LIVE from the Freedom of the Seas 7/23/21

[jam19872016]

I usually have such a good sense of direction on ships but this is like the 4th time now I've walked to the back of the ship to get to my room by mistake and then have to walk all the way back fwd to get to my room.  

 

Working off all that dinner for sure lol.

[jam19872016]

Watched M play for a while. I'm exhausted so gonna go ahead and turn in for the night. See y'all tomorrow.

[soremekun]

3 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

Played that and then lock it link. No luck on either. I'm done playing for the night. Started strong but nothing after that. Gonna charge my phone for a bit and see what else I can get into tonight.

Do you think by the end of the cruise you'd have paid double cruise fare?

[jam19872016]

Good morning everyone.

 

That bed was super comfortable. I've traveled solo before and gotten the two beds pushed together but really still had just larger than a single because they push apart if you lay over the center. This one stayed in place.

 

I felt pretty drained last night and still a little blah but after a good night's rest I feel a lot better.

 

Gonna get some breakfast and check on M but I imagine she will still be sleeping.

[jam19872016]

My breakfast.

[jam19872016]

I'm not a big breakfast person but that hit the spot until something opens up for lunch.

 

Outside cafe promenade now enjoying a coffee. Very quiet this morning on the ship, wonder if it will be this quiet onboard in Nassau. 

[jam19872016]

21 hours ago, Miami Momma said:

have so much fun!!! we just booked for Oct...my husband's birthday weekend. Definitely curious at what capacity ship is running at. Also...are masks required everywhere except when eating? I know you aren't sailing with kids, but if you run across the adventure ocean planner, could you snap a pic! Kids are so excited! Thanks 🙂

 

Masks are required indoors except in areas designated vaccinated only. So not required in the casino or at the vaccinated only trivia in the star lounge. Staff seems to be enforcing.

 

I'll grab a pick of the kids planner for you 🙂

20 hours ago, paradise4me said:

Following along, we are going next weekend! Can’t wait to hear how crowded the casino is and the regulations for the solarium and jacuzzis.

 

Have an awesome cruise!

 

Casino is probably more crowded than the ship itself but still no problems finding a game to play especially at the tables. Tables seemed dead. No social distancing required here but they are pretty adamant you sanitize your hands when you enter.

 

Solarium is also vaccinated only so no masks here at all either. When I've walked through it's never been crowded at the pool or jacuzzis but in use and have not noticed any regulations here different than a normal sailing.

[jam19872016]

17 hours ago, Sea Viewer said:

we were on Freedom last week, had 1:00 check in, got there at 1:25 long line off to the side of people who had arrived early. Easy check in for us despite some in the crowd yelling that its time for us to board NOW!!. I guess at least in the short term arrival times are being enforced.

Thanks that actually makes sense and I bet that was what the line was. Glad to see it being enforced.

 

I'll admit if it had been up to me I would have tried for maybe 30 minutes or so early.

 

 

16 hours ago, sandebeach said:

We did the same thing last week! Was fun having an Italian embarkation lunch. 

I agree. I always enjoy a sit down and be served option on boarding day and even without the dining plan I would probably have come here. Super tasty and probably not busy even on a full sailing.

[jam19872016]

17 hours ago, RFerrington said:

Very glad to see that they are still doing lunch on embarkation day even with the later check-in times.  I was afraid that they would take the opportunity to cut that offering since the lunch time is so limited already.  Glad to see that they did not.

 

Agree, it was a great lunchtime option.

 

15 hours ago, paradise4me said:

What time was your room ready?

When we boarded at about 1:45 our rooms were already available for us.

[jam19872016]

14 hours ago, CntPAcruiser said:

Thanks for taking us along on your cruise. Could you please check out the fitness center and let us know what it's like now? As far as I can tell from the deck plans, they changed it with the last refurb. I'm wondering if they took out the nice locker rooms with the separate steam/sauna facilities--afraid they have, that seems to be the way they are going now. Pictures would be great if you have the time. Thank you!

Will do. I'm afraid I know the answer about the sauna and steanroom which is too bad because I enjoy using them on a cruise as well.

 

14 hours ago, ChicagoCubsFan said:

Was Giovanni’s the only speciality restaurant open for lunch today for unlimited dining?

Yes, and that seems to be the only option this cruise for lunch. Playmakers and Johnny Rockets are available and I will be eating there to get more value from my plan but I don't really consider them "specialty".

[jam19872016]

13 hours ago, MikeBayAreaCa said:

I want to try the bacon in February 

It was very good. I highly recommend. Think I will get it again on the last night.

 

12 hours ago, GA Dave said:

I love going through that tunnel.  Because I know what's on the other side!!

Agree 100%!

[jam19872016]

7 hours ago, soremekun said:

Do you think by the end of the cruise you'd have paid double cruise fare?

Yes more than likely. I would never advise gambling to earn a free trip.

 

If you are going to gamble anyway, royals program is the best I have found. From my one trip with losses around $1,700 I have booked five 3 day cruises, a 6 day, and two 7 day cruises.

 

I also still have two more certificates I can use for any cruise up to I believe 8 days in length and a few other offers I have not used because my schedule is simply too full.

 

I will not spend that much this time and I expect the offers to slow down as a result but between royal and carnival, I can't possibly use any more for a while anyway (although I admit I am still trying to work them if I can possibly get any more time off from work lol).

[jam19872016]

They didnt have the exact number, but guest services said capacity is between 30-40% right now.

 

I would say probably closer to 40. It is not crowded by any means but it does not feel like 30%. Never been on this class ship before so take my analysis with a grain of salt. If I can get a more exact figure I will report back.

[jam19872016]

On 7/21/2021 at 6:14 PM, back-at-it said:

Following ... If at all possible a photo of common drink prices.  

 

Thank you

None of the bars have menus out that I have seen. Just QR codes. Since I have the beverage package I'm not getting receipts to match prices against the app but I would assume they are correct.

 

Drinks mostly range from 9-13 most closer to 13. Is there any drink in particular you want to know about.

[jam19872016]

On 7/21/2021 at 9:45 PM, bt6799 said:

Have a great cruise, looking forward to your review.

 

Any info you can offer on table limits will be helpful.  Also wondering if they have a Let It Ride table for my wife.  Thanks in advance.

 

We loved Coco Cay last March and definitely will be returning on our Freedom cruise end of October.

 

No let it ride. Maximum bets range from 300-1000. There are no social distancing limits in the casino in case that was what you meant lol.

On 7/23/2021 at 7:05 AM, Thenagers said:

I know no Let it rude tables but could you check other table poker games they have? Like 3 card, ultimate hold em? I usually hang in that area that my husband calls the circus game area! He prefers craps and blackjack! Games of skill! 

I saw both three card poker and ultimate hold em available but no other poker type table games.

[jam19872016]

On 7/22/2021 at 5:04 PM, arste said:

Glad to know that the court is there.  If there is no organized game we will see if we can get one going!

Thanks for the info!

Arlene

I've seen nothing organized in the planner so far for the first two days. If I see it tomorrow I will report back.

[jam19872016]

M is still sleeping so I dont think we will be getting off today which is fine, we both were not sure about going ashore today. It is overcast so not too terribly hot but I'm good staying on the ship. I'll be here again in September.

 

At Johnny Rockets now for some lunch.

[arste]

28 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

I've seen nothing organized in the planner so far for the first two days. If I see it tomorrow I will report back.

Thanks for checking.  I guess because there are not many days, they will not have Pickelball on the Cruise Compass.

Bummer about the weather in Cococay.

[jam19872016]

Fries were really good. Crispy and hot. Yum. Also had a milkshake.

 

Waiters are doing a dance now great atmosphere here.

 

Also got a burger which was amazing. 

[jam19872016]

Lunch was nice. I would not pay for it, but it was great as an added value to my dining plan.

[jam19872016]

Great stirrup caye in the distance.

 

I was surprised to see a carnival ship off in the distance near royal and ncl's private island. Cant tell which one but it has their new blue paint so I am going to guess Magic.

 

Some more ships anchored offshore waiting their turn to be called back.

[jam19872016]

18 minutes ago, arste said:

Thanks for checking.  I guess because there are not many days, they will not have Pickelball on the Cruise Compass.

Bummer about the weather in Cococay.

You're welcome. I'm loving the weather it's cool enough outside that I'm sitting outside enjoying a lime and coconut on an empty ship  from my vantage point above the pool deck I can see 11 people.

 

It's pretty desserted right now. Life is good.

[Sunshine3601]

14 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

I have never seen a video poker machine like that one. It automatically held your cards for you. Interesting as the house makes more money if you dont play by the book. It did give you the option to choose what you held. Either way it wasn't paying and I'm not on house money any longer.

 

Playing hot roll one of my favs that I have not seen in a while.

 

 

I love hot roll, usually do pretty good on these machines.     

[jam19872016]

1 minute ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I love hot roll, usually do pretty good on these machines.     

Me too but not last night.

[discru]

Sounds like you are having a great time!  Are there barstools at the bars you can sit at, or have they removed them/blocked them off?  We enjoy sitting at the various bars chatting with the bartenders.