Freedom June 9: Fun with a Ring, Seasickness, Pulled Hamstring & Bruises

[April-in-NC]

Saturday: Sea Day

 

Today we wanted to try to avoid the sun since we were still pink from Grand Cayman (at least the pain had decreased) so we scoured the Compass for activities that would mostly be inside.

 

We did the open skate in Studio B for a few minutes just to say we did it. I'm horribly uncoordinated when my feet leave the ground so I held on to the side the whole time. I only lasted one lap but Andy did a few more.

 

 

 

Then we went back to the Flowrider for awhile (we stayed longer than anticipated). They had the divider up so two people could go at one time.

 

 

 

We both ended up with bruised knees from wiping out a few times. Nothing to bad but it was a fun battle scar to acquire. lol

 

Around 1:00 we dried off and headed to the Windjammer for lunch. It was crowded but much better than earlier in the week. We then went and showered before heading to the Beatles show at 3:00.

 

 

 

The Beatles show was MUCH better than Marquee. Good song selection and variety and I'm not a huge fan of the Beatles to begin with...

[April-in-NC]

At 4:30 I had a cupcake decorating class that I almost backed out of because of the cost. I had a feeling it was overpriced, but I decided it would be fun.

 

I can't remember what Andy did during this time but I'm pretty sure he went to the casino...

 

The class was full and we were going to make the Puppy Cupcake. I have no artistic talent but I was pretty proud of how mine turned out!

 

The starting supplies:

 

 

About 1/3 finished:

 

 

About 2/3 finished:

 

 

Final Product:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/AprilHoward/Freedom%20of%20the%20Seas%20June%202013/DSC05186.jpg

 

The professional one in the case for comparisson purposes...

 

 

 

I also bought a "Manly Breakfast" cupcake for Andy because he LOVES bacon. I tried it and it wasn't to my taste but he liked it.

 

[SWManiac]

How far, would you say, was Alberto's from the dock? Definitely want to check them out this September!!

[April-in-NC]

Debarkation/Flight Home

 

Getting off the ship was pretty easy. We had number 21 and were supposed to be called at 9:30. They called our number a little bit after 9:00. Customs was a bit slow (only one agent working) but not the horror stories I had been hearing about.

 

We used Happy Hour Shuttle to take us back to the Melbourne airport. They were very professional and we ended up in a private van for $60 plus tip. The driver was great about keeping in touch during the debarkation process and keeping us updated about his location as he was waiting to be let into the port area. I would use them again in a heartbeat.

 

We were going to have a long day waiting in airports but we were able to get seats on earlier flights for $50 each (stand by fee). We got home at 4:00 and our original flight was not scheduled to leave Melbourne until 3:30. The $100 was worth it to get home that much earlier.

 

Final Thoughts:

 

Ship

 

This is my favorite ship so far out of my brief cruising history. There was a ton of stuff to do and space to do nothing if you wanted to. The staff was amazing and everyone was very helpful when I was sick.

 

Itinerary

 

I loved our stops and I would go back and visit them all again. Jamaica was a big surprise for me because of my poor first experience and the reports of being harassed by locals at the Falls, our experience was great!

 

Food/New Menu

 

I was pretty unimpressed by the food in the MDR. It wasn't horrible, but I didn't care for a lot of the spices/flavors they chose to highlight (personal taste I'm sure). I was also sick for a good part of the week, so maybe with a normal stomach it would have been different.

 

Desserts were still "blah" not enough chocolate too much gelatin base.

 

My favorites were the french fries in the Windjammer, Johnny Rocket's and the French Onion Soup.

 

Now I'm going to put my planning abilities into our wedding. :) If anyone has any questions let me know.

 

More pictures are posted at: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/AprilHoward/library/Freedom%20of%20the%20Seas%20June%202013

[April-in-NC]

How far, would you say, was Alberto's from the dock? Definitely want to check them out this September!!

 

It was several miles to the downtown location, I would NOT walk it if you dock at the International Pier. They have a beach location somewhere, but I'm not sure which pier it is closest to.

 

The taxi ride is $8 (1-4 people) so I would just grab a cab unless you are already downtown for another activity.

[SWManiac]

It was several miles to the downtown location, I would NOT walk it if you dock at the International Pier. They have a beach location somewhere, but I'm not sure which pier it is closest to.

 

The taxi ride is $8 (1-4 people) so I would just grab a cab unless you are already downtown for another activity.

 

Thanks! A cab it is!! :)

[sunsetbeachgal]

Enjoyed your review...we are considering a cruise that stops in Falmouth which I have never been to (Have stopped in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios several times before) so followed your link from the Jamaica board.

 

Congratulations!