Sail Away Question

I know it's a matter of opinion so let's put that out there now.

My first cruise is in November on Freedom. Where do you like to be for sail away and why? Just looking for different opinions and experiences so I can make an informed decision in November.

Thank you!

It really is a matter of what you feel like doing. In my opinion, since it's your first cruise, go to the sail away party on the lido deck. It's a great atmosphere and a fun way to kick off the cruise!

Just have fun! Enjoy!!

For me, it depends on the departure port. For example, if I am sailing out of New Orleans, I like to be on one of the very forward "secret decks", that way I have a great perspective of the ship turning around right in front of the huge bridge there.

If I am sailing out of Jacksonville, I like to be near the funnel so I can watch the highest point of the ship pass under the Dames Point bridge.

Sailing out of San Juan, anywhere on the Starboard side that has a great view of the fort.

Lido deck sail away party is always a great place to be.

We love the sail away party on the lido deck. Lots of fun music and dancing . On our first cruise, we raced to the front of the ship expecting to see land just pass by quickly and come out to sea in minutes. We have come to realize it takes a long time to cover that distance. It was almost 2 hours to reach the bridge when we sailed from Tampa. That is a long time to stand at the bow.

Do what makes you happiest. It is your vacation. I am sure you will have a great time!

Lido deck, it's the "Happening" place during sail away!!!

Is the sail away party actually a party (music, drinks,etc), or is it just a bunch of people up on the lido deck?

On my last cruise, after wandering around for a bit, DH and I found some chairs on a forward deck (I want to say it was not Lido, but maybe a deck or two up?) that was protected by wind screens. It was a nice spot because we were protected from the wind on a rather blustery day leaving out of New Orleans, but we still had a great view. Plus dummy me had decided to wear a dress when we left the hotel that morning. So the protection from wind was mostly for me, haha.

Wherever you decide to be, relax and enjoy your cruise!! Hopefully it will be the first of many many more to come!

I like to find a spot with a good view so that I can watch the passing scenery as we sail away. That's when symbolically the cruise begins for me.

Yes, the lido deck is pretty lively with music and dancing, but IMHO, I can listen to a DJ and dance anywhere. But I don't get to watch land turn into ocean from a huge cruise ship every day, so I usually skip the lido deck during sailaway.

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Is the sail away party actually a party (music, drinks,etc), or is it just a bunch of people up on the lido deck?

The sail away party has all three things you mentioned above. There's music, drinks(you have to purchase them of course), and lots of people. so it's not for you if you like some peace and quiet. If that's your thing, your balcony is probably the best bet. The very back and front of the ship is also a more peaceful place to enjoy the sail away views.

Thanks. Not sure what I'll want yet, but now I know what the options are.

Traditionally, Family gathers on the balcony watching the port scenery go by til open water, with "Margaritaville" & other Jimmy Buffet songs playing on our (now) bluetooth speaker. DH & son smokin' cigars... (sadly, for us, for the last time on our balcony...)

I definitely like to be around other people. I usually go between the lido, the bow, and the stern over the course of the entire sailaway. The temptation is to unpack but hopefully that's done by then! I also like to be at the highest part of the ship when passing under a bridge :)

I like to feel the wind and feel like I'm sailing while on a cruise. I love to stand on the forward decks, above the bridge, the deck with the "wings" where you can see forward and back.

I watch for wildlife -- birds, porpoises, and other sealife. I like to watch the other seacrafts and watch the land.

I have sailed away from the aft deck, watching as we got farther and farther away from the pier...

I have been outside on Lobby deck, where it's not too crowded, but can easily come in and get out of the wind or weather, when it's been cool and rainy.

...or on my own balcony, peacefully enjoying sailaway with my cabin mate.

And, I have danced and partied on Lido!! All through the cruise, I would see me dancing and having a BLAST on the TV when they'd replay the sail away tape!!!

SO decide what you want. There are GREAT places for sail away!!!

We always go to the aft of the ship. ..on the Elation Lido aft; Valor, Victory, Freedom, Liberty and Conquest Promenade aft; and I'm guessing on the Breeze it will be Lido aft.

You know, sailaway isn't a quick process...so you'll have time to try different areas!

First grab some lunch after getting onboard. If has been an exhausting day up till that point, I try to take a shower and get a nap in so I am refreshed for the evening

Happy sailing

Ian

I don't know which port you will be sailing out of, but depending on the port, the view will likely be more interesting on one side or the other. If you decide to sit on your balcony during the sail away, you might want to research this. As an example, when sailing out of Miami, the view is much, much, much better on the "left" side of the ship. But don't sweat it too much. You'll have fun no matter where you are.

You know, sailaway isn't a quick process...so you'll have time to try different areas!

I agree with cb, it isn't a quick process, and can go on for hours given you a chance to experience several parts of the ship. We may start off on our balcony, and then head down to the lobby bar for a drink, the head up to, and roam around the Lido, and other upper decks during sail away to see what the atmosphere is like in different parts. We then head back down to the Lido where the Cruise Director and his staff are leading some type of line/group dancing, while the video and photography crews are making their rounds of the activity.

I like to find a spot with a good view so that I can watch the passing scenery as we sail away. That's when symbolically the cruise begins for me.

 

Yes, the lido deck is pretty lively with music and dancing, but IMHO, I can listen to a DJ and dance anywhere. But I don't get to watch land turn into ocean from a huge cruise ship every day, so I usually skip the lido deck during sailaway.

 

 

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We do the same typically aft on lido.

Anywhere besides my Muster Station. My last cruise we were still in the drill. Other times it's been dismissed like 2 min before sail away :(

Otherwise, we have been on our balcony, at the aft end of the ship, at the front, and everywhere in between. There's no one "right" spot for me. Just kind of wander around and where you end up is where you're meant to be :)

We love to sit out on our own balcony and watch things closer up than can be seen on Lido. Things like the thrusters kicking in and pushing us off and the Coast guard boats escorting us out, etc. However, if our balcony isn't on the side with the best vantage point for this, then we go to the promenade deck. Lido is just too congested during sail away for our taste.

If I'm with my significant other, I prefer to be on our own balcony with drinks in hand.

If I'm with friends, I prefer to be on the Lido-aft... also with a drink in hand! :D

We usually go onto Lido. This next cruise will be different though because we will be sailing out of Port Canaveral. Our balcony is port side. Don't know if we will have a nice view from there or not. Maybe Lido again?

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Keeping in mind that I've been there and done that a few times...

I like to find a place that I can sit with a drink and watch port disappear from sight.

We usually bring Champagne instead of wine as our carry on and do a champagne toast and drink that as we leave the port. As was said before it is not a quick process. We wander around from front to back above the Lido deck and people watch. Also try and get out on the "secret" decks. All depends on the weather too.