Help me choose - Celebrity Silhouette or RCL Freedom of the Seas?

[bubbadogmom]

Just looking for thoughts....trying to decide between Silhouette or Freedom.

 

This cruise will be a daddy/daughter cruise (I'm 40, he's 68) - I just took him on his first cruise on the Reflection and he really liked it.

 

I've cruised about 12 times, my favourite is Celebrity. Been on Carnival, Royal, Celebrity and NCL.

 

I did like the Allure, but even I found it a bit too big - so it will be too big for my dad. The Reflection was great - and I know that the Silhouette is her sister ship so it will be very similar. But at the same time, I've always wanted to go on the Freedom of the Seas, and I'd like to show him something different.

 

It will be late January - early Feb 2017 - trying to avoid too many kids :).

I know the weather might be warmer in March but it's spring break.

 

The itineraries are similar, but the Silhouette is a 7 night and the Freedom a 6 night.

 

Both are out of Fort Lauderdale. We will be flying from Toronto.

 

Silhouette goes to Coco Cay, Cozumel, Georgetown; Grand Cayman and Falmouth Jamaica.

 

Freedom goes to Georgetown ; Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Puerto Costa Maya Mexico.

 

I'm not familiar at all with Puerto Costa Maya - the rest I've been to.

 

Any comments, thoughts? On what you would choose? I know the Silhouette will be great - but I almost want to try Freedom - I have heard good things about it and it would be a little different.

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

 

 

 

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[Clarea]

Based on itinerary, I'd pick Freedom because of one tender port vs two tender ports for the other ship. However, based on cruise length, I'd go witht e longer cruise, prices being comparable.

 

You may want to post this on the respective cruise line forums to get more visibility:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=28

Edited March 16, 2016 by clarea

[Keith1010]

Let's start with the cruise.

 

You like Celebrity.

 

At his age, Celebrity is a better choice in my opinion than RCI.

 

I would try Freedom at another point in time, but do it without your Dad.

 

Keith

Edited March 16, 2016 by Keith1010

[cruiseapril]

Would choose Freedom for itinerary.

[Keith1010]

Since you are familiar with all the ports other than Costa Maya I will tell you that there is not a lot to it.

 

The area was built by I believe RCI and there are a bunch of shops, and restaurants. I was not impressed with the tours. It's pleasant enough to walk around for an hour or so.

 

It was a tender port.

 

These are a few photos. We were just there in January.

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iogZ1EyRM9Y/VpURD4gTpBI/AAAAAAAAyuM/OM9zLySpNNc/s1600/DSC_4597.jpg

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9q2OL0bFjyA/VpUREwhsJzI/AAAAAAAAyuU/8m7TdImdJK0/s1600/DSC_4605.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GFak8m4Qa94/VpURJnnLEdI/AAAAAAAAyu4/cjrPZt-tXDc/s1600/DSC_4613.jpg

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aKaXjvM65_M/VpURKIDeOEI/AAAAAAAAyvM/uJIIoP9NNjA/s1600/DSC_4616.jpg

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRgIa-Z9YrU/VpURLEe0zSI/AAAAAAAAyvI/qcVvCW5XfjA/s1600/DSC_4617.jpg

 

The other reason I would go with Celebrity is that it's another day and as long as you are coming all the way from Canada why not enjoy another day.

 

And I do think that the Celebrity experience is very nice.

 

Keith

[MollyFlyer]

I sailed on the Silhouette a few years back; it was excellent, overall, and if you're like me and want somewhere to hide from all the activity on occasion, the library is excellent -- more than just a handful of shelves and chairs shoved into a corner like on some.

[janetz]

Based on itinerary, I'd pick Freedom because of one tender port vs two tender ports for the other ship. However, based on cruise length, I'd go witht e longer cruise, prices being comparable.

 

You may want to post this on the respective cruise line forums to get more visibility:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=28

 

:D Bob, where have you been? I noticed you were not on top of things last week. I hope you were cruising...

[janetz]

I would pick the longer cruise! :)

[Aquahound]

Freedom Class and Solstice Class are 2 of my favorites. In this case, I would pick the longer cruise and go with Silhouette.

[SPacificbound]

I will always pick the longer cruise. :)