Monthly Archives: May 2022

From buffets to upscale dining, the ship offered cuisine from around the world. I filled up on tacos, salads, seafood, and so many desserts at all types of restaurants.

Some restaurants are complimentary as part of the cruise rate, while specialty dining incurs an additional cost. For the latter, guests often pay a cover charge for a three-course meal, and the cost tends to increase the later into the cruise you reserve a table.

I made reservations at five specialty restaurants, and I found that meals at both complimentary and specialty offerings made my top list of favorite things I ate.

Insider paid for the specialty meals per our reporting standards.

The main dining room on the ship is complimentary for guests and serves breakfast and a three-course dinner each day.

I went there for dinner one night and had garlic tiger shrimp with jasmine rice, seasonal veggies, and herb butter. The shrimp was juicy with great flavor, the rice was sticky, which I like, and the asparagus and tomatoes were well-seasoned.

At breakfast, the main dining room served thick french toast that was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. A delicious berry sauce on top paired nicely with maple syrup. This was my favorite breakfast of the whole trip.

Outside of the main dining room, I particularly enjoyed El Loco Fresh, an outdoor DIY taco bar. It's included for guests and serves a selection of meats, cheeses, and so many toppings, like pico de Gallo, guacamole, and sour cream.

I grabbed a bowl of chips to make some nachos. I thought the queso was really good, and they had every topping I could want, satisfying my Tex-Mex craving on the ship.

When I wanted an upscale meal, I chose Chops Grille, a steakhouse. I paid $55 for a three-course dinner here.

The highlight was the appetizer a crispy goat cheese salad with green apples, candied walnuts, cranberries, and balsamic dressing. It was an eclectic mix of textures and flavors, but blended together perfectly in my mouth.

For another upscale meal, I went to 150 Central Park, a restaurant with a variety of meat, seafood, and other "locally sourced ingredients," according to Royal Caribbean. I had a three-course dinner for $50.

Source: Royal Caribbean

The best thing I ate at 150 Central Park was the fried cheesecake, so definitely save room for dessert if you dine here. It was soft, fluffy, and light, with a cream cheese filling. Caramelized popcorn, whipped cream, and Nutella drizzle complimented it perfectly. It was even more satisfying than the main course.

To get my seafood fix, I went to the New England-style Hooked Seafood restaurant that draws inspiration from Maine to Maryland. I paid $53 for a three-course dinner.

Source: Royal Caribbean

To start, I ordered the crab beignets. They were the perfect texture soft and fluffy with a hard outer layer. The crab flavor was subtle with cinnamon on top for an interesting twist. The accompanying crap dip was refreshing, too.

For my main, I had fried chicken with mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned. The sides had good flavor, as well.

The dessert at The Mason Jar was also unique. Called "Gone Bananas!," it included layers of vanilla pudding, graham cracker crumbs, and roasted bananas with whipped cream and toffee on top. It was fluffy, light, and had a rich banana flavor. It was the perfect ending to my favorite meal of the trip.

While the specialty restaurants served delicious courses, I thought the food quality was just as high in the main dining room, where I only ate twice. If I were to cruise with Wonder of the Seas again, I'd spend less money on specialty restaurants and more evenings in the main dining room instead since it offers great value.

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The best restaurants onboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas - Insider

Update: After reports noted Johnny Depp would be reappearing on the stand, a new report seems to indicate Depp may not get his "sequel" on the stand after all. Several other high-profile names are allegedly expected to be called, including Kate Moss and Warner Bros.' Walter Hamada. Depp may not be called back, but now that seems to be TBD. Initial reports had stated he'd be back on the stand later this week. The full report.

While celebrity divorces can often make headlines, the ongoing legal battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is on another level entirely. The two have been facing off in court in Virginia, with the proceedings quickly going viral thanks to it all being available to watch on TV. And While Pirates of the Caribbean 6 with Depp might not be happening, it looks like he's getting a sequel when it comes to his trial testimony.

Part of the reason why Johnny Depps defamation case against Amber Heard has gone so viral is because both actors have personally taken the stand for days at a time. While the Aquaman actress has spent more time testifying, it seems thats about to change. According to the New York Post, Depp is coming back on the stand, and could be there for up to 18 more hours.

Per this latest report, Johnny Depp is expected to take the stand Wednesday or Thursday of this week as a rebuttal witness. Both legal teams were given 61 hours and change to present their case to the judge and jury, with Amber Heard reportedly using much more of that time so far. And as such, Depp might be on the stand for more days at a time, as theyve got over 18 hours left to plead his case.

Things are definitely going to heat up over the next week at the Virginia courtroom, as the defamation case is approaching the end of the trial. In addition to Johnny Depps upcoming return to the stand, closing statements are expected to occur a week from Friday. Although smart money says there will be plenty of viral moments before the case is finally closed.

During their time on the stand, both Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have alleged physical and mental abuse by the other. Additionally, their legal teams have provided audio of the former pair having heated arguments, showing how tumultuous the former relationship was. Well just have to see what explosive updates come in the last few weeks.

Because cameras are in the courtroom, the public has been especially invested in Johnny Depps defamation case against Amber Heard. Countless clips have gone viral, leading to endless discourse about the former marriage both online and in person. Even Starbucks stores have gotten in on the action, allowing customers to take sides via tip jars.

Given the allegations made by both Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, the stakes for the trial definitely feel high. Theres also a massive financial risk involved; Depp is suing his ex-wife for $50 million, while Heard is counter suing for even more money. Then theres how this legal saga might affect both actors careers in the future.

Johnny Depp has recently started booking new film work, while Amber Heard will appear in Aquaman 2. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Link:

Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 With Johnny Depp May Not Be Happening But Looks Like He's Getting A 'Sequel' When It Comes To His Trial Testimony -...

June is the official start of the summer cruise season, which means warm temperatures on pretty much every Royal Caribbean ship you can sail on (outside of Alaska).

Have a cruise planned in June? This should provide you the important information for navigating a cruise this month.

June is when summer cruises get into full swing in Europe and Alaska. This means all the ships are in position to offer a full assortment of cruises this month.

Depending on where you live, school begins to let out for summer break during the month of June. This means as the month progresses, so do the crowds and demand for sailings.

If you're looking to get a deal on a cruise, your best is to look for a last-minute cruise deal for early June. Of course, that may be easier said than done, as available cabins may be limited.

This month will see every single Royal Caribbean ship back in service again, as Rhapsody of the Seas restarted operations on May 23.

Royal Caribbean's ships will be operating out of three primary markets: Alaska, Europe, and Caribbean.

Read more:Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing in Alaska 2022

Summer is actually a off-peak time for cruises to the Caribbean. You will find far less ships sailing to the Caribbean because many vessels have been redeployed to Europe and Alaska. It's also as hot as it gets in the Caribbean during the summer.

The advantage of a summer cruise to the Caribbean is there are less ships overall to contend with, making for favorable conditions in the ports you will visit since there will be less passengers in port.

Royal Caribbean's Covid-19 protocols are fairly consistent across the board, although there can be a few variations for certain European departures.

All Royal Caribbean guests age 12 and older must present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose of their vaccine administered at least 14 days before sailing.

Boosters are not required, except for some European sailings require anyone that hasn't had their last shot more than 270 days ago to get a booster.

Royal Caribbean does not require kids younger than 12 to be vaccinated.

Masks are optional for vaccinated guests & recommended for unvaccinated children while onboard.Masks are no longer required at Adventure Ocean for kids 2 years and up, they are recommended for unvaccinated kids.

Masks are also now optional while in the cruise terminal before or after your cruise, unless mandated by local authorities.

Guests under 2 years old do not need to wear a mask.

Vaccinated guests must show a negative COVID-19 test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 2 days before boarding day.

Unvaccinated kids age 2 to 11 must show a negative test result for a PCR test (not antigen) taken no more than 3 days before boarding day. This test cannot be taken on boarding day for unvaccinated kids.

Guests under 2 years of age do not need to complete a pre-cruise test.

June temperatures in the Caribbean typically range from about 78 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit in the day and 70 to 80 at night.

Expect water temperatures around 81 to 82 degreesFahrenheit.

This means hot and humid conditions for a Caribbean cruise with very warm ocean temperatures as well.

Officially, the hurricane season begins on June first, but tropical storms don't usually get going until later in the season.

Read more:What to know about cruising during hurricane season in the Caribbean

Let's move over to Europe, where you will find the sunniest month of the cruise season. June is a fabulous time to take a Mediterranean cruise because of the warm, but not yet hot, temperatures that come later in the summer. On top of that, there are less crowds in June compared to next month.

June is also the time of year when the Mediterranean Sea is finally warm enough to swim, with an average water temperature of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Read more:What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?

If your European cruise goes to Northern Europe, expect high temperatures in the low 60s, and night time temperatures in the low 50s.

In Alaska, expect the least rain of the year. This is the perfect month for outdoor shore excursions, such as hiking.

Read more:Best things to do on an Alaska cruise

The average temperature for an Alaska cruise are lows in the upper 40s and highs in the mid-60s Fahrenheit. Towards the end of June, you benefit from additional daylight, with up to 18 hours of sunlight.

You're going to need layers for this sort of weather, so it's important to pack for your Alaska cruise effectively.

More information

Read more from the original source:

Royal Caribbean cruises in June 2022: What to expect - Royal Caribbean Blog

Attachments

REGIONAL: STORMS & FLOODING

CENTRAL AMERICA

Civil Protections and humanitarian networks in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras are monitoring a recently-formed Central American gyre (CAG), a broad low-pressure system that will bring flooding rain to Central America in coming days, weeks ahead of the official start of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. Some areas may see more than 6 inches of rain, especially over windward mountainous terrain.

Heavy rains over Honduras prompted authorities to place the Choluteca, El Paraso, Francisco Morazn and Valle departments under yellow alert, allowing for preventive evacuations in areas at risk of landslides, flooding and river overflows. Municipal officials in the capital of Tegucigalpa report damage in riverside communities, which they are currently responding to with their own capacities.

Forecasters do not expect the current CAG to spawn an out-of-season tropical depression as it did in 2020 when it pushed Pacifics Tropical Storm Amanda inland over El Salvador and Guatemala, only for Amandas remnants over the Bay of Campeche to form into the Atlantics Tropical Storm Cristobal after causing more rain than 1998s Hurricane Mitch, the second-deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record.

SOUTH AMERICA

Uruguayan and Brazilian coasts took on strong winds and high waves from Yakecan, a sub-tropical cyclone that made landfall on 16 May and caused power outages and building damage. In Uruguay, the storm flooded roads, uprooted trees with winds of up to 100 km/h and damaged roofing. While Uruguays SINAE national emergency system set up evacuation centres to receive families, the overall damage has been minimal, with SINAE reporting a peak of about 22,000 homes left without power that has since been restored.

Yakecan later moved north to Brazil, leaving 182,000 homes without power in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. The National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) reported on 18 May, winds up to 96 km/h in So Jos dos Ausentes municipality in Rio Grande do Sul, with authorities issuing alerts for coastal areas over strong winds in northern Rio Grande do Sul to Rio de Janeiro State.

Read more here:

Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update (16-22 May 2022) as of 23 May 2022 - Uruguay - ReliefWeb

When Kate Middleton and Prince William arrived in Belize for a Commonwealth tour to honor Queen Elizabeths Platinum Jubilee, a protest was the first sign that they might not get the reception they hoped for on their trip to the Caribbean. But it wasnt until the couple met with Jamaicas prime minister, Andrew Holness, and he announced that the country planned to remove the queen as the countrys head of state, that it became clear just how poorly the tour really went. It also made some commentators wonder: If it were Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in their shoes, would they have been received in the same way?

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

Kate and Williams tour was just one of multiple royal visits to Commonwealth member countries in 2022, and on this episode of DYNASTY: The Windsors, we turn back the clock to the beginning of the organization to understand why the tour was more than just a few days of bad optics. The Commonwealth, founded in 1949, is a voluntary organization of 54 countries that share values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. It traces its roots back to the British Empire, but not all of the current members are former colonies. Reactions to the royals across the nations can be mixed, and on this episode, journalist and presenter Afua Hagan explains the lingering affection for the queen in Ghana, even decades after the country declared independence.

This episode also explores the history of royal philanthropy and exactly why charity across the Commonwealth is so important to the Windsors. Patrick Jephson, Princess Dianas former private secretary, explains why Diana chose difficult and demanding charity jobs and how she influenced the rest of the royal family. Fundraising and charity appearances are the bread and butter of a royals job duties, but it was clear from Meghans entrance to the family that she had the ability to energize the familys work and increase their appeal across the Commonwealth. But her first appearance with the Royal Foundation, alongside Harry, William, and Kate, revealed that she might not be able to fit in. When Harry and Meghan made their final high-profile trip to a Commonwealth country, a September 2019 tour of South Africa, their unhappiness behind the scenes finally became obvious for the first time.

The highest-profile move to decenter the Windsors took place last fall when Barbados removed the queen and installed an elected head of state. According to political journalist Peter Wickham, the countrys citizens had become increasingly frustrated that someone born in the country wouldnt be able to ascend to its highest position. Along with newly crowned national hero Rihanna, Prince Charles was present when the change took place; in a speech, he sensitively discussed the moral horror of slavery and praised the people of Barbados for their persistence. But as Kate and Williams trip later proved, the move might have been too little, too late.

Listen to the episode in the player above, and dont forget to tune in next Tuesday, May 31, when DYNASTY: The Windsors returns with an episode about the symbiotic relationship between the royals and their biggest rival, the tabloid press. Subscribe at listen.vanityfair.com/dynasty or wherever you get your podcasts.

See original here:

How Kate Middleton and Prince Williams Caribbean Tour Became a P.R. Disaster: DYNASTY: The Windsors Podcast - Vanity Fair

Royal Caribbean International has released a new video with construction details on the yet-to-be-revealed 175-metric-ton sphere that will be featured onboard Icon of the Seas.

The new class LNG-powered cruise ship is currently under construction and many details of the new ship are still unknown including this mystery sphere.

The highly anticipated new ship, slated to debut in fall 2023, is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in southern Finland, and one of its most mysterious elements the sphere has made progress and been moved onto the ships deck.

Little is known about the sphere, but some key details of its structure have been released. It now measures 46 feet (14 meters) tall and 50 feet (15.3 meters) in diameter, and weighs 175 metric tons (385,809 pounds).

Its outer shell is comprised of 578 aluminum panels, while the interior is lined with nine miles of power and lighting cables and 1,323 feet (400 meters) of air conditioning ductwork.

The interior also has steel mounting frames, but nothing is yet confirmed about the purpose of that framework, or what this structure might eventually become.

To move the sphere from its construction warehouse to be mounted on the ship, the entire structure was covered with fire retardant cloth and thermal wool, indicating some delicacy to its components.

After being loaded onto a barge for transport, two tugboats directed the barge to the ships hull, where the sphere was lifted into position by a tremendous crane.

It appears to be an interior structure on the still-incomplete vessel, positioned at approximately mid-ship slightly off-center with respect to the decks overall width.

A total of 45,000 hours of labor have gone into the sphere so far and we dont even know what it is yet.

While no announcement has yet been made about the sphere, there are some intriguing details that have been confirmed about Icon of the Seas. The new class of ship will surpass the Oasis-class vessels in size, though the projected stats are not available.

To date, the largest Oasis-class vessel is Wonder of the Seas at 236,857 gross tons, which makes it the largest cruise ship in the world.

The physical construction of Icon of the Seas began in June 2021 with her ceremonial steel cutting as different blocks began to be built, and the ships keel was laid just last month, another major milestone that puts the new vessel on track for its fall 2023 debut.

Royal Caribbean International has not released even the smallest hint about what the sphere may actually be, but since it was first spotted in December 2021, speculation is high on social media and cruise fan sites about the eventual purpose of this innovative and unique structure.

A top choice is that the sphere will become a new immersive entertainment venue, perhaps with extensive LED screens or other technological details to create an amazing experience.

Careful scrutiny of the early seconds of the new video also reveals what may be tiered seating inside the sphere, but those details are unclear.

Other creative ideas about the purpose of the sphere include:

Initial speculation believed the sphere to be a tank for storing the liquefied natural gas that will power the ship, but later reveals have highlighted the LNG tanks, which in fact are oblong-shaped.

Furthermore, the cruise line would not be likely to offer creative teasers about a fuel tank, but much more likely to hint at amazing and unexpected guest features.

Two large, round, ground level openings on either side of the sphere also debunk the idea that it may be a fuel tank or other sort of container.

For the moment, cruise fans will have to continue waiting and wondering, but as the cruise line reveals further Icon of the Seas details, Cruise Hive will bring you all the information!

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Royal Caribbean Releases New Video of Yet to Be Revealed Feature - Cruise Hive

The Jewel of the Seas sailed from Amsterdam on May 20th with 1,752 guests onboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship. There were twelve (12) crew members and three (3) guests who initially tested positive for COVID-13. After two days of the cruise, the number of guests who tested positive for the virus increased to seven (7).

This information comes from a trusted source on the ship who wishes to remain anonymous. The crew member has provided accurate information in the past about the number of infected guests and crew members on this particular ship over the course of the last year. Like other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean does not voluntarily disclose information regarding the number of either infected guests or crew members, althought this information is invaluable to a comsumer evaluating the risk of becoming infected during a cruise.

The Jewel of the Seas is currently on a week long cruise around Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England. The ship is scheduled to return to Amsterdam on Friday, May 27th.

The ship has recetly focused on the fact that, according to Royal Caribbean, there has been an increase in the number of infected crew members, leading to a senior officer reminding the crew to wear KN95 masks on the ship.

The ships Staff Captain, Frank Jensen, recently sent this email to the crew:

Good morning fellow Ship Mates,

We have unfortunately lately seen a spike in the COVID19 cases among our crew!

Please ensure following is strictly adhered to in order for us to break this inclining curve of C+ cases:

KN95 Masks are to be worn at all the times, except when in your cabin or when eating, drinking or smoking.

We will keep you posted.

Regards

As far as passengers are concerned, the wearing of masks on the ship is strictly optional. As a practical matter, no guests seem to wear masks voluntarily. Royal Caribbean does not instruct guests to wear mask though it knows that COVID-19 cases are spiking among the crew.

As we previously reported, the Jewel of Seas had as many as one hundred (100) to two hundred (200) infected crew members at any given time late last year and earlier this year during a surge in cases as the Omicron variant emerged. The Jewel was one of three Royal Caribbean cruise ships (including the Serenade of the Seas and the Vision of the Seas) used by the cruise line as a floating quarantine hotel / walk-in clinic at sea for infected crew members. The ship previously would rendevous with other Royal Caribbean ships to pick up hundreds of other infected/ill crew members. It is our understanding that Royal Caribbean is no longer housing infected crew members on quarantine-ships after the Omicron variant surge largely abated.

Nonetheless, it remains risky to board a cruise ship maskless, as Royal Caribbean seems to privately realize.

We will report regarding the number of infected crew and guests when the Jewel of the Seas returns to Amsterdam.

Have a comment or question? Please leave one below or join the discussion on our Facebook page.

Top Jewel of the Seas By Dave souza CC BY-SA 2.5, commons / wikimedia; Jewel of the Seas middle Royal Caribbean Press Center.

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Spike in COVID-19 Cases Among Crew Members on Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas - Cruise Law News