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

[3girlsfun]

Ok, I am going to join the minority on this one, I would say do the new ship!!! Although we prefer Carnival over Royal Carribean, we are going on the Dream, next summer, and this cruise will cost us $1500 more than going on a different ship. I don't care, I so wanted this ship, as it looks just wonderful to me! I know I can and would have a great trip on any ship that I went on, but sometimes I just want the bigger, and better. It is sort of like booking a moderate versus a deluxe at Disney....it all depends on what you are looking for...

 

[barbmouse]

Freedom is an AWESOME ship! My family had a wonderful time on her last summer. We are booked again for next summer on FOS. We looked into Oasis but decided we would wait until the prices come down to sail them...unless we just want to do Freedom again! You will not be disappointed with Freedom!

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
I'd take the half price trip and take a second vacation with the rest of the money! You'll have a great time and I'm sure you'll make it on the Allure in the near future!

 

[jacksmom]

We were trying to decide between FOS and Oasis for Easter and decided even though FOS is cheaper, that we really wanted to try Oasis! We booked a boardwalk balcony instead of a D1 balcony and were able to save some money! I was able to geat a end balcony with views of the aqua theater and of the ocean along with views of the boardwalk! So, we are very happy! I can't wait to try the mega ship!

 

[linnylu]

We sailed the FOS at the end of June and enjoyed every minute of it. It's a fabulous ship with plenty to do- didn't even get to do it all. Have you been on FOS or either of her sister ships before? If not, I definitely think you should save the money and give it a try. FOS might even be scheduled for drydock before you sail.

 

[eyor44]

I would switch. New ship, new to sailing, all the kinks may not have been worked out.

 

[Disney-Kim]

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.

You didn't say when you were going but a few of the May 2011 cruises on both Allure and Oasis are the same as Freedom. We booked Oasis after seeing it was the SAME price for our cruise on May 7,11.

check the Allure prices on May 15 and 22 and Oasis all of May, even 4/30 were great prices on the ocean view balconies....D8's are $1079-1149 pp...that is the same as the D1's on Freedom.

and absolutely you will love the Freedom...we were going to go on her before we saw the price change. I don't think the Oasis is worth double

oh and I also live on the Cruise Critic boards when not here...

 

[kahblue]

I would definitely make the switch. But, keep saving as if you're going on the other. By the time you are back from this cruise, you will be already half way done to paying for the next one, which could be the allure.

KIM

 

[WheelCEO]

wow cruises are pricey.. I'm doing a 7 day carnival cruise; isla rotan, cozumel, belize, grand cayman, cayman islands and it was $450/person including taxes

 

[budbeerlady]

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

I would do this suggestion and make the switch. We love to cruise but I would have a hard time paying that much more for the other ship unless it was to a port I had to see and had never been too.

Grand Cayman is nice, we have had good stops there. I would use some of the extra $ saved for higher end excursions.

 

[poohbear15]

We just went through the same discussion as my house. We were booked on the Allure for March. Friends of ours are going on the Exporler and asked us to go. I know we couldnt afford both. For us it became a no brainer to cancel the Allure. We will do it asked all the cinks are worked out.

We were paying $5000 before we even got on the boat for a 7 night cruise. $4000 for a balcony room with 3 of us in it and average $1000 for airfare from hartford.

We are now on a 12 night cruise for $2600. No airfare to NJ, put my daughter in her own room with my brother, and recieved $300 in OBC.

I would take the freedom. We went on that ship right when it came out and it's amazing but looking back now I wish we waited until the prices dropped. ( It happens quickly too) RCCL is already in the works for the next set of ships so prices will be dropping on at least the Oasis.

Good luck on your choice.

 

[Cjmuma]

You actually have to think about it?!?!?!?!? of course switch!

 

[Samar]

Switch! Then you already have $2500 for next time Or that could be money for your airfare plus souvenirs/food/paid activities on the cruise

 

[MCazer]

If you have never been on a Freedom Class ship, then I say go with the Freedom. I have done the Freedom twice, before that, the Mariner, before that, the Sovereign, Majesty, Monarch, 3 Disney Magic, and the Sun Princess.

Each time, I wanted a larger ship, a nicer room.... etc. Didn't want to do without a Flowrider or iceskating rink. Kids got used to Miniature golf... LOL

So, if you haven't sailed on the Freedom, then do it first, before you say that you can't settle for less than an Allure...

Does that make sense? LOL

BTW, I am booked for next August on the Allure, all the kinks should be ironed out by then!

 

[MinnieForMe]

wow cruises are pricey.. I'm doing a 7 day carnival cruise; isla rotan, cozumel, belize, grand cayman, cayman islands and it was $450/person including taxes

Those are the islands my son wants to visit. If you don't mind me asking, what week for those prices?

 

[Disney-Kim]

wow cruises are pricey.. I'm doing a 7 day carnival cruise; isla rotan, cozumel, belize, grand cayman, cayman islands and it was $450/person including taxes

Is that for an inside room?

all the times I have priced Carnival balconies...they are within couple hundred of RCCL...not really deals. Especially the new Dream ship

 

[Shyvioletisme]

I'd switch in a heartbeat...half off is awesome and that (if nothing else) gives you more spending money on the trip...