peteukmcr

Its only on cruises that sail from and return to Spain and don't leave the EU. Where it is applicable it is not possible to buy the wine package or soda package online beforehand, you must wait until you board and tax is added.

On ships that only call into Spain the tax is added to any purchases made while in Spanish waters.

 

Julie

We have also been able to make reservations for the speciality restaurants and make payment online.

Sailorjack, I am so glad I have come across your review, although I have been told to refrain from laughing so loudly during the Royal Wedding. Luckily we won't be visiting the Azores on our TA on Liberty in Oct.

Be sure to take pics of your cabin & balcony - I will be looking for your review in May! Our Freedom cruise is still a ways off...but I can dream! :)

Thanks peteukmcr - great pictures! We did go ahead and book 9706 - if it's as nice as your pics of 9406, we will be 2 happy campers...er, cruisers! :D Do you know, are the loungers usually on the balcony or do you have to request them?

Thanks for the lovely aft pictures! I have a 24-hour hold on Freedom #9706...does anyone have pictures of this aft cabin? This is our second cruise and I've already spent countless hours getting to the "hold" stage - LOL! Thanks

But I have previously found some of 9406 which is opposite to 9706.

Just a note about picking up those prized cabins 'as they open up' In Europe we cannot switch cabins. We loose the deposit and have to re-book, so it would be very expensive.

 

Because the Adventure from Malaga is selling to many newbie cruisers from Spain, the 'sweet' cabins seem easier to get. Hence having 1388 next month even though we only booked about 4 months ahead.

Actually that's not the case if you're switching on the same cruise. You can have one cabin change within the same category or above and then if you change thereafter there is a £35 fee. I switched cabins on a forthcoming cruise for free and I'm in the UK and booked with a UK agent. :)

I was just going to add that we've just changed from aft E1 8412 on our May 2011 Liberty sailing to aft E1 9706 for no extra charge, but that will be our one free change used up! I'd booked direct with RCI on the web, so I just telephoned customer services and they did the change no problem and confirmed immediately with a new invoice showing the new cabin, and a seperate email advising of the change and that it is an connecting stateroom, as was 8412.

BTW there are several references to another site cruiselinerooms dot com where myself and many others have posted cabin photos. It has not been available for at least 5 days now. Whether it has closed down, not sure.

Check out some of the door decorations from our 'Pirate of Freedom' sailing on Freedom of the Seas last year. Everyone made sure that nothing attached to the metal doors marked the paintwork and was done with magnets or tape that does not mark.

Ship - Brilliance

Deck - 10

Stateroom # - 1048

Stateroom Category – GS

Starboard or Port Side - Port

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Great sea view, although balcony shaded due to large overhang from deck 11

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal size for a GS

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - None

Any other comments? - Great location near elevators & Concierge Lounge one deck down from Windjammer

Ship - Navigator

Deck - 10

Stateroom # - 1346

Stateroom Category – JS

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Great sea view

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal size for a JS

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - None

Any other comments? - Great location near elevators, one deck down from Windjammer

Ship - Freedom

Deck - 10

Stateroom # - 1364

Stateroom Category – JS

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard towards aft

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Great sea view

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal size for a JS

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - None

Any other comments? - Great location near elevators, one deck down from Windjammer

Ship - Freedom

Deck - 9

Stateroom # - 9642

Stateroom Category – D1

Starboard or Port Side - Port - Centre Hump

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Great view as centre hump, dividers can be opened to adjoining cabins makes balcony feel huge

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal size

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - None

Any other comments? - Great location near elevators

Ship - Adventure

Deck - 7

Stateroom # - 7318

Stateroom Category – E2

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard - Centre Hump

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Great view as centre hump, feels more closed in as solid dividing walls on this earlier version of Voyager class. Only half glass.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal size

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - None

Any other comments? - Great location near elevators

I can confirm that Spanish VAT of 16% is applied to most onboard products with the exception of bar sales and restaurant cover charges (Portofino & Johnny Rockets) where it is 7% when sailing from Barcelona and the ship DOES NOT visit a NON-EU port.

The General Store is no longer stocked with Duty Free Liquor nor Cigarettes as they are not allowed to sell duty free items whether in port or when sailing.

15% gratuity is charged on the original amount, not the amount after the VAT has been added.

The 16% rate is to increase to 18% from July 1st 2011 and the 7% rate will increase to 8%.

The rate of 4% for essentials and medicines will remain unchanged.

Radio - thanks again for all your work. Much appreciated. Tracking you on www.marinetraffic.com at the moment and shows you arriving at 4.12, wow that's early. Off Indian Harbour beach.

Radio - once again, thank you for your reports and your fantastic photos. I'll be watching you dock tomorrow morning on the Port Canaveral webcam. As I'm 5 hours ahead of the US I normally watch FOS dock at around 10 a.m. UK time 5 a.m. US. I'll be tracking you on www.marinetraffic.com as FOS is normally in port first followed by Disney Wonder and Canival Sensation.

I hope you had a fantastic time onboard and enjoyed your week on FOS. Thanks again

Hi peteukmcr! If it isn't too much trouble and if you think it may be the same Jan. 3rd on FOS would you send them to me, too? Thank you!!:D

You have email!

Thanks, that would be great. Seems like formal nights are on day 2 and 5, for both western and eastern 7 night FOS.

Thanks much!

Would love the menus too!!!!

Thanks

On their way guys.

As someone else said, food menus would be great so we know when to expect lobster, etc..and which nights are just so-so food wise.

 

But in any event, this thread is amazing. Thanks so much for taking us along!

I do have a copy of the menus that are supposed to be implemented fleet wide if you want a copy? They are here, but bit difficult to read, so I do have a Word version available if you would like a copy emailing to you. http://travel.webshots.com/album/573636919JQapKF

Radio - don't really want to clutter the thread each time I view your report, but have to say, absolutely great, thanks. Do you have time to relax in between taking photos and posting!:D

Radio - all I can say is awesome, thank you so much!

Radio - again thanks for the awesome pics.

Radio - you're underway! Have a blast.

Radio - awesome photos, thank you very much. Watching on the webcam right now and seems you're ready to sail! Have a great cruise.

Excitement growing here too. We're start our B2B six weeks today:D

 

Judi

Judi, so jealous that you'll have had a week onboard before we embark on 20th Sept!

Radio,

 

Please let us know at what time you managed to get on the ship or they started letting people to board. Official time is 4:30pm, but I've heard people boarding well before then (like 11:00am). Always nice to be one of the first ones on board.

 

Again, have a wonderful cruise!!

4:30 pm is the time she sails. All passengers must be onboard before then. It's at least 90 minutes beforehand according to RCI if you have completed your check in online. I'm sure Radio will let us know what time people were allowed to board.

If you haven't done On-line check in, you must have checked in and completed all paperwork 2 hours prior to sailing.

Even if you board around 11 a.m. I believe cabins are not available until 1 p.m. and all the entrances to the corridors are closed until then (they were when we sailed FOS out of Miami).