Celebrity Silhouette vs Royal's Freedom of the Seas?

[bubbadogmom]

(Cross posting on Celebrity and RCL boards)

 

 

Just looking for thoughts....trying to decide between Silhouette or Freedom.

 

This cruise will be a daddy/daughter cruise (I'm 40, he's 68) - I just took him on his first cruise on the Reflection and he really liked it.

 

I've cruised about 12 times, my favourite is Celebrity. Been on Carnival, Royal, Celebrity and NCL.

 

I did like the Allure, but even I found it a bit too big - so it will be too big for my dad. The Reflection was great - and I know that the Silhouette is her sister ship so it will be very similar. But at the same time, I've always wanted to go on the Freedom of the Seas, and I'd like to show him something different.

 

It will be late January - early Feb 2017 - trying to avoid too many kids :).

I know the weather might be warmer in March but it's spring break.

 

The itineraries are similar, but the Silhouette is a 7 night and the Freedom a 6 night.

 

Both are out of Fort Lauderdale. We will be flying from Toronto.

 

Silhouette goes to Coco Cay, Cozumel, Georgetown; Grand Cayman and Falmouth Jamaica.

 

Freedom goes to Georgetown ; Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Puerto Costa Maya Mexico.

 

I'm not familiar at all with Puerto Costa Maya - the rest I've been to.

 

Any comments, thoughts? On what you would choose? I know the Silhouette will be great - but I almost want to try Freedom - I have heard good things about it and it would be a little different.

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

 

 

 

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[Mango Mike]

Most importantly, it would probably be more helpful to learn more about the two of yours likes and dislikes.

 

Freedom class ships are great, laid out well (they actually have a few things that I wish the Celebrity S class ships had), but are (IMO) a bit more crowded/busy, more activities, etc vs Celebrities laid back/refined atmosphere. So it would probably boil down to what type of people you are.

 

I've only been on 1 Celebrity cruise (Equinox), but that 1 cruise was enough to convert my wife and I to Celebrity cruisers from now on.

[bubbadogmom]

Ummm......we like the beach and swimming in the ocean but just for an hour or 2. We don't like to spend the whole day in the sun.

 

Love to jump in the hot tub before bed.

 

We do select dining - usually around 545-600. Will probably do one night at a specialty and a night at the buffet for dinner or if we don't like the MDR menu.

 

Dad loves a good burger - and I really liked the Johnny Rockets on the Allure.

 

We don't rock climb or anything hugely physical. I love the occasional Zumba class (dad not so much lol).

 

We like comedy shows, and the silly newlywed games etc. We don't play bingo and will only hit up the Casino once for our requisite 20$ donation :)

 

Love a good dessert - and usually are in bed by 11.

 

I know we miss a lot by going to bed so early but I'm not sure my dad would like the later stuff like the things they are doing on Celebrity (themed dance parties with bubble headed people) weird!

 

 

 

 

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Edited March 16, 2016 by bubbadogmom

[micmacmissy]

Hands down, I'd pick Silhouette.

 

We were on Indy (sister ship to Freedom) and we chose it because we thought the kids would enjoy it more. We all had a great time, but there were several areas where Celebrity was superior:

 

Celebrity has the edge with

-Buffet food

-Variety of specialty restaurants

-Homemade ice cream (no charge)

-Overall ambiance

-Few kids

-Awesome solarium

-Smoke free casino

-Great bars

-Live music before dinner

-No announcements

-Nicer ambiance/less pressure to shop/buy

-Silhouette newer and nicer staterooms

 

RCCL was better at

-MDR food

-People watching in promenade

-Service in MDR, we had My Time Dining and never waited for a table, and had the same staff each night. Celebrity's MDR was a nightmare with long waits.

 

Service was equally good on both lines. I don't think there is a bad choice here, but we give the edge to Celebrity.

[floridianny]

We've been on both Silhouette and Freedom. Have to agree with everything Micmacmissy said above. We really enjoyed both cruises. We LOVE the Celebrity Solstice class ships, but enjoyed the Freedom as well. The ship is easy to get around and never felt crowded. There were times we were practically alone in the Promenade which was surprising. What we liked a bit more than Silhouette,the entertainment options and variety of bars/lounges. We liked there were more choices in the evening like the Schooner Bar, Champagne Bar, Viking Crown(not sure that is still open to all) and the shows in the theater and the Ice Show. Loved Johnny Rockets for a burger.

The buffet is MUCH better on Celebrity but we never went hungry and there are plenty of options. The Cafe Promenade has great sandwiches and snacks.

Freedom was a fun change for us and we would be happy to sail on her again.

Also, and I don't know if this is important to you, but Coco Cay can be chilly or even skipped that time of year.

Whatever you decide you can't go wrong, IMO. Hope you have a great time:)

[helen haywood]

The Mast Grille on Silhouette has great hamburgers and there is no charge as there is at Johnny Rockets. And I would generally always pick a 7 day cruise over a 6 day!

 

 

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[royalcruz]

I think that either will be great. Here are some thoughts.

 

Costa Maya has a Margaritaville and a few tacky shops at the port...other than that you have to take an excursion to see anything.

 

From your list of cruises, I think you would love Freedom because you already like Royal, and it is different...much better than Monarch, and I enjoy Freedom class more than Allure. There is a fun piano bar that gets a great crowd. Also, the shows on RC are grander than on X.

 

On the other hand, it would be nice to have that extra day on Silhouette, and if you book a hump balcony you'll have extra space.

[CHUCKIE50]

We were on the independence on the February 27 2016 voyage and there were over 1000 spring breakers aboard. We never could get near the hot tubs as they hogged them. Just beware of your dates we were very surprised.

[benny salami]

Highly recommend the Silhouette which with Reflection are our 2 favorites. They are the perfect size without long waits departing at ports or waiting for tours. Do not forget Lawn Club Grill which is an unparalleled interactive dining experience.

 

 

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