to see the nightly menus for the duration of the sailing, even on the first day.
Those considering specialty dining, or other dining options, will enjoy this feature because it allows you to better curate your schedule to fit your dining needs.
You would hate to miss lobster night in the Main Dining Room by paying for lobster at a specialty restaurant!