Freedom of the seas Western Mediterranean trip report 14-21 May 2017

[waterlegs]

After meeting with the group and Alex the guide again, we travelled back along both coastlines to Pompeii. We had paid extra for a guide here and it was worth it. I feel a guide is a necessity here unless you have a specialised degree in Pompeii itself. I thought I knew a fair bit about it but learned more. The guide was invaluable at injecting his own personality into it and knowing how to avoid the crowds at certain places as well. With all that said, I was a little disappointed in Pompeii. Perhaps I was just very tired at that point. Sure it was interesting and glad I saw it. You would need about four to five hours I think to see all of it. We only had two and they flew by so fast.

We were back to port in plenty of time for our sailing once again, after a long but enjoyable day. Second formal night was this evening and we decided we would go to the royal promenade and get a proper photo taken of the four of us together. It was good fun and we got one good enough to buy the next day with our OBC. We were slightly late for the headline show after dinner, Once Upon A Time. I thought the stage sets and props and costumes were great. Didn't quite enjoy this show as much as marquee but my sisters thought it was the best of all the shows.

 

IMG_20170519_215605 by grainnemy, on Flickr

[waterlegs]

And here are the compasses for Day 6.

 

IMG_20170604_195527 by grainnemy, on Flickr

 

IMG_20170604_195539 by grainnemy, on Flickr

 

IMG_20170604_195549 by grainnemy, on Flickr

 

IMG_20170604_195555 by grainnemy, on Flickr

[mcatmcat]

thank you

[waterlegs]

Day 7

 

Naples was our final port of call and our last day was a sea day. Last night during the show the ship started swaying for the first time and I think there was a thunderstorm. This morning I was up bright and early. I went straight out on deck expecting rain as we were rocking so much. The mad thing was the sun was shining gloriously yet again but the wind was blowing wildly, so much that I needed to hold on to something to steady me on deck. This seemed unusual as in Ireland, wind is synonymous with rain and cold and black clouds. I went to the jogging track before deciding not to chance it. Grabbed breakfast in the WJ and then hit the whirlpool and solarium. Unfortunately the water wasnt very warm but relaxing nonetheless. After showering I dressed in my jeans and jumper and headed to studio B for a session on the ice. Hadn't set foot on an ice rink in eight years and struggled even then. Was determined to give ice skating at sea a whirl however. Wearing a helmet for it was a novelty but a good idea. Really enjoyed this activity and managed not to fall. By the end of the session I was able to get around the rink without holding the edge. lol. Was amazed watching the young people so daring and not afraid of falling. There was a child that had turned three the day before. No fear whatsoever. After this I went to cafe promenade as hadnt tried it out yet. Had a gorgeous strawberry cake and lovely coffee. Very impressed. Problem here is the cafe is very difficult to find a seat in.

It was then time to go to the star lounge and learn the Jive dance. This was great fun. I have never been a Strictly fan but enjoyed these classes immensely and the dance teachers were so lovely. Considering taking up classes now.

Hit the gym for the threadmill then instead of being blown off the jogging track. During all this time the rest of my family were in the fitness centre at the metabolism lecture and signing up to some detox programme which they have started now. Good luck to them.

In the afternoon we all met up in Cafe Promenade again as my mother expressed a desire for afternoon tea. Given I had already been there and had cake earlier, I brought a cereal bar from my cabin this time and just had a diet coke with it.

The Move it Move it Dreamworks spectacular parade was on in the Royal Promenade early evening. I really enjoyed this. Costumes and music were spectacular. Wish my kids could have experienced it. Maybe one day.

Our final dinner, we were at a different table for some reason...maybe down to the time we chose but it didnt matter in the grand scheme of things. Lovely dinner again and we said our goodbyes to Nicholas and Marion our table waiter and waitress.

The final show of the cruise was a farewell variety show, featuring Jaz Danion, a french artist who was phenomenal at balancing and catching. Before he came on, cruise director Mercedes presented a feature on first time cruiser questions. This was hilarious. She is so funny and had us laughing til our sides ached.

The evening finished with my two sisters and I enjoying a few scoops in the Bull and Bear with resident musician James Brown performing. It was our second night here but we stayed longer this time. He is very talented and connects well with his audience through his music but seemed very quiet. When he had finished for the night I asked him if we could have a photo with him. To my surprise he not only posed for photos with us but sat with us for at least an hour and shared some of his life experiences of living onboard and off board with us. Very interesting time.

And so the time came to our last sleep in our little cabin. Hit the bed at about 3am and had to be up again at 5.30am.

 

IMG_20170520_120346 by grainnemy, on Flickr

 

IMG_20170520_203220 by grainnemy, on Flickr

 

IMG_20170520_221230 by grainnemy, on Flickr

 

IMG_20170521_001355 by grainnemy, on Flickr

[waterlegs]

Final day of cruise compasses

 

IMG_20170604_195611 by grainnemy, on Flickr

 

IMG_20170604_195626 by grainnemy, on Flickr

 

IMG_20170604_195631 by grainnemy, on Flickr

 

IMG_20170604_195636 by grainnemy, on Flickr

[waterlegs]

Day 8 Disembarking

 

We had decided to take our luggage off with us instead of doing the tagging system and leaving it outside the door. We had a fairly early flight, so were lined up to disembark at 6.15am. We skipped breakfast as WJ didn't open until 6am. After a bit of a wait in Boleros bar, we disembarked easily. I dont think we were off any quicker this way to be honest as bags that would have been with ours in the tagging system were already ready for collection. We had a little walk to our coach and then got going to the airport. As it turned out our airline was slightly delayed at first and then missed its take off slot so we had a two hour delay but arrived home safe, happy....and ready to do it all again soon!

 

Glad to say I never developed the post cruise blues. I had a wonderful week but was so happy to come back to my husband and children again that it didnt matter that the big holiday was over. Now I have a few years to talk my husband into taking a cruise as I want to go again but take him and the boys with me next time.

Hope you all enjoyed my trip report. Have lots of ship photos as well if anyone wants to see them or if anyone has any questions go ahead and ask. The only thing I would have changed food wise would be to increase variety in the MDR. I would have liked to try some of the trivia activities or the Quest show. There was so much choice of what to do however that I had to sacrifice many activities for others. Certainly if I get to do a less port intensive cruise one day I would remedy this. Not a bad thing to say about the ship, itinerary or anything though. It was truly memorable for all four of us.

[holidayqueen47]

Great trip review thanks. Do you have to book for the ice skating or just turn up to participate?

[stl82]

Thank you for the report and the Cruise Compasses! Very happy you enjoyed the cruise.

[waterlegs]

Great trip review thanks. Do you have to book for the ice skating or just turn up to participate?

 

No, you can just turn up. Make sure you have long trousers and socks. I actually wore a jumper but was boiling. Wish I had worn short sleeves...then if you fall in short sleeves it could be sore.

[cruisingbajan]

Thanks for sharing.

[easyboy]

Thanks for the great review and wonderful photos!

 

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app

[judeniece]

I have just seen you review dont know how i missed it but i loved every moment. Can you tell me please what time was your dinner and then what time did you go to the shows at. We have traditional dining booked for 6.30 but i am now wondering will i make the shows. tk u

[Gracie'sMom]

Thanks for the review. It was very helpful and enjoyable.

[bobmacliberty]

Let me add my thanks as well. We're on this cruise in a couple of months and your review has made us (even more) excited.

[TEALKITTY]

WOW!! Thx soooo MUCH for sharing the pics and your activities!!! Will be doing this cruise 5 Oct so this is REALLY helpful! XO

[waterlegs]

I have just seen you review dont know how i missed it but i loved every moment. Can you tell me please what time was your dinner and then what time did you go to the shows at. We have traditional dining booked for 6.30 but i am now wondering will i make the shows. tk u

 

Hi. Sorry, I got no notification of posts here recently. We were given MTD by the travel agent. We had booked the first two evenings in advance. The times were around 6.15/6.30. Some nights we booked later. You will be able to judge for the shows when you have your cruise compass but if you are going to a show make sure to tell your waitor/waitress and they will prioritise your table for service and make sure you are finished in time. Most evenings shows were repeated so you could choose the early or late time but some nights, like for the Ice Show there was just one time. It was easy to get reservations made for MTD. Not sure for traditional dining but 6.30 sounds good generally as there is usually a show at 9.45pm. The evenings where there was one show only it was at about 8pm I think...you can recheck the compasses I posted. Enjoy your cruise.