Freedom of the Seas July 9th-12th Review

[irishgal432]

We went on the Freedom last weekend.  It was the 3rd voyage back.  It left from Miami.  We booked pretty soon after announced.  We normally book GS, but did a JS for this one because the ship was reduced capacity and it was a weekend cruise.  Received a Royal up and bid 300 for a GS and it was accepted, so we ended up in GS 1552.  Note, we could not change the room as the sailing was closed for booking/changes.  We did have neighbors on both sides of us.

 

We flew into FLL from ATL the day of the cruise and used SAS Transportation.  This was the best shuttle experience ever, highly recommend! SAS Transport Quality Shuttle Service at Affordable Prices (ridesas.com) 15.00 per person.  When flying in the day of I always do the first flight out with Delta, as they have tons of flights if something happens to the first one.  With that being said, precovid was not an issue to get to the port and checkin and wait in the terminal for boarding.  Not now!  We ended up at Miami at about 10:00.  We were one of the few people there.  They were setting up lanes.  One lane for unvaccinated people that need tests, one lane for suites/pinnacles and one lane for general boarding.  Lots of confusion from the port workers as to the time they were opening, where to stand, etc.  The check in manager for the port came out and talked to us to give us an update, which was nice.  They opened up the suite line at 12:30ish to check in and then we sat in the suite/pinnacle area until about 1:00 when were were allowed to board.  

[irishgal432]

I am focusing on the difference due to covid protocols of course which all can change at any time. 

 

After boarding we went to the windjammer to eat lunch. Every single staff member we encountered said hello and welcome back very enthusiastically. The freedom now has handwashing stations at the entrance and everyone had to wash their hands to be admitted.  There was also a person scanning seapass cards at the entrance.  The sign said reservations but it did not matter, all were admitted.  Once again everyone said welcome back.  We did not touch a single thing, plates utensils condiments, beverages.  They place little placards on the table that say sanitized and when you sit down they take the placard away.  As a suite guest you can eat in Chops for breakfast and carry your food into the restaurant from the windjammer. In Chops they had every other table unavailable. Shortly after lunch around 145 they made the announcement rooms were ready.  

 

We carried our luggage on the ship, but I did see luggage already in the hallway when we were heading down to the room.  Once in the room, we had some papers outlining the safety protocols, hand sanitizer and masks.  TIP:  bring a clip for the stateroom door and hang your mask there so you do not have to go back and get it, as we did several times.  They no longer have the fabric for the end of the bed.  

[molly361]

Mari did you get a chance to complete your bar seating recon mission?🍹

[birdylady]

Excellent start.  Following along.

thanx, 
Erika

[nelblu]

2 hours ago, irishgal432 said:

 

  There was also a person scanning seapass cards at the entrance.  The sign said reservations but it did not matter, all were admitted. 

Vaxxed vs. Unvaxxed

2 hours ago, irishgal432 said:

 

  We did not touch a single thing, plates utensils condiments, beverages.  

 

 How handled.  Utensils on table, beverages delivered to table, food served to you rather than serve yourself, etc. 

[irishgal432]

1 hour ago, nelblu said:

Vaxxed vs. Unvaxxed

 How handled.  Utensils on table, beverages delivered to table, food served to you rather than serve yourself, etc. 

There was no distinction between vax and unvax.  You had your mask on the whole time going through the line until you sat down and ate.  Tables are distanced.

[irishgal432]

1 hour ago, nelblu said:

Vaxxed vs. Unvaxxed

 How handled.  Utensils on table, beverages delivered to table, food served to you rather than serve yourself, etc. 

Plates and napkins given to you at the start of the buffet, or at soup station etc.   All food served to you.  There were things on plates and bowls that you picked up and continued.  For example, a premade sandwich, premade salad, cut fruit in a class.  They did have build your own sandwiches, but you had to select all of the meats, cheeses etc and build it your self from your own plate.

[irishgal432]

2 hours ago, molly361 said:

Mari did you get a chance to complete your bar seating recon mission?🍹

The only bar I forgot to check was the Casino Bar.  All others had seating removed.  the Casino is vax only, so maybe they have them there.  Floating bar at coco cay has seating.

[irishgal432]

A few general observations.  We were given purple wristbands upon checkin after they loaded our vax info into the system. For those who needed tests they had a separate check in area where medical was given tests and then waited 1/2 hour for results.  Most people had purple wristbands on, but there were a few adults that did not have them on, but not too many.  

 

They are very serious about covid protocols.  The wind blew off my husbands mask off the ship.  We were on the promenade deck, so was on the way to guest services to get a mask.  We had 2 crew members remind him to put it on.  We got to guest services and got another one.  Another time a family came into the Schooner Bar with a child.  The bar server came over and said he did not have a wristband on.  Apparently he took it off in the room and had to go back and get it.  In order to pass through the Casino, you had to show your wristband at each entrance, otherwise you were denied entry.  

 

I heard there were around 900 people including 140 kids under 18.

 

Elevators:  A dream!  never a wait!  they do limit it to 4 people or you party.  Never anyone on them.

 

pool deck had social distancing in chairs, however the Solarium was a VAX only place had loungers closer together like before.

Edited July 13, 2021 by irishgal432

[irishgal432]

After lunch we went to the fitness center.  They had 2 times for unVAX 10-11 and 6-7.  They close for a half hour after to sanitize the gym .  You had to wear a mask in those hours, other wise as long as you had the purple wristband you did not have to wear a mask.  They were very vigilant about checking.  Every other machine was blocked of for social distancing. They are not doing any group classes at this time.

[irishgal432]

Sailaway was delayed until 7 pm due to late boarding times.  We went to the Suite Lounge and checked out the Diamond Lounge as well. 

 

The Suite Lounge was a no mask area due to eating and drinking, but it was for both vax and unvax.  They had a waiter serving you any food and coffee.  The food in both lounges was an improvement from the apps before.  They also did not have the standard Lounge Drink Menu of crappy wines and little options for mixers.  The bar waiters went to the Viking Crown bar to make the drinks.  You could basically get any call brand and mixer and a nice selection of wines.  There were no  more than 4 or 5 groups in the lounge at any time.  

 

It did not look like there was a wait or vax restriction in the Diamond Lounge .  It was a little busier the time I went in, but not packed.  I also do not know if they had to use the vouchers or not when getting drinks.

[karena1]

10 minutes ago, irishgal432 said:

After lunch we went to the fitness center.  They had 2 times for unVAX 10-11 and 6-7.  They close for a half hour after to sanitize the gym .  You had to wear a mask in those hours, other wise as long as you had the purple wristband you did not have to wear a mask.  They were very vigilant about checking.  Every other machine was blocked of for social distancing. They are not doing any group classes at this time.

What time does the gym open?  I know on Adventure it is now not opening until 7 am.  Does it open at 6 am or not until 7 am?

 

[irishgal432]

Just now, karena1 said:

What time does the gym open?  I know on Adventure it is now not opening until 7 am.  Does it open at 6 am or not until 7 am?

 

sorry it was 6pm not 6am.  I am not an early morning person so I am not sure what time it opened in the morning.

[karena1]

Just now, irishgal432 said:

sorry it was 6pm not 6am.  I am not an early morning person so I am not sure what time it opened in the morning.

okay, thanks.  I will have to check when we board, cannot find anything on the app about it.  I always go to the gym at 6 am, so hoping it is open early.

 

[irishgal432]

10 minutes ago, karena1 said:

okay, thanks.  I will have to check when we board, cannot find anything on the app about it.  I always go to the gym at 6 am, so hoping it is open early.

 

In the past there wasnt a check in person, but since now they have to staff/sanitize they may have limited hours. I do remember seeing a sign when walking in with hours posted.

[karena1]

1 minute ago, irishgal432 said:

In the past there wasnt a check in person, but since now they have to staff/sanitize they may have limited hours. I do remember seeing a sign when walking in with hours posted.

If I cannot get in at 6, I will just walk the promenade each morning at 6 to get my hour workout in.  I prefer the gym, but not waiting until 7 am to go.  So will just work around the time if I have to.

 

[nelblu]

59 minutes ago, irishgal432 said:

There was no distinction between vax and unvax.  You had your mask on the whole time going through the line until you sat down and ate.  Tables are distanced.

My question was the data in the seapass and if not why scan it.

[nelblu]

Cruise is over and welcome back,  Any Covid positive tests during your sail, otherwise good news.

 

Any comments on entertainment and venues.

[not-enough-cruising]

1 hour ago, nelblu said:

My question was the data in the seapass and if not why scan it.

Contact tracing.

[mauraoel]

28 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Contact tracing.

And keeping the capacity at a certain level.

[irishgal432]

1 hour ago, nelblu said:

My question was the data in the seapass and if not why scan it.

The seapass scan was for capacity control, not to check vax status for the windjammer. The purple wristband was the vax status.

[birdylady]

3 hours ago, irishgal432 said:

A few general observations.  We were given purple wristbands upon checkin after they loaded our vax info into the system. For those who needed tests they had a separate check in area where medical was given tests and then waited 1/2 hour for results.  Most people had purple wristbands on, but there were a few adults that did not have them on, but not too many.  

Hopefully this doesn't go against CC rules.  But I thought I saw something over the weekend about someone being given a purple wristband that wasn't vaccinated and in turn testing positive a few days in.  Are you aware of any issues with vaxxed/non-vaxxed guests getting recorded/banded incorrectly?

 

Thanx

Erika

[maggieq]

4 hours ago, irishgal432 said:

A few general observations.  We were given purple wristbands upon checkin after they loaded our vax info into the system. For those who needed tests they had a separate check in area where medical was given tests and then waited 1/2 hour for results.  Most people had purple wristbands on, but there were a few adults that did not have them on, but not too many.  

 

They are very serious about covid protocols.  The wind blew off my husbands mask off the ship.  We were on the promenade deck, so was on the way to guest services to get a mask.  We had 2 crew members remind him to put it on.  We got to guest services and got another one.  Another time a family came into the Schooner Bar with a child.  The bar server came over and said he did not have a wristband on.  Apparently he took it off in the room and had to go back and get it.  In order to pass through the Casino, you had to show your wristband at each entrance, otherwise you were denied entry.  

 

I heard there were around 900 people including 140 kids under 18.

 

Elevators:  A dream!  never a wait!  they do limit it to 4 people or you party.  Never anyone on them.

 

pool deck had social distancing in chairs, however the Solarium was a VAX only place had loungers closer together like before.

You have to wear a mask outside?  Thanks!

[nelblu]

2 hours ago, irishgal432 said:

The seapass scan was for capacity control, not to check vax status for the windjammer. The purple wristband was the vax status.

Thanks, for the clarification.

[irishgal432]

1 hour ago, birdylady said:

Hopefully this doesn't go against CC rules.  But I thought I saw something over the weekend about someone being given a purple wristband that wasn't vaccinated and in turn testing positive a few days in.  Are you aware of any issues with vaxxed/non-vaxxed guests getting recorded/banded incorrectly?

 

Thanx

Erika

I saw that video and can tell you that incident must have taken place on the previous cruise as the day I saw it we were on Coco Cay and they showed her getting off in Nassau.  The Miami pier check in people were mostly all new and I can see where here friend may have been vaccinated and got the purple band while she showed her test and antibody test results and the person was confused and gave her the purple band.