Freedom of the Seas Deck 7 Balconies

[Bananas About Big Boats]

Hi all,

Heading on the Freedom OTS in Feb. and had a few questions:

 

-We have a 7th floor balcony mid-front ship. How are those rooms/balconies?

-We're not sure if we need to book an excursion for Labadee (not b/c of the quake). It's just a beach, so can't we just lay around or hike on our own?

-We never received any cruise docs (checked-in on-line and just got our luggage tags in the mail). Are we missing out on any additional paperwork?

-Cash - How much liquid cash for casino/tipping room service (I'm assuming you have to tip room svc. with cash like the Disney ships).

 

I've been on a ton of Disney Cruises (thanks to working there and getting mega-discounts), but never a RCI cruise. What do honeymooners need to do on the boat (besides make sure the bed is comfy)?

 

Cruise leaves in a week and we're pretty excited.

 

Thanks!

[GXmanDC]

I've been on Freedom once and her sister ship Liberty twice. I've always been on deck 8, cabin 8544 twice. I love the location and think the balcony is worth the price over the ocean-view, no balcony option. I thought the cabins were great, plenty of storage, good condition, nice views. I can't imagine that deck 7 cabins are that different.

 

I'm not sure where you are (mid-ship front), I've been fairly close to the elevators/stairs on all my cruises. Even though it is the same distance, when I have to get to the rear of the ship I prefer to take stairs/elevators down to deck 4 or 5 and walk the Royal Promenade or the outside promenade, rather than walk the narrow cabin-lined corridors. It is completely psychological, but the walk seems shorter on the wide promenade or Royal Promenade.

 

Labadee has some nice beaches, the only excursions I have done there are the zip line and the alpine coaster. I usually spend most of my time on once of the beaches to the right as you exit the dock area.

 

If you recieved your luggage and completed the Set-Sail pass online, you are done.

 

I'm not a gambler. Room service tips are in cash. I've rarely used room service.

 

My preferred Freedom/Liberty activities:

• I find the adult-only solarium relaxing
  
• My favorite coffee on-board is at Cafe Promenade on 5, there are no-charge machines in the back
  
• Breakfast/brunch in the main dining room! It is not crowded, service is great and food is excellent.
  
• Favorite bars are the Schooner bar (deck4) and the lounge up in the Viking Crown.
  
• As I mentioned above, walking the deck 4 promenade is great, you can see, hear and feel ocean/breeze.
  
• The Flow Rider.
  

I love Freedom class. I've never felt it was crowded. So much to do and see. Have fun and congratulations on your wedding.

[Bananas About Big Boats]

Thanks Steve. I appreciate the advice.

 

Couple of other things....

-We are looking at the following excursions, but can't find info on any of them on the boards.

 

-Cozumel - The Full Day Adventure (Cristal Beach). It says you can snorkel and kayak, but doesn't mention if gear is included in the cost.

-Grand Cayman -Honeysuckle Horse rides. (We're not much for Stingrays and anticipate the horse rides will be more intimate).

-Still looking for a good Dunn's River Falls excursion. Thoughts?

 

Has anyone done these?

[cb at sea]

We NEVER spend additional money on "excursions" on the private beaches....except for beer or drinks! Yes, you can lie around and take it easy---it's a beach day!

 

Aside from room service tips (and we don't use that much, either---the rooms (unless you're in a suite) just aren't set up and comfortable for in-room dining), you really won't need much cash. We do bring a set amount for gambling....when it's gone, it's gone (and it's ALWAYS gone!!!!)

Word of advice---unless you're used to horseback riding, this is NOT something to do on a honeymoon.....experience talking here...we did it on our honeymoon, and could barely walk for 2 days, let alone anything else "honeymoon related"....your hindparts will be SORE! at GC, we simply to the bus to the beach---hubby did waverunners while I read and sunned! Plenty of "amenites" (bathroom, food, drink etc...) around, too.

[PrincesScuba]

Thanks Steve. I appreciate the advice.

 

Couple of other things....

-We are looking at the following excursions, but can't find info on any of them on the boards.

 

-Cozumel - The Full Day Adventure (Cristal Beach). It says you can snorkel and kayak, but doesn't mention if gear is included in the cost.

-Grand Cayman -Honeysuckle Horse rides. (We're not much for Stingrays and anticipate the horse rides will be more intimate).

-Still looking for a good Dunn's River Falls excursion. Thoughts?

 

Has anyone done these?

 

BABB: Those ports are SUCH tourist destinations that they are very well set-up with independent tour operators who are reliable and excellent and charge you less for more than the cruise line does.

 

Use the ports-of-call forum on Cruise Critic to find recommendations for tours and tour operators in your ports:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=587

 

:)

[nubble88]

Ah, we were just on the 7th floor on Freedom of The Seas during Thanksgiving week. We were starboard and aft though. I think the balconies on Royal are great just for the fact that you cannot see into a balcony below you.

 

Labadee, well, you can rent a raft, go zip lining, parasailing, shopping. We usually stay on the ship because that is when you can take advantage of the hot tubs being available, less lines. I found on Freedom, from the Voyager Class, that there were more lines, and waiting to do something. It was a great time just the same.

 

Watching the flowrider was fun, it was something different and very entertaining!

[Bananas About Big Boats]

We NEVER spend additional money on "excursions" on the private beaches....except for beer or drinks! Yes, you can lie around and take it easy---it's a beach day!

 

Aside from room service tips (and we don't use that much, either---the rooms (unless you're in a suite) just aren't set up and comfortable for in-room dining), you really won't need much cash. We do bring a set amount for gambling....when it's gone, it's gone (and it's ALWAYS gone!!!!)

Word of advice---unless you're used to horseback riding, this is NOT something to do on a honeymoon.....experience talking here...we did it on our honeymoon, and could barely walk for 2 days, let alone anything else "honeymoon related"....your hindparts will be SORE! at GC, we simply to the bus to the beach---hubby did waverunners while I read and sunned! Plenty of "amenites" (bathroom, food, drink etc...) around, too.

 

 

I didn't even think about that! LOL! Perhaps, we may just hit the beach.

[jaws1234]

You will need cash if you are doing off ship excursions. Some companies only take cash. Plus you will need it for taxis and such. I always take plenty of ones and fives so i have exact change for taxis. the ship will cash a $200 personal check and all the travelers checks you take so that is no problem.

[Rmunson72906]

in response to your dunn's river falls question, it's cheaper if you don't book through the cruise line just make sure you give yourself plenty of time before the ship leaves. If you do it yourself Entrance to the park is only $15/pp and you can either take a taxi or the dunn's river shuttle which is $15/pp rt. and leaves the port every 30 mins. and you can take any shuttle from the falls back to the ship. If you don't want to do it alone, some great tour companies on tripadvisor are. know jamaica, and yardie. the websites for all are listed below

 

http://www.dunnsriverfallsja.com - dunn's falls

http://www.dunnsrivershuttle.com - shuttle

http://www.knowjamaica.com - know jamaica tours

http://www.yardietours.com - yardie tours.

 

Hope these help.