Freedom Review - GT, La Romana, Aruba & Curacao

[mara93]

Yes! Hope there's lots of Alcide & Eric this season. :)

[chipq]

Love reading your review. Thanks for sharing.

 

http://luv2cruise.blogspot.com

[mara93]

Love reading your review. Thanks for sharing.

 

http://luv2cruise.blogspot.com

 

Thanks!

 

DR coming right up!

[mara93]

Day 5 of our vacation - La Romana, Dominican Republic

 

We pull in to La Romana & first impression is - it looks nice!

 

Dancers at the port

 

 

Today, I've booked the Saona Special through Seavis Tours. If you're stopping in La Romana, do yourself a favor & book this tour! We had such a fabulous day!

Also, tour leaves BAYAHIBE BEACH at 9:45am. That means you need to be off the ship as soon as it docks (9am) & meet the Seavis rep at the bus terminal.

 

First, let's go to the bus terminal, which you can see from the ship.

Walk up the road/path right at the dock. You can see it here dab smack in the middle.

Bus terminal is the 2nd building.

 

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See! There it is!

 

 

Here's the Seavis Rep with the TAXI sign.

Sign up with her & she'll get you to the appropriate taxi.

[mara93]

It's about a 25 to 30 minute ride to Bayahibe. Once there, you're dropped off right in front of the Seavis hut. Handle payment & you'll be given a wristband & lead to the speed boat.

They pack this puppies full so be prepared.

 

Gabe is mad because his hat keeps blowing away.

 

Here's our tour guide, Kirsten. I believe she's Alexander's daughter (Seavis owner) and she was great!

 

First stop is the Cueva Penon. Please note you will not actually go INSIDE the cave as they're mostly underwater. You will only be SHOWN the cave & its' location.

 

 

Next, a stop at the mangroves.

[mara93]

AND NOW - PARADISE!!!!

We arrive at Saona & it is gorgeous!

Warning - will be posting a lot of pictures.

 

This is our beach & you can see the pier where we snorkeled.

 

I wandered off a bit, here's the pier (and a boat) from the other side.

 

So beautiful! Look at the crystal clear water!

 

Pier again. Look at all the different shades of blue.

[mara93]

Someone is cruising by

 

Wish I was there now.

 

Water & Sand are so clean. Completely untouched.

 

Dipping my toes in the waves.

 

A peak at our beach from the other side.

 

Boats on the beach

[mara93]

This is right by the pavilion where the bar is located & lunch is provided.

The excursion price included an open bar all day on RUM & beer is provided during lunch only. Your lunch is also provided (It was delicious)

 

 

Our tour guide brought her doggy Zion & Gabe loved playing with her. He missed his two doggies back home.

 

Sand Castle Master!

 

I go off snorkeling & meet this friendly little guy. He was so friendly he swam right into my hands. (Snorkeling gear is provided by Seavis)

 

Look at all the fish!

 

Sea Urchins

[mara93]

Come back to find Gabe very entertained by Lori :) We all dip in the water for a swim.

If you have water shoes, bring them. Lots of coral makes climbing out of the water painful.

 

Family pic

 

Such a diva!

 

We head over to the pavilion for lunch. Lunch was boiled veggies, rice, pasta salad, fresh fruit, grilled pork chops (DELICIOUS!), grilled chicken, & salad. All very good.

 

After lunch, I take another dip in the water.

 

We leave Saona around 1:30pm & our next stop is the sandbar to visit the starfish.

Sandbar is very shallow, Gabe was walking around.

 

Here Lori holds up a starfish, which Gabe said was named Patrick.

[mara93]

Daddy & Gabe

 

Learning about starfish from Carol & Kirsten.

 

Look at the baby starfish

 

At the sandbar, the crew opens the bar again (rum) & serves fruits & drinks. They also pour rum on your cake if you so desire. After a 30hr stop, we make our way back to Bayahibe. :(

 

As we approach the beach, it starts to POUR. Oh, well. Alex has taxis waiting for us on the beach & we pile in on our way back to port.

 

So, if you're hesitant about what to do in La Romana, DON'T BE! Book this excursion, you will not regret it. The service, value & places visited were excellent. Would definitely return if we visit again.

[mara93]

On our way back to port, we spot these 2 guys taking a dip.

 

We clean up & head to the sushi bar for a snack.

 

After sitting around for a bit, we head over to dinner.

 

Seafood Newburg

 

Best thing Carnival has ever produced - Bitter & Blanc!

 

Our towel for tonight - a bunny?

 

There was no show tonight. The comedians got off in the DR & a hypnotist came onboard. Name was Asad Mecci & his show was very funny.

[mara93]

We pick up this crazy zebra from camp & head outside to watch MUTS.

 

Crazy zebra sees the fish cups & must have one.

 

Think I'm going to break here for a bit.

Next up, Aruba.

[FloridaGram]

Can't wait to hear more!

[mizLORInj]

Magda, great photos!!

Hope you guys are doing well. :D

[Love-to-ride]

Loving your review!! We are doing this cruise in Oct.2013. :)

[GroovyGreg101]

We board the Freedom for this same cruise in about 11 hours. We booked the Seavis Saona Special with a group of fellow CruiseCritics.

[mikel24m]

We board the Freedom for this same cruise in about 11 hours. We booked the Seavis Saona Special with a group of fellow CruiseCritics.

 

so jealous ,we want to try this itinerary soon .Going to jacks shack in GT ? great place

[KirkWN737]

Wonderful review!

[HMC RET]

Great review and nice pics. We will be on the Freedom in 6 weeks with the same route. We are also doing the Seavis tour.

[momof4boys]

Great review and nice pics. We will be on the Freedom in 6 weeks with the same route. We are also doing the Seavis tour.

 

 

Same Roll call as HMC RET too and can't wait!! I am so excited now about Seavis tour!

 

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your cruise memories!

[JennLuvs2Cruise]

Loving this review & the pictures! Like the other two posters above me, I will be sailing this cruise in just six weeks. And I will also be cruising with my son who will be nearly three years old. I was wondering if you still had the Camp Carnival itineraries or could tell me more about the program like times they open & close? This will be his third cruise but first time being able to participate in the program. How did your son like the Camp? I look forward to the rest of this review & your response! :)

 

 

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[momof4boys]

Loving this review & the pictures! Like the other two posters above me, I will be sailing this cruise in just six weeks. And I will also be cruising with my son who will be nearly three years old. I was wondering if you still had the Camp Carnival itineraries or could tell me more about the program like times they open & close? This will be his third cruise but first time being able to participate in the program. How did your son like the Camp? I look forward to the rest of this review & your response! :)

 

 

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Jenn....I can just see your little guy with that face paint on.....:)

[suza12]

We are doing the same cruise in January so keep it coming. On a side note we have stayed at the Hyatt North the last 2 years and loved it, no problems at all. Last January they were under new ownership, are they not keeping things up? We are planning on staying there this January also but now am wondering if we should try ES.

 

 

My parents will be with you on the Jan 12, 2013 cruise. They will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Have a great time.

[JennLuvs2Cruise]

Jenn....I can just see your little guy with that face paint on.....:)

 

I think my little guy is more excited than DF & I. He sleeps every night with his Freddy Funship stuffed animal from our last cruise & asks us every day when we are leaving for the "big boat". I know he is a little one but I would love to bring him to the roll call Meet & Greet on board! :)

 

 

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[VIQT]

Loving your review so far. You are making me so excited for our trip in April. We're doing this itinerary on the Breeze. Looking forward to more!