NCL Sun vs RCL Freedom of the Seas?

[BeachChik]

So I have been comparing cruises for next year and there are two that are very similar. Both 7 days out of Port Canaveral. The carnival Dream also sails a similar cruise but I've just read too many bad reviews, not really wanting to go that route.

 

That being said the price difference between the Sun and the Freedom is about $600 for two people for a similar room. I've been reading alot about the sun and it seems that people either love it or hate it. No middle ground. Has anyone ever been on both the Sun and Freedom? I know the RCI ship has more bells and whistles, but I just don't know if it is worth the extra money.

 

The rock climbing and surf pool thing are irrelevant, we won't use them but the ice rink seems like a neat thing to have. But I like the fact that the sun has half the people and the anytime only dining concept is something that I think we will like.

 

I'm going to be traveling with another couple and I just don't want them to be bored and I worry that on a smaller, older ship that might happen.

 

Any thoughts/feedback on either ship would be great.

[dirtgirl]

So I have been comparing cruises for next year and there are two that are very similar. Both 7 days out of Port Canaveral. The carnival Dream also sails a similar cruise but I've just read too many bad reviews, not really wanting to go that route.

 

That being said the price difference between the Sun and the Freedom is about $600 for two people for a similar room. I've been reading alot about the sun and it seems that people either love it or hate it. No middle ground. Has anyone ever been on both the Sun and Freedom? I know the RCI ship has more bells and whistles, but I just don't know if it is worth the extra money.

 

The rock climbing and surf pool thing are irrelevant, we won't use them but the ice rink seems like a neat thing to have. But I like the fact that the sun has half the people and the anytime only dining concept is something that I think we will like.

 

I'm going to be traveling with another couple and I just don't want them to be bored and I worry that on a smaller, older ship that might happen.

 

Any thoughts/feedback on either ship would be great.

 

No contest. Freedom. I have sailed on the Liberty, the Freedom's sister - the ships are gorgeous. I've sold the NCL Sun, and I have had complaints. I haven't had complaints on the Freedom class. You can do My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean ships, which is like Freestyle.

[JTJ]

Had a great time. I'm D+ on Royal but picked the Sun for it's port stops. Missed the lounge access that Freedom has but survived fine.

 

Some differences: Sports bar has wings, fish & chips etc. by the order, towel check out is easy and no card needed, outdoor music is contemporary "beach music" very little Reggie, Casino At Sea is very much more organized that Casino Royale, Free food was the same but much more accessible on the Sun, Room service was free 24hrs and they have some upscale items for a fee, security picture is done when you get you room key (at the desk), no traditional ding getting on or off, at Coz. we docked at the city pier so no need for a taxi, balconys are bars instead of the salt stained blue glass, crew is mostly Philippino, won't let you use the treadmills until after 8am, there are a bunch of different pay restaurants to use, and they change the ship time everytime a time zone is crossed (really stupid). Really liked Guatemala and KW (Schooner Wharf Bar has happy hour from 6am until noon).

 

Also NCL has a deal where if you pay $250 deposit on a future cruise you have 4 years to deside and get $100 OBC on your current cruise, I wish RCCI would do this.

[LoisGriffin1]

I have done the Sun and the Independence. Both were great but in different ways. The Sun is nice but doesn't have all the facilities the Freedom will have. It is however really nice and never felt crowded. As much as I loved the Independence it got so crowded at times.

 

There is plenty to do on the Sun but if you want lots of activities then the Freedom would be the way to go. If you want a smaller more chilled out experience then the Sun is great.

[JTJ]

One other thing I forgot, the Sun has two blackjack tables set up outside over looking the water by the pool the they open if the weather permits. Had my best luck there.

 

And the sports bar food orders are taken and delivered by waitresses.

[mickeyforus]

jan 2010, 10 of us sailed on the sky, we have sailed ncl on pearl, dawn and jewel and had a great time, but the sky was horrible. people were bored, the ship was run down, staff horrible. there was no comparison, we were sorry we had taken six first time cruisers on this ship. we are sailing on the freedom in 2 weeks and friends have taken it, said it is great. i am paying the difference between ncl and freedom of the seas this january. we do not want a repeat of last jan. when i spoke to a ncl representative at a travel trade show in april, she could not cared in the least, and told me to talk to my travel agent not ncl. i was so disappointment i sent ncl an email and never heard back. we will sail ncl again, but not on the sun or the sky. we prefer to go out of cape canaveral instead of miami, but will wait until they send a different ship up. hope this helps.

[chinathepug]

Freedom for sure.. for us, Freedom had some much more to do and the layout of the ship is so much better then the Sun... it is difficult due to the money that you will save with the Sun but I think that it is worth it especially if you are going with another couple... that being said, the Sun was a nice ship but for us, we loved Freedom so much more..

[wg6530]

Freedom is a nicer, newer ship with more to do. If the price were the same, it would be an easy choice, but the price differs. Is the nicer ship worth $600 per couple to you? Or would you be happier spending the money on extras like spa, specialty restaurants, drinks, etc? Or would you be happier saving the money?

 

I'm pretty easy going and could enjoy a week on either ship, but without knowing your personalities and budget, I can't judge for you.

[Cruising89143]

That price difference would not be enough to make me choose the Sun over the Freedom. Having cruised NCL twice over the last three years, their ships just cannot match up with RCI's newer ships. NCL is not a bad cruise line at all and have some nice amenities. Especially suites but RCI's ships keep me coming back over and over.

[BeachChik]

Thanks for all the info! Does the freedom seem really crowded when at capacity? With 3500 people it seems like the common areas would be really packed.

[melana]

On my FOS cruise I hardly ever felt crowded. I will say that when going to breakfast or lunch at Windjammer it was a bit crowded at times. But that was the only time I felt like there were too many people on the ship.

 

I was afraid that it would feel more crowded with the number of people on board. I never had a problem getting a lounge chair near the pool. But I was out there pretty early. But even around the pool it never seemed really crowded. It could have been that one or two of the days at sea it was not very warm. But still even on the nice and sunny days it never seemed really crowded.

 

I had done NCL SKY before RCL FOS. I have to say that between the two I would go with FOS again. Not that I didn't like NCL Sky but it was much smaller and didn't have as much to do on board. I know you are asking about the SUN but from what I understand it is a sister ship to NCL SKY. Very similar. I was going to go on the SUN but decided on FOS.

 

I would sail NCL again in a heartbeat if the deal was right. BUt I do prefer RCL.

[masterbaker]

I've sailed the Sun, Freedom and the Dream. Had a great time on them all. That said...

 

NCL wins points for a sit down lunch in the Dining room on embarkation day, also for hands down the best poolside or private island BBQ lunch around... they actually fire up charcoal grills to cook on. Their sports bar has great snacks too for while you watch the game, including fresh popped popcorn. The Jean Ann Ryan singers and dancers are IMHO some of the best on the high seas.

 

Freedom wins points for kids entertainment. The kiddie pool deck area is amazing. It also has a lot of entertainment options for adults the other ships lack. Decor is much easier on the eyes than either of the other ships. It also has a lot of alternative choices for meals. We love Sorrentos for a quick Panini and a cookie fix.

 

Dream offers a class of cabin the others don't... a Cove Balcony. It's an amazing experience being in a balcony on deck 2. Imagine the sound of the ocean, and complete privacy. We LOVED it. Dream also has a comedy club that the others don't, and a laser light/concert show at night that is awesome. It also has a big screen to watch movies on pool deck and some really fun slides. Honestly the only negative we experienced on Dream was in the Lido Buffet area. Carnival doesn't use stations, all the food is in a long line so if you just want one thing, you either wait in line for it or butt in. There are a LOT more plusses than negatives.

 

I don't think you can actually make a bad choice with any of these ships.

[LoisGriffin1]

Thanks for all the info! Does the freedom seem really crowded when at capacity? With 3500 people it seems like the common areas would be really packed.

 

 

It could be because the weather was not great most of our cruise on the Indy but yes the common areas were crowded most of the time (when comparing to my two NCL cruises). I imagine on a warm weather cruise it might be a little less crowded because the whole ship wont be trying to go to the same indoor events.

 

Royal did a great job of keeping the adult pool as adults only. First time I have been able to enjoy a quiet pool area and it was one of the areas never crowded even in good weather so full marks to them for that.

 

We got an aft cabin which was excellent the balcony was huge and perfect for getting away from the crowds. If you do go on the Freedom try and get one. It has two loungers, two chairs and a table.

 

The Sun is getting a refurb in January and I hope they are going to improve their awful buffet area. Far too small and totally unorganised. There was a soup and sandwich place that was excellent.

[DOUGLASH]

I have been on the NCL Sun twice and just got off the Liberty. The only reasons I would choose NCL Sun over Freedom is one if the itinirary is better, two if the price is significantly less, three if you would like the idea of and variety specialty restaurants which is a nice option although there are additional fees as the food on RCL Freedom class does get repetitive and is sort of bland. One big tip for anyone on the RCl Freedom Class ships and Voyager as well- lunch is dining room on sea days is great, lots of variety, amazing salad bar. Not sure how the entertainment is on the NCL Sun is lately, it was very good a few years ago, the entertainment on the RCL LOS was very mediocre a few weeks ago. The facilities pools, gyms, lounges , promenade make the RCL far outshine NCL including the newer ships (never been on EPIC so can't comment.

[LoisGriffin1]

One other comparison is the gym is better on the Indy but the running track is better on the Sun.

[BeachChik]

Ok new question. So my hubby really isn't feeling the idea of paying more for the same room type just to be on a certain ship/cruise line.

 

With that said, if you had to choose a balcony on the NCL Sun or a room with just a window on the RCL Freedom, which would you go with?

 

I just can't seem to decide :(

[cb at sea]

Balcony any day!