Just off FOS!! Ask away!!

[above sea level cruiser]

Was there a good beach on Labadee that was close to the meeting place for the zipline? The rest of my family is doing the zipline but since I am chicken I plan to relax nearby with our stuff. How far is it from where the tenders stop?

Thanks.

 

When you get off the tender, head straight ahead and then off to the left a bit. When you reach the beach, you can camp out and watch people on the Zip-lines go by.

 

Have Fun!

[Joy2theWorld]

What exactly is Quest? We'll be on the ship in four weeks!

[teaysvalley]

We are going on our first cruise in June on FOS, well my first cruise anyway. My wife has been on several years ago. I'm counting down the days!

 

I have some questions maybe someone could answer.

 

1. We purchased a couple of the soda packages. I've read in some other threads that water is not included in the soda package and that you can purchase a "water" package. However, I didn't see a water package available for purchase on the RC website. What's the deal with water? Is iced tea and lemonaide free during the day?

 

2. Our ship is returning from a cruise the morning of the day we board. Our boarding time says 1:30PM. We are staying overnight close by and could be there early. Is it possible to get on board earlier than that time? If so, what's the earliest time you think we could try to board?

 

3. We are traveling in a two family group with 7 children ranging from 11 to 16 yo. Is it safe to let the kids do their own thing on the ship without the parents constantly being with them? They would always be in groups and not alone. How did you communicate with them if you let them on their own?

 

4. One child will be almost 12 when we sail though he looks older. I would hate to have him be left out of the group activities with the others. Do they check ages for the 12-14 "tween" activities? Is RC strict about this?

 

5. I assume everyone gets a Seapass including children. We were wondering if are they some kind of a plastic card with a magnetic strip like a credit card? Do they have a cord to attach to your wrist or can you attach a lanyard for putting around your neck? We're worried that the kids would lose their seapass. Do they need to have it at all times while on the ship?

 

6. What does everyone do with their passports after getting on the ship? Do you need it on shore excursions or does the seapass suffice getting back on ship? Do they have a safe in the cabins?

 

7. We need to get on the road asap upon returning. What's the earliest you can get off the ship at the dock? We would plan to carry our own luggage.

 

8. Finally, if you leave your cell phone on and somone happens to send you a text or call you while you're in international waters, do you get charged the extra fee even if you don't open or answer it? Would it be best just to leave it off?

 

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[luckyprincess]

I'm still looking for someone who has been on Eastern itinerary out of Port Canaveral on FOS. Would love to know what are formal nights, as well as recommendations on what nights might be best for Chops and Portofinos.

Me too! I guess we have to wait a bit till someone comes back from Eastern out of PC.....:cool: I really hope they have compasses and a review for us when they do!!

[luckyprincess]

We are going on our first cruise in June on FOS, well my first cruise anyway. My wife has been on several years ago. I'm counting down the days!

 

I have some questions maybe someone could answer.

I haven't been on Freedom, but have cruised on Radiance in Jan. 08 so maybe I can answer some of your questions. Have an awesome time and use these boards! There is a search function on the main RCCL forum page in the upper right hand corner so you can search for topics - I have wasted countless hours doing this in anticipation of my cruise!:p

 

1. We purchased a couple of the soda packages. I've read in some other threads that water is not included in the soda package and that you can purchase a "water" package. However, I didn't see a water package available for purchase on the RC website. What's the deal with water? Is iced tea and lemonaide free during the day? I don't remember - I'm pretty sure the lemonade was free but I drank mostly water, which was free, I think. I think they may have changed that now, though.

 

2. Our ship is returning from a cruise the morning of the day we board. Our boarding time says 1:30PM. We are staying overnight close by and could be there early. Is it possible to get on board earlier than that time? If so, what's the earliest time you think we could try to board? When we went on our cruise Jan 08 we got to the port at 11:00 and were on the ship at 11:20! Definetly get there around 11:00 - you're paying for that day and if there's a chance you can get on early you should take it!:)

 

3. We are traveling in a two family group with 7 children ranging from 11 to 16 yo. Is it safe to let the kids do their own thing on the ship without the parents constantly being with them? They would always be in groups and not alone. How did you communicate with them if you let them on their own? I think the kids will be fine in groups as long as they have the basic stranger danger lectures first. I always saw kids in little groups and they seemed happy and safe. I know a lot of families use walkie talkies for keeping in touch - do a search on it on the RCCL or family forums.

 

4. One child will be almost 12 when we sail though he looks older. I would hate to have him be left out of the group activities with the others. Do they check ages for the 12-14 "tween" activities? Is RC strict about this? I don't have kids so don't know - but I would honestly put them in the group with the other kids. It seems like a shame to have them separated from all the other kids they know, even though I'm sure they'll meet others on board. It's not like stealing services or bringing alcohol on board, so IMHO this wouldn't be a big deal.

 

5. I assume everyone gets a Seapass including children. We were wondering if are they some kind of a plastic card with a magnetic strip like a credit card? Do they have a cord to attach to your wrist or can you attach a lanyard for putting around your neck? We're worried that the kids would lose their seapass. Do they need to have it at all times while on the ship? Hmmm....that's a great question - mine was in my water wallet around my neck the whole time but kids can be a little more difficult with keeping things where they belong. You should really look on the main forums board for the family cruising forum - I think it would be really helpful to you!

 

6. What does everyone do with their passports after getting on the ship? Do you need it on shore excursions or does the seapass suffice getting back on ship? Do they have a safe in the cabins? I locked mine in the safe in the cabin - they do have them and they are easy to operate. I never needed it in ports.

 

7. We need to get on the road asap upon returning. What's the earliest you can get off the ship at the dock? We would plan to carry our own luggage. We did self-disembark and it still took us til 8:45 to get off the ship and was very disorganized - I think this is a hit or miss situation....

 

8. Finally, if you leave your cell phone on and somone happens to send you a text or call you while you're in international waters, do you get charged the extra fee even if you don't open or answer it? Would it be best just to leave it off? My sister and my bf's mother and his best friend called us like, 10 times on the ship:rolleyes:. I never got any outrageous charges when I got the bill, though, but I did call them ahead of time to tell them I would be on a ship in other countries - not sure if that did anything.

 

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

I hope you have a great time!

[Julzizzle]

We are going on our first cruise in June on FOS, well my first cruise anyway. My wife has been on several years ago. I'm counting down the days!

 

I have some questions maybe someone could answer.

 

1. We purchased a couple of the soda packages. I've read in some other threads that water is not included in the soda package and that you can purchase a "water" package. However, I didn't see a water package available for purchase on the RC website. What's the deal with water? Is iced tea and lemonaide free during the day? There was a water package availabel but I don't remember how much it was! Tea and lemonade were free but if you are a Southerner you will HATE the tea! No SWEET tea on board ANYwhere!

 

2. Our ship is returning from a cruise the morning of the day we board. Our boarding time says 1:30PM. We are staying overnight close by and could be there early. Is it possible to get on board earlier than that time? If so, what's the earliest time you think we could try to board? We boarded at 11:30 but I have heard you can board as early as 10 am!

 

3. We are traveling in a two family group with 7 children ranging from 11 to 16 yo. Is it safe to let the kids do their own thing on the ship without the parents constantly being with them? They would always be in groups and not alone. How did you communicate with them if you let them on their own? I think they would be fine!

 

4. One child will be almost 12 when we sail though he looks older. I would hate to have him be left out of the group activities with the others. Do they check ages for the 12-14 "tween" activities? Is RC strict about this? Can't answer this one..sorry.

 

5. I assume everyone gets a Seapass including children. We were wondering if are they some kind of a plastic card with a magnetic strip like a credit card? Do they have a cord to attach to your wrist or can you attach a lanyard for putting around your neck? We're worried that the kids would lose their seapass. Do they need to have it at all times while on the ship? They are like a credit card and the kid ones have holes in them so they easily attached to a laynard! They pretty much do need it if they are going to the arcade, etc. Just beware....if they are on your account they can charge things without your knowing consent unless you deactivate them!!!

 

6. What does everyone do with their passports after getting on the ship? Do you need it on shore excursions or does the seapass suffice getting back on ship? Do they have a safe in the cabins? There is a safe in the cabins! We took our passports on shore but never needed them and were never asked for them.

 

7. We need to get on the road asap upon returning. What's the earliest you can get off the ship at the dock? We would plan to carry our own luggage. I agree with the hit or miss on that one. We DID NOT carry our own luggage off or do express departure and we were ON THE ROAD by 8 am!!! It was GREAT!! Our time to get off the ship was between 7:15 and 7:45, but depending on your floor, etc the time COULD HAVE been 9:45! Like we said, hit or miss!

 

8. Finally, if you leave your cell phone on and somone happens to send you a text or call you while you're in international waters, do you get charged the extra fee even if you don't open or answer it? Would it be best just to leave it off? Cant answer this either!

 

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

 

 

 

Have a GREAT TIME!!

[FutureDRWorldTraveller]

In regards to the question about cell phones you will not get charged if you do not open the message or answer the call... just wait til you are back at Port the last day and check then. I have travelled all over the world and with my AT&T program it was around 50 cents each time you sent a text. I believe I had the international plan which allowed me to receive messages free... calls though are usually $3.00+ a minute. Check with your carrier but if you are planning on using the phone for alarm clock, etc as long as the messages don't get opened you will be fine.

 

I will be keeping mine on when I am on FOS in 2 days! Only text I will be opening is if it is from the family I nanny for and they are expecting a baby so I would totally want to know if he/she came!

[10th Anniversary]

What exactly is Quest? We'll be on the ship in four weeks!

 

The Quest is an Adult ONLY scavenger hunt game. The entire audience participates and it's a lot of fun. You need to be open minded and not afraid to just go with the flow. If you know too much about the game ahead of time...it will spoil the fun and take away from the excitment. Just go and enjoy!

[10th Anniversary]

We are going on our first cruise in June on FOS, well my first cruise anyway. My wife has been on several years ago. I'm counting down the days!

 

I have some questions maybe someone could answer.

 

1. We purchased a couple of the soda packages. I've read in some other threads that water is not included in the soda package and that you can purchase a "water" package. However, I didn't see a water package available for purchase on the RC website. What's the deal with water? Is iced tea and lemonaide free during the day? Never purchased the soda package. Be brought our own sodas and water on board in our suitcase to drink in our room. Took out the their things out the fridge and put ours in. Just made due with tea, lemonade, juice, and water when dining.

2. Our ship is returning from a cruise the morning of the day we board. Our boarding time says 1:30PM. We are staying overnight close by and could be there early. Is it possible to get on board earlier than that time? If so, what's the earliest time you think we could try to board? They don't let anyboard until 11:00 a.m. We arrive at the port around 10:30 a.m., go through security and get checked in so we are in line and ready to board at 11. The ship is empty and you can really walk and look around...take lots of pictures with noboby in them and begin to get a feel for the ship. You won't be able to get into your cabin until after 1 pm. The lunch buffet also won't open until 1 pm.

 

3. We are traveling in a two family group with 7 children ranging from 11 to 16 yo. Is it safe to let the kids do their own thing on the ship without the parents constantly being with them? They would always be in groups and not alone. How did you communicate with them if you let them on their own? The kids will be able to sign themselves in and out of the kid rooms. Keep that in mind. I believe they will be able to roam around on the ship. Not sure because my kids are smaller and we had to sign them in and out of the kid rooms. Get some two way radios or phones to use.

 

4. One child will be almost 12 when we sail though he looks older. I would hate to have him be left out of the group activities with the others. Do they check ages for the 12-14 "tween" activities? Is RC strict about this? I believe they will ask for their birth certificate/passport to verify age. Or maybe their sea pass card has their age on it. Can't remember.

 

5. I assume everyone gets a Seapass including children. We were wondering if are they some kind of a plastic card with a magnetic strip like a credit card? Do they have a cord to attach to your wrist or can you attach a lanyard for putting around your neck? We're worried that the kids would lose their seapass. Do they need to have it at all times while on the ship? Because our kids are younger, I just kept their cards with me at all times. They did not have charging privileges so they didn't need their cards.

 

6. What does everyone do with their passports after getting on the ship? Do you need it on shore excursions or does the seapass suffice getting back on ship? Do they have a safe in the cabins? We used the in cabin safe and locked our valuable things up. The only thing you need to get on and off the ship is your sea pass card.

 

7. We need to get on the road asap upon returning. What's the earliest you can get off the ship at the dock? We would plan to carry our own luggage. Some people get off as early as 7:00 a.m.

 

8. Finally, if you leave your cell phone on and somone happens to send you a text or call you while you're in international waters, do you get charged the extra fee even if you don't open or answer it? Would it be best just to leave it off? Just check with your phone company and see what their charges are. You might be able to change your plan for one month to cover your trip and charges and then change it back.

 

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Relax and Enjoy the beautiful ocean, the ship, and have a great time!!

[estebofarr]

Re: Question #4 They totally check the birthdates, they have a manifest, and no exceptions for the age groups.

[lake123]

Is their a piano bar on board if so which bar??

[troyandcarol]

Yes there is a piano bar and it's the schooner bar and they had entertainment every night I saw it, she sounded pretty good but we were always just passing through to make our donations to the casino!

 

For the person asking about the flowrider... GO EARLY, that is the trick every morning there were only 4 or 5 people there at the most.

[allfive]

They always know what the birthdates are. They get asked all the time to make exceptions but they have rules they must follow. If one child is "close" to 12 then another child is not much further behind him. It could gone on forever if they made one execption. They just stick to the rules.