Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

We’re back from an amazing cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas and I got to share this 7-night Western Caribbean experience with my friends from RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com. This week’s episode was recorded live onboard Harmony of the Seas, and we shared our experiences onboard including staterooms, dining packages, activities and more.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6

Few topics create as much confusion or contention among cruisers as what to wear on your Royal Caribbean cruise. What to pack and what to wear when has become a source of great debate among Royal Caribbean cruisers. Between dress codes for dinner, specialty restaurants and the clothing you will wear during the day, there is a lot to consider. There are plenty of choices, so let’s jump into what you should think about when planning what to wear on a Royal Caribbean cruise.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesCruise Compass archive

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 amazing Harmony 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.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesMatt's live blog begins hereOld Royal Caribbean commercial with Beci and Annette in a Loft Suite on Oasis of the Seas

Embarkation day is a very exciting day for any cruiser, and being prepared for what to expect when it is time to get onboard makes for a smooth experience. On this episode, Matt talks about what you need to know in those first few hours leading to getting onboard your Royal Caribbean ship.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6

If you have taken a few Royal Caribbean cruises, you have probably found yourself in the situation of trying to convince friends and family to take a Royal Caribbean cruise as well. After all, you enjoy the experience and it makes sense to want to get others to join in too. This week, I’ve brought two friends of mine on the podcast with me to talk about their very first Royal Caribbean cruise after years of cruising another line. We share the hits and misses of their experience on Oasis of the Seas.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesMickey Miles and More PodcastCruise Compass archive

Much has changed in the cruise industry over the past number of years, including how Royal Caribbean prices its cruises. The dynamic of how cruise lines price their product, plus the ever-present drive for guests to find a deal go hand-in-hand with looking holistically at the price of a cruise. This week, we take a deep-dive into the economics of cruise pricing and compare and contrast how Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line price themselves, and how the price integrity policy is at the heart of how much your next Royal Caribbean cruise will cost.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesBuy Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line 2017 or pre-order 2018 edition.

Food, glorious food! This week’s podcast episode is dedicated to discussing the ins and outs of food available on your Royal Caribbean cruise. From what’s included to extra cost options, we break down what first time Royal Caribbean cruisers can expect to find to eat and drink during their cruise vacation.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6

Have you ever wondered if paying a little bit (or a lot) more for a bigger, larger stateroom made good financial sense?  On this week's episode, we debate a few upgrade scenarios and decide if we would spend the extra cash in that situation.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6

There are lots of ways to make a Royal Caribbean cruise more affordable, including leveraging credit card reward programs.  When used responsibly, credit cards can rack up points that can be used towards all sorts of aspects of the cruise experience, including even paying for the entire cruise.  This week, we look at Royal Caribbean's credit card, as well as other credit card options, and how these programs can help save money.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesRoyal Caribbean Visa Card redemption optionsThe Points GuyNerd WalletCredit Karma

Every port Royal Caribbean cruise ships visit offer so much to see and do, and in St. Thomas, guests have the option and opportunity to check out a true Caribbean paradise: St. John. St. John is located nearby and this week, I share with everyone my experience visiting St. John and talking about what you need to consider if you want to see it for yourself too.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesEpisode 114: St. ThomasMatt's guide to visiting St. JohnPodcast musicRoyal Caribbean's guest conduct policy

While we often advocate the benefits of planning your cruise months and years in advance, sometimes you just have to get away, and take advantage of a Royal Caribbean cruise at the last minute. Last minute cruising isn’t for everyone, but it is an option for those who want or have to book late in the game and still have a great cruise. This week, we share what to consider for finding a last minute cruise and talk about what you have to do in the short time before sailing.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesRoyal Caribbean's Going Going Gone RatesUltimate dining package reviewMost important things to pack for a cruise list2018 Explorer of the Seas group cruise to Alaska

I just wrapped up a wonderful 7-night adventure on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas and this week, I am sharing with you my thoughts and review from my time aboard. We will discuss every aspect of the cruise, including my stateroom, dining, ports we visited and a lot more.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesMatt's Live BlogExtra large Central Park balcony rooms

Having a change of heart can happen anywhere, including as it pertains to taking a Royal Caribbean cruise. As we cruise, our ideas of cruising evolve and with time, we get the opportunity to try out new experiences and discover new favorites. This week, we take a look at ways in which our own cruising tendences have shifted over the years.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesMoms of the SeasPrivate Journeys review

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 time of year.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesMatt's live blog starts here

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 Cruise Planner work better for you.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6

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 time of year.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesEpisode 180: Cruising with young kids

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 episode, we’re sharing a few things many people really like but not us.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6

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: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6

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: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesBrittany Affolter named Harmony of the Seas' GodmotherNew fleet-wide room service menuUS Department of State Bahamas 2017 Crime & Safety Report

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 Royal Caribbean cruise? We invited Puzzle Break’s CEO, Nate Martin, to talk with us about the escape rooms on Royal Caribbean ships.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...Twitter: @therclblogFacebook: /royalcaribbeanblogPeriscope: @therclblogEmail: matt@royalcaribbeanblog.comLeave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6Show NotesReview of Escape the Rubicon on Harmony of the SeasPhotos of Escape Room on Anthem of the Seas