Welcome to the Royal Caribbean Blog podcast, a weekly look into the world of Royal Caribbean cruising.

I'm your host Matt Hodgeberg and this is episode number 417.

During the cruise shutdown, there wasn't obviously any cruises going, but there were still a lot of work happening behind the scenes.

And this week, I have the opportunity to talk about some of those changes with Royal Caribbean

and take a peek behind the proverbial curtain to get an update on Port Projects, Royal Caribbean's app, and even

amplifications. Here we go.

This week's podcast episode was recorded live on board Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas.

And being on board a cruise ship, there's always some noise, including some loud air conditioning in this episode, but it's some really good look at what

Royal Caribbean's been up to technologically and operationally enjoy.

When you talk about Royal Caribbean cruises, you think about relaxing vacation, amazing places to

visit, and there's a lot that goes in behind to make that all work.

And quite frankly, there's a lot more than just the places you're visiting, the pool decks

you're on and the buffet you might be eating at.

Going on Royal Caribbean, and I think it's what differentiates Royal Caribbean for so many other

competitors, is the innovation.

That's the...

Roller Caribbean calls it the wow fact.

They've been calling that for decades.

And I think it's a very easy way of describing really all the, in one word, all the innovation and envelope pushing that the cruise line does.

And behind that are a lot, a lot of smart people.

And I'm sitting with one of them today.

And that is Jay Schneider, who is the chief product

...