Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

When it comes to planning a cruise, perhaps the one resource every guest will use the most is Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site.  The Cruise Planner allows for reserving a number of experiences, packages and options before your cruise and it is a major part of the planning process.  This week, we will discuss what the Cruise Planner offers, and what strategies you can use to make the...

The time of year you cruise has many implications, but summer and fall tend to evoke one common theme: hurricane season. There are a lot of questions about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise during hurricane season, and what it really means to someone going on a cruise. This week, we take a deep dive into cruising during hurricane season and what you need to know before taking a cruise during this ti...

Have you ever been asked, “what’s your favorite part of a Royal Caribbean cruise?” Surely you went on to describe different part of the cruise experience that you really enjoyed, and odds are, many other guests share that opinion. But this week, we’re discussing the parts of a Royal Caribbean cruise that many people enjoy, but we just don’t agree with. Everyone has their own favorites, and on this...

To celebrate our 200th episode, we recorded this episode live with the Royal Caribbean Blog Insiders , and shared our best tips for someone who is new to cruising and wants to try Royal Caribbean. Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via... Twitter:  @therclblog Facebook:  /royalcaribbeanblog Periscope:  @therclblog Email:  matt@royalcaribbeanblog.com Leave a voi...

We often feature cruise reviews from our listeners on this podcast, and this week, we are lucky enough to have a cruise review by the Godmother of Harmony of the Seas. Brittany Affolter shares the story of how she became the Godmother to Harmony of the Seas, and a review of her recent 7-night cruise aboard Harmony. Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via... Twitter:  @therclbl...

The onboard entertainment available on Royal Caribbean ships is astounding when you consider the array of options and offerings to choose from. Recently, Royal Caribbean partnered with Puzzle Break to bring the escape room experience to a few Royal Caribbean ships. What is an escape room, how does it work and what does it take to bring something as engaging and exciting as an escape room game to R...

Have you ever dreamed of visiting Cuba? Royal Caribbean has begun offering cruises to this once off-limits Caribbean country, and that raises a number of questions of what it’s like to take a cruise to Havana. This week, we talk with a listener who just returned from the first Royal Caribbean cruise to Cuba, and discuss what’s different about a sailing there, what to expect in Cuba, and other tips...

The opportunity to enjoy Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants without paying a fortune sounds like it might be too good to be true, but dining packages offer guests the opportunity to enjoy the best dining choices available on your Royal Caribbean cruise at a significant discount. Dining packages are a relatively new option for guests, and this week, we will talk all about why the dining packag...

Sometimes you just have to indulge a little bit and reward yourself, and one of the best ways to do just that on a Royal Caribbean cruise is by staying in a suite. Suites offer the most space, best benefits and incredible service while onboard. If you are considering moving on up to a suite for a future cruise, I’ll be sharing some of my experiences in a suite and what you should consider before d...

Have you ever wanted to try something new or different in a cruise port but struggled to find a tour that met your exact needs? Or perhaps there is shore excursion that Royal Caribbean does not offer, but you are uncomfortable with going through a third party. On this week’s podcast episode, we will discuss a relatively new option by Royal Caribbean to offer guests exactly the kind of shore excurs...

Royal Caribbean offers cruises around the world and one of the hottest cruise markets these days are cruises from Australia. Cruising down under has become a red-hot market for Royal Caribbean, and this week we are shifting our focus to South Pacific cruises to share with you tips and advice for taking a cruise from Australia. Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via... Twitter:&nbs...

When it comes to the sort of questions people typically have about a Royal Caribbean cruise, one of the biggest of them all is getting the lowest price on their vacation. The price we pay for the cruise fare is the single largest cost, and this week I am sharing five rules for getting the best possible price. There is tremendous value in cruising today, and with these ideas, you might be able to k...

Few things seem to go by as quickly as Royal Caribbean cruises, including my recent cruise aboard Anthem of the Seas. We had a fantastic time on Anthem of the Seas, and this week, I will review my recent 7-night Bahamas sailing on Anthem and talk about my stateroom, the suite experience, the specialty dining, entertainment onboard and the places we visited. Share with me your thoughts, questions a...

The Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast was created to help plan everyone's upcoming Royal Caribbean cruises, and we are dedicating this week's episode to all of you because it is time to dive into our virtual inbox to read emails our listeners have sent us. I have also brought on two friends to join me, as we discuss topics like what to do in Cozumel, how those beer buckets work and much more. Share wit...

Getting ready for your next Royal Caribbean adventure is always exciting because of all of the possibilities that lay ahead, and this week, I’ve got that excitement back because I am going on a 7-night cruise aboard Anthem of the Seas. In this episode, I will share with you why I booked this cruise, what our plans are, and take you through what I have planned onboard and onshore. Share with me you...

Regardless of the Royal Caribbean ship you sail on, the ports you visit or the stateroom you reserve, there is one thing everyone has to do and that is pack for the cruise. Packing is something you either relish or relegate to a loved one, but it’s also something that has to get done. On this week’s episode, I’ve brought on a friend who is far more talented at packing than I am to share tips and t...

While on the Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise, Matt and friends shared a review of their activities in Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.  This episode offers a review of which activities stood out and suggestions for anyone visiting the ABC islands on an upcoming cruise. Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via... Twitter:  @therclblog Facebook:  /royalcaribbeanblog Perisc...

Taking a back to back cruise can be a great way to have an extended vacation, as well as  really  get to know a Royal Caribbean ship.  On this week's podcast episode, Matt speaks with a podcast listener who recently took a back to back cruise and shares what their experience was like. Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via... Twitter:  @therclblog Facebook:&nbs...

It is hard to beat that feeling when you know your cruise is just days away, and this week, I’ve got that loving feeling again because my next Royal Caribbean cruise is coming up and I will preview my upcoming adventure of the fabulous Navigator of the Seas. In this episode, I will discuss my plans for the cruise, why I picked this ship and talk about the many friends that are joining us for it. S...

Royal Caribbean's main dining room is likely to be somewhere you visit almost every night of your cruise. It's hard to deny the fun experience of dining there as well as the really tasty food you can enjoy. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here and this week, we take a look at what the main dining room experience is like and what to know before you sit down for a great meal. Share with me yo...

Every Royal Caribbean cruise is the kind of vacation experience that offers so many great things to do during the course of your time onboard. Shows, dining, exotic places to explore and more await you on a Royal Caribbean cruise. And sometimes, there might be a cruise where you want to really make the cruise special. Perhaps it’s for a celebration, like birthday or anniversary, or maybe it is som...

This week, we have a BONUS podcast episode that is previewing our upcoming Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise on Navigator of the Seas.  Matt, Annette and Billy will preview the big cruise and talk about the special events that are planned.  If you are not lucky enough to be joining us for this cruise, it is a good look at what a group cruise is all about and why  you  should jo...

When you think about a Royal Caribbean cruise, odds are you have a vision of spending time on your balcony, or perhaps at the pool and everyone is smiling, happy and it is the culmination of the best vacation ever.  Unfortunately, sometimes real life hits us while on vacation and people get sick.  In this episode, we speak with a recent Royal Caribbean cruiser who had to deal with her ow...

There is nothing like having your own private oasis to spend the day, and when on a Royal Caribbean cruise, guests can enjoy a day in paradise when visiting Labadee. This private destination in Haiti is a stop many guests look forward to on each sailing, and this week, we share our guide to Labadee, with explanations of what to expect when you arrive, a look at the fun activities offered, and opti...

Family cruises are the core of so many Royal Caribbean vacations, because they afford everyone in the group something to do.  Royal Caribbean has designed their cruise ships to have something for everyone, including the youngest among us. Going on Royal Caribbean with toddlers and very young children is a fantastic experience, bound to create many wonderful memories, but there are some unique...