LIVE from the Freedom of the Seas * Feb 15, 2015 * Western Caribbean!

[SherriZ366]

Oasis has a new high speed, high bandwidth system in place which is why they were able to drop the prices. Not sure when Freedom and other ships will get the new system.

Hope if they do not have the lower prices next week that they will get them for our May cruise.

[CS-RN]

Lower prices were just introduced on Allure as per a friend who is cruising on the ship. The Internet Speed is much faster and the price is $105 for one device and $140 for two devices for the week. C&A coupons can be applied to the packages. The question for Robyn is whether FR has the older plans or newer plans with faster internet.

 

Yes, I *was* on Freedom on 2/1 post dry dock, they were the same prices that Bob listed from July 2014 as they were on Freedom from 2/1-2/8/15.

[ckrobyn]

Hi everyone :) I have officially set up my internet account, and now I can be sure to post each day! I am surprising myself by how much I am enjoying doing this Live report?!

Sailaway was great today - the weather was perfect, it wasn't windy up on deck 12, and I got to see the Quantum up close and personal! We stayed up on deck 12 for a while before heading down to the cabin to unpack. Our luggage arrived at about 5:00pm, so we were able to change our clothes and freshen up for dinner. We have late seating which is at 8pm on the Freedom.

 

I just came back from the Concierge Lounge where I had the pleasure of meeting Rahul - I have heard great things about him, and he certainly is welcoming and attentive. I picked up my Barefoot Beach Cabana tickets for Labadee - looking forward to enjoying a lovely day floating around on a mat :D

 

I was correct in my earlier post when I said Casey Pelter the CD is not onboard, our CD for this cruise is Belle (I have yet to see her, but have heard her voice because so far there are definitely onboard announcements).

 

I am off to dinner soon, but first I will check out the shops on the Promenade since they are now open!

 

Glad you are enjoying my report :)

[Ourusualbeach]

Hope if they do not have the lower prices next week that they will get them for our May cruise.

 

I have not heard anything mentioned beyond Oasis and Allure getting the new system. It would certainly be nice to have it available on more ships. At that price I would be tempted to get the package.

[ckrobyn]

Thank you! It looks like that is from July 2014 though. There are reports that the rates on Oasis today were significantly less than they were a few weeks ago so I was wondering if they have dropped on Freedom too.

 

No, prices have not dropped.

$229.95 for 2 devices - unlimited (and they will apply your C&A coupon)

$189.95 for 1 device unlimited

$59.95 for 24 hours

[JessyCruises]

No, prices have not dropped.

$229.95 for 2 devices - unlimited (and they will apply your C&A coupon)

$189.95 for 1 device unlimited

$59.95 for 24 hours

 

Thank you!

Jess

[Lionesss]

WOW

 

I took a short break to cook dinner, and then clean up and when I came back 3 pages have passed.

 

Love the pictures.

 

Miss Rahul..................great guy!!!

 

Keep it coming, and yet enjoy!!!!!

 

Safe journey

[BugsyCruiser]

I have not heard anything mentioned beyond Oasis and Allure getting the new system. It would certainly be nice to have it available on more ships. At that price I would be tempted to get the package.

A friend of mine is doing a B2B on Oasis and says the internet is very fast. Hopefully Freedom and the older ships will get this new system as well

[mrsdiznee]

My son and new daughter-in-law are on board this cruise for their honeymoon cruise. They were married yesterday on Valentines Day. I look forward to your live report. I'll enjoy their cruise through your pictures and stories. Hope you have smooth seas and a wonderful cruise! If you hear how many honeymoon couples are on board I would love to know. Thank you so much.

 

 

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[Susie51]

Great review and pictures.

 

How do I get a C&A coupon for the unlimited two device internet package.

 

I am Gold status and will be in a GS.

[SherriZ366]

Hi everyone :) I have officially set up my internet account, and now I can be sure to post each day! I am surprising myself by how much I am enjoying doing this Live report?!

Sailaway was great today - the weather was perfect, it wasn't windy up on deck 12, and I got to see the Quantum up close and personal! We stayed up on deck 12 for a while before heading down to the cabin to unpack. Our luggage arrived at about 5:00pm, so we were able to change our clothes and freshen up for dinner. We have late seating which is at 8pm on the Freedom.

 

I just came back from the Concierge Lounge where I had the pleasure of meeting Rahul - I have heard great things about him, and he certainly is welcoming and attentive. I picked up my Barefoot Beach Cabana tickets for Labadee - looking forward to enjoying a lovely day floating around on a mat :D

 

I was correct in my earlier post when I said Casey Pelter the CD is not onboard, our CD for this cruise is Belle (I have yet to see her, but have heard her voice because so far there are definitely onboard announcements).

 

I am off to dinner soon, but first I will check out the shops on the Promenade since they are now open!

 

Glad you are enjoying my report :)

Robyn -- glad you set up your Internet Account. Too bad prices did not drop but I think we will manage as we have some good OBC.

 

Figured you would like Rahul -- he is fabulous!! Please tell him how much we are looking forward to seeing him next week.

 

Thanks again for your on the spot reporting on embarkation.

Edited February 16, 2015 by SherriZ366

[Buccaneergirl]

We sat at Grill's today for lunch and were freezing in the shade! Lol! I was looking at Freedom and whining the whole time...."but I want to be on a cruise"! Even though we just got off of Brilliance last week.:o

 

We walked to terminal 1 and it is wonderful! The drive thru for the cars, the luggage system overhead, and we walked as far as we could into the terminal and I was in awe.

 

Then we drove over to Quantum and got an up close look. I tried to post a pic here but could not find it, but will try tomorrow. Then we went to a local microbrewery and talked to people that were on Quantum. We knew because of their RCCL bracelets. Sounds like a great ship, but for now Freedom is my fave.

 

Thanks Robin for taking us along on your cruise.:)

[ckrobyn]

What a day! As exciting as it is, cruising is exhausting! :eek:

Dinner was very good. Shipboard food is subjective, and for me it's just fine. I don't have huge expectations, and therefore I am rarely disappointed. I don't often take pictures of food - there are enough people posting food porn!

I just came back from a really good Welcome Aboard show. I will definitely be going to see the late night adults only comedy show - the snipit we got tonight was so funny!

 

As I was walking by the casino it was calling my name.....so was my bed, and guess who won? :o I'm turning in early.....

 

Tomorrow we are at sea and the weather forecast according to the compass is going to be 85 and sunny - sounds perfect :) The Men's International Belly Flop Contest is in the afternoon, and I will be watching for sure!

 

More tomorrow.......

I'm going to scroll back and see if I can answer some questions :p

[ckrobyn]

My son and new daughter-in-law are on board this cruise for their honeymoon cruise. They were married yesterday on Valentines Day. I look forward to your live report. I'll enjoy their cruise through your pictures and stories. Hope you have smooth seas and a wonderful cruise! If you hear how many honeymoon couples are on board I would love to know. Thank you so much.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Congratulations to your family!

I'm sure we will find out how many honeymooners there are onboard at the Love and Marriage Game Show which takes place on Wednesday..

[ckrobyn]

A friend of mine is doing a B2B on Oasis and says the internet is very fast. Hopefully Freedom and the older ships will get this new system as well

 

So far the internet is very fast - hopefully when I upload pictures tomorrow it will still be fast!

[ckrobyn]

Do you know if all the lighting was updated to LED? It may have been to save energy and give a more natural light look. Just curious. Have fun [emoji106] [emoji106] [emoji568]

 

Hmmmm....I'm not sure? :confused:

[PCWalton1]

Hi everyone :) I have officially set up my internet account, and now I can be sure to post each day! I am surprising myself by how much I am enjoying doing this Live report?!

Sailaway was great today - the weather was perfect, it wasn't windy up on deck 12, and I got to see the Quantum up close and personal! We stayed up on deck 12 for a while before heading down to the cabin to unpack. Our luggage arrived at about 5:00pm, so we were able to change our clothes and freshen up for dinner. We have late seating which is at 8pm on the Freedom.

 

I just came back from the Concierge Lounge where I had the pleasure of meeting Rahul - I have heard great things about him, and he certainly is welcoming and attentive. I picked up my Barefoot Beach Cabana tickets for Labadee - looking forward to enjoying a lovely day floating around on a mat :D

 

I was correct in my earlier post when I said Casey Pelter the CD is not onboard, our CD for this cruise is Belle (I have yet to see her, but have heard her voice because so far there are definitely onboard announcements).

 

I am off to dinner soon, but first I will check out the shops on the Promenade since they are now open!

 

Glad you are enjoying my report :)

 

Watch out, live reporting is addictive. I keep saying I am not going to do it again, but I do. :o

[ckrobyn]

Watch out, live reporting is addictive. I keep saying I am not going to do it again, but I do. :o

 

I did a Live a few years ago on the AOS - it was fun, but I didn't have wifi in the cabin, and I didn't have unlimited internet.......huge difference this time knowing I can log in whenever I feel like it :)

 

Truth is, until I typed the title in for this thread, I wasn't 100% convinced I was going to do it. Once people started getting excited about it, so did I....and here I am :D

[Ourusualbeach]

I did a Live a few years ago on the AOS - it was fun, but I didn't have wifi in the cabin, and I didn't have unlimited internet.......huge difference this time knowing I can log in whenever I feel like it :)

 

Truth is, until I typed the title in for this thread, I wasn't 100% convinced I was going to do it. Once people started getting excited about it, so did I....and here I am :D

 

A great first day on board. Looking forward to the rest of the week.:)

[counsdr]

Sleep tight Robyn! Enjoy!

Thanks for doing this live!!

[JamesEM]

Thanks for doing your live review, and Tapatalk is working great for your photos.

[BillOh]

I did a Live a few years ago on the AOS - it was fun, but I didn't have wifi in the cabin, and I didn't have unlimited internet.......huge difference this time knowing I can log in whenever I feel like it :)

 

Truth is, until I typed the title in for this thread, I wasn't 100% convinced I was going to do it. Once people started getting excited about it, so did I....and here I am :D

 

Glad to know we had some persuasive skills. Like you, I rarely take pictures of food and I might be exhausted after embarkation day as well, but hopefully I'll be rested on day 2 to get up and film the sequel to MEET THE ALLURE CHAIR HOGS with meet the Freedom chair hogs. Its something I do :o My wife is a pool/sun addict, me I can only take 2 or 3 hour of it, so I go explore, take pictures, and fetch food or drink for my sun goddess. It was the shot below, captured on Freedom in 2007 that inspired me to become a chair hog documentarian.

 

 

It sounds like your sea day may be a good day for CH hunting. When I was on Freedom in 2008 I didn't have too much trouble finding a chair around the solarium. I know that is where I will be in a couple of months. Enjoy your day.

[niksmom630]

Thanks so much for this live report! Your enthusiasm is definitely contagious, and following along this week will help me get through my final countdown--5 more days until we board!

 

 

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[ckrobyn]

Good Morning everyone! Is it just me, or does even the worst sleeper, have the BEST sleeps on cruise ships??? Last night the ship was rocking perfectly......and I simply drifted off into a relaxed and happy slumber :o

 

It's about 7:45AM as I type this, and true to his word, DH is out on the pool deck sitting in the chair(s) we will occupy all day today, as it is our first sea day. I am quite sure as Bill already mentioned, that the chair hogs will be out in full force by now, but all that will be on their chairs is a towel, flip flops and maybe a book.....not an actual person. Personally speaking, I think chair saving/hogging is rude and unfair behavior. Either sit in your chair or give it to someone else who has circled the pool deck 5 times looking for seating. Okay, rant over...LOL

 

Today's weather looks perfect. Beautiful sunrise (I watched it from bed) and now the sun is coming up strong. The air temp still feels a bit cool - we haven't hit the Caribbean air yet I don't think? I have no idea where we are at this exact moment - one of you likely does, so fill me in :D

 

The Meet and Mingle is scheduled for 10AM in the Olive or Twist lounge. Our roll call was pretty slow and I think we only got 30 registered, and probably only half will show up :rolleyes: This could mean better chances at RCI swag for ckrobyn!!!

 

I'm about to head out to breakfast - aaaaaaah, the first breakfast in the Windjammer - we all have our favorites don't we?

 

More later, and pics too!

[ckrobyn]

Someone asked earlier about reserved seating for suite guests in the WJ. According to Rahul's introduction letter, suite guests can sit in Giovanni's Table for both breakfast and lunch.

I know a lot of people take advantage of this perk, but we never have. We are the weird one's who actually enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Windjammer :rolleyes: