Beachlover1964

When I had the captains suite on the Inspiration last year, I had priority and VIP escort to the cabin (first ones on the ship). I received gifts of a fruit basket, wine, and champagne as well. No tender ports but I don't recall reading that as a perk.

You can rent a car from Hertz and return it in Texas City. They will shuttle you to the port for $50. They will also do the same for the return to Hobby. It was cheaper than any limo/car service I found. It worked great for us.

What a wonderful surprise! You are so creative and clever. I can't wait to read your review

I am so glad I stumbled in here. I'll have 75 points on the last night of my upcoming cruise. I checked my boarding pass and sure enough, I am listed as platinum. Now to cancel the FTTF and save $50!

We were just there a couple of weeks ago. Arrived at 11 am. There is one door, just show your boarding pass to the person at the door and you will be directed to a VIP line, which you will follow through x-ray to the check in counter. We were on the ship by 11:20!

I was on the same sailing and had a fantastic time! So many choices for breakfast, but the Blue Iguana breakfast burritos are the best. I had one almost every day!

While we were disappointed to have our visit cut short in Aruba there were plenty of fun New Year's festivities on the ship. Midnight on the Lido deck with what seemed like most of the passengers and crew is an experience I will never forget.

I also found the crew to be very pleasant and helpful. I never had a problem communicating with the crew.

I love this review! What a cutie! Can't wait to read the rest.

My 13 year old son and I are cruising on the Freedom on December 27. Your food pictures have inspired me to try some new things!

Great review so far. My son and I are leaving on the Freedom on 12/27 on the same itinerary! Looking forward to your review of Aruba and Curacao. We are on standby for Saona as they have 2 full boats and need 10 more people for another. Crossing fingers as it looks beautiful.

I'm looking forward to your review! I am considering the Dream for June 2015--great timing!

Great review so far! Looking forward to reading about your adventures.

Great start! I'd like to take this cruise someday, so I can't wait to see the rest of your review/pics

Thanks! Bought mine and there are now 3 left :)

Sounds like so much fun! Thanks for responding and for the information

We will be in Aruba from 2-11:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Does anyone know if there will be anything special? Is there any nightlife near the port?

Thanks!

As a young man, I lived in the desert of California. During the summer, my friends and I would make frequent weekend pilgrimages to Rosarito Beach, staying in cheap hotels overnight without regard for our health. So I’m having flashbacks to simpler times, watching the scenery fly by from the back seat of SSGT Robin’s all-terrain Geo Metro, singing along to Depeche Mode CDs from a crappy stereo, competing with the wind noise from a rack full of surfboards on the roof. And we would routinely dine at these little roadside stands, eagerly watching an old man fling dozens of little tortillas onto a blackened grill surface, scoop them up when they started to scorch, then adding a mixture of hot meat, a bit of vegetation and a squirt of secret hot sauce.

 

As a young woman, I lived in a Southern Califormia beach town. This brings me back to my college days....road trips to Rosarita Beach in my Karmen Ghia, packed full of sorority sisters, Depeche Mode cassette in the radio, street tacos, and margaritas on the beach. Those were the days!

Excellent review, I just love your descriptions and your wit.

Thanks so much for your great review and pictures. My cruise is almost here, June 14! I've cruised the Freedom twice in the last year and am so excited for the changes. Your sunrise pictures in Fort Lauderdale are amazing!

I'm sorry but I don't have an answer for you. We are booked on the Carnival Stingray City excursion (already planned and booked by my group before I decided to book the cruise). We have enough time for the beach after and was planning to take a taxi to Valley Church Beach. I am wondering if anyone has any advice whether this is feasible?

This review is so funny! I can't wait to read what happens next in Cozumel!

#teamfruitplate

Me too! I love his reviews and really hope he is ok and will be back.

We are doing this itinerary on the Freedom later this year so am very interested in the ports. I was also planning on the Seavis tour to Saona island, but the taxi situation has me worried.

We did this tour last June. We had no problem with the taxi to or from. We were back in plenty of time to board the ship. It was truly a wonderful day. Our guide was fantastic. The island was beautiful. The stop at the starfish bar was a unique experience. I can't say enough good things about Seavis.

The pictures I've seen sure are beautiful, but of course you have to decide whether it's worth the money. I mainly responded because I'm on the same sailing! Are you on the roll call or on the other roll call on the popular social media site (we aren't allowed to name it here)? If you are and decide to take the upgrade perhaps we can add it to the cabin crawl :)

I'm sorry I can't answer that one, we stayed at the water park the entire time.

Right, the resort does not limit your time there. Enjoy, we had so much fun there, and it was an amazing resort.

We did this excursion in January. You are not restricted to 4 hours. Here is how it works. You meet the tour when you get off the ship and sign waiversand get your wristband . You are escorted to the buses--it was less than 10 minute drive to the resort. There is a tour, but we ditched it and went straight to the water park. When we were there in January, the water park closed at 5 I believe (perhaps it stays open later in the summer?). There were buses going back to the pier every 20 minutes or so, and the last bus was around 5:30. You could stay later and take a taxi back.

:)

This picture is priceless!!!!

Great review as always. I enjoy reading about your adventures with your dad. My prayers are with him as he faces these new challenges.

P.S. My favorite drink is the Hurricane Wave :)