Best RCL choice in the Caribbean?

[AnnaP]

Hi all,

 

Just got off the Mariner and I am already itching to book again. My son LOVED adventure ocean.

 

My first post! I have cruised twice with RCL in the Mexican Rivera and we are considering trying the Caribbean side. I am not sure which the best ports of call are or if there is a difference between the different Freedom class boats (Ind vs. Freedom). Would I be way happier with one over another? We are very interested in nice warm water, maybe some snorkeling, etc. It would be for my family (me, DH, and 5 year old son) and my sister in laws family (Her, DH, 17 year old, 8 year old).

 

Having been on the Voyager class (which we still loved) we would really like to try the Freedom class or better. Oasis is soo tempting but might be out of our price range. I like the casino tables (not slots), sister in law loves the pool, the kids adore Adventure Ocean.

 

So do the western ones have warm waters? For those that have done both Eastern and western which did you prefer? Do you have a favorite port? How is the stop in Labadee? It seemed to get mixed reviews.

 

Also how much more can I expect to pay for food, drinks, etc in port than in Mexico? I fear the cost of excursions (which we booked off the ship in Mexico) is going to force us to keep to the pacific :(

 

Any feedback would be very much appreciated. We will be booking for the last week in March so around the 27th.

 

Thank you in advance!

 

Sincerely,

Anna

[Esmerelda]

Hi Anna,

 

I can't say as I've sailed many RC ships as I have only done one. We sailed on the Liberty 2 years ago and are rebooked again this year. I have two teens (older) that loved the teen stuff on the ship. The flowrider was FABulous (my hubby and I are 40++ and we had a blast on it). There is so much to do that even my teens weren't bored!! We enjoyed Labadee as we love the water and snorkeling. I really wasn't looking forward to stopping there but we had a lovely time. Mexico is very reasonable as far as food and is one of my favorite stops as well as St. Marteen. The beaches there are stunning.

 

I can't see you going wrong with any of the Freedom ships, they are great!!

 

:)

 

have fun!

[BroncosFan2010]

I think your family will love the Freedom or Voyager class ships. With the ages of your kids, I think anything smaller might present a problem for them, especially since there are fewer kids and teens on the Radiance Class ships in the Caribbean.

[ritaontherocks]

Hi all,

 

Just got off the Mariner and I am already itching to book again. My son LOVED adventure ocean.

 

My first post! I have cruised twice with RCL in the Mexican Rivera and we are considering trying the Caribbean side. I am not sure which the best ports of call are or if there is a difference between the different Freedom class boats (Ind vs. Freedom). Would I be way happier with one over another? We are very interested in nice warm water, maybe some snorkeling, etc. It would be for my family (me, DH, and 5 year old son) and my sister in laws family (Her, DH, 17 year old, 8 year old).

 

Having been on the Voyager class (which we still loved) we would really like to try the Freedom class or better. Oasis is soo tempting but might be out of our price range. I like the casino tables (not slots), sister in law loves the pool, the kids adore Adventure Ocean.

 

So do the western ones have warm waters? For those that have done both Eastern and western which did you prefer? Do you have a favorite port? How is the stop in Labadee? It seemed to get mixed reviews.

 

Also how much more can I expect to pay for food, drinks, etc in port than in Mexico? I fear the cost of excursions (which we booked off the ship in Mexico) is going to force us to keep to the pacific :(

 

Any feedback would be very much appreciated. We will be booking for the last week in March so around the 27th.

 

Thank you in advance!

 

Sincerely,

Anna

Yes, both the eastern and western waters in the caribbean are warm. And as far as the cost of excursions, you can find quite a variety in all price ranges. You can also research the ports of call boards to get a lot of info.

[highseasredneck]

Hi all,

 

Just got off the Mariner and I am already itching to book again. My son LOVED adventure ocean.

 

My first post! I have cruised twice with RCL in the Mexican Rivera and we are considering trying the Caribbean side. I am not sure which the best ports of call are or if there is a difference between the different Freedom class boats (Ind vs. Freedom). Would I be way happier with one over another? We are very interested in nice warm water, maybe some snorkeling, etc. It would be for my family (me, DH, and 5 year old son) and my sister in laws family (Her, DH, 17 year old, 8 year old).

 

Having been on the Voyager class (which we still loved) we would really like to try the Freedom class or better. Oasis is soo tempting but might be out of our price range. I like the casino tables (not slots), sister in law loves the pool, the kids adore Adventure Ocean.

 

So do the western ones have warm waters? For those that have done both Eastern and western which did you prefer? Do you have a favorite port? How is the stop in Labadee? It seemed to get mixed reviews.

 

Also how much more can I expect to pay for food, drinks, etc in port than in Mexico? I fear the cost of excursions (which we booked off the ship in Mexico) is going to force us to keep to the pacific :(

 

Any feedback would be very much appreciated. We will be booking for the last week in March so around the 27th.

 

Thank you in advance!

 

Sincerely,

Anna

 

Hi Anna,

I know you said you'd like to try a Freedom ship but I have to highly reccomend the Adventure of the Seas which sails S. Carib routes out of San Juan. If you can swing the flight to go down there it really is worth it. Those islands are little more untouched. They are taking the AOS out of San Juan in May 2010 so you'd have to go sometime before then. Don't know if that fits your plans but its worth it. After that the Serenade of the Seas which is a Radiance class will be down there from what I've heard.

Thanks,

HSR

[T2C]

Hi all,

 

Just got off the Mariner and I am already itching to book again. My son LOVED adventure ocean.

 

My first post! I have cruised twice with RCL in the Mexican Rivera and we are considering trying the Caribbean side. I am not sure which the best ports of call are or if there is a difference between the different Freedom class boats (Ind vs. Freedom). Would I be way happier with one over another? We are very interested in nice warm water, maybe some snorkeling, etc. It would be for my family (me, DH, and 5 year old son) and my sister in laws family (Her, DH, 17 year old, 8 year old).

 

Having been on the Voyager class (which we still loved) we would really like to try the Freedom class or better. Oasis is soo tempting but might be out of our price range. I like the casino tables (not slots), sister in law loves the pool, the kids adore Adventure Ocean.

 

So do the western ones have warm waters? For those that have done both Eastern and western which did you prefer? Do you have a favorite port? How is the stop in Labadee? It seemed to get mixed reviews.

 

Also how much more can I expect to pay for food, drinks, etc in port than in Mexico? I fear the cost of excursions (which we booked off the ship in Mexico) is going to force us to keep to the pacific :(

 

Any feedback would be very much appreciated. We will be booking for the last week in March so around the 27th.

 

Thank you in advance!

 

Sincerely,

Anna

I can't say about the ship, I sail on Vision class ships and love them, of course our kids are adults now. We really love the western side of the caribbean.