Freedom review 5/16 Western Caribbean

[steelcity5044]

Finally here is my review of our Freedom cruise.

 

Background: Myself and my Mom out of Pittsburgh

 

Pre-cruise:

 

We flew out of Pittsburgh on Air-Tran with no problems or issues. We took a cab(about $20) to the W Ft Lauderdale Beach. We won this hotel on Priceline for $89 and let me tell you it was well worth it. If you have ever satyed at the Hard Rock or Planet Hollywood then you would understand what this hotel was like. It was very modern and urban. The pool area was very Miami Beach(think hot young and oiled up). The toiletries were BLISS spa and were heavenly. The room was beautiful. The entire wall was floor to ceiling windows and the bathroom was huge. And of course the Heavenly Sweet Sleeper beds!!!

We walked the beach and ate outside. We took the trolley for .50$ each way down to Las Olas Blvd. All - in - all a great way to start the trip!!!

 

Embarkation:

 

We took another taxi to the pier($15) and arrived with no issues around 12:30pm. We were booked into an OS suite and had VIP embarkation. It was the best perk ever! The terminal was packed but we went into our own line to our own reception area and check-in. It took us less than 15 minutes to be onboard. I loved the new set-up of checking in then getting your picture taken right before boarding. It really seemed to speed things up.

 

Arrival:

 

Walked into the lobby and can I say BEAUTIFUL!!!! Went right to purser desk and got my key hole punched for my laynard, checked on my shipboard credit and went to the lido deck for our first bite to eat. It was your usual lido deck fare but i do have to say it was very fresh and the selection was excellent. When we finished, we went to see our room. We were in 7221 I think and the room was spectacular. Wood floors, large bedroom area with full couch and the best part of all was the changing/vanity area and the bathroom. All marble counter tops and a full 2 sinks and shower/tub combination. And the cupboard/drawer space was way more than adequate it was fabulous!!! The balcony contained 3 chairs and a small table and we were nicely towards the middle of the ship.

 

Next is first night at sea and Key West!!!

[chachi]

Looking forward to reading the rest of your review. I will be visiting Key West for the first time in August. I still don't know what I want to do there.

[steelcity5044]

First Night at Sea:

 

We had any time dining and it was awesome. You could go to the Chic dining room anytime from 5:45pm till 9:00pm for dinner. You have your choice for seating upstairs. We went at various times and never ever waited for a table for 2. Dineer was good, nothing spectacular but good. They served all your usual dinners and deserts and the cappuccino is still free, actually it's listed on the menu.

We went to the Casino and learned the new way to use your sail and sign card to obtain gambling funds. We were advised to use it in a slot machine(no fee) and then cash out if you want to use it on the table games. If you did the same process at a table there is a fee. I advanced $60 and was down to $1.75 when i won $240 on a slot machine. I cashed out and never played again. The resounding opinion around the ship was that the Casino was VERY VERY tight so i was very glad with my winings.

We went back to our room and hung out till bed time. I can tell you one thing, this ship had absolutely no movement. It's the first time that I have been on a ship and never felt a thing. You couldn't even tell that you were moving.

 

Key West:

 

We have both been to Key West prior(last time was 5 years ago) so we did not schedule a tour. TIP+ we did sat in on the shopping talk just for the heck of it and if you ask the presenter she will give you free passes for 2 adults and 2 children for the Butterfly Farm.

We were appalled at the changes that have occurred at Key West and will probably never go back. We docked at the Naval Yard and they shuttle you to Mallory Square. That was fine. We remember Key West as being very quirky and colorful with many independently owned shops with unique items. This was the port that we looked most forward to. Now it's T-Shirt shops and the crap you find at any beach boardwalk on the East coast(think Ocean City). If it wasn't a junky tourist trap then it was an empty closed down store front. All the crappy shops were using the same schtick "going out of business $5 t-shirts". The life that was Key West is gone. *** I have a question that is completely off topic = why are all of these tourist shops at every oceanfront town owned by Eastern Europeans and also manned by the same? I'm used to it here on the East Coast but was surprised at Ft Lauderdale and shocked at Key West.

We walked the length of Duvall Street and used our free passes at the Butterfly Farm. It was ok but I'm glad our passes were free. i think I would have been disappointed if i would have paid. We walked back up the street Heminway House was on to mallory Square. The coolest place at Key West was the toy store. Go there and look around, it's neat. We had some trouble finding the shuttle back to the pier. Everyone was very rude and not very helpful. We ended up finding a shuttle bus back and it was the ride from hell. Seems like everyone was loud obnoxious and stone cold drunk. A girl across the aisle fromus actually started projectile vomiting all over the place and the driver completely ignored it. it was gross.

Finally back to the ship and hit the showers to wipe away Key West.

 

Next DAY AT SEA AND GRAND CAYMAN!!!