arielmomma
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2009
Hello everyone! My family recently cruised on DCL's Fantasy and now we are officially addicted to cruising! We currently have an OBB on the Fantasy again for next September, but we could cruise on RCCLs's Freedom for $1000 less for the exact same dates, so I am exploring my options. Let me preface by saying I have lots of questions, so thank you for any help you can give.
First off, let me tell you a bit about my family and our likes to see if the Freedom is for us. There is DH37, Me38, DS10, and DD7. My kids LOVED the Oceaneer Club and Lab on the Fantasy. DS likes the organized activities, while DD likes to go off and do her own thing, at her own pace.
While on the Fantasy, DH and I like to drop our kid off around lunch time and sit in the main dining room to have a quiet lunch by ourselves. I read a review of the Freedom that complained that the kids clubs were closed at lunch time and the parents didn't get to eat alone. Is this true?
Next off, we are the sort of folks who primarily stay on the ship on port days. What can we say, we like the ship more than the beach! Plus, that's when we like to take advantage of the pools. We did really enjoy Castaway Cay, but other than Labadee, we would probably stay onboard on port days. We do not drink alcohol and we do not gamble, so the bars and casinos are out for us. We also aren't shoppers. Would there still be plenty to do on port days? Is the MDR still open for lunch? Are the kids clubs open all day? Are the sports activities open?
On Labadee, if we brought our own snorkel gear can we snorkel for free in a specified area, or do we have to pay for the excursion?
This question is on behalf of my kids - I know there is soft serve, but is there hard-serve, hand scooped ice cream available in the buffet or MDR during lunch and dinner for free or do we have to go to Ben & Jerry's for it?
Can the kids order meals off of the adult's menu? I assume we can all order as much food as we like in the MDR?
If you do not purchase the soda package, do you at least get soda with your meals, or is it only the milk, lemonade, and tea, etc. that comes with your meal?
Are there many family-friendly shows, movies, and organized activities during the day? The one compass I saw said the "family" movie was Grown Ups 2 on the big screen by the pool. That's not one I would exactly call "family friendly" for the little ones. They had Man of Steel one other night in the evening in the theater, but that was it. Is this the normal amount of movies they show? Do they ever offer any during the day in the theater?
Is there a place where I can find recent Compasses for Freedom? I found one from two years ago, but it doesn't seem complete.
Thank you for any help that you can give. We had such a perfect time on the Fantasy, I must admit, I have high expectations! It looks like a great ship though. I'm looking forward to hearing what others have to say.
First off, let me tell you a bit about my family and our likes to see if the Freedom is for us. There is DH37, Me38, DS10, and DD7. My kids LOVED the Oceaneer Club and Lab on the Fantasy. DS likes the organized activities, while DD likes to go off and do her own thing, at her own pace.
While on the Fantasy, DH and I like to drop our kid off around lunch time and sit in the main dining room to have a quiet lunch by ourselves. I read a review of the Freedom that complained that the kids clubs were closed at lunch time and the parents didn't get to eat alone. Is this true?
Next off, we are the sort of folks who primarily stay on the ship on port days. What can we say, we like the ship more than the beach! Plus, that's when we like to take advantage of the pools. We did really enjoy Castaway Cay, but other than Labadee, we would probably stay onboard on port days. We do not drink alcohol and we do not gamble, so the bars and casinos are out for us. We also aren't shoppers. Would there still be plenty to do on port days? Is the MDR still open for lunch? Are the kids clubs open all day? Are the sports activities open?
On Labadee, if we brought our own snorkel gear can we snorkel for free in a specified area, or do we have to pay for the excursion?
This question is on behalf of my kids - I know there is soft serve, but is there hard-serve, hand scooped ice cream available in the buffet or MDR during lunch and dinner for free or do we have to go to Ben & Jerry's for it?
Can the kids order meals off of the adult's menu? I assume we can all order as much food as we like in the MDR?
If you do not purchase the soda package, do you at least get soda with your meals, or is it only the milk, lemonade, and tea, etc. that comes with your meal?
Are there many family-friendly shows, movies, and organized activities during the day? The one compass I saw said the "family" movie was Grown Ups 2 on the big screen by the pool. That's not one I would exactly call "family friendly" for the little ones. They had Man of Steel one other night in the evening in the theater, but that was it. Is this the normal amount of movies they show? Do they ever offer any during the day in the theater?
Is there a place where I can find recent Compasses for Freedom? I found one from two years ago, but it doesn't seem complete.
Thank you for any help that you can give. We had such a perfect time on the Fantasy, I must admit, I have high expectations! It looks like a great ship though. I'm looking forward to hearing what others have to say.