Never "Freestyle" cruised, what do I need to know? Also, good kids program?

[cdillon23]

My wife and I are looking at booking a cruise on the Dawn and just want some ideas on how the Freestyle cruising works. We have been on a couple cruises but never like this one. Any help would be great.

 

Also, we have an 11 and 8 year old. How is their kid programs?

[garycarla]

Welcome aboard.

 

Freestyle MOSTLY means you do not have an assigned meal time, or table. Lots of choices. No dress up nights.

 

Most people come here and say the kids program was great.

[Sauer-kraut]

No need to pack 'fancy' clothes

 

No need to choose either late or early dinner seating, just show up at the restaurant and tell them if you want to share or if you just want a table for your family. (If a busy time, you might have to wait until a table is free, but that's just like at a land based restaurant.) If you go long on a shore excursion there's no rushing about to make your assigned seating, just take your time, there's no stress.

No need to worry about how much to tip the staff or have to find them the last night...its all included in your Daily Service Charge (DSC) assessed to everyone. If you got really good service from someone then by all means you can tip cash above and beyond. Along those lines just remember that bar/alcohol service already includes a 15% gratuity, spa services 15%-18%

 

You have a choice of eating in a main dining room, an upscale fee based restaurant, buffet, or Blue Lagoon comfort food (chix sticks, wings, mac & cheese, fish & chips). Or....early dinner in MDR and then second supper at the buffet and then late night after dancing in Dazzles at the Blue Lagoon!

 

Dress is casual all the time, USUALLY no shorts in the dining rooms at dinner although that seems to be not written in stone, as well as jeans sometimes not being allowed. It all depends on the ship/Maitre 'D/and how the wind is blowing. If you choose to dress up there are "Dress Up or Not" nights. You won't be out of place if you choose to or even if you'd rather do it another night for some special occasion.

 

I can't answer about the kids programs, but do a search in this forum, someone posted the activities lists a couple of weeks ago for the kids clubs. Most reviews seems to say that they are pretty good. If you get on a Nickelodeon cruise there are some special activities on board as well.

 

Have a great time! :)

[alwalaska]

We've done My Time and Any Time dining on our previous cruises, so I didn't see a whole lot different about Freestyle except for the addition of more specialty restaurants where you pay extra.

 

My son really enjoyed the teen club on the Sky.

 

We did hear a lot about "Freestyle" in every announcement, but other than no enforced formal nights on the main dining rooms, there wasn't much that was different for us.

 

I think things in general vary as much ship to ship as they do line to line.

 

I have been on Royal, Disney, and Princess and we currently have our 2nd NCL cruise booked. I'm willing to help if you have any specific questions.

[uppitycats]

"Freestyle" specifically addresses the issue of no assigned dining (no "early" or "late" seatings, just show up when the dining room is open, for dinner), and a relaxed dress code -- no "formal nights". Otherwise it's the same as any other cruise line -- some specialty restaurants where you pay extra (NCL has more than the other lines, but you'll get plenty to eat if you only ate at the MDR, buffet, and casual "free" restaurants on board), shows, activities (including bingo, casino, trivia contests), all the rest that you find on any other cruise line.

 

"Freestyle" was the first of the flexible/anytime/my time/ dining options, and was at one time "unique". When it became evident that lots of people liked it, other lines adopted it.