Freedom of the Seas 2/27 to 3/6

[g'ville]

Just a brief review of our cruise.... It was great! ;)

in a nut shell we had good weather for the most part... it rained all morning in St. Maarten on Thursday which caused the cancellation of all of the early morning excursions. We had rough seas on Friday night, big swells!!!!

Went to several shows and enjoyed the entertainment.

Food in the dining room was good, service was friendly and prompt. As with any cruise and serving 4100 guests not everything was perfect but as far as I am concerned the cruise food staff attempts to present good varied meals and for the most part they truly succeed. I only ate in the WJ the first day and it was fine. Good french fries, crispy and hot!

For the first time ever we tried the MDR for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Did not do this every day but wanted to have the MDR experience for each of those meals just to see what it was like. Enjoyed breakfast other than the coffee being bitter to my taste. Lunch was ok but not a lot of variety. Dinner as I said was very good!! Did room service as well for breakfast and enjoyed have breakfast on the balcony.

My biggest disappointment was with the Cruise Director and his staff. IMO he was just OK.... but it sure did not ruin the cruise for me!

Played progressive trivia and had a blast. Lost some dinero in the Casino :p and with bingo...LOL

Had a great spa treatment and as always hated to see my week come to an end. Met nice people, saw beautiful water and islands and actually saw a whale of the ship on Friday before the weather changed and the waves got so rough!

Will be glad to answer any questions if I can. I did not bring back any cruise compasses. Formal nights were Monday and Friday and I was pleasantly surprised that I saw very few people that did not dress up. It was really nice to see soooo many well dressed people and children!

[tofusmom]

Just a brief review of our cruise.... It was great! ;)

in a nut shell we had good weather for the most part... it rained all morning in St. Maarten on Thursday which caused the cancellation of all of the early morning excursions. We had rough seas on Friday night' date=' big swells!!!!

Went to several shows and enjoyed the entertainment.

Food in the dining room was good, service was friendly and prompt. As with any cruise and serving 4100 guests not everything was perfect but as far as I am concerned the cruise food staff attempts to present good varied meals and for the most part they truly succeed. I only ate in the WJ the first day and it was fine. Good french fries, crispy and hot!

For the first time ever we tried the MDR for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Did not do this every day but wanted to have the MDR experience for each of those meals just to see what it was like. Enjoyed breakfast other than the coffee being bitter to my taste. Lunch was ok but not a lot of variety. Dinner as I said was very good!! Did room service as well for breakfast and enjoyed have breakfast on the balcony.

My biggest disappointment was with the Cruise Director and his staff. IMO he was just OK.... but it sure did not ruin the cruise for me!

Played progressive trivia and had a blast. Lost some dinero in the Casino :p and with bingo...LOL

Had a great spa treatment and as always hated to see my week come to an end. Met nice people, saw beautiful water and islands and actually saw a whale of the ship on Friday before the weather changed and the waves got so rough!

Will be glad to answer any questions if I can. I did not bring back any cruise compasses. Formal nights were Monday and Friday and I was pleasantly surprised that I saw very few people that did not dress up. It was really nice to see soooo many well dressed people and children![/quote']

 

Glad you had a good time. Which spa treatment did you get? I am still trying to decide. Did you book before or during cruise? Any dscounts?

 

Did you try the pizza restaurant on the promenade?

 

Thanks in advance for answering,:)

Ann

 

Do you have your next one booked already?

[DonnaK]

Thank you for writing your thoughts!

 

Who was the cruise director?

[g'ville]

I had the Head to Toe Spa treatment on first sea day. It was awesome. $149 ($100 off regular price) full body massage with hot stones on the neck/shoulders, head/scalp massage, mini facial. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!! Worth every penny....booked it that day....

we tried all of the food...LOL :D I am not a big pizza person but all my friends loved it! Had great mini sandwiches out of the Cafe Promenade and really good brownies. Again I thought the coffee was bitter but others just thought it was just strong. I am not a big coffee drinker so take that for what it is worth... all of the cookies were great as usual....

Kirk Detwiler was the Cruise director

[AF-1]

So is Freedom going in for the overhaul this coming week? Am going on her in Dec. What was your most favorite thing onboard?

[Cruisegirl6]

So glad to hear you had a wonderful time!

 

I was on the Liberty sister ship twice but it has been a year now....and by any chance do you have copies of any of the ships menus or compasses? I know I am asking for alot.....

 

Did you try Chops is it still very good? I loved Portofino's better did you try that?

[g'ville]

yes she goes into dry dock next week. Our head waiter told us about it and how they all still work while it is in dry dock.

Favorite things are so subjective....;) I enjoyed the trivia games, the revamped Quest, the Love and Marriage show. I just enjoy the whole experience to tell you the truth! I love St. Maarten too!!!! I am a people watcher so just sitting in the chairs overlooking the Promenade on Deck 6 was great. The chairs were comfy and the people were funny :D

The flow rider is fun to watch but is definitely a young guy activity... at least whenever I went out there it seemed to be 10 to 24 year olds!

Johnny Rockets makes a great milk shake too!!!

[tofusmom]

I had the Head to Toe Spa treatment on first sea day. It was awesome. $149 ($100 off regular price) full body massage with hot stones on the neck/shoulders' date=' head/scalp massage, mini facial. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!! Worth every penny....booked it that day....

we tried all of the food...LOL :D I am not a big pizza person but all my friends loved it! Had great mini sandwiches out of the Cafe Promenade and really good brownies. Again I thought the coffee was bitter but others just thought it was just strong. I am not a big coffee drinker so take that for what it is worth... all of the cookies were great as usual....

Kirk Detwiler was the Cruise director[/quote']

 

Sounds like heaven on earth! Price is right, too. I will definitely check it out.

 

Thanks so much! :)

Ann

[JustUs275]

Thank you for the review - we sail the same itinerary almost exactly one year after you...2/26/2012! :p Did you do any tours or excursions?

 

Since it is almost a year away...does anyone know if the Cruise Director will likely be the same person? Or do they change on a regular basis? The Head to Toe sounds wonderful...so you just got the $100 discount automatically when you booked - or did you have some kind of coupon/offer?

 

 

Again - thanks for the review...reading these helps me to pass the time until NEXT February! :D

[will773]

Glad to hear you had a great trip! Stinks that you had some bad weather though. :rolleyes:

[awboater]

Since it is almost a year away...does anyone know if the Cruise Director will likely be the same person? Or do they change on a regular basis?

 

Some of them at least move around. I think we have seen Ken Rush on three different ships.

[AF-1]

yes she goes into dry dock next week. Our head waiter told us about it and how they all still work while it is in dry dock.

Favorite things are so subjective....;) I enjoyed the trivia games' date=' the revamped Quest, the Love and Marriage show. I just enjoy the whole experience to tell you the truth! I love St. Maarten too!!!! I am a people watcher so just sitting in the chairs overlooking the Promenade on Deck 6 was great. The chairs were comfy and the people were funny :D

The flow rider is fun to watch but is definitely a young guy activity... at least whenever I went out there it seemed to be 10 to 24 year olds!

Johnny Rockets makes a great milk shake too!!![/quote']

Thank you for your answer; I guess the question is hard to answer; there are so many neat things to do. I will be going to Johnny Rockets with the grandkids and will also be hitting cupcake cuboard too. Love the Royal Promendade; I have five grandkids who are gonna love this ship; they have never been on a cruise before, so it will be fun.

[mchin]

Thanks for the review. We are sailing on her in August, the same itinerary. Did you have a pre-cruise night at near-by hotels? We are trying to decide where to stay.

[Cruisegirl6]

I stay at the Marriott Biscayne Bay.

[g'ville]

We did not stay in a hotel precruise as we live in Florida and drove down the day of departure. I have read from several other folks that Country Inn and Suites is good.

Sorry I did not keep any of the compasses..... I can tell you some of the activities and what I remember on the menu's....

Activities: they had a daily trivia contest in the schooner bar and a 4 day progressive bingo that you played in teams of 2 to 6.

Bingo

Chefmakers cooking classes for a fee

Wine tasting classes for a fee

Fitness classes some free some for a fee

FlowRider (you could pay for lessons)

all of the usual: belly flop contest, line dancing instruction, etc

Casino gaming contests

 

Meals: can't tell you what nights and not sure I will remember all the main entree's:

Prime Rib, Mahi Mahi Tempura, Surf and Turf, Lobster Tail and Shrimp, Lasgna, Pork Medallions, NY Strip Steak, Turkey dinner

Appetizers: Vidalia onion tart, spinach dip with chips, escargot, shrimp cocktail, assorted cold soups, caesar and assorted salads, antipasta, scallop risotto

Desserts: Warm chocolate cake, tiramisu, banana crunch parfait, sugar free coconut cake (YUMMY) key lime pie, dark chocolate brownie, cherries jubilee, ice cream and sherbert

 

They had an Animals at Sea shop which was similar to Build a Bear for those of you traveling with children

The Head to Toe was a special they were running for the day supposedly. But I saw it later in the week as well...so maybe it was the weekly spa special!

[tofusmom]

We did not stay in a hotel precruise as we live in Florida and drove down the day of departure. I have read from several other folks that Country Inn and Suites is good.

Sorry I did not keep any of the compasses..... I can tell you some of the activities and what I remember on the menu's....

Activities: they had a daily trivia contest in the schooner bar and a 4 day progressive bingo that you played in teams of 2 to 6.

Bingo

Chefmakers cooking classes for a fee

Wine tasting classes for a fee

Fitness classes some free some for a fee

FlowRider (you could pay for lessons)

all of the usual: belly flop contest' date=' line dancing instruction, etc

Casino gaming contests

 

Meals: can't tell you what nights and not sure I will remember all the main entree's:

Prime Rib, Mahi Mahi Tempura, Surf and Turf, Lobster Tail and Shrimp, Lasgna, Pork Medallions, NY Strip Steak, Turkey dinner

Appetizers: Vidalia onion tart, spinach dip with chips, escargot, shrimp cocktail, assorted cold soups, caesar and assorted salads, antipasta, scallop risotto

Desserts: Warm chocolate cake, tiramisu, banana crunch parfait, sugar free coconut cake (YUMMY) key lime pie, dark chocolate brownie, cherries jubilee, ice cream and sherbert

 

They had an Animals at Sea shop which was similar to Build a Bear for those of you traveling with children

The Head to Toe was a special they were running for the day supposedly. But I saw it later in the week as well...so maybe it was the weekly spa special![/quote']

 

DH(Bill) and I are from Tallahassee. We drive to the port the same day as well. What city are you from?:)

 

Ann

[DonnaK]

Kirk Detwiler was the Cruise director

 

Oh yes....we've sailed with him before and totally agree with your comments. In our opinion, one of the worst CD's we've ever sailed with.

[DonnaK]

I stay at the Marriott Biscayne Bay.

 

 

Freedom leaves from Port Canaveral, not Miami ;)

 

 

 

We like the Residence Inn by Marriott in Cape Canaveral.

[silkie70]

Hi!!!

Glad you had a great cruise. We leave on that cruise Sunday!!!

You saw a whale?!?!? Thats exciting!!! Out of curiosity, do you remember where you were? (like near which island?)

[freedom1]

I'm just home from the same cruise! I agree with everything in the first post...with the exception of the cruise director. I thought Kirk Detweiler was fantastic. I've had Ken Rush my last two cruises and thought is was such an overbearing, pompous...you get my drift. Anyway, I really liked Kirk.

Also, I thought the food was fantastic. There are so many negative reviews about food on these message boards that I was getting worried the food had really gone way downhill. I thought the food was better than on my last cruise (4 years ago). Those making all the negative food statements must be used to 4-5 star restaurants whenever they go out or something.

[silkie70]

Hello again!!!

Can you please tell me which nights are formal nights???

Thanks!!!

[freedom1]

Formal Nights were Monday and Friday.

[silkie70]

thanks!!!!

[g'ville]

We were off the Dominican Republic when we saw the whale.. it was soooo cool

As far as the cruise director, I just felt like he seemed either bored or like he needed something to rejuvenate him about his job... it seemed sort of hohum... plus I did not care for some of his staff. Some were good and others were just so so.... just a matter of opinion. :)

I thought the food was very good as well.

I live in Gainesville, thus the name, G'ville LOL~~

[silkie70]

Thanks!!!