Freedom Review - GT, La Romana, Aruba & Curacao

[deffenm]

Thanks so much for posting. We are taking our 3 kids on this same trip during Thanksgiving this year. The Saona Special sounds perfect for our stop in La Romana. I can't wait to read the rest of your review.

 

You have a beautiful family! Thanks for sharing your trip.

[mizLORInj]

Magda, I asked Seavis to send you a note asking for your email address so I can get mine to you to see some of the photos of Gabe with me and the starfish!

[mara93]

Thanks so much for posting. We are taking our 3 kids on this same trip during Thanksgiving this year. The Saona Special sounds perfect for our stop in La Romana. I can't wait to read the rest of your review.

 

You have a beautiful family! Thanks for sharing your trip.

 

Thank you! Your kids will have a blast.

 

Magda, I asked Seavis to send you a note asking for your email address so I can get mine to you to see some of the photos of Gabe with me and the starfish!

 

Lori, just checked & I have an email from Seavis! :D

Will finish the review & send you pics on Thursday, have work/class until then.

 

Hope you're well. :)

[phabric]

Did you do Seavis tour on your own or through Carnival?

 

Were you worried about getting back on time? We are in port from 9am-4pm.

[mara93]

Did you do Seavis tour on your own or through Carnival?

 

Were you worried about getting back on time? We are in port from 9am-4pm.

 

We did it on our own but were in port from 9-5pm. No problem getting back on time. Tour guide is very conscientious about return time & I think they will tailor the tour to fit the ship's schedule.

[bythehex]

I'm enjoying your review so much! We're doing this ship and itinerary in September and it's great to hear from someone who actually did it already. I appreciate your sharing and can't wait to see more of it! :)

[phabric]

We did it on our own but were in port from 9-5pm. No problem getting back on time. Tour guide is very conscientious about return time & I think they will tailor the tour to fit the ship's schedule.

 

I have told the operator our times 9-4(will have to be back onboard by 3:30) and they said they will get us back on time. I have booked with them and hope others from our Roll Call will join. Carnival wants $99/pp from 9-1:30 with no lunch.

[welshcorgie]

Really enjoyed your review! Your son is gorgeous. Looks like he had a great time also.

[mara93]

I'm enjoying your review so much! We're doing this ship and itinerary in September and it's great to hear from someone who actually did it already. I appreciate your sharing and can't wait to see more of it! :)

 

Thanks! Have a great cruise!

 

I have told the operator our times 9-4(will have to be back onboard by 3:30) and they said they will get us back on time. I have booked with them and hope others from our Roll Call will join. Carnival wants $99/pp from 9-1:30 with no lunch.

 

That's great, glad they were able to accommodate your schedule. Enjoy your time with Seavis at Saona, it truly is paradise!

 

Really enjoyed your review! Your son is gorgeous. Looks like he had a great time also.

 

Thanks, I think so, too. :) He had a blast, he keeps asking when he'll be on Funship Freddy again.

 

Will continue with Curacao tonight.

[mara93]

Day 7 - Curacao!

 

Breakfast on Lido

 

Head to the room to grab our stuff & find a hungry Freddy.

 

We pull into Curacao & it's cloudy & raining just a bit.

 

 

Port

 

Cloudy day

[mara93]

Today we have a tour scheduled with Henry Leo Plaate to tour the island & visit Porto Marie Beach.

 

Curacao Port

 

Not everyone shows up for our tour but we head out anyway.

We head out & drive over the Queen Juliana Bridge.

Ship in port

 

Next, we drive through the Floating Market

 

Fresh fruit & veggies

 

Wedding Cake Building in Downtown Willemstad

 

We maneuver out of downtown traffic & head over to the Chobolobo Distillery.

[mara93]

Samples!

 

We're here for a half hour & then we're off again.

Lizard Statue

 

Our next stop is Boka Tabla.

Big Lizard at the entrance. Unfortunately, Gabe refused to mount him.

 

Hiking Trail

Estimates a 15 minute hiking time & that is spot on.

 

First, we head down to the cave. It's impressive, water is so very close & the waves are constantly crashing.

 

Next, we head up to the lookout & watch the crashing waves.

[mara93]

A view of the trail

 

Trail on the way to the lookout point.

 

Lots of lizards here.

 

We're here a short time & then we're off again.

 

Tree that blooms during the dry season.

 

We make a stop at Playa Kenepa Grandi just to view since there aren't any facilities. Beautiful beach!

 

Wish we would've stayed here!

[DEBnGAB]

Magda-You have a beautiful family! We are doing this same itinerary on the Breeze this Nov, except leave Aruba at 4pm and we will be in Curacao late.

 

Love your pictures and review!!

[mara93]

Next, we're off to Porto Marie. Lots of hills here, Gabe said it was like riding a roller coaster. He loved it. (We have no hills/mountains here) Picture taken by our tour guide, Henry.

 

We're here! Porto Marie.

 

Look at the blues!

 

We're starving so we head over to the restaurant & order burgers & beers.

In Curacao, people dip their fries in peanut sauce. Not a fan. Sort of tastes like mexican mole.

 

Service is very fast but the food was just okay. We have to beg for the check & then head off to enjoy the water.

 

Make sure to bring water shoes. The coral here is out of control!

[mara93]

We're not in the water too long when it starts to pour.

 

Unfortunately, it's also time to leave so we all pile back into our bus.

Driving out of Porto Marie we pass by this beautiful church.

 

Next, a stop to see the Salt Marsh Flamingos.

 

Too much going on for the little guy.

 

We head back to the ship & get ready for dinner.

This tour was just okay for us. We really enjoyed Henry but we would've preferred a bit more beach time & a bit less driving time.

 

Downtown Willemstad, pilot boat coming in.

 

Look at that awesome pool.

[mara93]

Magda-You have a beautiful family! We are doing this same itinerary on the Breeze this Nov, except leave Aruba at 4pm and we will be in Curacao late.

 

Love your pictures and review!!

 

Thanks on all counts. Enjoy your cruise, these were great ports.

[Crusin Karen]

Great review and pictures. Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us! :);)

[mss22859]

Excellent review! We are doing the same itinerary in Sept. and can't wait! All your pictures are awesome as well. Grand Turk is the only port that we have already been to.:)

[mara93]

Great review and pictures. Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us! :);)

 

Thanks!

 

Excellent review! We are doing the same itinerary in Sept. and can't wait! All your pictures are awesome as well. Grand Turk is the only port that we have already been to.:)

 

Thanks! Have a great cruise, you will love this itinerary.

[pvteammom]

Thanks so much for the review. My family is leaving Sunday on the 6-night Freedom cruise to Key West, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. We can't wait. Maybe next time we will do the itinerary that you were just on. I enjoyed all of your pictures. Your son is adorable. Thanks again.:)

[mara93]

Thanks so much for the review. My family is leaving Sunday on the 6-night Freedom cruise to Key West, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. We can't wait. Maybe next time we will do the itinerary that you were just on. I enjoyed all of your pictures. Your son is adorable. Thanks again.:)

 

Thanks! Hope you're enjoying your cruise. :)

[willicruise]

Review of our amazing cruise on the Freedom. We had 8 fun filled days. It's hard being home & not having someone cleaning, cooking, pampering me!

 

On this cruise, it's myself, my husband, my 3yr son, & we were accompanied by my DH's BFF & his girlfriend. We flew from O'hare to FLL the day before the cruise & stayed at the Hyatt Place North 17th St. Convention Center. We arrive in FLL around noon and ...

 

The Hotel -

 

Hyatt Place North - 17th St. Convention Center

Chose this hotel because of it's proximity to the Harbor Shops. The convenience of walking to dinner vs. having to catch a cab & head out somewhere convinced us. (Plus, there was an optometrist convention in town & the Embassy Suite rates were ridiculous)

 

Pros

- Complimentary breakfast was good. Bagels/toast/English muffins, cereals, fruit, oatmeal, biscuits/gravy, and tea/coffee.

- Nice pool area although it's due for a scrubbing.

- Employees are extremely helpful.

Proximity to the Harbor Shops.

Free shuttle anywhere within a 5 mile radius if the hotel shuttle is not in use.

- Big, comfortable rooms. A sectional sofa & desk area allow for a nice visiting area.

- Airport Shuttle included.

 

Cons

- All rooms STINK. There is a wet carpet smell in every room.

- Carpets in rooms and hallways are dirty/stained.

- AC units are old & moldy. While switching the knobs around, dirt/dust/mold flew out from the unit in our room. BLECH.

- Showers don't drain.

 

We changed rooms until we found one where the smell didn't overwhelm us.

Head over to the Harbor Shops for lunch & decide on the Lauderdale Grill.

Second mistake. If you're in the area, head over to Joe's Cafe. Better food, better service, and better prices.

Our traveling companions join us around 8pm & we all head out to dinner.

 

Couple of pictures from our 1st day:

 

My son is plane/train obsessed. He's carefully studying the emergency evacuation guide.

 

We've arrived in sunny Florida!

 

Enjoying the pool at the hotel.

 

 

Next up: Embarkation!

Beautiful pictures....How was La Romana and what excursion did you do? You did one with a group of 24?

[mara93]

Thanks!

We did. Seavis in DR & it was amazing, our favorite day.

[lmtrn2001]

Magda,

 

Thank you so much for the review!! We're doing this itinerary in Oct on Valor & can't wait!! The only difference is we're gonna be in Curacao from 2-11 instead of Aruba.

 

Loved the pics & your family is adorable!!