11/29/14 Freedom Solo Premier Casino Cruise Review

[doncoldwater]

It makes a difference ! Lol well thanks for being so nice. I may need to get cruising advice one day.

 

 

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[cruzn buckeye]

It makes a difference ! Lol well thanks for being so nice. I may need to get cruising advice one day.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

thank you too, anytime....

[NCTribeFan]

Saturday, 12/6, at sea

 

Last day already!!??!! How does happen?

 

I woke at 7:05 and again tried to find the seat I wanted on Serenity. It was closed again, just like on the first sea day, due to winds. Sigh.

 

So I got an omelette and took my tea outside on Deck 10, portside between the upper Lido dining area and the main pool area. I sat in the sun and finished another book.

 

There was a Premier Casino Club slot tournament to start at noon. It had been announced that anyone with 2,000 points was eligible (no entry fee). Now, since I normally just play slots, I usually know what my point total is. But playing slots and the roulette wheel, I really had no idea. I'm pretty sure I had at least 1,500 points on the slots, so I went to the table to ask the hostess, who said they had combined the points and after consulting a list commented, "I don't know what you were worried about!" and wrote down my name for heat #10, machine #2.

 

Someone I knew from the Splendor cruise (and who was on our tour in Aruba) also had machine #2 a couple of heats before me. She didn't do very well. I had the 2nd-lowest score in my heat. And then, guess what? The tournament winner, on machine #2, won the free cruise. Doesn't it just figure?

 

I decided to go down and get my free drink coupon (like I needed another free drink, right?) and went to brunch. I reverted back to the huevos rancheros, which was much better than the two times I ordered it on Splendor. For my drink, I ordered a Peach Bellini, and it was delicious!

 

Back to the roulette wheel and no luck, so I decided to go down and pack. Boo hoo. Then back to nice, quiet Deck 3 to start another book.

 

 

I went to the MDR at 6:20 and waited an hour for a table. Once again, good thing I hadn't waited until I was actually hungry. I'm just not a fan of YTD. I like having the same servers, which sort of defeats the purpose of YTD. I'm going back to late dining next time. I wasn't impressed with the service on this last night. This is two cruises in a row that I felt I was pretty much ignored.

 

Back to the casino to try again and, again, no luck. I waited a bit and realized I still had a black chip in the safe, which I needed to either use to play to or cash in. I cashed it and played using $60 of it, and cashed out when I was at $100 again.

 

I headed back to the cabin just before 11:30 to finalize my packing (must be sure to leave clothing and shoes for the morning!), and went to bed.

[NCTribeFan]

Sunday, 12/7, disembarkation and flight home

 

I woke before 6. Ugh. I laid in bed until about 6:30 and went up for breakfast. Unfortunately, I was too early for a final burrito, so I just went through the normal buffet line. The scrambled eggs were surprisingly good (just be sure to scrape some off the top and not get the soggy stuff in the bottom).

 

I was in no hurry (12:20 flight), but I had nothing to do, so I went to the MDR at the appointed time for Platinum non-self-assist. And the place was already cleared out. I obviously missed something, but I did my best to tune out Jen all week.

 

So I just got in line and disembarked at 8:10. Yes, as on Splendor a month earlier, there were still self-assist people hauling masses of luggage down the gangway. People - either book later flights or pack lighter! Sheesh.

 

Naturally, my two bags were about as far apart as they could possibly be (different types of bags plus I had put them out at different times). I finally found the 2nd one and then got in the very long line for customs. And realized I hadn't filled out the customs declaration. So, I got out of line and filled it out and got back at the end of the line. There were only THREE people working the customs counters. Three. If I had realized the line was going to be that slow, I would've just filled out my form as I stood there, not moving!

 

It was almost 9 by the time I got in my taxi. It's a very short ride to the airport, so I was there quickly. The line for the SW checkin was closed and a security guard was standing there. "What time is your flight?" "12:20" "You can't check in until two hours before your flight. Have a seat over there." "What do you mean, two hours? I was here a month ago and was allowed to check in!" "No, ma'am, that's how it is on weekends." "No, sir, I was here on a Sunday and the man specifically said FOUR hours!" "Sorry, ma'am, but you can't check in until two hours before your flight."

 

So, I had a seat, plugged in my phone, and read some more. As I was boarding, I saw some Roulette buddies sitting nearby and waved. I took a seat near the back of the plane, and later saw them boarding. If I'd known they were on the same flight, I would've saved a row back there. Anyway, we arrived at RDU on time, and I had a chat with them while we waited for our luggage. Then it was off to the taxi stand and the 15 minute ride home.

[NCTribeFan]

Random thoughts.....

 

On the Premier Casino thing - I enjoyed it. I appreciated the $300 cruise cash and the $75 Hot Seat win. And the free drinks. There were times when there wasn't an empty slot machine available. It was pretty crazy.

 

I wish I'd asked how many points I had, because on that last evening, just about everyone I spoke to asked if I'd gotten my free cruise offer in the cabin. Uh, no, I did not. So even though I apparently had plenty of points to enter the slot tournament, I obviously didn't have enough to warrant a free offer.

 

And now there's another round of Premier offers out but I didn't receive one. I'm 100% sure I had more points on this cruise than any I've been on. So, if I had enough points on my Pride cruise last May to warrant the Premier offers after that, why am I not receiving them now? It's very frustrating.

 

On the smoking in the casino - it was absolutely horrible. I would've spent even more time in there but the smoke chased me out. I find it absolutely ridiculous that they can't arrange the machines and tables so that the non-smoking areas aren't totally surrounded by smoking areas. I mean, yes, it may keep the shriveled up little old lady from sitting next to you with a cig two inches away from your nose and eyes, but that's about it.

 

And there was zero enforcement of the smoking "rules" as is typical with Carnival. You are allowed to smoke at smoking machines and tables ONLY WHILE PLAYING. Yeah, right!

 

People walked all over the casino while smoking. People stood behind others at NS tables and machines while smoking. People played NS machines while smoking. People sat and smoked while not playing. Several people I spoke to said they had complained to the hostesses who basically said there was nothing they could do but they'd say something if they saw someone breaking the rules. Yeah, right! :mad:

 

Please, I do not want to hear the whining from the addicts about how they've been shut out and can't even smoke on their balcony any more. Well, boo hoo. Here's an idea. Quit! I did. I quit the day I found out I was pregnant. Think how much more money you'd have for booze and gambling.

 

Thoughts on entertainment - I'm so happy that there is latin music on ships now. I love it. I so very much wish I had someone to salsa dance with! But they were SO LOUD. Seriously. This is a common complaint about the live music. The young woman playing acoustic guitar in the lobby to about 12 people was so loud that you could hear every note and word in the sports bar two decks up with the door closed. When they were playing trivia in the lobby, same thing. You know what? It really isn't necessary to have the PA on 10 for every, single thing. Really. No, really, it isn't.

 

Other than the noise level, I thought the music was pretty good. I even stopped in the Red Frog Pub one night and a guy was playing, and was singing Al Green! I was impressed. I should've spent more time in there, but this happens to me every cruise. I do the same things every cruise and neglect to do new stuff.

 

OK, I did spend about 30 minutes at the Dive in Movie that one night. But I didn't go to any comedy shows. I don't do trivia (even when I'm passing through and realize I know the answers). I'm a terrible creature of habit, even with my dining selections. When I find something I like, I tend to stick with it. In all things.

 

Except going to new ports. That is something I try to do as often as possible. It was great to get SIX new ports on two cruises a month apart. I really liked the DR and Curacao this time. I was online checking to see how expensive it would be to go to Curacao for a week. It's not cheap. Then I checked for all-inclusives in the DR and found I could go for just over $1000! That sounds pretty good, considering it's all inclusive! I may seriously do that. Would be nice to have someone join me, but it's so difficult to get people to travel when they all have families and jobs.

 

The food - overall, I was happy. But then, I'm always happy with the food. I typically don't eat from the main Lido buffet. There are too many other options. I was mildly disappointed in my Guy's Burgers, though. And the Fish & Chips. Never even managed to have a burrito for lunch, but the tacos were good. I love my turkey & swiss deli sandwiches. I neglect to mention that one night, I went up to Lido hoping to have a bowl of ice cream before bed, but none of the stations had anything but cones and I don't like cones. So, out back, there were hot dogs and cookies and a few other things, so instead of ice cream, I had a hot dog. And chips!!! I've whined for years about how Carnival has potato chips on the room service menu but not at the deli. And there they were! So I stuffed myself with chips as my midnight snack. :p

 

The CD, Jen Baxter - I can't stand that woman. I had her as the CD on my last Fascination cruise and couldn't stand her. I know there are people who think she is wonderful. Someone on the Aruba tour said they just thought she was great and loved the way she dresses. What, like a clown? Seriously?

 

People - stop being so enthralled by an English accent. It really is no big deal. Trust me. I lived with an Englishman for years. Pay attention to what's being said, not the accent. I think she's incredibly silly and I'm tired of sitting somewhere, reading, and having her run up and wave her hand in my face and shriek, "HELLOOO! HELLOOOO!" OMG, woman! I'm reading. Get out of my face! Seriously. So annoying. I just don't know why people find her schtick entertaining.

 

For me, a good CD doesn't have to be Head Comic on Board, although it seems this is what Carnival wants from them. I just want them to have an assortment of activities available should I finally decide I want to do something other than read, eat, drink, and gamble.

 

And speaking of activities, why, oh why, do they now have karaoke in the lobby and/or at the casino bar during the day? This should be sequestered away somewhere that people can attend if they want. Those of us who aren't interested should not have to be subjected to this "entertainment." I personally only enjoy karaoke late at night, when everyone's been drinking, and no one takes themselves too seriously. ;)

 

I'm sure I'll think of other things I meant to say. I always do. :D