Live, Freedom 3-15-2015

Just wondering if the ice show reservations are to be cancelled on all future sailings or specifically on your one? I made reservations for an April sailings and the reservation is still showing.

 

Thanks for your live cruise review!

I don't know if this is new policy for Freedom or just for the current sailing. We went to the first show and it was the best I've seen on any sailing. Flawless. The was no rocking on that day and we were at the first show which has better conditions, so that may have helped, but the cast was great as well and seemed to have more energy than other times I've seen it. Perfection. The guest performer was great as well, and different from what I've seen in the past. It was an ariel acrobat type performance and they were equally spectacular. No photos on any of that though as I just wanted to watch the show.

As for the line to get in. I think some people started cueing up an hour before. By -45, the line extended past the Studio B bar. If you want a seat in the area opposite the stage, better get here by then. They opened the doors at -30 and then it was slow for a while. By showtime there were still plenty of seats nearest to the stage available.

If you purchase the ultimate package and order a drink that is $15.00, do you pay the whole $15.00 or just $3.00 for the difference alloted in the package?

Just the difference unless it's something excluded like a wine flight, bottle of wine or a beer bucket.

Did you happen to notice them selling the drink packages buy 1 get one 1/2 off the first day?

Did not see this and I don't think it would have been fair to those who prepurchased. Also, I think it would drive people to not prepurchase in the future, since it is a good thing cash flow wise if passengers prepurchase this doesn't seem wise.

Following happily along. We are on her 3 May. These posts makes the waiting so much easier. Great comments and pics. Don't you think that was the idea of the new prices for drinks to encourage folks to take the drink packages? Trying to figure when considering the diamond benefits if the drink package is a good buy. Any thoughts?

We did buy the package despite having diamond benefits. It's always a toss up for us because of the free drinks, but because of the price increase and the amount that we like to drink on a cruise, it only made sense. The other benefit for me is that I can drink better if I have the package. I'm a scotch drinker so when drinking the the DL, I'm somewhat limited. With the package I can drink which ever Scotch I choose.

I've seen many with the package, but I have no idea if it's more or less than normal on this cruise.

Just wanted y'all to know that our head chef left the ship with us on Sunday to start his vacation as did Gustavo from the Diamond Lounge! I hope you are have smooth seas and can make your stops in Labadee and Grand Cayman!

Cheryl

Hi, hope you are having a great cruise.

If you are passing the future cruise desk, or actually stopping there at some point, could you find out if there is any information about the newly introduced 'Global On-board Booking' offer,?

This was apparently introduced on March 10th where, irrespective of nationality/country of residence, on-board bookings are now being treated under the North American T&Cs.

Thank you.

can you get a pic of the bar menu from Connoiseur Club? we're on next week and interested if they have cognacs/etc but have never seen it posted. thanks!

Hi, hope your enjoying your sailing. We are not cruising until November this year on Freedom, it's been 4 years since we were on her and 2 years from our last cruise. Can't come round soon enough! Anyway, our last sailing on Oasis they offered dining packages over all the $$ option. Is this package available on your sailing??

Odd that Chandon costs 12.00 in Boleros, but 9.00 in the other bars. Not sure why that stood out to me:)

Thanks for posting the pictures and information on your current sailing. I do have a couple of questions regarding using your cell phone. First of all I have AT&T and I am aware they offer thru AT&T a type of international package to help with texting. My concern is the data charges. Am I understanding this correctly that you can purchase the internet package once onboard from Royal Carribean, then place your phone in airplane mode(?) now that makes it so you can take pictures with your phone without accruing roaming charges? My concern is getting a large bill once I get home. I would love to be able to post pictures to cruise critic while at sea and stay in touch with my daughters while on vacation, but this technology stuff worries me. One time we were in the Bahamas at Atlantis and I had purchased the international plan prior to leaving home and both my husband's phone and my phone were cut off while out of the country due to data charges getting so high! Definitely do not want that to happen again. Any guidance is much appreciated.Thanks.

My wife and I both have iphones and we bought the two devise package for 100 with the coupon. We should have been able to text each other and friends with iphones just using the standard texting app. We've found that Imessage is a bucket of stink. We are having much more luck using the aol instant messenger app for texting each other and sending pics to friends on land.

I have added international to my work cell phone, but I only intent to use that if needed for work while in port. Not sure what the costs will be, but if it's needed, so be it. For the most part I'm making due for work and everything else with ships internet with my phone in airplane mode so I expect no additional charges.

Some shots leaving Labadee from the helipad. Judging from all the sunburns back on board, many had a good beach day. The weather really was perfect. We stayed on board and had a great day enjoying the ship and pools.

And the important bits of the compass. I'll skip the nonsense.

Have you seen the Slot Machine I purchased on my cruise last year? Does she know I'm coming back? Does she miss me?

Have you seen the Slot Machine I purchased on my cruise last year? Does she know I'm coming back? Does she miss me?

Oh , yes, that machine was paying out quite nicely last night. Craps table however where I was, not so much.

I love your live review its wetting my whistle. Thanks,,,B

Someone did a live update last week and said that the pod-thing (??) was fixed in St. Maarten, so I think you should be all set this week. Cruising 4/19 on Eastern itinerary. Thanks for all of the updates! So excited!

Anyway u know people staying in the new rooms to get pictures?

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Thanks for posting all the info, we can see it just fine. It's a big help determining what plan of action we may take.

So I'll say a word about entertainment. Last time we were on Freedom I was so disappointed that in my survey I recommended whoever was responsible for hiring acts for the ship should be fired. This cruise, however, has been incredible.

First night in the pub Sam Collins had it packed and people were singing inside and outside on the RP. He was fun and we all had a good time. After about an hour we reluctantly left (partly because the chairs in there are so uncomfortable) and went to the Star Lounge and saw the Kronos Band.

Here's a picture of the newly decorated Star Lounge.

Anyway, Kronos was great as well. Rock band with a big range. Lead guitar player is is just insanely good. Bass player was also playing key boards, same time. Was almost hoping I wouldn't like Paul O'Shea just to avoid the hard choices later in the cruise. But this was not to be. Cruising sometimes is quite difficult.

The next night we went to watch Paul and he was fantastic as well. The Schooner Bar was packed with standing room only, even the hall was a bit tough to walk trough to get to the casino it was so full. Paul played great tunes for about an hour and everyone was singing along. It was so much fun. Then at about 11, it all fell apart. Half the room turned into a pumpkin. Paul started taking requests and ugh. Ballads snoozers and Katey Perry. I exaggerate though, I'm sure that Miss Katherine had nothing to do with half of the remaining half of the room leaving. But by the time he played Green Day's September, I was done. Fortunately, Kronos was still playing so we ended the night on a high note!

Anyway, looking forward to seeing more of these great performers throughout the week. Quite soon in fact.

Anyway u know people staying in the new rooms to get pictures?

 

 

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Sorry, I've not met anyone in those rooms. The CC cabin crawl didn't get one either.

Anyway u know people staying in the new rooms to get pictures?

 

 

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Another CC member is cruising this week in one of the Family Panoramic Oceanview rooms and has said that he will post pics when he returns.

Hi, hope your enjoying your sailing. We are not cruising until November this year on Freedom, it's been 4 years since we were on her and 2 years from our last cruise. Can't come round soon enough! Anyway, our last sailing on Oasis they offered dining packages over all the $$ option. Is this package available on your sailing??

I don't remember anything like this. I did see an offer where you got some obc if you booked multiple specialty restaurants. .

From the future, tomorrows drinking schedule, I mean Compass.

From the future, tomorrows drinking schedule, I mean Compass.

 

 

Thank you!!!!!

I feel like I'm sailing along. Thank you :D

Cindy

Thanks for the review so far!! :-) Love it!