!*! FREEDOM !*! Southern Caribbean 6/22/14 -Heavy on photos of 2.0 upgrades & menu

[Momma1980]

Looking forward to more of this review! Hurry back;)

[oncruisecontrol]

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Looking out the tour bus window to the channel that separates the Punda side from the Otrabanda side. You can see the Queen Emma bridge in the distance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Did you take this picture from the Queen Juliana Bridge?

[cruisingbajan]

The more food porn the better I say!!:D

 

Great review and pics...keep them coming (food pics too);)

[momof3cruisers]

I am loving your review. One of the best I have read. Really appreciate all the 2.0 pics. There's not much out there yet and I've been dying to see pics as we sail the Freedom in adec. Thank you!

[CleveCruiser]

Can't wait for you to finish!! Loving this. My fiancé and I are sailing Freedom September 6th, different ports but love to see pictures of the new upgrades!!

 

 

P.S. If anyone is on the September 6th Sailing Eastern Caribbean join the roll call!

 

Thanks.... going to tear into another day right now!

 

Looking forward to more of this review! Hurry back;)

 

Here it comes; had a pesky graduation party to plan and attend! LOL

[CleveCruiser]

LOVING your review!!! Thanks for taking the time to do it!

 

I can't stop laughing at your Robert(o) pics, because in my head I hear Bobby Bouche from the Waterboy talking about his daddy- Roberto! He even looks like him!!! He's going to get the dehydration!!!

 

Thanks again!

 

Thank you...I really did think his name was Roberto for half the day ! My sister had to correct me; to late by then!

 

Thanks for the great review and pictures. We are sailing the Freedom in September can't wait.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Thank you; Jealous yours is still coming up. Have a great time!

[CleveCruiser]

Did you take this picture from the Queen Juliana Bridge?

 

Yes, the driver (Sylvan) was nice enough to go slow for many photo ops!

[CleveCruiser]

The more food porn the better I say!!:D

 

Great review and pics...keep them coming (food pics too);)

 

Thanks... I love the food porn too, but man...It was overload when I was looking through it! I will add a bit more in though! Thx.

 

I am loving your review. One of the best I have read. Really appreciate all the 2.0 pics. There's not much out there yet and I've been dying to see pics as we sail the Freedom in adec. Thank you!

 

Thanks...Had not been on Freedom before; but I knew what was new on the ship for 2.0 . What I don't know is .. What else did the change, carpeting here.... statue there? IDK! Would be curious to get some feedback on that. It sure was in good shape, I'll tell you that. :)

[CleveCruiser]

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Day 6: June 27- Aruba

 

8:30 – Docking.

 

 

A picture of the starboard side of the ship as we docked.

 

 

Deck 10 with my niece, and then we got a bit of breakfast on the Lido. Omelet station, very good.

 

Lido Buffet Breakfast. I must agree with other cruisers.. The scrambled eggs are not the best ..

 

 

 

 

But there is something for everyone..

 

 

 

 

9:30 – Everyone is up, and ready to leave.

 

 

10:00 – Bus terminal. The Arubus public bus terminal is right at the end of the street that the pier is on. It is very, very easy to use. There is a kiosk right there that will sell you an “Out and Back” pass. For $US 4 they will take you out to the beach and take you back to the terminal. You can pay the driver, but then you have to deal with change and it is $US 2.30 each way. We wanted to save that 60 cents and bought the pass. We told the driver when we got on that we wanted Palm beach and he called out “Palm beach”! Was worried about this, but it was so very easy.

 

 

The shops in the background are just at the end of the block that the pier is on. Very close.

 

 

 

We were dropped off across from the Hyatt Regency Aruba (there are two stops for Palm Beach). There is a driveway to the left of the Hyatt that leads to Palm Beach. At the end of the driveway there were a couple of locals trying to sell tours and activities (and I mean like….two people!). But we spotted Sandra (Sondra ?sp) from a review by Paul Medic (thanks Paul!) and headed right over to her. We told her she was just the lady we needed! She has a large canopy, Marcel’s Watersports. We rented 4 chairs at $5 each - free on the palapa (should have been $15) but she was tickled we told her she was famous.

 

[CleveCruiser]

What? a tie in my photo? I hoped you wouldn't notice.

That was placed there to protect the identity of a certain family member who will disown me if I post certain pics of her! :)

 

 

 

 

This location is right by Pete’s Pier with a bar, concession stand, and water sports-- including a Water jet pack- very cool. There are some bars here, and Sandra told us that the Dairy Queen across the street had the best smoothies! She let the girls use any beach toys she had.

 

 

 

 

 

The beach is lovely, soft white sand and palm trees. There was a light, steady breeze that kept it cool. Relatively cool-for the Caribbean! The snorkeling is poor as the water is so stirred up. Quite a bit of seaweed grass. It is a crowded area, but not so crowded that you could not enjoy the view and relax.

 

 

 

11/11:30 – Sandra set us up with a jet ski ride. I think it was $60 for single and $70 for double jet ski for 30 minutes. Half of the fun was the boat ride to the bay where the jet skis were! An extra thrill for your money. Hubby had a single and I took the two younger girls with me on a double (everyone else just chilled at the beach). I took turns letting the girls drive (scary! But fun). They didn’t seem too happy that I was switching out girls, but they dealt with it.

 

 

 

 

Gorgeous Aruba; one be happy island!

 

 

 

 

There were little snails and shells to explore while we waited for the return ride.

 

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[CleveCruiser]

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DH loves jet skis. He doesn't ask for much out of vacation, a cold beer, and a jet ski ride...It's the least 6 fellow (women) travelers can do for him!

 

 

 

 

 

12:30 – Palm Beach; came back to the others who were sipping on yummy margaritas made with rum instead of tequila from the “Beach Bar,” happy hour- called Caipirinah. Headed over there for a one of my own! And a local beer called “Chill.” Learned that Dushi=sweet, and bon bini=welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That is a beautiful place to have a cold drink...

 

 

 

 

 

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[CleveCruiser]

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1-1:30 – Hyatt pool. Scuttled on over to the Hyatt Regency pool. Very nice. A three-tiered pool with waterfalls and a slide. At the top there was the path from the hotel and parrots in cages along the walkway; and at the bottom a swim up bar. Very swanky! They had many Palapas and canopies on the beach for their guests. Security was noticeable and polite.

 

 

 

Not sure that is the best place for a baby seat! A restaurant at the Hyatt.

 

 

 

 

Sorry I didn't get a better snap, we were having too much fun here!

 

 

 

 

Parrots on the walkway to hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[CleveCruiser]

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2:20 – Bus. 2:00 we decided to head back, as the buses run every 30 minutes. So easy, again. Used our pass to return (got to keep it as a souvenir).

 

 

On the bus back, we got some shots of Eagle Beach, obviously much quieter. And also a beautiful choice for a beach in Aruba.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2:40 – Dock. A whole row of shops at port, next to bus terminal. Mostly all the same items seen elsewhere, but prices were better. Some creative tin art. Inexpensive embroidered bags. T-shirts and saris. Not pushy people, very pleasant.

 

 

 

 

3:10 – Gangway. Short line to get back on board, thankfully in the shade. No cold water out for drinking, perhaps it has to be 99 degrees before that bring out that delicious brown cooler of ice water.

 

 

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[CleveCruiser]

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Oops; forgot this one. This is in the terminal building. It looks like it might have been a float, now on display.

 

 

 

 

4:15 – everyone showered/ready for past guest party! This was our first, as this cruise made us Gold level. Many, many yummy drinks, okay…I got a little tipsy. We definitely had more than our fair share. We sat to the right of the stage (conveniently right by the door to the bar-Super Free Inebriated tip #1). No show by the Captain. Skip, announced the VIP staffers, shook the hand of Diamond guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They called this "cheesecake". It was a spicy thing, not a sweet thing; good.

 

 

 

 

Salmon

 

 

 

 

Tuna?

 

 

 

?

 

 

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[CleveCruiser]

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Yummy...

 

 

 

 

5:30 – fun walk to stateroom “woops” to get ready for dinner.

 

5:45 – Chic dining Room, boy Alex seemed exshtra, really funny tonight! Everyone is used to being forced to wait again while I snapped food shots…

 

 

 

 

Chicken tenders marinated in thai spice

 

 

 

 

Vine ripe beefsteak tomatoes and mozzarella

 

 

 

 

 

Cinnamon pumpkin, squash, yam, and cheddar cheese pie

 

 

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[CleveCruiser]

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Roast turkey (the stuffed dark meat; not so good...very garlic-y)

 

 

 

 

Petite filet mignon

 

 

 

 

Lasagna bolognese

 

 

 

I do not know what happened to dessert... either we skipped or I didn't take pics? weird...

 

 

7:15 – Victoriana Theater. Seth opens the show with some talk and requests, they have papers to “vote” on the final song of the show; Manilow, Croce, and someone else. We stuffed the ballot box with Croce and Manilow won (later…we learn something about this at the Behind the Fun tour). Another smash Playlist Production show. The stage is spinning, pianos are elevating, backgrounds are flashing; impressive.

 

 

 

 

8:00 – Stateroom; chatting with family. Everyone is burned out from four port days in a row and activities in Aruba. Some folks are ready for bed…DH and I are not.

 

 

10:00 – International Lounge for comedians Joe Marloti and Mark Hawkins. Some very funny comedians. Can’t relate much of the humor here (just know that a lot of it involved the oldest profession in the world), but funny.

 

 

10:50 – Guess where….Scotts Piano bar. Hey, it is just 10 steps away from comedy lounge! Seth is playing “All of me” by John Legend, and playing it very well. All the dancers from the show are in the room. On the nights they do the “88 Keys” show, they come here after the show and continue the fun. It was great, they added a whole new spin to the piano bar. I love this idea. It was very crowded though! This show was supposed to be earlier in the week, and I am sure more people would have been at the piano bar earlier in the cruise, and after this, it was more crowded each evening.

 

 

 

Ask dreamy Seth and his “adult act.” Ask him to sing the “Cougar” song, and “Dear pen, I don’t think I like you anymore.”

 

 

11:30 – leaving Seth for bed. He was sad.

 

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[hancogran]

At the front of the ship, on deck 10...it looks like it ends in a room, but the hallway splits off and there is a door to .... beautiful vistas! Enjoy.

 

And also on Decks 6 and 7 on Freedom too! ;) Same thing...go to the very front of the ship and the door is there. We had a 4J on deck 6 with a window that looks on to the secret deck.

[pungo3]

Wow!!! What a great review. I leave one week from today on the Freedom and you have me so excited, I can barely sleep. Thanks so much for posting this.

[arya stark]

This is the best review ever! I feel like I was there with you!

[beachbratt]

Loving your review and pics...we are sailing Oct 5th same itinerary what time was happy hour at the bar on Beach in Aruba? and the use of the pool at the Hyatt did u have to pay for that ?

[Singer4Him]

 

Warm fig date and cinnamon cake

 

 

 

 

This was one of my favorite desserts when we sailed aboard the Conquest last year! Yummy!

[Singer4Him]

Now a CD will not make or break a cruise for me, but they certainly can enhance it. It felt like Skip was saying the same exact lines... during the same exact show... at the same exact time... as last week... He was not bad, just not….good. I guess I was spoiled by “K”arl on the last cruise (he was very visible and hosted many fun things, like the THRILLER dance class). Like I said, he did not impact my fun, but he did not enhance it either. Hope I didn't come across as mean... Just laying it out there...my opinion on Skip.

 

Any idea if Skip will still be CD in August? Is there a list somewhere to see who the CD's will be for various ships? Our first CD was Big Tex and it's hard to top him! :)

[CleveCruiser]

This is the best review ever! I feel like I was there with you!

 

 

Thanks, much appreciated.

 

Loving your review and pics...we are sailing Oct 5th same itinerary what time was happy hour at the bar on Beach in Aruba? and the use of the pool at the Hyatt did u have to pay for that ?

 

The happy hour seemed pretty ambiguous! It perhaps was a marketing thing, 'cause I did not see times posted anywhere. We were there from 12-2 if that helps you. The bar was to the right of the Hyatt as you look at the beach.

 

The access to the Hyatt was off the main walkway on the beach. There was no way to pay, it was just a path.

[CleveCruiser]

Wow!!! What a great review. I leave one week from today on the Freedom and you have me so excited, I can barely sleep. Thanks so much for posting this.

 

What an exciting time...it is so close! Have a great trip. :)

 

Any idea if Skip will still be CD in August? Is there a list somewhere to see who the CD's will be for various ships? Our first CD was Big Tex and it's hard to top him! :)

 

I don't think it will be Skip. I know they are making a lot of changes with the new entertainment director position. Perhaps this is a question you can ask on John Healds blog or FB page?

[CleveCruiser]

This was one of my favorite desserts when we sailed aboard the Conquest last year! Yummy!

 

It was good, the ice cream that was served with it was very good too :)