melissagohard

Chops Grille, Park Cafe, bungee trampolines, huge pool deck, Diamond Lounge, Concierge Lounge, balcony staterooms that are not suites.

Thanks Bob! You're always so helpful on these boards. I can feel that extra 2.5 hour drive becoming more and more worth it... :D

A little backstory - my little brother is graduating college in March and we are planning a family cruise to celebrate. It will be me, DH, my brother and dad. Dad hasn't cruised since the 80's, brother since 2001 (both were on Carnival previously). DH and I are cruise junkies and so happy to finally get some family on board (literally).

We are trying to book the cruise and SO torn between Majesty of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas!! DH and I have been on Majesty twice and loved it's laid back charm but we aren't blind - it IS outdated and not nearly as showy or WOW'ing as the newer vessels. Neither of us have been on Enchantment of the Seas.

Right now, you're probably thinking "no brainer - Enchantment" but to add to our dilemma we all live in Orlando, an hour from Port Canaveral where Majesty is currently chillin'. We are 3.5 hours from Miami. Do we spring for the bigger/newer boat further away or go with the oldie-but-goodie from Port Canaveral, a mere hour away? Both are at a fairly similar rate right now. Decisions, decisions...

Since I have not been on Enchantment, can anyone chime in? Would you say it's "worth the drive"? Anything particularly unique there vs Majesty? So far, I've seen adults-only solarium and Ben & Jerry's ice cream...

Thank you as always!

I suppose technically you don't know for sure, but I guess at a certain point you just have to have some faith that they wouldn't stoop that low. I suppose you don't know a lot of things, like the quality of specialty restaurant food vs MDR, they could potentially just be charging you extra for the same thing, etc. But I hope they have more integrity than that, on both accounts

 

But as for other comments about them being watered down, from my personal experience, I've had really good drinks on RCI. I don't normally do frozen cocktails, as they fill me up and are SO many calories and tend to drink more martinis, but i've really only had a couple drinks that I didn't like on RCI, most of them have been really high quality and tasty. The ones I didnt like is when I asked the bartender to surprise me and it was just weird flavors, had nothing to do with being watered down. I also felt like the pours I got in each drink were generous and strong. Maybe I have just been lucky, who knows! :)

I have to agree! In fact, most times I find the drinks can sometimes be too strong for my taste (I drink them way too fast - especially in the heat!). DH and I tend to tip extra and chat it up with the bar staff, I think that gets us in trouble because they proceed to "hook it up" thereafter not knowing we have the drink package and don't really NEED the extra booze. At least not all at once! :D

Now, "all-inclusives"? That's where you'll find some watered down drinks. At the RIU in Jamaica you couldn't get a buzz if you drank all day! Pre-mixed, watered down, garbage. :mad:

If you are either in early or late dining, if you're given a 2 top, your table is yours for the balance of the cruise. If you're dining during MTD, then even if you've requested a 2 top, it's not going to be decided or executed until you arrive at the podium to be seated. No table is really "reserved" unless we're talking about larger groups that have reserved a specific time and the MDR set up a table to accommodate them.

 

If you have early or late seating, it is polite to let them know you won't be there for the first 2 nights. Just so the wait staff doesn't plan for you to be there. If on MTD, nothing needs to be done, unless you've made reservations and want to cancel them.

Thank you, njmomof2! We do have the late dining, so I'll plan on doing what you suggested.

Appreciate everyone's feedback!

I would do what you suggested in number 2 and let them know that you will not be there the first 2 nights

Thanks Molly361! I think that's what I'll do.

The cruise anxiety/excitement always has me second guessing every little thing. :eek:

Hello fellow cruisers! :)

I have two somewhat silly questions and I'm hoping some experts can chime in with advice.

For the first time, DH and I have booked a BOGO Specialty Dining Package for the first 2 nights of our 8-night Freedom of the Seas cruise. Now normally, we would make it a point to eat in the MDR on the first night to ensure our table request (table for 2) was executed correctly and meet the MDR staff. Since the BOGO package only works with the first two nights of the cruise, we won't see them until night 3 of the cruise.

My questions are:

1) Is it rude to no-show two nights back to back and then suddenly appear on night 3?

2) Will we lose our table for 2 if we aren't there the first two nights?

I know this might seem neurotic, and I'm definitely overthinking things. My gut is telling me it wouldn't hurt to pop in and let them know we won't be there the first 2 nights, so they can open the now vacant table up to My-Time Diners for those 2 nights. What are your thoughts?

Thank you and happy cruising! :D

i really hope we get clarification after the holidays on whether or not drink prices are truly raising (again) and whether or not the drink package cap is being raised as well. :confused:

if most "on-menu" fancier drinks are being raised to $13, but the drink package cap (before you have to pay the difference) is also raised to $13 - i won't be AS upset of course. however, if they are now expecting you to pay $1-2 on TOP of the drink package (since the package currently caps at $12), i'll be pretty upset. i know an extra $1 or 2 seems trivial, and i can always choose well cocktails instead, but part of the allure of the drink package for me has always been that i can choose pretty much any top-shelf or hand mixed cocktail and not worry about the cost - in my mind that helps to justify the drink package cost ($$$). i enjoyed not worrying about the cost of drinks and now feel like i'm being nickeled and dimed if i want anything off the drink menu other than beer, house wine, and well liquor. :( not cool, RCI.

Loving the review and Periscope videos!! I'm sailing on Freedom in April and these reviews are giving me LIFE. Thank you!! [emoji1374]

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I would also really consider how much time you will spend in your balcony. If you rarely use it, it could be worth keeping the same room for convenience. If you use the balcony a lot, I say move for that extra space! As others have said, having a 12 day leg afterwards deems a move worth it for sure! :)

It also depends on the broad.

I see what you did there... [emoji41]

LMAO

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Aww man, does that look good! That smokehouse burger is my favorite (especially with jalapeños added :p) and those bacon cheese fries are killing me, as I sit in the office waiting to leave for dinner. So jealous!

Looking forward to your final overall thoughts on the MDR and Windjammer food... If you make it to other speciality dining spots, even better! We will be trying out all three when we sail Freedom in April and I'm anxious to hear what others think. :D

Can you still pick up sea sickness meds at the pursers desk?

 

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YES! unfortunately, i can attest to this. last month, we were on majesty of the seas when we encountered some extra rough seas. :eek: the purser's desk was able to provide meclizine and saved me from what i was convinced was imminent doom. :rolleyes:

funny side note: a very nice bartender, who we had been talking to most of the trip, smuggled me a can of ginger ale and a cup of ice to help (bless her). she told me not to tell anyone or she might get in trouble lol.

Loving the review so far! Following along from Orlando, FL. :) Sailing on Freedom in April and can't wait!

Following along as well. We will be on Freedom in April 2017. Can't wait! Reviews like this help make the long wait a little better. Thank you!!! :)

we were just on majesty for the halloween weekend cruise (oct 28-31) and are happy to report ESPN2 was available. we were able to watch some NFL games on sunday in the casino, by the pool, in the schooner bar, AND in our rooms! we have cruised majesty before and i don't remember it being available (though this was also mid-summer, not football season) so it may be hit or miss. we definitely caught some games during our cruise though!

i'll keep my fingers crossed for you! :)