We'll be sailing on the Freedom next Easter and can't wait! We loved the Wonder, but
DCL is getting too pricey for us, especially since we can only sail during the kids' school breaks. I couldn't believe how much cheaper the Freedom was during Easter week as compared to the Magic.
How do you think the kids' club on the Freedom compared to DCL? How do you think the Freedom handled all the people onboard?
Goscudder:
The kids club was much better than on the Explorer. It was more active like DCL. My daughter wanted to go there all the time. We only used a babysitter once, when after a very long excursion, she was asleep - out - at about 8pm. My DH went to guest services and we had a babysitter within 20 minutes, they usually require a 24 hour notice, but I suspect this was not necessary as the clubs were more active with more activities. They were also more broken down. We missed our dining one night because DD8 was in a "circus" parade and show in the promenade. We ate at the buffet, which was always just as nice.
With three pool areas and the Flowrider, the ship never felt crowded. With the except of reboarding lines. All other ship's had very short lines. The Freedom had lines that looked like a
Disneyland ride! But, they moved very fast, their tenderes fit 300 and had two going at all times with one waiting in the water. It went very fast! But the tenders hold 300...takes awhile to get off them but it never felt that much different then Disney.
The worse the crowd was - Labadee. My usually patient husband just had it! He actually lectured with the comparison of Disney's
Castaway Cay thrown in for punctuation point.
#1. The slide they show.... you have to pay for it. Stand in line once you are there to sign a release. The only good thing, it was an all day long pass and our DD8 just loved this! She was out of her mind! She kept going on it again and again...luckilly we set up camp right next to it.
#2. The water park you see.... you have to pay for it. Worse, you are only allowed a one hour time slot. Worse, the line for this was so bad we actually witness a full on witch slap fight between two woman! Actually hitting each other and screaming. We were all so shocked...it was UGLY! One of the woman went to go get her husband and I got my kids the heck out of there! DD8 says "gosh, don't they know we are on an island?" Anyway, stand in line...sign yet another release.
#3. Book the wave runners as soon as you can. They looked fantastic and everyone I talked to said it was awesome! We tried to get DS17 who has his license a timeslot, they were all booked. Duh.
#4. My DH got applause when he complained - you can't put a water park out there and not let everyone play on it......have your certain allowment of kids, but make it available at no cost like Disney! They were blowing whistles all day long to get the kids out who snuck in or were too rough.
The Flowrider was the best asset on the ship. It was fun watching everyone try it. If your kids were in line, it went fast, the atmospher was just new, lively, exciting, entertaining, incredible view, wondeful warm breeze, music, with a bar right next to it
They would have a microphone and would have the pros come out and do fancy tricks, it was a blast! The instructors really did help each and every one person. They put a divider down the middle on sea days. Girls, wear a tshirt!
You did have to sign a release every day... My favorite memory is watching my sons get more comfortable with it and started doing tricks and laughing with their friends. The ship's photographer got great pictures ... awesome!
They did block out certain times for certain ages. Which was nice! They actually carded my DS17 - to be sure he could join the "teen time". The amount of dads was so much fun! I saw one dad who probably went on the Flowrider more than I went in the Casino.... and that's alot!
We didn't even get to the family pool 
The last day at sea we finally relaxed at the adult pool and the jucuzzis. My DD8 loved the club. Last year she wouldn't step foot in it on the Explorer. This ship, all clubs were hopping. Loved the casino. Loved the food. Loved everything! 
There is no creaking, no banging, it's just beautiful!
This ship sounds like a lot of fun!
Can't wait to see the pics!!!
