freedom of the seas?

[bfamily4]

hi there. we are a family of 4 with kids who are 4 & 5. We have only done 3 cruises and all on disney. We are thinking of giving freedom a try. wondering if we would like it? things that we love about disney: shows/activities that we can do together as a family, kids clubs, cleanliness of the ship, great customer service/friendliness of crew, and the fact that pretty much everything is included in your cruise fare. we don't gamble but a casino is not a deal breaker as long as we can avoid it (ie: don't have to go through it to go other areas of the ship). any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Clarea]

Regarding things being included in the cruise fare, soda is not included on Royal. A can of soda are around $2.50 each on Royal. There are soda packages available for $4.50 per day for ages 17 and under, and $6.50 per day for ages 18 and up. Add 18% for gratuity.

[BillOh]

hi there. we are a family of 4 with kids who are 4 & 5. We have only done 3 cruises and all on disney. We are thinking of giving freedom a try. wondering if we would like it? things that we love about disney: shows/activities that we can do together as a family, kids clubs, cleanliness of the ship, great customer service/friendliness of crew, and the fact that pretty much everything is included in your cruise fare. we don't gamble but a casino is not a deal breaker as long as we can avoid it (ie: don't have to go through it to go other areas of the ship). any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Bob, sleep in once in awhile! - ;) Freedom is a great family ship, lots of kids activities and adults. The casino is centrally located and it is convenient to cut through there, but there are plenty of other routes, I only avoid it at the smokiest times. Its really easy to get around for a big ship.

Edited February 18, 2015 by BillOh

[Woodmnky]

We are sailing on Freedom in April after having done two Disney Fantasy sailings with our now 4 yo son. Our big reason for the switch was price. Even with Guarantee fares, Disney was just too high for our budget this time.

 

Some of the differences that I have noted are:

Soda is not included

You can carry on 2 bottles of wine per stateroom, but you cannot carry alcohol onboard

No self service laundry onboard.

Kids clubs are more divided by ages (Aquanauts is 3-5, Explorers is 6-8)

No pool deck dining option, such as the burger & pizza places on Disney

Room service menu is more limited and doesn't have as much that will appeal to my son

Lack of divided bathrooms in the staterooms

 

All of that being said, we still chose Freedom. I am actually excited about the more restrictive ages for the kids clubs, because I think that my son will do a lot better in a smaller group with kids his own age verses the very open concept that Disney offers. I am estimating about $50 for laundry onboard and even though I hate paying this, the cost to sail Freedom is so much less that this isn't an issue. I am very sad about not being able to carry on my own booze & the lack of pool deck dining, but we will make due.

 

Freedom has the Dreamworks Experience so there will still be characters for your kids to see & meet. There is also a character breakfast on seas days for $10 per person (although kids under a certain age are free - I know that my 4 yo is free, but I am not sure what the cut off is). The ice show is very family friendly. There is a large pool area dedicated to kids who are potty trained.

 

DH & I are working very hard to go into this with the resolve that we will not spend the trip trying to compare to two, but rather enjoying Freedom for what she offers.

[bfamily4]

We are sailing on Freedom in April after having done two Disney Fantasy sailings with our now 4 yo son. Our big reason for the switch was price. Even with Guarantee fares, Disney was just too high for our budget this time.

 

Some of the differences that I have noted are:

Soda is not included

You can carry on 2 bottles of wine per stateroom, but you cannot carry alcohol onboard

No self service laundry onboard.

Kids clubs are more divided by ages (Aquanauts is 3-5, Explorers is 6-8)

No pool deck dining option, such as the burger & pizza places on Disney

Room service menu is more limited and doesn't have as much that will appeal to my son

Lack of divided bathrooms in the staterooms

 

All of that being said, we still chose Freedom. I am actually excited about the more restrictive ages for the kids clubs, because I think that my son will do a lot better in a smaller group with kids his own age verses the very open concept that Disney offers. I am estimating about $50 for laundry onboard and even though I hate paying this, the cost to sail Freedom is so much less that this isn't an issue. I am very sad about not being able to carry on my own booze & the lack of pool deck dining, but we will make due.

 

Freedom has the Dreamworks Experience so there will still be characters for your kids to see & meet. There is also a character breakfast on seas days for $10 per person (although kids under a certain age are free - I know that my 4 yo is free, but I am not sure what the cut off is). The ice show is very family friendly. There is a large pool area dedicated to kids who are potty trained.

 

DH & I are working very hard to go into this with the resolve that we will not spend the trip trying to compare to two, but rather enjoying Freedom for what she offers.

 

I hear ya about the price. We booked onboard last week when we got off the magic but thinking about moving that into 2017 instead and do a cruise next year that's easier on the wallet. my other concern about RCI are the kids clubs. are they strict about the ages? my kids will be 5 & 6 when we cruise and according to what I've been reading they won't be in the same group. Kids are shy and I know they won't utilize the clubs if they can't be together

[Woodmnky]

I hear ya about the price. We booked onboard last week when we got off the magic but thinking about moving that into 2017 instead and do a cruise next year that's easier on the wallet. my other concern about RCI are the kids clubs. are they strict about the ages? my kids will be 5 & 6 when we cruise and according to what I've been reading they won't be in the same group. Kids are shy and I know they won't utilize the clubs if they can't be together

I'm not sure if they are strict or not. If nobody chimes in here, you could start a new thread.

[cheers55]

Have been on freedom 4 times. Wonderful ship. Dream works is represented very well on the ship. The entertainment is outstanding. Also, they staff does a great job with kids that age in adventure ocean. You can leave the kids with them as well. I have only done RCCL. To be honest , I will never do another cruise line. That's how satisfied I am with the job they do. They do a lot of things geared towards the kids. Also plenty for the adults too. It's amazing really to see how effective RCCL is at entertaining guests of all ages

[banderboo]

I'm not sure if they are strict or not. If nobody chimes in here, you could start a new thread.

 

It depends on the number of kids on board in those age groups. If there are a lot of kids on board in the group you are trying to move to then you probably won't be able to put the kids together. On the other hand, if you are sailing when there aren't a lot of kids you probably won't have a problem. Go in and talk to them as soon as you get on board.

[bfamily4]

It depends on the number of kids on board in those age groups. If there are a lot of kids on board in the group you are trying to move to then you probably won't be able to put the kids together. On the other hand, if you are sailing when there aren't a lot of kids you probably won't have a problem. Go in and talk to them as soon as you get on board.

 

thank you!

[mad-dog74]

Freedom is an awesome ship for kids....

 

Allure and Oasis would knock their socks off. My kids 8 & 10 say they'd rather cruise than go to Disney World!

[cb at sea]

Of course you will love it.... yes..they are strict with age groups, as the activities are perfect for the ages they are for.

[cruiser813]

How big is the splash pad for children not potty trained?

[Lynmae75]

I have cruised on Disney 5 times and have recently begun sailing on other cruise lines. I have found on the other lines that the youth clubs for my son's age group (age 7) cost extra after a certain hour. Does anyone know if there is an extra cost on Freedom of the Seas if my son goes to the youth club during the evenings?

[SarahD112]

There is a charge for 3-11 after 10pm. Can't remember the hourly price - someone will post it. 12-17 year olds have planned activities until midnight or 1am, no extra charge.

 

When we sailed last February, they moved my nephew up an age group, no problem. Did it right there at the kids check in desk when we boarded. It was, however, not spring break. I've heard they're less inclined when it's super busy.

[banderboo]

How big is the splash pad for children not potty trained?

 

It may have changed after drydock, but when we sailed May 2014 with our 2 grandsons I was very disappointed in the pool area for non potty trained kids. I'll see if I can find a picture. It was basically a small shallow circular area that the kids could sit in. I think capacity said 10 kids but in reality it was probably big enough for 5 or 6 kids and their parent.

 

At least on our cruise the pool attendants would go nuts if the kids even walked through the splash zone area.

[Woodmnky]

How big is the splash pad for children not potty trained?

I saw it in a video and it appeared to be a round area with an inch or two of water and it looked to be about 7 ft across. It was not big or exciting looking.

[Lynmae75]

There is a charge for 3-11 after 10pm. Can't remember the hourly price - someone will post it. 12-17 year olds have planned activities until midnight or 1am, no extra charge.

 

When we sailed last February, they moved my nephew up an age group, no problem. Did it right there at the kids check in desk when we boarded. It was, however, not spring break. I've heard they're less inclined when it's super busy.

 

Thank you.

[CruisinCanadaFamily]

Hello

 

Hopefully you see this response in time.

 

We were on Freedom of the seas in 2012 and absolutely loved it! We loved it soo much that we are going again at the end of this year! Its my extended families favorite ship too!

 

I highly recommend this ship to you! If you have any specific questions Ill be more then willing to help.

[grammymarcia]

How big is the splash pad for children not potty trained?

 

Just got off the FOS. The non potty trained area is maybe 10x8 about 3 inches deep, and heated with one small sprinkler. Unfortunately it right next to the very nice H2O area. Very poor placement in my opinion. There were to "guards" making sure no one with a swim diaper on got into the H2O area. There were 2 times during our week that the H2O area had to be closed and cleaned because of accidents .

[mollyeilis]

It depends on the number of kids on board in those age groups. If there are a lot of kids on board in the group you are trying to move to then you probably won't be able to put the kids together. On the other hand, if you are sailing when there aren't a lot of kids you probably won't have a problem. Go in and talk to them as soon as you get on board.

 

But if it's a low-kid time, they might be combining groups anyway. January on Freedom and October on Vision they combined groups. Which means the 6-8s and the 9-11s were together.

 

Therefore that poster would end up with a 5 year old in with the 11s or a 6 year old in with the 3-5s. Neither sounds terrific to me.

 

As a shy kid, honestly, I'd try the clubs anyway. Let the kids see what they have access to (maybe taking them separately to check things out, maybe trying more than once) and see if they'd like to break free. My mom understood that I was shy and then never pushed me to do anything much...now, she was a working mom and didn't have time for the intense help I needed...but on a vacation, that's all you have, is time. Great time to see if kids feel like breaking out a bit.