Freedom of the Seas Our New Favorite: Quick Review of March 26, 2017 Cruise

We recently returned from a fantastic vacation on Freedom of the Seas.

A little background before I begin. This cruise was a family and friend cruise to celebrate a couple of anniversaries. My son got engaged 3 years ago on Oasis and he and his wife are now celebrating their first wedding anniversary. Oasis was the last cruise my mom got to take and never made the wedding so I'm glad we had that time with her. We are diamond and love to cruise and I'm a bit obsessed with suites lol. So this time I opted for the Presidential Family Suite. It was myself, Laura (58), husband Tom (62), son Rob and wife Amanda, my best friends, and a couple of cruising buddies. Myself, husband son and daughter in law traveled the day prior from NJ and met up with our friends in Ft Lauderdale.

This was our first time on the Freedom class and I must say it is my new favorite. We somehow jumped through Voyager, Radiance, Oasis, Quiantum and Vision classes but missed the Freedom class. I'm so glad we have now rectified that situation, because we had the best cruise ever and we have had some pretty awesome cruises. I will provide the report then try to post some pictures. I may also create a shutterfly site for easier sharing. The pictures may take awhile since I'm technologically challenged and super busy playing catch up and planning for next vacation in 4 weeks! I'm not going to do a day by day, I find it hard to find info that way. I will divide the report into sections for ease of review and reference to specific topics of interest.

Embarkation/Sail away/Disembarkation

Embarkation

We arranged a van to pick us up (group of 6) at 10:00am from the Courtyard Ft. Lauderdale Beach hotel. The van arrived at the hotel promptly at 10 and we were at the port, entering the terminal by 10:30am. There was already quite a line, but we were directed to the suite line and within 15 minutes we were in the waiting area. Shortly after that we were taking our welcome aboard pictures and on to the ship. We walked right on and were not bothered by a single person to buy drink, internet or dining packages. We walked around and took pictures then went to the concierge lounge. There was nothing available to eat which was a bit disappointing, but no big deal. I went and got my first cafe mocha from cafe promenade! At 1pm promptly the cabins were open. It was one of best and easiest embarkation processes we have have experienced.

Sail away

The weather cooperated and we had a picture perfect sail away. We went to the heliport and had our flags waving at the cameras on wptztv, as we went by. Family and friends were able to see us!!! A perfect start to a perfect cruise.

Disembarkation

This was also very smooth. We were staying in FL and my son and daughter in law had an 11am flight so they could not do luggage valet. But at 7am we went to Vintages where breakfast was set up. At 7:30am we were already being escorted off. Our luggage was there waiting in the suite area. We grabbed it and were off. Cabs were plentiful.

General ship

As I mentioned, this class is perfect for us, not too big, not too small, just right! Being we have traveled on Voyager class we were familiar with the general layout and found the ship easy to navigate. Basically it is Voyager class on steroids. The ship is clean and well maintained. I found nothing even remotely shabby to complain about. It looked in tip top condition. The ship was at capacity during this March 26th cruise but we had no issues with crowds, even in the elevators and in the aroyal Promenade. We had the Presidential Family Suite (more later) so it was great to have the concierge lounge, big balcony and our own hot tub and suite reserved areas. Also the priority tender service was awesome and worked really well. I do love suite extras. I think having Suite makes a difference in experience. We loved the flow rider, pools, and public areas. I just love the gym on this class, being in the bow with big windows is so fabulous. I like it much better than the location of oasis class. The spa was great, I had a facial, my family massages, no real up sell, very pleasant. We had a 3 device internet package and were quite pleased.

Restaurants/Food

We had my time dining,and made all our reservations in advance. Overall it worked very well for us I had a little trouble getting the time I wanted second formal night, but the concierge rectified that the week prior to embarkation. We ate at Chops, Giovanni's and Sabor also. Food ranged from good to outstanding. We didn't have a single bad meal, and everyone in my party agreed the food quality was improved from our past couple of cruises. We had a few minor thing not perfect, but no biggie and overall a good experience. Our favorite meal was Chops. The steaks were cooked to perfection and everything outstanding. We also loved Giovanni's and Sabor. I got the Royal replenish package since I love my morning coffee and fruity drinks. The Cafe Promenade was great, as always excellent coffee and snacks. I never ate in the dreaded, lol, windjammer, but my family said it was quite fine and better than on our past cruises. My son raved about the pasta salad, said it was the best anywhere and our friends loved the hot dogs. My family ate in the main dining room for breakfast and were quite happy. We had so many snacks delivered to our suite it was amazing. At embarkation we arrived to many treats wine and champagne. We went to the concierge lounge for snacks almost every night. It was a nice spread and everything was tasty. The lounge is a bit small and not as dramatic as Oasis class but it served the purpose. I did not go to the diamond lounge but my husband did and said it was a bit bigger, same food just a little more since it served more people. I think food is a lot about expectation on a cruise.

Shows

In my opinion Royal has the best shows at sea and this cruise was no exception. We went to the welcome aboard show, magician, Beatles tribute and ice show. The ice show was the best we have seen of all our cruises. My son was a competitive figure skater and he was impressed that for this show they were doing triples on that small rink. All the shows were top notch. We also did the Quest which was the most fun and embarrassment I have ever had. I was a team leader with my friend and it was a hoot.

Activities

We signed up for the cupcake decorating class for the second sea day. It was myself, my husband, son and daughter in law. There were six others besides us. We each made a hamburger and french fries out of 3 cupcakes. It was so much fun! They came out so cute. Our instructor was great! Each couple got a picture frame and a gift box. I love the cupcake cupboard! We also did a cabin crawl and slot pull with our cruise critic friends! All in all a great time!

Ports

The ports were all great. I don't do big bus or ship excursions much any more. We did all things on our own. On Grand Cayman we rented a cabana at the Royal Palms and had a fabulous beach day, on Cozumel we rented a couple of jeeps and explored. It was so awesome. We stopped at a place where I was able to walk on a boardwalk and stand so close to a gator I could see his teeth! On Costa Maya we went to Chacchoben which was so interesting and we got to climb the pyramid!

Weather

The weather was fabulous. No rain at all during the time we cruised. A bit windy the second sea day, but tolerable. I am convinced the end of March and beginning of April is the best time to cruise.

Now the best for last

Presidential Family Suite 6414

Hands down the best cabin we have ever had and we are no strangers to suites. On oasis I had the two bedroom aqua theater suite and this trumps it. We traveled with 3other couples and we each had our own bedroom and bath. The two masters at each end were spectacular. I had one and my son the other. There were two entrances, one with a beautiful marble foyer. And the doors are wood, so we couldn't hang our magnetic signs but didn't mind, lol. We also had a spacious living room and dining room and the deck is to die for. Yes there is a superstructure, and yes a platform and yes I was worried, but the minute I stepped out on to it all my fears disappeared. There was a beautiful view straight out. It was panoramic! The superstructure in no way hindered it in my opinion. I did not miss looking down at all. I loved the fact that half the deck was covered and half not. I loved the hot tub, and yes we used it. Plenty of comfy lounge chairs and a huge table and bar. This was such a great deal for four couples. Our cabin attendant was tops. He made towel animals every night in every bedroom. I love this cabin so much I'm looking to book another one, I don't care the ports or if it's Freedom, liberty or Indy I just want this cabin!

Overall the entire party agrees this cruise was a solid 10 out of 10! It could not have been better. Freedom of the Seas is an amazing ship, with an amazing staff and the Presidential Family Suite is the best!!!

Thanks for the report! I'm going to be on Freedom on the same itinerary next March. I keep hearing good things about Freedom and I'm really looking forward to it!

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Glad you enjoyed my favorite ship,

I made a Shutterfly site to share pictures of this cruise. It is arranged in sections based on type of picture, for example, general ship, embarkation, Presidential Suite, specific ports, etc. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

https://freedomoftheseasmarch262017.shutterfly.com/pictures

Fantastic pictures. I'm not sure I could get that close to the alligators. My heart would race right out of my chest. :-)

Concierge Question -- Was Geslani Araujo in the DL and Bertie Almeda in the CL? Thanks -- I am one of the two people who keeps the Current Concierge thread and the Google Doc spreadsheet of Concierges up to date.

We recently returned from a fantastic vacation on Freedom of the Seas.

 

This was our first time on the Freedom class and I must say it is my new favorite.

I saw your bear photos. Are you the couple who is known for the bear photos? If so, I thought you were on the Freedom in April 2015. Maybe there is another couple know for having their bears with them all the time.

Glad you enjoyed Freedom. She is our favorite ship to date. I will never be able to afford the Presidential Family Suite, but it was lovely.

Concierge Question -- Was Geslani Araujo in the DL and Bertie Almeda in the CL? Thanks -- I am one of the two people who keeps the Current Concierge thread and the Google Doc spreadsheet of Concierges up to date.

I did not go into diamond lounge but no it was not Bertie in the CL. Let me check my email and I will get back to you on the woman in CL. She was very good. I liked her a lot. Took care of all my requests very well.

I saw your bear photos. Are you the couple who is known for the bear photos? If so, I thought you were on the Freedom in April 2015. Maybe there is another couple know for having their bears with them all the time.

 

Glad you enjoyed Freedom. She is our favorite ship to date. I will never be able to afford the Presidential Family Suite, but it was lovely.

No, I'm not the official bear person, lol. But pink bear does travel with me every where. She's an everywhere bear, lol! She has been all over the world lol!

And I got a killer deal on that suite. I also was on the Anthem hurricane cruise and between the freebie I got for that and 50% off this one as an apology it was seriously cheap. My friends who took the inside rooms paid only extra person charges, as I took the brunt of the cost. One couple who were also on Anthem, with their Anthem discount they ended up paying $1 cause my TA had to charge something! So...moral of the story, check prices frequently you can get killer deals on suites sometimes on these older ships! And in my opinion as I said, I like them better!!!

I made a Shutterfly site to share pictures of this cruise. It is arranged in sections based on type of picture, for example, general ship, embarkation, Presidential Suite, specific ports, etc. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

https://freedomoftheseasmarch262017.shutterfly.com/pictures

Really great pictures!! We are going on Freedom for the first time in January 2019! Never been on anything bigger than Voyager class. Your pictures make me very excited! Thanks for the awesome review!

Concierge Question -- Was Geslani Araujo in the DL and Bertie Almeda in the CL? Thanks -- I am one of the two people who keeps the Current Concierge thread and the Google Doc spreadsheet of Concierges up to date.

Hi, I looked at my e-mail and Geslani was actually in the CL. She was great. Not sure who was in DL. Not sure if it is a permanent switch. Hope that helps.

Really great pictures!! We are going on Freedom for the first time in January 2019! Never been on anything bigger than Voyager class. Your pictures make me very excited! Thanks for the awesome review!

Most welcome! I'm confident you will love it. Think Voyager on steroids. You will be very comfortable as the layout is the same just bigger. Enjoy every moment.

We were also on the same cruise as you with our 3 grand children and DD and DSIL. Agree with you fully how wonderful it was. Loved the cigar lounge! We liked it so much we booked 11/17 cruise!

We were also on the same cruise as you with our 3 grand children and DD and DSIL. Agree with you fully how wonderful it was. Loved the cigar lounge! We liked it so much we booked 11/17 cruise!

Glad you had a great time too! I think I am Freedom obsessed after this cruise, LOL. I have two vacations booked next year but trying to fit a Freedom ship cruise in too! :cool:

Thanks for sharing! We are on Freedom next March, so very excited to read about everyone's experience! And your pink teddy bear looks about the same age and stage as my pink teddy bear, though she doesn't travel with me anymore. She had a tough early start to life with my two older brothers who would torture her ;-)

Thanks for sharing! We are on Freedom next March, so very excited to read about everyone's experience! And your pink teddy bear looks about the same age and stage as my pink teddy bear, though she doesn't travel with me anymore. She had a tough early start to life with my two older brothers who would torture her ;-)

Aw pink bear has seen better days but she's a trooper, lol. You will love Freedom in March. It is a great time to travel!

Do you recall which nights were formal nights?

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Do you recall which nights were formal nights?

 

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Hi, yes 2 and 5 were formal. This was the 6 day western cruise. Day 5 was lobster night if you are into that. They also had prime rib on day 1 and 5. My son got a tail and prime rib. I have the compasses that I am going to try to scan and post this weekend.

the Presidential Family Suite is the best!!!

I tried to book this for a cruise on Freedom about the same time next year but it's already booked. :'):'):')

I tried to book this for a cruise on Freedom about the same time next year but it's already booked. :'):'):')

Well there is only 1 on Freedom. :D I just put a hold on this cabin for June on Freedom and Liberty. Need to decide now. It's a great cabin.

Well there is only 1 on Freedom. :D I just put a hold on this cabin for June on Freedom and Liberty.

Here is a video walk though to help you decide. So jealous! Thanks for rubbing it in. :)

Same room different ship. Actually a 4 bedroom/4 bath apartment. Sweet suite!

Freedom is my favorite ship and I will be back on it next year. I am wondering does Freedom still have Starbucks? There were some debate about this. I am wondering if the change coffee brand or if it is still Starbuck Coffee.

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We booked this cruise for our spring break in 2018. Got a great deal... so good I was starting to wonder since it was $200+/pp less than comparable itineraries. Thanks for the review... this helps put my mind at ease!

We booked this cruise for our spring break in 2018. Got a great deal... so good I was starting to wonder since it was $200+/pp less than comparable itineraries. Thanks for the review... this helps put my mind at ease!

What days is the cruise you booked? I booked it during Spring Break and couldn't believe it was cheaper than the 5 days one.

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What days is the cruise you booked? I booked it during Spring Break and couldn't believe it was cheaper than the 5 days one.

Last week of March.