RestingBird

Just now, rjac said:

IMO, the best way to go. Or, use any credit card you may have. Welcome aboard, feel free to ask any questions you may have, but hurry...May is right around the corner! Lucky you.

I agree.  We've always had some amount of OBC, but once that's used up the RC card gets used on board, which means double points.  Once we start cruising more the RC card might get ditched, but for now with 1 or 2 cruises a year I'm able to get some OBC from what I spend in between cruises.

For @Vee2525, another thought is have some small bills for tips on board, and on shore.

Use the nursery.

You can't take your baby in the pools.

Don't plan on doing anything except watching your baby the whole time (when they're not in the nursery).

Be aware of other passengers, and be courteous if your baby starts crying/fussing by taking them away from passengers who are trying to relax quietly.

Have fun, but realize vacation/cruising with a baby is so much less relaxing than without one.

We brought a basic umbrella stroller for our 1yr old.

We also brought our own packNplay.

We brought a 24pk of water on board with us to mix formula, or just for him to drink.

We didn't bring a car seat.

Talk to your pediatrician, ask if they can give you some prescriptions to bring on board, just in case.

No minimum limit that I'm aware of, but there is a Max of $500 I believe.  If I remember correctly, if you spend that $500 a few days in, you can add more cash to the account.  We did that for our first 3 cruises I think, now we just use the Royal Caribbean credit card.

I put mine in the box by guest services.

No need for a new suit, very very few will care if it's "dated".  Personally I like seeing guys wear the old suits, changes up the scenery in a good way.  Some of the older styles are more fashionable in my opinion.  I have one from the 80's someone gave me, I intend to get it tailored so I can wear it on our cruises.

On 4/4/2018 at 8:26 AM, Floski said:

You'll never forget your first Solarium.   

Freedom's solarium is my favorite!  We were out there every day.  It was kind of awkward trying to tan on that red stone lounger...but as they say "you'll never see any of these people again", lol.

Loved our Panoramic on Freedom.  I'm hoping to get connecting PV for our next cruise.

To add to @Lovetocruise2002's post, I think @Christie has been in Star Class as well.

1.  Freedom

2.  Serenade

3.  Brilliance

4.  Enchantment

Serenade over Brilliance only because Serenade's Rita's Cantina served food...other than that they were identical as far as I'm concerned.  And really, Enchantment is amazing, absolutely no issues with her for us.

Loving this live blog!  The pictures are amazing, and I love your writing style, don't worry about the novellas.  I'm just so stoked for you and your family?‍?‍?‍?.  Rest, relax, take a breath of sea air!...and a shot of Patron ??

On 3/28/2018 at 1:41 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

And...Just reading this thread now and @Lindsay and @Boston Babe your profile pics are almost identical when glancing quickly!  

Oh good, it wasn't just me having to double take.  Both great pics!

19 hours ago, melski94 said:

Now I never would go to dinner in shorts but it was a quick change of heart to avoid crowds and no one said a thing.

lol, sorry, couldn't resist sharing this

So excited for you!  I'll definitely be following along.

The pool deck usually has a few tables with ash tray things on them, I'm assuming Symphony will have the same.

I actually eat more in the weeks leading up to my cruise, so I'm well stretched for the many meals on board.

With My Time Dining (MTD) you can set the same time for each day.  We've always set ours for 5:30, but you should be able to book any time you want.  Call RC, or have your travel agent (TA.  TA is also used for transatlantic) call and set it up for you.  Or, do as others have suggested and keep trying for Traditional Dining.

Sabor

3 minutes ago, Orange Crush said:

 

They abandoned the iPad idea and are instead designating 1 out of every 3 elevators "Express."  On the Express elevators, the elevator buttons have been replaced by card swipes.  They'll cost $1.99 per ride, or you can buy an unlimited package for $10.99 per person per day, plus 18% gratuity.  Suite guests will have access to their very own golden elevator with TV screens that let them watch all the people who have to wait for the regular elevators and laugh at them over the ship's loudspeakers.

I kid . . . I kid . . .

 

You had me going for at least half of it...well played ?

3 hours ago, JLMoran said:

Just to clarify -- there is no Izumi restaurant on Freedom, only Giovanni's Table, Chops Grille, and Sabor. Freedom does have an Izumi Express, as found by @LetsTryThisTech on his trip just the other week, but that is nowhere near the same as a true Izumi sit-down restaurant. Just prepackaged stuff like you can sometimes find in the local supermarket (and equally questionable on freshness / previously frozen state).

Believe me, I wish Freedom had an Izumi on board as my kids and I are major sushi lovers. I'm just planning to "make do" with Sabor, and the margaritas I can get there! 

What?!  ?  Thanks, i really couldn't remember and just thought she had one (sorry @TNphilp, this is why we have checks and balances).  As you said, Sabor will have to do ?

My guess for an all day pass for the water park, balloon, etc is $100pp.  As excited as I am, I have little faith it will be cheap.  I might be the high priced outlier for now, but I won't be surprised if the price makes it to my guesstimate.  Will I still try it?  Yes, at least once, then we'll see if it's worth it.  As@twangster mentioned, pricing will be key.  I live very close to Port Canaveral, so a weekend getaway to Coco Cay via Mariner is a fun idea, but I won't pay through the nose.  We have Volcano Bay an hour away, and that place rocks!

Love Freedom!  My favorite ship so far.  Check out the Solarium (adults only pool), it's awesome, in my opinion.  Try Sabor!  The pub on the promenade is fun.  If you like sushi then try Izumi.  Even if you don't like sushi, try Izumi.  I tried it (sushi and Izumi) for the first time a couple weeks ago and found 2 rolls that I absolutely loved.  From what I've heard you're going to love your cabins, I'm definitely jealous, lol.

When you get back let us know your thoughts on all of it.

Relax and have fun!

@Sabrinaklai, maybe the flow problems on Quantum-class will be fixed on Quantum Plus.  Maybe comment on that in your post cruise survey.

On 3/16/2018 at 10:34 AM, Sabrinaklai said:

I remember reading this in a previous thread...here is confirmation that they do still give these out. At least on this ship....

 

They handed them out on Brilliance.  I actually picked mine up at guest services before our room attendant left them.

On 3/14/2018 at 8:51 AM, Boston Babe said:

Witness Protection Program, who names their kid Twangster!

I can only add one laughing face to this, so props, hilarious reply!

Maybe he's a professional country artist...

6 hours ago, Lisa A said:

Thanks RestingBirds. I've just checked and they are also on sale now so will just go ahead and order the largest size for both of us. Bizarre sizing!!

Great idea!  We were in a JS, so we had the robes waiting for us (I'm not a suite snob yet, maybe just a robe snob, lol), so having the slippers just completed the look.  We'll definitely take them with us next time.