batt01

Thanks. Do you remember if there is a rush or crowd to be one of the first off? Or is it pretty relaxed?

Can someone describe to me disembarkation procedures for these three ports? We are not in a suite.

Labadee: Does everyone depart at their leisure or is it staggered? If so, what is the priority based on? If you have a cabana paid for do you get priority disembarkation?

Cozumel: I assume that if you have a RCI excursion you do get priority disembarkation here. Right? What if you are in a party of 5 and 2 have an excursion and 3 dont. Can everyone depart together?

Grand Cayman: I understand this is a tender port. If you do not have an RCI excursion booked here, when do you get your tender number? The last cruise I took (20 years ago) tender tickets were handed out the day before and you had to stand in line for them.

Thanks for any advice.....I am in charge of three people with varying special needs so specific advice is very helpful for necessary detailed planning.

My daughter (age 15, with autism) would like to swim with dolphins. I am thinking of booking her and my husband on the "Push, Pull, Swim" excursion at the Dolphin area at Chankanaab. My question is: I know that they will be in a group of 10 - 15 others doing the same thing. She might take a little more time than the others to understand instructions, or to get used to the water, etc. Will this hold back others in our group? Generally, people are very patient with her, but it's not a cheap excursion, and seeing that she generally needs a little more time to adjust than most, it might cut in to other's time, which we would not want to do.

Having said that - I'm wondering if they make accomodations for those with special needs? Any advice?

Thanks!

My daughter (age 15, with autism) would like to swim with dolphins. I am thinking of booking her and my husband on the "Push, Pull, Swim" excursion at the Dolphin area at Chankanaab. My question is: I know that they will be in a group of 10 - 15 others doing the same thing. She might take a little more time than the others to understand instructions, or to get used to the water, etc. Will this hold back others in our group? Generally, people are very patient with her, but it's not a cheap excursion, and seeing that she generally needs a little more time to adjust than most, it might cut in to other's time, which we would not want to do.

Having said that - I'm wondering if they make accomodations for those with special needs? Any advice?

Thanks!

If a store front interior window was dirty with haze on a RCI ship, wouldn't you be a little surprised? The interior Promenade cabins were a "wow" factor when Freedom class ships were introduced. If I walked into a beautiful stateroom and then saw that the window (one of the big selling points of this category) wasn't clean, I would be surprised. That's why it caught my attention in the video. And, knowing that it might be hard to clean those windows is why I posted the question in the first place. I have learned quite a bit from these forums and figured someone out there might offer a suggestion or and idea I hadn't thought of. Thank you to those who did. And a little humor goes a long way, too. I'm a tough gal and can take adversity pretty well, a dirty window isn't going to ruin my day (throw a little fit was meant as in "in my head") and I also mentioned that I don't like to complain, thus the reason for posting this question in the first place....for some help from the kind people on this board who may have experience with this or those who might say they had stayed in a Promenade cabin and everything was perfect - no worries.

I just viewed a You Tube video of a Family Promenade cabin, similar to what I have booked on Freedom. As they filmed the promenade windows (there are two bay windows on a Family Promenade) he said, "oh wow, the windows are dirty".

The Promenade cabin is quite a bit more expensive than the Inside Family cabin - the difference being the windows on the Promenade. If they are dirty when we arrive, how do I go about getting someone to clean them? I might sound picky - but we have two elderly people and one special needs child in this room and one of the reasons we paid the extra is because I know they will spend lots of time looking out the windows to feel apart of things. It sounds picky, but I might throw a small fit if they are dirty when we arrive.

Is there any way to circumvent this by emailing RCI and specifically asking if our windows can be cleaned - or should I just wait and see and then complain (which I hate to do) if they are not acceptable.

Thanks

Can anyone tell me if Fisher-Price Little People toys are still available on Freedom of the Seas?

I have a daughter with autism who would love it if they were available.

I understand that Fisher-Price "Little People" are featured in the preschool programs. I also saw a kids menu with Little People activities was posted recently. I am traveling with my 15-year-old daughter who is autistic. She LOVES "Little People". Is there anything else on board that features them, either live or in print?

And, can I get her in to the live show that they do for the pre-schoolers? It would make her day - especially if she could meet one of them in person.

Thanks

Great review - you mentioned many things that aren't on typical reviews which were very helpful and interesting!

I know there has been quite a bit of discussion about how/when/where to book Labadee Cabanas. (I have scoured most of the threads here and on the Private Island threads.)

FYI - I just booked Nellie's Over Water Cabana for our January 2016 cruise on Freedom. Yes, it was $495. It is now listed as "purchased" and shows up on my cruise calendar.

At first, I tried to book the Nellies Beach Cabana (not over the water) as it is a bit cheaper ($395). I was able to load it in my cart, but then when I went to pay for it it had a big red message saying that it is only available on board.

So, that's when I tried the over water option and it worked. Now I am curious which cabana I will receive. I believe the over the water cabanas are numberes 1-4 and 6-10. Is this correct?

Thanks!

Are any of the stateroom doors on Freedom magnetic on the inside and outside? How about the bathroom doors?

Sailing on Freedom on 1/17/16.

What shows can we expect?

When will they (and times) be officially announced?

Thanks

Can anyone confirm what numbers are the Nellie's Over The Water Cabanas?

I would really appreciate help with choosing a beach, and logistics on how to get my small group settled for the day on Labadee

I am cruising with my elderly parents (they walk very slowly but are able to climb stairs, etc), my daughter (who has autism) and my husband. I want to get everything settled for them to make our Labadee day start out as easy and relaxing as possible.

We are looking for a beautiful and quiet beach (or as quiet as possible). We would like a soft sand beach and easy access to the ocean.

Help me decide between Nellie's, Barefoot or Columbus (Is one of these for suite guests only? We are in a Family Promenade, which I assume is not considered a suite, or is it?).

Also, can anyone help me with logistics? I am thinking that I will try to be one of the first off the ship and head to a beach and settle an area for our group. Then, when the rest of the group comes ashore they can find me and we will be all settled. This is the best plan with an autistic child - I can have all her comfort items on her beach chair, ready to go. I am thinking that I would like two clam shells next to each other, or four chairs under a palm tree as most of us would like shade.

Can any of you experts out there give me a blow by blow of how to go about this? I'm thinking that we need to select an area ahead of time so that my husband and the rest can find me (not certain we will be able to text). It would be great if I could tell them "get on the tram and get off at the ____ exit and then follow signs to ____ beach and then look for me." Or something like that...

Thanks!

My daughter with autism takes her medications every morning in a cup of warm almond or coconut milk. Will I be able to order either of these through room service? Can I bring on a cryovac package of individual sized milks, if they can't provide it for me? Thanks

We have room 8607 booked on Freedom this January. I have done many searches on photos and videos and believe that the Freedom and Liberty rooms are almost identical. So, there are definitely videos on You Tube of Freedom of the Seas Family Promenade rooms if you search for them and they should give you a very good idea of what your actual room will look like. And, in fact, I believe there are some videos of Liberty FP rooms as well.

We are considering staying on the ship on one of our port days. What restaurants will be open? Will the kids area Adventure Ocean be available for our child? Will the pools be filled (back in 1997, our last cruise on Majesty, they emptied the pool on every port day). Will the splash zone be functional? Are there any good activities or lectures, art auctions available? Thanks!

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