PRC

I've been in them on all 3 Freedom class, plus Navigator and Mariner.  I've barely heard anything during the parades/parties.  The rest of the time its 100% silent.

I will update on how they're operating etc on the 28th.

 

Interesting observations on the crew, etc.  I was on Liberty for her inagural 9-nite from Galveston and never had any issues, but I would guess there has been a lot of staff rotation since the drydock.

 

That being said, I've always felt that even though all the ships in the fleet operate by the same basic playbook, each one has its own individual "vibe". For example, I sailed 4 ships last year, 3 of them being Freedom Class, and even with those 3 being almost identical, each felt very different.  Not necessarily bad, just different.

 

You will see threads on message boards where people track and obsess over who the Captian is/will be or the Cruise Director.  I personally feel that the person who really sets the "vibe" of the ship, and impacts virtually everything that affects the guests, is the Hotel Director.  He/She is the one who will create a happy crew or a sad crew.  Enough staff in the right locations at the right times?  Thats the HD.  

 

IMHO I think that the company should use Michael Rasmussen (was "A" shift HD for Freedom for years, now moving to Radiance) as the gold standard.  He always seems to have things running in top form with a very happy crew!

 

Can't wait to revisit Liberty in 2 weeks to see how she's changed since November!

It's not Sunset's parking.  There are some condos and other things back in there to the south of Sunset, and its just kind of a big unpaved area where people park for everything.  Kind of chaotic at times, but you should have no issues finding a spot ;)

 

My last visit there was this past Sept.  All of the sand was gone leaving nothing but the rocks.  Still a great day at the Sunset and plane watching. 

 

Hopefully the sand will be built back up by June!

Liberty had that advertized last November, but Independence last September did not (that I noticed).  Trial offer on a select few ships maybe?

There was a single time I had an issue.  It used to be that before you could connect with your own device you had to go to the RC Online location (where they have all the neglected and much abused desktops) and set your account up there.  I did, fighting my way through a flakey keyboard and mouse.  When I clicked the final "purchase" apparently it hit 4 times!  Once I saw that on the interactive TV, I had to go to the desk and convince them that since I was sailing solo I really did not want to buy 4 packages!

I've never known of any tender tickets needed to CocoCay.  RCCL owns the tenders (CocoCutter 1, CocoCutter 2, etc.), and they run continuously all day.  

I've gone 8 out of 10.  One of the times we missed it was a sea day with extra activities added, the other was the same but since Nassau was the next stop we headed there early and overnighted.  

Here's a video of my wife doing the zipline at Labadee. ( I have one of her on the one at Alaska's Icy Strait Point too ).

 

Casino is strictly cash.  You can get cash on tour seapass card, with a 5% fee.  There is a daily limit but I don't know what it is.

In Grand Cayman everyone should visit the stingrays at least once.  Many people selling trips right at the pier.  Capt. Marvin is a popular and long time operator.  RCCL offers trips there as well.  I've done the RCCL Catamaran Sail and Stingray City excursion and it was great fun.  

 

The area around the port is full of shopping and eateries.  Very safe, I've been a few times where I never left the pier area, just wandered around the shops and such.  

Agreed.  Plenty to see in all directions!

Are you sailing a round trip on a one direction?

 

Our Alaska sailing on Radiance was the southbound trip, starting in Seward and ending in Vancouver (she does she oposite the following week).  We chose port side.  I did this as it would be primarily toward land, but in reality it only made a difference the first morning while we finished crossing the Gulf of Alaska headed to Hubbard Glacier (we saw the mountains in the distance instead of open ocean).  After that, there were wonderful sights all around and it really didn't matter.  

 

While which side of the ship faces the pier/town can and will vary from week to week, in our instance we viewed the water/inlet in Skagway, the town in Juneau, the town in Hoonah/Icy Strait, and town in Ketchikan.  

All 3 of the Freedom sisters do as I recall, and I believe Mariner and Navigator did as well.  Not walk in or large by any means, but they did seem to have a variety.  (can't remember if Voyager did)

 

I'm not a cigar afficionado, but I find the connoisseur club a relaxing place to read with a quiet atmosphere (most of the time).

Yes.  The grats are placed on your Seapass account.  The credit is deducted from your Seapass account.

 

(assuming you are NOT pre-paying the grats and will let them be charged to your seapass daily)

What DocLC said.

 

Be sure to call the Aussie office... many times there are different policies, regulations, etc in different regions.

Well, they've proven that Europe is do-able, as both Oasis and Allure did a series of sailings in the Med while they were back overe there for their 5 yr drydocks.  

 

Wherever it is, it will need to have a terminal big enough to turn that many pax around, a supply chain that can stock a ship that size, and a homeport that is deep enough and wide enough for it to get in and out.  That narrows the possibilities down a bit.  

 

After that, you need ports of call that can be reached from that homeport and are also deep enough and wide enough to accomodate it.  Also need those ports of call to have the capability of accepting that many pax.  (remember, they don't do Cayman on the classic western because you can't tender that many pax in a reasonable timeframe.  This was a big part of why Labadee finally built a pier.)

 

I don't know anything about China or Asia/Pacific ports so I have no idea who/where would meet these needs.  I just can't see all 4 staying on Florida's east coast though...

As of this moment, the Diamond lounge is for Diamond and above.  Always lots of rumors about change, but this is what it is until Royal announces otherwise.

Stayed at the Embassy Suites.  They kept the car, and shuttle to and from the ship was included.  

Sunset prices are average.  Not bad.  

 

The taxis to Maho I recall were $8 per person if you have more than 4 people.  Always someone to share the ride with!  That was one way, same price for return.

I've only been to Barbados once.  We just walked thru town to The Boatyard.  OK beach, decent eats.

 

Will be there again this November.  Haven't made any plans yet.

Sorry, I am of no help with shopping and restaurants!

Orient Beach is beautiful.  If you venture to the nude side (it is a French territory after all), remember that reality rarely lives up to imagination! This goes for guys and gals!

 

The beach right in Phillipsburg is also very nice.  Not quite Orient, but very close and all the facilities you could want.

 

Maho is a great experience.  Plenty of taxis to and from, but mind your time, as sometimes there is BAD traffic in the afternoon getting back.  Last season's storm activity removed literally ALL the sand, leaving only rock.  It was still that way my last visit 4 months ago.  The Sunset Bar & Grill on the south edge is a great place with good eats!

Are you referring to right in the port complex or down in Mahajual?  

 

No big names in either place.  The big place at the pier is quite lively (and LOUD).  I always head to town ($2 and 5 minutes)

 

Down in town its mom and pop type places that each have their corresponding area across the road direct on the beach.  I've been to a few, not much difference in them, but Pez Quadro sticks in my mind.  

 

You won't find a party atmosphere in town like at the port.  Laid back eating direct on the beach (tables/chairs/umbrellas/loungers included).  

 

If you are looking to visit the Mayan ruins, I would recommend The Native Choice.  Two local guys (David & Ivan) that have done this since the port opened.  

 

I know they just opened up a big activity park but have not been to it.

I've used Embassy on 17th, They do park-n-cruise (the number of spaces is limited).  Did Taxi.

I've used Hyatt Pier 66 on 17th, They do park-n-cruise.  Shuttle to pier included.

I've used the LaQuinta down on 26th, they do park-n-cruise (I think they still do).  Fee for shuttle to pier.

I've used the Comfort Inn on US1 between 17th and 18th with park-n-cruise, but I would not recommend it.  Did Taxi.

Hilton Marina on 17th does park-n-cruise, never used them but I know they limit the number.

My next sailing from FLL will be at the Holiday Inn Express on 17th.  Park-n-cruise confirmed, but they do limit the number as well.  Will taxi to pier.

D+  is $80 off any package.