Just back from Freedom of Seas 11/19 Thanksgiving cruise

[cappi]

CRUISE INFO

This was our second cruise for my hubby and I. We are both in mid 30's. This was our first family cruise (7 adults and one child). Our first cruise was on Celebrity Constellation and my opinions are based on my experiences and comparisons to my previous cruise.

 

 

We had arrived to Miami day prior to embarkation and stayed at Hyatt for $100 per room through priceline. We also had awesome dinner at Joe's Stone Crab.

 

 

EMBARKATION

We have arrived to Port of Miami terminal G at 10:30am. After returning our SUV rental to Hertz, my hubby took the complimentary shuttle back within 5 minutes. However, there was long line already inside prior to going through the metal detectors. We waited approximately 1 hour and was able to proceed through metal detectors and to check-in desk. We have entered all info on-line and getting our Set Sail Pass was a breeze. We got another line to take pictures. The computer malfunctioned and most of our family and others could not get their pictures taken. We were on another line after check in. Waiting again for approximately over 1 hour. There was a technical malfunctioning on the ship and noone was allowed to board the ship until this was resolve. WE finally boarded approximate 1:15pm. Those passengers who could not get their picture taken had to wait another 30-45 min. This check-in process was terrible. On the brighter side, our rooms were availabe as soon as we boarded the ship.

 

 

 

THE SHIP

Freedom was absolutely stunning. This was 25th voyage. Holding approx 3600 guests, the ship is the size that I am used to being on, and it never felt crowded. The layout is very easy to maneuver and you don't have to worry about any unexpected dead ends when walking around. It is well decorated and has a mature color scheme. Everything was sparkling new. They were putting up Christmas decorations. Royal Promenade was beautiful and impressive. The ship has all the standard amenities: casino, photo shop, art gallery, shops, card room, library, theatre, cinema, lounges, bars, computers, spa, gym, arcade, jogging track, ice-skating rink, rock climbing wall, boxing rink, minature golf and FlowRider. Compare to Constellation, there were much more options for activities on the ship. There were 3 pools: H20 zone water park for kids, main pool, and The Solarium. I thought Celebrity's T-pool looked much more sophiscated, but Solarium Hot Tubs were very nice. On sea days, the pool areas were very crowded. You need to get up early to get chairs near the pool. Sea days were only time we felt that there were truly over 3000 passengers on the boat.

 

 

THE STATEROOM

Our family had 3 aft rooms (9704, 7708, 7710). 7708 aft room was the best! It was approx same size as the cabin itself. The balcony provided nice shaded area constantly. 9704's balcony had a weird angle, but still had beautiful unobstructive view. Beds were heavenly and definitely more comfortable than my previous curise. The room was adeuqate in size and had everything we needed: 2 twin beds which we pushed together, 2 night tables, 2 tables, a sofa chair and a regular chair, a flat screen TV, plenty of closet and drawer space, and a standard bathroom. Unfortunately, there were no bath robes. This was only available to Crown and Anchor members.

 

 

THE STAFF

The staff overall was top notch. We had some problems with the Excursion desk personnels, but I think they were stressed out trying to please all these people. Everywhere you turned, you were greeted with a hello and a smile. Our room steward was okay; however, he was polite and kept our room clean and with fresh towels and ice. Our waiters in the main dining room were amazing. Even the staff at the Winjammer Cafe was very friendly and knowledgable.

 

 

THE ENTERTAINMENT

The entertainment was very good. Ice show call Freedom -Ice.com was fantastic. You have to get tickets prior to the show. There were plenty of tickets. Just check your Compass and go early to get the show you desir. Most of the production by Royal Carribean dancers and singers were very good. The production during the last night of our cruise was the best. The daily activities were standard: bingo, deck parties, live bands and musicians, group games, karaoke, seminars, casino events, etc... We were never bored on this trip! They had activities for every age group. Adventure Ocean program was great. Our nephew wanted to go to the program everyday as soon has he woke up!

 

 

THE FOOD

The ship has a three-floor main dining room, two specialty restaurant, the buffet area at Windjammer cafe, Sorrento pizza and Cafe Promenade, Johnny Rockets. We had high standards from our previous cruise. The food was excellent. Thanksgiving dinner was great! We also ate at both Chops Grille and Protofino and found them to be excellent (in terms of food and service). Well worth the extra $20pp.

 

 

PORTS

Unfortunately due to unpredictable weather, we could not dock at Grand Cayman Island. Instead we spent extra time on Cozumel. The weather at Cozumel was not so good either. Most of activities involving water or beaches were all cancelled. We got off the ship and walked around the local shops. It was extremely windy and we returned to ship approximately 2 hours later. Freedom of Seas was docked in Cozumel until 10pm and we spent extra day at Sea, which was not ideal either (we had rough sea). Our family members were taking turn getting sea sick for first 4 days of our cruise. Although there was no rain, we had constant overcast and few sun-shine.

 

Our second port of call was Montego Bay, Jamaica. We did Jungle River Tubing through RCCL. This excursion was fun. Afther tubing, our driver dropped us off at shopping center (for extra fee). The shopping center was over crowded and not much to see.

 

Now the highlight of this cruise was Labadee. This is a private islanded that is shared by Royal Carribean and Celebrity. What a beautiful place! There are multiple beaches to choose from, AquaPark for kids, and great places to just relax or snorkel. My brother in law played beach volleyball. There is something for everyone. We booked the first waverunner tour of the island. This guaranteed us on the first tender off the island at 9:30am. We had a blast! After waverunner, we relaxed on Hideway beach and had excellent BBQ lunch provided by RCCL. The beaches were gorgous. Even though there were over 3000 passengers on Labadee, we did not feel crowded at all. We hanged out on the beach until the last tender. There are a couple of shops that offer local handcrafts, but we did not check them out.

 

 

DEBARKATION

Thank good this was much smoother process. We elected to carry our own luggage. We proceeded to the gangway approximately 7:45am and we were out of the ship in 15 min through US customs. Picked up our rental again and we were in Miami airport by 9:30am.

 

 

CONCLUSION

Even with bad weather, we all had a great time and will definitely sail on Freedom again!

[johnlcruise]

Nice review.

Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your adventure.

[kimsbfl]

It's great to see you had a good time even though the weather didn't cooperate. We're on Freedom, this spring.

 

I noticed you went on the tubing excursion. We're interested in going but can't find any info. Would love to hear all about it. Can kids go?

 

Thanks

 

Kim

[cappi]

Jungle River Tubing was excellent. Our nephew is 5 years old. The minimum age listed on the Excursion book was 6 years old. After talking with Excursion desk, they were fine with our nephew going on this excursion.

 

You take a short bus ride from MoBay port (approximately 30 min) to tubing area. This tour area is under same management who runs The Original Canopy Tour. Once you arrive, everyone gets a life jacket and depending the size of your group, you divide to approx 10 person per group. Tubes are very comfortable. Tubes in the group are tied together and a guide paddles you through a relaxing river ride with mild rapids. This is great excursion for the whole family. Tubing lasts about 1 hour and then they drive you back. Our driver offered us to drive to local shopping center and back for $8 pp. I don't recommend the shopping area. It was very touristy and not much authentic goods to buy.

[FishOn55]

Thanks for your review. I was pleasantly surprised to see that someone in your family was booked into room 7708 and that you were so impressed with that room and balcony. My husband and I have that same room reserved on Freedom in January and can't wait to go. I noticed in some of the Freedom cabin photos that some of the aft cabins have support poles right in the middle of the cabin at the end of the bed. Was this the case in room 7708 too? Also, did you notice any more movement in the aft cabins than what you would normally expect due to the rough seas you mentioned?

[bargainshopper]

DEBARKATION

Thank good this was much smoother process. We elected to carry our own luggage. We proceeded to the gangway approximately 7:45am and we were out of the ship in 15 min through US customs. Picked up our rental again and we were in Miami airport by 9:30am.

 

For my future travel planning... Why do you need a car rental if you just go straight from the port to the airport?

[cappi]

Aft room 7708 had sliding doors to the balcony. Balcomy itself had an extra side poorthole excellent for extra view. We loved this room. The ship overall had more motion than usual (per room steward). I don't think that we felt extra movement in the aft.

 

We needed a car rental from FLL airport to Miami. Half of our group travel in and out of Miami and the others used Ft. L airport. Car rental saved us alot of money thats all.

[Bahama Mama 40]

Thanks for the great review! Can't wait to check out FOS in Jan. We are a family of four and looking for an excursion in Mobay. Did the tubes have bottoms in them? Also was the tubing scary at all( like how bad were the rapids and how much wildlife was there)? Did you feel pretty safe? We did Dunns Falls last cruise with the kids and I worried a little that one slip and we could spend the rest of the trip in a Jamaican hospital!

[ED MARY ANN]

Good to hear that even though the weather was bad your vacation still was a good time had by all.Happy to hear cabin #7708 was nice aft cabin we will be in this cabin on our up coming LIBERTY OF THE SEAS CRUIES Sept 29-2007 it seems so far away./

[EggDropErin]

Thanks for the review! I can't wait to be on her! Was the tubing excursion worth it? That is one I'm considering.

[CaesarsNcruisin4me]

Thanks for the great review! Can't wait to check out FOS in Jan. We are a family of four and looking for an excursion in Mobay. Did the tubes have bottoms in them? Also was the tubing scary at all( like how bad were the rapids and how much wildlife was there)? Did you feel pretty safe? We did Dunns Falls last cruise with the kids and I worried a little that one slip and we could spend the rest of the trip in a Jamaican hospital!

 

We were also on this cruise (loved the Freedom) and did the Jungle River Tubing. IMO it was a waste of money. This excursion is perfect for a 5 or 6 year old but much too mild for my tastes. I did this excursion with my teens (13 and 16) and found this to be more like a slow lazy river ride. We did the morning excursion and met at 7:30am at the cruise port and it took more than an hour due to the traffic to get to the excursion site. The tubes have bottoms in them so you do not get wet at all on this excursion. We saw no wildlife at all and the rapids were like bubbles in a bathtub. The tubes are all tied together and then the guides pull the tubes down the river. The guides were very friendly but I would not recommend this excursion due to the tubing experience itself was very boring. Also the refreshments offered consist of a 1 gallon jug of rum punch being passed from tube to tube which the guides encouraged everyone to drink even the children. In our group they poured the rum punch for the 7 year olds as well as the adults. Next time I'll try Dunns River falls or one of the private vendors that take you to a different tubing site.

 

Sandie

 

 

[EggDropErin]

:)

We were also on this cruise (loved the Freedom) and did the Jungle River Tubing. IMO it was a waste of money. This excursion is perfect for a 5 or 6 year old but much too mild for my tastes. I did this excursion with my teens (13 and 16) and found this to be more like a slow lazy river ride. We did the morning excursion and met at 7:30am at the cruise port and it took more than an hour due to the traffic to get to the excursion site. The tubes have bottoms in them so you do not get wet at all on this excursion. We saw no wildlife at all and the rapids were like bubbles in a bathtub. The tubes are all tied together and then the guides pull the tubes down the river. The guides were very friendly but I would not recommend this excursion due to the tubing experience itself was very boring. Also the refreshments offered consist of a 1 gallon jug of rum punch being passed from tube to tube which the guides encouraged everyone to drink even the children. In our group they poured the rum punch for the 7 year olds as well as the adults. Next time I'll try Dunns River falls or one of the private vendors that take you to a different tubing site.

 

Sandie

 

 

 

Thanks! It doesn't sound like it's for us either. I will look onward.

[Inshape]

Just back last month from mariner and we did the tubing, but on our own with a private tour. This was the best time we have ever had. Look in the jamaica port...many good guides. WOuld never do this off the ship excursions. We hired Trevor Hudlin for 40$ pp adult and 32 for the kids. This included the 20 pp for the river tubing. The rest was for him and the tour. We met him at 9:30 and did not get back until 3. you get to leave you stuff in his van...no paying for the tubing..he took care of it. You just arrive before the crowd and it is wonderful. We got to do the tubing and jumping off the river bank into the water. I do not think they do this with a big crowd. They let us do this for about 40 min and no rushing us. We had about 15 in the group.he would have dropped us off for shopping and met us again but we did the tour of the town for 1.5 hours which was wonderful--even the kids loved it. Then we went to the Mahagony Beach ( no charges for this beach) and he came back 2 hours later for us. It was such a relaxing time....no worries!

[bug18]

Some in my group did the tubing excursion through the cruise line and although they enjoyed it, would not do it again. There children are teenagers and they all felt it was to tame. The best part to them was their guide that made it fun.

[Inshape]

Well I do not know what they got to do. Did they do the cliff jumping. It was not tame in all places of the river.... it was fun and safe although at parts which were faster the kids got taken to the sides and had to have the guides free them. We all liked it a lot.

[joanjr]

We have booked this room for next year in Dec. How did you find this room??

 

Thanks for your reply..........Joan:confused:

[BillOh]

CRUISE INFO

THE SHIP

Freedom was absolutely stunning. This was 25th voyage. !

 

 

Whose 25th voyage? Freedom is well past 100 cruises so far.

 

 

 

Perhaps you were on the 125th? That might be about right

[balcony4u]

this is a really old post, hence the 25th sailing. it took me awhile to figure that out.

[BillOh]

Not the first time I've been burned on that. I'm guessing someone did a search on the room number and replied to the old thread.

[cruiseorbust]

We have booked this room for next year in Dec. How did you find this room??

 

Thanks for your reply..........Joan:confused:

 

I am looking at booking 7710 on the Freedom...any pictures? Any comments?

[FireIce0010]

You do realize that this thread is an "old" thread?