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You have been influenced by the Norwegian cruise line's commercial advertising its "freestyle' cruising. That commercial is very misleading as the procedures on all cruise lines are about the same. I have been on about 20 cruises with 4 different cruise lines and can tell you from experience that the cruise lines do not "order you around or tell you when to do things". When you board any ship you are free to use any and all facilities that are open for as long as you want. The Norwegian commercial makes it seem like you MUST go eat when the ship (other then NCL) says so. In fact you have several options for dinner each evening. You can select a time to eat each night, or just go to the buffet and serve yourself whenever you want. OR, you can order room service and eat in your cabin or on its balcony. The main dining room menu on RC ships is available for room service. And Norwegian is not the only cruise line that lets you just go to dinner when you get ready. Princess cruise line has what they call "personal choice" cruising which is identical with freestyle, you go to the main dining room for dinner whenever you are ready. Holland America also has the same and they call it "as you wish" dining. And RC is starting to offer the optional dining on some of its ships.

Other then the dinner meal being structured on some cruises the rest of the cruise on all ships and cruise lines is do it when and how you want to. I have been on about 8 Royal Caribbean cruises and can vouch that they do not structure your day or order you around.

NO WAY!!! RC is sooo cool! It is a totally free ship. You do have assinged seating but thats not bad. First off you dont have to eat there every night or at all. And you get to meet people and learn to know your waiters pretty well. They also have a lot of super fun activities for all ages! You can do the activities on the Compass(schedule of activities) or you can go relax in the spa or pool deck! its a very great cruise line! The staff is WONDERFUL! They hire the best!! We love RC. There is so much freedom but also there is stuff to do. The kids love it the adults love it! In my opinon it is the best cruise line out there! I would deffinatly reccomend it to anyone looking for a cruise!

There are some things that only happen at certain times, so if you want to be a part of it you have to do those things at those times.

For example, if you want to eat dinner in the dining room, you either have Main Seating or Second Seating. Main Seating is generally around 6:00 pm, and Second Seating is generally about 8:30 pm. You would have the same dining time every night for the duration of the cruise, should you chose to eat in the dining room.

But, by no means do you HAVE to eat in the dining room. You can go to the Windjammer Cafe for open seating dinner usually anytime between 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm.

There are certain activities that only happen at certain times. Bingo is at a certain time. So if you want to play Bingo, you better be there at that time.

Some of the commercials almost make it seem like they come to your stateroom and wake you up in the morning and then tell you what to do all day. It really isn't like that at all.

What you are referring to is termed "Freestyle Cruising" by a company which shall remain nameless. Where "Freestyle Cruising" differs is in the dining options, and that is really the only noticeable area. Like I mentioned before, Royal Caribbean has assigned dining times, and you eat with the same people every night (if you eat in the dining room) With FS (Freestyle Cruising) you don't have that. You can chose which resturant you want to eat in. And who you want to eat with. So you could conceivably eat in a different place every day.

Personally, I like the assigned dining and the dining room and eating with the same people every night and getting to know them. But to each their own.

No, Royal Caribbean is not like that. That "rumor" is way overused. No cruise is going to tell you that you have to do anything. Everything you do is based on your schedule and interests. If you don't want to do something you don't have to. Cruises are such amazing vacations!

Everyone's answer is correct, except for one thing.

The only time that you are absolutely, positively told WHAT to do, and WHEN to do it is the muster drill. That is mandatory for ALL passengers. Other than that, it's all up to you.

thats non sense they only tell u when to eat nd eat at a certain table but if you dont want to then you can go to the wind jammer buffet and its free u dnt have to dress. :] but u only dress in cabtains niqht :]

Royal has gone down, Princess and Carnival I would look at before Royal