Fresh off of Freedom, 6 Night Western Caribbean Review

[Devi8or]

Hey all,

 

We just returned home from our trip on the Freedom of the Seas from 2/25-3/3 and thought I would share my thoughts about our experience.

 

First off I was a little weary after reading some recent negative reviews of people have recently taken Freedom for a trip. Let me say, everything I had heard was nothing we experienced while on our cruise. Let's start with the good things

 

Good:

-Food in MDR was a lot better than I had read about. We ate every dinner in there and for the most part it was good. There was 1 or 2 things that we're just okay or meh. Our servers were excellent, shoutout to Najaeh and Slim Ben for their excellent service and being great guys! They we're very nice, polite, and took the time to remember what our preferences were and such. These guys made the dining experience pretty cool.

 

-Cruise Director Topi was AWESOME! Loved the energy he brought to the shows and boat in general. He was very funny and personable, seems like people loved him. My favorite part was at the Final show where he re-enacted all the dances he "saw" people doing on the boat. He basically nailed 20-30 different popular dances flawlessly......well done Topi

 

-Pools we're never really very crowded. There was a lot of people sitting in the chairs, but my daughter really only shared the pool with a handful of people.

 

-Our stateroom attendant Simplicio was EXCELLENT! Whatever we needed (which was not a lot) he was very accessible and always very courteous and polite. He remembered our names after the first night, which is pretty amazing considering how many people he sees over the months. He was able to get me Distilled water and an extension cord for my CPAP machine even though I never requested it, tipped us off on a cheaper way to do our laundry the night before it was advertised too. Thanks again for being awesome! Kids loved the towel animals too

 

Bad:

Honestly, my wife and I talked about it, there wasn't anything that really stood out as a bad for us aside from the slow elevators at times. We were in cabin 1534 on Deck 10. We ate on deck 3, shows were on deck 4. When those things would get out, the elevators got super slow. We would walk most, but we have a 9 year old daughter with heart conditions, so the trek up the stairs takes her a bit.

 

-Smoke from the Casino was very pungent. I've been to Vegas a few times and this blew it out of the water in terms of lingering smoke. The small area of casino was completely reeking of it and it would bleed into the surrounding areas. I went there for like 20 minutes then never went back the whole cruise, it was just too much

 

 

-Smoke from people while sitting ion our balcony was an issue too. There wasn't really that many times where we could sit out there and not smell cigarettes. While nowhere near as bad as the casino, it was noticeable

 

If I think of anything else, I'll post it here, but this is kinda off the top of my head. If anyone has questions, I'll try to answer to my best knowledge. I will admit, we didn't do a huge number of things since we had the kids with us. They didn't like the kids club, so we had a lot of family time. Being from Alaska, we tried to maximize our time in the sun, pool, and beaches lol

Edited March 5, 2018 by Devi8or

[Clarea]

Good to hear positive things about Freedom! Thanks.

[Devi8or]

Good to hear positive things about Freedom! Thanks.

 

Thanks! Yes, it was great getting off of the boat knowing that I would 100% do it all over again without a single doubt. Freedom lived up to and exceeded my expectations. It's hard to always have the same perspective as others, and I'm sure some people may have had a negative review of this sailing, but as a family of 4 (9 and 12 YO girls), we all had the time of our lives. We're not rich, we're not poor, we don't have picky eaters and we don't nitpick all of the small things. We go on these trips to have fun and enjoy ourselves, that's exactly what we did

[chellecruise12]

Just curious, did you report the cig smoking? We would not be able to handle the smoke at all. Thank you for your review! We are on the same sailing in 2 weeks!! :)

[Devi8or]

Just curious, did you report the cig smoking? We would not be able to handle the smoke at all. Thank you for your review! We are on the same sailing in 2 weeks!! :)

 

no I didn't report it, I honestly wasn't sure of what was allowed in terms of smoking on the boat. Only places I was 100% sure was the casino and one side of the pool deck. From our stateroom deck wasn't super strong, but strong enough to let you know it was there....nothing like the casino bad

 

have a good time on your cruise, it was super fun!

[chellecruise12]

no I didn't report it, I honestly wasn't sure of what was allowed in terms of smoking on the boat. Only places I was 100% sure was the casino and one side of the pool deck. From our stateroom deck wasn't super strong, but strong enough to let you know it was there....nothing like the casino bad

 

have a good time on your cruise, it was super fun!

 

Thank you, can't wait!! You are correct on the areas.. & no smoking on balconies at all.

[Anniversarygirl25]

Thanks for the review! Doing this cruise 3/11-17. Were there two formal nights? What day did the laundry offer happen?

 

Thanks!!

[Devi8or]

Thanks for the review! Doing this cruise 3/11-17. Were there two formal nights? What day did the laundry offer happen?

 

Thanks!!

 

Formal nights were the second and fifth nights. The fifth night seemed to be wayyyyy less formal Seems like everyone used it all up on the first night lol.

 

Laundry offer was on the 4th day I believe. So here's the deal they do laundry everyday and have the form in the closet. The most basic service is wash and press and you pay per item. The deal later was $35 for all you could fit into a provided bag as wash and fold only...no press

[Anniversarygirl25]

Perfect, thank you!

[Keith1010]

Thank you for your review.

 

Keith

[projectx]

Any tips on when to eat breakfast at Windjammer? I know earlier the better, but just trying to figure out when it gets nuts. Is 7:30 a safe bet or should we aim for even earlier?

 

Related to that... it seems that if people arrive later they all complain about it being crowded and food gets cold. Why fight it? Any reason to not just go to the MDR?

[TimeToGetNauti]

I will be on Freedom next month for the 8 night itinerary. Did you notice any Bingo games on board? My mother in law has mentioned her plan is to play, but when looking at a cruise compass from December I didn't see it offered at all. Just want to give her a heads up. Thank you for your thoughts. Any must do's or don'ts?

[El Abuelo]

I will be on Freedom next month for the 8 night itinerary. Did you notice any Bingo games on board? My mother in law has mentioned her plan is to play, but when looking at a cruise compass from December I didn't see it offered at all. Just want to give her a heads up. Thank you for your thoughts. Any must do's or don'ts?

There was bingo on day 3 (Speedo bingo, 3:00, poolside, $300 cash prize) and day 6 (Royal bingo, deck 3, 10:30).

[Luke gs Daddy]

How was your debarking process, what time did you get off?

[TimeToGetNauti]

Thank you El Abuelo.

 

Sent from my SM-N950U using Forums mobile app

[El Abuelo]

How was your debarking process, what time did you get off?

We got off at 8, which is the first group after suites and self-disembark. It was quick and easy, no line at Immigration (for Mobile Passport users), the suitcases were there waiting for us. 15 minutes later we were loading the suitcases into the trunk of our car.

[Devi8or]

How was your debarking process, what time did you get off?

 

As said, we had the 8:15 Debarking, I think the whole process took us longer to walk through the ship and port then the actual customs did. The guy checked our passports and sent us on our way....10-15 mins total and that was with our bags being dropped off in the lobby

 

Any tips on when to eat breakfast at Windjammer? I know earlier the better, but just trying to figure out when it gets nuts. Is 7:30 a safe bet or should we aim for even earlier?

 

Related to that... it seems that if people arrive later they all complain about it being crowded and food gets cold. Why fight it? Any reason to not just go to the MDR?

 

We never really went that early, with the 2 kids it was impossible to get them up and ready then lol. We always were able to find a table, just takes some times sometimes. Also if no tables are available, there is lots of high top counter space to use as well. I don't have any experience with the food being cold, even well after the peak times

[KiwiGal117]

This is great to hear! We board on Sunday (woo hoo - CANNOT WAIT) and I admit that the recent reviews have made me nervous, particularly as we are sailing with family and friends who have never been on a cruise before.

 

Does anyone know if Jr Suites get priority disembarkation? Sorry, I know that's out of left field a bit, but I noticed your comment about disembarking right after self-disembark and suites.

[villager70]

We also were on the Feb. 25th sailing. Ship was in very good condition. Had same junior we have had 9 times on and got to waiting area for Suites/pinnacles at 1040 and boarded five minutes later. Did self assist which started at 620 and we walked off at 650 and took 10 minutes to parking lot. Customs declaration not used anymore unless you exceed limit. Ate at Chops and Gio's and both very good. several new items on menu that are not listed on that out of date one on reservation site.

 

Some items:

 

Captain Espen Been now Captain, Topi Ylonen cruise director. Have also a 4 bar Female staff Captain on board

 

Yinglin Yu was Suite concierge but will return to China this month during contract break

 

Gisleni Araugjo was Diamond Concierge but got married and now Gisleni Castro. She will move to Concierge lounge

 

Talked to 3rd Floor dining manager and 5th floor My time manager and stated they were waiting on final approval to move my time to 3rd deck and will probably happen before my next April 8th cruise.

 

New Cappicino machines in Diamond and Concierge lounges . Both work great

 

Still do not honor the three drink card option in dining room like some other ships

 

Julia Gonzales is still loyalty ambassador and does a great job

 

Using the revised rectangular menu with all items including old daily favorites all listed together. Can order all

including desert but also can change later. We really seem to like the new setup. Extra items and multiples were no problem and I saw many eating two or three lobsters.

 

Can't say much about shows as have been on her many times and many are still showing .

 

Still have the Carry out cups for free coffee in cafe promenade that were missing first day or so on a couple cruises.

 

Did not hear the first report of any viruses aboard. Windjammer about the same as normal. Main dining room food good and had Diamond + and Diamond eating section in mornings.

 

Pier 29 has had a few improvements over last couple months but still a pain especially if you drive and have to park at mid point and take one of the three shuttles. I always choose Park & Go who were waiting at 700 am when we walked off.

 

Well getting brain dead so will go and post again as things come back. Bob The Villages Florida

[villager70]

This is great to hear! We board on Sunday (woo hoo - CANNOT WAIT) and I admit that the recent reviews have made me nervous, particularly as we are sailing with family and friends who have never been on a cruise before.

 

Does anyone know if Jr Suites get priority disembarkation? Sorry, I know that's out of left field a bit, but I noticed your comment about disembarking right after self-disembark and suites.

 

 

Sorry to say no priority debarkation. Had # 33 three times now since Nov. Im Diamond plus and concierge changed that with a two and a three. We decided last week to walk off and was great. You do get Priority BOARDING with suites and Pinnacles at pier 29. And yes last week they checked cars after a large group got up in other areas ands started to board with the twenty or so off us that ended up getting through.

[Devi8or]

Thanks for the summary Bob, seems like you got a lot more done than I did LOL

[KiwiGal117]

Thanks - self disembark it will be then!

[Luke gs Daddy]

Did you make Grand Cayman, what did you do?

[Devi8or]

Did you make Grand Cayman, what did you do?

 

Yes we did Grand Cayman. Didn't have any preset plans so we just hopped a bus/van from the port to 7 Mile Beach. Very easy to get one, beach was nice. It was a bit crowded, but was fun overall for the kids

[El Abuelo]

The cigarette smoke odor mentioned in the OP was real both above and around the casino. A real turn off which discouraged us from trying Sabor or Schooner's.

 

I'm not a big fan of the towel animals, but I have to admit this time they brought out a smile in me due to our attendant's careful use of my sunglasses. One example ..