News from Royal Caribbean International: April 2016

Royal Caribbean introduced a new program, where guests can create their own personalized shore excursions to immerse themselves in local culture, cuisine, and adventure across 288 ports of call in 77 countries.

Concierge-style reps, known as Destination Insiders, will design personalized activities, programs, and adventures for individual guests, couples, families, and small groups.

Here is a sample of private excursion in Ketchikan, Alaska.

“Explore Misty Fjords National Monument from a de Havilland Beaver float plane, followed by a sumptuous Alaskan fireside meal. After a narrated journey soaring above the Alaskan wilderness, guests will land on either an alpine lake or remote fjord. Then, sit by the fireplace, sip Alaskan Amber beer, wine, or champagne paired with smoked salmon, followed by steaming Dungeness crab.”

As you know, Royal Caribbean International offers promotions with life span from 30 to 45 days. The idea behind that is very simple.

Instead of keeping the same price, they use full tariff, known as a ‘shelf price’ and create a new promotion. That is why prices fluctuate from one promotion to another promotion.

So, for month of April will be a new promotion ‘Buy One, Get One 50% off, plus 25% off third and fourth passengers.’

Today, April 2, 2016, and tomorrow, April 3, 2016, are the best days to compare both promos: ‘30% off’ and a new one. I help you to pick up the best one.

Attention to my clients and everyone who wishes to be my client – call only if you are serious about your cruise vacation – contact me at 772 335-7017 today to take advantage of both promotions.

Additionally, pre-paid gratuities for the first and second guest on some sailings and stateroom categories are available.

The new policy aligns Royal Caribbean with industry standards, moving from five cancellation timelines to two, based on sailing length.

The policy, which is now uniform across the board, will also apply to Alaska Cruisetours, Holiday Sailings, and NextCruise bookings made onboard. The new policy will maintain consistency for both group and individual booking cancellations.

• For 1-4 night cruises, the final payment is due 75 days prior departure.
• For five nights and longer, the final payment is due 90 days prior departure.

The new daily gratuity rates will be as follows:

• Junior Suite, Balcony, Ocean View, and Interior staterooms – $13.50 per guest, per day
• Suite guests (Grand Suite & Above) – $16.50 per guest, per day

My money saving tip:

If you wish to have a current rate of gratuities of $12.95 per day, per guest for Junior Suites and below or $15.95 per person, per day for Suite guests, add pre-paid gratuities to your reservation prior to April 14, 2016.

In this case, you lock gratuities of $12.95 per day, per guest for Junior Suites and below or $15.95 per person, per day for Suite guests.

In 2015, Royal Caribbean had announced the details of Majesty of the Seas’ refurbishment, but has since scaled back those plans recently.

They announced the ship would not be receiving a new waterslide, new specialty restaurants in Sabor Modern Mexican or Izumi, as well as not receiving the DreamWorks Experience.

In addition, Royal Caribbean removes complimentary internet offer from Majesty of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean will honor the promise of complimentary internet to all guests that booked a cruise on Majesty of the Seas cruises departing May 15 to July 1, 2016.

In addition, passengers who booked a Majesty of the Seas cruise on or before March 15 for a sailing departing anytime on or after May 15, 2016, will also receive free Internet.

Royal Caribbean has announced starting in 2017; it will re-categorize some of its staterooms across eight of its ships.

These new simplified categories are designed to make booking staterooms easier.
The changes are affecting Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas.

One of my clients is forced to cancel his annual family cruise on Independence of the Seas departing June 18, 2016 from Southampton, UK.

This is the most luxurious suite at sea:

• Sleeps up to: 4
• Cabin: 1406 sqft (132 m2)
• Balcony: 377 sqft (35 m2)

Price depends on number of guests and re-pricing options (see above for details.)
Must be re-booked before or on April 4, 2016.
For serious inquiries only!
772 335-7017