Freedom 2.22.14-8 day St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola,Nassau

[funinthesun1964]

You could just go through Carnival. I'm sure they have an excursion set up and that would get you to the baths.

 

OR - I think you may be able to just get off the ship and take the ferry and pay the fee. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. I am not sure since we went with Dion. And since someone else booked it, I didn't have to check into it. Others could chip in with their ideas.

[funinthesun1964]

One last day on the ship :(

 

We were in Nassau on Saturday, I believed we docked around 11 and left port around 6 or7.

 

Saturday morning, Scott went to the gym in the morning. I blew it off because I felt too tired.

 

We decided to go to breakfast in the dining room. We sat at a large table with other people. It was good and didn't take too long.

 

Here is a view of the dining room, looking towards the entrance from my seat.

 

 

Scott at breakfast

 

 

We still had time before we were in port, so we wandered around the ship.

 

 

 

[funinthesun1964]

 

 

We went back inside for a while.

 

Here is the coffee shop

 

 

Future cruise desk

 

 

Promenade deck. We relaxed and looked out the window for a while.

 

[funinthesun1964]

We decide to go to Lido deck and get an early lunch. Everyone else must have had the same idea. It was packed. I went to the deli and waited in about a 10 minute line. I got pastrami. I also went to another station to get some potato salad. Scott was hungry for pizza. We met back by the pizza place.

I took a couple of photos as we came into port.

 

 

 

After wards, we went back to the cabin to gather our things and get ready to head out to Nassau for the day.

[funinthesun1964]

We decided to go to Junkanoo beach. So we exit the ship, go through the terminal building and start walking the sidewalk. We pass Senor Frogs, neither of us really wanted to go there again. We had been there a few years ago.

 

So we keep walking until we get to Junkanoo.

 

 

The little Tiki bar that is there

 

 

Restrooms there:

 

 

A view of Fat Tuesdays and the ships in the background:

 

[funinthesun1964]

The same lighthouse that everyone else has a picture of, ha!

 

 

 

We find a place that we feel would be okay to sit.

 

 

[funinthesun1964]

View of all the ships in port that day

 

 

 

 

While we were at Junkanoo, Scott noticed a person walking around the beach (a local) with a brightly colored vest on "Security". He commented something about he didn't know of this person would be of much value as a security employee.

 

So as we were sitting on the beach and soaking up some rays, he came to us and asked if we wanted something to drink. It was obvious he was NOT security. LOL! He told me I must try Bahama Mama. $6. Scott got a bucket of beers. He came back a short time later with the drinks and collected our money. We tipped him a couple bucks. He also had mentioned that 3 shots were included. Scott inquired about that and he came back with 3 small cups of some type of rum. It was nice that we didn't have to walk ourselves to one of the places along the beach (the tiki hut or whatever it was called was closest to us). We stayed at this beach for a couple of hours, then decided to leave. Scott wanted some conch so he found a place along the row of small structures that was near the beach. We ate that and then left.

 

ETA: Yes, we did see a couple areas of glass on the beach. I would not walk barefoot there. I cannot comment on the cleanliness of the restrooms there because I did not use them.

Edited March 16, 2014 by funinthesun1964

[funinthesun1964]

Next, we decided to go to Sharkeez.

 

We walked in and went upstairs.

 

 

People had the tables that were in the front (like in a balcony). It would have been fun to sit there and look at all the people on the street walking by.

 

They had one of the local beers here 2 for $6, but they were in a small plastic cup (maybe 8 oz. each).

 

We sat at the end of the bar. You could get drinks here in a yard souvenir cup, same as Senor Frogs.

 

 

When we had enough of that, we went downstairs to their store and looked around.

 

 

After that, we left and went to the straw market. I was taken by the hand as I approached the entrance to the market by a woman, and led to the booth where her colleague sells their wares. It was really sort of awkward. I did end up buying a couple of things for my kids there. I haggled with them on the price, lol.

 

We walked on the street behind and went to a few more shops, just browsing. Then we went back to the ship.

[funinthesun1964]

We had a late dinner that night on the ship in the MDR. I'm sure that is the norm for ATD, though, because of the late sail away time on this itinerary for Nassau.

 

After dinner, we made sure to be at the main Theater for the drawing for a free cruise! While we were at the VIFP (past guest) party on Thursday, they gave us a chance to win a free cruise by purchasing raffle tickets. Scott went to purchase the tickets and we didn't bother looking at them until now.

 

Here is what they looked like.

 

 

 

 

what do you think was next? 324? WRONG!

 

 

No kidding, we were actually jipped a ticket. And I thought for sure that would be the winner!

 

But, no....it wasn't. Not even close. Bummer.

 

So much for this.

 

 

[funinthesun1964]

We really got a kick out of the missing ticket. Provided some laughter.

 

After none of our group won that cruise, we hung our heads and went off about the ship. We always carry off our luggage, but we went packed most of our things to have it ready. I absolutely hate the last night of a cruise. It seems quiet and it is totally different vibe than the day you board the ship. We hung out with our friends some more and I was not in the mood to take any more pictures. We were in bed by about 11:30 because we were so tired.

 

Next day, we all decided to meet for breakfast in the MDR one more time.

Our RS told me that I could leave our carry-ons in the room until we came back from breakfast. I tipped him extra at the time I asked him ;)

 

We were back by 9 am and got our things.

Here is Bo waiting for everyone to gather and leave.

 

 

Ha the hat from the deck party!

 

All six of us left at the same time. We waited a short time to go through customs, maybe 15 minutes in a line.

 

And we were out.

 

 

Susan and Bo were staying another day in the area. They had rented a car. We took a shuttle with them to the rental car place, but it was not the airport.

 

Susan upgraded from a car to an SUV, thinking that would hold 6. But, it was a Jeep Liberty, which will hold 5. We worked it out. It was just a short drive to the airport to drop off Bob and Cheri.

 

 

LOL!

 

We said our goodbyes to Bob and Cheri. Our flight was not scheduled to leave until 4:45. Susan had checked into a banana boat ride and had a groupon offer. We went over to Pompano Beach and she called, but they said they could not do it that day because of the choppy waters.

 

We just parked and walked along the beach for a while.

 

Then, we left and found a Mexican restaurant and had a nice lunch.

 

Bo and Susan dropped us off at the airport and we had plenty of time to get through security and wait for our flight.

 

We were expecting snow back home, so DH panicked and changed our Delta flights from connecting in Atlanta to connecting in Detroit. We were supposed to arrive home (CAK) an hour earlier also. But, in the end, the plane leaving DTW to CAK was late arriving anyway, so we only arrived home 30 minutes earlier. And we never had the snow storm they thought we were getting anyway.

 

Went to work the next day. Vacation is over. :(

 

Thanks for reading along :)

[Pellaz]

* Applause *

 

Great review!

 

What were the fees like at Junkanooo Beach? I'll probably go there in October, IF I leave the ship at all.

 

Was there a long wait to get seated for your late anytime dining after Nassau?

That would be a big crowd....

 

I absolutely hate the last night of a cruise. It seems quiet and it is totally different vibe than the day you board the ship.

 

Yep yep yep. The combination of "we have to leave early tomorrow morning" plus "we have to get our luggage packed and out in the hallway" plus "we can't be up TOO late, right?" is such a joy-killer....

 

Oh, well; there's always the next cruise to look forward to! :)

[funinthesun1964]

* Applause *

 

Great review!

 

What were the fees like at Junkanooo Beach? I'll probably go there in October, IF I leave the ship at all.

 

Was there a long wait to get seated for your late anytime dining after Nassau?

That would be a big crowd....

 

 

 

Yep yep yep. The combination of "we have to leave early tomorrow morning" plus "we have to get our luggage packed and out in the hallway" plus "we can't be up TOO late, right?" is such a joy-killer....

 

Oh, well; there's always the next cruise to look forward to! :)

 

Thank you, glad you liked the review.

 

There is no fee to use Junkanoo Beach; in fact, we walked to the ship and since there is no entrance fee, we just paid for the drinks that we ordered while there. Can't beat it!

 

No, surprisingly, MDR was not busy after Nassau. We went later in the evening, but I'm thinking that others must have done buffet, room service, or ate while they were in Nassau because it was not busy and there was not a wait.

 

And I cannot WAIT until the next one, which will be in October! :D:D

[Beth]

SUPER REVIEW!!!!! Beth

[funinthesun1964]

SUPER REVIEW!!!!! Beth

 

 

Why, thanks! :)

[ScoobySue2]

I finally got a chance to read your review!! I loved it! Great job Brenda. Getting off that ship after 8 days and saying goodbye was the hardest. :(

 

I promise, promise, promise to download my pictures this weekend and I will upload the good ones here.

 

BETH -- I have pictures of the baths when you in them and I will definitley email them to you!! It was soo nice meeting you!

 

We need to plan a get together this summer!!! I mean it!!! Let's at least rent a beach house for an extended weekend. We can play cornhole, drink, and just have a good time. Miss you guys already!

[funinthesun1964]

I finally got a chance to read your review!! I loved it! Great job Brenda. Getting off that ship after 8 days and saying goodbye was the hardest. :(

 

I promise, promise, promise to download my pictures this weekend and I will upload the good ones here.

 

BETH -- I have pictures of the baths when you in them and I will definitley email them to you!! It was soo nice meeting you!

 

We need to plan a get together this summer!!! I mean it!!! Let's at least rent a beach house for an extended weekend. We can play cornhole, drink, and just have a good time. Miss you guys already!

 

Susan! We had another great cruise with you guys. Don't worry about the pictures, when you get to them, you get to them.

 

Yes, we do need to plan a get together. Don't forget -- Scott is the champion in cornhole -- or not. :D LOL

[Sarah@Sea]

Is the aft pool on the Freedom adult only? I know on some ships the aft pools are no longer adult only...wondering about Freedom. Thanks!

[funinthesun1964]

Is the aft pool on the Freedom adult only? I know on some ships the aft pools are no longer adult only...wondering about Freedom. Thanks!

 

I did not see any children around the aft pool on our cruise. However, I didn't see many children on the cruise at all, anywhere. I am not sure if it is officially "adults only".

[Ciardasully]

Exactly where we were standing, there was a coffee shop. I didn't get anything, as I had just had my breakfast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know exactly what a "javachino" is but I really want one.

 

Thanks for sharing. I want to go to Tortola some day!

[jaxie001]

Awesome Review, love the pictures, thanks for sharing!!

[funinthesun1964]

I don't know exactly what a "javachino" is but I really want one.

 

Thanks for sharing. I want to go to Tortola some day!

 

LOL, I don't know if I ever noticed that one before. I'm not sure what it is either. If I do go back, maybe I will get one so I can try it.:)

 

Glad to share, hope you go someday too.

[dswank1985]

I'm sorry if I should know this, but who is "dion"

[funinthesun1964]

I'm sorry if I should know this, but who is "dion"

 

That's ok, Dion was just a private tour operator. He had a boat which we hired to take us to Virgin Gorda and the Baths. Dion was not the person who actually took us; he had someone else do it. We found the information on line and pre-booked this.