Freedom of the Seas July 9th-12th Review

[bucfan2]

43 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Some of mine are solo so instead of being able to have a drink at the bar and talk to people I'm going to have to sit at a table by myself

I understand that.  On our cruises, when wandering around (or in the dining room), I tend to get into conservations w/ solo travelers.  We invite them to join us for dinner...sometimes make long-time friends...sometimes meet people who just prefer to be alone....a win either way.

Edited July 14, 2021 by bucfan2

[discru]

Thank you for your response, irishgal432!  One more question... at the bar...   Do they still handle the sea pass cards for every drink ordered?  Do they Still hand out receipts and pens for signatures and tip?  Or have they found a way to not have to touch everyone’s sea pass card at the bars/shops/restaurants? 

[ahughes517]

Thanks for this report! It's super-helpful, as we're cruising the first weekend in August on FoS. Appreciate your details.

[irishgal432]

1 hour ago, discru said:

Thank you for your response, irishgal432!  One more question... at the bar...   Do they still handle the sea pass cards for every drink ordered?  Do they Still hand out receipts and pens for signatures and tip?  Or have they found a way to not have to touch everyone’s sea pass card at the bars/shops/restaurants? 

Yes they still run seapass cards, but do not give you a receipt unless you ask for one to tip, if you have the beverage package.  The do give you a small bottle of hand sanitizer that my husband carried in his pocket.

[irishgal432]

Getting off the ship was a breeze!  No lines, still luggage outside at night which was to be sanitized prior to getting off loaded.  They had you stay in your rooms until your numbers were called versus areas to wait.  Of course no lines to leave and all numbers were called by about 9:30.  We got off about 9:25 and noticed a hand ful of luggage to be collected.  They have customs standing there but you leave after you scan your face and the ipad without having to have your passports.  No crew is allowed off the ship unless necessary, so the concierge is not allowed to escort you to customs at this time.  Not a big deal since there were no lines anywhere.  

[Aquarius50]

Irishgal, thanks for this review. We are vaccinated and will be on the 8/27 Freedom cruise and I am seeking an answer to this important question.  Do you have to be tested before being able to re-enter the US after your cruise?  If so, could you get the test on board before the end of the cruise? Please advise as this issue is causing me a lot of stress. 

[sandebeach]

33 minutes ago, Aquarius50 said:

Irishgal, thanks for this review. We are vaccinated and will be on the 8/27 Freedom cruise and I am seeking an answer to this important question.  Do you have to be tested before being able to re-enter the US after your cruise?  If so, could you get the test on board before the end of the cruise? Please advise as this issue is causing me a lot of stress. 

I am not Irishgal, but I got off the Freedom yesterday. We did not need a test to leave the ship, and we just drove home. 

[jerseyjjs]

Just to clarify......a person can use the Royal app on their phone and watch the muster drill from anywhere on the ship once they board, then just arrive at the muster station itself to get their card scanned?

[WeMissSeaView]

19 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

I am not Irishgal, but I got off the Freedom yesterday. We did not need a test to leave the ship, and we just drove home. 

I also got off of the Freedom yesterday and you do NOT get tested.

[irishgal432]

3 minutes ago, jerseyjjs said:

Just to clarify......a person can use the Royal app on their phone and watch the muster drill from anywhere on the ship once they board, then just arrive at the muster station itself to get their card scanned?

We watched it in the room after we went in so not sure but I would assume so. 

[sandebeach]

6 minutes ago, jerseyjjs said:

Just to clarify......a person can use the Royal app on their phone and watch the muster drill from anywhere on the ship once they board, then just arrive at the muster station itself to get their card scanned?

Yes. I actually watched the video that morning while at home, and listened to the emergency horn signal video in the car while we were driving to the port. As soon as we boarded the ship, we walked over to our muster station, and we received our little green anchor sticker. He told us to place the sticker over the anchor on the SeaPass card, when we got it in our cabin. 

Edited July 17, 2021 by sandebeach

[WeMissSeaView]

9 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

Yes. I actually watched the video that morning while at home, and listened to the emergency horn signal video in the car while we were driving to the port. As soon as we boarded the ship, we walked over to our muster station, and we received our little green anchor sticker. He told us to place the sticker over the anchor on the SeaPass card, when we got it in our cabin. 

Yes.  I watched the video and listened to the horn from my hotel room that morning waiting to go to the ship.  When you step on the ship, they send you to your muster station to be checked in.  Yet a few hours later they were calling a few names to report to their muster station.

[mafig]

Thank you for your review, Irishgal.

 

So overall, are you glad you went?