banderboo

Thanks for all the info, especially about the over hang. Being a red head, I actually look for covered balconies so I can enjoy the sun without turning into a lobster.:D

Other than location, is there any difference between the 8 different catagories of Superior Ocean View Staterooms w/balcony?

Just sailed on Freedom May 18 - 25th with a 19 month old and 3 yr old. We were able to check toys out of the nursery, nothing available in the 3 - 5 yr old room. They have a book of toy sets that you can select from. Mostly Fisher Price toys. I would suggest going as soon as you get on board as they went pretty quick. We selected the farm set which contained a small barn, tractor, pig, cow, chicken and farmer. We never tried to exchange it so I don't know what was available mid-week.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

I was thinking that he'd enjoy the magic porthole but from what I've been reading the characters don't show up all that often so....

He was just on a cruise where we had a balcony and it worked out fine so we may just go that route again.

Thanks everyone. I'll check out the oceanviews and balcony cabins.

Thanks, I was thinking that my grandson would like having the characters visit. Do they "visit" often?

DH and I will be taking our grandson on a Disney cruise next year (2015) for his 5th birthday. We generally get a balcony cabin when cruising by ourselves but was wondering if an interior with the magic porthole would be a better option for a 5 year old. We've never done a Disney cruise before and want to make this extra special for him. What's the best cabin? We'll be doing a 4 day out of Port Canaveral along with 3 days at Disney World (Contemporary Hotel).

Thanks everyone. I was asking because the concierge contacted me in regards to my cruise next week and has been very helpful in arranging several things for me in advance.

Assuming we will use the concierge for booking and making a few reservations on our upcoming cruise, what is an acceptable amount for a tip?

Was there a Chef's Table? If so, what night?

Does anyone know if they would count two toddlers in the 6 person occupancy? I have 6 adults and 2 toddlers in my group. I don't really want to get 2 cabanas just because of the kids.

I'm on Freedom next week and will be a couple cabins away from 9404. If I can remember through all my excitement of being on board, I'll try to swing in and grab a few pictures for you (assuming the door is open and the present occupants haven't checked in yet):D

Have your dad take a picture of the documents with his phone and text them to you while you figure out the fax number. They will most likely still need the fax but at least you'll have something with you to show them.

It's been several years but we had the RFS on Serenade and my parents had a Balcony next door (not connecting). We had no problem checking in together in the suite line.

went to the helipad for sail away. not many people there. Pretty cool being in the front of the ship and not having anything else in your line of site.

How do you get to the Helipad? I'll be on Freedom in 21 days.

How old were your kids? If the used the kids club any info you have on it would be appreciated.

As I understand it, here are the problems.

1. Luggage tags. They will have "GS" on them, I think. May not be a big issue, because she doesn't know what D2 or GS means.

Give your wife a small gift (use lots of tape:D ) that she can open / keep her busy while you put the luggage tags on and hand them to the porter

2. Check in line. I think there is a seperate line for suites. I may have to just bite the bullet and line up in the regular line.. That, or if the line is too large - I may have to tell her we have a suite if she even notices we are lining up in the suite line. (Edit.. wait..can we only check in at the suite check in section - or do all check in booths have gold cards?)

As mentioned above...include a note directing them not to mention suite

3. Gold Card at check in. She knows that the normal cards are white. She doesn't know a gold card exists. Not sure what I can say to explain it.. maybe that after 10 cruise points (lol), you get a gold card. IS there anything else at check in that might tip her off?

Since she's not the planner just tell her the seapass cards have changed color since you made gold.

4. Approaching the cabin. It's on deck 10. Our other cabin was deck 7. I told her about the "balcony cabin"(D2) location, but I suspect she will not clue if I say our cabin is deck 10.

If she questions the deck location just say you hit the wrong floor and/or that someone on CC told you to check out something(be creative) on Deck 10

5. The cabin outside. I understand GS have doorbells?? (um.. why?). Is there any other markings on the cabin to identify it as a GS? I hope not, I hope it just says the cabin number like all the other ones.

again distraction will work here, just keep her redirected and her attention on something else until you get into the suite.

If all of this works out, I'll get her to open the door herself and walk in first.

Any thoughts, or suggestions, or glitches I don't know about?

Don't mean to hijack the thread but have a question....I'll be traveling with my 3 yr old grandson and his mother (father not in the picture). He has a passport but I've read we may need a letter from the father stating that he can travel out of the country. What do you do in cases that the father isn't around? His last name is different from my daughters.

I'm using Chrome and have the same issue

Great review. Looking forward to the remaining days. I sail on her in May.

On question, did you have a drink package? If so, which one and was it worth the money?

There are/were a couple on Cococay that were fun to find.

Monday morning I got up and did the one thing I promised my gym instructor I'd do: I headed to the FOS' ShipShape Gym and did my workout. My trainer created a 45-minute routine for me which I did 3 times that week. [/i]

I'd love to see your 45 minute routine if you are willing to share. You can email me at [my username] @ yahoo.com (or post here for others to see :D )

How is the package identified? a sticker on your card, a separate card?

Do you know if the menus are the same across all ships? I'll be going on FOS in May.