Jumping Ship

[Hobbsey]

Hi

 

My dad and I are currently booked on Carnival Valor (9/17) but I am thinking of 'selling" him on jumping ship to Freedom of the Seas(9/18). Please give me some ammo!

 

How are the lines? Is the Windjammer really as congested as I read in reviews? Is the Solarium relaxing and quiet? Is it easy to find an aft view? Is there STILL a cigar bar on board? How diificult would it be for him to navigate this ship at 82 years old.

 

Thanks

[Clarea]

There is still a cigar bar onboard, called the Connoisseur Club, deck 5, forward.

[constable145]

Hi

 

My dad and I are currently booked on Carnival Valor (9/17) but I am thinking of 'selling" him on jumping ship to Freedom of the Seas(9/18). Please give me some ammo!

 

How are the lines? Is the Windjammer really as congested as I read in reviews? Is the Solarium relaxing and quiet? Is it easy to find an aft view? Is there STILL a cigar bar on board? How diificult would it be for him to navigate this ship at 82 years old.

 

Thanks

I've never been on the Valor but I've been on the Freedom and her sister ship the Liberty.

 

She's bigger than the Valor but well laid out. I didn't notice the lines to be insurmountable.

 

I love the solarium on the Freedom class ships.. It is my favourite out of the 3 classes of ship I've been on.

 

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[Hobbsey]

There is still a cigar bar onboard, called the Connoisseur Club, deck 5, forward.

 

Thanks Bob, that will be 30% of the sales job right there!

 

I also note that the cabin is bigger and the cabin balcony is deeper and thus more comfortable. There is another 25%.

 

We would be giving up a port day but the savings is about $50 pp for nicer accommodations.

 

I have a feeling I'm going to drive my TA nuts.

[Hobbsey]

I've never been on the Valor but I've been on the Freedom and her sister ship the Liberty.

 

She's bigger than the Valor but well laid out. I didn't notice the lines to be insurmountable.

 

I love the solarium on the Freedom class ships.. It is my favourite out of the 3 classes of ship I've been on.

 

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for the info Constable.

 

The pics I've seen of the Solarium makes me think it should more relaxing than the aft pool on Valor, but no aft view.

[LindaO]

Hi

 

My dad and I are currently booked on Carnival Valor (9/17) but I am thinking of 'selling" him on jumping ship to Freedom of the Seas(9/18). Please give me some ammo!

 

How are the lines? Is the Windjammer really as congested as I read in reviews? Is the Solarium relaxing and quiet? Is it easy to find an aft view? Is there STILL a cigar bar on board? How difficult would it be for him to navigate this ship at 82 years old.

 

Thanks

 

I traveled with my mother on the Freedom (and the class of ships) many times. She easily navigated the ship and she used a walker. Once the ship is under way, and people spread out through the ship, lines are not a problem. If he has difficulty walking up a steep ramp they will gladly offer him a wheel chair for boarding... encourage him to do so. They will treat him like a King... you avoid all kinds of lines... and they will push you to wherever you want to go on the ship. The Windjammer is crowded on boarding day... but if you opt for a light lunch in the promanade and get a sandwich, pizza, salad or something else light. Always remember, in the Windjammer the staff is always helpful and will graciously and patiently carry your father's plate and assist him. Also, remember, in the theater there is seating available for you and your father... allowing him to avoid the steps.

 

The Solarium is really nice, quiet and relaxing. There are plenty of aft views from the ship. If you are looking for an aft cabin, that might be more difficult to secure. When mom traveled with me I always tried to secure a cabin near an elevator. Aft cabins are a long way from an elevator. Cigar bar is excellent on the Freedom and if he enjoys a cigar it is the place for him to meet others who enjoy.

 

One of mom's favorite thing was to watch the people enjoying the flow rider and the rock climbing wall. There is so much to do on the Freedom. Your father will have no trouble with the ship. Oh... and I'll be on that cruise (9/18) with about 100 other ladies. It is a sewing cruise for us... we'll be doing some sewing on sea days!!

[Hobbsey]

I traveled with my mother on the Freedom (and the class of ships) many times. She easily navigated the ship and she used a walker. Once the ship is under way, and people spread out through the ship, lines are not a problem. If he has difficulty walking up a steep ramp they will gladly offer him a wheel chair for boarding... encourage him to do so. They will treat him like a King... you avoid all kinds of lines... and they will push you to wherever you want to go on the ship. The Windjammer is crowded on boarding day... but if you opt for a light lunch in the promanade and get a sandwich, pizza, salad or something else light. Always remember, in the Windjammer the staff is always helpful and will graciously and patiently carry your father's plate and assist him. Also, remember, in the theater there is seating available for you and your father... allowing him to avoid the steps.

 

The Solarium is really nice, quiet and relaxing. There are plenty of aft views from the ship. If you are looking for an aft cabin, that might be more difficult to secure. When mom traveled with me I always tried to secure a cabin near an elevator. Aft cabins are a long way from an elevator. Cigar bar is excellent on the Freedom and if he enjoys a cigar it is the place for him to meet others who enjoy.

 

One of mom's favorite thing was to watch the people enjoying the flow rider and the rock climbing wall. There is so much to do on the Freedom. Your father will have no trouble with the ship. Oh... and I'll be on that cruise (9/18) with about 100 other ladies. It is a sewing cruise for us... we'll be doing some sewing on sea days!!

 

Thanks for the kind reply and great information Linda. If we decide to make the switch I'll let you know!

[gooddayz]

I don't know what value you would put on entertainment, have cruised Carnival and Royal. There is no comparison there, Royal has great varied entertainment, clearly the winner in that category. Also thought food was better on Royal as well. Carnival seemed more like a "party" ship, but to each his own there. Good luck, I'm sure he'd love Royal

[stleda124]

Hi

 

 

 

My dad and I are currently booked on Carnival Valor (9/17) but I am thinking of 'selling" him on jumping ship to Freedom of the Seas(9/18). Please give me some ammo!

 

 

 

How are the lines? Is the Windjammer really as congested as I read in reviews? Is the Solarium relaxing and quiet? Is it easy to find an aft view? Is there STILL a cigar bar on board? How diificult would it be for him to navigate this ship at 82 years old.

 

 

 

Thanks

 

 

I would also weigh into the decision which ports are tendered and which are not. My grandmother had a hard time with the tendered ports.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[klepton]

Have done both Valor and Liberty of the Seas (Freedom's sister). The Valor will be much smaller, freedom class ships really are pretty big. There will likely be more to do on the FotS, a bigger pool deck, promenade, etc. FotS will have a flow rider, rock wall, and ice skating rink, but at 82 not sure that will sway the decision for your dad. :D I would personally say the solarium will be better than the Serenity deck on the Valor, sun worshipers might disagree.

 

The FotS will be more crowded, Freedom class ships are one of the most crowded feeling ships I've sailed on, and our sailing wasn't full. The Windjammer was very crowded for breakfast, there were some days were we had to walk around for awhile to find a table. Lunch and dinner in the windjammer never seemed crowded though. Personally I like the lunch options on Carnival (Guy's and Blue Iguana) better than Freedom class offering, that's obviously subjective.

 

A standard balcony is much deeper on Freedom class ships than Conquest class (what the Valor is). The rooms will be similar size, I don't remember one being much bigger than the other. A central location is more important on the Freedom, whereas the Valor is pretty walkable no matter where you stay.

 

Most entertainment is better on Royal. Aside from the main theater shows they'll do a parade in the promenade and an ice show. The exception to this is I think Carnival has more consistency in their comedians.

 

Not sure if you'd go to the casino, but on the Liberty there were no $5 blackjack tables at all, started at $10 and those tables were pretty crowded. On Carnival you should be able to find one or two $6 tables.

 

MDR food is comparable between the two.

 

If only one of you would want an alcohol package that's only possible on Royal. Carnival would require you both to purchase the package. However, Carnival allows you to buy liquor for your room through the online funshops (albeit at inflated prices) whereas Royal has really no option to get a bottle of liquor into your room.

 

If it were me I'd base my decision on itinerary more than the ship. Itineraries being equal and prices roughly equal, I'd choose the FotS.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Hobbsey]

Have done both Valor and Liberty of the Seas (Freedom's sister). The Valor will be much smaller, freedom class ships really are pretty big. There will likely be more to do on the FotS, a bigger pool deck, promenade, etc. FotS will have a flow rider, rock wall, and ice skating rink, but at 82 not sure that will sway the decision for your dad. :D I would personally say the solarium will be better than the Serenity deck on the Valor, sun worshipers might disagree.

 

The FotS will be more crowded, Freedom class ships are one of the most crowded feeling ships I've sailed on, and our sailing wasn't full. The Windjammer was very crowded for breakfast, there were some days were we had to walk around for awhile to find a table. Lunch and dinner in the windjammer never seemed crowded though. Personally I like the lunch options on Carnival (Guy's and Blue Iguana) better than Freedom class offering, that's obviously subjective.

 

A standard balcony is much deeper on Freedom class ships than Conquest class (what the Valor is). The rooms will be similar size, I don't remember one being much bigger than the other. A central location is more important on the Freedom, whereas the Valor is pretty walkable no matter where you stay.

 

Most entertainment is better on Royal. Aside from the main theater shows they'll do a parade in the promenade and an ice show. The exception to this is I think Carnival has more consistency in their comedians.

 

Not sure if you'd go to the casino, but on the Liberty there were no $5 blackjack tables at all, started at $10 and those tables were pretty crowded. On Carnival you should be able to find one or two $6 tables.

 

MDR food is comparable between the two.

 

If only one of you would want an alcohol package that's only possible on Royal. Carnival would require you both to purchase the package. However, Carnival allows you to buy liquor for your room through the online funshops (albeit at inflated prices) whereas Royal has really no option to get a bottle of liquor into your room.

 

If it were me I'd base my decision on itinerary more than the ship. Itineraries being equal and prices roughly equal, I'd choose the FotS.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

Klepton (and everyone else) thank you for your thoughtful and helpful responses. I always find the Royal Caribbean board to be the most helpful and least dramatic.

 

I was all set to make the case and then make the change, and then suddenly my TA weighed in with a significant price drop and another cash offer to stay with him and the Valor booking. The extra port stop, 8 days vs. 7 days and a $300 price difference (plus other considerations from the TA) have me staying with the Carnival booking.

 

(and yes, I am looking forward to having my first Guys Burger on that cruise).

 

Cheers!

[TravelerThom]

Klepton (and everyone else) thank you for your thoughtful and helpful responses. I always find the Royal Caribbean board to be the most helpful and least dramatic...

Ahh, but you merely brushed smoking and got info on a dedicated cigar lounge, and didn't bring up dress codes or tipping. You want drama:eek:, go there (but thank goodness you didn't:p).

 

Enjoy your cruise and maybe we'll see you on RCI in the future.

Thom

[Deptacon]

Freedom was my first Royal ship after sailing the Carnival Glory (Similar Carnival ships, I believe) and she got me hooked on royal. You will love it. Do it.

 

Also, I was looking at Carnival prices last night, the Oasis of the Seas in 2017 has comparable prices to Carnival....might want to look at that as well if you are looking that far out.

Edited March 15, 2016 by Deptacon

[Hobbsey]

Freedom was my first Royal ship after sailing the Carnival Glory (Similar Carnival ships, I believe) and she got me hooked on royal. You will love it. Do it.

 

Also, I was looking at Carnival prices last night, the Oasis of the Seas in 2017 has comparable prices to Carnival....might want to look at that as well if you are looking that far out.

 

Thanks,

 

I doubt I would personally like an Oasis class ship - it just seems so much more like a resort hotel than a ship. What I really want to book is a Radiance class ship. Still a little big for my taste, but constructed much more with a connection to the sea.

 

My favorite ships are all gone now, except for the S Class HAL ships. That said, I will probably cruise Freedom next year if she stays in Port Canaveral.

[Clarea]

... I will probably cruise Freedom next year if she stays in Port Canaveral.

Freedom leaves Port Canaveral for Port Everglades this coming November. So far, it seems she will be alternating between Port Everglades and Europe.

[silentbob007]

I tend to find Carnival's Conquest-class (which Valor is in) to be the strangest to navigate because there is a dining room the middle of the ship that blocks access on several decks when trying to move from forward to aft. Granted, there is a similar obstruction on deck 3 of the Freedom class due to the ice rink, but it only exists on one deck.