HB Cruiser

I find Freedom is much friendlier and more relaxed than Independence

 

We just got off Freedom last Sunday and our experience was exactly opposite. The staff, even the officers, did not speak when passing, we had to speak first. The entire staff just did not seem happy. We have been on Freedom and had great staff. I think it is hit and miss.

 

Tim

Thanks! No kids for us so dream works isn't a concern !

 

 

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Are we to assume you are flying? If so, is Indy out of Ft Lauderdale?

 

If the above is correct, I would suggest Indy due to ease to/from airport and ship. FTL is much easier logistically since the airport is within 15 minutes of the cruise port. Even if you fly in the day before I, for the ease of transportation, I would go Indy.

 

Tim

Like most venues in different ships, service and quality could be hit or miss. It would be better to have more hits then misses though. I think there should be no misses on service ever. That's one thing that is easiest to keep consistent.

 

We noticed the cutback on both quality and service. Chops was a definite disappointment.

 

Tim

Did you order the Chops steak in the MDR? I hope it was still the same. What a disappointment about Chops.

 

No but it is still offered.

 

Tim

We just got off the Freedom last Sunday and will tell you that it ain't what it used to be. Normally we enjoy Chops but we did not enjoy the new menu, the steak, or the mud pie. Largest change was the mud pie, it wasn't even close.

 

We will stay in the MDR from now on.

 

Tim

You now redeem your points and it is automatically applied to your account, no longer are there certificates. It is now a real smooth, easy process.

 

TIm

I have to say, we are cruising RCI Enchantment in a few weeks after our last two being on Carnival. I'm hoping to find something as good as warm chocolate melting cake!! I have it every night after dinner on carnival!! Lol

 

Sorry, NOTHING on RCI compares to the Carnival warm chocolate melting cake, NOTHING!

 

I had forgotten about the Grand Mariner Souffle. It is my favorite in the dining room.

 

We used to like the fruit tart in the windjammer on the first day but, like the honey stung chicken, it has been gone bye bye. :(

 

Tim

apple pie in Johnny Rockets.

 

Tim

The best thing to not miss on any cruise, the ship. ;)

 

Sorry, just couldn't pass up the opportunity.

 

HAVE A GREAT CRUISE!!!

 

Tim

We didn't get any envelopes in our stateroom on the final night. I think a lot of people didn't care for prepaying or autopaying their gratuity, then getting handed an envelope too. It also could be the move to less paper waste.

 

You can get them at the customer service desk if want them.

 

Tim

We just got off the Independence of the Seas on Dec 21st and their service was very very good. As a matter of fact, we tipped additional to all. Most bent over backwards for us.

 

No complaints at all.

 

Tim

Or you can take a small rollup table and eat on your balcony like we do! Great and relaxing dinner on the balcony.

 

Tim

Observation: this was a very international passenger load. Yet very few announcements were made in Spanish. Not in the theatre, not in Studio B.

 

We experienced the very same thing. It surprised us, we figured we would hear almost all announcements in various languages but only during the muster drill did we hear others spoken.

 

Tim

Those seem to be the new room service hours, at least on the Independence.

 

Room service were the same hours as Carol reports during our Dec 15-21st cruise. Caught me by surprise.

 

Tim

Sorry, totally disagree. The CD would never make or break my cruise.

 

I'm afraid I didn't make my statement clear, I 100% AGREE with you, the CD never makes or breaks my cruises.

 

Tim

We ended up staying in cabin 7408 on the Freedom. We LOVED it!

 

Thank you for posting the picture!

 

We have been in that cabin and loved it. Matter of fact, in 19+ weeks we will be in it again!

:)

Tim

We had Joff Eaton in December ... didn't really care for him at all.

 

I have to agree with this post. Joff was nice and all but I just didn't think he had a whole lot of energy. This being said, a CD is no element in making/breaking a cruise. Personally, I don't even need to see the CD.

 

Tim

I will board the Independence of the Seas in approximately 40 hours. I will report to you as soon as I can.

 

:)

 

Mom

 

Hello from Tim & Crystal!!!

 

Hope you have a wonderful cruise. We just got off Indy a week ago and had a good cruise. Would like to hear a short review on yours when you get back!

 

Tim

Not to sound like Debbie Downer here but I had to email him three times before I got an answer. I am sure he is real busy as a previous poster pointed out. (say that three times real fast ;) )

 

Tim

I have my flame retardant suit on so here goes.

As a business owner, why should I remodel a portion of my business just to give away free product to my patrons? Yes, I periodically offer a discount to my customers but cannot for the life of me understand why some people think since they do business with you why they expect something for nothing.

I am a Diamond+ C & A member and to this day, do not EXPECT anything free. Discounts are nice but I understand RCCL must make a profit to stay in business.

Commence flaming now. ;)

Tim

Breeze will be in Miami for the time being,and it's superior to Dream.

 

Not trying to turn this thread into a RCCL vs Carnival BUT if the Breeze is the best Carnival has to offer, RCCL will not have any problems in Port Canaveral.

 

Tim

I LOVE Cocoa Cay!!!!

 

I would DISLIKE being there with 6100 others, that will be too crowded.

 

Tim

Not sure if Royal needs to "step up" as the op stated. We just sailed our first Carnival cruise (Breeze, less than one year old) and unless they practically give me the cruise, I will not be going back on Carnival. It is not that we had a "bad" cruise, Carnival just did not do the little things RCCL does that we like.

 

Now if Carnival can bring their product to RCCL standards, that might be another story.

 

Tim

:)We also treat our employees to a cruise each year as a bonus. Many of them have kids and the kids enjoy things like the flowrider on the RCI line.

 

 

Can I PLEASE go to work for you? ;)

 

I promise to wear a tux at dinner on formal night if you take me. :D

 

Tim

I have completely quit the dressing up for Formal Night. I will wear a polo shirt and a pair of khakis or dress slacks but no suit or tux for my. Hopefully, I will not ruin someone's cruise because of us not dressing for the occasion.

No, I'm not one of those that feels it is my vacation, I paid for the cruise, and I can do what I want, again, no that's not me. I will follow every rule in the book on a cruise, just not this one.

Again, sorry if I am dining by you and my attire offends you on Formal Night.

Tim