waterlegs

Thank you so much for this wonderful daily diary you are sharing with us. The photos are fab too. I am going on FOS in May from Barcelona and it will be my first ever and maybe only cruise. Can't wait.

Anyone know where Royal Caribbean dock?

I want a leisurely day at port, just browsing and taking in the atmosphere really. Is it feasible to walk to ND de la Garde from vieux port? I am mid 40s and of good health but not overly fit.

It is our first and possibly only cruise so I am not sure what to expect or what I will do. I want to save my money for the Italian shore excursions, so my main thinking was possibly to save money on eating at french ports but it may be a case of just taking some fruit to snack on. I lived in France for six years but not around the south east and I think the food is quite different there, not to mention expensive. I don't eat any kind of fish or seafood so the famous bouillabasse soup is not an option and neither is the likes of nicoise salad. Want to keep pizza eating for Italy. In my head that only leaves the likes of couscous or a boring croque monsieur.

No definite plans on taking food back onboard either. Just handy to know the rules if I see something I feel like buying. Thanks all

I am wondering about the possibilities of taking food from the ship to Marseilles port and Villefranche port. Are there any issues with doing this? Also if I was to buy local produce, can I take it back on the ship or not?

Our first cruise is in May 2017. Still not decided on whether to book a private tour or through the cruise company...RCI. I have asked on my roll call if anyone wanted to share a private tour but zero response. I am clueless as to when to expect roll calls to get more active and also when I would need shore excursions booked by to get availability. Seems that private tours only save money if there is a group of at least six together. Do any quote per person and just take a mix of people? Thanks.

My simple question seems to have sparked off considerable debate. I asked the question here, prior to taking my first cruise so I would know what is considered ok and not ok, in order not to offend anyone. My question has been answered now and I am fine with putting on clothes if necessary. Totally respect that some people, if there were any others awake at 4am, may not like to see someone in pjs. Whole point of me asking here first. Maybe we could bring it to a close now? I don't know how to discontinue the thread.

Thanks KirkNC

I am looking forward to doing a shore excursion to Florence and hopefully Pisa. I am not big into museums however, so wondering what else is worth seeing there? Also, apart from "David" in the Accademia, is there other famous works worth seeing? Which would be best between the Uffizi and Accademia to visit, when I have no real passion or knowledge of art?

Thanks for all the varied replies. It will be my first cruise and that is why I wanted to ask here before doing something that might be frowned upon. I would not be wearing pjs out and about or in a hotel or a store etc. They would be full pjs and covered with something. I do think reading is the correct use of the library and wouldn't really expect to find others using it at 3/4am but who knows. However the kindle paperwrite idea is the best solution I think. I had been thinking about buying one of these at Christmas anyway.

It's probably cheaper to hire a local tour guide.

 

I wonder though if you are on a "ship's tour" without a guide if they still guarantee they'll wait for you if you are late getting back?

That's not a problem as you use their transport to get to the city and back to port. You are just responsible for getting yourself to the pick up point on time.

They are down on RCI excursion list options. I think they give you a smart device to help you do a DIY tour of a place and they give the transport. You pay full excursion tour rate but it can be cheaper than with a real guide. That is my understanding of it anyway.

Bit of a strange one. I am a poor sleeper and have heard that mattresses can be very hard on RCI ships. Is there a night time etiquette in public places on the ships? I would be prone to getting out of bed if very unsettled and going reading a book or similar in another room of the house. Would it be a big no no to go to the library or other public area in pjs during the night if unable to sleep?

Hi. Has anyone booked a smartphone shore excursion with RCI? I have been looking at private tours but they only work out cheaper with a group of at least six people. I like my independence when visiting a place but value the transport getting there and back so this option seems like a winner all round...financially and personally. Just would appreciate feedback on it for any ports.

That was pretty cool. Thanks.

Ship time is the time zone of the departure port. In Freedom's case it is EST when sailing from Florida. All itineraries reference ship time.

 

For example when Freedom ports somewhere like Cozumel, the local time will be 1-2 hours behind ship time (depending on DST) so you should make sure your watch or phone stays on ship time because if the ship leaves Cozumel at 4pm ship time and you get to back to the port at 4pm Cozumel time, Freedom will be long gone and as the captain says, you should then have iTunes play "All By Myself"... :-)

 

 

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Thanks a million. Very clear now. We are on a Western Med cruise so don't think there is any time difference between all the ports but will double check that.

100 each would be ok. I have asked in my roll call forum. It is pretty quiet there so far however. Maybe nearer the time people will have more of an idea what they want to do. Thanks.

Thanks clarea.

Any ideas what the welcome drink usually is? I know the drinks package is up to 12 dollars worth per drink. Yes I knew there wasn't a full musical but I suppose a show that included songs from musicals is what I meant. Maybe Marquee would be good.

Some good tips here. I am doing my first ever cruise on FOS in May in the Med. I have joined my rollcall but it is very "dead". Hopefully it will liven up with more posts nearer the time. I have the deluxe drinks package included...can anyone tell me if the welcome aboard drink is covered by this? I can't wait to go ice skating, even though I am rubbish. Does any of the entertainment touch on westend/broadway musicals? The silent disco sounds like fun and good for older people who like to dance without all the noise. I presume with the headsets you can control volume of the songs.

Romeinlimo seem even more expensive than the ship excursion tours. I know that would mean a smaller group but would still be too dear for me. Must check out Papillon. It is Florence/Pisa and Naples/Capri I am most interested in.

Thanks lingading.

Other questions: What exactly is ship time? How does it differ to port times and what times are itineraries written in? Also, is there the possibility of disembarking and reembarking as you want on port days or only at the start and end of the day?

Thanks so much

Wondering what these interior cabins will be like location wise and for noise? They are starboard and midship. Our first ever cruise.

Hi All. We are doing our first cruise ever on Freedom in the Med in May 2017. The info here is great. However I am confused by the amount of bars and restaurants and cafes as to what places are free to eat in and which places are extra. Would someone be good enough to compile a little list of the free eating places please? We have the deluxe drinks package, which includes drinks up to 12 dollars each I think. Will I manage to get a cocktail for less than that price onboard?

Was also wondering if many adults do the surfrider, climbing wall and ice skating activities or is it mainly teens and young adults?

We have interior cabins on deck nine starboard side. They are 9289 and 9290. Category L. Any ideas as to how good this location is?

We have the option of My Time Dining too. Is this recommended and how does it work please?

Lots of questions there but appreciate any answers you experienced cruisers can give me. Thanks.

Are cafe promenade and Sorrentos or any others open for lunch on embarkation day free restaurants or charged to account?

We've booked our first cruise on Freedom for May 2017. Just wondering do they charge the mattress topper to onboard account or is it free?