Just Back from the Freedom..Fantasit Cruise!

[crusinpeg]

Just got back from the Freedom yesterday and it was one of our best cruises ever!!! Plan on writing a review, but in the meantime if anyone has any questions I would be happy to try and answer them. Cruise Critic has been a wealth of information to me and I would love to return the favor if I can.

[SECdawg]

My parents and Aunt and Uncle just got back from Freedom also. They have cruised extensively with Royal, Carnival, Princess, and Celebrity and thought this was one of their favorite cruises even though they didn't do anything in the ports since they had been to all but Falmouth numerous times. Freedom and her crew are wonderful! Glad you enjoyed your cruise!

[jobell]

Look forward to your review. We'll be sailing the FOS next October and will be our first with RCCL.

 

Does the FOS have a midnight buffet or any venues that are open until 1 or 2 in the morning?

 

What is the muster drill like?

 

I'm sure I'll come up with more, lol.

 

:)

[wolfganghowell]

I'd love to hear about the options in the lounges. I've got a good idea on Schooner Bar but have a hard time understanding what the Pub entertainer is like and what is happening in Olive & Twist and Boleros. We definitely like the after dinner choices - and the casino!

 

Glad the report is good - looking forward to the reviews!

[ticktoneer]

Just got back from the Freedom yesterday and it was one of our best cruises ever!!! Plan on writing a review, but in the meantime if anyone has any questions I would be happy to try and answer them. Cruise Critic has been a wealth of information to me and I would love to return the favor if I can.

I was on FOS also last week and I agree - it was great !!!!

[crusinpeg]

Look forward to your review. We'll be sailing the FOS next October and will be our first with RCCL.

 

Does the FOS have a midnight buffet or any venues that are open until 1 or 2 in the morning?

 

What is the muster drill like?

 

I'm sure I'll come up with more, lol.

 

:)

 

No midnight buffets but the Cafe Promanade has light snacks and desserts 24/7

 

The muster drill was pretty painless..you did not have to cary your life jacket but we were out on deck for maybe 20 minutes tops.

[jobell]

No midnight buffets but the Cafe Promanade has light snacks and desserts 24/7

 

The muster drill was pretty painless..you did not have to cary your life jacket but we were out on deck for maybe 20 minutes tops.

 

Thank you!!! :)

 

I like a painless muster drill. lol.

[crusinpeg]

I'd love to hear about the options in the lounges. I've got a good idea on Schooner Bar but have a hard time understanding what the Pub entertainer is like and what is happening in Olive & Twist and Boleros. We definitely like the after dinner choices - and the casino!

 

Glad the report is good - looking forward to the reviews!

 

Piano player in Scooners was great(Kory)

Guitar player in the Pub until wee hours

Boleros had a Latin band

Did not get to Oliver Twists but did see that there was "Ultimate Jazz" on the last night

Casino was good to us...we ended up either even or up a little..which for us was a good thing after playing all week!!

[vivavegas]

Welcome Back! Glad you had a good cruise!:) Looking forward to reading your review!

[rhuntington3]

Glad you had a good cruise! The wife and I will be aboard her in 13 days. Can't wait!

[jamiebytes]

Ooh, I have a question! Did you happen to notice if they have those new Coca Cola Freestyle machines onboard yet? :)

[Daghis]

Glad you had a good cruise! The wife and I will be aboard her in 13 days. Can't wait!

You, too? What a coincidence! ;)

 

Ooh, I have a question! Did you happen to notice if they have those new Coca Cola Freestyle machines onboard yet? :)

I'm curious about this, too. I'm really hoping they have them onboard!

[Flossie]

We are just back from the Freedom last week .... I have to say it was one of our favorite cruises too !!! wonderful ship great crew ! Yes they do have the new Coke machines they are located by the big screen on pool deck.

[O.G.]

Can you offer any advice as to the ability to take a 9:30 am flight home the morning the cruise ends? If we shlep our own luggage I'm wondering if it could be possible to get to the Orlando airport in time.

[truffles2]

Would advise you to schedule a later flight!!!!

[uksimonusa]

Can you offer any advice as to the ability to take a 9:30 am flight home the morning the cruise ends? If we shlep our own luggage I'm wondering if it could be possible to get to the Orlando airport in time.

A 9:30 flight, means being checked in by 8:30 which means leaving PC, having disembarked and cleared customs and immigration and finding and loading a taxi, by 7:15, no way would I risk that, Security at OIA can have long lines, even early in the morning

[SpeedGeek]

A 9:30 flight, means being checked in by 8:30 which means leaving PC, having disembarked and cleared customs and immigration and finding and loading a taxi, by 7:15, no way would I risk that, Security at OIA can have long lines, even early in the morning

 

Took me way too long to figure out what you meant by "Security at OIA"... I'm too used to airport codes (in this case MCO :D)...

 

But I agree with you, 9:30 is just asking to miss your flight.

[cb at sea]

The airport is about 1 hour from the port!

[GeorgiaGirl14]

I am excited to read your "Freedom" review. We are going with a group in March. Can't wait to read about your favorite activities and opinions about shows, food etc. Any hints for making a fun trip are appreciated. :):)

[auggiemom]

Does the Freedom have a champagne bar like on Mariner?

[crusinpeg]

Does the Freedom have a champagne bar like on Mariner?

 

We did not go there, but yes there is a champagne bar.

[johnrobert57]

Can you please confirm what nights are the formal nights? Trying to figure out dinner plans...........leaving on Freedom 10/7!! Thanks much

[Ren1216]

Can you offer any advice as to the ability to take a 9:30 am flight home the morning the cruise ends? If we shlep our own luggage I'm wondering if it could be possible to get to the Orlando airport in time.

 

Absolutely NOT! This would be a tight squeeze in Ft Lauderdale or Miami where the ports and airports aren't very far from one another... but MCO (Orlando airport) is at least an hour from Port Canaveral, that's IF there are no traffic issues. As someone else said, you've got customs to clear before departing the port (and this does get held up sometimes). Then the drive to Orlando... how are you getting there? Too far for a taxi, so you must be planning on a bus transfer or a rental car, there's even more of a hold-up with those two methods. And THEN you'll have security at the airport. I personally think this would make for a ridiculously stressful and miserable last day of vacation, definitely take a later flight.

 

Can you please confirm what nights are the formal nights? Trying to figure out dinner plans...........leaving on Freedom 10/7!! Thanks much

 

I know that on the Eastern route, formal nights are Monday and Friday. On the Western route *I THINK* they are Monday and Thursday (please do confirm this with someone who's more certain than I am if this is the route that you will be on).

[Ren1216]

CruisinPeg -- Glad you had a great cruise! I'm very much looking forward to a more detailed review.

[crusinpeg]

Can you please confirm what nights are the formal nights? Trying to figure out dinner plans...........leaving on Freedom 10/7!! Thanks much

 

Are you doing Eastrn or Western?...we were on the Western and it was Monday and Thursday (don't know about Eastern)