kevpeirce

Well finally pulled the trigger and scored a junior suite with an aft balcony on freedom ots on the sept 29th eastern Caribbean sailing! We’re in 7412 which seems like a good room for our first jr suite. I think we get priority boarding and double crown and anchor points if I’m not mistaken which was our big push to do it. Anyone have any tips or hidden gems on freedom? It will be my wife, two boys(second cruise for both even at 2 and 4) and myself. The biggest downside I see at this point is there’s going to be a walk to get to the elevators. 

Definitely carry a bathing suit on and grab a spot in the solarium, it’s warm, there’s a bar and great views sailing away! We left the first weekend of may back in 2019 so weather should be similar!

I think we were the first 4 passengers onboard! The fun has started…

Is it a wife GTY or do you get to choose your own wife ?  Probably an important detail.😜

No you do not but you’ll need to call to order and the other person has to get the refreshment package. 

No you do not but you’ll need to call to order and the other person has to get the refreshment package. 

No you do not but you’ll need to call to order and the other person has to get the refreshment package. 

I am not sure about gluten free but if you check out vlogs on Youtube from "Life with Favor" she is gluten free and sailed on Oasis this year.  She has a whole series out.  It might help.
We were on Oasis in July (and going again on 10/23, so warm the ship for us 🙂 ) and I was able to facetime and chat through Facebook Messenger.  Also, some regular texts came through too.   I don't have small kids, but definitely Adventure Ocean (deck 14).  The kids seem to really enjoy it from the people we chatted with.

I can't help you on Gluten free stuff
iMessage should work on Wifi, if you want to be sure just put your phone on airplane mode on your home wifi and test it.
Cruising with young children is great because there is a lot of things for kids to do and someone to take care of all the cooking etc.  Visit Adventure Ocean on the first day and make a plan to use it as you feel comfortable - I would recommend at least some adult time.

Spoke with reps again today as we changed our room and paid our gratuities for the 10/16 sailing on Oasis. This is the most information that I've been able to get from anyone so far. I was told this week 8/7-8/14 is a trial period for the CDC to conduct testing and there will be an official policy update out 9/30 after the data is reviewed. The rep claims the goal is to allow everyone to cruise regardless of vaccination status. As my wife and I are unvaccinated we were again reassured that we would receive a 100% refund as it is a change to the company policy. Obviously this is word of mouth so may not be 100% accurate but I'm somewhat inclined to believe this.

Spoke with reps again today as we changed our room and paid our gratuities for the 10/16 sailing on Oasis. This is the most information that I've been able to get from anyone so far. I was told this week 8/7-8/14 is a trial period for the CDC to conduct testing and there will be an official policy update out 9/30 after the data is reviewed. The rep claims the goal is to allow everyone to cruise regardless of vaccination status. As my wife and I are unvaccinated we were again reassured that we would receive a 100% refund as it is a change to the company policy. Obviously this is word of mouth so may not be 100% accurate but I'm somewhat inclined to believe this.

Spoke with reps again today as we changed our room and paid our gratuities for the 10/16 sailing on Oasis. This is the most information that I've been able to get from anyone so far. I was told this week 8/7-8/14 is a trial period for the CDC to conduct testing and there will be an official policy update out 9/30 after the data is reviewed. The rep claims the goal is to allow everyone to cruise regardless of vaccination status. As my wife and I are unvaccinated we were again reassured that we would receive a 100% refund as it is a change to the company policy. Obviously this is word of mouth so may not be 100% accurate but I'm somewhat inclined to believe this.

Spoke with reps again today as we changed our room and paid our gratuities for the 10/16 sailing on Oasis. This is the most information that I've been able to get from anyone so far. I was told this week 8/7-8/14 is a trial period for the CDC to conduct testing and there will be an official policy update out 9/30 after the data is reviewed. The rep claims the goal is to allow everyone to cruise regardless of vaccination status. As my wife and I are unvaccinated we were again reassured that we would receive a 100% refund as it is a change to the company policy. Obviously this is word of mouth so may not be 100% accurate but I'm somewhat inclined to believe this.

Updated Vaccination Protocol for U.S. and European Cruises
 
We continue to work with our destination partners to evolve our protocols and align with the broader travel industry, as we transition to the point that everyone can vacation with us. 

Starting with September 5thdepartures, all travelers regardless of vaccination status can cruise on the following itineraries, as long as they meet any testing requirements to board. 
  Cruises from Los Angeles, California. Browse itineraries. Cruises from Galveston, Texas. Browse itineraries.
(Note: Currently, only guests that show a valid vaccination record can get off the ship in Grand Cayman) Cruises from New Orleans, Louisiana. Browse itineraries.
(Note: Currently, only guests that show a valid vaccination record can get off the ship in Grand Cayman) Cruises from a European homeport. Browse itineraries.
(Note: Guests that are not “up to date” on their vaccination per EMA standards will need to take a test onboard in order to get off the ship in Greece and Spain) Vaccination requirements remain in place until further notice for any homeport not mentioned above. Visit our Getting Ready to Cruise page to view current protocols by homeport. 

No more vaccine out of Texas. Starting September 5 sailings although dumb test still required
Updated Protocols 
Galveston & Los Angeles 6-Nights or more
We’ve been diligently working with our destinations and have made great progress towards welcoming all guests onboard our ships. 

Our relaxed sailing protocols are confirmed for our departures from Galveston, Texas and Los Angeles, California sailing on or after September 5th, 2022, visiting the Western Caribbean and Mexico.
The intention is to work in phases as we relax our protocols. And, as they change, we are committed to keeping you informed.
Vaccination Recommended
We recommend that our guests be fully vaccinated against COVID‐19, if eligible. While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask you disclose your status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population. 

For sailings that visit Grand Cayman: Due to local regulations, unvaccinated guests 12 and older can join our sailing however, they’ll need to stay onboard when we arrive in Grand Cayman.
Testing
Pre-cruise 
All guests aged 2 and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of our sail date — this adds an extra day for our vaccinated guests to test. Additionally, we’ve removed boarding day, mid-cruise, and departure testing.

Accepted Tests 
Any FDA‐approved PCR or antigen test supervised in person or supervised by a telehealth professional meet this requirement. To learn more about our accepted tests, visit our FAQ.
Check out our Healthy Sail Center for our full sailing protocols

Spoke with reps again today as we changed our room and paid our gratuities for the 10/16 sailing on Oasis. This is the most information that I've been able to get from anyone so far. I was told this week 8/7-8/14 is a trial period for the CDC to conduct testing and there will be an official policy update out 9/30 after the data is reviewed. The rep claims the goal is to allow everyone to cruise regardless of vaccination status. As my wife and I are unvaccinated we were again reassured that we would receive a 100% refund as it is a change to the company policy. Obviously this is word of mouth so may not be 100% accurate but I'm somewhat inclined to believe this.

Spoke with reps again today as we changed our room and paid our gratuities for the 10/16 sailing on Oasis. This is the most information that I've been able to get from anyone so far. I was told this week 8/7-8/14 is a trial period for the CDC to conduct testing and there will be an official policy update out 9/30 after the data is reviewed. The rep claims the goal is to allow everyone to cruise regardless of vaccination status. As my wife and I are unvaccinated we were again reassured that we would receive a 100% refund as it is a change to the company policy. Obviously this is word of mouth so may not be 100% accurate but I'm somewhat inclined to believe this.

Spoke with reps again today as we changed our room and paid our gratuities for the 10/16 sailing on Oasis. This is the most information that I've been able to get from anyone so far. I was told this week 8/7-8/14 is a trial period for the CDC to conduct testing and there will be an official policy update out 9/30 after the data is reviewed. The rep claims the goal is to allow everyone to cruise regardless of vaccination status. As my wife and I are unvaccinated we were again reassured that we would receive a 100% refund as it is a change to the company policy. Obviously this is word of mouth so may not be 100% accurate but I'm somewhat inclined to believe this.

Oops, that becomes available when check in opens around 45 days out not at 90.  My mistake.

Cape Liberty is $25 a night

You might look at the Drink Price Calculator at Cruise Line Drink Package Calculator | Cruzely.com

I started our check in today for our cruise next month and got this notification when I went in and ticked that each of us were unvaxxed. 

The news also mentioned this lawsuit this morning in the Philly area, they said the families attorney is exploring a suit against the cruise line but local officials are also exploring charges against the grandfather as well.

When we sailed a month ago the one robot frequently spilled when filling the cups, occasionally even dropped the cup in sideways and would still try to fill it leaving a drink 3/4 full, hopefully they had the drink package.

@twangster for customer service of the year.