Freedom of the Seas Back to Back Day Extravaganza 8/18 & 8/25

Hello Friends – We want to share our fabulous “Back to Back” experience on The Freedom of the Seas. We flew to Tampa on Friday night after work, to spend the weekend with our family on the gulf coast. We got a one way rental from Tampa to Cocoa Beach. We used points and stayed at the Clearwater Hyatt.

On Sunday, we left Clearwater at 8am heading to PC. We arrived at the Port, to drop our bags off at 11:45am.

For the life of me, I don’t understand why people don’t drop off the luggage at the ship before returning the car!!!!!!!!

We had a case of water with a luggage tag on it, but the Porter said they do not accept the cases anymore. He did help us break down the case so we could put the bottles into our suitcases. We then drove the 2 plus miles to return the car.

We were back at the Port at 12:30pm. Still having the Independence Port Everglades Terminal 29 3 hour catastrophe on the mind, I expected the worst. Thankfully, it only took us 14 mins from door to “Ding.”

We were lucky enough to have the same cabin for both weeks – Owner’s Suite 1348 on the back of the hump.

As we looked out at the balcony we could see them lifting supplies up to deck 11 above us.

and a man walking his service dog

In Port with us:

Disney Dream

Carnival Tugboat

And the Grandeur of the Seas

After an easy muster drill, we went to the Sky Bar for our customary sail away drink - The Guavarita. The bartender said we dont have any guava, but it is on board and should be delivered later today. I settle for an Appleton and Coke and head to our massive balcony for sail away.

We were surprised to see Disney sail away ahead of us

Then we heard the ambulance sirens approaching

We really felt sorry for this guy.

We then buttoned up and said goodbye to PC!!!!!!!!!!!

It sure was great to see The Grandeur back in action

Let the adventure begin!!!!!!

Love all the Freedom reviews this week. Keep them coming!

Great start.....love Freedom ;)

Great review thanks so much for sharing. We sailed on the Freedom of the Seas in May this year and had a great time. What a wonderful ship. Happy Cruising!:D

More Please!!!! We're thinking of doing this cruise next :)

After a very relaxing day at sea

We woke up backing into Labadee

We got off the ship and headed to Swim Shoe Beach (Barefoot Beach)

WARNING - BRING YOUR SWIM SHOES!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to Willie, we had "over the water" cabana #5

One of the perks of Barefoot Beach is the upgraded buffet. The steak was good, and the shrimp was great. (Sorry no food porn)

We had a wonderful time in and out of the water.

Actually, we were the last people to leave Swim Shoe Beach (Barefoot Beach)

We boarded our golf cart limo back to the ship.

The security lines were very long, but moved quickly

Ever wonder what they do with the old mattresses?

Good bye Labadee - Thanks for another great time!!!!!!

Was there a lot of traffic on the drive from Tampa to Port Canaveral? We are taking a flight out of Tampa on our return day and was trying to determine how long the drive will be.

Thanks

Thanks for the review - quick question. Did you like the location of cabana OTW #5?

This morning the very loud pilot boat woke us up.

We watched the Capt do a 180 and reverse into the Falmouth port.

We then got off, headed to Nazz, our favorite Jamaican restaurant, and had a traditional West Indian breakfast - curry chicken, salt fish and fried dumplings.

Yummy!!!!!!

We then came back to the port and grabbed the $10 pp one way shared taxi/bus to Doctor’s Cave Beach in Mobay. As we exited the Port, the van driver stopped to let a woman on. The lady then identified herself as the tour guide. She told us the bus would be making a 30 min shopping mall stop before continuing to the beach. This had never happened during the 4 times we had been to Falmouth in the past.

To make a long story bearable – after a short delay we were at the beach enjoying the sun and the rum!!!!!!

Another great beach day until it started to pour.

We headed back to the ship. Before boarding we had great pretzels and great beef patties.

Was there a lot of traffic on the drive from Tampa to Port Canaveral? We are taking a flight out of Tampa on our return day and was trying to determine how long the drive will be.

 

Thanks

No traffic at all. 75 mph the entire way. Should take about 2:30.

Thanks for the review - quick question. Did you like the location of cabana OTW #5?

We liked #5 but #7, on the otherside of the beach is our favorite

Enjoying your review and great photos! Thanks so much for taking your time to do it.

looking forward to reaching your review!! :)

Wow your suite looks beautiful! Nice home for two full weeks...do you get to stay in the same cabin for both sailings?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Forums mobile app

Was there a lot of traffic on the drive from Tampa to Port Canaveral? We are taking a flight out of Tampa on our return day and was trying to determine how long the drive will be.

 

Thanks

Two and a half hours drive time from Pt. Canaveral is the fastest you could possibly make it. Since it will be on a Sunday traffic shouldn't be horrible but for two caveats. One check to see if there is a home Tampa Bay football game that day since their stadium is quite near the airport. Also we were in Tampa a couple of weekends ago and the neverending construction on I -275 slowed us down a good bit.

Of course if you get off the ship bright and early there will be less traffic. You can't avoid tolls any way you go but if you take the 417 to I-4 instead of staying on 528 to I-4 there will be a lot less traffic.

We headed back to the ship. Before boarding we had great pretzels and great beef patties.

 

 

How much were the beef patties? Last time we ate them inland but this time we have no desire to leave the port area but I want a patti!!

BonVoyage

Dawna

This morning when we woke up, we were already on station tendering. A suite / D+ perk we enjoyed today was preferred tendering. Concierge Willie walked us right down to the awaiting tender.

In Port with us, another tug boat :-)

We jumped into a $4 pp taxi to Royal Palm

Drinks were just OK, but the food was great. Salt and pepper wings are amazing

Once again the afternoon rains came, but the rain did not chase us back to the ship

When we got back to the Port, the tender line was huge, but standing at the front of the line was good ole Willie waving suite and D+ guests in. How about starting preferred tendering at Coco Cay :-)

Thanks hadn't thought about the football game, lucky for us they are actually playing at home on Thursday night Oct 24th.

Another day in Cozumel

I’m always amazed at how clear the water is at the port.

We always go to Nachi Cocum. So this trip we decided to….. go to Nachi Cocum

The weather wasn't great, but the food, drinks and service were better than ever.

Mid day we heard sirens and saw 2 boats speeding into the pier. Looks like a diving accident occurred.

Hope this guy is ok...

A $15 taxi back to the ship followed by a calm day at sea. Sadly, week 1 is coming to a very quick ending...

 

We were lucky enough to have the same cabin for both weeks – Owner’s Suite 1348 on the back of the hump.

We were on FOS in June and had Suite 1334, which was the front of the hump. Your cabin looks in better condition than ours was. Our couch and chairs with the table all had stains on them. We covered them with towels and made a note on our comment form that the furniture needs cleaning/replacement. However, the location of those cabins were perfect!

We were on FOS in June and had Suite 1334, which was the front of the hump. Your cabin looks in better condition than ours was. Our couch and chairs with the table all had stains on them. We covered them with towels and made a note on our comment form that the furniture needs cleaning/replacement. However, the location of those cabins were perfect!

Our couch was awful and our bed was very old. We have been in 1334 before but the flushing from the above bathroom drove us crazy. Did it bother you? 1348 was very quiet.