kwazi07

Been looking forward to this! Loved your Freedom trip report especially so I cannot wait for this, especially as a fellow “cheapo” (for the most part)!

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RCI should make their video more like United’s safety video:

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Double check that. United uses a different model 777 on most, if not all, domestic routes, including Hawaii, than on the international routes. I've flown this model and it does not have on demand video or more legroom. Also, many of these planes still have a 10-abreast configuration in coach (3-4-3) as opposed to the standard 3-3-3 configuration on the international model.

I’ll be sure to look it up. I flew IAD-NRT on a trip to Guam and had the same 3-3-3 configuration on HNL-IAD on the way back, with seatback IFE but that may have an outlier.

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Such as???

Power ports at ever seat, more legroom, on demand video, etc. Some airlines do have similar amenities but you’re also on a widebody which is more comfortable than 737s and newer than 767s.

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Personally, I would suggest United. Although it may have a shaky reputation, the planes operated on the Denver to Honolulu route are typically 777s which are more comfortable and have more amenities than the 767s flown my most other airlines or the 737s flown by Alaska. Also, based on what I saw when I did a cursory search for flights, you don’t need to take a regional carrier (like Delta Connection) or a low cost carrier (like Air Canada Rouge). You also get into Honolulu earlier, which is always a plus.

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Sam,

You are in my thoughts and prayers throughout this period. I am truly sorry you have to experience this loss.

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Nice! I believe there will be 7 or 8 ships in Port Everglades as well when I sail on Freedom in March...wonder if its the same ships as Freedom is sailing the same 6 night today that I will be sailing on

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I'm sailing on Freedom in March and I'm wondering if it is possible (and allowed) to hang a hammock from one of the normal side balconies? I've seen some pics online from the Carnival balconies (which happen to be smaller than the Freedom class RCI ones) but nothing for RCI. It seems so nice to sleep outside without dragging out a mattress (remember when someone caused some CC controversy with that comment ;) )!

Thanks!

Yup, we are dead center in the center hump on the port side. I read that too about the difference in sizes.

I’d keep it; you’d be able to see all the way forward and all the way aft. We had three in a deluxe aft hump (the last on the hump, could only see back) on Navigator and it was great. Booked the same relative cabin for Freedom next spring.

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I’d keep your current stateroom. I love the convenience of the hump staterooms, and since it’s just you and your wife the size difference won’t make a big deal. And according to the RCI website, the balconies on the deluxe are slightly larger than the superior.

Are you center hump or at one of the ends?

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My friend and I were scrolling through the RCI website looking for some info when we stumbled upon the "onboard experience". The descriptions for some of the bars, entertainment, but most evidently dining options are quite funny in a cringey way! They're really pushing that marketing campaign...I wasn't sure if you guys ever looked at these, but it's pretty crazy seeing how RCI describes somethings...

A few examples:

Under the "For Foodies" category on the dining page lies the one and only...Windjammer. The description describes "a global culinary pavilion that invites you to explore the world, dish by dish. Enticing food islands weave throughout, showcasing international fare while mapping your way between interactive stations"

The Sorrento's description says comments on having an authentic NYC pizzeria experience at sea...if only...

Additionally, describing cruisers as adventurers is cute, but honestly not entirely accurate. I know they have to appeal to those millennials but some of these are just too much!

Again, didn't know if you guys have seen these before, so I just thought it would be fun to share!

I know the Centrum Aerial shows are gone from all Vision-class ships now, so I knew not to expect that (new Standard). The show Seasons was, to me, a highlight on Legend of the Seas in 2014 and definitely had a Wow factor not present in competitor midsize ships. I think the whole Centrum area of the ship is still gorgeous. I hope they don't mess with it too much in drydock, other than carpets on the stairs and elevator interiors needing refinishing, it didn't need anything else in that area. Still a wonderful space

They removed the aerial shows? Enchantment never had them, but I didn’t know they were gone from the other Vision class ships. Any word on if the Radiance class still do?

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Thanks for the review. I really hope these are just pre drydock issues, as I thought our cruise on Enchantment in 2014 was great. I’ve been wanting to sail on her again—maybe see how the reviews are after drydock.

While I wouldn’t cruise before a drydock (and you said you wouldn’t normally either) guests in these cruises still deserve some semblance of a normal cruise. Some cruisers may not be aware of the drydock, book the cruise, and be disappointed.

Your comments about the production show are pretty funny (but also sad). Carnival seems to do much better on rolling out new shows to old ships (I believe most of them have the new ish Playlist Productions) , while Royal hangs on to shows forever.

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Um. I’m on this sailing and have this room booked...brb to check my reservation

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I read that the first sea day (night 2) and the Cozumel day (night 5) are the formal nights on the 6 night itinerary.

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Monarch, sister ship to Majesty was based in San Pedro years ago.

Oops—forgot to specify that I meant the west coast of FL! Probably just should have said tampa, as it’s the only cruise port on the west coast of FL :)

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A lot of folks will be happy with EN back in PC.;)

I sure am!

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That’s a little disappointing. Interesting seeing MJ moving to west coast—I don’t think one has been over here before? I live nearby so at least we’ll have new ships for ship spotting.

Empress is really being moved around!

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I believe she’s stopping there after making the Atlantic crossing on the TA from Southampton before heading down to FL.

Edit: just looked it up, Boston was her first stop in the US after the crossing, then NYC, then heading to Port Canaveral before reaching her winter home port of Miami.

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The port that you are in would have no impact on Wi-Fi performance on the ship. It could be the case an access point was down and it coincided with being in a port, but mountains etc would have no impact.

 

There would have to be some intentional interaction on your part for the door to open. Whether that’s a tap on the phone, the door lock, or a screen next to the door, every type of system like this I have seen or used has some user action for the door to open.

This! The Hilton app has a feature called digital key where you can use your phone as a room key—one in range, you tap the button in your screen and the door unlocks. Would think the RC app would be similar

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I found this online!

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Hmm, Revoiced, I think they were on Navigator in March.

What happened to their two production shows on Freedom? The TA has both Once Upon a Time and Marquee but I don’t see either here.

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I believe it’s all ships Radiance and larger.

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I’m thinking of booking a tour of Chacchoben in Costa Maya with Native Choice; they’re about $30 less than booking through Royal. The ship docks at 11am so the tour is supposed to start at 12pm. It’s four hours long so we would get back at 4pm. The ship is slated to leave at 7pm. Is this enough time to get back? My only concern is that the ruins are a 50 minute bus ride from the port.

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