RCCL Freedom of the seas: Items you loved the most

[Pumpkin meme]

best tip : get an over water cabana at labadee.....magical.

 

[debsters41]

Following because I am also booked on FOS for August 2015... I couldn't wait any more for DCL I have been reading about it and I am getting more and more excited.

I do not gamble, but on Carnival on the first day in the casino they were giving away a cheap but effective lanyard cord thingy to hold the room key... is anything like that available on the Freedom by any chance?

 

[bumbershoot]

There are pretty, blingy, lanyards for 9.95 in the gift shops. I don't use casinos so I don't know about giveaways but Freedom had tons of those lanyards.



(Edited "bouncy" to "blingy")

 

[tweis]

Not trying to highjack OP's thread but depending on DCL's prices this week, we may book FOTS for 2015. I'm a little confused on how some of the "optional" eateries work. Do you pay menu prices in Johnny Rockets because I thought I saw where you pay $5 per person or something like that? So is that how they all work or only JR? There are a lot more options than DCL but I want to make sure I understand how everything works.

 

[woody73]

. . . Do you pay menu prices in Johnny Rockets because I thought I saw where you pay $5 per person or something like that? So is that how they all work or only JR? There are a lot more options than DCL but I want to make sure I understand how everything works.

Just like on DCL, you could sail an entire cruise on RCI without paying extra for food. But both lines offer up charge restaurants, such as Palo, Remy, Chops, Portofino, and Johnny Rockets.

For example, when we were on the Liberty last October, JR had a $4.95 pp cover charge. That included all the food and sides you wanted. Beverages were extra. They accepted beverage cards.

The up charge restaurants work the same as on DCL, though I don't think the server will bring a guest multiple entrees. But we've never left hungry. Just pay one fee pp. Drinks are not included, unless you do a wine pairing meal.

Woody

 

[tweis]

Just like on DCL, you could sail an entire cruise on RCI without paying extra for food. But both lines offer up charge restaurants, such as Palo, Remy, Chops, Portofino, and Johnny Rockets.

For example, when we were on the Liberty last October, JR had a $4.95 pp cover charge. That included all the food and sides you wanted. Beverages were extra. They accepted beverage cards.

The up charge restaurants work the same as on DCL, though I don't think the server will bring a guest multiple entrees. But we've never left hungry. Just pay one fee pp. Drinks are not included, unless you do a wine pairing meal.

Woody

Awesome! I'm sure we will want to visit some of the up charge restaurants since we do on DCL and who doesn't like Johnny Rockets. I just wasn't sure if there was a surcharge or if you paid like you would at any other Johnny Rockets. Thanks for clearing it up for me. I have already picked out a cruise on Freedom if DCL out prices me this week.

 

[toontoy]

We have a cruise onboard Freedom in December, this info looks great thanks for sharing it.

 

[of the seas]

We went last July and loved:
The ice show
The comedian
The Quest
The adult drink package
Chops Grille
Johnny Rockets
Olive and Twist
Our balcony!

 

[cyclenut]

We sailed the Freedom in June of 2012 and we loved every second of it. It was our 25th wedding anniversary and it was outstanding. We especially loved the shows. Once upon a time was magical. Live orchestra is something that you just can't top for theater and RCCL has that. The show was family appropriate but I think it was better than anything I have seen on DCL. We also did the behind the scenes tour for the theater. Very cool stuff.

The ice show was very good, and some was very impressive, but I was a little disappointed that there were so many falls. Not that I could do what they do, but I was just a bit surprised I guess.

The library is a nice retreat if you want to play a game or just get away, but you do have to check the schedule as they sometimes use the library for other things and will kick you out.

We ate in the MDR most nights and found it fine, but the Windjammer was surprisingly good with a large variety.

The fitness center was very nice and modern too.

We really liked formal night on the ship. The interior is elegant and they had a live orchestra on the promenade. It made it feel really nice. Some people don't like to be formal, but we do like to dress up now and again and the atmosphere made it worthwhile.

We enjoyed stopping in at Johnny Rockets for a burger and shake. It is an authentic experience and a break from normal cruise food. Sometimes you just gotta have a burger!

I was surprised at how friendly and helpful the photo team was. I had a camera problem and they had people there that were eager to help and even give me photo tips and things to look for in port that made for interesting shots. I suppose that could be hit or miss ... but hey.

I really couldn't think of anything that I would want to have different!

 

[bumbershoot]

The ice show was very good, and some was very impressive, but I was a little disappointed that there were so many falls. Not that I could do what they do, but I was just a bit surprised I guess.

I totally get that. But then we went ice skating on the rink, and realized how WEIRD it is to skate when the ground underneath you is moving! I'm not even a fraction of their caliber, but still, when suddenly you are skating "uphill" because you're going port and the ship is going starboard, it's different! And when you're going the same way, watch out!

After actually being on the rink and feeling the motion of the ship, I was not as surprised as I had been.

(and then after watching the Olympics and all of the falls on NON moving ice, I was even more empathetic!)



cruisecritic says that Johnny Rocket's is now 5.95, by the way.

 

[cyclenut]

We loved the promenade. Here are a few pics.

During parade

Looking up and out

One of the features is this staircase to a lower deck. Levied the cool design.

We also loved the theater.

The interior is just visually stunning.

 

[bumbershoot]

gorgeous pictures!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We're considering a cruise on Independence of the Seas, does she look the same inside as Freedom?

 

[cyclenut]

gorgeous pictures!

Thanks. We were just blown away by how great the ship was. Everyone talks about how great the Disney ships are, and they are very nice, but I think the pictures I included here show how well the Freedom compares.

Unfortunately, I don't know much about the Independence of the Seas.

Going off topic for just a second, I am also including a picture of the underground grotto from our stop in Jamaica.

I can't remember the exact name but it was the caves and waterfall hike excursion.

 

[Mouseketeers4]

We're considering a cruise on Independence of the Seas, does she look the same inside as Freedom?

We just cruised on Indy in February and it looks nearly identical to the pictures posted here. It didn't have any of the Madagascar character stuff though.