what's so great about freedom of the seas?

[beach_babe]

hey everyone I am a newbie, this is my first post but been lurking the boards for some time now :)

 

so I am about to book my first cruise and my friends are looking at the Freedom of the Seas. I would like any voyager ship at this point because they all seem pretty cool, but my friends are convinced that this is THE best ship to sail on seeing as they have been on many cruises before.

 

what I would like to know is what is so great about this ship? How different is it from the other Voyager ships?

 

what is wrong with the mariner, explorer or navigator? :confused:

[Aprille]

First of all, welcome to CC. :)

 

There is nothing "wrong" with Mariner, Explorer or Navigator but Freedom is not a Voyager class ship. It is larger, newer (not even scheduled for it's inaugural cruise until June 2006) and in a class all it's own. That is why your friends, who sound like seasoned cruisers, are excited to try her out.

 

For a first cruise any ship will do. Heck, I've only been on two cruises and they were both on Vision class ships. We're moving up to Radiance next cruise. If you've never been on a cruise even a Vision class ship seems huge so, if I were you, I'd choose an itinerary I like and go for it. (Realizing, of course, that itineraries are subject to change especially on a Caribbean cruise.)

[glen tev]

It's great to see everyone jazzed about Freedom,but i have the same reservations.How are a 1,000 more people going to affect the operation of the ship(pool area,buffets,tendered excursions)I have sailed voyager class twice and was happy both times and probably continue to do so until the 2nd ship in the ultra-voyager class is built.Let Freedom break in for a while and work all the bugs out and see some reviews.

[beach_babe]

hey guys thanks for the advice :)

 

I have been checking dates and prices for the Navigtor, it is easier to drive to Miami.

 

Does anyone think there will be a Freedom Class ship sailing from San Juan in the future?

Maybe that could be my second cruise!!!!

[imatarb]

I just don't see the buzz. I guess I'd rather book a smaller class ship, get excellent service, avoid such high number of people, and save some $$.

 

This isn't to say that I wouldn't try out the Freedom, but I'll wait until some of the hype has died down a bit.

[hershey555]

I think a lot of the hype is because it is going to be a NEW ship. People love new ships. I won't be doing the surfing or using the water park, but I think it would be awesome to see what they can do with a ship. There are three Ultra Voyagers on order according to Capt. Olsen. I don't think the prices are bad at all. I got a balcony on the Oct. 15th Member's cruise for $1079. Then I discount my Diamond status and use the coupon and it is just barely costing $900. I did check the prices for the summer and they were off the wall, though. I wouldn't book then if I could wait until the fall when the prices are half the summer ones. That is the way the industry is though. The price goes way up during the summer because that is the only time teachers, and lots of kids can go.

 

I am hyped about the Freedom, I think it will be facsinating to see.

[RDeagazio]

Personally, the Freedom holds no interest to me. I will be sailing on one of the pre-inaugural trips in May, but after that I have no desire to sail on this ship, and most likely won't unless I book a large for which I will have to escort. I'm sure this ship, like all the other RCI ships, will be stunning, but due to the added amenities (water park, surfing, etc) I imagine this ship will be over run with kids, which also does not appeal to me at all. While I have sailed on all of RCI ships including the Voyager class many times, I prefer the Radiance and Vision class ships the best due to their wide expanses of glass in all the public areas. The Voyager and Ultra-Voyager class ships just don't have a "ship feel" since there is little use of glass in the public areas.

[hershey555]

I, as you, want to "SEE" the Freedom. I think it will be a great experiece. I don't do any of the "watersports" so just seeing it will be good enough. Exactly what you will be doing on the pre-inaugural you are going on in May.

If you weren't a least little bit curious, you would have declined the invitation to see the Freedom. I think everyone is just a tad bit curious.

 

I agree 100% with you on the Radiance Class ships. They are the most beautiful ships out there with all of the glass. I was in awe on my first Radiance and have sailed all of them since.

 

Since you will get a really first had look at the Freedom, I will look forward to reading what you have to say about it.

hershey

[RDeagazio]

Hershey, On the pre-inaugural cruise, I will explore the ship, take pictures to post on my Webshots page and gain first hand experience which I will use to help my clients who might be interested in this ship. The pre-inaugurals are kid free and since they are 2 day cruises to nowhere, I'll have 2 full days to explore the ship and all she offers.

[beach_babe]

I will wait to SEE the pics of the Freedom, at this stage I am not cruising ONLY for the ships so price is a big factor for me. I have seen many, many pics of the Navigator and she is beautiful. I mean, honestly, how much of a depature from that forumla can Freedom be?

[hershey555]

Hi R. Deagazio,

 

I know what goes on during a pre-inaugural, that is why I am going to be anxiously waiting for your phots. I am also a TA and will be able to tell my clients all about it. I will be sailing with my group on the Member's Cruise.

I would like to know ahead of time what to look for, so I am really interested in your photos.

Might even see you aboard.

hershey

[RDeagazio]

Hey Hhershey, sorry, I thought you were asking what I was going to do on the pre inaugural... LOL. I'm not sure which date I'll be going sine they will be doing a series of these cruises during the month of May. If you happen to go, hopefully we'll be on the same one.

[beachchick]

Honestly? We don't feel that Freedom is going to be all-that compared to Voyager class. It will have the wave pool surfing thing and the cantilevered hot tubs, plus some other "goodies." As has been mentioned though, it will also have many more pax.

 

Frankly, the amenities are not enough to make up for the higher pax level and the itinerary (which we don't care to do). Voyager class ships are wonderful--there's not a thing wrong with them (or the Radiance class for that matter; in fact, the Vision class is nice too).

 

As always, JMHO.

 

beachchick

[glentally]

I agree 100% with you on the Radiance Class ships. They are the most beautiful ships out there with all of the glass. I was in awe on my first Radiance and have sailed all of them since.

 

Hello,

 

Which ships are the radianance class?

 

Glen

[wrp96]

Hello,

 

Which ships are the radiance class?

 

Glen

 

Radiance, Brilliance, Serenade, and Jewel.

[beach_babe]

well we have booked the Navigator I convinced my friends that we could do alot with the extra $$$ :D

 

Freedom will only be the "new" ship next year, then there will be another new ship and another so I guess at some point I might be able to sail on a new ship.

 

When it came down to price there was no debate for me.