Post dry dock Freedom Review: Better late than never

[Momma1980]

Beautiful pictures!

What camera were you using?

Thanks for posting this review:)

[cra-z-2cruise]

Beautiful pictures!

What camera were you using?

 

 

Glad you are enjoying the review.

All of the pics were taken with my iphone 5. :)

[SMSACE6]

thanks for your review!

 

I have been on this ship before and loved it, and I know I will love it still when I go in Nov, but I am disappointed to hear that the red frog pub wont have the pub food, and I am only just getting over the disappointment that the old tandoor grill is gone. But i will survive:D and I am looking forward to the blue iguana place. Love your photos.

[cra-z-2cruise]

We have cruised out of Puerto Rico a few times, so we sort of knew the lay of the land. We also knew it was HOT and we didn't want to walk a lot!

We a booked a 10:00 segway tour with Segway Tours of Puerto Rico

http://www.segwaytourspr.com/

The cost is $85 for a two hour tour and includes admission to the fort.

 

I had taken my kids on this tour before, so wanted to go with DH this time round. Jose was our guide and did a great job.

 

 

 

 

After the tour we asked Jose for a suggestion for lunch, somewhere he would go.

 

He gave us directions and we were off.

 

 

This is diner type place with a line out the door for seating. We only waited about 15 minutes for a seat. The food was awesome and in the $8-$15 range for lunch. DH had something that resembled chicken parmesan with beans and rice. I had breaded shrimp with rice and beans. I live on the Gulf Coast and have had my share of shrimp. I have to say that these were some of the best I had ever had. We were both stuffed!

 

 

Wondered around the dock area for a bit, then back on the ship for a shower before sail away.

 

 

Edited June 2, 2014 by cra-z-2cruise

[mcjigs]

excited with your review, we leave on her on Monday, can't wait!!!:D

[cruzkitty]

Great review and pictures! Thanks for taking the time to post. We'll be cruising on the Freedom in September.

[cra-z-2cruise]

Slept in a little the next day (sea day), but made it up just in time for breakfast at the Blue Iguana Cantina.

 

Spent some more time playing shuffleboard and wandering around a bit. Later in the afternoon we headed up to one of the shaded areas in Serenity and had a drink. We could here David's set from the pool area and just chilled and enjoyed the view of the ocean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Half Moon Cay was the only port we had not been to and we were not sure what to expect.

 

We were only planning a beach day, so no rush to get off the ship.

We were up an moving around on deck by 9:00 and got our tender ticket, #16.

 

This was also my first time to see all the towel animals out on deck. I was so excited!

Loved the baby elephants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was still taking pics when they called for our tender. I had expected a longer wait. :)

[John F]

Great review and photos!! We have been on the Freedom many, many times and are going back on her in Sept. Really looking forward to the changes. Hope they do not go to the new dining venue in the dining rooms. We like the original menus!! :) John & Priscilla

[cra-z-2cruise]

 

The beach is beautiful!

 

Of course we had to go up in the pirate ship for the photo op!

 

 

 

We walked the entire length of the beautiful beach. We had decided against bringing our snorkel gear, but kinda wish we had once we were there.

 

After a while, black clouds began rolling in and we decided it was a good time for lunch.

We just sat down with our food when it started to pour!

Although it had slowed considerably by the time we finished eating, the sky still looked rough, so we decided to head back.

 

 

 

After a shower, we decided it was a good opportunity to pack.

 

Despite the still sprinkling rain, we stood out on deck for our last sail away.

 

 

 

[cra-z-2cruise]

We were up early the next day for self assist disembarkation.

I have to say this was the absolute easiest disembark we have ever had.

Essentially no line at all to get off the ship and only a small one for customs.

 

We stayed on extra day in Fort Lauderdale and were at our hotel before 8:00.

 

I had reserved our room on priceline for $80+tax, with my only criteria being on the beach. We got the Bahia Mar hotel. I was nervous after reading some of the reviews and fully expected to have to wait until after 3 for check in.

However, much to my surprise, the offered us an upgrade to a marina view balcony for $20 and the room was ready now! Of course we took it!

 

 

 

The room and furnishings were a little dated, but it met all my needs...

location, clean, comfortable!

 

Wish we had a few more days we could spend here!

 

 

 

 

 

After we settled in a bit, we hit the beach again.

 

In the morning we had it all to ourselves, but it quickly filled up!

 

 

[lovestocruise19]

Sorry, forgot to answer the cabin question.

We were in 6203. It was a nice roomy cabin, more square than rectangle. It was really a great location for everything. If not for the noise issue it would be perfect. Ours was only a couple doors down from the stairs, so that may have been a factor. Probably halfway down that hallway would have been much better. Live and learn, right?

 

Are you sure you were in 6203? The only reason I ask is that I'm going to be in 6201 on the repo cruise and it is the room at the front of the ship that is an interior with a picture window that looks out to the secret deck. 6203 is next to it. Your room didn't look like it had a window.

 

Anyway, thanks for the pics! There haven't been too many pics of her upgrades yet, so it is nice to see!

[jimneda]

Thanks for the great photos and descriptions of the features, we are on Freedom 3 weeks from yesterday!

Edited June 2, 2014 by jimneda

[lgerrish]

I'm lovin' your review and photos!!! We're on the Freedom in three weeks and are anxious to see the upgrades. Your photos are awesome!!!

 

One question...where is the Red Frog Pub located?

 

I cannot wait for Margaritas at the Blue Iguana either!!!

[arubanut]

Great review and pictures!!!!

Love it!:)

 

We sail on the Freedom August 16th.

[funinthesun1964]

Thanks for posting. Love the Freedom! :D

[jazzlover04]

Thanks for taking time to provide us with a great review and pictures. My family and I will be sailing on the Freedom June 30, and seeing the improvements are creating some excitement.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[cra-z-2cruise]

Are you sure you were in 6203?

 

 

So sorry, you are correct.

We were in 6305. :)

[cra-z-2cruise]

I'm lovin' your review and photos!!!

 

One question...where is the Red Frog Pub located?

 

 

 

Thanks, glad you are enjoying the review.

The Red Frog Pub is between the casino and the dance club, almost in the center of the ship on deck five. Be sure to say Hi to Melonie for us! :)

[cra-z-2cruise]

That evening we took a ride on the river boat up through the intercoastal waterway. It was interesting to see all of the pricey houses and yachts.

 

The next morning I couldn't pass on the chance to sit on the beach and watch the sun rise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked along the beach for a couple hours, then it was time to admit that vacation was really over.

 

Around 11:00 we checked out and took the hotel shuttle to the airport, which was $23.

 

All in all it was a great trip, despite the few little bumps in the road.

Very happy with the 2.0 upgrades and am happy that Freedom will be sailing out of our home port next year.

Hope all of you who will be sailing on her soon have an awesome trip! :)

[lgerrish]

Thanks, glad you are enjoying the review.

The Red Frog Pub is between the casino and the dance club, almost in the center of the ship on deck five. Be sure to say Hi to Melonie for us! :)

 

Thank you and we'll be sure to see Melonie for you!

 

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

[Beachlover1964]

Thanks so much for your great review and pictures. My cruise is almost here, June 14! I've cruised the Freedom twice in the last year and am so excited for the changes. Your sunrise pictures in Fort Lauderdale are amazing!

[reerun25]

Really enjoyed your review!

[AmberTeka]

Thanks for the review.

 

Now TEXAS will have my TWO Favorite ships....The Dream. The Freedom. Hopefully we will sail on The Freedom one last time before it leaves. We sailed the Dream two months ago.in .March.

[pghsteelerfan]

I really enjoyed your review and the pictures you take are beautiful! I remember your Valor review from last year and really enjoyed that one as well. :)

[AmandaBlue]

Thanks for the review.

 

Now TEXAS will have my TWO Favorite ships....The Dream. The Freedom. Hopefully we will sail on The Freedom one last time before it leaves. We sailed the Dream two months ago.in .March.

 

Texas has the Magic, not the Dream.

 

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk