Freedom GS perks

[Raenstoirm]

I have read the fanciful little blurbs online, but in reality what are the true suite perks on Freedom? We were booked in a JS, so I never researched the suite perks, but now that its less than a week before sailing, the price on the GS dropped so we grabbed it. Now I am scrambling to figure out what we actually bought! :eek:

 

Where is the seating in the theater? Can we really just show up a minute before a show and get good seats? What about the ice show? Do we get seats there? How early do we have to show up for that?

 

How does the priority tender thing work?

 

What about Labadee? We are not renting a cabana since we plan on doing a lot of the "stuff", but we would still like a little beach time. Are there loungers just on the sand on Barefoot like the other beaches? How do we flag down the golf carts to get there? Do we get floaties included? How does the special BBQ work? Where is it?

 

What about room service? If we want to eat a full dinner on our balcony, how do we get the menus? Will the food still be hot when it arrives?

 

What about the daytime meals in the specialty restaurants? Is there a fee to eat lunch in chops? Are both open on all sea days or only one at a time? How do we find out? Is the lunch menu the same as the MDR lunch one?

 

I read that there is a special suite reception with the captain. If so, when/where/how?

 

How does the pool area work? Are there spots available in the suite section in the mid morning/early afternoon or do the suite chair hogs gobble them up early like the regular chairs? We have a morning activity planned one sea day so we won't get to the pool till 2ish. Will we be able to get a chair (technically 2 chairs)?

 

How does the lounge work? Is there a suite lounge and a diamond lounge or are they the same place? Outside of the cocktail hours, anything else go on in there?

 

What about special requests? Can I ask for fresh fruit to always be in the room? What about chocolate covered berries? I don't want to be "those people" that ask for too much, but it would be awesome to get some special snacks.

 

On the last day how does disembarking work? Do you hang out in the lounge? Do you get numbers like every one else? Can you just leave whenever you want? (We want to get off pretty early to head to disney world)

 

Anything else I am missing?

[Clarea]

Regarding the menus, the stateroom attendant will put new MDR menus in your stateroom every day.

[cb at sea]

No..you have to be in the theater in advance...at least 15 mins. prior, or they start giving away the "reserved" seats! Priority tender means you can get on the 1st tender, if you need to. We've never felt the need to be 1st off the ship! But you can, if you want!

 

On Labadee, you will have 1st crack at renting a cabana....but you certainly don't need to! Loungers abound...as well as hammocks! Floats aren't included unless you rent a cabana, but you CAN rent them separately, or bring your own cheap, blow-up floats! The BBQ is included in your day...there will be signs...there are at least 2 places with the buffet!

 

Room service meals are not delivered course by course...everything is brought at one time, so it's certainly not like eating in a restaurant and being served. It's okay for a smaller meal, but I wouldn't want to do it for a full meal.

 

Suites do have the option of eating breakfast/lunch in the specialty rest....no fee...the menu should be similar to the MDR

 

Certainly, you can ask for "special" snacks...

 

If you need to be off the ship early, just go! You can hang around, but what fun is that? Get thee to Disney!

[allennn]

I had a lot of these same questions for the vision of the seas. Hoping to hear some good information.

[Raenstoirm]

If you need to be off the ship early, just go! You can hang around, but what fun is that? Get thee to Disney!

 

How does that work with bags and customs? Can we just get in the line leaving the ship to grab our bags from the monster warehouse? Are the suite suitcases all put in one section?

[Clarea]

How does that work with bags and customs? Can we just get in the line leaving the ship to grab our bags from the monster warehouse? Are the suite suitcases all put in one section?

Suite guests will get very low luggage tag numbers, so you will be able to leave as one of the first ones after the self-assist group. The Conciege will probably escort the suite guests off the ship.

[cariad1000]

"Suites do have the option of eating breakfast/lunch in the specialty rest....no fee...the menu should be similar to the MDR"

 

 

I was under the impression that we are only able to use the seating in the speciality restaurant for breakfast and lunch, and had actually to get the food ourselves from the Windjammer!

 

 

I'd be glad if someone could clarify this please?

[yolanda1]

I had a lot of these same questions for the vision of the seas. Hoping to hear some good information.

 

 

The in-room dining will be the same, but you won't have all of the same perks on Vision, as it is a smaller ship with fewer facilities eg no ice show, reserved pool area etc., but you may get an escorted behind the scenes ship tour to make up for that. Enjoy!

[jmrothermel]

Is that a change for GS perks at Labadee? When we were there in 2012 snorkeling gear and floaty mats were provided even with no cabana. My kids will be so disappointed if so :(

 

 

~Jacqui~ Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited May 6, 2014 by jmrothermel

[jmrothermel]

Oh no, they're still available. Whew!

 

 

~Jacqui~ Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited May 6, 2014 by jmrothermel

[Raenstoirm]

Oh no, they're still available. Whew!

 

 

~Jacqui~ Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Can you make that bigger? I can't read it.

[jmrothermel]

Try this: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentSiteletSub.do?pagename=sub_labadee_barefoot_beach&pagenameMain=labadee&discriminators=3

 

 

~Jacqui~ Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Mickeylee]

"Suites do have the option of eating breakfast/lunch in the specialty rest....no fee...the menu should be similar to the MDR"

 

 

I was under the impression that we are only able to use the seating in the speciality restaurant for breakfast and lunch, and had actually to get the food ourselves from the Windjammer!

 

 

I'd be glad if someone could clarify this please?

 

The last time we were on, breakfast was in Portofino's. They had a mini buffet, with rolls, muffins, fruits, cheeses, cereals, that you could help yourself to. There was also a menu to order from with omelets, eggs benedict, bacon, sausage, (that's all I remember). You could also get items from Windjammer if you wanted. Lunch was usually in Chops and you get your own lunch from Windjammer, but they will serve you beverages.

 

Hope this helps.

[mattpro]

"Suites do have the option of eating breakfast/lunch in the specialty rest....no fee...the menu should be similar to the MDR"

 

 

On the sister ship of Freedom (Independence) there is a separate menu for breakfast at the Chops restaurant, as well as an assortment of rolls, Danish, fruit, etc. If you want additional food at the WJ you can get that yourself and eat it in the restaurant.

 

Lunch (also at Chops ) has a special menu, but is served only on sea days.

 

As stated above there is no fee, though if you eat there daily and like the service, a tip would surely be welcomed by your servers at the end of the week.

 

It is a very peaceful, relaxing setting and my experience is that the service has always been excellent.

[mattpro]

Where is the seating in the theater? Can we really just show up a minute before a show and get good seats? What about the ice show? Do we get seats there? How early do we have to show up for that?

 

 

The theater seating is located high in the back center with approximately 100 seats.

 

Depending on how many suite guests, diamond + and pinnacle members that are on your cruise will determine what time you should show up at the theater.

 

The ice show is different. You can pick up tickets at the Concierge Lounge for the showtime that you want.

 

However, the ticket gets you in the door (there may be limited gold card seats - each ship different), so it's best to get there early to secure seats with a good view.

 

For the Ice Show arriving one half hour early would be prudent.

[mattpro]

What about Labadee? We are not renting a cabana since we plan on doing a lot of the "stuff", but we would still like a little beach time. Are there loungers just on the sand on Barefoot like the other beaches? How do we flag down the golf carts to get there? Do we get floaties included? How does the special BBQ work? Where is it?

 

 

The gold card beach is called Barefoot Beach and it is the first beach on the right as you walk the paths. A free tram ride is available , but where you get on the tram is half way there to the beach.

 

Lounge chairs are readily available in multiple places (including under trees) and they are free as well as the floats.

 

Water shoes are good to use on this beach.

 

The only beach where you do not need water shoes is Columbus Cove, all the way in the back past the Water Park.

 

The BBQ (located on the left side when you walk in ) is open approximately from 11:30 to 1:30, with extra specials such as spare ribs, shrimp skewers and steak. You just stand in-line and help yourself.

 

If there are two ships docked at the pier this area gets quite crowded.

[mattpro]

I read that there is a special suite reception with the captain. If so, when/where/how?

 

 

You will receive a card in your room stating the time and place.

[mattpro]

How does the pool area work? Are there spots available in the suite section in the mid morning/early afternoon or do the suite chair hogs gobble them up early like the regular chairs? We have a morning activity planned one sea day so we won't get to the pool till 2ish. Will we be able to get a chair (technically 2 chairs)?

 

 

There is a section for gold card suite holders located on either side of the Pool Bar that go up the stairs (red velvet ropes) to the Sky Bar with loungers with gold towels.

 

You will easily be able to secure the loungers that you want.

[mattpro]

Anything else I am missing?

 

 

One of the nicest perks is access to the Concierge Lounge (open from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for free alcohol drinks and hot/cold hors d'oeuvres) where you can meet other suite guests, as well as Diamond+ and Pinnacle passengers. Generally a welcoming and fun group.

 

The CL is open for coffee/specialty coffee/tea and hot chocolate 24/7

 

A continental breakfast is usually available with Danish and fruit.

 

 

You will love the space in the GS, which is actually larger on the Freedom class ships than the Oasis or Allure.

 

 

Warning: tough to go back down in size after experiencing GS, so prepare your wallet for the future.

[cariad1000]

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information. Just counting the days until we board in August. :)

[louv2000]

I have read the fanciful little blurbs online, but in reality what are the true suite perks on Freedom? We were booked in a JS, so I never researched the suite perks, but now that its less than a week before sailing, the price on the GS dropped so we grabbed it. Now I am scrambling to figure out what we actually bought! :eek:

 

Where is the seating in the theater? Can we really just show up a minute before a show and get good seats? What about the ice show? Do we get seats there? How early do we have to show up for that? The seating is the centre of the balcony (upper level of theatre) and you need to get there about 15 mins before the start of the show or else the seats are released to all. The ice show has a similarly designated central area.

 

How does the priority tender thing work? Never used it!

 

What about Labadee? We are not renting a cabana since we plan on doing a lot of the "stuff", but we would still like a little beach time. Are there loungers just on the sand on Barefoot like the other beaches? How do we flag down the golf carts to get there? Do we get floaties included? How does the special BBQ work? Where is it?Never felt the need to rent a cabana. There are plenty of loungers available. You're escorted in, there are towels available. They ask if you want sunny or shady and they set you up. Take some small bills for tipping if you like. We never took a golf cart--its not a far walk. Never used the floaties either. I found the sand rather course--recommend water shoes. The BBQ is set up behind all the loungers, near the wall. Runs mid-day (11--1?) and features fly covered food! My husband enjoyed the steak and shrimp. I just picked at my food. Nothing special really.

 

What about room service? If we want to eat a full dinner on our balcony, how do we get the menus? Will the food still be hot when it arrives?As has been said, menus in the room daily. You may have to ask though--we did. Food is warm--hot. Not as hot as the MDR. It all comes at once and you have to serve yourself. Ask for a table cloth! On windy nights, we brought the table in from the balcony and used the 2 chairs in the room. Very nice--especially on formal nights (if you don't want to dress up).

 

What about the daytime meals in the specialty restaurants? Is there a fee to eat lunch in chops? Are both open on all sea days or only one at a time? How do we find out? Is the lunch menu the same as the MDR lunch one? On Freedom, we could eat in Portofino's. They have a great breakfast menu and its quiet and relaxing. Free of charge. There is no organized lunch, but you can bring your tray from the Windjammer in there to eat in peace. There are other options on board for lunch, but nothing specifically for suites.

 

I read that there is a special suite reception with the captain. If so, when/where/how? You'll be sent invitations to events--they'll be left in your suite.

 

How does the pool area work? Are there spots available in the suite section in the mid morning/early afternoon or do the suite chair hogs gobble them up early like the regular chairs? We have a morning activity planned one sea day so we won't get to the pool till 2ish. Will we be able to get a chair (technically 2 chairs)?The designated suite area on Freedom is above the Sky Bar. Great place to be windblown! or watch the big screen. Not handy to the pool. We go up there about once a cruise and its always deserted.

 

How does the lounge work? Is there a suite lounge and a diamond lounge or are they the same place? Outside of the cocktail hours, anything else go on in there?2 separate lounges. Suite lounge is on deck 10. Interior room, no windows. Comfy chairs. We pick the Diamond lounge over this though--nice view from Deck 12 (?). Its inside Olive and Twist. You can go there for breakfast (continental style) and coffee/lattees etc are always available. There's also 2 computers in there. Nice and quiet during the day---we use it often.

 

What about special requests? Can I ask for fresh fruit to always be in the room? What about chocolate covered berries? I don't want to be "those people" that ask for too much, but it would be awesome to get some special snacks.Fruit is brought the first day. Goodies arrive a few times throughout the week. We never asked for anything so don't know.

 

On the last day how does disembarking work? Do you hang out in the lounge? Do you get numbers like every one else? Can you just leave whenever you want? (We want to get off pretty early to head to disney world)

We do our own luggage. We hang out in the suite til the last minute and then walk off.

Anything else I am missing?

have a great time!!

[louv2000]

How does the pool area work? Are there spots available in the suite section in the mid morning/early afternoon or do the suite chair hogs gobble them up early like the regular chairs? We have a morning activity planned one sea day so we won't get to the pool till 2ish. Will we be able to get a chair (technically 2 chairs)?

 

 

There is a section for gold card suite holders located on either side of the Pool Bar that go up the stairs (red velvet ropes) to the Sky Bar with loungers with gold towels.

 

You will easily be able to secure the loungers that you want.

 

Sorry, that's been changed. No special towels---we had to sign our blue ones out. No special section around the pool--just on top of the bar.