Freedom or Liberty in June 07?

[flyingdoxie]

Hello!

I just returned from my first cruise on RCI Jewel of the Seas and absolutely LOVED it! Now my mom (very young 70 year old) and my nephew (10 years old) want to go on a cruise when his school year is over. I am looking at the end of May or very beginning of June '07 and think they would most enjoy the RCI Freedom. But, I'm finding better deals for the brand new Liberty. I think the ships are close to identical in what they offer. But, is it a good idea to sail on a ship that is brand new (due to be launched in May 07). What if the launch is delayed? Will the service be as good of quality as with a more seasoned crew? All suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

[cruisinfanatic]

Hello!

I just returned from my first cruise on RCI Jewel of the Seas and absolutely LOVED it! Now my mom (very young 70 year old) and my nephew (10 years old) want to go on a cruise when his school year is over. I am looking at the end of May or very beginning of June '07 and think they would most enjoy the RCI Freedom. But, I'm finding better deals for the brand new Liberty. I think the ships are close to identical in what they offer. But, is it a good idea to sail on a ship that is brand new (due to be launched in May 07). What if the launch is delayed? Will the service be as good of quality as with a more seasoned crew? All suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

The ships will be pretty much the same. Also, I've never heard of a ships launch being delayed. Not sure if I'd go on it the first couple weeks, but you should be fine.

[FunCruiser56]

Alot of people love to book the first sailing of a ship, everything is brand new. But you do take your chances booking in the first month or 2 since the crew is not used to working together yet, sometimes things are not working.

 

We booked the Nordic Empress (now Empress of the Seas) I think to sail at it's 6 month mark, there was a big strike in the shipyards and we ended up on the 3rd sailing it was delayed quite a while. We did enjoy the cruise alot and the crew was very good and friendly, so much so we booked another one for a year later.

So delays do happen.

We booked the Liberty for next October and got a great price, about $300pp less than Freedom, we do prefer the western route and that sealed the choice for us.

 

Bev

[spbflseas]

Do Liberty...I am putting my money where my mouth is because I am sailing Liberty in June 2007.

 

There used to be a time when cruise lines had very tight maiden voyage sailing dates and delays were almost inevitable. After having many unhappy guests and many financial payouts, the cruise lines over the last few years have "loosened" their schedules for bringing a new ship on line. The Freedom had issues that caused it to have to be repaired in a totally different ship yard. The maiden voyage was not impacted in anyway. The cruise lines have the built in flexibility of non-revenue voyages weeks before the first revenue generating voyage is scheduled.

[LizC]

I chose Liberty for our June 07 cruise. They willI hope be pulling top people from Freedom to help Liberty. Can't wait to be on that boat.