Freedom of the Seas 4/21/14 Western Caribbean Review

[TammyC]

Fred said that after looking around the kids found the rock wall. Ally decided that is what she wanted to do. Ashley wanted to head back to the room and chill out for awhile. Knowing that I would not want to miss the kids doing something cool Fred went on a search for me. He ran into my mom first on on deck 12 watching the belly flop contest. Of course he put his camera skills to use for part of the action.

 

 

Man thats gotta HURT!!!

 

[TammyC]

Fred found me quickly at the adult pool and my mom asked me where i had been. Here is were I got slick (don't judge me, everyone needs alone time). "Mom I told you to meet me at the pool. I guess we got mixed up on which pool." Man that was close.

 

We headed over to the rock wall on deck 13. Ally waited in line and got prepped for the climb. Fred strapped Gopros all over her to capture her ascent to the top of Mt Freedom. Before you know it she was off. Man that kid flew up that awl like the wind.

 

 

 

Even robbed frames from the Gopros

 

 

Bet no one has a picture of the ship from this angle!!

 

 

Ally even got to rappel down, which I thought was really cool.

 

[Wildcatfish]

Great pics of the rock wall! Beautiful view.

 

Glad you found some alone time at the secret pool.:D

[dmndlil]

More..... more.... cant wait to read more :D

[BamaGuy44]

I have to say I am LOVING this review. The little side stories you are telling are too funny. "Like a tiger shark on a turtle shell" :p Now that's funny right there.

 

Your parents sound great, all of us who have traveled with our parents as adults can relate. My mom was a PAIN to travel with, but we always had fun and now that she's passed I cherish those memories!

[BamaGuy44]

Also I see you did a couple of Disney cruises before this one. We are going on Freedom next year, all our other cruises have been Disney.

 

How do you feel the service and food and overall experience compares to your Disney cruises?

[clochette]

what a fun review, thanks. I love the "church" story

[BobbyD]

Oh this sounds like a trip down memory lane! Yep, I've been there with my parents.:D

 

Looking forward to the rest of the review!

 

Yes. This is awesome because we've all "been there, done that!"

 

I feel your pain! But, it is a good, loving pain!

[TammyC]

Also I see you did a couple of Disney cruises before this one. We are going on Freedom next year, all our other cruises have been Disney.

 

How do you feel the service and food and overall experience compares to your Disney cruises?

 

As far as an adult experience Royal and Disney were equally fulfilling. I thought we would enjoy have the casino onboard with Royal since Disney does not offer them, but to be honest we never did anything other than pass through it. I had read that the slots were stingy and that tuned me away from the whole thing. The table games were never very crowded when we passed through. Just never had the urge to throw anymore money away.

 

Level of service is about the same I think. I feel Royal Caribbean nickel and dimes you a bit. Disney didn't make us feel that way. You pay less on Royal Caribbean, so maybe thats why.

 

As adults we are really indifferent to either Royal or Disney. Both are a blast and will take care of your ever whim.

 

As for the kids, Disney hands down is their choice. Royal is great with the rock wall and flow rider, but the kids club leaves a lot to be desired in their opinion. I was planning on getting into our likes and dislikes as the review went on but I will air them out here. Maybe relive them through a story or something down the road.

 

We signed Ally, our 9 year old, up for the kids club first day. When we enter the space it was just that, a fairly good size open space. There was nothing engaging on the walls that invited the kids to interact with the room in any way. They had one attendant in there checking over the paperwork and scanning Seapass cards. She handed Ally a laniard for her to attach her Seapass card. We went by there on numerous occasions, (so we could be alone). God who wants to go on vacation and have all these people follow you around ALL THE TIME!!!! Come on people, thats why we ant on a cruise. Dump the kids off in kids club and lets get crazy!!! Seriously though when we would go by their, they never seemed to be doing anything fun for the kids. Ally basically said screw that noise, "I'm kicking it with Fred for the week".

 

Ashley on the other hand made multiple attempts to use the space provided for her age group. They grouped 12-17 in the same areas. That is a pretty wide range for any teenager to click with. We all remember what those years are like. Having 5 years between someone 40 and 45, no big deal. Having 4 years between someone 25 and 29, not a problem. Having 3 years between someone 12 and someone 15, man they are in different galaxies!!!!

 

There were times when Fred would walk by the area dedicated for her age and see a bunch of kids in there hanging. He would let Ashley know about it and she would bolt up there to chat them up and make friends, just to come back disappointed because they were a but older and not interested in hanging out with a 12 year old.

 

I think the cruise director staff did a great job with the adults by making them get involved in activities. They were not going to let you sit on the edge and be a wallflower. It did force some people out of their comfort zone (Fred mainly), but by doing that it made everyone enjoy their time onboard that much more. I think the kids programs onboard need to take a lesson from the cruise director staff and force these kids together instead of letting them have supervised free time.

 

I hope that makes sense. If not, let me know and I will try to clarify my thoughts a bit more.

 

P.S.

One more example of the kids program. They did open skate on the ice rink one day I remember. It was for kids 12-14. Great I though, here is a opportunity for Ashly to meet andy hang out with kids her age. As I read the description it said kids age 12, parent required to attend. Just want every 12 year old wants when they are hanging around a with a group of kids they own age.

 

Again I remember that age. Its akward. You are trying to find yourself. Your parents are the most embarrassing thing ever at 12. I wish Royal Caribbean would think of that.