Trying to talk myself into saving a boatload of money..

[tammymacb]

Boat being the operative term.

In May I booked 2 rooms on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. My DH and I in a balcony, DD and her best friend directly across the hall in an inside room. 7 nights= $5000 plus. Plus travel to Fort Lauderdale, maybe flying, maybe driving over 2 days. A pricey little trippy. ( Oh, and just FYI, I pick up the entire tab on DD's friend- she's great company for my DD and we enjoy her so she's got it made. Several WDW vacations, several HHI DVC vacations and also the Carnival Dream and the Disney Wonder and this trip )


Tonite I checked prices on Royal's Freedom of the Seas. It was our second choice. Not the "newest ship" now, but the "almost" newest. They have a military special on that sailing now and the two similar rooms would be approximately half price. $2500 for 2 rooms. Plus it sails out of Port Canaveral, an easy 6 hour drive, a nite at Resort at the Port and parking is included.

Now, this will be a cash trip. I CAN afford the more expensive option, but I'll have to budget well. I never charge vacations. But, dang the half price option, I'm already almost half way there with just the cash deposits I've already made. I could pay off the rest in cash next month with minimal extra budgeting.

Tell me I'm being silly NOT to change. Allure will be sailing for a long time, the prices will come down. And tell me I don't need the newest and the best.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I say make the switch and enjoy! We love RCCL! I agree about the new ship, it won't be going anywhere *well you know what I mean* and prices are sure to go down after she's not so new.

 

[wdwfan16]

Do they have the same or equivalent itineraries? I would do it and then treat everybody to a special tour that was not in the budget before.

 

[tammymacb]

Do they have the same or equivalent itineraries? I would do it and then treat everybody to a special tour that was not in the budget before.

One is Eastern, one is Western. We've done both and though I would choose Eastern ( Allure) this time, Freedom goes to Grand Cayman which is my favorite place in the world and we'd take a private Stingray City, snorkel trip.

 

[bridget]

My brother-in-law just got back from a cruise that stopped in Grand Cayman. He went to tripadvisor.com and found an excursion that you rode jetskis out to stingray city. They LOVED it!!!! He said best excursion he's ever done! Grand Cayman is one of my favorite stops and think of it this way, with all the money you save, you could go on another vacation

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I have cruised on both the Freedom and her sister ship the Liberty. Both are just great ships! If you have not done a freedom class ship you will be amazed what there is to do! The new ships look great too. I have some reservations about being in port with that many other passengers though. I also prefer the Eastern Cruises. I just like the ports better. But Ft Lauderdale is a really easy port to cruise from. I like it better than Canaveral (unless I am trying to get a few days at Disney added onto the trip). I agree that the new RCCL ships will go down in price in the next couple years. What ever choice you make you will have a great trip on Royal!

 

[wdwfan16]

One is Eastern, one is Western. We've done both and though I would choose Eastern ( Allure) this time, Freedom goes to Grand Cayman which is my favorite place in the world and we'd take a private Stingray City, snorkel trip.

Sounds like you like the Allure itinerary slightly better but not 2Xs better. The private Stingray City snorkel trip sounds like fun.

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

I would go for the cheaper, however, I was just wondering if maybe it is cheaper because of the oil spill. I' m not sure if that is affecting the cruise ships, but maybe?

 

[bumbershoot]

$2500 for two rooms and it's easier to get there??? No question, Freedom!

 

[disneymarie]

Boat being the operative term.

In May I booked 2 rooms on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. My DH and I in a balcony, DD and her best friend directly across the hall in an inside room. 7 nights= $5000 plus. Plus travel to Fort Lauderdale, maybe flying, maybe driving over 2 days. A pricey little trippy. ( Oh, and just FYI, I pick up the entire tab on DD's friend- she's great company for my DD and we enjoy her so she's got it made. Several WDW vacations, several HHI DVC vacations and also the Carnival Dream and the Disney Wonder and this trip )


Tonite I checked prices on Royal's Freedom of the Seas. It was our second choice. Not the "newest ship" now, but the "almost" newest. They have a military special on that sailing now and the two similar rooms would be approximately half price. $2500 for 2 rooms. Plus it sails out of Port Canaveral, an easy 6 hour drive, a nite at Resort at the Port and parking is included.

Now, this will be a cash trip. I CAN afford the more expensive option, but I'll have to budget well. I never charge vacations. But, dang the half price option, I'm already almost half way there with just the cash deposits I've already made. I could pay off the rest in cash next month with minimal extra budgeting.

Tell me I'm being silly NOT to change. Allure will be sailing for a long time, the prices will come down. And tell me I don't need the newest and the best.

Look at it as finding the $2,500 and no vacation had been planned.
As you said, the rates will come down, and If I could near pay off and think of the great savings I would be so happy with myself.
Have a blast what ever your choice.....who stays in the rooms all that much anyway, it is the experience and memories....plus the checking account.

 

[mdsoccermom]

I would go for the cheaper, however, I was just wondering if maybe it is cheaper because of the oil spill. I' m not sure if that is affecting the cruise ships, but maybe?

The oil spill has nothing to do with the price of the Freedom being cheaper. It's a ship that's been around a few years. Oasis and Allure are brand new (Allure hasn't even started sailing yet) and the largest ships out there. It costs more to sail them, plus the market will bear it. Oasis, at its ridiculous prices, is selling out every sailing.

 

[janets]

I would absolutely recommend switching from Allure to Freedom.

The Allure isn't even in the water yet. It (and Oasis) will be around for a long time. Give the pricing some time to come down and save the money.

We are sailing on Liberty out of Miami in just 2 weeks, and I have 2 families booked on Freedom for the same date. Believe me, you will not be disappointed by her.

If you told me that you'd save 1/2 by sailing on Majesty or Monarch, I'd tell you there is a reason for that. But Freedom...take the money and run.

 

[dsilva51]

As long as you have no problem switching! Absolutely! In a heartbeat, without a question do it!

 

[figment52]

make the change. There is plenty to do on the Freedom class ships and you won't get to do it all so no need to go on the Allure, you won't see or do everything there either.

Save the $$

 

[I_heart_Tinkerbell]

I would save the money. Very nice of you to take your DDs friend.

 

[clh2]

Save the $2500 and book a whole separate trip for a different time

 

[Disneycrazymom]

You might want to go over to cruise critic. They have a wonderful message board like this one. People there probably have sailed on both and could help you know what the perks of each are.

I know that the new ships have that open water show in the back and rooms that overlook the park area. There are 2 flowriders (or body eating machines as I like to call them! ) But more people to use them too so I don't think the lines will be any shorter. Both have the ice show, the adult pool, the the little lazy river pool. Lots of shopping and my favorite the cookie place!

Is Liberty going to the East that week? It might be a good compromise of the "smaller" (hard to say small and freedom class) ship but the better itinerary. Although you would have to get to Miami. (my least favorite port)

 

[Mom2Ben02]

Just wondering - does your DD need another friend? I am nice and lots of fun on vacations.

 

[disney4us2002]

Can I ask what month you are looking to cruise? I've been pricing cruises for next summer and the price I come up with for two cabins (balcony + inside) on the Freedom is still $6000!!!!! Holy smokes that is expensive. I think I'll stick with Carnival. I don't use that extra stuff on RCCL anyway - ice skating and rock climbing? Nope.

 

[paladin]

I would also take the Freedom. We did a back to back on the Freedom last year and are doing another this year - it is a great ship and I would imagine you would love it. We also looked at the Allure (and the Oasis), but the price difference is just too much. We plan on waiting til the price comes down and then trying the newer ships.

Price the Liberty also. I did and some weeks it is less expensive than the Freedom, sometimes not (at least when we are going).

As someone else mentioned, you might want to check out cruisecritic. You won't be able to get any reviews of the Allure, of course, as it hasn't started service yet, but you could get info on the Oasis to see what folks who have on it think.