Avoiding crowds and lines!? MTD dinner reservations?show times?venue open close time?

Hello my girlfriend and I are going on a medeterranean cruise(Freedome of the Seas) september 3 2017 it is our first cruise.

We are going to do all the free food venues + some roomservice and Jhonny Rockets.

Should we make reservations for MTD? when are the shows? when and where should we alter/cancel reservations if our plans changes?

We are going to spend some time at the pool during day and night! when do bars open/close at the pool where is the best place to grab drinks for pool if bars are closed?

Is the arcade open at night? probably less crowded then?

we are going to create one or two seadays(stay on ship on a port day) what is open?

we are going to do our own exploring in ports walking free shuttles local busses trains and taxis only if we have to(runing late cant figure out busses trains) we have smartphones for navigating(free roming in europe).

When and where should we do what to avoid lines and crowds?

I would recommend making a standing reservation at MDR using MTD if that fits your plans. Usually, there will be an early and late performance show each night, to accommodate the traditional diners. Just call the phone for reservations to change plans, or walk down to the 5th deck reservation desk. The pool area is a lot less crowded on port days. You'll have a great time. Enjoy the Med ports!!!

Most everything is open on a port day that is open on a sea day. The pool area is a lot less crowded on port days. You'll have a great time. Enjoy the Med ports!!!

False news - almost everything will be closed - all shops, casino, Johnny rockets, a lot of bars and the MDR!

They will keep 1 bar open at the pool deck but most venues will be closed and no planned activities!

False news - almost everything will be closed - all shops, casino, Johnny rockets, a lot of bars and the MDR!

They will keep 1 bar open at the pool deck but most venues will be closed and no planned activities!

Thank you for the correction....

... we are going to create one or two seadays(stay on ship on a port day) what is open? ...

Pools, Hot tubs, Flowrider, Mini-golf, Rock Climbing, Spa. Port days are a good time to get discounts on spa services.

Pools, Hot tubs, Flowrider, Mini-golf, Rock Climbing, Spa. Port days are a good time to get discounts on spa services.

Sorry you are unfortunately wrong!

Flowrider and Rock-climbing, even Mini-golf (as the both to get the clubs will not be open) will also be closed during the day while in port - depending on how long the port time is! Flowrider might have a short session very early in the morning...depending on the port time.

They will re-open about 1 hour before sail-time!

So during the day Hot Tubs and poll...+ 1 bar..and the WJ with a quite short opening time for lunch....

Check old cruise compasses for opening times on your trip!

No reason to make MTD reservations at all..play it by ear each night..Flexibility is the main point of MTD vs MDR. We have been opting for MTD since it was given as an option...that way we don't have to worry about having others seated at a MDR table wait/expect us or having to feel the need to let anyone know of our dining option on any particular night. The wait for our table for two (which we prefer) is usually less than 5 min but we do tend to eat early so any show schedule works well.

Relax, this will all make sense and be easy once onboard.

I was on the anthem in July. On port days we went to a few trivia contests, we were able to sign up for the North Star, we went to the spa, and I'm pretty sure my brother did that indoor skydiving thing, forget the name of it. We went to the windjammer and didn't notice it being opened for a reduced time at lunch. Maybe different on different ships? We had no shortage of things to do on board.

I was on the anthem in July. On port days we went to a few trivia contests, we were able to sign up for the North Star, we went to the spa, and I'm pretty sure my brother did that indoor skydiving thing, forget the name of it. We went to the windjammer and didn't notice it being opened for a reduced time at lunch. Maybe different on different ships? We had no shortage of things to do on board.

Interesting - all the ships we have been on had VERY limited activities and WJ hours while in port... Anthem seems to be different - or are you mixing up port-time and sailing?

If the port-day ends at 2pm - of course all venues will be open after sail-away....