The Fun Researcher

As soon at 8:30 rolled around it was back to normal, wide open at both entrances. It was just between 5 and 8:30.

 

We went back about 9 and while open to everyone it was very quiet. I think it depends on the number of diamonds on each individual cruise.

 

Ah, got it. Hope it's not dead later at night, but glad we can get in! :)

 

Dan

Please help me understand. I am lowly gold (turning platinum on our upcoming cruise) We have a long way to Diamond.

 

Anyway, are you all saying there is a chance that we could be shut out of the Viking Deck altogether? I've downloaded the Cruise Compass's for the Navigator 8 night itinerary that we'll be on, and almost every night there is a DJ in the Cosmopolitan Club starting around 10:30 pm. (since the deck 3,4 nightclub is gone) We plan to be there (deck 14), since we love to dance to a DJ while having a few drinks. There isn't a chance that we'll be shut out of this will we?

 

Dan

Lost our military OBC to upgrade as well :( Was only $26 but that was 2 drinks darn it :(

 

REALLY sad that $26 only gets you about two drinks. Crazy. The drink prices have really gotten out of hand.

 

Dan

Ok I got clarification. When I first booked on the first day of the BOGO you paid the price they showed per person for the first person and got half off that for the second person. They have since changed it so that the price per person shown is indeed already calculating in the BOGO based on a 2 person occupancy. I find it very confusing that they changed the way they do that. It should have stayed showing the per person price and then the second person is half off that. that is much easier to understand.

 

Interesting. I agree, it was easier before when you saw the price being different for the 2nd person. I see why they are doing it this way now though. If people are comparing prices from one cruise line to another, this shows the discounted price up front and makes the price more attractive.

 

Dan

Don't forget taxes and fees that go on top of that price for each person. Plus prepaid gratuities if you choose my time dining. (edit: just saw that you already mentioned that).

 

The price shown is the cheapest for that category. Depending on what level of balcony you choose, the price does change. I've also had the website change the date of my sailing before for no reason. Might want to make sure it didn't switch weeks on you.

 

Dan

[quote name='MrZoey']We had signed up for MTD with a group of 8. We were in the Presidential Suite, so we had Raj looking out for us.(on Indy). He called us to let us know there was no table large enough for a group that size in MTD, so he switched us to the early seating and we got a table together. I'm not sure you would get a table of 10 in MTD......maybe all in the same area?[/QUOTE]

This is just our experience. We have done my time dining on all four of our cruises and we have seen parties larger than 10 all at one table. Well, all one large table. (Multiple tables pushed to the other with chairs around )

Dan

[quote name='Ocean Boy']We have sailed on Indy several times and I'd have no issue sailing on the ship again. I do think the entertainment on the ship is a bit weak especially the production shows. But I don't really care. We just skip those shows and it gives us more time to do other things around the ship. I'm just as happy spending the evening out on deck taking in the sea and sky.[/QUOTE]

Based on our experience, I agree with your post 100%

Dan

The Viking Crown only recently became the venue for the late night DJ. Prior to the last dry dock, the late night DJ was in the two deck nightclub on decks 3 and 4, near Schooner Bar. In other words, you probably were already using the late night DJ venue on your previous cruises.

 

Thanks, I look forward to a different venue. The Gothic feel of the old club on deck's three and four never really did anything for me.

 

Dan

The Diamond Lounge is in a section in the Viking Crown. It is where the 19th Hole bar used to be -- starboard side towards the aft.

The disco at night is usually crowded.

 

Thank you Jimnbigd!

 

I actually prefer crowded to dead, especially when it comes to a DJ with dancing.

 

Sounds like a place we should have started checking out 4 cruises ago! :)

 

Dan

The promenade really is a big deal. We have nothing else to compare to, but I can't imagine not having that wonderful big long open space to greet you every morning and evening.

 

Cheers,

Dan

Ask me on the 20th. I get on her tomorrow! :)

 

Will do! Have a great time!

 

Dan

Thank you. Does this area get decent crowd at night?

 

Dan

Just checking. Looks like the Diamond Lounge is also on this level. You don't need to be Diamond to access the Cosmo or Viking Lounge right? We've never really wandered up to this level on the Freedom class.

 

With the night clubs turning into Sabor on the Freedom and Voyager class ships, looks like they now have a DJ and dancing in the Cosmopolitan at night. Anyone been there at night now that the Deck 3,4 night club is closed? Are there enough people there to make it a good time dancing, drinking, etc...

 

Thanks!

 

Dan

The Dungeon down on Deck Three may be gone, but the Cosmopolitan Lounge up on 14 is used for the nightclub now on Navigator.

 

On Freedom, they're using Olive or Twist (Viking Crown Lounge) for the nightclub dancing.

 

I'm really looking forward to the Cosmopolitan on the Navigator in a few months! We like to dance. A DJ in a nice club is perfect.

 

We've never spent any time in those small upper decks on the Freedom class because we would typically go to the night clubs down low (Raven on the Indy, and Labrynth on the Freedom). I liked that they had those nightclubs, but I felt that they really missed out on the theming of the space WAY too gothic and dark. Would have loved a basic well themed nightclub. All a moot point now that they are gone now. Will still miss them though. We also visit the lounge at the fore end of the promenade depending on the music.

 

Hopefully the Cosmopolitan will be lively and a fun place to party. Anyone have experience with the DJ and dancing there?

 

Dan

I treat each cruise like my first.

 

I like that!

 

Dan

I had never thought of this. Touching stories all. Thank you.

 

Dan

Thankfully Cruise Critic wasn't around when we started cruising otherwise I probably would never have stepped one foot on a ship. :D

 

True that!

 

I haven't looked around on these boards for long, but holy cow, I agree! Critic is right! As in super critical! I thought people like to complain on the Disney board that I frequent, but they are only in step one of a seven step program compared to this board!

 

O.k... off my soapbox.

 

Did I already say that I love the Indy?

 

Dan

Like others said, practically the same.

 

Decorations inside will be slightly different. Some of the lounges and dining room will have different names and be furnished differently... The Liberty is getting a few updates soon I think, like water slides, which is pretty dang cool.

 

If you find information about one Freedom class ship, it's almost identical to the other two.

 

We've been on the Freedom and Independence and they felt like the same ship really. LOVE them both. Love the Freedom class.

 

Dan

We LOVE the Independence. Sailed her twice. Both awesome trips. ...we love the Freedom Class in general. Food in the main dining room and buffet was on par with the Freedom and Oasis. Service was very good.

 

We've done larger (Oasis) and didn't like feel of being disconnected from the ocean, the excess of people, and the distance to everything. An awesome ship no doubt, but not for us. Having gone larger, we learned that we don't need that big of a ship. Freedom class is plenty. We haven't done smaller than the Freedom class, but will in April with the Navigator.

 

Drink prices are too high on all RCI ships now IMO.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Dan

Yes, pizza in Cafe Promenade.

 

Great! Thank you.

 

Dan

Having been on both ships, I prefer the Freedom. The Oasis is too large for me, way too many people, it felt crowded especially in the public areas and on Dancing in the Streets night, you couldn't move, it was people to people. There were never any seats at the free restaurants like the pizza parlor.

 

Also, you don't have to prebook your entertainment on Freedom. We spent one evening on the Oasis going from one entertainment venue to another because even though you have a reservation, you HAVE to be there when the doors open; after a certain time, they open it up to those who don't have a reservation. I was worn out just getting from place to place!

 

The entertainment on both ships is very good, though and is very professionally done and different from your typical cruise ship entertainment.

 

Agree with this and will add more... We've done Freedom class 3 times and Oasis class once. My (hopefully) short summary of the differences:

 

If you want to be wowed by a SHIP, the Oasis class is it. Massive promenade, Central Park, Boardwalk... LOTS to walk around and see. However we felt like we could never get away from people on the Oasis. We love people, but sometimes you just want some seclusion, and a somewhat private stroll. Just couldn't find it on the Oasis. The promenade, even late at night (like midnight+), was full ...with a surprising amount of under teen kids. On all the Freedom class ships, after midnight the promenade is calm with a light amount of people.

 

I felt disconnected from the ocean on the Oasis. It was a challenge to find good views of the seas. On the Freedom class, you have views all over. ...and like others said, it really does feel like a floating shopping mall compared to the Freedom class.

 

I did like the clubs on the Oasis a little better than on the Freedom or Independence, but not enough to sway me back to the Oasis class. For us, the Freedom class is fantastic and we prefer it over the Oasis.

 

Food was comparable on both. Rooms similar. Entertainment is about equal, except you do get basically a full length Broadway show on the Oasis and Allure. Funny thing is, I don't want to sit through that long of a show when we're out at sea.(and we love the shows) Too much other fun stuff to do.

 

We're trying the next size down in April, on the Navigator, but it's VERY similar to the Freedom class.

 

I think it would be worth your while to try the Freedom Class, that way you have a good comparison. Hope this helps.

 

Dan

Thanks for the great review! We'll be on the Navigator for this same itinerary in April. We did the itinerary last year on the Independence and loved it.

 

Taking the kids this time. Can't wait!

 

Anyway, how crowded were the pools? We've cruised the Independence with the kids, and the pools weren't overly crowded (but they WERE super cold). I think the H2O zone helps reduce the crowding around the pools on the Freedom class ships. Our kids, well, being kids, love to swim. did you feel that the pools were crowded? Thanks!

 

Oh yeah, there is pizza at the café promenade right? Just want to verify since there is no Sorrentos, and we all like a late night pizza snack...

 

Dan

Hi all! 1st post here!

We are a group of 10 sailing in April 2016 on the Navigator and I already booked our My Time dining reservations. Better to be safe than sorry. You can always adjust the times each night while you're on the ship, but it's nice to have it reserved ahead. If you link all your bookings you can just do it on the RCI website.

Dan