kristi_k1052 Posted July 5, 2018 #1 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Hello! My husband and I will be sailing on the Freedom of the Seas in a couple of weeks. I love reading other people’s trip reports, so I thought I’d try to contribute one of my own. My name is Kristi (39) and my husband is Steve (35). We are from Atlanta, Georgia. We have been on seven Royal Caribbean cruises (Allure,Jewel, Brilliance, Serenade and Liberty x3) and one on Celebrity Solstice. We actually got married on the Liberty of the Seas in 2012, but this will be our first time sailing on Freedom. Our last cruise was on Allure and it was just a little bit too big for us, so I’m looking forward to getting back on a Freedom class ship. We’ve been to most of the Caribbean islands Royal visits, but never to Aruba and Curacao which was our primary reason for selecting this cruise. We are flying from Atlanta to San Juan the evening of Friday, July 20, and staying at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. We’ve stayed at this resort in the past, so it’s our go to when departing out of San Juan. I like to get on the ship as early as possible. I have a Cruise Compass from a June Freedom sailing that looks like the Windjammer and shops open around 11:30 a.m. so we will probably depart the hotel around 10 or 10:30 on Saturday morning. We have the Four Night Dining Package. I bought this several months ago so I cannot quite remember how it works, but I think I was able to pick the first courtesy reservation for day 2 rather than the first night on the ship. I think I signed up for My Time Dining, but we are not big main dining room fans. If I had to guess we will eat at specialty restaurants, Johnny Rockets, the Windjammer or room service each night of the cruise, but we will see! I’ll do my best to still go by and take pictures of the main dining room menus for each day though. I’m the planner in the family. My husband is the opposite and it’s possible he doesn’t even know where we are going on this cruise. He just shows up and goes with it. Needless to say, most of our trip is planned at this point. Here’s a quick rundown of the cruise itinerary and what we have planned for excursions. All of our excursions are through Royal Caribbean. Saturday, July 21 – San Juan Sunday, July 22 - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas – original excursion was cancelled by RC, so nothing planned yet. We’ve been to St. Thomas before, so it’s possible we will stay on the ship. Monday, July 23 – Cruising Tuesday, July 24 – Willemstad, Curacao - Curacao Highlights and Beach Fun excursion Wednesday, July 25 – Oranjestad, Aruba - Sailaway Beach and Snorkel Cruise excursion Thursday, July 26 – Cruising – Bottomless Galley Brunch Friday, July 27 – Basseterre, St. Kitts - St. Kitts Catamaran Sail & Nevis Beach Getaway excursion Saturday, July 28 – San Juan I’m not sure if I’ll post a review each day on the ship or do a full review after we depart. I do plan on getting a Surf and Stream package but haven’t purchased it yet. I think it’s cheaper if I wait until I get on the ship, but I could be wrong?? It’s showing in the Cruise Planner at $12.59 per day right now. Currently, I’m working on our packing list and buying any last-minute items we need. The planner in me has to resist the urge to start packing this far out, so I’m just pulling the clothes we need into the spare closet at this point. Let me know if you have any questions about Freedom of the Seas or this itinerary and I’ll try to get the information/take pics for you while onboard. 16 days!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prekteacher Posted July 5, 2018 #2 Share Posted July 5, 2018 We will be getting off Freedom after our first B2B on her from July 7-21. I look forward to reading your review and thoughts of her when you get back. Enjoy your cruise! Barbara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox02554 Posted July 5, 2018 #3 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Currently, I’m working on our packing list and buying any last-minute items we need. The planner in me has to resist the urge to start packing this far out, so I’m just pulling the clothes we need into the spare closet at this point. Excuse me , but it's NEVER to early to start packing :'):'):') we're on the freedom in Feb 2019 and I'm already putting things together SaveSave SaveSave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ella2 Posted July 7, 2018 #4 Share Posted July 7, 2018 I'm on the same cruise! :D Typically the pre-cruise costs for VOOM are LOWER than onboard...I always buy it in advance. So I would recommend jumping on the deal now, if it is discounted. I've done the Caribbean multiple times as well, and have sailed on Freedom several times, but like you...Aruba and Curacao are new ports for us. Looking forward to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breezy_carol Posted July 7, 2018 #5 Share Posted July 7, 2018 Looking forward to reading your review. Our first cruise was on Freedom in 2014 out of Port Canaveral. We loved it. I am interested in the southern Caribbean itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchin Posted July 7, 2018 #6 Share Posted July 7, 2018 Look forward to your review! Will be sailing Freedom again next June, can't wait! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliciam Posted July 21, 2018 #7 Share Posted July 21, 2018 I'm sailing on Freedom in October, and can't wait to hear about your trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EeyoreRN Posted July 21, 2018 #8 Share Posted July 21, 2018 Oh, wow, you're embarking today! Bon voyage! Can't wait to read more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpdog42 Posted August 2, 2018 #9 Share Posted August 2, 2018 What Happened to the Report? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobNoxious Posted August 2, 2018 #10 Share Posted August 2, 2018 Please post lots of pictures of the ship including all public areas and the embarkation area at San Juan. Also looking to hear how lively the passengers are... and the nightlife. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpdog42 Posted August 7, 2018 #11 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Please post lots of pictures of the ship including all public areas and the embarkation area at San Juan. Also looking to hear how lively the passengers are... and the nightlife. Thanks! Bob, Not sure if we are going to get that report or pics.:confused:.. would be nice if the Op would pop back in to let us know they were busy and it would be coming but nothing after 10 days and haven't actively posted anything since july the 4th....Really hoping for some info on the Curcauo Highlights and Bottomless Galley tour!!! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DISFANS3 Posted August 14, 2018 #12 Share Posted August 14, 2018 We were on the Freedom last Jan out of FLL, awesome trip. Next RCI cruise will be also on the Freedom out of San juan March 2019. First time sailing out of San Juan, 8 months out starting to look at the packing list now.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayehall Posted August 14, 2018 #13 Share Posted August 14, 2018 What is a bottomless galley tour? We are sailing her in January 2019. Can't wait for your review!!! Hope you had a fabulous cruise:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc_redhead Posted August 14, 2018 #14 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Freedom was our very first cruise ever and will always bring about fond memories. Hope your trip went well and would love to hear your opinions of the ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmarlic Posted August 15, 2018 #15 Share Posted August 15, 2018 I'm interested in your review of the Curacao excursion. Thant's the one I'm leaning toward for my cruise in November. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furryfamily5 Posted August 28, 2018 #16 Share Posted August 28, 2018 I'm interested in your review of the Curacao excursion. Thant's the one I'm leaning toward for my cruise in November. When my husband and I went on a cruise at the beginning of the year - we stopped in Curacao .. we actually walked into town and talked with couple offering a tour -- got our tourist stuff done and ran back to the ship to put in our room and then back out to meet the bus -- was far less expensive then the ship excursion -- I think it was $30 for both of us .. we took a bus and they showed us some highlights of city - stopped at a curacao liqueur distillery - and then stopped at some high point that overlooked the oil finery - and a bay - (drove through a couple different areas to show us different levels of living) - and then dropped us at the beach - where we did some snorkelling and sunning for the rest of the day - then picked us back up and took us to the ship .. was a great day ... sorry for the vagueness .. but it was well worth taking the chance and doing ourselves .. we felt very safe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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