villager70

WE were on the Freedom dec.7th- 14th. and ate at chops & Portifino's. Both were excellent . The Captains meeting with the passengers stated that Portifino's will be replaced. Also that original plans called for a floor to be placed between the first and second main dinning rooms but because of time restraints and other issues the dinning rooms will remain the same with old style traditional dinning. Bob

we just got off the independence on sunday, 12/14/14 and had the chance to talk to jamie. We mentioned we would be sailing again in january and he said he would be on the ship then. He hinted that tim wouldn't be returning for quite awhile.

 

We thought jamie was quite personable and entertaining.

hi fellow cruiser;; just saw your post that you just got off the indy 12-14. We just got off the freedom 12-14 and are going on the indy jan 3rd. Just wondering if you had any comments on cruise as this is our 1st on indy. Bob & nancy the villages florida

Just some info that was on the Dec.7th. meet & mingle site this morning from a cruiser on Freedom now doing a back to back.

REESSER Bob E wrote that they sailed from Cozumel doing 18 knots into a 20 knot headwind, and arrived in Coco Cay and hour earlier this morning. Tendering in with all aboard at 315 EST departing for Port Canaveral.

Bob & Nancy Sailing Tommorow

We will be on the Dec. 7th cruise also. I feel sorry for the people that have plans like wedding,meeting family, etc at the ports . The more you cruise you will find that situations happen ,weather,mechanical,sickness, political situations, etc and we try to make the best out of the situation. For instance we had a vessel go down several miles in front of us on the Splendor in 1999, and we had to remain on the seen retrieving people out of the water, and were hours late arriving in Aruba. Had port visit cancelled due to riots doing a election in the Caribbean. Had port visit cancelled in Caracas , as 4 were killed in the street shortly before we arrived. Have missed Caymans at least 4 times , and Coco several times also. Get the picture. Things happen. As long as the ships is fully functional, except for the lost of high end speed, We will be happy. Except for the long runs like from St. Martin to Canaveral you will find that most ships mosey along and make up more speed at night.

If you feel strong about the changes I don't blame anyone for canceling, and again that why most carry insurance , with the any reason provision, & the pre existing condition waver. The food,entertainment,weather,bars, and a ship full of happy cruiser, will still await you , and hopefully you will have a great time. Bob & Nancy, The Villages Florida

Taking our first cruise next month, sailing out of Tampa on The Brilliance of the Seas for five nights. So I've been doing some reading on the forum - a great way to gather tips. I saw one post that stated to avoid a certain dining venue on embarkation day (day 1) at lunch due to the crowds. Can those who have taken a similar cruise comment on this? What would you recommend for that first day onboard? The wife and I are hoping to get aboard earlier enough to get a quick workout in before lunch, but really don't know what to expect.

 

Thanks in advance.

Just some info.If possible be on the top deck, all the way forward, as you approach the SKYWAY bridge leaving Tampa Bay entering The Gulf of Mexico.It is usually about and hour and a half after you sail, and the bridge can be seen several miles before you go under it. There is only about 15 feet of clearance from the ships superstructure and the Captain will sound the horn as he passes under it. Bob The Villages Florida

NASSUA webcam shows Freedom departing port at 1220pm as the Serenade enters.

Just saw Freedom on GPS system and is appx. 11.5 miles from Nassau. Should arrive earlier than 1200 noon. Hope all goes well for current passengers, and watching closely as we leave next Sunday. Bob

Hi fellow cruisers: We don't have to think about removing any tips as we always us and agent that gives free grats on all royal and celebrity cruises. We tip in cash for any that we feel warrants a added bonus.

Bob & Nancy

Thanks for the info. Bob & Nancy

Hi fellow cruisers: I have also heard from several that the Dec. 27th. Pier 1 opening will be delayed. The west side of terminal as well as the terminal & garage are not the problem. The entire east side is all dirt , and the pier wall is being poured, but has close to 50% to go. The dredging continues and the pier wall has to be completed before the final dock apron can be poured. Bob

Hi fellow Cruisers: Just booked a the five day 4-25-15 Brilliance in a D2 cabin. We got the Vow to Wow shipboard credit of $200.00 from Royal , $50.00 TA onboard credit, paid gratuities. Wasn't able to combine Diamond bal discount, but as only 5 day, and within 6 months, discount was reduced. the $200. obc was a no brainer

18 days to western freedom

45 days to southern / eastern independence

bob & nancy the villages florida

Hi fellow cruisers. There have been two recent postings that related to the western 2nd formal night menu, which is the JASMINE, on the Freedom being switched having the Fisherman plate served non a non formal night. The posters stated they had started this but not sure how long they would be doing it, according to the dinning room staff. Would appreciate any info a recent western cruisers can share. Bob

Thanks so much for the Emails on the compasses. Have a great day.

Bob & Nancy The Villages Florida

We would love to have them also if not too much trouble. Going 12-7. Thanks in advance .

bntowe@gmail.com

Bob & Nancy The Villages Florida

Hi fellow cruiser. We have used them 4 or 5 times but a few years ago.Guess the units are better now than two cans and a string. We had the 22 channel models but also had numerous SUB channels on each which gave many more selections. Our also had a call tone alert so you didn't have to monitor as close. Only suggestion I might make is if your party uses them keep the volume down as low as possible, as like with cell phone everyone else do not want to hear them. Also could use numerous ships phones and leave cabin messages or checkin at pre arranged times.

Bob & Nancy The Villages Florida

The local Orlando Tv news this morning reported that the New Terminal 1 Cruise Terminal will not open as expected in Nov. but has been delayed until Dec.27th. The report stated that the garage and terminal will be ready to go this month but the delay was due to the longer than expected removal of the old cargo pier and dredging.

Bob & Nancy The Villages Florida

Hi Fellow cruisers; Has anyone got a link to a RECENT copy of the Freedom Western compasses. 2014 if possible. Thanks in advance . Bob & Nancy The Villages Florida

Thanks all for your input. Usually go on RC site and view docs and get them about 10 days before agent sends them to us. Bob

Hi Fellow Cruiser: Has anyone got their E doc's for December yet? Next on Freedom on the 7th and know their should be out in next week usually. Thanks in advance. Bob The Villages Florida

As you can see we have sailed Carnival many times and quite a few on Royal.I don't miss the loud annoucemence in the cabin and on Carnival you will definetly know about Bingo or any other sales pitch every morning.Everyone to their own taste but as I noticed that the OP was on a new 2012 Dream class along with a couple more but compares Royal 's 2003 Ship. I Love the Radiance class along with all the others, but If you want to compare go on the Freedom & Oasis Classes and tell me how they compare to the dream classes on Carnival.

Bob The Villages Florida

I agree with the OP but all the lines are doing the cutback. Cruising is still the way to go and we feel that sometimes something may happen or you experience the bad, but all in all the positives always come out on top. If you try to make your cruise positive it will most often come out that way but if that one thing sticks in your mind its going to put a bad spin on the trip. It's just a trip,meal,show etc. and in the grand theme its not really that important.

Bob The Villages Florida May clear skies and calm seas be with you.

Have sailed both often. There are many agencies that feature tips included on Royal but not Carnival.Also for any seniors the Royal insurance is priced the same but Carnival really goes up in price as age increases. Bob & Nancy The Villages Florida

Celebration was our first of many. Bob The Villages, Florida

Freedom in 112

Independence in 139