What's open while in ports?

[Ma2AnZ]

I'm considering a Summer '08 cruise on Freedom or Liberty, and was wondering if the "on board stuff" was operational during the times in port. (ex: rock wall, surf rider, mini golf, promenade shopping, etc.)

[TonyRic]

I am not sure about other things to do, but I would think the rock wall and such activities would be open (but I could easily be wrong).

 

The stores on board will be closed (please correct me if I am wrong but it is my experience) while in port due to agreements with the local governments.

[scubapuss]

The activities are closed. Most of the crew gets time off also.

[Dockman123]

We have always gotten off at the different ports so I am not 100% sure what is available. I know the pool and hot tub areas are available as well as the windjammer. A couple of the lounges/ bars will be open. The fitness center and spa will be open. Most activities will be closed as well as the shops and casino. Looking at the compass from our last cruise their was a couple activities available in the Schooner bar and poolside.

[Aprille]

Just off Splendour and looking at the Compass from our port day (7am-7pm) it looks like the Rock Climbing Wall was open 8am-noon, the golf course was open all day as were the spa, saunas and steam rooms. The shops and casino were definitely not open.

 

It appears they had a few activities planned during the day including Walk-a-Mile, Baggo Tournament (whatever that is), Coffee Time Trivia, Ping-pong tournament, Adventure Family Scavenger Hunt, Line Dance Class and Golf Tournament.

 

Windjammer was the only venue opened for lunch.

 

We stayed on board while in port and enjoyed having the Solarium pool and whirlpools all to ourselves for a couple of hours mid-morning.

[cb at sea]

You can play mini-golf just about anytime--no staff is needed there. Windjammer will be open--the dining room doesn't always serve lunch on port days. The pools, of course, will be your own--port days are great days to utilize the pool area!

[puglvr]

On our Explorer cruise, we decided to stay on board when the ship was in Labadee, it just didn't interest us this time. We basically had the ship to ourselves (4 of us). Shops & casino were all closed as previous posters have said. We slept late, played golf, lounged poolside and explored the ship. We loved our relaxing day on board. In looking back, our other days in ports we shopped 'til we dropped...no relaxation there. lol

We ate lunch at Johnny Rockets, no waiting. We also had a celebrity sighting while at lunch too. Now mind you, this was back in 2001...we spotted TV Host Mike Berger (from The Mike & Mattie Show & other shows). We spoke with him quite often during the rest of the week, he was traveling with the ship's Comedian (can't remember his name). I think we were the only people that week who knew who he was. Nice guy. He apparently used to work in the Cruising industry before becoming semi-famous, as a Cruise Director if my memory serves me right.

[Ma2AnZ]

Hey, I remember the Mike & Mattie Show! (Uh oh...showing my age...)

 

I thought I remembered something about the shops on board being closed, but it's good to know that some of the other things may be available...just in case we decide to either stay onboard or come back early on a port day.

 

Thanks for all your input! :-)