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Sorry for the delay...with long holiday weekend then today is my birthday so I've had lunches/dinners, etc...but let me continue.

 

Also, feel free to ask any questions. I also have all 7 days of the Cruise Compass. If anyone wants, I can scan and send to them.

 

Also, sorry for the larger size pictures. I promise to correct on Day Three. I'm just trying to get this down for everyone quickly.

 

Day Two: Coco Cay

 

Like I mentioned before I had reviewed the CC message boards for some time before my cruise so I knew a few in/outs which really helped at this port.

 

Even in the Cruise Compass it warns to avoid trying to tender between 8:45a - 10:00a as that is when most people are up and going.

 

Needless to say, I dreaded getting up early but knew it was worth it and it most definitely was. We woke up around 6:15a, had breakfast in the Windjammer, went to our room to grab our stuff and headed down to Deck 1 (around 7:30a).

 

When we arrived to the tender area, there were RCCL sports staff and just a few of us. They told us this first tender was staff only but then after about 20 seconds, they decided to let the 10-15 of us board too. [/img]

 

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Hung out on the beach until lunchtime and headed over to the BBQ area. Once again…a little trick…GO TO THE LEFT…there was no line at that end of the buffet EVER. I had burger, chicken leg, ribs, corn and red beans/rice. I thought it was all very good. [/img]

 

Hung out around the ship a little, then decided to hit the room, relax and get ready for dinner. Tonight’s dinner was the first formal night…”Saffron” menu.

 

We went to the show entitled, Marquee and honestly, it just wasn’t very good. From the singing, dancing and the songs of broadway of which I think I only knew a couple…I just was surprised how much I didn’t like it. Maybe others did but I did hear a couple people later in the week mention that it wasn’t good.

 

Played some more in the casino and then had my first trip to see Matt Yee’s Adult Sing-a-long which was so funny! He’s hilarious and if you don’t pay attention/participate…he will totally call you out. It’s definitely a must see. Also watched some karaoke which was OK…why is it that every man over 70 wants to sing Frank Sinatra?

 

Played some of my winnings from BINGO yesterday in the casino wound up walking out $10 ahead. It was late and I was so hungry so I made my first of many trips that week up to get some pizza from Sorentos. I thought the pizza wasn’t too bad and they had good desserts at cafe promenade. I just want to mention again about the layout of this ship and how much I loved the Royal Promenade. I thought the ship was very easy to navigate.

 

Before I go further, and I can’t believe I missed this in my first post, but Cruise Director Richard Spacey is an absolute hoot. I laughed many times to the point I had tears.

So, I’ve been wondering exactly how I wanted to do my review. I’ve seen TONS of great ones on here which really helped me in planning my trip on Freedom of the Seas. What I decided to do is give a run down of each of my Days then for those who are curious a quick comparison with my previous cruises. This was my first RCCL experience (three other were on Carnival- Fascination x2 and Dream). Before I hear the typical…you can’t compare the two, etc. You can and I will give a fair critique of both.

 

Here we go….

 

A little about me…I’m 36 from Raleigh and cruised with my friend who is also 36. We have no kids so I can't speak to the youth programs. Although, what I saw looked fun and a couple of the kid parades, dressed as pirates walking down the Royal Promenade was really cute.

 

Day Before Embarkation

 

We drove down from Raleigh on Saturday. No problems there until a little rain beginning outside Daytona Beach. We did the Park & Cruise package at the Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach. It was $152 and included transportation to/from.

 

I was a little surprised at condition of the hotel. The lobby/breakfast area looked like all Hampton Inns. The rooms….not so much. Very outdated, green carpet and looked a little dirty. It didn’t bother me, I couldn’t sleep anyway as I was too excited.

 

Embarkation Day

 

We had breakfast, got our number and was told to be ready between 10:30a-11:00a. Several #’s were called so we loaded a motor coach and headed to the port. We had a quick stop at the Courtyard by Marriott next door.

 

The bus driver gave some fun tidbits but like I said I was way too excited to care. We arrive at the port around 11:30. Check-in took a little longer as my passport photo was me 75lbs heavier so I had to help convince her it was me. LOL. One of the computers where you insert your Sea Pass card was down so that backed up the line. We were onboard and in the Windjammer around 12:30p.

 

My first thoughts: HOLY HECK this ship is BIG! Freedom looked to me as if she was a brand new ship. Like I said, I’m going to keep comparisons until the end but let me just quickly say I definitely prefer the aesthetics of Freedom vs. Carnival. They had also started decorating for Christmas which got you in the holiday spirit. [/img]

 

We toured the ship some more went down and our luggage was there. We unpacked, relaxed and started getting ready for dinner. We chose My Time Dining, seating at 7:30p.

 

We were set at a table for two in the Galileo section. There were several tables of two in our area. Our dining room staff for the week was FANTASTIC. Bien, was the head waiter and Daniel was his assistant. They both were from the Philippines so we had some discussion about the terrible storm that ravaged their homeland.

 

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Almost midnight...I'll continue in the AM.

Awesome. Thanks for all the info. I joined the official roll call already. I was just curious about others that might be on board that were part of the family. Hahaha. Two days left,

Anyone happen to be going on this cruise(leaving Sunday)? Yes, I know it the first cruise after the swinger's convention on board. :)

 

A lot of people I've seen on here are bent out of shape but do they not realize stuff goes on in their cabins likely before they get on anyway??

 

So, even if you aren't going on this sailing but have cruised FOS and RCCL before...what should I not miss? We are sailing on the Eastern route, Coco Cay, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

 

Thanks!

Hi! We are mid-30s and got addicted to cruising after trying one out a few years. We live in Raleigh and actually leaving on Freedom of the Seas on Sunday. This is our first trip on RCCL so really looking forward to seeing the difference between it and Carnival.

 

I haven't ever cruised out of Charleston even though that would be REALLY convenient.

 

Would love to see about getting a group of North Carolinians together!

Your math is right, but you need to consider that you'll be gambling your winnings as well, so the $10,000 that is wagered includes lots of recycled money. Unless you lose every single spin, it's not going to be $10,000 out of pocket.

 

Assuming average slot machine payout of 85%, then one would need approximately $1765, playing through all of the winnings, to earn 2,000 points.

 

If one gets lucky, that number could be a lot less.

 

This will be my first cruise on RCCL...actually soon on Freedom. I have a question about loading money to use on the slots. On Carnival slots you create a "code" then load money from your onboard account (either your CC you have down or cash) to the machine. The money you have left after playing, stays attached to that card. Then, at the end of the cruise you can cash out at cage. Is this the same way on RCCL? I don't think there were any fees involved except when cashing out or getting "cash" to play at table games.

RCI Newbie so pardon the stupid question but are the towels in your room or do you have to stop by pool on your way off the ship? I know Carnival has two beach towels in the room.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn prior to our Freedom cruise in August, it is only about 10 minutes from the port. We had a rental to return so we left the hotel around 10:00am, returned car at Hertz and took their shuttle to the port. We got in line outside the terminal at around 10:30, waited a few minutes before they let us inside. Once inside, we got checked in and waited a few more minutes before they started allowing people on the ship. We were on the royal promenade by 11:02.:)

 

We were in a suite so we boarded with the first group but there weren't that many people waiting to board at all.

 

Wow! Thanks. No Suite here unfortunately, but being my first RCI cruise, I'm very excited to get onboard and start exploring.

Agreed. Ive always been able to get on board early, get in the WJ and get out while its still fairly empty. I have never seen the mass chaos.

 

What time would that be? Meaning what time that you get to terminal? Leaving next weekend and would like to avoid the crowds. Staying at the Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach so wanted to factor in travel time.

[quote name='Annefran']Hi, in the Promenade Cafe there is always water, tea, coffee not juice though 24/7. The Ice Show is a must. Try to see all the shows that they have available, all are great. Wonder the ship when you first get on board to familiarize yourself with the decks. The flow rider is a lot of fun and you can sign up for personalized lessons either online before you go or while on board. The pool is area is large with it's 2 areas. Stop down in the gym to see the boxing ring, pretty cool. Not sure of your itinerary, but if you stop in Labadee for the day, roam the island. It's actually quite gorgeous and there's lots to do there. If you can rent one of the cabanas on Nellie's beach well worth the extra money. Have a great cruise and enjoy![/QUOTE]

Great! Thanks for the info. Our itinerary is the Eastern leg, Coco Cay, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. I'm definitely going to try the flow rider...we'll see how that goes. :confused:

I'm going to try and get onboard asap so I can do what you said and spend some time to wonder the ship and familiarize myself before the masses board.

[quote name='Annefran']Hi all, for anyone that is cruising on FOS in the next few months, just let me know if you have any questions. I'm here to help. Happy Cruising! :D[/QUOTE]

Leaving Nov. 17th on my first RCL cruise (three prior on Carnival) and very excited about boarding FOS. Anything that I should not miss? I made reservation for the ice show but looking for other things to make sure I try.

I do have one other question? Is it true besides the freestyle machine there's not drink (tea, juices, water) stations 24/7 like on Carnival?

Of course this happens now...I think I started a thread about why they didn't do this a few months ago. I cruised in March and had (8) people book through my PVP. :mad: That would have been nice.