Royal Caribbean International announced that the company has hired 10,000 new crew members since the start of this year, who have already joined the cruise ships in operation. As of September 2022, RCI reported that there is a total of 34,819 crew aboard its 26 cruise ships, meaning that each 3rd crew member is a newly hired employee.
After receiving an invitation by Aida Cruises, the Captain of Celebrity Beyond Kate McCue, and her fellow officers boarded it’s next-door neighbor, the cruise ship Aida Cosma, for a day visit at the port of La Spezia, Italy. AidaCosma Captain Vincent Cofalka and General Manager Heidi Rothe hosted an extensive tour of the ship which included a visit to the bridge, lunch at the ship's Beach House Restaurant, and other attractions the vessel has to offer.
Spanish police arrested three guests sailing aboard the world's largest cruise ship Wonder of the Seas, under charges of fraud and cheating at the onboard casino.
Royal Caribbean Group announced its plan to implement SpaceX's Starlink – making it the first in the cruise industry to adopt the high-speed, low-latency connectivity for a better onboard experience for guests and crew across the fleet. The innovative broadband internet service will be installed on all Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises ships, along with all new vessels for each of the brands.
Royal Caribbean Lifeguards have had a busy start to the year. This year, they have assisted over 160 guests in pools on board across the fleet. However, it is not always at the pools that lifeguards jump into action.
Starting September 7, 2022, Royal Caribbean International will increase the onboard gratuities that guests will pay for the service they receive from crewmembers.
Gratuities for guests occupying standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) range from $14.50 to $16.00 per day per person. The previous Suite gratuity rate of $17.50 will increase to $18.50 per day per person.
Royal Caribbean International embarks on a major marketing campaign for the new class of ship, joining the fleet in Fall 2023. The Icon of the Seas is scheduled to go into service as the first ship in this series in the fall.
After canceling arrivals to Ensenada, due to safety concerns, the cruise ships are returning to this popular Mexican cruise destination, said Mayor Armando Ayala Robles.
Carnival Cruise Lines has confirmed arrivals to Ensenada with two of its ships, Carnival Radiance and Carnival Miracle, and complete its slate of scheduled arrivals in the coming months, said Robles.
Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises are ending their vaccination requirements for select sailings starting next month.
Royal Caribbean has released its health protocols for cruise ships sailing from Australia during the upcoming cruise season. These include government mandates and day-of-boarding requirements.
Royal Caribbean has warned that these protocols can likely change between now and when the day of the actual sailing.
