Carnival Breeze or Royal Caribbean Freedom?

[puremichigan]

Deciding between Carnval Breeze out of Galveston and Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas out of Fort Lauderdale. I am looking for pros and cons of both.

[Carcarmat]

Freedom is a great ship

[Tapi]

Price and itinerary comparison?

[puremichigan]

Price within 100 bucks. Stops are similar. Most interested in ship pros and cons.

[Badfinger]

Deciding between Carnval Breeze out of Galveston and Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas out of Fort Lauderdale. I am looking for pros and cons of both.

 

The Cloud 9 Spa and the wrap around lanai on deck 5 makes the Breeze a no-brainer to me.

[AmberTeka]

I would be interested in comparisons.

 

We sail on FOS, God Willing, this fall. First Time on RCI.

 

We have sailed on Carnival a lot.

 

 

 

Don't like being a Nubie again. How do I get Tickets to the Ice Shows? Are the Broadway Plays for pay or free? Do they have regular shows like Carnival has? Do you get tickets for them too?

 

I like to play Trivia. I see on their Compass where they play some.........not that much compared to Carnival. IS MDR food pretty good or like NCL do you have to go to pay venues to get Good meals. Carnival Food is not bad.

 

Passengers.........same as Carnival but older as RCI is pricer?

 

Any information would be avidly read.

Edited May 15, 2016 by AmberTeka

[Tapi]

Don't like being a Nubie again.

 

How do I get Tickets to the Ice Shows? Are the Broadway Plays for pay or free?

 

Do you get tickets for them too?

 

IS MDR food pretty good?

 

Passengers.........same as Carnival but older as RCI is pricer.

 

 

One of the BEST things that I've found about sailing on a new cruise line is exactly feeling like a first time cruiser (newbie)! Everything is fresh, exciting, and new. Exploring the ship, watching new shows, discovering the little details. It's all very enjoyable. But at the same time, there's a big sense of familiarity.

 

About the shows, it's my understanding that only on Oasis and Quantum class you need to pre-reserve shows (which is an absolute blessing in disguise as you always know that you have a guaranteed seat). And yes, all shows are free of charge.

 

Fellow passengers? About the same, except that you may find more passengers from other countries on Royal as they market themselves more globally.

 

MDR food? It's OK. Comparable to the MDR on Carnival. You will definitely have other options, some which will be complimentarily and some which will be for a charge. Personally, I haven't found any alternative restaurants on Royal worth the up charge.

Edited May 15, 2016 by Tapi

[missholly24]

Are you asking this question on the Royal boards too? The responses may differ slightly depending on which board you are on. The loyalists are strong :p

 

With that said, I think both will be winners. Freedom has Flowrider and no waterslides. Breeze has waterslides, no flowrider. Freedom ice skating....Breeze no skating. Breeze has comedy club. Freedom does not. (not that I know of). I've heard people complain about not having food near the main pool (on RCI), but Carnival has Guys, Blue Iguana, etc. Carnival once daily room cleaning. RCI twice. Just some thoughts.

[Jenhem31]

I haven't sailed Freedom but I've sailed her sister Liberty OTS. I've also sailed Breeze twice. I say Freedom, no contest. We love RC ships and they'll give you that wow factor that Carnival lacks. RC ships are much easier to navigate. Love the royal promenade and the Promenade cafe. I also like Sorrentos Pizza. MDR is comparable. They've got Johnny Rockets but it's $5.95 I believe per person. Food is of course subjective.

Shows are included, the ice show was great. Get there early.

I see no difference in passenger age compared to Carnival.

RC adult area has a pool.

[AdG15]

Hi, we sailed on FOTS last year. We haven't been on the Breeze, but have been on other Carnival ships (Conquest in 2014).

We loved them both. The sports staff on FOTS is great, we spent a lot of time there, playing soccer, on the climbing wall and flow rider. On Carnival we loved Blue Iguana's cantina, the sea day brunch.

Sorry, I am really not much help, I think you'll have a great time on either ship!

[Cruzaholic41]

To the OP, I've actually sailed both ships. Like most of the others, it's an easy choice for me. I would pick Freedom. Carnival Dream Class is ok, but it gets way too crowded on the lido deck. Freedom carries the same amount of passengers, but is a bigger, nicer ship, with more wide open spaces. The crowds aren't nearly as bad as on Breeze.

 

...and the wrap around lanai on deck 5 makes the Breeze a no-brainer to me.

 

Freedom has a wrap around deck also, and it goes out to the helipad on the bow.

[JinxyB]

I've been on both ships too, and I would choose Breeze. I usually cruise with my child and he loves water slides, which there are none on Freedom. Flow rider is HARD and takes a lot of practice to even boogie board (assuming you have no experience). No food options by pool, no 24 hour ice cream, no drink stations by pool- all negatives to me. Shows were better on Freedom and ice show was great. Freedom is a gorgeous ship but the nickel and diming was outrageous to me. If u don't get a drink package, prepare to pay close to $15 a drink. Kids club I give the edge to Royal, but that was on Oasis and Allure. I thought Sorrentos pizza was disgusting on Freedom/Allure/Oasis.

[chascougs]

Sailed both as well and preferred the Breeze. Royal Promanade felt like a shopping mall to me...much preferred Ocean Plaza on Carnival. We felt that food had a big edge on Carnival as well. With all things being equal (price and ports) I'd choose Carnival.

[ewenix]

Hands down Freedom, but the freedom class of RCCL ships are my fav.

 

I prefer the flowrider on freedom over the Breeze waterslides. Even if you don't want to ride either of them, it is fun to watch people on the flowrider. It gets very boring very quick watching people come down a waterslide.

 

Ice show and skating on the freedom. Nothing similar on Breeze.

 

The royal promenade on freedom makes navigating the ship very easy.

 

Breeze Pirate Pizza is much better than Freedom Sorrento's pizza.

 

I found Guy's burgers to be okay, and blue iguana to be kinda gross.

There is no similar venues on the freedom either of those food options.

 

Freedom MDR will have a tablecloth on your table every night. You also won't be dripping water from the outside of the carafe into your food as you or a server top off your water glass.

 

Activities will be similar. bingo, soccer, trivia, etc.

 

The Serenity area on Breeze is nicer than the Freedom Solarium. Especially when it comes to deck furniture.

We would have at least a balcony if not a suite, so for us that wins out over any adult only area.

 

Crown and Anchor perks are better than VIFP perks.

 

Freedom theater is traditional theater style seating, while Breeze is the Carnival style table and couch with some traditional style seating.

 

Breeze has a dedicated comedy club, Freedom uses the theater. This is a toss up in my opinion. There will be fewer comedy shows on the freedom due to the venue being used for other shows. But you'll also be able to get a seat for sure, and not have to wait in line to see the show. You also won't have someone standing in front of you since they showed up late and couldn't find a seat like on the Breeze.

 

Breeze Lido is decorated nicer, but food stations are broken up in an odd fashion and the options offered differ somewhat from station to station.

Freedom is pretty straight forward buffet line on each side and in the back with the same things on each similar station. It tends to be louder in the Freedom Windjammer since it's more open than the Breeze Lido.

 

Regarding port comparison, Ft Lauderdale vs Galveston is orders of magnitude easier if you are flying.

Edited May 16, 2016 by ewenix

[meatloafsfan]

Carnival Breeze.

 

The beds and bedding are much more comfortable on Carnival.

The food is better on Carnival.

 

There is the thrill theatre, ropes course, waterslides, sports square, etc.

[ryano]

Carnival drinks are a lot cheaper, Carnival food is better (subjective), there are more included eating venues on Carnival, the steakhouse blows Chops away, the service was as good or better on Carnival and I could go on and on.

 

Pretty much the only place Freedom wins in this comparison for me is shes a bigger and "prettier" ship. Im not here to bash Royal at all and most of my cruises have been with them. Royal has some beautiful ships and Freedom is one of those. Everything else is pretty much the same or better on Carnival.

 

JMO

[Havingfun2010]

I've been on both ships too, and I would choose Breeze. I usually cruise with my child and he loves water slides, which there are none on Freedom. Flow rider is HARD and takes a lot of practice to even boogie board (assuming you have no experience). No food options by pool, no 24 hour ice cream, no drink stations by pool- all negatives to me. Shows were better on Freedom and ice show was great. Freedom is a gorgeous ship but the nickel and diming was outrageous to me. If u don't get a drink package, prepare to pay close to $15 a drink. Kids club I give the edge to Royal, but that was on Oasis and Allure. I thought Sorrentos pizza was disgusting on Freedom/Allure/Oasis.

 

Just so some people do not get the wrong idea from you post I will make some corrections. Flow rider is not "hard" to boogie board and is quite fun. Standing up is a different story. As far as kids are concerned, it is much more fun than a slide but it is subjective based on the kid. (or adult!).

 

Food by the pool? The windjammer is open on the same deck. Maybe a little longer walk, but food is definitely on the same deck!

 

Nickel and dime? My last cruise, my bill was about $80.00. Not sure where the nickle and dime is, but with any different experience, some items are different, but the majority of items that are not free on one cruise line is not free on another!

 

Sorrento's pizza is like any other pizza on a ship. Not the best. However, plenty of other options to eat just next door which is good. Choosing a ship for pizza is not reality.

 

Drinks and packages. Remember on RCCL, you do not need the same package has your spouse, plus you have many options to chose from. My wife had many drinks at $8.00. Most are under $12.00 and those are the real fancy drinks :D. Beer us generally a little cheaper than Carnival.

 

No drink stations? I never experienced that issue. Always saw drinks nearby. Plus, you can get drinks at the bar.

 

Remember the Freedom, also has a full basketball/multi use court, mini golf, flow rider, open skating, etc for the youth, or adults. The shows are usually more elaborate, with live music. A band is usually playing at the pool. No dedicated comedy club, but they do have comedy shows. Food is subjective, but no cruise line that is main stream has great food. One thing though, is that RCCL will have better quality steaks and I'm sure no one will argue that point.

[ryano]

I will argue it.

 

MDR steaks in Royal = shoe leather. Horrible quality of meat every time Ive ordered one. Not even a Choice cut. Probably Select. Their prime rib was terrible last year too. Tough and didnt even taste like Prime rib. Chops charges you 18-20 dollars extra on top of the 35.00 pp for a "better steak" and the jury is still out on how much better they are. :rolleyes: Carnival serves USDA prime cuts for 35.00 pp in their steakhouses. Carnivals steakhouse is what Chops USE to be and well worth the price.

 

The real fancy drinks 14.16 on Royal (12.00 + 18%). Even tipping 1-2 dollars extra on Carnival, I had those same drinks for around 11 dollars.

 

I dont pick cruises based on pizza but Sorrentos is horrid frozen pizza. Think the very worst in your frozen section and thats about the quality of a Sorrentos pizza. Pizzeria De Capitano at leasts makes theirs fresh and uses much better ingredients.

 

Freedom might be the overall better ship but thats where it stops for me on all other aspects. I have no hidden agenda either.

Edited May 16, 2016 by ryano

[AmberTeka]

Thank you all so much. I read each post. That RCI in many ways is comparable to Carnival is fine with me. I am a great Carnival Fan.

 

I don't drink. I take about 7 medications a day and they all warn...do not mix with Alcohol.

( Blood Pressure and R.A.) Husband...one a day. Maybe. He does like the Casino and gets a Martini when he wins. Stops at One. Old Coach. Very disciplined. Makes me jealous.

 

I love Trivia. the only food venue for pay......so far that tempts me is Cupcake Cupboard. That is on my to do list. .& I would like to go to Johnny Rockets, having heard so much about it, but other than that.............I have found I can eat myself half to death in the MDR. Better than what I cook.....in almost all cases. We don't swim or go to the Pool. We live in Florida. He is a Florida Native. I have been in Florida since I was twenty years old NOW we Dodge the Sun. And for folks from the North, that sounds snarky and smug. Not meant that way. LOVE the SUN. Just that you can overdose in Florida. Which is ..........the most wonderful place in the world to live.

 

The Shows.....FREE. How wonderful. I hope to see them all. I really want to see that Ice Show, so I will check the Compass and get there early. And take a sweater I would guess.

 

I am excited. We have been docked in the Same Port with RCI ships many times. NOW I will be on one. And we are lucky enough to have a balcony...so better yet!

Thanks again........

Edited May 16, 2016 by AmberTeka

[ryano]

Thank you all so much. I read each post. That RCI in many ways is comparable to Carnival is fine with me. I am a great Carnival Fan.

 

I don't drink. I take about 7 medications a day and they all warn...do not mix with Alcohol.

( Blood Pressure and R.A.) Husband...one a day. Maybe. He does like the Casino and gets a Martini when he wins. Stops at One. Old Coach. Very disciplined. Makes me jealous.

 

I love Trivia. the only food venue so far that tempts me is Cupcake Cupboard. That is on my to do list. I would like to go to Johnny Rockets, having heard so much about it, but other than that.............I have found I can eat myself half to death in the MDR. Better than what I cook.....in almost all cases.

 

The Shows.....FREE. How wonderful. I see them all. I really want to see that Ice Show, so I will check the Compass and get there early. And take a sweater I would guess.

 

I am excited. We have been docked in the Same Port with RCI ships many times. NOW I will be on one. And we are lucky enough to have a balcony...so better yet!

Thanks again........

 

Johnny Rockets is nothing special. I mean its a cool old school diner like atmosphere and they have dancing waiters but Guys Burgers is the much better burger and included. As far as the Cupcake Cupboard goes, I wasnt impressed. The cupcake making class might be ok but those cupcakes were not all that great, very dry and they are pricy.

 

The Ice Show is awesome. Freedom has two great production shows too. Royal Caribbean entertainment is good. I cant comment on Carnival.

 

Freedom is a beautiful ship. You will love her. Dont go in expecting things to be so much better on Royal as some will try and lead you to believe though. More alike than different IMO. I wouldn't waste my time or money in Chops. Giovannis is wonderful though if you want to try specialty dining. Sabor also has some excellent mexican food too

 

JMO

Edited May 16, 2016 by ryano

[topspin1267]

We have sailed on both and regularly on both lines. For my wife and I we always describe it as RCI has nicer ships (to us, we like the promenade and less bright décor) CCL has more activities.

 

We like the interactive navigation screens by the elevators on FOS, makes getting around easier.

 

We cruise CCL more often though as we like having trivia or some activity we can go to.

[JinxyB]

Just so some people do not get the wrong idea from you post I will make some corrections. Flow rider is not "hard" to boogie board and is quite fun. Standing up is a different story. As far as kids are concerned, it is much more fun than a slide but it is subjective based on the kid. (or adult!).

To me, the flow rider was very difficult, and I am a fit and active adult...with NO surfing or boogie boarding experience. I would much rather slide down a water slide then go on a flow rider and get banged up and my child is too short to even attempt the flow rider, so we will stick with the slides for now. There are NO slides on Freedom/Oasis/Allure. It was fun to watch the good surfers on the flow rider.

 

Food by the pool? The windjammer is open on the same deck. Maybe a little longer walk, but food is definitely on the same deck!

Windjammer is physically on the same deck as the pool but there is no poolside grill or pizza like on Carnival ships-I'm talking about going in your bathing suit or with a pool towel wrapped around you. You can't go in Windjammer in your wet bathing suit. There are no Freestyle coke machines on Freedom/Oasis/Allure out by the pool-only in Windjammer...unless they changed this from 2015. You would have to dry off or wait on line at a bar for a soda - there are no self-serve stations on the pool deck like on Carnival. No 24 hour ice cream on Royal-I think this is so they can sell Ben & Jerry's to you at additional $$$$.

 

Sorrento's pizza is like any other pizza on a ship. Not the best. However, plenty of other options to eat just next door which is good. Choosing a ship for pizza is not reality.

 

Uhhh...not quite. I am not a loyalist to any line, but Carnival's fresh pizza is hands down much better than the frozen crap they serve at Sorrento's. My kid wouldn't even touch that garbage.

 

I bought 2 frozen strawberry daquaris on Oasis in 2015 and my bill was almost $29-these were standard drinks with house booze-outrageous if you ask me. I can't comment on Chops as I have never eaten there. The Carnival steakhouse has been very good each time I have eaten there.

[cyclenut]

I clearly remember getting soda at the Freestyle machine outside the windjammer. No need to change clothes. I also don't remember having any problems getting food from the windjammer to the pool area. Throw on a cover up and get what you want. While I like poolside options, I also like the idea of having a much wider variety of food to choose from.

 

Johnny Rockets is a 50s diner burger joint that is pretty good. Cover charge includes all food, drink and shakes you want, so not a bad deal really and they are good burgers. Haven't had Guy's (sailing on Breeze in Sept) so can't compare to them, but they are not the typical theme park dry burger made from frozen meat. Good stuff.

 

I beg to differ about Sorrentos. I found them to be much better than the frozen pizza you described. It may have changed since our voyage, but when we sailed it was a nice late night treat.

 

The Freedom is my second favorite ship I've ever sailed on (Disney Fantasy is my favorite). She is beautiful. Very elegant. The Promenade is wonderful. It can get a bit like a shopping mall at certain times of the day, but it can also be like a nice stroll down an elegant walkway.

 

The shows are excellent and to me, live music makes it that much better. We did the backstage tour and were really amazed at how they put them together.

 

While food is subjective, I know what shoe leather tastes like and I can't say I've every had to eat a shoe leather steak on ANY cruise line MDR. I really have no idea where that comparison could have come from. The MDR food is about the same as you get anywhere. Typical banquet quality dinner but with more options.

 

Someone mentioned the electronic message boards. Those were awesome. Talk about getting around the ship easy. Great addition I've not seen on any other ship.

[mrpayroll]

Seeing that you decided on Freedom, i will say that you will have a GREAT time....( Been on both ourselves )...:)

[meatloafsfan]

I clearly remember getting soda at the Freestyle machine outside the windjammer. No need to change clothes. I also don't remember having any problems getting food from the windjammer to the pool area. Throw on a cover up and get what you want. While I like poolside options, I also like the idea of having a much wider variety of food to choose from.

 

Johnny Rockets is a 50s diner burger joint that is pretty good. Cover charge includes all food, drink and shakes you want, so not a bad deal really and they are good burgers. Haven't had Guy's (sailing on Breeze in Sept) so can't compare to them, but they are not the typical theme park dry burger made from frozen meat. Good stuff.

 

I beg to differ about Sorrentos. I found them to be much better than the frozen pizza you described. It may have changed since our voyage, but when we sailed it was a nice late night treat.

 

The Freedom is my second favorite ship I've ever sailed on (Disney Fantasy is my favorite). She is beautiful. Very elegant. The Promenade is wonderful. It can get a bit like a shopping mall at certain times of the day, but it can also be like a nice stroll down an elegant walkway.

 

The shows are excellent and to me, live music makes it that much better. We did the backstage tour and were really amazed at how they put them together.

 

While food is subjective, I know what shoe leather tastes like and I can't say I've every had to eat a shoe leather steak on ANY cruise line MDR. I really have no idea where that comparison could have come from. The MDR food is about the same as you get anywhere. Typical banquet quality dinner but with more options.

 

Someone mentioned the electronic message boards. Those were awesome. Talk about getting around the ship easy. Great addition I've not seen on any other ship.

 

There are 2 Freestyle machines by Sorrentos and 2 in the Windjammer (plus there was one in the Arcade though I don't know if it's still there). There aren't any outside by the pool.

 

Johnny Rocket's cover charge does not include drinks or milkshakes - those are for an extra charge. Though if you have the soda package, you can use it there. On the Freedom and Voyager class, there are no wheelchair accessible tables in Johnny Rockets (FYI - may not affect other people but it does us - my mother in her wheelchair would have had to sit at the end of the booth and it had to be outside - both times we've tried to eat there, it was far too windy to stay).

 

I agree with Ryano - Royal's pizza is the pits. Carnival has the fresh made, thin crust pizza that tastes good.