Freedom Review

[Duffys wife 1957]

Background- I have sailed Freedom before, I loved it!

Embarkation-Fast

First impression of the ship-clean & beautiful

Cabin-GS Deck 10 - Beautiful! (Cabin was amazing!)

Cabin Steward- Great job, always fresh towels, ice bucket always filled, room always cleaned, great towel animals!

To Be Continued!

[Kteacher]

Looking forward to this as we’ll be in a GS on the Freedom in April. What was your cabin #?

 

 

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[jr8934]

Duffy's wife, we will be on Freedom in March. Would love to hear more about your cruise. Don't leave us in suspense! Joyce

[Duffys wife 1957]

Continued part 2

 

Chops- We had breakfast everyday in Chops, service was fine some days some days not. Breakfast sometimes was served cold and some items were forgotten.

 

Wind Jammer- Food was fine. Many tables open.

Main Dining Room- Service was great. Food not so much, food was fair at times, other times it was not. Taste was not consistent

To be Continued!.

[Duffys wife 1957]

Continued Part 3

 

GS on Deck 10 Room 1298

Bars- Schooner's and Boleros, Service was great, Drinks were also ;)

Pool Bar in Solarium -Bartenders were great, Drinks were also;) There were not many people taking drink orders in the Solarium, (I didn't care I got up got my own)

Life guards were very present.

Some Chair Hogs, Still seats available.

Shows- Mystery Theatre was great! Ice Show-Great! The other shows were alright. ( I have seen them on other ships) We never had any waiters in any of the shows ask us for drinks. Again we got our own

Room Service- Very Good, Service was fast!

Movie- Wonder, it was great we saw it on the deck in the evening.

 

To Be Continued...

[Duffys wife 1957]

Part 4

 

Excursions-St Kitts, Rail and Sail, The sail was wonderful, catamaran ride just beautiful, the rail was horrible.

Labadee-Yacht , This was great! I would recommend it! We hung on the beach for a few hours also.

San Juan- We had no excursions booked so we walked around Old San Juan and went to Barrachina's for a Pina Colada and Conch Fritters. It was delicious! Old San Juan was in great shape and recovering from the hurricane :)

St Maarten - We did not book anything, we walked around. It was extremely sad. People in the shops begging you to enter the stores and purchase. (We did) It is the only way the island will recover.. Police presence as some people asking you to buy or rent beach chairs or to take you for a tour of the island. As I said we bought so they can get on their feet and it will recover.. Just so sad...

To Be Continued.....

[Duffys wife 1957]

Part 5

Sorrento's- Pizza was fair

Ice Cream-Yummy

Cookies- Delicious

Coffee- Extremely Strong!!!

On the 3rd Day of the cruise, the 10 Drinks for $75.00 was offered.

To Be Continued......

[Duffys wife 1957]

Part 5

 

Next to our room we had a smoker. Every time we went out on the balcony it was smelling of cigarette smoke. After the 3rd day of complaining Security and our Concierge went to se if they were smoking. 1st time Warning 2nd time $250.00 fine, 3rd time escorted off the ship. They found no evidence of cigarettes...(miraculously we never smelled another cigarette off the balcony again) They told them if they did they would face consequences.

 

Not a lot of staff around, I noticed that some staff were happy while some not so much.

 

Many, many, electric scooters and walkers. We noticed many senior citizens. (more than on any other cruise) we weren't sure if it was because the time of year or the size of the ship.

 

I will try to answer any questions you might have...

[AWL3]

Hi- Thanks for the review! I'm sailing on Freedom for a 6 day in April- can you tell me more about the "10 drinks for $75"?

Is it something i need to watch for, or do they market it like they market the drink packages on day 1 (obvious so I wont miss the sale) and is it coupons, or something loaded on your seapass card?

Thanks in advance!

[undercat]

Part 4

 

 

 

Excursions-St Kitts' date=' Rail and Sail, The sail was wonderful, catamaran ride just beautiful, the rail was horrible.

To Be Continued.....[/quote']

 

We sailed the 9-day Indy holiday sailing last month, whose itinerary was basically the 8-day Freedom in reverse and with Antigua added (props to harryfat1 aka Cheapo dad for that description)

 

I’m curious as to what led to your description of the St. Kitts rail as “horrible.” We did the rail (minus the sail part) and enjoyed it, but it’s good to hear different viewpoints so that others who are considering booking these excursions can make informed choices.

[Clarea]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Did you see any drink cards for sale, and if so, what day and price?

[ColoradoGurl]

Concise and thorough at the same time. Thanks :)

 

 

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[Surfguyxxx]

Thanks. We're on Freedom in November of this year and in an OS. Looking forward to being on her again; my favorite class of ships.

[Duffys wife 1957]

The 10 Drinks for $75.00 was on Day three and it was listed on the Compass at the bottom of page three. I would ask everyday at any bar as they have them for sale at every bar. (I did speak to a few bartenders and they said not many drinkers on that cruise) I wondered if it was the age group on the ship or because of the having to purchase drink package for everyone in the room. One of the bartender said not many people are happy about the new rules regarding the drink package and he thinks Royal is losing drink package purchases business because of it. That is why they are offering the 10 for $75.00. I did see many people using the cards. The 10 for $75.00 are on a little cardboard business card and the bartenders color in the little circle when you purchase a drink. They are not your ship and sail card.

 

The Sail and Rail in St. Kitts as I did enjoy the catamaran but the rail part was just not enjoyable. We sat on the top level in the second car. There were not many people on this excursion so only two cars were available. The fumes from the train were blowing into our face constantly. It literally made all of us nauseous. They stated you were going to see plantations, all that you see is ruins a few walls and chimneys left from the plantations. The train goes through many little villages and the landscape is nice but not riding on a train that tosses and sways you back and forth the entire ride. The beverage that I requested was a rum punch, it was very sweet and tasted like powdered juice with sweet rum. I would not recommend this excursion as I said, it was horrible.

[Clarea]

The 10 Drinks for $75.00 was on Day three and it was listed on the Compass at the bottom of page three. ...

Thank-you.

[sgregel]

I just got off the 6 day Jan 14th Freedom sailing. I've sailed Freedom many times and never disappointed. I always have an inside cabin, which is fine for me. This time on Deck 10. Some observations from my cruise.

 

Cabin Attendant - Excellent

 

My Time Dining same time every night - Waiter had too many tables, but service was still good. Assistant waiter was in the back most of the time. My impression was cutbacks on staffing. I didn't like that they put a bread basket on the table. With Norovirus, it didn't seem like a good idea for people to put their hands in the bread basket. Dining room menu had good options every night. More hot soup options that I like every day. The food was very good with the exception of the prime rib and NY strip. Both cuts were not very tender. Not a big deal. I expected the NY strip would probably be a little tough. Should have ordered the Chops filet for the upcharge. Deserts every night were excellent.

 

Windjammer - Delay in opening the first day with no communication. The lack of communication was a big issue for me. That said, the food was probably the best of many recent cruises. Service was great. We ate breakfast and lunch in the Windjammer.

 

Casino - Very crowded. The tables I like to play had a waiting list every day. Not enough bar staff. They need to expand the casino if they are going to push the casino program.

 

I spend a lot of time in the casino, so I didn't attend any shows.

 

Overall, a very good cruise.

[bgcruiser]

Thanks for the quick review. We will be on FOS for the 2/11 6 night. This will be our second RCCL cruise. Sailed Allure a few years ago.

I have a question about cabin amenities. Just a lowly Gold level so no product upgrades for us ;). Anyway, is there bar soap by the sink in the cabin bathroom for hand washing and does the shower have a fabric/plastic curtain or actual door like the Oasis class?

 

Thanks!

[sgregel]

Thanks for the quick review. We will be on FOS for the 2/11 6 night. This will be our second RCCL cruise. Sailed Allure a few years ago.

I have a question about cabin amenities. Just a lowly Gold level so no product upgrades for us ;). Anyway, is there bar soap by the sink in the cabin bathroom for hand washing and does the shower have a fabric/plastic curtain or actual door like the Oasis class?

 

Thanks!

There is bar soap for the sink and shower. I think there is shampoo in a dispenser. I always take my own shampoo & conditioner. The shower has the hard plastic circular doors that pull together. It gives you more room in the shower and you aren't fighting the shower curtain.

[bgcruiser]

Thanks sgregel for the info!

[Sixtynifty]

Thank you for information about Freedom. I am taking my 9 year old granddaughter on her first cruise in March on Freedom. I have never sailed on her! Hoping she will love cruising like her Grandmama!

[dizneydawn]

Were the chairs in the Solarium covered with a chair pad?

 

I saw a pic on FB earlier that looked like the plain loungers found in the rest of the ship with no padding.

 

 

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[Duffys wife 1957]

The lounge chairs in the Solarium were not covered with chair pads. The chairs had chair pads.