RCCL Freedom of the Seas or Princess Emerald

[beamer55]

Have been on NCL only. Cant' decide which one, both offer a particular itinerary that we are interested in. Have read the boards on Freedom and Emerald. Would like info. Thanks

[velvetred]

Well, I see no one has answered you so I will try to help. I have not been on the Freedom but I have been on RCI and on the Ruby Princess sister ship to the Emerald Princess. I think you will have a nice cruise on either ship but it really depends on your interests. I personally would choose the Emerald Princess because Princess delivers a product and service that better fits my vacation desires (adult rest and relaxation, good evening entertainment, Movies Under the Stars, fresh water pools, anytime dining, etc.) while you might prefer RCI's rock climbing walls, promenades with a parade, Johnny Rocket's, traditional dining, ice skating shows, etc. To me, Princess's motto "Escape Completely" is what I am looking for versus RCI's "Get Out There" slogan. However, that being said I would cruise RCI for the right price and itinerary if I could not fit Princess in with my plans.

 

Right now, I highly recommend the following thread as it contains a very thorough review comparing RCI's Mariner of the Seas to the Emerald Princess:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=944921

 

Please post which one you choose and why.

[beamer55]

Thanks for the wonderful review. When I talked to my TA last month Princess had the cheaper price. But, it takes us only 1 hr to get to Port Canaveral and 3 hrs to Ft. Lauderdale. That doesn't really matter as we usually leave out of Miami. DH liked his ice cream at night, it was soft serve but he could get it when he wanted it. Do you know if they offer tomato juice on the room service menu? Thanks again.

[velvetred]

Don't know about the tomato juice on the room service menu but I bet if you post a thread on the Princess board inquiring whether or not tomato juice is on the room service menu some CC'er will help out with the answer.

 

Personally, I wouldn't let ice cream availability sway me one way or the other for a cruise but if you decide it is important to you please note:

 

Princess: free in dining room at lunch and dinner, free 3:30 to 4:30 in the buffet area and usually available on the pool deck for a fee during the day.

 

Royal Caribbean: fewer flavor choices from what I remember in the dining rooms but there was soft serve available on the pool deck from mid-day to early evening - can't remember exact hours for sure.

[beamer55]

I'll do that. No icecream won't be the deciding factor, it will probably be price. When I last called it was about 900.00 difference in Princess's favor. Going to call next couple of days, if maybe the difference is closer then we may go with RCCL. We would save in gas, plus hotel room, our son could even drop us off that morning. Thanks

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Many RCI ships have a Ben and Jerry's that is open quite late. They scoop the ice cream for you. It is not soft serve, but there is a fee. On Freedom, it is sold in the Prominade area near the Barber shop. my Hubby is a big ice cream addict and he looks forward to his ice cream every day on the ship. We leave the MDR early and have the Ben and Jerry's as a late night snack instead of dessert in the MDR.

 

Freedom is a great ship. I haven't sailed on Princess Emerald. It depends on what you enjoy on a cruise and, of course, the itinerary. I fully understand not wanting to travel to the Port of Miami when you are closer to Port Canaveral. This is especially true after the cruise when you are tired (or at least, I am tired after a cruise.:D)

 

We've sailed all three Freedom Class ships. What we enjoy about these ships is there is so much to do for so many different tastes. We get tired, but never bored. We are both 65 years old, if that helps you when deciding. I don't know your ages.

 

If you have any particular questions about the Freedom, I'll try to answer them. I don't know what you really want in a cruise, so I don't now what points to mention.

[beamer55]

We are 53 & 54, we like to just kick back and relax. We go to some of the shows & I go to the casino but not every night. How is the food ? We would probably do my time dining. Have you had any problems with that & how is Chops? Whatever we chose we like to go in November, but not Thanksgiving. On NCL there wasn't that many kids that time of year. How is room service for breakfest, we like to order it on port days. Is there an adults only pool? Are there times when you feel the ship is crowded.

 

Thanks for answering my questions!!:D