long lines for rock climbing etc?

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mackfam

Guest
We have decided to book a RCI cruise for our family for next spring break. We have been on two carnival cruises which we loved but we are attracted by all the activities available on RCI ships such as rock climbing,wave rider, inline skating etc which would be of interest to our teenagers. My question is as great as these activities sound in theory,are the lines and waiting times to do everything ultra long when you are actually on the ship? Does anyone have any recommendations for a particular ship or the pros and cons of the smaller ships versus the new megaliners. Our kids will be 9,12,14 and 17.
 
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suer182

Guest
I have yet to sail the Freedom class ships. Which has all the activities you listed. I have sailed on the Mariner and the Explorer. JMO but the long lines and waiting times will be based on the interest level of the pax. You will most likely have longer lines for the above activities during Spring break as you will have more kids on board.

On our Explorer sailing, DH had no wait for the rock climbing wall.

If they have the ice skating show, you will need tickets for that. They are free and will be listed when they are available.

The pros of the megaship, you might loose a few pounds walking the ship. The cons, you might enjoy the food so much that you dont loose weight. :)

For your age of kids, I would suggest the Freedom or the Voyager class.
 
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mackfam

Guest
Thanks for the info. We were leaning toward Freedom of the Seas and you've helped finalize our decision.
 
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suer182

Guest
Just another thought.....Since the activites you are interested are for the young at heart, to me, the worse that can happen while the family is waiting in line, is they make new friends......
 
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AJ coast

Guest
[quote mackfam]Thanks for the info. We were leaning toward Freedom of the Seas and you've helped finalize our decision.[/quote]

Yippee! An RCL convert! After this cruise you'll never want to cruise Carnival again!!!
 
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Wuollebear

Guest
We just got off of the Freedom last month and there were no long lines for either the Rock climbing wall or the wave rider. I was really surprised the lines were not backed up for the wave rider. It was busy and constantly going but just no long lines. Our first 2 cruises were on the Navigator and there were no long lines on that ship for the rock wall either. I think you will really enjoy Royal Caribbean!
 
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mackfam

Guest
That's great to know. I'm sure there will be some lines in March with all the Spring Break kids but hopefully they won't be unreasonably long. Which ship did you prefer, Navigator or Freedom? I actually originally wanted to go on Navigator but she isn't doing 7 day sailings next March.
 
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Wuollebear

Guest
We actually though we were missing the spring breakers but did not durring our 4-23-05 cruise. The northeast states were having spring break and there were 750 kids/breakers on board, still, no problems. Funny you asked which we like better, let me tell you both were superb BUT...that being said, we prefered the Navigator!

I should edit to tell you why we prefered Navigator...little things really, we loved the Gala buffet which was held in the most beautiful dining room on the sea's (that goes for all RCCL ships) on the Freedom it was held in the Windjammer. (maybe they do this with all RCCL ships now, I don't know) Our room stewards were better and the shows were better. (again, we loved Freedom, I'm not complaining but just noticed a difference) The sail away party...on Navigator both times there were crew everywhere, people on stilts dancing and the steel drums blaring which I LOVE! There was none of that on the Freedom. Again, I love our cruise aboard Freedom and would do it again but there were just some differences, may have just been our particular cruise.
 
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