firegal2539

I would take a ship transfer from the port to the airport. They make sure you get off of the ship on time and to the airport by a chartered bus. They only thing I don't like is you have to wait until they fill the bus up. The other thing is you could do early disembarkation where you take your luggage off the ship yourself so you don't have to look for it at the port. You are the first passengers off of the ship if you do that. It is usually around 7 to 7:30 a.m. disembarkation. I have been to Seattle three times and wasn't impressed with the Space Needle or the area it is in. I really don't know what to tell you because I thought it was a big waste of time.

I could be wrong but it is my understanding that you get the CC when you get onboard, they are not available before your sail date.

I book mine in advance because only once, I wanted a certain excursion to some Mayan Ruins and I thought I would wait and use my OBC and when on ship the cruise excursion was closed. I decided never again, I will book online or by phone.

The last time I played bingo on RCCL was about a year ago. I have now stopped playing, reason, the cards were $30 for three, or you could get a more expensive pack that was $50, and the mega pack was around $60, and you played for about 45 minutes. There was also a bonus game that you had to buy extra cards for and I don't remember how much that was, but I think I spent around $50 total. You played three games and a bonus game. The extra bonus game was the blackout jackpot game. It started at covering your card in 50 numbers or less and was increased every time they played Bingo. On the last day they played until the Jackpot was won. You had to get to bingo about 30 to 45 minutes early to even get a seat. The cruise director staff did a great job, but they do talk and have certain numbers that they make fun of and joke about. As I said it was fun but too expensive for me. I actually won a game but there were so many people there that it was split between three of us, so we won about $45 each. On a seven day cruise you could easily spend around $250 to $300 playing bingo.

I just booked an 8 day Freedom of the Seas in December 2017. I am a solo cruiser, (I know, you all knew that already) and the total cost, with insurance, taxes/fees, and gratuities and $50 OBC came to $1700. I booked a 4 day Bahamas cruise and paid $1200, so I think I did very well. All of you talked me in to this cruise because of the great things you said about Freedom.

Great itinerary for this cruise. Since it is the Caribbean, there will be a lot of beach breaks offered, scuba and snuba diving. Every port has swimming with dolphins, which is fun to do. There is whale watching, I love to do this, Jeep Safari, Zip Lining (kids love it), Turtle Farm, etc. It will depend on what your children's preferences are. I can tell you I did the Turtle Farm and it was one of the most interesting excursions I have done. Just go online and print a brochure of all of the excursions and let your children read about them and see what appeals to them.

Thanks to all of you for your information. I now have a Freedom cruise booked. It sound like a wonderful ship.

I am always an early boarder, why I don't know except I go by when my flight gets me to the port. They send me to eat and tell me to come back around 1 pm. Luggage has arrived as early as 3 and as late as 7.

It is my understanding you have to get at least the Royal Refreshment package, which is just a soda package, $8 a day, to use the machines.

I read you're top ten freedom secrets and I want the Ben and Jerry's cabin. The rep I talked to said it is always one of the first to go when booking on Freedom, darn. I don't even know what a Promenade is, basically, I think it is a place with shops and restaurants, but all of the reviews said it was their favorite place. I didn't know there was a parade until I read your secrets, Matt. Thanks everyone, I am going to book it in a few minutes.

Thanks Spiegeje I appreciate your blog.

There is usually some kind of discount, 20%, off of drink packages the first day onboard. The thing I don't like is that I have to wait in line to sign up for it, when I can do it online, no waiting, and I know it is paid for before I sail.

Hi All, I have never sailed on Freedom. I have sailed on Jewel, Vision. Voyager, Serenade, Explorer and Enchantment. I am looking at a Freedom cruise on December 9, 2017 to the Eastern Caribbean. Can anyone that has sailed on her give me their opinion of her. Even if there are things you don't like, I would like to know. What is there to do on the ship, the staterooms, I am looking at a Promenade Interior, it sounds interesting. How was the staff, the food, the restaurants? Just a whole bunch of information. I appreciate anything you can give me. I have looked at cruisecritic.com reviews and for the most part seem to be good. Just am looking for good advice and information. Thanks!!

I have to agree with bcarney here. I am allergic to cigar smoke and I have told several people that were smoking them that and they don't care. One just told me to move, which I did. If I had on perfume that someone was allergic to and mentioned it to me I would head for the ladies room to try to wipe it off with a damp towel. I don't want to make anyone sick. The issue of my clothes smelling is bad. I can't wear them again because they smell like I spent the night in a bar. I understand it is something you enjoy but you need to think of other people when you're doing it.

Thanks Doc that was what I was saying. Any airline I have been on, United, Southwest, American, Delta, Alaska, Virgin, it is some do some don't, and I think it depends on how full the plane is, when it is full, they start restricting. I feel two per person, for women, a handbag/purse and a carry on and for men, a briefcase, laptop carrier and a carry on. That was all I was saying. Thanks for your input Doc, I appreciate it. Candie

Todd, I know what you're saying but on my recent flights from Dallas to Vegas and return, men as well as women were carrying three or more bags. Men tend to carry a briefcase type bag or a laptop bag and a backpack or carryon roller bag. Women have their purse, which I don't do that I have a backpack that I use as my purse and that is all I carry on the plane. Women also are seen carrying shopping bags, carryon roller luggage, laptop bags. As I said this woman that the gate attendant stopped, had a shopping bag, which she tried to say was her tote bag, and one roller bag, a duffel bag sitting on top of the roller bag and a backpack, that is four pieces. It needs to stop somewhere. The flight from Vegas to Dallas, I saw men who had three bags, but the gate attendant didn't stop them. What I am saying is a universal rule for all airlines, which will never happen, about what you can carry on and stick to the rule. Make people check their luggage if they bring too much.

This really scared me when I read this. Matt, has anyone heard back from these people? The reason I am asking is the #2 biggest scam is called the "grandparents scam" a telephone call saying that your child or grandchild has been in an accident or hurt somewhere, they can't get to the telephone to call because they are in serious condition and this person is calling to tell you that money needs to be sent to take care of their child. They say they will call back and hang up and when and if they call back, they usually ask for over a thousand dollars. I am really worried that this was a scam call. Somehow they found out he was on a cruise and are trying to get money from the parents. Candie

RobertEurope, Besides the great feedback you will get here, there is a site www.tripadvisor.com, you can put in the search bar "Navigator reviews" and 100s of them will come up. Just remember that some people use Trip Advisor as a place to complain and be heard, so take the reviews lightly. Candie

If cabins are available, it is my understanding that you can upgrade and pay the balance.

I agree with most of the above, I would look for another TA. No TA should tell you to not take a cruise, even if she is looking out for you, she should have said here is my opinion on a 3 or 4 day cruise and given you her opinion, that you could take or not take. Most of the 3 and 4 day cruises are older ships, but for the most part are beautiful and great ships. Majesty and Empress are much smaller ships and there is no way to tell if you will like it or not. I don't do the slides, water park, climbing wall, etc, so it doesn't bother me that these two ships don't have these things. It really is a personal decision and like you I live in Texas and I have three four days cruises booked. I booked them as soon as they opened up online and spend time looking for the cheapest air. For all of those cruises, going out of Fort Lauderdale, I got round trip flights from DFW for no more than $200, which to me is so cheap. Welcome to the blog and glad that you asked, we are always willing to help.

I found this on Royal's site. Cigar and pipe tobacco is limited to designated outdoor areas and Cigar Bars. Cigarette, cigar, e-cigarette and pipe smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas of the starboard side of all ships; with the exception of Oasis-class ships that will allow smoking on the port side of the ships. To assist in locating areas where smoking is permitted, guests will find visible signage posted within all smoking areas and ashtrays that are provided for use. Outdoor areas near restricted areas, food venues, and kids play areas and pools will not allow smoking. On Oasis class, smoking is not permitted in Central Park or the Boardwalk neighborhoods. Hope this helps.

I know that Liberty has a Library/Card Room on Deck 10. But there really aren't many board games available. When I want a book to read I get to the Library on the first day because by the second day it is pretty well cleaned out of any decent books to read and I have noticed the same thing happens with the games, passengers take them to their room or to other decks to play. I have seen Jenga, chess, checkers and playing cards.

I added an excursion and beverage package and closed the site before I paid for them on Royal. The next day I went back to pay and they were removed from my cart. I don't think Royal lets you keep them in the cart, in case someone else wants that place on the excursion. I now pay right away.

I have been on 5 Alaska cruises, May, June, and September. I am always cold, so I frozen in May and September. I brought two pairs of capris and never put them on, I stayed in jeans and brought layers for the top of me. I also brought a lightweight jacket and a heavy sweat jacket, along with a rain parka, because four of the seven days it poured.

Sue, I really enjoy cruising solo. It is different, but making all new friends every cruise. Those nephews probably will have a ball and you probably won't see them until they get tired and need sleep. Have a great cruise and enjoy your time alone. I always bring books and magazines to read, do as much of the ship activities as I can, that keeps me busy. Candie