Singlebarrel

Originally posted by only way to vacay Just an update...I was just on the Freedom with my sisters. We had 2 cabins and the new policy is if one person gets a drink package then all in the same cabin must also get one. One of my sisters cannot drink but had to get a drink package anyway.

is this the policy for the soda package as well?

I’m not sure that that is a “new” policy with the alcohol package, but regardless, they do not do the same with the soda package. I would say that’s because of the cost of alcohol (potentially very high) vs the cost of soda (really nominal). Frankly, they could just as easily give the sodas away (like they used to!) as someone, or two or three, can’t drink enough of it to make the package anything but a huge profit to the cruise line. The alcohol, however, could be doubled up by a couple in a cabin and make it much more worthwhile, for the passengers! I don’t think they really care much if people share sodas. It’s almost all profit anyway.

Dorothy & Dog (hmmm, why does that ring a bell? LOL):

On our last RCCL cruise out of Baltimore, we had a bottle of wine confiscated...even though we thought it was 'cleverly disguised' in a Wine Diaper (they did not, however, detect the Rum Runners!)

 

We also were allowed to freely transport a flat of bottle water, w/ luggage-tag attached. But I understand it is @ the discretion of the cruise port, vice RCCL 'policy'.

The allowance for two bottles of wine per stateroom to be brought onboard was added AFTER your cruise last June. We just cruised last week and had no problems with the wine. Spirits, however, are still banned.

I am at a loss when you all are talking about pre-booking shows. Do they not have an early seating and second seating show times? Also, asked a question earlier about how to bring pop/water on board? Any help and answers are greatly appreciated!!!!!!!

Pre-booking of shows has come about with the advent of the my time dining options now offered. Remember that not every cruise passenger is on either early or late seating anymore, like in the old days. Back then, you could count on half the passengers eating early and half late, so the two show times worked just fine. But today, people are eating the evening meal at lots of different times. Hence, show reservations. This is to try to balance out the seating. Reservations aren't necessarily required, but they let the people without reservations into the theatre just 15 minutes before show time. Make a reservation if you can! Especially, and I mean especially, for the Ice Show. Have a great time on the FOS!

Can anyone help me with three questions:

 

1) Does the juice bar "squeeze" cost extra?

 

2) I've heard some say that Johnny Rockets serves breakfast for free. Is this true? How early is it open?

 

3) Does anyone know anything about booking a spa treatment on Labadee? How long is it? What does it cost? How do you sign up for it?

1. All bars on the ship are "extra" or ala-carte.

2. Not true. They open at 11:30 a.m each day. It's a $4.95 service charge for all the burgers, fries, onion rings and so forth that you desire, but shakes and sodas (unless you have the soda package) are An additional charge.

3. I'm sorry, I know nothing about this one, other than it is very expensive.

Have fun on FOS! We were on her in January.

Dave

As you can see from my signature, I'm officially booked! Doesn anyone have menus or compasses to share?

See my post on January 26 on this thread (#1990) for a copy of the Eastern Itinerary Compasses. Have fun!

Could anyone give an overview of Once Upon A Time and Marquee? What are they about? And where are the comedy shows?

Both feature the RCI singers and dancers. Marquis is a review of numbers from famous Broadway musicals, but other than a nod to Phantom and maybe one other "recent" production, they are all from much, much older Broadway of a very similar nature. Think: 42nd Street, Cabaret, etc. They all just ran together for me! Nothing from Wicked, Momma Mia, Evita, Miss Saigon, or even Cats or Hair! So, it was OK, but I fell asleep. As for Once Upon a Time, it was more imaginative, using the storylines of famous farytales, like Rapunzel, Snow White, etc., but with the more current numbers from Broadway! So they did something from Hair (guess which fairy tale?), something from Wicked, and so on. It was much more entertaining, in my opinion. As for shows, though, DO NOT MISS the Ice Show! There, the imagination, effort and creativity really comes out, with professional skaters doing their best on a very small rink, and themes that came from all the things I wished were part of Marquis. That's my rundown, for what's it's worth, which is after all, just a matter of opinion. Have fun, no matter what! I had a blast and was glad to be there watching Marquis, Once Upon a Time and the Ice Show,instead of back home in the office!

Also, there was a comedian there, but I just saw a bit of his bit on the ship's TV only.

Dave

Thanks Dave !! Did you happen to do any of the specialty restaurants ?? How about any excursions ?? Our son is 16 yrs - do you know if you need water shoes for flowrider??:D

Jill,

We did not do any of the specialty restaurants for dinner this time around. My parents were with us and very much enjoy the MDR experience, so we stuck with that. We did take in Johnny Rockets for a couple of lunches, and of course pizza. Both good. As for excursions, we did the Castaway Girl Catamaran and Snorkel Cruise on St. Thomas. It was very well done, the crew was super nice, and it really helped that our tour was just about 20 people that day (capacity for maybe 60). It was a very relaxing time. As for the Flowrider, you do not need water shoes - just make sure the swimsuit fits well! Here is a good overall video showing the ship and the Flowrider:

Have fun!

Dave

Thank You, :) Any good head liners?

I'm not usually a big "show" person, but I did attend the Broadway review "Marquis", the Freedom Ice Show, and the show on the next to last night called "Once Upon A Time". The first and the last were performed by the RCI singers and dancers and were reasonably entertaining, although they could have included more contemporary material in the Marquis show (with just one or two exceptions, the numbers were all very similar material dating back to "old" Broadway - would have loved to have seen them do stuff from Wicked, Momma Mia, or even Evita, Cats or Hair!). They did actually do more contemporary material in the "Once Upon A Time" show. As for the Freedom Ice show, it is NOT to be missed! That was a show! I was pleasantly surprised at the imagination and imagery used, thinking it was going to be a typical "Ice Capades" type show. But make your reservations for that one - I don't think "walk-ins" get in! As for your question about headliners, on our cruise, the main headliner was a tribute group for the Temptations. I saw bits and pieces (on the Ship TV) but did not attend the show. I don't think I missed much. The other show was a last minute replacement for the usual magician show. A "Las Vegas Review" type show with a solo artist doing all kinds of variety. People said they enjoyed him, but again, I don't think I missed much. Of course, entertainment is a totally subjective matter. I think in general RCI puts out quality entertainment.

Thanks so much! I see you have kids in your signature - you wouldn't happen to have the Adventure Ocean compasses from the Eastern Route, would you?

Unfortunately, my kids discarded all of the Adventure Ocean compasses before I could save them (the compasses!). But they tell me activities included lots of tournaments, pool parties, ice skating, etc. That probably doesn't help much. My kids are 12 years old (all three) and had a very good time, although there weren't as many kids their age on board as there would be at other times of the year (yes, we pulled them out of school). The ship is very kid-friendly though. Enjoy!

Dave

my family is doing the 7 day eastern - when is formal nite ?? do they have lobster?? i am trying to figure out when to do the specialty restaurants.... thank you!!! :D

Jill,

We were on the January 15 Eastern cruise and really enjoyed this ship! The formal nights are on Monday night (day 2), which is the Captain's Gala, and then on Friday night (day 6), Chef's Dinner, where you get your lobster! Get two...make it three (have one more for me!).

Dave

OK, attached are two .pdf files with the Cruise Compass from our recent Eastern itinerary on the Freedom Of The Seas. The first one covers days 1 through 4, and the second one covers days 5 through 7. These just show the last two pages of each day's Compass (all of the schedule and open hours) since the rest of the Compass is either marketing or redundant. Sorry they are so rough; had to keep the file sizes down. Hope you enjoy your cruise on the Freedom Of The Seas as much as we did! I want to go back within a year or so.

Cruise Compass Jan 2012 Eastern - Days 1-4.pdf

Cruise Compass Jan 2012 Eastern - Days 5-7.pdf

Does anyone have the EASTERN cruise compass? That would be great, thanks! :)

We just got off of FOS on Sunday. I have the Compass for each day. Can scan tomorrow. To keep file size down, I'll likely scan just the Daily Planner and the Daily Activities pages. That pretty much shows everything.