Redsfan

We have a hold for our family of 5 on the Sky for mid-December and wondering your thoughts on the ship, and cabins:

-Deck 5 (can get Deck 4) two rooms opposite each other. Inside and Oceanview

-Alcohol and soda beverage for everyone (of course no alc. for kids)

-Tips included

$1900 and change.

The boat is older, but how is it holding up? Any recent issues? Food? How is Great Stirrup Cay? Kid's programs? etc.

Appreciate the input.

Call me crazy, but it seems most of these threads complain about loud or screaming kid's in the restaurants, not the adults that ruin meals..maybe I'm wrong but interesting.

Good for her :-)

 

 

 

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I know, but LOL at it...was pretty bad when a parent is sitting there watching her, but I don't envy having to put up with the little chits.

How was the kids club on Freedom?

I haven't used it since my daughter was little and now we're traveling with her 3&5 year olds!

Cheryl

Loved it on Freedom for our youngest who is 5. The Dreamworks parade on the last night is NOT mean to be missed! Our middle is 7 and I found one of the counsellors horrible actually as she lost patience with a rowdy group of brats the first night and lectured them on how to behave lol.

My two youngest daughters are 5 and 7 and I am pretty sure they would not let you switch them up. Mind you we didn't really pursue it far but we did ask and were told they need to be separated.

For our own piece of mind we actually preferred it this way as they need time away from each other as you know LOL. I have not sailed Disney.

they say it's a 9yr old child slipped and fell in the pool. Sadly Drowned. Sheriff on board now.

how horrible...

We did this with no car seats for our kids, found our own transport..much cheaper, and leave/come as you wish.

Just wondering what/when is the best way to leave the table in MDR?

 

On our first night of our first cruise my husband and I ate then got up to leave before dessert.

 

Our waiter ran up in a panic asking us what was wrong. This being our first, we didn't realize dessert was coming and this caused an awkward moment for us. Especially with the waiter asking over and over what he had done wrong, weather he was too slow etc etc.

 

Every night afterward we stayed the entire meal.

( I should mention we did my time dining and always requested a table for two) but leaving was very strange for me. Always kinda felt like I was skipping out on the bill or something by not saying goodbye to the wait staff. Also the spacing is quite tight and it was difficult to maneuver an exit without a guide like the one who seated us on the way in.

 

So. . . Were we doing it wrong? Should we have waited for dessert dishes to be cleared? Or until we saw the waiter again to thank him?

 

How and when do you leave a meal? What is the official "end?" We aren't "sit around and talk" people.

 

 

 

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For us it has always been after dessert..if we choose to pass on dessert we would let our waiting team know that would be the right thing to do in my mind.

We were there a few weeks back and loved it! Beach was okay, but rocky so didn't spend much time in the water. Loved the pool, heated as well just right which was great! Didn't want to get out of it.

I think we paid $25 for the 5 of us or close to that. Lots of taxi's at port, and plenty at Paradise to get you back...loved it!

OP your port time 9:30 to 10:30am back at PC? Is that not late getting back to port?

Instead of discouraging you like others have, let me add my Canadian loonie. We took our FOS cruise the week of Nov 30th this year, and due to saving cash not going to a couple of ports we decided to surprise our kids with a day at Magic Kingdom. Yes, the price is crazy, but we managed to get a good amount of time there, see below what worked:

-Self debarked a family of 5 at 6:30am. No lines out of port in a snap

-Returned a camera to Walmart on Merritt Island with our Budget Rental we picked up at 8am first thing when the office opened by the Port

-Drive was a Breeze that early in the morning, no traffic. Pulled up to the ticket counter at 10:00am or so and spend the day until 7:30pm at night, and would have longer if the park was opened later for day pass guests.

-Cost is crazy, we spent $500 but gave 2 of our kid's that do not remember Disney the thrill of a lifetime. Did many rides, lines were not bad as it was off season. Greeted 3 of their favourite Princesses, watched the parade at 6:30pm, watched Anna and Elsa light the castle

Come that time the park was nuts, but if you have little kid's I don't think they will mind much. I just suggest you do this on your own, do not do it through the cruise ship as time is limited.!

That's a shame. I assumed it would be included and just something you have to reserve. :( And to hear too that it wasn't that great. We recently did a trip to Disney World and our kids quite enjoyed the breakfast with the characters. And on the cruise, it kind of adds another dimension for the kids.

 

I saw a comment about it being early. We have a long ways off to worry about it, but what time is it generally?

Ours was moved around because of the boat/port revisions and issues...originally scheduled for 7:30, moved to 7:45 I believe...still early but gets you an early start to a day.

We recently did the Character Breakfast on the Freedom of the Seas during the 30 November 14 cruise. I had booked the breakfast prior to the September cut off date when fees were added. Our group consisted of 12 people ranging from a 3 year old to a 62 year old, which would have cost me $100.00.

 

I will say it was nice for the grandchildren, but the overall experience was not worth any fee. The servers were good, but we felt rushed throughout the entire experience. The breakfast we a normal main dining room fare, but with some added funny names, and chocolate.

 

We were rushed through the photographs with the characters. So much that when we wanted to take our own photos of our grandchildren and the group, the characters just left. Overall it was a disappointing experience not just for the adults, but even the grandchildren were not happy. My 5 year old granddaughter wanted to talk to King Julien (one of her favorite characters), but was nicely moved aside. She was very disappointed.

 

If we were seated 20 feet over in the dining room we could have watched the entire experience for free. In fact, I did see children from other parts of the main dining room mingle with the characters.

 

My wife and I have over 26 cruises on Royal Caribbean and we both agree it was an extremely disappointing program and not worth any added fee. We did mention our thoughts when we were asked by the Hotel Director about how we felt about the cruise during a suite cocktail party. His response was, "that was a shame," and the conversation immediately moved to another topic.

 

With that being said, people will still book it for the "CRUISE EXPERIENCE", and it is fun for the children. With that feeling, the fee will continue, and some people will be disappointed.

 

However, I am glad we did it once with no fee!

Bet you guys were seated just in front of us in the dining room? Were you the ones with the little guy who just wanted to jump in for pics? LOL. I thought it was fine for free, but would not pay a fee to do it again either. Lots of photo opps throughout the cruise to mingle with the characters and it is a bit rushed we thought. Kid's still enjoyed it though and the variance in food wasn't bad either.

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What point is your post? Clearly you are a frequent cruiser so what is one cruise that is a miss in your mind? I was one of those affected on the 11/30 cruise and although we made the best of things and still enjoyed our Vacation. However, we were also a first time RCI cruiser, and knowing that this boat has had it's issues did not make a very good first impression upon me. Royal knew exactly what could happen and should have done something about it sooner..

Would I hesitate to travel Royal again, coming from Carnival? Yes I would as we were not happy. Has this happened, or could happen with Carnival, for sure...

Has anyone actually received the letter with the future cruise credit amount?

not us yet but I read it would take something like 6 weeks to arrive?

For those that have recently sailed would you confirm if these items are available in the cabin. I just read another random post saying they aren't. That's crazy - is it really true.

 

 

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nothing is correct...perhaps gel in the showers but I can't remember lol

Lots on the boat and in camps for kids on the Freedome..they also do a program on their private island. Lots of options, lots of fun to be had.

great replies on this board as well.!

thanks for the replies...To be honest we sail for newest ships, cabins of 5, and islands we want to visit more than cruise line so we are not tied to anything.

The ice show on RCI was amazing, and anybody who has a chance to see it will feel the same! I will say that I am disappointed that RCI has dropped the ball with the latter sailing of Freedom before dry dock, as the issues were known for a while...hint, hint Carnival as they are no different.

Thanks for the comparison review! I have always sailed with Carnival not because we think they are the best, necessarily, but because they fit the budget the best. I have often wondered if we were missing out on a more spectacular ride with RCCL but now that I have read your review I believe we are good with not spending the extra $$.. I saw you had little ones, if you can ever scrape the funds together for all of you I would go Disney at least one time. Thanks again for the review! :D

Would love to do Disney, but not for the prices they want! Had some cash leftover from the missed ports and did a Day in Magic Kingdom which the kids loved.!

I was on the FOS 30Nov Sailing and at the Q&A with the Captain and crew he said NO DD for the FOS any time soon.:D

that is odd, as during one of the shows on the same dates he mentioned that it will be going into dry dock shortly where the entire problem will be fixed...I believe this was the Headliner show Day 2.

oops, never mind I thought you mean DD= dry dock, guess it means dynamic dining..can't delete my useless post

Posted this on Carnival as well:

Not that anybody will remember this but 2 years ago or so we booked RCI Freedom of the Seas as we wanted for ourselves to see if the price difference between the two lines makes sense for our family. First a bit of background.

We are a family of 5, 3 girls aged 5, 7 and 13. Our previous 3 cruises on Carnival which we enjoyed, but not overwhelmed aside from aspects on the Breeze. Typically Royal is anywhere from $500-$800 more expensive which we did not want to pay due to budgets, etc. Our cruise on Freedom of the Seas wounds up running us $2,360 or so for a 7 nighter which is a no brainer on any ship almost. We did enjoy ourselves despite the issues Freedom is having right now, as our itin was changed last minute and we were compensated 25% off next cruise voucher and $275:

Food: IMO pretty much the same quality. Food in the dining room I give the edge to Royal, while I like Carnival's buffet and overall layout of the Lido on the ships we have been on. On Freedom of the Seas you cannot sit outside with a meal and if you want a soda machine drink and sitting by the pool you have to get a shirt on and walk a bit. No 24 hour ice cream on Royal, and no popcorn with late night movies. Love that on the Breeze

Entertainment: Royal seems to gear itself to a more mature audience which was expected. Only 1 night of comedy which was disappointing, but the singers/entertainers overall seem much better than Carnival's. That being said the music is geared towards an older crowd which we are not really. Royal has steel drums by the pool twice a day on port days which I love and Carnival still is missing the boat with not having them

Cleanliness: Both seem on par with each other

Friendliness of staff: if you put me on a ship I wouldn't know which was which as both are always friendly and good

Outdoor Entertainment: Royal does not have waterslides, however, their pools are larger, have the rock climbing wall, flow rider. Their H20 zone for kids is fantastic with their own hot tubs, different swimming pools that my kid's would stay in all day. Add the sports zone, overall I think Royal has Carnival beat on the boats I have been on

Food options: We did not do specialty dining but I love the Cafe Promenade on Royal. Mixed in with the boutiques you have Ben and Jerry's, Bars, Pizza restaurant, Cafe with Starbucks as well as little bite size sandwiches and desserts (free of charge except Ben and Jerry's and Starbucks)

Camps: Both I see on par with each other, as my two youngest kid's enjoyed themselves immensely

Overall I can see why Royal is a bit more expensive than Carnival, however, I do not see them as that much superior as I was led to believe before we booked with them. From what I read both lines have made cutbacks that have made regular cruisers mad, so the experiences seem to be more similar than not. I view Freedom of the Seas on par with a newer Carnival ship like Dream or Breeze and don't see an awful lot different.

Not sure I would spend the $500+ to go on Royal again, but dollar for dollar I would if the boat/itinerary was of interest. Likewise, would definitely give Carnival another shot if the sailing was appealing for us...

__________________

Not that anybody will remember this but 2 years ago or so we booked RCI Freedom of the Seas as we wanted for ourselves to see if the price difference between the two lines makes sense for our family. First a bit of background.

We are a family of 5, 3 girls aged 5, 7 and 13. Our previous 3 cruises on Carnival which we enjoyed, but not overwhelmed aside from aspects on the Breeze. Typically Royal is anywhere from $500-$800 more expensive which we did not want to pay due to budgets, etc. Our cruise on Freedom of the Seas wounds up running us $2,360 or so for a 7 nighter which is a no brainer on any ship almost. We did enjoy ourselves despite the issues Freedom is having right now, as our itin was changed last minute and we were compensated 25% off next cruise voucher and $275:

Food: IMO pretty much the same quality. Food in the dining room I give the edge to Royal, while I like Carnival's buffet and overall layout of the Lido on the ships we have been on. On Freedom of the Seas you cannot sit outside with a meal and if you want a soda machine drink and sitting by the pool you have to get a shirt on and walk a bit. No 24 hour ice cream on Royal, and no popcorn with late night movies. Love that on the Breeze

Entertainment: Royal seems to gear itself to a more mature audience which was expected. Only 1 night of comedy which was disappointing, but the singers/entertainers overall seem much better than Carnival's. That being said the music is geared towards an older crowd which we are not really. Royal has steel drums by the pool twice a day on port days which I love and Carnival still is missing the boat with not having them

Cleanliness: Both seem on par with each other

Friendliness of staff: if you put me on a ship I wouldn't know which was which as both are always friendly and good

Outdoor Entertainment: Royal does not have waterslides, however, their pools are larger, have the rock climbing wall, flow rider. Their H20 zone for kids is fantastic with their own hot tubs, different swimming pools that my kid's would stay in all day. Add the sports zone, overall I think Royal has Carnival beat on the boats I have been on

Food options: We did not do specialty dining but I love the Cafe Promenade on Royal. Mixed in with the boutiques you have Ben and Jerry's, Bars, Pizza restaurant, Cafe with Starbucks as well as little bite size sandwiches and desserts (free of charge except Ben and Jerry's and Starbucks)

Camps: Both I see on par with each other, as my two youngest kid's enjoyed themselves immensely

Overall I can see why Royal is a bit more expensive than Carnival, however, I do not see them as that much superior as I was led to believe before we booked with them. From what I read both lines have made cutbacks that have made regular cruisers mad, so the experiences seem to be more similar than not. I view Freedom of the Seas on par with a newer Carnival ship like Dream or Breeze and don't see an awful lot different.

Not sure I would spend the $500+ to go on Royal again, but dollar for dollar I would if the boat/itinerary was of interest. Likewise, would definitely give Carnival another shot if the sailing was appealing for us...

On our sailing of Nov 30th on Freedom we were compensated much better than this one. We also missed one of the Headliner marquee performances of Beattlemania because they missed the ship in Cozumel (apparently...)..hopefully entertainment doesn't get affected on all these cruises that are changing..

we made it in fine...no wavers for tender in, rough part way through on our way back..conditions change hourly no matter weather patterns...