RCCL Freedom of the Seas AO Review for FAMILIES

[crusinmama06]

Well we are home from our trip on RCCL Freedom of the Seas with our 3 and 7 year old. I am editing this review for the things that interest those who travel with kids.

 

Background Information - This was our 6th cruise, our 3rd with RCCL. We have been on RCCL, Disney, NCL and Carnival. We travel with our 2 children ages 3 and 7.

 

Pre Cruise Hotel - I wanted to try the Mandarin Oriental in Miami. We were looking for an ultra luxury hotel with balconies on the bay and THIS fit what we wanted. The room was beautiful, overlooking Biscayne Bay. The service was top notch. But be prepared to pay for the luxury. Even the PB&J for the kids was $15. If I had to do it all over again I would have picked a hotel closer to the Bay Marketplace/Mall.

 

 

Priority Embarkation for Suite Guests- On other cruiselines, the priority embarkation was a sail through zero lines and right onto the ship. That wasn't exactly our experience on Freedom. Now don't get me wrong, it was still less than 30 minutes from arrival to getting on the ship. We walked into the terminal, there was no one in line in the Priority Suite line. We walked right up to be checked in...very quick process. THEN, we we ushered into a line that snaked up and down the terminal. This was the line to get the pictures taken for the set sail pass. So that was the longest part...waiting in that line. But after 30 minutes we were on the ship.

 

We made our way to the Windjammer. All of the doors to the cabins were closed with a sign on them that read (Your cabin will be ready by 1:30)

 

Ship Info - The Freedom of the Seas is a truly magnificent ship. There is so much to see that is truly takes a day or two just to wander around and check everything out.

Grand Suite 1298 - this was the PERFECT grand suite. We were underneath the sports pool but we could hear NOTHING. Not one chair. No one above us. Only one night when they were having a pool dance party could I hear the muffled sounds of music. I am a light sleeper and I slept like a baby. There IS a door bell. Only once did a kid think it was funny to ring it at 11pm. Boy did I give THAT kid the evil eye the rest of the week...lol.

 

Suite Perks - Upon arrival, there was a bottle of champagne waiting for us. There was also a big complimentary bottle of water on the bar. Of course also robes and slippers, the keys to the concierge lounge, bottles of hand cream, shampoo and conditioner, cotton balls, q-tips, fresh flowers in the cabin, ice show tickets and our Portofino's specialty dining confirmation. On the 2nd day a fruit and nut tray was delivered to the room.

 

Activities - We played trivia (and won the Cartoon Theme Song Trivia, I need to get out more...lol) We lounged at the solarium. Absolute HEAVEN! I never though a place could be so peaceful. It was better than any spa! I fell asleep in their comfy lounge chairs on two different days.

And the kids LOVED the H20 zone...

 

 

Service - OUTSTANDING! Our cabin attendant was Carolyn. She was an absolute DREAM. She also addressed us by name. Always a smile. And as soon as we left the room, she was there and gone.

 

Shore Excursions -

Cozumel, Mexico: Playa Mia Deluxe Beach Break. At $69 per person, we thought this would be a paradise. It was a nice enough beach. They had a pool too. The sand was very rough. The buffet was a little scary. We didn't get our money's worth out of this one. A better bet would have been to get off the ship and find a Playa Mia representative. The cost would have been cheaper. And we wouldn't have been stuck there for 5 hours.

Grand Caymen: Butterfly Express tour. We wanted the kids to see the butterfly farm. We were loaded onto a nice shuttle and taken to what looked to be a small house with a large netted backyard. The guide gave a 20 minute talk about the life cycle of the butterflies. We got some very colorful pictures. The kids were bored before th 50 minutes were over. Nice to see once, won't be going back.

Labadee: Labadee was beautiful. To be honest though it's not as nice as Coco Cay, at least in our opinion. There were a few different beaches to try. The water park was closed (it said "excuse our dust"). The area with the water trampoline was $15 pp per hour. The best part was our tram ride to Dragon's Breath Point. THIS is something not to miss. The views are awesome. There is a guide at the top who will charge you $1 to take your picture with your own camera...lol. There are many up and down steps so if your mobility is limited, this might not be for you.

Mo Bay Jamaica: We decided to make this a ship day and I am glad we did. We stepped off the ship just to go into the little shops off of the ship. The building was closed off to the locals but they were yelling at us from between the slats in the windows. Then the clouds rolled in and there was a downpour for the rest of the day...so we didn't miss anything as far as I could tell.

 

Dining - The service was impeccable. The BEST in the business. Our waiter Enderson and Assistant Waiter Glen made the whole experience perfect. So much so that my kids wanted to eat in the dining room for breakfast too because they loved the service at night. Our table for 4 was at the WINDOW. We couldn't have asked for a better table. We had main seating so the sun set during dessert. Just beautiful! The food was good enough. I never had a bad meal. We ate at Sorrento's pizza and Seattle's Best Coffee (the cookie of the day, every day, YUM!)

Children's Clubs - Now THIS is where the problem started....Adventure Ocean. Let's just get right into it. We signed up our children ages 3 and 7. This was my 7 year olds' 4th cruise. For my 3 year old this was her THIRD BIRTHDAY CRUISE! THIS cruise was timed for HER birthday and entrance into the kid's club. She has been on Disney and Carnival (who accepts 2 year olds). So, we sign them up and drop them off the next morning. At the end of the session, one of the counselors tell me that the kids were all hard to break away from the sliding board. That's understandable, they are THREE years old. So when I went to drop my youngest back off later that afternoon, Marlene, one of the counselors asked (in her own broken English) if my child spoke English? WHAT? Of course she does. She said that Gabriella didn't listen to her and wanted to play on the slide that morning and not do the craft. She said she gave her a "strike" for that morning and I needed to talk to her because 3 strikes and you're out. So I reminded them that Gab had ear surgery to put tubes in her ears the week before. She had hearing loss for her first 3 years (now restored) and so her speech is behind and you MUST get down on her level and address her directly.

 

So after that session, Marlene said that Gabriella was "much better". So after dinner the kids asked to go back to AO. When I went to drop her off, Marlene said that "Gabriella's behavior was BAD and that she painted on the table with markers during coloring of a poster". I was SHOCKED. I told her that she is THREE. She attends a private preschool. She was just in Camp Carnival in December who had NO problems with her behavior at all. And this counselor was telling me that if I brought back Gabriella that she WOULD get a third strike and be kicked out of camp on the SECOND day. I was just sick. I went to Customer Relations who have NEVER heard of this before. They said it was just wrong. Gab was with me and they could see she wasn't the demon that Marlene was making her out to be. Vicky in Customer Relations called Jessica, the head of AO. Jessica said that Gabriella received NO strikes. And this was only Marlene's 2nd week on the ship. She said strikes were for MAJOR behavior problems like hitting, biting, harming other children/counselors and that Gabriella had received NO strikes and she was welcome back to AO for the rest of the week. Jessica couldn't apologize enough. So Gab was welcomed back and had a wonderful time. Marlene needs to find a new line of work, one without children.

 

I talked to the parents of the other 3 year olds onboard. They all told me the same thing. Their child was unhappy in the club and this was unusual because they loved other clubs on other lines. It seems to come down to in the 3-5 AO, they do one craft after another after another, followed by story time. There is ALOT of sitting. We checked on our kids MANY times while they were in AO. The 3 year old class was ALWAYS sitting, my 7 year olds' group was constantly running around playing games and MOVING. Can you believe that they actually had a presentation for the 3 year olds on WHY they need to wear their YEP bracelets (the one's marking the lifeboat station). WHY would a 3 year old care to sit and listen to this? The other parents and I agree that the 3 year old group need to have more playtime and less art/science time. It's just too much for THAT age group.

Special Acitivities included - the Pirate Parade (kids dressed like pirates and took over the ship, the Circus (the kids performed different things), the Talent Show and all kids in the talent show got a gold medal and the PJ party. During formal nights your kids could attend dinner with AO at Johnny Rockets burger place.

Talent Show with the 3-5 year old group

 

 

And my 7 year old left a flood of tears on that plane as we touched down at our hometown airport. She said "It's not Miami" snif snif

 

We had a wonderful time, on a beautiful ship with a fabulous staff. We are definatly looking forward to booking our next RCCL cruise.

[rice5899]

My friends just went on that cruise as well. Their daughter is 3.5 and might have been in the kids club the same time your daughter was

[crusinmama06]

My friends just went on that cruise as well. Their daughter is 3.5 and might have been in the kids club the same time your daughter was

 

Oh you'll have to ask them! We sailed 4/29-5/6

 

Were they on it?

[MellowMel]

I'm sorry AO was a nightmare at first, but I'm glad Jessica got things worked out. My 3-year-old loved his program so maybe the Freedom staff doesn't have it all worked out yet. I know Mitchell's group got lots of free time to play along with the crafts and stories. He constantly wanted to be there.

 

I'm glad you'll be going on RCI again!

[crusinmama06]

I'm sorry AO was a nightmare at first, but I'm glad Jessica got things worked out. My 3-year-old loved his program so maybe the Freedom staff doesn't have it all worked out yet. I know Mitchell's group got lots of free time to play along with the crafts and stories. He constantly wanted to be there.

 

I'm glad you'll be going on RCI again!

 

Oh Gabriella constantly wanted to be in there too. And if it hadn't been for the comments from Marlene, I wouldn't have known that anything was wrong. :(

[rice5899]

yes that is the one they just went on. The daughter who is 3.5 is Megan

[rebeccalouise]

If you read my review of the Radiance of the Seas- you will see what I had to say about the youth program for 6 and up. My son had a great time thankfully and still talks about Radiance of the Seas. He loves every cruise and that makes me happy.

 

However, I noticed that the area allocated for the 3-5 year olds was super small. There wasn't much space for them to run around. Unlike on Celebrity where the little kids have a ball pit, climbing frame both indoor and outdoor. They do alot with this age group. Honestly, I think you should try Celebrity. I've done all the cruise lines now and am sticking with Celebrity.

[crusinmama06]

Rice - we remember Megan! My other daughter Morgan kept pointing out their similiar names. :D

 

Rebecca - I can see that Disney KILLED the AO kids club for the 3-5 year old group...NO doubt. And I am not even a big DCL fan. So it takes ALOT for me to say that.

 

And I can say with all honesty that Camp Carnival was better too.

 

The 3 year olds can only do so many color pages before it gets boring. And the program on why they need to wear their "YEP" braclets :rolleyes: As long as WE know why, they don't need to be bogged down with the nonsense.

 

AO centered sooo much on doing activities that would have been great for the 5 year olds (the older end of the spectrum). But the 3 year olds got too bored too fast. :(

[TropicalSnowflake]

Michele,

Thanks for posting your thoughts on the Freedom.

 

Is this the ship that has a baby w/diapers swim area? I think I've read about it now and again in some posts. Did you see this area and have any thoughts on the diaper pool?

 

Jaycie

[crusinmama06]

Michele,

Thanks for posting your thoughts on the Freedom.

 

Is this the ship that has a baby w/diapers swim area? I think I've read about it now and again in some posts. Did you see this area and have any thoughts on the diaper pool?

 

Jaycie

 

Oh that's right....the ship does NOT have an area for infants in diapers. It has an area for SMALL children who are potty trained. But there is a giant sign right next to it that says no swim diapers and children must be potty trained to use the pools.

 

I am going to be developing the water pictures later so I'll post the area I am talking about. One person said that they had talked to staff onboard who said they WERE creating an area for infants. That's not the case. :( They created an area of water about 6 inches deep...but it is still not for infants in diapers.

 

So Disney Magic and Wonder STILL remain as the only ships with infants water areas.

[As You Wish]

Michele,

 

I remember a month or two ago that you wrote about ordering a travel type car seat to use for this cruise--sorry, I can't remember the name. Did you end up getting it, and, if so, what did you think of it?

[crusinmama06]

Michele,

 

I remember a month or two ago that you wrote about ordering a travel type car seat to use for this cruise--sorry, I can't remember the name. Did you end up getting it, and, if so, what did you think of it?

 

YES! I ended up getting the Eddie Bauer Portable Car Seat in Bryant Collection - Tote 'n Go. I got it from Amazon for $30

 

 

It worked perfectly for what we needed! It folded flat to be packed away in the suitcase. When we got off the plane and claimed the baggage, we pulled it out and headed outside to get a taxi. You put the taxi strap through the back of the car seat and we strapped Gab into the 5pt harness. And away we went.

 

AND, let me tell you. When we went to get a taxi the first question out of the person's mouth who flags the taxis at the airport was "Where is your car seat?" ;)

 

We used the taxis in Miami 3 times and it would perfectly everytime. And for $30, you can't beat it.

[littlestars]

Thanks so much for letting us know all about the ship ~ we are heading out there on Freedom in November. My kids are the same ages as yours (well ~ they will be 4 and 7 by the time we go). My son sounds very much like your daughter (ear problems etc ~ we go to hospital next month for the operation :( ).

He doesn't enjoy staying with people he doesn't know at the best of times (he has speech problems and I think he understands that people don't understand him) ~ I was hoping they could go to the kids clubs together as he will go with his sister, but if the staff are going to be like that I think we will just keep him with us!

My daughter is desperate to go to the Club ~ she has never worried about staying anywhere without us really!

Funny how they can be so different :rolleyes:

[crusinmama06]

Thanks so much for letting us know all about the ship ~ we are heading out there on Freedom in November. My kids are the same ages as yours (well ~ they will be 4 and 7 by the time we go). My son sounds very much like your daughter (ear problems etc ~ we go to hospital next month for the operation :( ).

He doesn't enjoy staying with people he doesn't know at the best of times (he has speech problems and I think he understands that people don't understand him) ~ I was hoping they could go to the kids clubs together as he will go with his sister, but if the staff are going to be like that I think we will just keep him with us!

My daughter is desperate to go to the Club ~ she has never worried about staying anywhere without us really!

Funny how they can be so different :rolleyes:

 

Oh when you go you will HAVE to tell me if Marlene is still there. Her nickname (I swear I am not making this up) is Monster Marlene on the AO guide. :eek:

 

It IS frustrating for these kids when others can't understand them. :(

[littlestars]

Oh when you go you will HAVE to tell me if Marlene is still there. Her nickname (I swear I am not making this up) is Monster Marlene on the AO guide. :eek:

 

It IS frustrating for these kids when others can't understand them. :(

 

I will let you know for sure :)

[Jotul]

Thanks so much for the review!

 

Hope you don't mind a couple of questions:

 

How many people stayed on ship when you were in Jamaica? Were all of the ship's services open and available? I was going to do a falls tour, but think the ride is going to be too long for the kids.

 

What else did you do in Grand Cayman?

 

Did you use any babysitting services? My 2.5 year old is potty trained, but too young for OA, so would like to get babysitting for him once or twice.

 

Was H20 Zone overcrowded or overrun with older kids? Just wondering if my little guy will be overwhelmed.

 

Thanks!

[crusinmama06]

Thanks so much for the review!

 

Hope you don't mind a couple of questions:

 

How many people stayed on ship when you were in Jamaica? Were all of the ship's services open and available? I was going to do a falls tour, but think the ride is going to be too long for the kids.

 

What else did you do in Grand Cayman?

 

Did you use any babysitting services? My 2.5 year old is potty trained, but too young for OA, so would like to get babysitting for him once or twice.

 

Was H20 Zone overcrowded or overrun with older kids? Just wondering if my little guy will be overwhelmed.

 

Thanks!

 

Nope of course I don't mind answering questions. :D

 

I couldn't even begin to guess how many people stayed on the ship when we went to Jamaica but I am guessing it wasn't alot. When we went to the (usually crowded) adult only solarium we could have had our pick of chairs. There were about 20 people at the solarium. Those that I had talked to had been to Jamaica many times and just didn't have any desire to get off the ship. A family that DID go to the falls told me later that it was "a tourist trap with a thousand people holding hands walking up the falls. She said the trip was long and she was very disappointed when she arrived"

 

The food services were open. The pools were open. The shops were CLOSED. The Casino was closed. We had to hop off the ship to get some more sunblock at the port store. And after being yelled at by the locals through the window slats at the port store (locals aren't allowed in there), I was more than ready to get back ON the ship. ;)

 

Grand Caymen I wish I had done something different. We did the butterfly tour. Then we walk the streets of Grand Caymen looking in the shops. And ended up eating at the Hard Rock Cafe. Grand Caymen is a beautiful place. I should have chosen to make that a beach day.

 

After Gabriella's problems with the AO counselor...I went to inquire about babysitting services. They said I could put a "request" in...give them 24 hours in advance. And I would be called by a babysitter if the request is granted. I ended up not needing the babysitting services because we worked everything out with AO.

 

If you look at the picture of H20 zone you can barely see any kids and that was taken the first day. The big open space of water shooting toys is almost always NOT crowded. The crowds occured in the lazy river (AKA lazy donut....lol...cause it just went around in a circle) My 7 year old lived in that area. Gabriella stayed more in the smaller child area. There is one section separated from the rest of the H2O zone. The water is 6 inches deep (the water does get hot from being under the hot sun).

 

I do NOT like the one section of the H20 zone. There is a 6 foot deep pool. :eek: Here are all of these little kids toddling around and then against the back wall is a 6 foot deep pool. It is actually DEEPER than the solarium pool if that makes any sense to you. Of course we always follow Gabriella around but we had to keep arguing with her from getting too close to the deep pool. They should make the 6 foot pool a 2-3 foot pool. THAT would make sense. Leave the deeper pools for the sports pool and the solarium.

 

And don't forget...there is a Fisher Price Aqua Tots class onboard...seemed to meet daily. You can take your child to play with other under 3 year olds. (18-36 months). Just check the compass daily.

[Ellanora]

I do NOT like the one section of the H20 zone. There is a 6 foot deep pool. :eek: Here are all of these little kids toddling around and then against the back wall is a 6 foot deep pool. It is actually DEEPER than the solarium pool if that makes any sense to you. Of course we always follow Gabriella around but we had to keep arguing with her from getting too close to the deep pool. They should make the 6 foot pool a 2-3 foot pool. THAT would make sense. Leave the deeper pools for the sports pool and the solarium.

 

Did you notice if adults were able to get in that pool with their kids? Or is it "kids only"? I was wondering if I would be able to swim with him in that area or if we would have to use one of the other pools.

 

Thank you.

[Jotul]

Thanks so much for the detailed review of staying on board. I appreciate it! :D

[crusinmama06]

Did you notice if adults were able to get in that pool with their kids? Or is it "kids only"? I was wondering if I would be able to swim with him in that area or if we would have to use one of the other pools.

 

Thank you.

 

Oh yeah Adults are allowed and REQUIRED actually. It says on the H20 signs that adults must stay with their children. We spent alot of time shooting water at each other. ;)

[Ellanora]

Thanks for the answer, I appreciate it. :) I'm hoping to book Liberty or Freedon OTS for next year.