melski94

You could go to Playa Mia on your own for $30 USD (no food or drink) plus transportation.  I am someone who avoids ship tours and have been there without a ship tour.  We literally had an extra hour at the beach after the excursions left and we still returned to the ship 90 minutes prior to all aboard.  Playa Mia is also very crowded with 7 ships in especially during lunch.
IMHO, for $55 USD, go to Nachi Cocum.  That is the only place that limits the number of guests to about 100.  It is about $30 pp more (including a taxi) than the Playa Mia excursion but does include lunch and bottled water.  This would really give you a quiet beach day.

I took the survey last night.  It was a very interesting survey and they are looking at what you think of their new marketing plan for late nights at CoCo Cay.  

I wonder how many people are like me and would like to gamble but won't go near the casino because of the smoke.  I can't stand the smell and hate how that smell lingers in your clothes after being around it.  

I wonder how many people are like me and would like to gamble but won't go near the casino because of the smoke.  I can't stand the smell and hate how that smell lingers in your clothes after being around it.  

Not all ships have a teen registration but Harmony did.  It was not at the same time as Adventure Ocean registration but around 5 pm (check the cruise compass) in the teen lounge.  It isn't a big deal if you miss it as they will still allow you to register the first night.  As others have said the first night is the most important night to go for the meet and greets.  There will be a teen compass for the activities.  My kids were in the hang out and roam the ship group too but I've seen others participate in the activities (teen flowrider, scavenger hunts, etc).

Not all ships have a teen registration but Harmony did.  It was not at the same time as Adventure Ocean registration but around 5 pm (check the cruise compass) in the teen lounge.  It isn't a big deal if you miss it as they will still allow you to register the first night.  As others have said the first night is the most important night to go for the meet and greets.  There will be a teen compass for the activities.  My kids were in the hang out and roam the ship group too but I've seen others participate in the activities (teen flowrider, scavenger hunts, etc).

I wonder how many people are like me and would like to gamble but won't go near the casino because of the smoke.  I can't stand the smell and hate how that smell lingers in your clothes after being around it.  

I'm booked on the cruise with the family hopefully.  Our school will  release Spring Break dates in November.  Fingers crossed it works out!

I'm booked on the cruise with the family hopefully.  Our school will  release Spring Break dates in November.  Fingers crossed it works out!

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99 days til we go on the cruise!
99 days til we go!
Sun goes down and comes back around,
98 days til we go on the cruise!
 
98 days til we go on the cruise!
98 days til we go!
Sun goes down and comes back around,
97 days til we go on the cruise!
 
97 days til we go on the cruise!
97 days til we go!
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One advantage of the Key on Navigator is the priority for water slides.  Navigator gives out a wrist band for the Key which basically allows you to push ahead of the line for the water slides.  The slides lines can get quite long.  I haven't heard this perk on other ships but it is on Navigator.  
 

We did Wonderland on Symphony and while it was the best dessert I've ever eaten, I'm not sure I'd do it again.  Nothing was bad, but nothing was amazing either (except dessert that was amazing).  While my sailing could have been different, there were a ton of kids in the restaurant which didn't exactly make for a nice romantic dinner.  I wasn't really impressed with the service.  They made me feel like Wonderland was doing me a favor by allowing me to eat there.
I agree with @Skid and would suggest 150 CP.  A much better all around experience.  

The best thing is to buy it at a price you feel comfortable with and if it goes lower cancel it and rebuy it.  The cheapest prices are not always available for every ship and every sailing.  However, to give you an idea a decent price for the drink package is $49-$52.  If you can get it at $47 or $49 then its a great deal but your sailing may not see that price.   For internet, the cheaper prices are about $11.99 for 1 device.  
I tend to find the cheapest sales around Black Friday.  That being said the prices are rarely cheaper than the above prices.  

We had a Thrill Island cabana on Navigator last week. I love the beach bungalows on Labadee but I don't know if I'd do it again.  The cabana manager said Symphony and Harmony prices are MUCH higher than other ships.  Our next cruise is on Harmony and the same cabana is $400 more so not worth it to me.  BTW, don't do Thrill Island with kids your ages.
IMO, a cabana on CocoCay is a luxury and one I wouldn't pay $900 for.  If you get off the ship early, there are plenty of chairs under shade to grab.  
RC seems to be rerouting several cruises to CocoCay.  Probably to get the maximum value out of their investment.  This typically doesn't happen except for weather or other real reasons, but IMO lately its for profits.  Our May cruise on Symphony was rerouted to Cococay too.  The prices were expensive so we just made it a free shore day and it was great.

We had a Thrill Island cabana on Navigator last week. I love the beach bungalows on Labadee but I don't know if I'd do it again.  The cabana manager said Symphony and Harmony prices are MUCH higher than other ships.  Our next cruise is on Harmony and the same cabana is $400 more so not worth it to me.  BTW, don't do Thrill Island with kids your ages.
IMO, a cabana on CocoCay is a luxury and one I wouldn't pay $900 for.  If you get off the ship early, there are plenty of chairs under shade to grab.  
RC seems to be rerouting several cruises to CocoCay.  Probably to get the maximum value out of their investment.  This typically doesn't happen except for weather or other real reasons, but IMO lately its for profits.  Our May cruise on Symphony was rerouted to Cococay too.  The prices were expensive so we just made it a free shore day and it was great.

Probably too soon.  Keep checking as it should open in a month or two.
 

The rooms will be ready at 1.  Luggage needs to go through the xrays and carry on sized bags are the ones that will fit.  Luggage is typically delivered outside your stateroom or maybe down the hall but not actually to your room.  

Absolutely safe.  We really enjoy Old San Juan and my kids (youngest is 7) like walking the forts, especially El Morro. It’s only about $8 admission to both forts for adults, kids are free.  Its cheap way to explore for a few hours.  

I agree with @MarvinS about Roatan.  It was the best snorkeling we've experienced in the Caribbean.  We did a 3rd party boat snorkeling tour with a few different stops but you can snorkel right off of West Bay beach.  You will need some kind of taxi or transportation to get there.  Nothing near the pier.
IMO, Cozumel doesn't have great beach snorkeling.  If you want a cheap beach day, look at Paradise Beach.  It's not walking distance but an easy taxi ride.

While I've never been on Freedom, I have been on both of her sister ships.  Here's my take on negative reviews:  ignore them!  You can find any of the same complaints on any land or cruise vacations.  Remember, there are always more people willing to write a negative review than a positive review. 
1.  Food is very subjective.  Are you a foodie?  If so, then you may want to skip the MDR and eat at specialty restaurants.  I think of the MDR as above average wedding type food as they are serving a thousand people at the same time.  My family is fine with it.  We've had some very good dishes and some just ok dishes but never anything horrible.  If you don't like what they bring, just ask for something else.  The wait staff really works to help you.  Windjammer isn't my favorite (not a fan of buffets in general) but its fine.  It can be crowded during peak times but since there are only 2 of you, it won't be a huge deal to find a table.
2.  Very rude passengers.  You can find them at any time on both land and cruise vacations.  I haven't found anyone super rude but there are many people who think they are special.
3.  Over-crowding.  I've never found the Freedom class or any RC ship to feel generally overcrowded.  There are crowded times (after muster drill, after shows) but if you are ok to use the stairs, it isn't a big deal.  
The blog is taking a group cruise on Freedom over NYE so there are many people here willing to sail on Freedom.  Looking at Freedom's schedule, Freedom would have been recently renovated under the Amp program by when you sail.  Now is a good time to book as other ships that have been Amped have gone up in price once it was published what would be done to the ship.

For Cozumel, I would suggest looking into Playa Mia.  It is a bit of a miss on food but has a large toddler friendly splash park and a decent beach. 

Are you on My Time Dining or Traditional?  With MTD, they might try to put you at a table for 2.  With Traditional dining, you will be at the same table each night.  If your kids aren't eating with you then it would be a no-show.  Empty seats happen all the time with Traditional.

While I've never been on Freedom, I have been on both of her sister ships.  Here's my take on negative reviews:  ignore them!  You can find any of the same complaints on any land or cruise vacations.  Remember, there are always more people willing to write a negative review than a positive review. 
1.  Food is very subjective.  Are you a foodie?  If so, then you may want to skip the MDR and eat at specialty restaurants.  I think of the MDR as above average wedding type food as they are serving a thousand people at the same time.  My family is fine with it.  We've had some very good dishes and some just ok dishes but never anything horrible.  If you don't like what they bring, just ask for something else.  The wait staff really works to help you.  Windjammer isn't my favorite (not a fan of buffets in general) but its fine.  It can be crowded during peak times but since there are only 2 of you, it won't be a huge deal to find a table.
2.  Very rude passengers.  You can find them at any time on both land and cruise vacations.  I haven't found anyone super rude but there are many people who think they are special.
3.  Over-crowding.  I've never found the Freedom class or any RC ship to feel generally overcrowded.  There are crowded times (after muster drill, after shows) but if you are ok to use the stairs, it isn't a big deal.  
The blog is taking a group cruise on Freedom over NYE so there are many people here willing to sail on Freedom.  Looking at Freedom's schedule, Freedom would have been recently renovated under the Amp program by when you sail.  Now is a good time to book as other ships that have been Amped have gone up in price once it was published what would be done to the ship.

While I've never been on Freedom, I have been on both of her sister ships.  Here's my take on negative reviews:  ignore them!  You can find any of the same complaints on any land or cruise vacations.  Remember, there are always more people willing to write a negative review than a positive review. 
1.  Food is very subjective.  Are you a foodie?  If so, then you may want to skip the MDR and eat at specialty restaurants.  I think of the MDR as above average wedding type food as they are serving a thousand people at the same time.  My family is fine with it.  We've had some very good dishes and some just ok dishes but never anything horrible.  If you don't like what they bring, just ask for something else.  The wait staff really works to help you.  Windjammer isn't my favorite (not a fan of buffets in general) but its fine.  It can be crowded during peak times but since there are only 2 of you, it won't be a huge deal to find a table.
2.  Very rude passengers.  You can find them at any time on both land and cruise vacations.  I haven't found anyone super rude but there are many people who think they are special.
3.  Over-crowding.  I've never found the Freedom class or any RC ship to feel generally overcrowded.  There are crowded times (after muster drill, after shows) but if you are ok to use the stairs, it isn't a big deal.  
The blog is taking a group cruise on Freedom over NYE so there are many people here willing to sail on Freedom.  Looking at Freedom's schedule, Freedom would have been recently renovated under the Amp program by when you sail.  Now is a good time to book as other ships that have been Amped have gone up in price once it was published what would be done to the ship.

What kind of compensation are you looking for?  Yes, you should be refunded any cost for your shore excursion but beyond that RC does not owe you anything else.  RC has the right to change the ports at any time for numerous reasons, ie weather, harbor issues, propulsion issues, medical evacuations and more. It is in the cruise contract.  Port changes happen ALL the time,  Yes, it is disappointing but sorry you don't deserve any other compensation.  You were notified prior to final payment date and you could always change your cruise if you feel disappointed.