DocLC Posted September 27, 2015 Report Share Posted September 27, 2015 I need some expert advice. Currently, I'm booked on the Liberty out of Galveston on January 3rd. However, I can bilked the Freedom for nearly the same price out of Port Canaveral. What would you recommend? Liberty provides an embarkation port we haven't been to before and a slightly shorter, although no less expensive flight. Port distance from the airport is about the same and Texas provides an option to visit the Space Center since we've already done Kennedy. Freedom gets glowing reviews especially after the dry dock. We'd also get an extra $50 OBC and we'd make our first trip to Labadee. We also haven't been to Falmouth, so that would be a plus, too. Plus, I'd probably squeeze in a day at Universal. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted September 27, 2015 Report Share Posted September 27, 2015 Liberty also has a Broadway show (Saturday Night Fever) FWIW. Based on what you listed, I'd opt for Freedom. Two new ports (one of which is Labadee) and the Freedom refurb gives it a big edge. And I think you said you are going on Liberty before her refurb, right? You are not missing out on much in Galveston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted September 27, 2015 Report Share Posted September 27, 2015 I think the trip from Houston to Galveston is significantly longer than the one from Orlando to Port Canaveral. I've only sailed out of Galveston once but I seem to recall that the trip was lengthy. ...and as you have already mentioned, there is WAY more to do in Florida than in south Texas. All other things being equal, I would probably pick the Freedom. I'm not sure Saturday Night Fever makes up for all the other cons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted September 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2015 Thanks for the input so far. We're mainly sailing to experience the Freedom class, not for the ports, which makes the decision a bit more complicated. In addition, Texas would be a lower key, more relaxing precruise. Regarding distance, we'd fly into Hobby, so the distances to the ports would be nearly identical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted September 28, 2015 Report Share Posted September 28, 2015 Freedom is the name ship of the class and seems to get all the goodies first in addition to being fresh out of drydock. Have sailed both and they are almost identical, but if you are sailing primarily to experience Freedom class I would go for the full Freedom experience :) DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle Posted September 28, 2015 Report Share Posted September 28, 2015 agree with Matt and others - I think sailing on the Freedom - but if you also want the relaxation of the port, etc, I have a fondness for Liberty. One of my first ships with groups and really like it as a ship. DocLC and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCL4Life Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Freedom!!!! Jerel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted October 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2015 Thanks everyone for your input and advice. It ultimately proved to be a hard decision, but we opted to stay on the Liberty as it was just a little more convenient airfare wise and because we're headed to Orlando next year already. Plus, my wife isn't a big fan of repeated itineraries. Galveston Steve and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted October 7, 2015 Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 One of the rare decisions in life that is a choice between the good option or the also good option, congrats on picking a good option and enjoy it :) DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK6404 Posted October 7, 2015 Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 Will be on the Liberty in 2 weeks from tomorrow! Can't wait!!! DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Steve Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 Will be sailing on Liberty on her inaugural cruise from Galveston in November…. 9 days on board and a 3-mile drive to the port for me ;) I agree with jticarruthers: two good options either way. DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 Will be on the Liberty in 2 weeks from tomorrow! Can't wait!!! I'll be coming off when you are boarding. I'll be the one trying to sneak back on. Marc, Galveston Steve and DocLC 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 I'll be coming off when you are boarding. I'll be the one trying to sneak back on. If my math is right, that means you're going to be on the same sailing that I am (October 17). I'm really looking forward to this cruise. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 Yep...Oct. 17 5 days to Bermuda. We just booked this cruise 2 days ago. Hadn't planned it at all...just an impulsive decision when I saw that there was an aft Jr. Suite available. Couldn't pass it up with the Club Royale discount. I'm sure we'll see each other in the casino. That's where I'll be most of the time. Marc, AGSLC5 and Galveston Steve 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 just an impulsive decision when I saw that there was an aft Jr. Suite available. Heh heh... I think I know which cabin you mean. I saw it was available again. I had that cabin briefly (we had upgraded from a balcony to it), but then a few days later, we saw that it was only $20 more to upgrade again to a grand suite, so we took the plunge and went full suite. It'll be our first time with a gold SeaPass card and all the perks that that offers (except for the Concierge Lounge which we've had before thanks to the Ben & Jerry's "Sweet"). Are you participating in the $10K Slot Tournament, too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 I would have booked a GS if they had one available but alas the only thing left was the JS (7414). Congratulations on the gold card. It is an awesome experience and you will never want to go back ! I wasn't even aware of a slot tournament. Neither of us are slots players but I will usually enter a slots tournament b/c they are fairly innocuous and it's certainly luck more than skill...so we will probably enter. Thanks for letting me know. I didn't even know about it ! I don't usually take the shorter cruises but we just felt compelled to JUMP since we had to cancel our Christmas cruise on the Grandeur and didn't have a cruise until Feb. That was just TOO long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 I wasn't even aware of a slot tournament. Neither of us are slots players but I will usually enter a slots tournament b/c they are fairly innocuous and it's certainly luck more than skill...so we will probably enter. Thanks for letting me know. I didn't even know about it ! From what I've heard, people who weren't invited can enter the $10K slot tournament, but the entry fee is something like $150. I assume they'll have the regular slot tournament (to potentially win a cruise) as well. I don't usually take the shorter cruises but we just felt compelled to JUMP since we had to cancel our Christmas cruise on the Grandeur and didn't have a cruise until Feb. That was just TOO long. I don't normally do short cruises either (I really like 8-night cruises), but even though I don't normally qualify for such things, Club Royale was offering me a comped balcony cabin on this cruise, so that intrigued me. In addition, I've never been to Bermuda before, so I'm really looking forward to that. When I had called them up to accept the offer, I got the last spot! Whew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 LOL. Good job ! I've never been offered a FREE cruise from Club Royale. I have from NCL but never from RCI. No, I wasn't invited so I guess I will probably not be able to play in the tournament. I certainly wouldn't pay $150 to play in a slot tournament ! To be honest, Bermuda is not one of my favorite destinations. It's a beautiful island but it's just not that exciting - to me. Also, for a very selfish reason, I do not like that the ship is in dock overnight b/c the casino closes while in port so there is a whole day and a half I can't gamble ! This time of year I doubt it will be warm enough to do any water activities so I think the shore options will be somewhat limited. I may not even get off the ship. The Navy Yard is pretty nice but I've been there so not particularly interested in doing that again. Food, drink and EVERYTHING is VERY expensive in Bermuda. Likely I will just stay on the ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Steve Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 You are not missing out on much in Galveston. I think this is a common first impression, and one that I had until I moved here (Galveston). I would be happy to provide suggestions for things to do when spending a day or two pre- or post-cruise in Galveston: there are many live music venues, a martini bar, gumbo bar, rooftop bar, cigar bar, juice bar, outdoor German beer garden bar, many excellent dining options, local coffee shops, ice cream shops, museums, live theater, shopping, art galleries (come on an Art Walk weekend!), tours of beautifully restored 1800's mansions, golf, a micro-brewery, Moody Gardens adventure resort, Historic Pleasure Pier amusement park over the Gulf, tour the 1877 tall ship Elissa... You will certainly experience better beaches on your cruise, so don't come here for the beach! Let me know what you are looking for and I would be glad to make suggestions. One great resource is www.galveston.com DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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