siestaclaud

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1911558

scroll down in this thread to see great pictures! 7708!!

We got them on Freedom a month ago - Miller Lite and DosEquis - buy 8 get 2 free. It was great! We would buy 2 bags and have a party on our balcony at sail away. Bartenders gave us plenty of limes, and the bottle opener is built right in to the cooler. Beers were a bit over $6 each (with the tip) - not terrible.

Bags are open top thermals - Royal blue with yellow piping and a carrying strap. Not incredibly practical for anything else,:) but fun for the cruise!

BTW - the flamers on here can go blow. All I did in my original post was state what happened to me and suggest she bring a letter along. Did I say YOU MUST DO THIS?? No. That is what this board is all about.

I was bringing 3 "kids" not related to me on their first cruise - out of the country - and didn't want to chance ANYTHING at all as far as paper work etc. I went with the better safe than sorry attitude, so I didn't ever need to talk to a supervisor/manager about it. I was covered!

A parent of a person aged 18 or older, has no legal say in what that person can do, so a notarized letter has no legal binding whatsoever. The under 21 adult can be booked in a cabin with your under 21 adult, as long as it is next to or across from yours and you take responsibility for them. The only thing you can't do is have more related under 21 adults in a cabin than there are related ones.

This is not true - I originally had it set up this way with 3 cabins.. I had my 2 sons and an unrelated 19 year old in one cabin. And I had my 2 daughters and 1 un related 20 year old in one cabin. One was directly next to us ( me and my husband and 1 related minor), one was immediately across the hall. RCI called ME and told me their booking agent had made a mistake. All minors not related to us had to be in a cabin with either my husband or myself. So we rebooked it and they gave me a FREE cabin because of their mistake. We had 3 interior and 1 balcony - zero extra cost. It really didn't matter because we all switched cabins once aboard anyway with no problems. My mistake at booking is that I relied 100% on what I read here on Cruise Critic and didn't call RCI or look online on the website myself. This error turned out to be in our benefit - we can always use another cabin!

they took them because you offered them.. 18 and above are considered adults in the united states. they can vote and they can serve their country.

I did not offer them - were you there? She asked me for the 20 year olds FIRST!

You are confused on what a minor is. Being a minor means under 18. It has nothing to do with the drinking age in the USA of 21. So the 20 and 19 year old in your group were not minors. They are adults. No need to bring letters.

Then why did the agent ask me for the letters at check in? Yes - they are not minors, but I was told by my travel agent to bring the letters, and I needed them.

As promised, we made a video of our Norwegian Getaway vacation. It's a little long, but worth every second. Come relive the journey with us by clicking the link below.

 

 

 

Thank you

What a fun family!! Awesome video! We area going on Getaway in August - thanks for the great highlights!:):D:):D

We got off this past January 5 - it took 2 hours. We stood in line on the ship forever. Then got off, and stood in line to get into an elevator because we were told we had to gown a certain hallway - the escalator was broken, so everyone in our line had to take the elevator - we even tried to turn around and go back to the other escalators but were yelled at. It was chaos! The line to get off the ship snaked down 4 flights of stairs, then down into the casino and back again to the exits. We got off the elevators, took a right and just went for it.. out the door! No one was directing traffic. No friendly thank you. I highly recommend taking your own bags off - and getting in line as early as possible!

We bought the reusable coolers at the bar, and they were buy 10 get 2 free. We did that a few times, and put leftovers in the mini fridge. Our room steward filled our cooler with ice again for us one night and we chilled the mini fridge beers up well that way! I am sure you can find that special somewhere on your ship. Yes - beers are cheaper than at a baseball/football game - not cheap for a whole week - but it wasn't horrible.

We will be taking a 19 year old friend of my son's with us on the Oasis. I see where the minimum age is 21 to sail unaccompanied but will I need a notarized letter from parents for a 19 year old? Not considered a minor normally.

I would bring a notarized letter, and medical release. We just took 3 minors not related to us (ages 16, 19 & 20) just a few weeks ago 12/2014 Freedom sailing. I had notarized letters for all 3. At check in we were asked for those letters for all 3. CS rep took them from me and scanned them.

At booking, each minor (non relative) had to be booked in a cabin with either me or my husband. We had 4 cabins - me, and 16 & 20 year old, and my husband with 19 year old. Our own children were book in cabins on either side of my husband. Once on board, we switched rooms - we just told our cabin stewards and they were fine with it. We also picked up a few "extra keys" at guest services and we were fine all week.

I also kept everyone's passports with me, in my room , in our safe. When in port, I took the bag of passports with me, and left copies of our passports in our room.

Anyone under 21 was not allowed to drink on the ship. In port they could drink. Even the 16 year olds were being offered Coco Locos on Coco Cay. They said no, but I know the 2 20 year olds and the 2 19 year olds did have a few - and charged them right to their own cards! In Cozumel, Jamaica and Grand Cayman the 20's and 19's were legal drinking age, so we did let them have drinks in port, and also let them have a few beers with us in our room on the balcony at sail away time. On NYE there were servers walking around with trays of champagne and I saw MANY under age drinkers that night, but none in our group risked drinking in public on the ship.

We are on NCL Getaway in August. Our own kids can drink on the ship if we sign a waiver (beer and wine I think) but anyone not related to us cannot - even if we have a parent letter - not allowed.

TMI - I know - sorry - but I would bring those letters!

I wouldn't mind seeing deals - with the info included (cost, cabin category, and special deals /discounts) Its not that difficult to post all of that info, and if people on here are annoyed by those postings, they don't have to read them I guess! Great idea from the OP - isn't there an ongoing thread about "deals" on here somewhere already??:confused:

The way the link reads, you would not be able to do #1. However, in my experience with the all inclusive package, I have been able to get any picture I am in - including group shots. This is contradictory to the "official" rules in the link and I guess could vary from ship to ship.

 

Number 2, is correct. Any pictures of anyone not staying in the all inclusive picture package cabin, would have to be paid for (with the exception of minor children in a different cabin according to the link).

 

Dan.

 

 

 

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S5 using Forums mobile app.

RCI and Celebrity contract out with Image Photo Services. All the photographers on the ships work for them not the cruise company.

A "private photo session" here at home would run about $500 for a very small package of pictures, (maybe only 25 shots to pick from), and then each additional picture would cost even more. This is a weekend or evening cost , week days would be cheaper. There were 9 of us on this cruise, and there is no way I could ever get all 9 of us together, relaxed, tanned and happy for 7 days of basically unlimited portrait taking! There were at least 9 different places to take pictures in the evening before dinner - usually all going at the same time.

We had 7 under age 21 on this cruise - so all of them were able to be included in our unlimited package for $300. We also bought all the prints (thank GOD..see story on that below) for another $100. At least 60% of the 300 pictures we took were AWESOME!

As of today - I am still waiting for the replacement DISC for our pictures. Only 17 of 300 pictures were on the DISC when we opened it once at home. My daughter manually entered 300 photo numbers from the bottom of the prints we have, because they are having a difficult time finding all of our photos. I was reluctant to do this - it took her quite a while - but it is the only was we are going to be assured of seeing the digital images of the photos. :(:confused::(

Each cruise seems to price things differently. If you are up for taking loads of pictures (we were hoping to get some great ones and we did) and you can do the math - it is well worth it to get a package, and frame a few when you get home.

I wonder if you could dispute the $300 charge with your cc since Royal didn't deliver as promised. I'd be livid with the photo cd issue and upset at everything OP had to put up with. And I'd probably not roll with Royal again given the choices he's got.

Thank is my next course of action. At least I have the hard copies - and I guess I can scan those, but what a pain!

Thanks everyone for letting me bend your ear with my disappointments. Like I said - we had a fun time with our family, and perfect weather, but it stings to shell out that much cash, and plan for that long to be let down so much! :cool:

We had an aft last month, hoping to see loads of stars, however the moon was almost full and it was very bright most nights, and the viewing was poor. Hopefully no bright moon while you sail - and I agree the bow would be better for viewing.

Sorry this cruise fell short of your expectations. I felt that way about my Allure cruise last April, but chalked it up to the fact that I decided I just don't like the mega ships. Anyway, I was wondering how New Years Eve was on the ship. Taking a NYE Dec 2015 because it is on my bucket list and like every cruise, I can't wait !:D Was NYE fun, what was offered, regarding parties, etc. Thanks for any info.

I agree with the mega ships, not for me- what was I thinking. NYE was a LONG day. We were in Jamaica - arrived late - so we had to basically re plan our day on the fly with 9 people. Then somehow our driver didn't understand that I really meant it when I said we wanted to be back to the ship by 3 or 330. So we were back with 2 minutes to spare and then sat for almost 2 hours waiting for other groups that did not make it back on time. We had a late dinner time - 8 pm. I recommend that. Should have taken a nap between excursion and dinner as I was tired from the day. Everyone was dressed for formal night. They provided hats and leis on the dining tables at dinner for everyone. We of course had to ASK for ours because our overwhelmed servers 'forgot" - oye! 2 parties started about 11 pm - one on the pool deck with a dj - where we went, and another on the promenade with a large balloon drop, and the captains toast and his band played too. They televised that by the pool for a while, also some of CNN was televised by the pool. Free champagne flowed from about 11:40 to midnight. Waiters passed it on trays in both venues. After dinner we went back to our room and changed into more casual attire, so we felt more comfortable hanging out on the pool deck. Our 7 kids that were with us had fun there too dancing in the new year. All ages - lots of adults jumping in the pool with their fancy clothing on. Even some people in the hot tub - which in hind site I should have done. Lots of photographers milling about taking all kinds of pictures. About 12:30 everything basically shut down - we headed back to the room and by 1 am the promenade cam showed that it was all cleaned up and empty of people. Fun night, just wish we had planned better with a nap! What ship are you sailing for NYE?

While in the line in Cozumel Dru the cruise director says: "well they aren't going to leave without ME!" Thinking only of himself and NOT the guests - unacceptable."

 

 

No flames here...although they might be hard to see with the "large black smoke clouds billowing into your cabin"....but I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess that Dru wasn't serious and you just may have taken this the wrong way.:)

I don't know how he could not have taken several inquiring passengers seriously. The line was backed up almost to the street through all the vendor stalls in the port - it was LONG. It was also hot! The $1 beer stand got us through the wait! It was well past "on board time" and not one rep from RCI came and let us know that everyone in line would not be late. We got in line 45 minutes before we needed to be on the ship. I just found him annoying all around. We had Alejandro on the Summit a few years back - he was so enjoyable and genuine. Spoiled us! They eventually opened the "crew" security line to let passengers through to speed things up. Still left very late.

That was well written and enjoyable to read. Not that I enjoy the fact you had a subpar trip. Hope your flame suit is on though! [emoji33]

Ha! Thank you - go ahead flamers - flame away - I have already been burned by RCI - lol. Still working on the photo issue.......:confused::(:mad::(

Here is my review from Freedom 12/28. We stayed 2 nights in a Ocean front villa at the former Ron Jon Resort - now Holiday Inn Vacation Club - prior to the cruise. It was excellent. Weather was perfect. 2 Bedroom villa was big, clean, well appointed with a perfect view of the ocean and the jetty. Spent Saturday at the pool area was awesome! Lazy river, plenty of chairs, sun and shade, tiki bar, food service by the pool, nice big hot tub - but look out for the snakes - yes we had a snake slither right up to my husbands arm while he was in the hot tub - yikes!! We spent Saturday afternoon/evening on the huge double balcony, sipping cocktails and watching 4 ships sail away. We used their scheduled taxi service for $5 per person to get to the port. We should have arranged our own cabs to go at 9:30 am instead of 10:45. We were just in time to hit massive lines to check in - ugh! We should have spent the week at the Holiday Inn instead of boarding the Freedom. This is our 9th cruise - 3rd with the kids - and LAST with Royal. Yes - I complain ALOT in this review - but I had very high expectations for Freedom and left highly disappointed!

Sail Date: December 28 2014

Destination: Western Caribbean

Embarkation: Port Canaveral

What were we thinking. Holiday madness ensued on this broken ship. We called it the "every man for himself" and "hurry up and wait" vacation. RCL lost me completely after this trip. No attention to detail, just massive crowds of people milling from spot to spot, waiting in lines for everything, and a broken propeller that shortened port times - we were late into every port and it took at least an hour or more to get on and off the ship, especially with the tenders. Pathetic. Captain Tor continuously apologized for the "prop issues" and kept us informed of all the delays. Thanks - ha! Ship is dated and this was the last cruise prior to dry dock in January 2015. This was my 9th cruise - 2nd on RCL - never again.

Lets start with those port stops. We were late getting to every port, and left late from every port. This is unacceptable. Prior cruises in December 2014 were given large onboard credits to make up for the port times. This would have helped. And should still be an option. It is not my fault as a passenger that your ship is not functioning properly to make it to ports on time, and some financial amends should be made. Security getting on and off the ship at all ports was unacceptable, understaffed and horribly slow. We waited 90 minutes to board the ship again in Cozumel. No water, no shade!

Embarkation - check in went as well as I could hope with a party of 9, but it took us well over 2 hours to get onto the ship from the time the cab stopped us at the curb at 10:50 am. The greeting as we entered the ship was not a friendly "hello" or "welcome aboard" or a cold towel or glass of water (after waiting in line for 2 hours to board) - it was a squirt of Purell from a crabby woman and a slew of tables selling the drink packages with crew shouting out to use to get our drinks - which we already purchased in advance. This set a poor tone for the "welcome" to the ship. Rooms and public areas were worn and dated, lifting carpet in our room, aging mirrors with spots that need replacement in our bathroom, rust spots, dust and hair under the massage table in the spa ( I could see it through the hole in the massage table - gross) , bent and broken plastic plant décor, chipped dishes in the buffet, paint stained chairs on our balcony and the neighbors suite, urine/musty smells in the hallways, worn and faded teak railings - rarely saw anyone cleaning the ship - except for our room stewards who should be paid double for their excellent work all week! Our room TV was not functioning properly all week - we called 3 times about it. Finally on day 6 we were brought a replacement tv and remote and were able to access our bill online for the first time. Dirty windows and doors everywhere. The pub was dirty, had dried lipstick on my glass - more than once. Just felt like the ship was dingy.

Food - you know there is something wrong when the food in the buffet is better than what is offered in the main dining room. Terrible inedible beef, chicken and fish - very poor quality food in the main dining. Servers were overwhelmed with large tables and they apologized over and over for making us wait or bringing entrees out at different times - every single night. Not a fine dining experience at all. Rather uncomfortable and left us feeling like we were not getting a true cruise service experience. We should not be "feeling sorry" for the staff! Not one ice sculpture or fruit carving on the entire cruise! Not one "oh my - how wonderful" moment with regards to food or food service in the main dining room. Always felt like we were a bother to be served. Orders constantly wrong - especially with drinks that took forever to get. Props to the head of bakery - only food on board that was really well made and delicious.

Photo - took many wonderful photos only to arrive home and found only 17 of 250 photos on our CD we purchased for $300. Currently have spent 3 plus hours on the phone and emails trying to obtain the pictures. Do not have them yet. Unacceptable!

Entertainment and onboard activities - when your kids say - "mom this ship is worse than a Carnival cruise" you know it is bad. The evening shows were good. But the music by the pool was so loud you could not hear the person next to you talk. Walking by Boleros at night was a nuisance - just too loud we didn't even want to walk past let alone sit and listen. The rock wall hardly seemed open, and flow rider had selective hours and very long lines due to limited availability. Pool Towels - really a disaster - no towels in our room and no towels available poolside and on all port days. We ended up finding pool towels one night in the pool area and keeping them stashed away in our room to use for the entire trip - not acceptable - ever! This cruise was like a bad Vegas hotel. Super cheesy and just obnoxious. Sitting out at the pool was just annoying. Kids/Sports area was jammed to the gills most days with very long lines for golf, rock wall and flow rider. Frankie Valli show, Broadway salute "Marquee", comedians, all decent. Quest was ok - but former cruisers arrived and sat in the prime spots and basically took over the entire show - knowing all the "answers" in advance. Cruise "shopper" Jenna - on 2 channels on the TV at all times - so annoying stop please! - we actually turned on the channel to watch the 12 year old boys standing behind her and mocking her all through out her presentation - it was hilarious!

Cabin - We had aft balcony 8412 and 3 interiors 8399, 8397 & 8395. Great area of the ship - quiet. We spent the entire last day on our balcony in the sun. Three times on the last day in the early evening LARGE black smoke rose from the bottom of the ship up into the aft cabin rooms filling them completely with smoke. A few of us on the aft called guest services and we were all given different stories about the cause. We chatted back and forth with people on the balconies above and next to us. I asked to have someone call me back about "the cause" but no one ever did. With a "broken ship" this smoke was a huge concern to us. The ship was cruising along at 21 knots even though we were told the ship could only go about 19 knots - we were genuinely concerned something was wrong. Mart and Roberto our room stewards were the complete highlight of our entire cruise. They kept our rooms tidy, clean bath towels every day, fun towel animals for all of us, and a wonderful attitude of service and charm that we appreciated as guests. They were the ONLY members of the staff that really made us feel like guests!

Disembarkation - again, we called this cruise the "everyman for himself" and the "hurry up and wait" cruise. Staff was overwhelmed dealing with the sheer number of people. When people did not receive good service or any service at all they ended up doing whatever they wanted, cutting in line, throwing tantrums to the maître d or towel service person. On the last day we took off our own bags knowing full well that it was going to be a disaster to get off the ship. It took us from 7:45 AM until 10 AM to get off the ship and through customs - completely unacceptable. I could go on all day here about the sheer disappointment of our trip. Crew lacked service skills and any WOW factor was missing. Obviously service was much too much to ask from the staff - even pompous Dru the cruise director was annoying. We saw him while in the hideously long line in Cozumel to get back on the ship and asked him if we would make it on to the ship in time - he laughed and said "well they aren't going to leave without ME" - thinking only of himself and NOT the guests - unacceptable.

We will never again sail a ship this size or with Royal. I cant afford to spend this much time and money on a vacation company that is such a disappointment. 

Cabin review: Freedom of the Seas Deluxe Oceanview Deck 6 8412

We had aft balcony 8412 and 3 interiors 8399, 8397 & 8395. Great area of the ship - quiet. We spent the entire last day on our balcony in the sun. Three times on the last day in the early evening LARGE black smoke rose from the bottom of the ship up into the aft cabin rooms filling them completely with smoke. A few of us called guest services and we were all given different stories about the cause. I asked to have someone call me back about "the cause" but no one ever did. With a "broken ship" this smoke was a huge concern to us. The ship was cruising along at 21 knots even though we were told the ship could only go about 19 knots - we were genuinely concerned something was wrong. Mart and Roberto our room stewards were the complete highlight of our entire cruise. They kept our rooms tidy, clean bath towels every day, fun towel animals for all of us, and a wonderful attitude of service and charm that we appreciated as guests. They were the ONLY members of the staff that really made us feel like guests! Room needs TLC - the tv was not working properly, curtains were falling off, mirror in the bathroom chipped and worn, balcony dingy. Mattress was a 3 inch thin floppy thing with a bare egg crate topper. We slept fine, but the mattresses needs upgrading. The couch was faded and worn. Carpet lifting from the corners. View from Aft balcony outstanding. Combination of sun and shade was excellent. Enough room for 9 of us to gather and visit nightly at sail away. Minimal noise from crew area, and cabins above us could see onto our balcony. Didn't bother me, but it might bother some. No issues with soot other than the LARGE BLACK SMOKE CLOUDS on day 6 that billowed into our cabin 3 times.

Port and Shore Excursions

CocoCay

(4)

Probably our best port. We got off first so we could get chairs. This was not necessary. We were the only ship visiting, so we had plenty of room to spread out. GREAT snorkeling here if you go way out. We brought our own snorkels and shared. Also brought 2 floats and used our own - saved over $100 bringing our own stuff. Island was beautiful, clean and had plenty to do. Volleyball, kayaks, swimming in several different areas. Large water toys if you wanted to spend the $$. Vendors walk around selling the Coco Loco drink of the day for $9 with rum. They were very heavy pours. Food was good, ribs, chicken, burgers, fresh salads, desserts, all easy to access with no lines. Weather was excellent. Tender broke down while returning passengers to the ship - so of course we were delayed leaving - so we were late getting to Jamaica.

Cozumel

Snorkeling

Of course we arrived late - so once off the ship we didn't have time to take a taxi into town. We shopped across the street from the pier area then went to the bar at the soon to be open Hard Rock and had a beer. Went back to the cruise terminal area to shop - noticed several stores - probably half - that had their selling license suspended due to selling fake silver. Huge signs taped their display cases shut. Met up with Carlos and the Aqua Dream 2 catamaran for a snorkel tour.

Left late - but we weren't worried because it was a cruise ship tour. Had a short ride out to snorkel area and were given great instructions. Catamaran had lots of space for the large group and was clean and comfortable - with bathrooms. Snorkeled in 2 sports - very strong current, and minimal fish spotting. Water was beautiful and warm. Enjoyed complimentary rum punch, beer and margaritas on the cruise back. Very good! Once in port - saw a line out to the street to get back on the ship. It was 2:50 and we needed to be back on board by 3:30. We got back on at 4 pm. Waited forever for security to look for alcohol in everyone's bags. Of course we left late and waited and waited for missing passengers. No one from the cruise ship was informing anyone standing in line that we were fine, just left us all to worry.

Grand Cayman

(2)

Shopping and banks - and not enough time to do an excursion. No towels available on the ship anyway! Grand Cayman has lost its "island charm" of years past. Ended up at Margaritaville across from the port area having drinks and using the pool and hot tub. Should have stayed on the ship. Arrived late and left late due passengers who went into port and didn't make it back on time so the ship pulled away and stopped - and we all waited for them - for at least an hour!

Montego Bay

We booked with Ricardo because of his perfect rating on Trip Advisor. $780 for 90 of us - pre tip. We booked an outing to Blue Hole with Rafting and lunch. We were an hour late off the ship because of delays and had to cancel the rafting - and did not receive a refund at that time. After emailing Ricardo once home, showing the original email that included rafting - he did send me back $160 via Western Union to cover the rafting refund. It was New Years Eve the traffic on the island was horrible. I suspected this from the beginning and told our guide we needed to be back at the ship by 3 pm - thinking we would be lucky to get back by 4pm. Obviously the "no problem" reply I received didn't take into account the fact that I was serious. And of course we made it back to the ship at 4:28 - 2 minutes before the "all aboard". We for some reason stopped at the guides favorite "patties" shop in Ocho Rios to get food at our own expense which we did not request to do. Blue Hole was amazing. Look it up on YOU TUBE and see what all is there. We spent another $80 on 2 guides that helped us through the jumps and falls. I hate heights, but still did most of the jumps. The roads are poor in this area. There are lots of people selling pot brownies (big signs you cant miss them) and our guide had a baggie of pot stuck behind the wiper of our van at some point during the day. We passed on all opportunities for pot. No problem..man! On the way back to the ship Ricardo insisted on stopping at Scotchies to get our chicken to go. It took 20 minutes to get the chicken. We hit major traffic in Ocho Rios. We hurried on board, only to wait until almost 6 pm to depart because several other tours were stuck in traffic too. Sat on our balcony watching the sun set over Montego Bay.... again hurry up and wait! This was our first trip back to Jamaica in 23 years. It seemed much cleaner and safer than before.

So that's it - I know I know I sound like a whiner, but it really was the worst cruise we have ever been on. Still had a great time with my family and the near perfect weather - but I wont be spending my money with RCI again.:(

Oh this is great to hear!!! I hope it doesn't take too long. We have lots of pictures we want to share with relatives and parents of 3 who sailed with us. Thanks for the encouraging news!

Thanks for the link setsail - I started there and have proceeded through the process. My concern is the dry dock - will my pictures be MIA?? Ugh - I will try calling again next week. What a hassle. :(:(

Let me clarify - I had already gone to the link and opened a ticket and have been communicating with Image Photo prior to my first post about this. It has been a week and no answers. I did call RCI and they said they would try to contact the ship for me. I just feel there is someone else that I can contact about this - but I do not know who that could be! :confused::confused:

Thanks for the link setsail - I started there and have proceeded through the process. My concern is the dry dock - will my pictures be MIA?? Ugh - I will try calling again next week. What a hassle. :(:(

Help! Got home on Monday after the 12/28 sail on Freedom. Put the picture DISC in the computer and UGH - only 17 pictures on the entire disc! There should have been about 150. I called Image Photo on 1/5 and opened a "ticket" explained to Greg in CS that the ship is in dry dock so will they have a problem getting my photos and sending them to me??? Called again on 1/6 and again today 1/9 - still have heard nothing form the ship - even though there is staff aboard from Image Photo says Greg.

So this morning 1/9 I called Royal Customer Service and spoke with Christian who said he will email the ship and ask them to get ahold of Greg at Image Photo and included my reservation number.

Now what? Has this happened to anyone before? Do you think I will ever see the images? We paid $300. I have the hard copies that we bought for an additional $100. Any advice on what to do or who to call next? Thanks!:(:confused::(:confused:

We are huge X fans and have been on 3. Just got off our second ever - and last ever - RCI on the Freedom for NYE. It was a HUGE disappointment. X spoils you to death with all the little things and awesome service and food. The ships are amazing, tasteful and beautiful. The level of obnoxiousness is low. We had some nice towel animals on the Freedom, but service and food were terrible, and there were so many people that there were really no special things. Obnoxious LOUD everywhere. No cold towels or water after a day in port, no towels to take when going into port (sorry - all out), my time dining was terrible - no special service at all - rushed overwhelmed service - we felt terrible for the staff. I could go on and on and on here. :( Glad we had a vacation, but huge regrets that we did not choose X. We are trying NCL Getaway in August with a group of 15. I am trying to mentally prepare this time that it will not be as good as X - but hey its a cruise so I will do my best to relax and enjoy! :)

Thanks 3D Beach - I guess I am hoping for more "service with a smile" and maybe a few spots to escape from the masses. FOS crew was tired and crabby - we heard from several of them about the dry dock and how they were being forced to work without a salary. Probably the reason they were all so upset. It was difficult to find anyplace without crowds and REALLY loud music playing always. I cant wait for the piano bar on Getaway and the shows, but would like to have some quiet time too. Was it difficult to find seating in the bars/clubs in the evenings? My inlaws are staying in the Haven for their second time and I am jealous. We are taking 7 older teens and cant swing paying for 3 haven cabins so the aft will do!

Just back from a NYE sailing on the Freedom - ugh. I wrote a pretty terrible review. Most of my disappointment stemmed from the condition of the ship, the massive amounts of people, and lack of service from the crew. The sailing was fine, food was ok, and ports and entertainment good. There were 9 of us. 7 underage "adult/teens" and me and my husband. Help me get excited again for our upcoming Aug 8 trip on the Getaway. There will be 15 of us. 10 adults and 5 under age teens = fun family time, and no formal nights = less luggage! :) Anyone out there have experience with both Freedom and Getaway I would appreciate your opinions on the differences and what I can positively focus on for the next 7 months! Thanks! We only sail aft balcony so I can focus on that positive for sure!:D

Oh and that should say RCI not RCL up in there - too late to edit.