FOS Sailaway

[KeysRes]

Question for recent FOS cruisers... Which way is the FOS docked in Miami? We are cruising with family in early December, and would like to do sailaway on our balcony. We have two balconies to choose from...9th deck aft, or 10th deck starboard. Which would be a better view for a sailaway party?

Thanks!

[wolfcathorse]

Freedom is docked on the starboard side. If you're aft, you'll only see where you've been. Go with the deck 10 starboard balcony, you'll be able to see them release the mooring lines bow and stern. Then, staring straight down at the gap between the dock and the side of the ship, you can look for that all important first subtle movement away from the dock, the widening of that gap...meaning you're underway!! Yay!!!

[Fritz265]

Question for recent FOS cruisers... Which way is the FOS docked in Miami? We are cruising with family in early December, and would like to do sailaway on our balcony. We have two balconies to choose from...9th deck aft, or 10th deck starboard. Which would be a better view for a sailaway party?

Thanks!

 

The canal is relatively narrow, especially for the monster FOS so you'll get a view of the shoreline regardless of which side you're on. People will be waving to you!

[willysgrandma]

We were on the starboard side and had a great view of the docks and the city.

 

You can see the view from our balcony on the second page:

 

http://travel.webshots.com/album/560656807eLocZU?start=12

[CruisenChic]

Thanks for the great up to date photos of the FOS. I will be cruising on her May 2008. I have bookmarked your photo album so I can take a look now and then to get some inspiration.

[CruisenChic]

Thanks for the great up to date photos of the FOS. I will be cruising on her May 2008. I have bookmarked your photo album so I can take a look now and then to get some inspiration.

[cooncat]

It is more fun to be on the other side of the side from where these pictures were taken. You will want to be on the causeway side. The people on the causeway will either stop on the side of the road, wave, honk as they pass the ship, there are people on waverunners and boats who ride along the ship. I found it to be quite entertaining.

[Fritz265]

It is more fun to be on the other side of the side from where these pictures were taken. You will want to be on the causeway side. The people on the causeway will either stop on the side of the road, wave, honk as they pass the ship, there are people on waverunners and boats who ride along the ship. I found it to be quite entertaining.

 

Exactly, and if I recall, the starboard side is mostly industrial dock and storage areas after leaving the port. The causeway side had people watching the sailaway from the sides.

[oakleys]

yes we were on the starboard side, on the valor, next time, we will pick the other side. miami is alot more entertaining to leave from than tampa. as said all the boat's & waverunner's come out jumping the wake waves.

[Langley Cruisers]

You will want to be on the causeway side. The people on the causeway will either stop on the side of the road, wave, honk as they pass the ship, there are people on waverunners and boats who ride along the ship. I found it to be quite entertaining.

 

I absolutely agree. Plus you get a magnificent view of South Beach as you sail away - it is incredible.

 

To the OP, with all due respect, I would rather sail away on the outer deck, as opposed to my balcony. Part of the excitement for me is to be with others who have waited impatently as I have for this vacation! It's fun and it's all part of the "sailaway experience".

 

See pics in my signature, Page 3.

 

Have fun!

[KeysRes]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! They all make sense, so maybe we'll have to move around. Great pictures too. I've never sailed from Miami - I need to look at a map of the port.

 

Also looking for transportation for 9, plus lots of luggage, from an airport hotel to the port. Got one quote for over 300..including tips, taxes...ouch. But that was for a 14+ passenger stretch suv limo. Didn't think we could squeeze 9 plus luggage in a 10 person stretch. Ideas?

[willysgrandma]

It is more fun to be on the other side of the side from where these pictures were taken. You will want to be on the causeway side. The people on the causeway will either stop on the side of the road, wave, honk as they pass the ship, there are people on waverunners and boats who ride along the ship. I found it to be quite entertaining.

 

If you look at the pics I posted, look at the ones of the Coast Guard boats intercepting the boat that came very close to th FOS when we were getting ready to leave port. We were in the dining room (on the port side) when we saw that white boat pull up right next to the FOS. The Coast Guard and a Police boat were on that boat in a few seconds with guns drawn forcing it away from the ship. (There had also been a bomb scare on the ship that morning).

 

While the C.G. was "escorting" that boat away from us as we were departing, the Police boats were discouraging people who had pulled over on the side of the road to stop taking pictures.

[Fritz265]

If you look at the pics I posted, look at the ones of the Coast Guard boats intercepting the boat that came very close to th FOS when we were getting ready to leave port. We were in the dining room (on the port side) when we saw that white boat pull up right next to the FOS. The Coast Guard and a Police boat were on that boat in a few seconds with guns drawn forcing it away from the ship. (There had also been a bomb scare on the ship that morning).

 

While the C.G. was "escorting" that boat away from us as we were departing, the Police boats were discouraging people who had pulled over on the side of the road to stop taking pictures.

 

Not to bring a negative vibe but I would see why security would be tight around a large cruise ship transiting the causeway. It's a big fat target with several thousands of people onboard. Could make a big statement to a potential terrorist. Once in the open ocean then the statement is not so grand as nobody would see it.