Preview and Semi-live Trip Report Freedom Western Caribbean

One and only visit to Sorrento's for lunch when we boarded.

Dinner night 1

The band at the welcome show.

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More photos from day 1.

The casino

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Those photos were taken around 12:30 on embarkation day, it was fairly empty and devoid of smoke.

There were people trying to use the machines, even though they all said "Disabled by host" on them. I guess they wanted to start their gambling fun early.

That was the only time we walked in the casino for the cruise.

Sorrento's pizza was pretty empty, and the only negative I can say is that they had no napkins. None. They said that the manager was getting them napkins, fortunately, I had stashed a few in my tote bag from breakfast at the hotel.

I liked the dessert cups they had at Sorrento's, Windjammer, and Cafe Promenade. The tiramisu was delicious.

While discussing the promenade decks and what is available, I will say that the cupcake cupboard is a huge waste of space that could be used for something that would actually provide a venue to guests and a revenue source for Royal Caribbean. It was always empty, and usually had the same sad looking cupcakes in the display. I only saw people carrying cupcakes to and from there once on the last sea day.

The pub seemed to have a steady crowd. We listened to the guitar player a few times. I never went near Vintages, just walked past. NextCruise desk seemed empty except for a bored staff member or two.

Guest services was almost always empty, except for the last sea day and embarkation.

Park West gallery and art auction takes up a great deal of space on level 3. It was almost impossible to walk through without someone touching one of the framed pieces on an easel. It doesn't make any sense to me to let them take up so much physical space and to consume so much of the daily compasses.

This is the link to my review that was published today.

link

I'm very pleased with our Freedom experience overall. Only a few things could be improved, and those had to do with other guests and overall dining venue times and availability.

This is the link to my review that was published today.

 

link

 

I'm very pleased with our Freedom experience overall. Only a few things could be improved, and those had to do with other guests and overall dining venue times and availability.

Thanks for your report. We are on this itinerary and ship in March. Can you provide more detail about the dining venue times and availability issues? Right now we have MTD, and I need to book times - do you have some recommendations?

Some other venues on the Promenade.

Cafe Promenade

Christmas tree

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Dining and pictures

MDR breakfast

Cakes at sea day lunch

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Thanks for your report. We are on this itinerary and ship in March. Can you provide more detail about the dining venue times and availability issues? Right now we have MTD, and I need to book times - do you have some recommendations?

MTD was great. Availability I felt was lacking in that Johnny Rockets was open from 11 AM to late in the evening on sea days, not sure about port days. Windjammer seemed to be the only free option for lunch on port days, and it closed at 3. We had the all aboard for 2:30 and it was a huge rush of people going to get food.

I am very grateful to our bartending friends at The Plaza Bar, and we ended up sitting near the bar when the WJ was busy. We really only visited the WJ for lunch twice, Grand Cayman port day and Cozumel port day. Although I love Mexican food, I had superb food in Costa Maya and didn't want to pay for Senor Frogs or Margaritaville in port, since those aren't my speed.

I suggest you make reservations for each evening at the MDR, and then you can always go a little early or a little later. Just be willing to wait for a few minutes. I was disappointed that we could not be seated with our main serving team on the second formal night, but that was a minor disappointment.

More pictures from the ports.

Grand Cayman

Tenders - two tender stations on Freedom and it was quick to tender.

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Dinner at Chops

Goat cheese salad

Shrimp cocktail

Tuna tartare

Crab cake

Beef carpaccio

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Chops continued

Sides

Desserts

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Costa Maya

I loved Maya Chan. The service, location, food and bar service were great. The water was rather murky.

Port aviary attraction

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Cozumel was beautiful and I enjoyed our trip to San Gervasio and the wild side.

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More from Cozumel.

San Gervasio

Wild side

Where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic

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Towel animals.

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Drinks on the ship.

Nutty Scotsman

Mezcal Strawberry Pepperita

Chocolate martini

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Lunch at Johnny Rockets

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I would take this cruise on this ship and this itinerary in an instant.

The only thing I would change on the ship is that I would skip Giovanni's Table. I was not impressed with the food, the slow service, and we noticed other tables unhappy as well. Pork belly should not be served when it is still chewy.

The only things we enjoyed at Giovanni's were the charcuterie and cheese, and the mushroom risotto, and dessert. The pasta was a huge portion with not a lot of flavor.

As far as our port plans, I would rent a car for the day in Cozumel. We now know the layout and would be comfortable spending the day on our own. I would visit San Gervasio again, as we did not make it to all the sites, in the interest of time.

Please ask me any questions you have. I do have all of the cruise compasses and can answer any questions on the times of events or activities.

Hi Gina,

We just booked the same week and itinerary but on the Adventure of the Seas from Port Everglades.

Mike

Hi Gina,

We just booked the same week and itinerary but on the Adventure of the Seas from Port Everglades.

Mike

Fabulous! I will be on her in January 2019 for a 9 day.

We are doing the same itinerary. Do you remember what time the last shuttle was from Costa Maya? As I recall, it was 2 hours before the ship left. I'm not interested in anything at the port, just want to enjoy Maya Chan again!

We are doing the same itinerary. Do you remember what time the last shuttle was from Costa Maya? As I recall, it was 2 hours before the ship left. I'm not interested in anything at the port, just want to enjoy Maya Chan again!

I requested to leave at 5:30, and all aboard was 6:30. Maya Chan was amazing!