Mitch

Well, we did our first cruise in September. A trip for 11 days to Hawaii. I must admit that we both were apprehensive about it. Now we can say, why did we feel that way. It was the best trip we have ever gone on. Our experience was wonderful.  On our flight home, we said we're going back in a couple years. Taking another cruise there. Why we didn't do this sooner in a 40 year marriage, we don't know. We can't say enough about the cruise, staff, food, and excursions. Thank you to everyone who answered questions for us. We have since recommended cruising to many family and friends. 

Well, we did our first cruise in September. A trip for 11 days to Hawaii. I must admit that we both were apprehensive about it. Now we can say, why did we feel that way. It was the best trip we have ever gone on. Our experience was wonderful.  On our flight home, we said we're going back in a couple years. Taking another cruise there. Why we didn't do this sooner in a 40 year marriage, we don't know. We can't say enough about the cruise, staff, food, and excursions. Thank you to everyone who answered questions for us. We have since recommended cruising to many family and friends. 

Well, we did our first cruise in September. A trip for 11 days to Hawaii. I must admit that we both were apprehensive about it. Now we can say, why did we feel that way. It was the best trip we have ever gone on. Our experience was wonderful.  On our flight home, we said we're going back in a couple years. Taking another cruise there. Why we didn't do this sooner in a 40 year marriage, we don't know. We can't say enough about the cruise, staff, food, and excursions. Thank you to everyone who answered questions for us. We have since recommended cruising to many family and friends. 

Well, we did our first cruise in September. A trip for 11 days to Hawaii. I must admit that we both were apprehensive about it. Now we can say, why did we feel that way. It was the best trip we have ever gone on. Our experience was wonderful.  On our flight home, we said we're going back in a couple years. Taking another cruise there. Why we didn't do this sooner in a 40 year marriage, we don't know. We can't say enough about the cruise, staff, food, and excursions. Thank you to everyone who answered questions for us. We have since recommended cruising to many family and friends. 

Well, we did our first cruise in September. A trip for 11 days to Hawaii. I must admit that we both were apprehensive about it. Now we can say, why did we feel that way. It was the best trip we have ever gone on. Our experience was wonderful.  On our flight home, we said we're going back in a couple years. Taking another cruise there. Why we didn't do this sooner in a 40 year marriage, we don't know. We can't say enough about the cruise, staff, food, and excursions. Thank you to everyone who answered questions for us. We have since recommended cruising to many family and friends. 

Well, we did our first cruise in September. A trip for 11 days to Hawaii. I must admit that we both were apprehensive about it. Now we can say, why did we feel that way. It was the best trip we have ever gone on. Our experience was wonderful.  On our flight home, we said we're going back in a couple years. Taking another cruise there. Why we didn't do this sooner in a 40 year marriage, we don't know. We can't say enough about the cruise, staff, food, and excursions. Thank you to everyone who answered questions for us. We have since recommended cruising to many family and friends. 

Well, we did our first cruise in September. A trip for 11 days to Hawaii. I must admit that we both were apprehensive about it. Now we can say, why did we feel that way. It was the best trip we have ever gone on. Our experience was wonderful.  On our flight home, we said we're going back in a couple years. Taking another cruise there. Why we didn't do this sooner in a 40 year marriage, we don't know. We can't say enough about the cruise, staff, food, and excursions. Thank you to everyone who answered questions for us. We have since recommended cruising to many family and friends. 

He's just trying to make a buck and get his 15 minutes of fame ...... that's the extent of his compassion.

Basically someone didnt watch their child and was careless resulting in the childs death.  Instead of taking responsibility the family is going to try and cash in on this horrible situation.  If they sue I hope the judge throws it out and charges the family with ALL court costs.  

Not sure if anyone familiar with Freedom can tell from these screen captures from the news report showing the start of the investigation exactly where this is on the ship. It looks like there are a few windows open...
Bottom line, only after an adult lifts a child that high (estimating 4 feet or so above the deck) in the air could they possibly fall out. Unless you have extremely poor eyesight and cannot feel a breeze it's blatantly obvious when a window is open. Why would you even think of placing a child up against a glass/plexiglass pane in the first place? How is that cute or funny? You can also see all of the tables and chairs right behind the investigators... 
When we were in the Solarium on Allure, I immediately noticed the open windows (I recall they were higher of course) that they opened for circulation. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to notice them.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1150533/royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-freedom-of-the-seas-death-baby-girl-san-juan-puerto-rico

 

I don't recall any ship having a kids play area near the windows.  I suspect that is the media misreporting the deck plans.  Typically the ships have seating areas along the windows, there is no specific kids play areas there.  Sometimes these areas have tables and chairs for eating and sometimes it's simply chairs. 
The windows are tinted and it's very obvious when a window is open both from a visual perspective but also from sounds plus feeling of air moving through the window. It's apparent by many different sensory inputs.  Let's face it, the glass and tinting is old and never so clean so that you can mistake glass from open window.  
I've never walked in this area and been surprised that a window was open.  I've never thought to myself "I had no idea that window was open".   I still struggle to understand how the grandfather didn't notice an open window.  

Less than 48 hours and already lawyer-ed up.  Not feeling as much pity as yesterday for the family's loss.

Hundreds of lawyers probably contacted them, the ambulance chasing type.  Probably planted some seeds that may not be financially motivated in concept, except for the lawyer's motivation who will take a big cut of any settlement or award.

Umm.. I'm not sure if that was me that I could hire an attorney so quickly and file suite against RCI. I'd be grief stricken and trying to come to grips with planning a funeral that I should never have to be planning. From the news reports it now gives me the sense that the family is now focused on the almighty $$$ rather than getting to the truth which maybe they already know. RCI won't be commenting or giving the family any answers until the company attorney's weigh in. Such a tragic loss.

Hate to say, but the poor grandfather isn't going to care one way or the other if other people don't blame him. Having had to take my youngest to the ER as a newborn after stubbornly refusing to think she had anything more than a cold, and feeling guilt to this day over that no matter how many times family members told me it wasn't my fault and I couldn't have known, I'm reasonably certain the grandfather will never stop blaming himself even if the family reaches a settlement with Royal. ?

You are so right. And when it comes to writing fairy tales the Brothers Grimm are amateurs when it comes to what lawyers can come up with.

Amazing how the story keeps changing... and now I’m sure this is the one the family will stick with in order to save face and put the blame on the corporation with the deep pockets. 
The incident is truly heartbreaking and, as a mother, I truly feel for the family. But placing the blame where it doesn’t belong isn’t going to bring that baby girl back. 

I have been watching many cruise videos on do's and don'ts for first time cruisers. One thing I see is always arrive the day before the ship is to depart. My first cruise is coming up in 134 days (I think).
Not coming in the day before. Flying in on the day of the cruise via Air2Sea flight with American Airlines. The flight lands at 2:00 and the terminal is 6 miles from airport. Is there a chance  I could miss the cruise ship. The ship pulls out at 4:00. 

I have been watching many cruise videos on do's and don'ts for first time cruisers. One thing I see is always arrive the day before the ship is to depart. My first cruise is coming up in 134 days (I think).
Not coming in the day before. Flying in on the day of the cruise via Air2Sea flight with American Airlines. The flight lands at 2:00 and the terminal is 6 miles from airport. Is there a chance  I could miss the cruise ship. The ship pulls out at 4:00. 

I have been watching many cruise videos on do's and don'ts for first time cruisers. One thing I see is always arrive the day before the ship is to depart. My first cruise is coming up in 134 days (I think).
Not coming in the day before. Flying in on the day of the cruise via Air2Sea flight with American Airlines. The flight lands at 2:00 and the terminal is 6 miles from airport. Is there a chance  I could miss the cruise ship. The ship pulls out at 4:00. 

Sailing on Radiance of the Seas in Hawaii May 5-17. Does anyone know if soap and/or shampoo is provided in the bathroom-we are booked in a “spacious balcony ocean view room.”

@Mitch  You want your carry on with anything you can't lose (medicine, jewelry, cash, a change of clothes, bathing suit, ipad, camera, etc).   When we arrive, we head straight to Windjammer for lunch.  After lunch we'll take care of any business (guest service, shore excursions, AO check in, specialty restaurant reservations) and maybe walk around and/or play mini golf.  At this point it is close to 1 pm and our rooms are ready.  We go to the room, drop off our carry on and change into our bathing suits.  Now we'll spend a few hours at the pool and about 3, I'll go back to the room to see if our luggage is there.  If so, I like to unpack before muster drill.  This is my typical routine and you may have a different one that works for you.
As far as crowds, I feel that the choke point is the elevators.  The wait will be long for the elevator after the muster drill, before dinner, after shows, etc.  I think that is when the crowds are most noticeable.  During the day, the crowds are spread out.  If you don't like crowds, you may want to eat lunch in the WJ before noon or after 2 or avoid the WJ and eat in the MDR.

I can understand what Joe is asking. We feel the same way. Its our first ever cruise and we are anxious to kinda know what to expect. Its a bit overwhelming for me. My husband feels the opposite. He said we've never gone on a cruise. The employees have done hundreds. They will be able to help us. Yet, I still don't understand why we take our carry on with us when the room may not be ready. What do we do with our stuff.  I keep reading, when you get on ship, walk around get to know the ship, go for a swim. Where do we change?

I think this thread has served a purpose.  Cruisers old and new have learned the ship will actually leave without you when you don't return in time.  Of the 6,000 on board, 5,998 made it back. 
I was on a cruise two weeks ago and I saw 60 - 80 people slowly walking up the pier well past all aboard time.  None were in a hurry.  One drunk girl lay on the concrete pier and rested (or passed out) .   I had to check my watch thinking I was an hour off.  I wasn't.  Crew were waving to them to hurry up.  The bridge blew the ship's horn.  People are way too cavalier and just assume the world revolves around them. 
I tire at the muster drill waiting for the stragglers to show up.  I tire on an excursion waiting for people who show up late.  
Hopefully this video will serve to educate everyone that a ship will leave without you.  It is your responsibility to be on time.
The cruise community has a name for these types of people.  "Pier Runners" and it transcends all cruise lines.   
This is about personal accountability and yes, two ships full of passengers will make fun of you when you miss the ship.  
Lesson learned - don't be late.