Pipo

Thank you @Merion_Mom and @luvscruising2007 for you prompt responses.

After looking at Chops Grille menu, I basically want to try every dish... does the "all you can eat" rule from the MDR apply in specialty restaurants as well, or I must stick to one dish per course?

Does Freedom have the new O3B network?

I'm aware Voom surf doesn't allow live streaming, but is it enough to upload short video clips to Instagram, or should I upgrade to Surf + Stream?

Harmony doesn't have library either.

I'm sailing on Freedom on December, so I'm very looking forward for the rest of images!

In my experience, the Captain's Gala evening is the first formal night (if there is more than one) and "Lobster Night" is the second Formal Night. It may have changed?...

 

OP, the Captain is usually available to shake hands (or he may not want to - some don't), and take photos, and there are complimentary pre-poured drinks available from waiters. The event does not interfere with or include dinner at all. :)

That's correct, "lobster night" is the last formal night.

The captain is available for photo-ops on all formal nights. Despite Compass usually says he's available from 18:00 - 18:45, I've found this has never been true, by 18:30 he's gone, it doesn't matter if there is a line of people still waiting or not, be there early if you want the picture with him.

What is the Concierge Lounge? Who can access it?

My understanding is that firm/hard mattresses are better for our body. I was on Harmony's inaugural, so the mattresses were brand new, and I found them as good as on any previous cruise.

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I watched "Like Father" with my mother last night. It was boring, the entertaining part is watching the ship and say "look, that's where we were!".

Now, for the part where they are smoking during the excursion, I'd say it actually happens... On my second cruise on Allure, I was walking with my mom down the main street of Montego Bay, and a local approached us offering "a smoke", I said no, then he insisted, "I have brownies too", I said no again. But yes, it's easy, very easy to get the stuff there.

I'm sailing in four months (december 2018) on Freedom, are we going to notice a decline in service by then?

Good news, I got a call from my TA today, and he was able to book guaranteed balcony for us. Now I'm crossing fingers for a real sold out, so we can get an upgrade. :)

Most activities are free. The ones that have a cost are the lessons or reduced groups on the FlowRider and ice skating.

I'm trying to book a balcony on the Freedom of the Seas, for a sailing on December 2, but there are no fares available, looks they are sold out. I don't want a window (oceanview) but I can't afford a suite either, what options do I have? How likely I can get a balcony later?

I can't believe that ALL balconies are gone when we still have four months to go, and it is not a special cruise, it's just a regular shoulder season sailing from Puerto Rico on a big ship.

I'm kinda sad about this. :(

My mom does.

I have only sailed out of Port Everglades, but it's short distance to the airport, plenty of cart rentals with free shuttle, and impressive eight-cruise docking capacity, makes it a nice experience.

As Clarea says there are no refrigerators, what you'll find is a cooler, big enough for some cans and small bottles.

Invicta is known for being unreliable. I bought a Citizen Eco-drive chronograph in St. Thomas five years ago, great investment. I also bought a Fossil chronograph on board Allure and it performed well until I let it drop to the floor and and broke a part, but it was an excellent watch.

We were at Silken Diagonal ****. Nice location, not in the center, but has metro and tram stations in front. There is also a shopping center across the street with a Carrefour, banks, and pharmacies. I definitely recommend this hotel for pre or post cruise.

I went to Paradise Beach, is fun, at a great value.

Europe. I did Greek islands, two weeks, late september. Excellent weather, no big crowds.

Well, I see some itineraries on Symphony and Harmony about $500 more expensive than I paid when I first sailed on Allure five years ago (same season, same ports, same cabin), and we are not getting the same service that we experienced some years ago. But on the other hand I see some itineraries on smaller ships at very low prices. So I think that Oasis class passengers are subsidizing other ships.

Book a junior suite or higher on Oasis. With dinners in Coastal Kitchen you get the upgraded food and ambiance of Celebrity while enjoying the more lively vibe of an RC ship.

That has a lot of sense. Thank you for suggesting it.

I've never seen somebody showing off or flaunt its elite status, but I've seen some "what is he doing here? stares" at the Diamond Lounge.

Those islands are highly dependent on tourism, they are more than eager to receive tourists and ships back.