Just back from the Freedom!

[Aquarius2]

Anybody seen a price list on the FOS barbershop?

 

How about the juice bar? Any price quotes?

 

Those of you who got the Hamburg preview, was everything included?

 

Haven't seen a Price list for the Barbershop (just outside of it you can also get your shoes shined).

 

Yes, everything was included (Spa-Treatments, Casino and Shops were not, but Casinos and Shops weren't officially opened anyway due to Customs Regulations (the Ship remaind docked in Hamburg).

 

Thanks again to RCI!

 

Cheers,

Phil

[hardingk]

The pub looked great. "Vocal Guitarist" Jimmy Blakemoore played there and people really enjoyed it. Of course the fact that all alcohol was free might have played a role as well ;)

 

Jimmy was on our Navigator & Mariner cruises! He is awesome!!

[negc]

Folks need to relax about the Diamond / Concierge thing. All we have is a few comments from one person sailing on a brand new ship that will not carry paying customers for another month (nothing against the person who posted the info; I'm sure they are just reporting what they were told).

 

Maybe it makes sense to let RCI get Freedom up and running, get some additional facts so that we have a complete story, and then contact RCI if that still makes sense.

 

Good grief, Patrick - a voice of sanity and reason in this sea of outrage. This kind of post won't win you any praises from those who are always ready to criticize even when all the facts aren't in.:)

 

Ruby - The language in the earliest brochures printed when the first concierge lounges were introduced was ambiguous and seemed to indicate that junior suites qualified occupants to access the concierge lounge. The language was eventually corrected and after a rather lengthy period during which the earlier language was honored, the line no longer granted access to folks in junior suites unless they were also Diamond level C&A members. This was a considered action and not one dependent on the whim of one or another ship's officials. It has been at least two years or more since the practice was discontinued.

[beach08]

Feb. 25, 2007 seems just to far away...HURRY

[Schplinky]

It might also be worth mentioning that some folks have discussed who would be concierge on Freedom, since two had claimed they were going there. Perhaps there will be separate lounges but each will have a concierge. I'd wait for some revenue passengers to board before you start a letter-writing campaign.

[crusinmama06]

It might also be worth mentioning that some folks have discussed who would be concierge on Freedom, since tow had claimed they were going there. Perhaps there will be separate lounges but each will have a concierge. I'd wait for some revenue passengers to board before you start a letter-writing campaign.

 

Agreed. Just wait to see what really happens before everyone gets all upset about it.

 

And thanks for posting the pictures of the different categories...it was great to finally be able to see a cabin. Thanks! :D

[caviargal]

Yes...the voice of reason. There has been talk of two separate lounges all along. I think it will all be okay, but we should take a deep breath and wait-and-see before getting too worried about it.

 

Tracy

 

I have only enjoyed Concierge Lounge priviliges once, on Serenade, and found it to be a very nice perk. However, it was blatantly obvious that it would soon get out of control, as there are sooooo many Diamond members and the numbers grow daily.

 

As a DPlus, I thought then that it was just a matter of time til RCI was forced to make some changes.

 

It will be interesting to see exactly what they do and I will ask the question when I am on FOS in a few weeks and report the latest.

 

CG

[GMoney]

Good grief, Patrick - a voice of sanity and reason in this sea of outrage. This kind of post won't win you any praises from those who are always ready to criticize even when all the facts aren't in.:)

 

:D :D :D

[mcfaddensfarm]

Phil (or anyone else who has been on Freedom so far),

My friends and I are trying to figure out something. You know that big statue of the diving lady that they have coming from the Promenade ceiling? Can you tell us where she is hanging, in regards to the Promenade itself? If you were to be standing directly underneath her, what shops/bars would be directly to your left & right? Just curious about who's 8th deck Promenade window she'll be hanging near...:D

[big al]

Looks great and sounds great..just booked FOS for Thanksgiving and switched my NCL Jewel cruise to March '07..can't wait!!

 

Big Al

 

 

USS Constitution (’61)

USS Independence( ’63)

SS United States( ‘53 & ’67)

Queen Mary (??)

Raffaelo(’63)

Michelangelo (’62)

SS France (’66)

Carnival Fantasy (’90)

Carnival Sensation (’95)

RCL Majesty Of Seas (’96)

Carnival Paradise (’98)

Grand Princess (2000)

Celebrity Mercury (2001)

NCL Star (1 night.) (’01)

NCL Sun (’01)

Carnival Pride (’03)

Carnival Triumph ( ’04)

RCL AOS (’05)

HAL Westerdam (’05)

Disney Wonder (5/06)

RCL Mariner OS (8/06)

RCL Freedom Of The Seas (11/06)

NCL Jewel (3/07)

[Aquarius2]

Phil (or anyone else who has been on Freedom so far),

My friends and I are trying to figure out something. You know that big statue of the diving lady that they have coming from the Promenade ceiling? Can you tell us where she is hanging, in regards to the Promenade itself? If you were to be standing directly underneath her, what shops/bars would be directly to your left & right? Just curious about who's 8th deck Promenade window she'll be hanging near...:D

 

I have no Idea...there are so many things hanging and standing around, that I didn't even notice it...sorry....

 

Cheers,

Phil

[Bonnie Voyager]

From looking at photos and deck plans, I would waiver a guess that the diving gal is hanging almost in the area of Vintages which would probably place her just about in front of cabins 8291 and 8591 on deck 8.

 

Jane, I think you are safe! ;)

[mcfaddensfarm]

Thanks Bonnie! I'm crossing my fingers. She just gives me the creeps. Of course, I'm just guestimating about where my cabin is. I went to the deck plans, measured how far my cabin was from the aft elevator, then went down to deck 5 & measured that same distance from the elevator & ended up at Vintages. But I'm hoping that your estimate of her being in front of those other cabins is accurate. I guess only time will tell...

[cruisemeister8]

Question for you guys that have been on board....

 

Looking at the exterior pictures, on deck 11 you can see a large white area that breaks up the continuity of the glass. What is behind there? Is that a wall? A construction tarp or what? And under the spa overhangs, there are a few mini-hump rooms. The glass on the balconies appears in some pics to be gold or something. Is that a different kind of glass out there, or is it just some sort of protective film that hasn't been taken off yet? just curious.

[Fredrik]

...wait until I get back

...wait to tell you have great everything is

...wait to thank RCCL for the generous evening

 

Everything went great and the crew is amazing. I talked to many crewmembers and got regonized from our previous trips. Always heartwarming. It felt like thousands of cameras going off just about everywhere with press and TV running around. The ships is soo ready with just little touchups needed in some places. They must have worked really hard to get everything in order. The stateroom was amazing with lots of room, the flatscreen, gorgeous bedding and soft towels. 10 different catagories were open for viewing but I only went to the Presidential suite and it was quite big :) I stayed in a large balcony up on 9.

 

2PM Checkin was the fastest ever. I was first in line for the busses taking us to the ship.

 

3PM Lunch in Windjammer, really miss the outdoor seating on Radianceclass, but with a lot of space everywhere. Jade is always my favourite. Crew was attentive. Food was as always good. Top notch salladbar. Looked at Chops and Portofino and they are the same. Sorrentos has a different deco than on Sovereign. Serve more than just pizza. Looked really nice. Ben & Jerry is much bigger and Café Promenade has the nice Booknook addition.

 

4:45 Iceskating delayed because we were only 6 people there, they made som more announcements and it filled up pretty much in the center. Quite a few falls but overall a very upbeat and fun experience.

 

6:00 Running around trying to cover as much ground as possible. The poolareas are nice, miss the covered Solarium. (Probably because it was freezing cold outside) they guys in the wavepool looked like they couldn´t wait until they get to the Caribbean. Kids areas area really huge. Great for us not bringing kids that they are well lookout for :)

 

7:30 Predinner drinks in Vintages (Did I mention every beverage was free on this trip?) Had a couple of really nice glasses of wine.

 

8:15 Parade in the Promenade. Circus theme and quite fun. Lot of people walking around on the promenade all evening. Bars were packed.

 

8:30 Dinner. Great tablemates. Excellent service and the lobster bisque/Beef combination (You know what I´m talking about. Cheesecake, grand marnier and so on...)

 

10:45 Marquee in the Arcadia Theatre. Broadway style, staging was a cut above the rest but voices were really good. Nailed all the high notes and looked very professional. Often I think the dancers come out on top and some of the singers just isn´t good enough. Not here. They were equally good. Got standing ovations and they deserved it.

 

00:00 The rest is a mystery... How time really flies when you´re having fun. At out point I thought about not going to bed. But the mattress looked so nice and I was getting tired from beeing up at 5am and nonstop since...

 

07:00 Breakfast and sail In was beautiful. The Oslofjord really is something and the panoramawindows in Windjammer really let me experience it in full view.

 

09:00 We really had to get off. It wasn´t just a rumour... Well until next time. I don´t think Voyager will feel that small. After all Freedom is a slightly larger Voyagerclass.

 

Take care everyone and keep cruising...

 

 

// Fredrik

[AFT_LOVER]

So Fredrik was one of the first people on board FOS! What a rush! I get her 10/15 member cruise. But I have the 5/14 member cruise coming up to be excited about also.

 

So the bedding is as described in the press release. Wonderful! The photos that were posted from a German newspaper are amazing, giving everyone a great view of everything.

 

Next will be the "Today Show" on 5/12 when they broadcast off her & she in innaugrated by the Godmother the viewers chose. They should do this for every ship, instead of Whoppi Goldberg for a 4th ship, etc.

[Fredrik]

I think the PR tour Freedom is going thru right now is amazing. More than 40 000 TA will come onboard until June. There were quite a few local celebrities onboard last night too. I guess spreading the word is a top priority :)

 

// Fredrik

[AFT_LOVER]

With punching bags, dummies to beat up, not people. I bet there is a price just like Palades, etc.

 

I emailed them on getting pro fights onboard for those of us who like a good one. Then the following night they have Texas Hold 'em to keep that Sports Channel happy.

 

The press statement I read said that they will have a professional box trainer on board and that people could book a very "intense" workout with that box trainer. I think it was a multi-day program.

 

Also, if you are a more experienced boxer, they have some program so that you can work out.

[Aquarius2]

Hi All

 

Okay, I've finally managed to get the Pics online....

 

Hope you enjoy them, if you have any questions, please do let me know...

 

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2106958409

 

Cheers,

Phil:)

[Elizanessie]

Phil

 

Thanks for the pics...they are brilliant....ooh I am more excited now...roll on Nov :D

 

I was thinking..:rolleyes: ..the different glass on the balconies below the whirlpools....would that be a safety thing.....as in ...with the whirlpools hanging out over the side of the ship....like as a warning etc to other ships etc not to get too close....a reflective warning type of thing...oh geez....wish my brain would work with my fingers here....does anyone get what I am trying to say :confused: :D

 

Liz

WYWH Cruiser

[Aquarius2]

Phil

 

Thanks for the pics...they are brilliant....ooh I am more excited now...roll on Nov :D

 

I was thinking..:rolleyes: ..the different glass on the balconies below the whirlpools....would that be a safety thing.....as in ...with the whirlpools hanging out over the side of the ship....like as a warning etc to other ships etc not to get too close....a reflective warning type of thing...oh geez....wish my brain would work with my fingers here....does anyone get what I am trying to say :confused: :D

 

Liz

WYWH Cruiser

 

Hi Liz

 

I know what you are trying to say, but I've got no clue what this is for. I was asking myself the same question.

 

I just know that I've already been sitting in the portside Solarium-Whirlpool at 2.45am on 25th April and I must have been one of the first ones...:D

 

Cheers,

Phil

[HumanCookie]

Phil,

 

Is the Solarium covered or not? Meaning, with a retractable roof over it.

[trvlexprt]

Thanks for the pictures,they are GREAT!!

Can't wait to see for myself!!

Carol

[cruizinmimi]

Aquarius2 I have a question about the Concierge Lounge and/or Diamond Club Lounge. By chance did you get the scoop on the new rules of the Concierge Club.....example, is it going to be just for the suite cabins. It used to be for the all Diamond, Diamond Plus and suite cabins to go in and enjoy a drink before dinner or coffee in the morning, etc. Did you hear anything differently for the Freedom.

 

Please tell me they are not going to do away with this perk for the Diamond and Diamond Plus members......I guess that's my question.

 

Thank you

Linda

[Aquarius2]

Phil,

 

Is the Solarium covered or not? Meaning, with a retractable roof over it.

 

Nope, there's no Roof over the Solarium...

 

Cheers,

Phil