Kingston,

First off, welcome to Flyertalk....even though you've been here over a year, I see this is only your second post.

About the cruise....I've been on Freedom of the Seas, so I can tell you from experience that not all men will be wearing tuxes. In fact, less than half were when I cruised (summer). You are sailing at a time of year where you may get an older passenger base, so I assume you may see more tuxes, but by no means is it obligatory.

A suit will be perfect. You can get away with even wearing a sport jacket and probably an open collar....RCCL is quite lax about enforcing any dress codes in the dining room.

Casual is truly casual....on the other nights you can get away with a polo shirt and khakis. No shorts in the dining room, however. The Windjammer buffet is available if you don't feel like a long sitdown dinner. Also you can opt for Johnny Rockets or room service.

Since your cruise is in a week, I'm certain you wouldn't be able to get a tux altered in time anyway. But, for future reference, my husband bought one in a store here (Syms) that was very nice and cost under $200.

You can rent a tux on the ship if you are really feeling that you want one. Go to www.rccl.com before you leave and enter your measurements and a tux and two white shirts will be waiting in your room when you arrive. The cost is $89 and well worth it, just for the convenience of not having to lug another suit in your travels. You can also rent one on the first day you board the ship but they do not guarantee to have every size in stock then.

The photos in the tux are very nice, and well worth it, but the ships photographer also takes some great casual portraits that might be a special keepsake too. If you are going with a family or group, you all might want to coordinate casual outfits (a red t-shirt and jeans for example) and they take some cute candid pics that are just as nice as the formal poses. The candid pics are usually the last 2 nights of the cruise (when you are nice and tan and rested).

You'll love Freedom; it's a blast. May I suggest you arrive at the FlowRider early (30 mins before) if you are hoping to use it. It gets very crowded. Also, the specialty restaurants, Chops and Portofino, were fantastic and well worth the $20 pp upcharge. Book them as soon as you board if interested. I'm told that Caribbean night in the dining room has the least appealing food (unless you are into jerk seasoned chicken) so you might want to book the alternate restaurants for that evening (Weds usually?). If you like wine, inquire about the wine packages.

If you're into partying and having a great afternoon, head to Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville in Jamaica and bring your bathing suit. They have a huge waterslide and fun water activities and it's a great place to relax with a yard long margarita.

Enjoy!

Frankly, I don't see why people want to drag tuxes and all that formal paraphenalia along on what should be a relaxing vacation. I cruise a lot, and shudder at the scheduled "formal" nights on most cruise lines which wind up resembling an aging over the hill high school prom. The experience is not gracious and it's definitely not glamorous. And I hate to say it, but IMHO most of the people who get all dolled up look downright silly in the overdone finery they have begged, bought or rented for the night. If one feels an overwhelming urge to attend these inane formal night events, a simple dark suit for the men, and a simple cocktail dress for the ladies is all that is necessary. When in doubt, always dress down - not up.

Thanks
 

Thank you all so much for your posts, some really helpful stuff.
I think I'm going to hire as I'm running out of time and struggling to find my passport!!!

Any other pointers for Freedom? The ship leaves at 1700, what would be a good time to arrive? I have checked in online so hoping for smooth embarkation. Any upgrade tips? I'm staying in Superior Oceanview Stateroom.

Thanks again.

Many of the posts were focused on formal nights. My response to the question, what attire?, is whatever works for you and the weather at the ports of call, if you plan to disembark. Make sure you do a weather.com search and bring comfortable wear for your ports. Comfortable shoes are a MUST. But, also, the joy of cruising is that you can stay on board and not venture out, if you choose. It's all good. As for formal nights, I've always done the sport coat thing, but that's me. I've also brought my own snorkling gear, to save money.

Searching for your passport....yikes! Good luck!

We arrived at the ship by about 1130a and were not allowed on til 1p. If you are a Crown and Anchor Platinum Member you get priority boarding but I see that you are not so don't bother getting onto the ship til about 1230p at the very earliest.

Since you have checked in on line, you will have little paperwork to complete at the dock. However, you also have been assigned a cabin so the likelihood of changing that is miniscule. Usually the ships go out 100% full; I see that your sailing does still have some rooms (inside and ocean) left, but upgrades will go the C&A members first. You can certainly inquire at the desk but be prepared to pay the upcharge if you truly want a better room. (I don't think there are any balconies/suites left on your sailing anyway.)

As I said previously, if you want to eat at Chops and Portofinos on your cruise, book that as soon as you board. They fill up fast.

If you want to swim before the ship sets sail, pack your swimwear in a carryon that you keep with you. Luggage often does not get to the rooms before midnight (rare, usually by 8p). The first night of sailing, dinner is come as you are, as many will not have gotten their luggage in time to dress.

If you plan to ice skate, you must bring long pants and socks. Skates are provided.

Tipping your stateroom attendant a few bucks ($20) at the beginning of the cruise can go a long way. Remember to plan for tips at the end, and be generous. The staff works hard and is paid relatively little.

Buy a soda card on the first day if you are a soda drinker. Otherwise, lemonade and iced tea is free.

Casino odds stink. 'Nuf said.

No cash is used on the ship; all charges go on your seapass, which is backed by your credit card. All charges on Labadee are also billed to the seapass (parasailing, drinks, etc.) but the vendors in the bazaar there take cash only.

Consult your Compass (ships schedule of activities). which is provided in your room every night for the next day. If you can't miss the FlowRider or the rock climbing wall, do it early as the lines lengthen with each passing day.

Grand Cayman.....do a swimming with the stingrays excursion. Forget about Steve Irwin. This is an amazing experience.

Like tequila? There is a tequila tasting excursion in Cozumel. I think you may be too close to sailing now to book excursions on line. If so, check as SOON as you board as they do hold spots open for last-minute bookings.

Do NOT miss your ships departure time if you go on an excursion. They will not wait for you and it's a long swim to the next port.

If you can carry your bags off after the cruise, opt for self debarkation. Much faster and less stressful.

Thats all I can think of now. Hope I've been some help. If you need more info, www.cruisecritic.com is a board very much like Flyertalk that has a Royal Caribbean forum that can answer any question you have about cruising in general or Freedom specifically.

Have a fantastic time!

5 days to go......
 

Really excited now....and have found passport. Great!!

I have also managed to get myself measured and have ordered the tux. Thanks again for your help.

Whilst on here, has anyone stayed at either the Miami Mart Hotel or Coral Springs Marriott resort? We are thinking of staying there pre and post cruise.

Luckily I have arranged Clubworld flights with BA otherwise you guys would think I'm really disorganised!!!

My husband is a blue blazer guy himself as described above. Looks darn good on him. The cruise ships push the formal look as it makes the ship look fancier and the passengers feel special.

It's a free choice situation. It's your vacation!

I'm glad you went with the tux, different strokes for different folks and all that, but I think you'll be glad.

You've had some great advice in this thread and I'd echo most of it. Excellent point about tipping up front. Those people really do work for tips, the salary is just a token amount. A tip up front tells them you're going to treat them well and they'll reciprocate.

Enjoy!

I must respectfully disagree with anyone who said not to bring, at the very least, a nice suit, and preferably a tuxedo. You will look good, people will tell you that you're looking good, and you'll feel good.

People used to board airplanes and cruises in suits and mink coats - there's no reason why you shouldn't take advantage of the fact that it should be a nice experience today as well. Believe me, people on the ship (especially senior employees) appreciate it.

Of course, there are people who will wear a wifebeater and swim trunks - but if you're on this forum, you're better than that, right?

Additional things:

• If you're travelling with more than one person, split up and book the SPA, CHOPS, and PORTOFINOS as soon as you get on the ship. (If you have to choose, go with Portofinos, and skip the hot stone massage at the spa).
• If you're looking for a good hamburger, go to the Johnny Rocket's and pay the $5 cover...it's so good!
• make sure you keep an eye on your charges at the bars and such - you can easily rack up huge bills without noticing
• If you have a specific excursion you want to do, book that in advance.
• Try to get second seating for dinner - it's a later meal, but having the extra free time when coming back from an island or just from the deck is nice.
• WASH YOUR HANDS CONSTANTLY.
• If you play in the casino, stick to blackjack, single deck. If you're looking for another good table game, check out Caribbean Stud Poker - and sit as far to the left of the table as you can.

Yes, forgot about that. First seating is family time, second seating gives you more time during the day, no need to rush back from shore or other activities, and gets out just in time for the second show and the nightclubs. If no kids, definitely get second seating.

Be sure to check out this site...I have directly linked it to the RCCL forum...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83


Take a highlighter - use it to hightlight the activities you want to do
Take a powerstrip - we only had two outlets so the powerstrip can in very handy when we needed to plug in other devices.....
The bathroom door has about a one inch opening at the bottom, you can use it as a nightlight!
Don't forget the sunscreen!
Most of all, have fun!!!!:D

Also, set your watch to the "ships" time, that will help with being back (as flyerwife said) on time and not missing the boat..

When you first get on the boat, beside going to the specialty restaurants for reseravations, if you are already not assigned to second seating and want it, go to the main dinning room and request second seating....if you want to see the ice show (which I HIGHLY suggest) go to the customer relations desk and get or ask what time tickets will be available so you will have your pick of showtimes....