Live from Freedom's 11/19 W. Carib. Thanksgiving Cruise!

[bwaz]

Melissa, I am so sorry the weather is not going your way. We just got back from the FOS sailing of 11/12 - it was fabulous and the weather was fine right up until the last afternoon. If you are in a suite, take advantage of the Concierge Lounge, on Deck 10. It is a quiet classy place for appetizers and hot canapes, and (free!) liquor from 5 to 8, and continental breakfast, and round the clock free expresso/cappacino/latte. Also DVD's and magazines to borrow. Paul Murphy, the concierge, is very personable and helpful. Wish I were there right now.

bwaz

[Into the Sun]

Hi Melissa:

 

Just returned from the 11/12 sailing and am so jealous. We were seated at dinner with a couple who did b/b on the Freedom (it was their 2nd week). At first I thought why would you do the same iten again, but, after one day I wish I could stay forever. I had a FABULOUS time (it has been our word of the week for DH and I).

We booked the Liberty for the same week next year with a couple of new friends that we met on board. Hopefully we will be able to get our entire new group of cruise friends to book.

If you go into the casino ask Cezar if he misses us. We were the wild bunch that he met and all went by our states names. Jersey, Boston, Singapore, Indiana (Virginia). The players had a fabulous time and kept whatever table they were playing at wild and exciting.

We hated to leave, but, they throw you off in Miami without even a farethee well.

Seriously it was our best cruise out of 17 and I hope that you have as great of a time as we did.

The weather (except for last sea day), was calm and sunny. Aren't the beds great?

Enjoy yourself and hope that you had a Happy Thanksgiving on board the Fabulous Freedom of the Seas.

Keep your blog going...............(since your reporting LIVE maybe they will give you some free minutes)

[rpsinnj]

Hi Melissa:

 

Greeting from New Jersey still rainning in New Jersey, been doing that all day, as you saw on the tv watching the parade. I didnt see rccl float in the parade, might have miss it. Love reading your posting great stuff, brought back great memories of the freedom from last month. We had a great cruise and our cruise critic members were great, each night we use to meet around 1am or so at sorrento for late night treat, some great stuff, pizza eggplants cheese etc.

[melissa@cruisecritic]

bwaz, we checked out the Concierge Lounge this evening, and it was a great spot for pre-dinner cocktails and canapes! Paul is very nice and helpful, agreed.

 

Melissa, I am so sorry the weather is not going your way. We just got back from the FOS sailing of 11/12 - it was fabulous and the weather was fine right up until the last afternoon. If you are in a suite, take advantage of the Concierge Lounge, on Deck 10. It is a quiet classy place for appetizers and hot canapes, and (free!) liquor from 5 to 8, and continental breakfast, and round the clock free expresso/cappacino/latte. Also DVD's and magazines to borrow. Paul Murphy, the concierge, is very personable and helpful. Wish I were there right now.

bwaz

[melissa@cruisecritic]

You guys are never going to believe this....

 

So as we were approaching our "new" dinner table tonight, we noticed that our seats were taken! I don't know what kind of mix-up happened but I was embarrassed because the Michigan folks saw us coming and looked mortified. I don't think they knew what had happened either. We slipped away before our "replacements" could see us; it wasn't their fault and we didn't want THEM to feel bad you know? Seeing as it was Thanksgiving, we were pretty upset -- so we visited the maitre d' who had no real explanation for us besides human error, but he did find a table for just the two of us on Deck 3. We sat down and started cracking up because we realized that we have now eaten on every single floor of Freedom's three-deck dining room. Certainly a first for me.

 

Our new waiter was our best so far, and we promised him that although we are eating in Chop's tomorrow we will be back to see him on Saturday night. Though there were other options, almost everyone in the dining room was eating roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce. Dessert options included pumpkin and pecan pudding (which was really more of a moist cake) in Grand Marnier sauce and apple pie a la mode. I still missed Grandma's stuffing, but the meal was hearty and filling to the point we had to come back to the cabin and collapse. Tryptophan, clearly. We'll have to visit Jim the piano man again tomorrow unless we get a second wind….

 

P.S. Though we saw and enjoyed the ice show on Voyager last fall, we were totally blown away by tonight's on Freedom. Even with the ship rocking, not one person fell -- and the amount and speed of wardrobe changes were mind-boggling.

 

chuck/debbie: you do need to get tickets, but they are free. Just check your daily Compass for info. As MACOP posted, Diamond members do get VIP tickets. Wednesday is good night because there's no show but it was also really packed; tonight was not nearly as busy. Definitely show up ahead of time for good seats; they open the doors 30 minutes before show time. As for Chop's, it depends on your tastes. We had a little bit of a different roster of menus because of Thanksgiving, but you can ask the maitre d' when you get onboard and plan from there. Formal nights fill up slower because most people like to stay in the main dining room. And to answer your last question: Freedom docked in Cozumel this week but some ships do anchor and tender passengers in.

[melissa@cruisecritic]

If I haven't responded to your question, don't worry -- I'm not ignoring you! The Internet is slow and expensive, so I'm pacing myself :) I'll do my best to get back to everyone while I'm onboard, or as soon as I'm back in the States. We'll also be posting some pictures once we get home!

[AFT_LOVER]

where turkeys were domesticated in the 16th century, Tom is male with his beard & head color changes when he is excted. Female is a hen. Males gobble females click. Baby is a poult (where the word poultry came from). Turkey was named the official US bird by Ben Franklin.

 

Hi, M, can't believe after all your "trip prep" and quizzing that Grand Cayman was canceled! Bummer....

 

Have only been able to check intermittently (rate is 70 cents a minute on Oceania Nautica and it is SLOW) but sounds like you and Deb are having fun. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving...we're having, yes, "roasted tom turkey" even here (in the middle of the Mediterranean). Anybody know where the term "tom turkey" comes from? Never heard it before ships....

 

Carolyn

[nanner10]

Thanks for the live posts!!

 

Could you tell me when the C&A Receptions are? Both the one for everyone and also the 2nd one for Platinum and up. TIA!

[CruiseAwayWithMe]

Tonight is a formal night so we are going to get beautiful (doesn't take long, of course), head to the ice show, then feast with our new "family" from Michigan....

Which part of Michigan are they from? As you can see, I'm from Michigan too. :p

[vikeqn]

Melissa,

Thanks again for your updates. I am so sorry you have not had good weather.

How was your day in Labadee? Please tell me it was hot, hot, hot!!!!

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Weather was fantastic, finally -- must have been all of your well wishes! There were some patches of "partly cloudy" but blue skies and hot sun prevailed. It was about 90 degrees, but much cooler in the shade. A perfect, perfect day to sunbathe on those fancy Royal Caribbean lounge chairs :) I have been to Labadee once before and today was just perfect, though the water was not as still as I remember -- there were some waves but once you walked out it was warm and relaxing. Best of all, I got some color and my freckles are out.

 

Melissa,

Thanks again for your updates. I am so sorry you have not had good weather.

How was your day in Labadee? Please tell me it was hot, hot, hot!!!!

[melissa@cruisecritic]

...you are welcome, doing the posts has been fun!

Thanks for the live posts!!

 

Could you tell me when the C&A Receptions are? Both the one for everyone and also the 2nd one for Platinum and up. TIA!

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Parasailing was incredible -- Deb and I cannot stop talking about it. We went to the booth at about 2 (we were going to do it in the morning but they asked us if we would mind rescheduling since one of their boats was in the shop); a group of 12 sails at a time with two guides -- one who drives the boat and one who helps you hook into your harness, etc. The latter was a native New Jerseyan, so we made sure to get a picture with him.

 

You fly in tandem so there are six takeoffs and landings. The tour is very well organized; as each couple comes down, the next one is on the other side of the boat all suited up and ready to go (you also wear a life jacket). The harness essentially wraps around your torso and underneath you to form a seat once you are airborne. When it is your turn you stand on the aft platform and the guide hooks you onto a long bar with straps you hold on to. At this point, the parachute is open behind you; ours was big and yellow with a smiley face on it :) Then you sit down and wait … as the boat speeds up, up you go!

 

Takeoff was probably the most amazing part of the whole experience, and I was surprised that I was not nervous at all! Suddenly, you are simply flying, effortlessly, and the boat you were just sitting on looks like a tub toy. Of course, Freedom still looks pretty darn big even from that vantage point (the guides said we were probably about 300-350 feet up; there's 500 feet of rope). It is absolutely silent in the sky except for some wind, and you have this incredible feeling of weightlessness. They keep you up for about five minutes, and then reel you back in. Even the landing was easy as pie; as you approach the platform you basically just float into a standing up position. There was no impact whatsoever. Believe me, I am very uncoordinated and if I can do it, anyone can.

 

Though it would have been awesome to have seen the Stingrays or go helmet diving, I have to say a huge "thanks" to everyone who voted for this excursion because it was a real thrill I'll never forget. Do it!

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Hi there! Most of the C&A receptions I've attended have been held in the secondary show lounge (on Freedom, Pharoah's), but there were so many repeat guests onboard this week ours was held in Studio B. The ice rink was covered up with floor boards, and snacks were set down there. I am not a Platinum member yet (will be on my next cruise, though, yay!), but I will ask at the C&A desk for you where they held those events. I am going there tomorrow.

 

Thanks for the live posts!!

 

Could you tell me when the C&A Receptions are? Both the one for everyone and also the 2nd one for Platinum and up. TIA!

[Cuizer2]

Melissa,

Thanks again for your updates. I am so sorry you have not had good weather.

How was your day in Labadee? Please tell me it was hot, hot, hot!!!!

 

Welcome to Labadee ...

 

 

The Freedom of the Seas is anchored off shore ...

 

 

So come sit a spell and relax ...

 

 

and enjoy our white sand and blue sky ...

 

 

while the kids enjoy the beach ...

 

 

(I think there are some kids in that photo somewhere.)

[melissa@cruisecritic]

I have a question for you...and everyone...do you have any opinion on the Royal Caribbean Visa card? We're thinking about signing up at the C&A desk; the bonus points program seems pretty good and there's no annual fee.

 

Thanks for the live posts!!

 

Could you tell me when the C&A Receptions are? Both the one for everyone and also the 2nd one for Platinum and up. TIA!

[melissa@cruisecritic]

I'm not sure, we didn't go that far into detail! Since we aren't eating with them anymore we may never know :( We did see them on the beach in Labadee today, so perhaps we're run into each other again.

 

Which part of Michigan are they from? As you can see, I'm from Michigan too. :p

[katleigh3]

Melissa,

 

Thanks for the posts...I look forward to reading them everyday...:)

 

We signed up for the Royal Caribbean Credit Card right after our last cruise on Mariner in November 05. Each dollar is worth 1 point. We have 35,000 points already!!! :eek:

 

Before you sail, you call the phone number on the back of the card and let them know you would like to cash in your Royal Caribbean Points. About 5 days you receive the vouchers in the mail. You have several options for cashing in these vouchers, i.e. RC Robes, Money off your next cruise...etc. Another option they offer is onboard credit. Every 5,000 points you are entitled to $50 cash applied to your seapass account. We simply filled out the back of the vouchers with our request for onboard credit, including our reservation number etc... When we get on board, we should have a credit of $350.00. I hear from friends it takes about 3 days once onboard before it hits the seapass account. I'll let you know in 9 days when it is our turn to sail on Freedom.

 

Hope this helps! Oh and one last thing...any charges you make to Royal Caribbean, are double points! :)

[margord]

Glad you finally got some good weather.

[AFT_LOVER]

now reality kicks in that tomorrow is that fun day of getting home faster as they push you off the ship ;-) I was kicking & screaming!!!!

 

Did you go to Ben & Jerry's? Did you get PHISH FOOD? The greatest ice cream in the world. Split the cup but you have to try it. Still no Johnny at Sorrento's, he must be on vacation. So you got to visit Pharaoh's Palace with the 6 guys in the hallway? That was our Diamond Lounge for cocktails & hor de orves all week when we were on. Did you find & read "Ode to Freedom?" Outside CD office accross the hallway from the Purser's counter. CCers wrote it. Any pink boas onboard? With about 300 on our cruise they knew who CC was!

[missymatt]

Love having Ben & Jerry's on some of the ships now. I work next door to the factory and store in Waterbury, Vermont. Come sometime and take the tour! Anyway, a couple of years ago, we were on the Navigator and there was a scoop shop. I was so excited. I took a picture and told the girl behind the counter that I am from there and work right next door. Well, she was from the Philipines, and couldn't of cared less, and didn't really understand what I was trying to tell her. She just knodded and said that's good. Too cute. Thanks for all of the info Melissa. Thanks, Missy

[lindanick]

Cuizer2,

 

Thanks for those beautiful photo's. A picture is worth a thousand words. How true, how true!!!!

 

Linda

:)

[melissa@cruisecritic]

katleigh, thanks -- I'm convinced … let's hope I'm approved at the C&A desk today so the SeaPass can go on it right now at double points, hehe! Enjoy your cruise on Freedom!

 

Melissa,

 

Thanks for the posts...I look forward to reading them everyday...:)

 

We signed up for the Royal Caribbean Credit Card right after our last cruise on Mariner in November 05. Each dollar is worth 1 point. We have 35,000 points already!!! :eek:

 

Before you sail, you call the phone number on the back of the card and let them know you would like to cash in your Royal Caribbean Points. About 5 days you receive the vouchers in the mail. You have several options for cashing in these vouchers, i.e. RC Robes, Money off your next cruise...etc. Another option they offer is onboard credit. Every 5,000 points you are entitled to $50 cash applied to your seapass account. We simply filled out the back of the vouchers with our request for onboard credit, including our reservation number etc... When we get on board, we should have a credit of $350.00. I hear from friends it takes about 3 days once onboard before it hits the seapass account. I'll let you know in 9 days when it is our turn to sail on Freedom.

 

Hope this helps! Oh and one last thing...any charges you make to Royal Caribbean, are double points! :)

[melissa@cruisecritic]

We went earlier in the week and Deb did have the Phish Food (I agree -- BEST ice cream ever; I got Chunky Monkey and it was good but I had ice cream envy). I have not seen any pink boas sadly (I should have packed one) and I have not yet found the poem but I'm planning on it this afternoon when we've got the camera handy. As for Sorrento's, we grabbed pizza there yesterday afternoon and I forgot to look for Johnny, doh! I'm sure there will be at least one more snack run in our future :)

 

now reality kicks in that tomorrow is that fun day of getting home faster as they push you off the ship ;-) I was kicking & screaming!!!!

 

Did you go to Ben & Jerry's? Did you get PHISH FOOD? The greatest ice cream in the world. Split the cup but you have to try it. Still no Johnny at Sorrento's, he must be on vacation. So you got to visit Pharaoh's Palace with the 6 guys in the hallway? That was our Diamond Lounge for cocktails & hor de orves all week when we were on. Did you find & read "Ode to Freedom?" Outside CD office accross the hallway from the Purser's counter. CCers wrote it. Any pink boas onboard? With about 300 on our cruise they knew who CC was!

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Another beautiful sunny day (yay) as we sail toward Miami. I cannot believe the week is almost over -- it went way too fast. Seven days onboard this ship is not nearly enough to see and do everything! We have a list a mile long for today. Top priorities are riding the FlowRider and hitting the rock wall (well, Deb will do that -- I'll take pictures), and going to tonight's show "Once Upon a Time." We also have to visit the Viking Crown Lounge tonight for a drink because we've spent most of our evenings in Bolero's or the Schooner Bar.

 

Last night's dinner at Chops was fantastic; it was our first time ever eating at that alternative restaurant. I will venture to say that I thought it was better than Portofino, but I guess it all depends on how much you like steak and what kind of mood you are in. We had tuna tartar with avocado, crab cakes, salads, filet mignon, mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. The desserts are HUGE and fabulous. If you get the Mississippi mud pie, there are delicious candied nuts in the center. I thought I was going to explode after that meal. I loved the decor in there as well, the warm wood paneling and velvety booths. Some high-ranking-looking officers were eating dinner a few tables away from us, but nosey as we are we weren't able to hear anything they were saying.