AandBmom

I was comfortable in a sweater. Are you use to warmer weather? If so, be prepared. Get tickets early. ;)

Nope, not used to warm weather, Canadian :)

I just couldn't figure out the logistics of people coming in from around the pool then going to a skating show. Sounds like it's warmer than an average arena but still cool in the stands. I plan to toss on a sweater.

Do you have to dress warm to watch like an arena at home?

Any particular items or dishes that you love on the Freedom or RCCL in general? I want to make sure I try them all.

On past cruises my husband typically wears dress pants with shirt and tie.

I read that RCCL has formal night, smart casual and casual.

Does he really need a jacket for formal night? Will most men be wearing a jacket? We're on Freedom if that makes a difference.

I think the problem is that I waited :( I was hoping to print them at work but then didn't get a chance and waited too long.

So how do I get them at Port? wouldn't I have given my luggage to a porter already?

I'm used to printing my own luggage tags at home and putting them on my bags for the cruise (Carnival). I went online today to try to print some for RCCL and there was some explanation about ordering luggage tags ahead of time but only for certain guests. We leave tomorrow. How do I get luggage tags? Sorry if this is a dumb question. Search function is down.

Your in-room TV has a "channel" that is a clock. It's just a black background with the time in white. It makes a perfect night light (and you can adjust the brightness up and down), and it's big enough that I can read the time from the bed without my glasses.

 

It isn't an alarm clock, but you can always plan a wake-up call to take care of that chore.

Awesome info. I won't need an alarm clock, I have 4 of them ages 9, 8, 4, 3. I do like to know what time it is though, especially at night. Thanks for this piece of info.

I'm not sure of the local alcohol selling laws. Can I buy wine on a Sunday morning in Orlando or do I have to buy it Saturday after we fly in?

Also, where is the best/cheapest place to buy wine before our cruise. We're staying in Orlando then driving to Port Canaveral the morning of our cruise.

I know I'm on vacation and supposed to be letting the hours slip away but I actually use a clock on a cruise to know when to show up for events. Also my kids need to know when they wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom or something that it's not time to get up yet.

Do they have clocks on the Freedom?

Where do you keep your hotel key? Same thing....if you're a man, put it in a pocket. If you're a woman, carry a small purse, so you'll have your lipsticks, comb, tissues,...whatever...

 

If you want to look like you're at a convention, put it on a lanyard and carry it around your neck!

On vacation I find I don't have pockets in many of my outfits. Also, my little kiddies don't do well with stuff in pockets. I don't bring a purse either - lipstick, comb, tissues - too much effort for me. I often just toss it in my bra just like someone else suggested. I find the lanyard "convention" look is perfect for the kids though.

Thanks for the info about getting it punched at guest relations.

And why exactly would you imagine it to be any different?:rolleyes:

I wasn't sure if you are given a landyard or a clip like I have for my work card. Or if I need to pack them for the kids. Also wondering if people get it punched somewhere, or if there's nowhere to do that.... etc.

We did not need water shoes. CocoCay is a coral island and the beach when you first get off is rocky. If you walk to the Coconut Willie's beach near the watersports it was not rocky. There is a bathroom right there and it is not far from the food. Near the straw market (right off ship) there is a bridge that is a shortcut there and it's like a 2 minute walk. Or you walk around and it's like 4 minutes. Very close. We just had my daughter wear sandals for the walk (Tevas) and the sand itself was fine. We could have kept walking to Barefoot Beach which I think is even nicer, but we preferred to be a bit closer since we had a stroller and a kid in tow.

You mentioned a stroller. Was it easy to get around with a stroller? Would you think a 3 year old could walk around cococay no problem? I'm still debating our stroller. How about on the ship? We don't use one at home but I'm worried about the amount of walking and her getting tired on the ship. There's also a chance that our 4 year old might hop in it sometimes when he's exhausted.

On Carnival you have to carry it around in a pocket or something so I bring lanyards for the kids and get them punched with a hole in the casino. What happens on RCCL?

We're staying over in Orlando the night before and have a rental car from Dollar.

Thoughts on when to arrive? Is there a time that is less busy? Any advice?

We are going on this cruise in May with our daughter, who will be 3.5 at sail time.

We plan on one evening out "late" - if we do the late night program with Adventure Ocean, do they sleep at all? I doubt my daughter would - but do they have mats or anything like that?

AZDCruiser,

We're sailing next week with our 3.5 year old. I'll let you know what I find out if I can remember.....

To the OP, a quick question, did you feel the need to have water shoes? Did you go in the water at Cococay or anywhere else?

We usually bring our own reusable water bottles on Carnival cruises and fill them at breakfast before we go off the ship. Is that possible on Royal Caribbean?

I'm so excited to read your post as we are doing this ship/itinerary starting next Sunday. We also have in laws and little ones. A couple of quick questions if you don't mind.

What toiletries were provided in your cabin if any?

Did you find the dining rooms or other areas chilly? Just wondering how much I'll need a sweater around the ship.

Did you find the weather warm all day long in each port? I know it varies week to week and I've looked ahead at weather forecasts but I'm just curious if it is cool in the am/pm?

Can you borrow toys for kids age 3/4? If so, what kinds of things?

Do you have to have a baby to get a ship phone?

Thanks

You'd think they'd have a supply of them there - no? I guess we'll pack a few things to bring.

Does it really fill up? I'm not sure which day we'll feel like going. What have been others experiences with just showing up?

I'm used to finding shampoo, body wash and a few other goodies on Carnival ships. Any idea what I can expect to find on the Freedom of the Seas next week? I like to pack light...

Also, how is the water in the cabin? Drinkable? Taste fine?

Ok I found the answer.... It's $11 per person if alone or $8 per person if you have 2 or more.

Do the taxis in St. Thomas charge per person or per destination? We're a large group and I'm trying to figure out how much it will likely cost to get around.

I am just guessing from my looking at a map. So it's apparently $8 to get from cruise port to Magen's Bay. Mountain top looks a tiny bit further, so I'd guess $10. Sorry I couldn't be more specific.

Here's my list of interesting things to see....

1. Trunk Bay

2. Magen’s Bay - $4pp $20 chair ($8 taxi)

3. Mountain top – souvenirs and drinks

4. Black Beards - $10 pp and kids under 12 free for the full tour open 9-2

5. Magic Ice - $22 per adult, $12 per child

6. Paradise Point Tram - 9am -7pm. Adults - $21, children (ages 6-12) - $10.50, 5 and under - free

We haven't been there yet but this is what my research has brought up.

We'll be in St. Thomas from 12pm-7pm.

We're interested in seeing the following:

Black Beards Castle- open 9-2

Magic Ice

Paradise Point Tram- 9am -7pm.

Magen’s Bay

Mountain top

Can we fit it all in?

How would you get around? Walk to castle and ice, then cabs to the others? Any idea of cab costs? There are possibly 11 of us but not everyone will do everything.

Would you skip any of it?

Is there anything at paradise point other than a tram ride and view?

Is Magen's Bay basically just a beach? is there anything unique about it? Just thinking we may be beached out from cocoacay....