Freedom Frenzy Begins -- Cruise Critic Will Be On Board, Will You???

[conniel4009]

Hello All. We are a group of 46 cruising on the Freedom Nov 5, 2006. Any suggestions for group activities? :cool:

[BillyMetz]

connie, I am a member of a group that ranges between 25-40 passengers when we go on cruises, depending on who wants to go. We always enjoy the tried and true scavenger hunt that last the entire cruise with requirements to get items from each of the ports, etc. At the end we meet in a lounge in the afternoon when it is not crowded and tally up the winner, who gets some silly gift for bragging until the next cruise.

[Aloha 5]

Hi,

I signed up on here somewhere with a group that was sailing on the same cruise. I have not been able to find the thread anyone know where to direct me?

Also, I just read that someone sailing in June was bumped from their reserved cabin. Is that normal on RCCL? I have not sailed with them before, and that would be a nightmare as we have kids in the cabin next door. And some neighbors and their kids coming on the same trip.

Looking forward to this trip and hoping it problem free.

[motherbunk]

Yes. I am booked on the Freedom for May 13, 2007 and I am holding a reservation for April 19, 2008 on the Liberty of the Seas. This will be my first time on RCI.:D

 

Carnival Valor- May 2004

Carnival Libery- April 2006

Do you know what time the Freedom departs from Pier 92? I wanted to see her pull out?

[mesmall]

Does anybody know if the Freedom will be coming through the Cape Cod Canal.Do you think it will fit under the bridge???I'd love to even just see it go by!!! How did you get a 1 night stay????

[lilirose66]

hey hey....will be there too for the inaugural in Boston!!!

 

will bring back lots of pictures for sure.

 

lilirose66

[BethA]

How lucky for those getting to see the Freedom.

 

Are the cabins any bigger?

Do you feel like it is too big when you have to get from one end to the other?

I see people booked already for 07 and 08--is she selling out for next year, that is when we are thinking of going. Are there more suites than on the Voyager class?

[smrtypnts]

How did you get a 1 night stay????

 

In my case it was pure unadulterated luck!! I go tomorrow out of Bayonne. Online travel agent I used to book 7 cabins in November called me a month ago and asked me if i wanted to go. Everything is totally free, except spa and casino. Tips included, drinks included, even parking is included! I am far too excited.

[BethA]

why am I never lucky??

 

Can't wait to hear everyone's experience

[smrtypnts]

why am I never lucky??

 

Can't wait to hear everyone's experience

 

Maybe you're lucky in ways that I am not. Do you cruise every year, like many of the people here? I seem to get a "nice" vacation every 4 years.

[dbauknight]

My wife read that there are no "self serve" laundrymats on board.

 

I also read that irons are not allowed on board but they do have a room to iron cloths. My shirts get really bad when they are packed up.

 

Can you check the laundry facilities. If so, where are they.

 

We are sailing August 20th, and have one of the "family style" cabins on board. (Cabin 7307)

[BethA]

what are the family style cabins?

[bunnybear]

Here is a picture of her in port. She is a beautiful ship - very shiny and very BIG.

[Bookbug53]

RCCL has overbooked their shiny new ship for the May 19th inauguaral and are in the process of calling over 500 people to tell them are bumped. They are offering no explanation as to how this happened. Friends of mine that have been confirmed for weeks have been given the boot. I haven't gotten 'the call' yet but I am informed that people may not be told until they arrive at the port. Now I remember why I never booked them.

[wasup254]

Are there preview cruises, like 2 or 3 days when she is in Miami??

 

Are they all booked, silly question I am sure

 

Thanks

[GottaLuvCruising]

RCCL has overbooked their shiny new ship for the May 19th inauguaral and are in the process of calling over 500 people to tell them are bumped. They are offering no explanation as to how this happened. Friends of mine that have been confirmed for weeks have been given the boot. I haven't gotten 'the call' yet but I am informed that people may not be told until they arrive at the port. Now I remember why I never booked them.

 

Where did you hear that folks may be bumped at the pier (not told in advance)? I'm also sailing the May 19th inaugural...I think...I hope. No cancellation call yet and I hope I don't get one. But if I'm not getting onboard, I'd prefer to know in advance. Like everyone else, I'm just disgusted that RCI allowed this to happen.

[Bookbug53]

Where did you hear that folks may be bumped at the pier (not told in advance)? I'm also sailing the May 19th inaugural...I think...I hope. No cancellation call yet and I hope I don't get one. But if I'm not getting onboard, I'd prefer to know in advance. Like everyone else, I'm just disgusted that RCI allowed this to happen.

 

They are still calling people. If someone is on the list and is not able to be reached they can still be denied boarding at the pier. If you have not received a call yet CALL THEM and verify that you are still on the manifest!

Some are being offered an alternative one night sailing for Sunday night.

[Schplinky]

While I doubt that Bookbug is lying, I think I would wait for other comfirmed reports before you get "disgusted" with RCL over this. It seems unbeleivable that they would stranf folks at the pier for a preview cruise, since they have invited folks from as far as California.

[Bookbug53]

While I doubt that Bookbug is lying, I think I would wait for other comfirmed reports before you get "disgusted" with RCL over this. It seems unbeleivable that they would stranf folks at the pier for a preview cruise, since they have invited folks from as far as California.

 

I can assure you that this is the planned action. If you are on the bumped list you will NOT board. The fact that they are notifying 'invited guests' that they are no longer invited is more than enough cause for disgust. People have purchased plane tickets, planned vacations around this, altered their work schedules, etc only to be told that they can no longer be 'accommodated'. They are now claiming it is an IT problem. When all else fails blame the computer. I guess someone over there forgot to tell the computer that while the ship is big it is not infinite. This is ridiculous and shameful. And please do not use my name and the word lying in the same sentence.

[Schplinky]

Bookbug, sorry you are so emtional about this but I said I doubted you were lying. If you'd prefer me not to say that, I will.

 

Time to simmer down.

[smrtypnts]

Wow, even though mine was only a 1-day, I would have been extremely disappointed had I gotten the boot. I wouldn't have lost money, and I would have just gone to work as usual, but thankfully that didn't happen. My one day out of Bayonne was terrific!! She's a gorgeous ship and hopefully tonight I'll upload some pics. Everything was spectacular. I drank myself into oblivion!! There are enough bars on this ship to serve a million! (just kidding.) There's about 12 or 15 of them, though! Surfing was fun to watch as they had professionals doing it and doing tricks to boot. Didn't use the pools or hot-tubs but they did look inviting. One night wasn't enough and NY weather wasn't cooperating. 60degrees really isn't pool weather, even if it can be hot tub weather.

 

I didn't find the presidential family suite to be all that terrific. The owner's suite and grand suite were, though!!!

 

The ice show was excellent and we didn't attend the regular show, but heard in the morning that it too was excellent. (spent our time gambling...hehehe) Dinner was good, but not great, deserts were very good. Lunch in Windjammer was typical (in my opinion, not very good.......again, just my opinion.) Breakfast in the dining room was also typical, pretty good.

 

Having never been on any of the Voyager class ships, Freedom was really special. I really liked all the outdoor activities geared to the kids. The spaces on this ship were really nicely done. The halls of the cabins were adored with pictures and there seems to be artwork everywhere you go. Maybe this is the way Voyager ships are also. I went on Legend and it wasn't like that at all.

 

Overall, free was terrific and I really enjoyed myself!!!:) :D

[conniel4009]

Bookbug,

 

Is this only for the May 19th inauguaral sailing. I've been hearing from my agent that quite a few dates have been overbooked.

[Bookbug53]

Bookbug,

 

Is this only for the May 19th inauguaral sailing. I've been hearing from my agent that quite a few dates have been overbooked.

 

I have not heard anything about other dates.

[snoopy_leogirl]

I have not heard anything about other dates.

 

RCCL better not have overbooked other dates. We're on the June 18th sailing and we rearranged so much to make this trip work. :(

[Bookbug53]

Where did you hear that folks may be bumped at the pier (not told in advance)? I'm also sailing the May 19th inaugural...I think...I hope. No cancellation call yet and I hope I don't get one. But if I'm not getting onboard, I'd prefer to know in advance. Like everyone else, I'm just disgusted that RCI allowed this to happen.

 

Have you heard or found out anything about your status? I was told today that as of 5pm we are still a go. You can call RCCL and ask to speak to someone in 'special events' and they can confirm your status.