Fantabulous Freedom

[lovelife]

The Solarium is one of my favorite spots but there was never a lounger available.

 

Not a seat to be had

 

 

There is no food or drink here and I found it hard to believe you could not at least get water or lemonade but had to walk to the other end of the ship to the Windjammer.

 

Seems these Solarium contraptions must have been used for food in the past but they were empty all week.

 

 

Pool deck on sea day

 

[momof3terriers]

Just booked a western carribean cruise on the Freedom, this thread has got me super excited.

[nin_man]

I'm on this cruise in just under a month, been keeping a bug-eyed stare on this thread.

[jdmerck]

We are leaving this Sunday coming, you wouldn't happen to have a updated compass?? we went on the Freedom 2 years ago loved it, one of my Favs

[lovelife]

We are leaving this Sunday coming, you wouldn't happen to have a updated compass?? we went on the Freedom 2 years ago loved it, one of my Favs

 

I do have some of them. Which compass day would you like?

[lovelife]

Views from our balcony

 

 

 

PORTS

 

Coco Cay

 

Our plan was to spend a short time on the island and then come back to the ship and enjoy it while most folks were gone. I love Coco Cay but the water doesn't seem as nice and clean as it once was. We caught a late tender and headed to the island.

 

 

 

We walked around a bit.

 

 

[lovelife]

We strolled through this private area and did not see one soul using it.

 

 

 

We settled in nearby loungers and after a couple hours of relaxing and playing in the water we headed back to the ship. We did not have the island BBQ.

 

 

The beautiful lady

 

 

 

Upon our return it was wonderful being able to use the pools and hot tubs without the masses. Heck, we even got a poolside lounger!

[cruising to paradise]

Love reading your review. We will be on her in January, can't wait. Been on Liberty, first time on Freedom.

[Hotel CA]

We are on the FOS Nov 17 sailing and are tracking your exceptional post and Pictures.

Thank you so much for this-- you really have done a great job with your thread

[PJB3]

Keep the photos coming . . . this is great! Going on the Freedom next april for the first time.

[SoALcruiser]

Oh, how I love the Freedom and your photos make me feel like I am there. Looking forward to the rest of your review.

[frenchrci]

What a review !! Thanks !

 

I miss this wonderful ship... !

[TravelingTess]

Thanks for the great review & pics! We have a year until our Freedom cruise. :)

[G85 SS]

Oh how I miss CocoCay. :(

[avril4111]

do you remember what night the half- price drinks were in the casino?

that is when I will go ;)

[BillOh]

The Solarium is one of my favorite spots but there was never a lounger available.

 

Not a seat to be had

 

 

I've been enjoying your Freedom pics,. I hope to return to her after 7 years in 2015. This solarium is my favorite of any RC ship. I think RC could help the chairhog situation by putting a cubby nearby where I can put a towel, shirt and shoes perhaps and then hang in the pool. I don't mind spending time in the pool, or in that run off area where the ladies are sitting.

[Crzy4cruzinchic]

I will be on Freedom on Sunday, did they happen to say when they thought they would have all the construction around the pool area done? Thanks! :)

[BillOh]

Sorrento's had fair pizza.

 

 

I agree. I was a little disappointed when Freedom got what was called "The Oasis upgrades" that they didn't add the design your own personal pizza to Sorrentos. The table seating area here is big enough to sit and grab a fresh piece right out of the oven, which helps, but I really like the personal ones on Allure/Oasis.

[jdmerck]

Any Compass, wondering if anything changed in 2 years since we were on in 2011 that's even if I can remember 2 years ago... when I was on the 50% drinks actually were BOGO in the On Air lounge 4-6

[lovelife]

do you remember what night the half- price drinks were in the casino?

that is when I will go ;)

 

I took the photo on 9/26 so that would have been day five.

 

To all who have commented: thanks for your kind words. I'll try to wrap this up ASAP

[lovelife]

I will be on Freedom on Sunday, did they happen to say when they thought they would have all the construction around the pool area done? Thanks! :)

 

I didn't speak to anyone about it but I believe it should be complete. I have some photos to post from the end of the cruise and it looks almost ready.

[ToddMnIT]

No need to rush. Your photos and write ups really target a lot of what I want to see. I am sailing on it the first time in March. I am hoping to find time to show my wife and kids your photos. Thank you so much for writing this up.

[lovelife]

More food porn.

 

This second evening, which was formal, we used our free specialty dinner from our TA at Portofino. Twice before when I ate at this restaurant it was superb. This would have been also if the waiter had not left my seafood skewer sitting on the counter for ten minutes before serving it to me cold. I commented that I had seen it sitting up there for a long period and he offered to reheat it but I declined. All the food was delicious.

 

Portofino

 

 

Delectable bread

 

 

Yummy shrimp risotto

 

 

Caesar salad

 

 

My delicious but cold seafood skewer

 

 

DH's surf and turf -- I don't remember that being on the menu previously but they did offer it this night

 

[lovelife]

Portofino dessert sampler - we could not eat half of it

 

 

We were presented a decorated plate and piece of cake in honor of our 30th wedding anniversary. Nice.

 

 

The happy Windjammer greeter

 

 

Windjammer stations

 

 

 

Windjammer balloon man

 

[lovelife]

The Windjammer, as always, has anything you may want to eat. Really good omelettes with a wait. If you don't like something, just wander around and find something else to your liking.

 

Days two and six were formal with lobster night on day six. We had My Time Dining and asked for the same excellent waiters each evening we ate there. The meals we had in the dining room were very good.

 

Some kind of chilled soup - I love these

 

 

My cod dinner

 

 

DH's brown dinner - beef of some sort

 

 

Waiter insisted on bringing a third dish to try

 

 

Tutti salad for lunch in the dining room on sea days was as delicious as ever. DH had to ask that his salad be chopped but mine was chopped without my asking. This filthy wall in the dining room, however, was not at all appetizing but it didn't seem to stop me from shoving the food in my mouth!

 

 

A horrible photo of the dining room but the only one I have