Freedom from the Mouse! Our first non-Disney cruise, and we LOVED it!

[karajeboo]

Yes, the technical aspect of the Disney shows is what I found to be better. The sets, lighting, wire work, and other technical elements were more involved. The shows on Freedom of the Seas are very good, though. The dancers and singers are very talented and do a great job.

 

Well, my Disney cruise was 10 years ago and that was our impression at the time when comparing it to RCI food at the time. RCI food has certainly gone down in quality over the last 10 years (although I do like the new menus a lot and think they are a big improvement). It is possible that if Disney has stayed the same or gotten better over the last 10 years it could certainly be comparable or better today when compared with Royal Caribbean today.

 

With all of the creaking I felt like I was on the Mayflower or some other 500 year old boat. The Disney ship was the only Italian built ship I've ever been on. Maybe they don't screw them together as well as they do in the shipyards RCI typically uses in Norway and Germany where they build vessels to traverse the North Sea and the Northern Atlantic.

 

I think so.

 

MAYFLOWER!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

I think Disney food is more beautfiully presented and is more flavorful, with rich sauces and sides. Freedom's was "corporate banquet" style, as my FIL put it. I agree. Very basic, but still tasty. There was nothing over the top fancy as to turn people off.

[WisconsinFan]

Our very first cruise was with Disney in 2006. We are glad we had the chance to go at that time as it was affordable, now we cannot afford to return to Disney.

 

 

We have cruised primarily with RCC since that time and have cruised the Voyager, Radiance and Liberty. We have done Alaska with HAL. Each ship is special and different. We try hard to cruise for the itinerary and not the ship or the line. We will be on Freedom next spring because she will be doing an Eastern route that fits with our schedule.

 

 

Our kids were 7 and 12 at the time of their first cruise and have enjoyed the activities on RCC as much as on Disney. Cons about RCC kids clubs, after 10:00pm you pay and as our boys usually didn’t want to leave we had some extra expenses there!

 

 

 

For those of you worried if there will be enough kids on the ship or enough for the children to do, there will be. Our boys never were without other kids to hang with and that included on HAL to Alaska- many multigenerational families with small kids to teenagers!

 

 

For issues with Liberty, I am not sure why people have had a bad experience. We did not have extra-long lines embarking or disembarking. Service was very nice and there was plenty to do. Never saw our high school senior as he spent his day on the flow rider and hanging with the teens.

 

 

Our Voyager trip was wonderful, loved the Pig and Whistle and met some great people. At that time she was sailing out of Galveston. Here we did have some issues disembarking as it was Holy Week and there were thousands of Mexican nationals who had to clear customs. Many of our new cruise friends had a hard time getting off the ship. We were one of the first off as we were driving back to Wisconsin and only had slight delays.

 

 

Radiance was our first balcony. She is the size I would say of the Disney Magic, our first ship. Missed the promenade, but loved all the glass. We did a five day out of Tampa on her. Fun fact we saw our waiter from the Radiance on Liberty last year!

 

 

Looking forward to hearing more about Freedom!

[shake24]

Thanks for the review and your comparison to DCL!

Glad ya'll enjoyed your cruise!

[Creepella]

One of my favourite reviewers on my favourite ship. Very cool!

[karajeboo]

Our very first cruise was with Disney in 2006. We are glad we had the chance to go at that time as it was affordable, now we cannot afford to return to Disney.

 

We have cruised primarily with RCC since that time and have cruised the Voyager, Radiance and Liberty. We have done Alaska with HAL. Each ship is special and different. We try hard to cruise for the itinerary and not the ship or the line. We will be on Freedom next spring because she will be doing an Eastern route that fits with our schedule.

 

Our kids were 7 and 12 at the time of their first cruise and have enjoyed the activities on RCC as much as on Disney. Cons about RCC kids clubs, after 10:00pm you pay and as our boys usually didn’t want to leave we had some extra expenses there!

 

For those of you worried if there will be enough kids on the ship or enough for the children to do, there will be. Our boys never were without other kids to hang with and that included on HAL to Alaska- many multigenerational families with small kids to teenagers!

 

For issues with Liberty, I am not sure why people have had a bad experience. We did not have extra-long lines embarking or disembarking. Service was very nice and there was plenty to do. Never saw our high school senior as he spent his day on the flow rider and hanging with the teens.

 

Our Voyager trip was wonderful, loved the Pig and Whistle and met some great people. At that time she was sailing out of Galveston. Here we did have some issues disembarking as it was Holy Week and there were thousands of Mexican nationals who had to clear customs. Many of our new cruise friends had a hard time getting off the ship. We were one of the first off as we were driving back to Wisconsin and only had slight delays.

 

Radiance was our first balcony. She is the size I would say of the Disney Magic, our first ship. Missed the promenade, but loved all the glass. We did a five day out of Tampa on her. Fun fact we saw our waiter from the Radiance on Liberty last year!

 

Looking forward to hearing more about Freedom!

 

I didn't realize you had to pay for kids clubs on RCCL after 10pm. Ally is out of those so I didn't pay any attention at all. I will say I saw the kids from the clubs all around the ship with the crew members. It looked very comparable to DCL as far as the time and attention the children received.

 

And yes, kids EVERYWHERE! Captain said there were 1400 out of 4100 passengers. I'm sure it depends a lot on the time of year, school breaks and summers probably have a lot more children.

 

It is really weird how Liberty gets a bad rap. Same ship basically, but some say the service is just not there. Ya got me!

 

Radiance is sounding better and better! I still like the small ship, but Freedom is built so beautiful that you don't even feel like you are on a big ship.

 

Thanks for the review and your comparison to DCL!

Glad ya'll enjoyed your cruise!

 

I'll be back! (in my best Arnold voice)

[karajeboo]

We continued to explore the ship before it was time for muster drill.

 

We checked out Fuel, the teen lounge. The counselor that was at the door seemed really excited about his job, but Ally was just NOT into it. She was embarassed that mom was touring with her.....

 

 

Maybe it was me dancing? Or telling her we could hang out there together?

 

 

Because Ally had made friends through CC before we sailed, she chose not to go to the teen mix and mingle the first night (plus it was during our first dinner and she wanted to meet our servers). We didn't push it since she had just turned 12 that day, and it was for ages 12-17. Next year we will encourage it though..... Just so she can meet more kids her own age.

 

Soon it was time to head back to our cabin to wait for the signal to head to muster. Now this was different for us. On Disney, both times on the Magic we were directed to one of the dining rooms where we never did hear anything they said. But we figured in the event of an emergency we'd at least be fed first? :rolleyes: On the Dream our muster station was in the theater so we'd be entertained while waiting for our lifeboat......

 

On the Freedom we were directed out on deck, just under the lifeboats. So we're going to be hungry and bored, but we're right there at our lifeline!!!!

 

Oh, and let me just say, our Mister Muster was, how shall I say it? HOT! Ally and I kept chuckling like school girls. Well, she IS a schoolgirl, so I guess I was chuckling like a Cougar! He was the ship's photographer, and watching his buckle that life vest? Woooooo! RCCL gets 100 points for muster drill!!!!!! :D

 

Everytime we saw him around the ship we got our cougar/schoolgirl giggling going!!!! Jeff just rolled his eyes and walked away.....

 

 

 

 

[karajeboo]

We left muster and headed up on deck for sailaway. This was a lot better than I thought it would be. I mean, Disney knows entertainment, so they win here. But this was still fun!

 

 

It was SOOOOO windy up on deck, so waving to the Fishlips camera for our friends back home, you know, the suckers up north who were in jeans and sweaters!!!!, was really tough. I've never been on a cruise where it was that windy all the time.

 

But Shrek, Fiona, Gloria and the gang were having fun dancing with the kids!

 

 

Fiona was REALLY creepy though. Every time we saw her around the ship Ally would back up and say, "ew." And she was right! I don't know what it was, but sexy Minnie Mouse she is not!

 

Gloria, on the other hand, was a hoot! Every time I saw her walk I laughed. And not the same way I giggled when I saw Mister Muster.

 

 

 

Nana and PapPap were starting to get a little nervous. And I'm sure it had nothing to do with Jeff chanting, "Say goodbye to land!"

 

 

This is another plus for Freedom, although I can't give them credit for it because it may be more a port issue. I like leaving early. It give you more time to relax before dinner, especially if you have early seating.

 

And speaking of early seating, we did NOT have early seating! We've done both and I just feel so rushed so we booked late this time. PapPap was not happy about it, but he made it work. To have time to leisurely get ready, then go grab a drink before dinner, maybe listen to some music, just walk the decks. Very relaxing. I feel way too stressed if I have to get in from port, shower, dress, and rush to dinner. I know this is a personal choice but I'm right. lol Just kidding!!!!!

 

So I've gotta give DCL points for sailaway. It's such a fun, high energy party with all the characters. RCCL was not bad at all, and if I'd never sailed DCL I'd have loved it even more!

 

Total:

DCL 5

RCCL 6

 

Edited April 24, 2013 by karajeboo

[karajeboo]

Usually we hang out on deck to watch land disappear. And that could have something to do with having an inside stateroom last cruise......

 

But we had a perfect cabin this cruise, so we just sat on our balcony and watched the other ships try to catch us! Come on Dream, try to catch us!

 

 

Oh, so you think you can pass us?

 

 

She's only headed to the Bahamas, but we are making our way to Haiti!!!

 

 

I think I could stay here forever!!!!

 

But who said vacation was to relax?? Jeff was ready to see more of the ship and all the things we would do in the next week. Or would we??? More foreshadowing. Are you following me?

 

 

 

Putt putt on the high seas? Do I need my driver?

 

 

 

Edited April 24, 2013 by karajeboo

[BLAMBKY]

We continued to explore the ship before it was time for muster drill.

 

We checked out Fuel, the teen lounge. The counselor that was at the door seemed really excited about his job, but Ally was just NOT into it. She was embarassed that mom was touring with her.....

 

 

Maybe it was me dancing? Or telling her we could hang out there together?

 

 

Because Ally had made friends through CC before we sailed, she chose not to go to the teen mix and mingle the first night (plus it was during our first dinner and she wanted to meet our servers). We didn't push it since she had just turned 12 that day, and it was for ages 12-17. Next year we will encourage it though..... Just so she can meet more kids her own age.

 

Soon it was time to head back to our cabin to wait for the signal to head to muster. Now this was different for us. On Disney, both times on the Magic we were directed to one of the dining rooms where we never did hear anything they said. But we figured in the event of an emergency we'd at least be fed first? :rolleyes: On the Dream our muster station was in the theater so we'd be entertained while waiting for our lifeboat......

 

On the Freedom we were directed out on deck, just under the lifeboats. So we're going to be hungry and bored, but we're right there at our lifeline!!!!

 

Oh, and let me just say, our Mister Muster was, how shall I say it? HOT! Ally and I kept chuckling like school girls. Well, she IS a schoolgirl, so I guess I was chuckling like a Cougar! He was the ship's photographer, and watching his buckle that life vest? Woooooo! RCCL gets 100 points for muster drill!!!!!! :D

 

Everytime we saw him around the ship we got our cougar/schoolgirl giggling going!!!! Jeff just rolled his eyes and walked away.....

 

 

 

 

 

Lol, wink, I know who you are referring to! My DD & I noticed him too. I swear we have never posed for so many ship photos before! Enjoying your review!

[karajeboo]

Look! Something else I will try this cruise! Or will I?

 

 

 

And ladies, can I just add that the staff of the Flowrider is, how shall I say it? HOT!!!! Oh yeah, they double as dancers in the Dancin in the Street party later in the week and I might have to give RCCL points for hotness. Let me think on that a little bit...... I totally released my inner cougar ALL WEEK long!!!!

 

And this???? This rock wall is waaaaaay bigger in person than it shows in photos or video. Something else I will try this week! Or will I?

 

 

Time to meet Nana and PapPap in front of the Bull and Bear Pub. That was our meeting spot each night before dinner or shows. Or just anytime we had to meet and felt that a cocktail might be required!

 

We made our way down to the Schooner Bar, which turned out to be one of our favorites, both for the staff and also the entertainment later in the evening......

 

A little preshow cocktail?

 

 

Getting ready to head up to the Welcome Aboard show.

 

 

Overall I was VERY impressed with the talent on this ship. The Welcome Aboard show was a bit cheesy. I mean, really? Covering Styx' "Come Sail Away?" But at least they sounded good!

 

The theater was beautiful but not as large as I thought it would be, considering the size of the ship. And it was NEVER full, not once! That really surprised me, but maybe a lot of seasoned cruisers just don't go to those shows? Not sure.

 

 

Part of me wants to give Disney a point for their shows, but I just can't do it. They only had "Broadway style" shows, and yes, they are incredible, but we saw a magician later in the week from America's Got Talent, that was VERY good! Plus an aerial act, comedians, and a spoof on fairy tales that was also very well done. So I think in the end the two balanced each other out in entertainment. Also, I felt that Freedom had better late night entertainment, and just general musical acts around the ship.

 

If you've ever sailed on the Disney Magic, there's just only so much Midtown you can handle.......

 

[karajeboo]

Lol, wink, I know who you are referring to! My DD & I noticed him too. I swear we have never posed for so many ship photos before! Enjoying your review!

 

hahahahaha! But did you ever talk to him? Because the very last night we were picking up some photos and he was at the counter. When he opened his mouth to talk, I swooned. And then I heard him and thought I was talking to Alvin the Chipmunk!!!! :D Swoon over.

[poncho1973]

And I think the font is perfectly lovely - especially for those of us...um...more "mature" readers who need bigger print!

 

Hold the CTRL button on your keyboard down. Roll the scroll wheel on your mouse forward to make the words bigger. Roll the scroll wheel back towards you to make the words smaller.

 

All browsers, Firefox, IE, Chrome, Opera, etc have features to bump the text up in size without all of us having the HOLLYWOOD sign on our screens. HAHAHAHA.

 

You can do it manual under the "zoom" category in whatever browser you are using's pulldown menu.

 

Wild stab in the dark on which one you are using... Internet Explorer's option is under "Page" "Zoom"

[karajeboo]

Our first dinner in the main dining room, we were on deck 3, Leonardo dining room. This was on the main floor and we were right by the staircase, and PERFECT table to see the whole room!

 

 

This was the view FROM our table, I'll post more photos of the MDR later.

 

 

 

This is the view from the Deck 5 entrance to the MDR.

 

 

Our table is the one that looks like it's almost touching the chandelier on the left side. Jeff has a theory that I find interesting. He said he thinks the FIRST cruise on any line, and they try to give you a really good table to lure you in. It happened to us on Disney, and it happened here. Then your second table you are probably under one of the balconies, or tucked in a corner. Then once you move up in Crown and Anchor status (or Castaway Club status on DCL), you get better tables. I wonder if there's any validity to this theory?

 

 

 

 

 

[karajeboo]

Now since this was our first RCCL cruise, I can't comment on "new" vs "old" menu, but I do love me some good food porn in a trip report.....

 

Tonight's dinner theme is MOJO and it is considered Casual. At first I was somewhat appalled when I saw people wearing shorts and flip flops to dinner! But as the week progressed, I realized that it really was "casual" and I attributed it to the first night and some may not even have all their luggage yet. So I cut them some slack.......

 

We met our server Glen and our assistant server Vuk. I was NOT happy at all with our servers this first night. Glen was very stiff and formal. Vuk was inefficient.

 

It didn't dawn on me until after dinner that FIL was about 15 minutes late to dinner and that throws EVERYTHING off when they are trying to serve their whole station at the same time. And I just think that Glen was very stressed and rushed this first night, because after that, we was the BEST server we've ever had! I guess we all have rough nights, and for whatever reason, he had his on our first night.

 

Reading the menu, I noticed escargot was available each night. So after Vuk got our wine order, Glen came around to take our food order.

 

"I'd like to start with the escargot please."

 

Glen: "I'm sorry we don't have any escargot due to a worldwide shortage."

 

Hmmmm, yes, I see that it says on the menu that it may not be available for that very reason but I was bummed anyway. I love me some snails!!!!

 

I asked Glen what he recommended and he assured me he'd bring me something good.

 

Ok?

 

He ended up bringing me bay scallops prepared as escargot. Not the same, but good effort......

 

For my entree I had the Mojo Marinated Grilled Pork Chop.

 

 

Jeff had the Slow Roasted Prime Rib

 

 

Both were good but here's where DCL wins. The food on Freedom was never bad. But it was very basic. PapPap called it "corporate banquet" food and I think that is spot on. Disney does a lot more with presentation and sauces. The food is more elegant, rich, and adventurous. For us this give an edge to DCL, for some that prefer the basics, they might prefer RCCL. But I'm giving a point to DCL for this.

 

Ally didn't even attempt to be adventurous this first night, her BIRTHDAY night!!!!!

 

 

Ally had begged me all day NOT to have them sing to her. She does not like to be the center of attention. She was so nervous and actually asked if she could leave early to meet her new friends Jenna and Colby (who had my-time dining and ate earlier). We allowed her to head out early and gave her the "talk" - you know, curfew, use your head, don't go below decks, stay in public areas, etc......

 

And she was off!

 

After dinner Nana and PapPap decided to call it a night. The first day is so full and exhausting! So we said goodnight and Jeff and I decided to enjoy our quiet evening to ourselves.....

 

 

We stopped for a drink and just chatted about how the vacation had begun. We were already convinced this was going to be a GREAT cruise!!!!

 

Point for DCL for food.....

 

Total:

 

DCL 6

RCCL 6

 

[RainyJ]

Our table is the one that looks like it's almost touching the chandelier on the left side. Jeff has a theory that I find interesting. He said he thinks the FIRST cruise on any line, and they try to give you a really good table to lure you in. It happened to us on Disney, and it happened here. Then your second table you are probably under one of the balconies, or tucked in a corner. Then once you move up in Crown and Anchor status (or Castaway Club status on DCL), you get better tables. I wonder if there's any validity to this theory?

 

My theory is that the earlier you book, the better table/location. All of our cruises have been fairly last minute, booking about 2 months before sailing. On Freedom we ended up in the dining room on deck 5, and our table mates were also recent bookings. Also had a lot of MTD people. Our Disney Magic cruise we were generally seated in the back of the dining rooms. On our Dream cruise, in the one dining room, we were right next to the serving station and right outside the kitchen doors! The only good thing that happened to us was that Crush talked to my son in Animator's Palatte! But my little one was so shy that I did most of the talking :)

[mets550]

Thanks for the great review so far. We usually request a table in advance (with others, just for two, etc.). I have even requested a window table and gotten it. We will be eight people--where would you recommend in the MDR we request? Are there any round eight-person tables (it looks like the round tables are all for six from your pictures)? Where is the best location? If I ask for something very specific, they just might do it, so I want to know what I should ask for. Any preference on deck also? Thanks!

[karajeboo]

Thanks for the great review so far. We usually request a table in advance (with others, just for two, etc.). I have even requested a window table and gotten it. We will be eight people--where would you recommend in the MDR we request? Are there any round eight-person tables (it looks like the round tables are all for six from your pictures)? Where is the best location? If I ask for something very specific, they just might do it, so I want to know what I should ask for. Any preference on deck also? Thanks!

 

I really liked being in the center of deck 3 (Leonardo's). They had some long tables there that I'm sure could be configured different ways. That's what I would request. Between the chandelier and the staircase.....

[adamken]

Loving the review

[TNIris]

Disney has "wave phones" in the rooms you can use to keep up with the kids when they're out roaming the ship, does Freedom have anything like this?

[karajeboo]

Disney has "wave phones" in the rooms you can use to keep up with the kids when they're out roaming the ship, does Freedom have anything like this?

 

NO! And I LOVED the wave phones! Except when Ally lost it once and all I could think was "$375 gone!!!" Luckily someone turned it in. But those were a great way to keep up with the kids!

[WhenIsLobsterNight]

I love your review. My last five cruises have been Celebrity x 4 and Disney Wonder. I have become spoiled with extremely good food on those cruises, and I am just mentally preparing myself for food quality a few steps down when on the Freedom May 19th. I am a seafood guy myself, and I am hoping the quality of fish is good. Out of curiosity, was there anything that week on the FOS that you thought was outstanding food wise?

[TNIris]

Bummer about the phones!

 

I'm also bummed about there not being any laundry rooms (I know, I know, who goes on a cruise to do laundry! ;))

 

How many times during the week did they have the $25 for anything you can stuff into a bag laundry special, do you remember?

[karajeboo]

I love your review. My last five cruises have been Celebrity x 4 and Disney Wonder. I have become spoiled with extremely good food on those cruises, and I am just mentally preparing myself for food quality a few steps down when on the Freedom May 19th. I am a seafood guy myself, and I am hoping the quality of fish is good. Out of curiosity, was there anything that week on the FOS that you thought was outstanding food wise?

 

We almost ALWAYS go with our server's recommendation and one night he recommended the fish. Jeff said it was the best fish he's ever had on a cruise. And with that said, the lobster was better than the lobster on Disney. Everything else was just okay. Not bad, but nothing you'd pay $50/plate for at a nice restaurant in your hometown.

[mjldvlks]

Thanks for the great review so far. We usually request a table in advance (with others, just for two, etc.). I have even requested a window table and gotten it. We will be eight people--where would you recommend in the MDR we request? Are there any round eight-person tables (it looks like the round tables are all for six from your pictures)? Where is the best location? If I ask for something very specific, they just might do it, so I want to know what I should ask for. Any preference on deck also? Thanks!

There are round tables for 8 and good window locations. We took a 2 week TA on Independence [virtually identical] and had a window table near the rear of the upper level. It was a round table and we had 8 people [4 couples] at the table. The upper two levels of the MDR on Freedom class ships have floor to ceiling windows.

[karajeboo]

Bummer about the phones!

 

I'm also bummed about there not being any laundry rooms (I know, I know, who goes on a cruise to do laundry! ;))

 

How many times during the week did they have the $25 for anything you can stuff into a bag laundry special, do you remember?

 

Not sure about that. We didn't take advantage of that, just the pressing service.

 

There are round tables for 8 and good window locations. We took a 2 week TA on Independence [virtually identical] and had a window table near the rear of the upper level. It was a round table and we had 8 people [4 couples] at the table. The upper two levels of the MDR on Freedom class ships have floor to ceiling windows.

 

That would be really nice for early seating! Late seating it would be dark out..... Hoping to have a large group for our next cruise, if we can get all our neighbors to book with us!