LIVE - Freedom of the Seas Transatlantic - Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale - Oct 22-Nov 5

[Newbcruiser1]

There was a special menu which was fabulous!

 

 

 

I had the lentil soup:

 

 

The chateaubriand was amazing - best meal on the ship so far!

 

 

And the dessert which was a chocolate liqueur tart and a mini creme brûlée!

 

 

After lunch I changed into my swimsuit and lounged poolside before taking a dip. I was lucky enough to get a front row seat in the shade when I arrived!

 

I later enjoyed a free diamond margarita from the pool bar!

 

 

 

 

 

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[Newbcruiser1]

I went to the 7:00 ice show - FreedomIce.com. As is typical for RCI, the skaters were fantastic, although the costumes, music, and plot made me wonder what the creators of the show were smoking! Lol!

 

 

 

 

Dinner last night was in the MDR. Unfortunately the menu left something to be desired, so I asked for the kid's menu!

 

 

 

Every night we get several cheese plates at the table which one of my tablemates requested early on in the cruise.

 

 

 

 

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[Newbcruiser1]

I started with the gravlox which was delicious although tiny:

 

 

Then had a shrimp cocktail (which I later realized wasn't on the menu as it usually is - possibly just an accidental omission).

 

For my main course, I ordered the kids chicken fingers and fries. Imagine my surprise when none of my American tablemates knew what I was talking about when I asked for Plum sauce!!! Neither did my waiter but he did find me some delicious sweet chili sauce!

 

 

Dessert was the banana caramel mousse. It was kind of gelatinous and weird, so I ended up ordering a coffee ice cream.

 

 

It was Caribbean night around the ship so all of the crew were dressed in Hawaiian or floral shirts. They also did some music and dancing in the MDR on the staircase. For the last song, my favourite, Danza Kuduro, they had the guests join them for the dance. That was THE most lively thing I've seen on this ship... and on any ship's MDR! The stairs were packed, the balconies all the way around were packed, and people were having a blast!

 

 

After dinner was the Love and Marriage gameshow. Unlike most cruises, the couple's seemingly had no idea what they were signing up for, there were no recent newlyweds, and they clearly did not rehearse their answers. It was somewhat dry and awkward to watch!

 

I then wandered around the ship for a bit before turning in for the night - frustrated at the lack of internet all day! [emoji849]

 

 

 

 

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[Newbcruiser1]

Today is day 9, and day 2 of 7 sea days as we cross the Atlantic! As you can see, the cruise compass was once again jam-packed with activities!

 

 

 

 

 

I woke up bright and early at 8:23 - or so I thought when I looked at the phone! The time changed back another hour last night, and I made sure to change my watch before bed. I set my wake-up call for 8:20am. For whatever reason, it hadn't rung when I got up at 8:23! Nonetheless, I got up and dressed and ready for the day. I then looked at my watch and it said 7:56. Wait... whaaaaat?! Did I turn it back an extra hour by accident in my juggling of 3 watches? I went back to look at the phone and it now said 7:56! Uh oh! Turned out they hadn't changed the time on the phones until the morning while I was getting dressed, so I inadvertently got up earlier than planned!

 

So off I went to the MDR for breakfast - this time on deck 5, where it's a la carte. I ordered the smoked salmon plate with a bagel, and the fruit. Unfortunately there were no capers with the smoked salmon but it was otherwise great!

 

 

 

 

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[tb4]

Great idea to order off the kids menu. Will remember that if I'm ever stuck

 

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[breezy_carol]

Great idea to order off the kids menu. Will remember that if I'm ever stuck

 

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Once on Grandeur there were no desserts I wanted so, after reading about it on CC, I ordered a kids brownie sundae and it was yummy.

[JessyCruises]

Imagine my surprise when none of my American tablemates knew what I was talking about when I asked for Plum sauce!!! Neither did my waiter but he did find me some delicious sweet chili sauce!

 

I am pretty sure Americans call Plum Sauce "Duck Sauce". Anytime I ever get Chinese Takeout in the US, that is what is written on the little packets.

 

I am really enjoying your review! We are going on the freedom at the end of November :)

[Clarea]

Once on Grandeur there were no desserts I wanted so, after reading about it on CC, I ordered a kids brownie sundae and it was yummy.

It's unfortunate that many times that brownie thing is the best dessert offered in the MDR.

[Newbcruiser1]

After breakfast I lounged poolside for about half an hour. I watched the aqua aerobics in the "wave pool" (looked exhausting with the waves!), and the beginning of the morning dance aerobics class. Unfortunately they did not play high energy music in the background which to me, is part of the enjoyment of dance fitness classes like Zumba and whatnot.

 

 

I then headed down to Studio B for my backstage tour (diamond perk). Unfortunately there was not much to see backstage other than a small room on either side with costumes and skates. It is incredible that the 10 skaters and other crew can fit in there at a time for costume changes and whatnot! We also learned many interesting facts about Studio B and the ice/shows. Fun fact - the medical crew are on-call for emergencies during the ice shows, and even know which tricks the skaters perform and what time! This was mentioned specifically in reference to the tricks where the male skater holds the female by her skates and swings her around with her head coming dangerously close to the ice on each turn. Fortunately the ice manager said she has never seen any incidents with that; however, she did once witness her ice captain do a backflip and land wrong and smashed his face on the railing. That was the only time the show has been cancelled altogether in her time onboard the ships.

 

They were setting up for Master Sea Chef while we were on the stage talking to the ice manager.

 

 

The costumes:

 

 

 

Encouraging messages from past to future ice teams, and signatures on the wall in the dressing rooms:

 

 

 

 

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[anthNY]

Following!

 

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[Newbcruiser1]

After the tour, I grabbed a mocha frappuccino from the Promenade Cafe, and then met a friend for the Master Sea Chef competition. Thank you to my fellow CC members who told me I should go! It was fun! There were 8 officers participating - everyone from the captain and staff captain, to the chief engineer and bar manager. They each had to make 3 plates with a collection of obscure ingredients, in 15 minutes. The judges included the hotel director and 2 passengers who had to taste each dish. The captain already got kicked off today. There will be several more competitions over the next few days, with 2 officers eliminated per day.

 

 

It was then off to lunch in the MDR with a fellow CC member. I started with the salad bar, then realized they had a massive bowl of shrimp over on the buffet table, so I added some with cocktail sauce:

 

 

I then hit the pasta station. Unfortunately it took forever, because there was only 1 chef and 1 hot plate. They should really double up to keep the hungry people moving along!

 

 

Next I went to change and hit the pool. I got a great front row seat in the shade once again. I read for a while, went for a dip in the pool, then in the hot tub, and enjoyed a mudslide.

 

 

I later picked up a margarita and headed out to the helipad to watch the sunset. It was THE perfect end to my pre-dinner day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Spa girl nana]

You have had a nice variety of adult beverages, are they all included in the diamond coupons loaded on the seapass?

[Newbcruiser1]

You have had a nice variety of adult beverages, are they all included in the diamond coupons loaded on the seapass?

 

 

 

The mudslide was not part of the diamond coupons. Frozen drinks are NOT included but I had a nice bartender that tossed my margarita in the blender for me since I prefer frozen. That was a 1-off occurrence though! :)

 

 

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[Newbcruiser1]

 

Unfortunately it was only a partial sunset due to the clouds!

 

 

 

It was the second formal night (of 3). Luckily the menu was great!

 

 

I started with the calamari:

 

 

And the gazpacho (which was delicious!!!):

 

 

 

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[Newbcruiser1]

And the tomato Greek salad (also amazing!):

 

 

Then the lamb chops for my main course - also amazing:

 

 

And for dessert I had the baklava (a little soggy):

 

 

And some blueberries and blackberries which I put in a special request for! [emoji6]

 

 

After dinner I went to check out the "Hush!" Silent party in the Viking Crown Lounge. It was actually quite fun! It was hilarious to watch without headphones, and nice to be able to select the music that you wanted to dance to! I stayed for a little over an hour before turning in for the night!

 

 

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[Newbcruiser1]

Welcome to day 10 onboard the beautiful Freedom of the Seas! Today is the 3rd of 7 sea days, and is also Halloween!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Our current position:

 

 

 

 

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[Newbcruiser1]

Unfortunately we are stuck in this "non-tropical depression" today and tomorrow, so it is expected to rain for the next two days.

 

 

The ship is rocking quite a bit today - mostly a side-to-side jerking motion rather than actual swaying.

 

I am currently enjoying breakfast in the Windjammer. They had this fabulous Halloween display out:

 

 

 

The crew fire drill just ended with the captain dismissing the crew from their outdoor muster stations saying "it's raining outside! Please go inside! You're dismissed!".

 

Given the weather, I will likely be inside for most of the day, which means I might participate in more shipboard activities. It's too bad that the Freedom class ships do not have an enclosed solarium.

 

Coming up later - Master Sea Chef #2, and the Halloween costume parade and party tonight! Word on the street is that many passengers will be dressing up in elaborate costumes!

 

Stay tuned for more!

 

 

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[Gordo]

Really enjoying your review and fabulous pictures!!

 

I look forward to seeing some Halloween costume photos.

[Pia1913]

Great idea to order off the kids menu. Will remember that if I'm ever stuck

 

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I am a very picky eater so most of my meals are from the kids menu. Not only on RCI but other lines as well. Bring on the chicken fingers! :D Don't know about plum sauce; my choice is honey mustard.

[RM]

Great review so far. We were on Freedom last Halloween so you should have a blast. Can't wait to see the pics.

[pamela27]

I am a very picky eater so most of my meals are from the kids menu. Not only on RCI but other lines as well. Bring on the chicken fingers! :D Don't know about plum sauce; my choice is honey mustard.

 

I am glad that I am following this review, my daughter who is 21 lived on chicken breast for 14 nights. We never knew that we could order from the kids menu. Great idea, I might order the chicken fingers for myself one evening..😁

[maryjaden]

Thank you for the awesome review so far. Someday I am hoping to do a TA.

[Newbcruiser1]

Thanks for following along, everyone!

 

For those who are picky eaters, I am told that the chicken breast on the every night alternative menu is great, although I haven't tried it myself!

 

 

 

 

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[Newbcruiser1]

After breakfast I went to Master Sea Chef, round 2! They once again were presented with very random ingredients and had to use all of them in their dishes. According to one of the passenger judges that I saw after, they all tasted nasty! Haha! But what do you expect when presented with roast beef, curry, pineapple, and cherries as some of the ingredients?!

 

 

 

I then joined some CC friends for lunch in the MDR. As I had just had breakfast a few hours earlier, I wasn't hungry but the MDR lunches beat the Windjammer any day, so we had to get in before they closed! They once again had a small hot buffet, the tutti salad bar, chocolate fountain, and this time, a crepe station. Some had asked me if the MDR menu changes at lunch time. It seems that there are a few different menus that they rotate between.

 

I had the avocado corn salad off the menu which was great:

 

 

And some crepes. Unfortunately they ran out of strawberry sauce, and when they brought out a new dish of it, it was frozen in a lump!

 

 

There was an alpha alpha alpha call while I was at lunch, in a stateroom. I hope the person is okay - the middle of the Atlantic can't be a good place for a medical emergency...

 

I took a walk down the Promenade deck after lunch and it was extremely windy and wet from ocean spray.

 

 

 

 

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[AntsInMyPants79]

And the tomato Greek salad (also amazing!):

 

 

Then the lamb chops for my main course - also amazing:

 

 

And for dessert I had the baklava (a little soggy):

 

 

And some blueberries and blackberries which I put in a special request for! [emoji6]

 

 

After dinner I went to check out the "Hush!" Silent party in the Viking Crown Lounge. It was actually quite fun! It was hilarious to watch without headphones, and nice to be able to select the music that you wanted to dance to! I stayed for a little over an hour before turning in for the night!

 

 

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I'm so excited for the silent dance party!

 

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