Semi Live Freedom of the Seas May 8th-12th Port of Miami- Nassau and CocoCay

[manders175]

Hello all! My name is Amanda. Traveling with my husband (39), myself (43), and our 2 year old daughter (her first cruise!) This is my 7th cruise, all through RC minus a 2 night getaway on the Margaritaville at Sea out of West Palm Beach. Our last Royal cruise was March of 2020 right before they shut down cruising due to Covid so we are so happy to be back! 

 

My in laws will be coming along with us for their first cruise too! 

 

Since we have a toddler, we will be talking about Splash A Way bay on the ship for the kiddos and Adventure Ocean especially Royal Babies and Tots as I believe you have to be 3 for AO. 

 

We fly out of Cleveland 1 week from today and will be staying in Miami 1 night pre and post cruise before flying home. 

 

Hope you enjoy the review and thanks for coming along! 

 

Pic below is a few weeks ago, our daughters first baseball game! Cleveland Guardians. Have to get a pic with ketchup! 

[manders175]

Our sailing on Freedom leaves out of Miami on the 8th, day 2 is our Sea day, day 3 Nassau and day 4 is Cococay. 

 

We are staying in a corner aft Ocean view balcony port side on deck 8, 8410. Now, this balcony we didn't find out until later, has an open and shut door not the usual sliding door so that will be interesting. 

 

I'm including some pics I found on the internet to give you an idea before we get there. 

[toxicfairy]

Looking forward to your review

[manders175]

Before anyone roasts me, I made an error! We are on the starboard side not the port! So much for trying to sound like a pro! Haha. 

 

My inlaws are staying also on deck 8 but will be more centrally located. My father in law's knees aren't the greatest. He doesn't need any assisting devices yet but they wanted close to the elevators. They will be in a hump balcony cabin. I will try to get some pics and reviews from them. 

[manders175]

Only 5 days until we leave! It's a freezing and rainy 40 degrees here. Miami is a beautiful 76 right now! Warm weather please! 

Edited May 2, 2023 by manders175

[DeltaJoe15]

Also on the cruise Freedon May 08 four day getaway  Live in Fort Myers so Its just a drive across state

[patattack]

Enjoy your cruise.

 

Pat

[manders175]

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane! 

 

We are flying today out of Cleveland on Delta. Our layover is in LaGuardia then on to Miami. 

 

Tonight we are staying on Midbeach, as my in laws wanted to be close to the Ocean. Holiday Inn Ocean front. 

 

We will be taking an Uber there from the Airport so will update on that. This is our first trip with our kiddo where we aren't renting a car so the car seat situation should be interesting. Hopefully they give us grace to click in and unhook the carseat. 

[manders175]

Long day of traveling yesterday. Got into Miami at 6:45pm. After telling the Uber the wrong location we finally straightened that out and got to our hotel around 8pm. Check in was a breeze. Grabbed dinner then settled in for the night. 

 

Had to get a crib around 11pm because we had a crazy toddler off her normal schedule and not wanting to go to bed. 

 

It's cruise morning! 

[depplep]

Looking forward to your review. We were on Freedom in 2018 and loved the ship. Can't wait to hear your thoughts.

[manders175]

Day 1! We had a 10:30 arrival time. We got in our Uber at 10am from our hotel and believe it or not still hit Monday morning traffic. 

 

We dropped off our luggage with the porter by 10:35, checked in, they asked us our health questions again and up we went to security. Once through security we were able to walk right on the ship. We stepped foot on the ship at 10:55!! 

 

Such an easy process. 

[manders175]

We are staying in Stateroom 8410. An aft ocean view balcony on the starboard side. This room is very unique as it doesn't have the sliding glass door out to the balcony. Just a regular door. Glass only halfway down. 

 

We have a 2 year old and this room actually worked out well as it stays a little darker during the day for her naptime. She makes a cameo in the first pic! Lol. 

 

As always the balcony provides gorgeous views. 

[manders175]

No muster station drill! One of the best things post pandemic! We found our muster station as soon as we got on board and they just checked us off their list and that was it! 

 

Also I forgot to mention that cabins were not ready until 2pm. If you don't want to carry your carry on around all day just pick your boarding time for after 2pm or give your luggage to the porters in the terminal.

 

Main pool area for your enjoyment! 

[Cherful59]

Following along.  Your daughter is adorable.  How do you like the door rather than a slider on the balcony?  I have a 4 night cruise on Freedom in June 2024 with family from ages 6 to 73.  Was on Freedom before the revamp, so I am enjoying the pictures of the ship. Hope your enjoying your cruise.

 

 

[depplep]

We were on before the revamp also. I was watching you on sail away, what are all the colorful huts around the pool area?

[manders175]

19 hours ago, depplep said:

We were on before the revamp also. I was watching you on sail away, what are all the colorful huts around the pool area?

Those are called "Cassitas". It is a charge to rent them per day. You get private waiter service and that is your spot for the day. I believe they have charging outlets too. 

[manders175]

19 hours ago, Cherful59 said:

Following along.  Your daughter is adorable.  How do you like the door rather than a slider on the balcony?  I have a 4 night cruise on Freedom in June 2024 with family from ages 6 to 73.  Was on Freedom before the revamp, so I am enjoying the pictures of the ship. Hope your enjoying your cruise.

 

 

We liked the door because there is actually less light that comes in for nap time for our toddler. Also, you can prop the door open and it will stay open. 

[manders175]

For dinner we chose set 6pm dinner. My Time Dining supposedly was not available until 6:30pm at least and our daughter is an early eater so was not an option. 

 

Forgot menu and food pics (I'm sorry!), but I will post the menu from the app and tell you what we ate. 

 

I had the crab cake and spinach artichoke dip for apps and our waiter did bring both at the same time. New York strip steak and the Key Lime Pie. Everything was good, no complaints. 

[manders175]

A few comments about the kids accommodations. 

 

We brought an inflatable pool and put it in the bathroom shower since our daughter is only used to taking baths. We got our pool off Amazon. 

 

We did rent a pack and play for her to sleep in. They are small. Thankfully she is on the short side of else she would have been 2 big for it. Our room has the Pullman and not the sofa bed so our back up plan is we were going to turn the couch around backwards and use that as a make shift bed but thankfully we didn't have to. 

 

[manders175]

Royal Babies and Tots in Adventure Ocean. We really only needed it for a dinner reservation on our 2nd night. We had reservations for Izumi Hibachi. 

 

Take note: they ate not open from 5pm to 7pm. Our reservation was for 5:30 so we could not take advantage. May want to keep that in mind if wanting to have a parents night out for dinner. 

[manders175]

Day 2, Tuesday: Sea Day! 

 

We got up and ate at Windjammer the buffet area for breakfast. Typical breakfast food, eggs, pastries, fruit, yogurt, cereal. 

 

After we planned to be at the pool. Just a side note: on sea days Splash Away Bay doesn't open until 9am. On port days it does not open until 11am. We couldn't believe ot opened that late for babies. Most of them are taking naps by 11-1pm and it doesn't make sense to put them outside at the hottest time of day. But that's just me. Lol. 

 

Also, there is only 1 small area for babies who are still in swim diapers. Consists on 1 slide and a few sprinklers that's it. Posting just pics of baby area here. 

[manders175]

Here is the rest of Splash Away Bay. Great area for kids who are potty trained. Same hours as noted above. 

[manders175]

Lunch was El Loco Fresh which is complimentary and right beside Splash Away Bay. They have tacos, quesedillas, burritos, and nachos. Chicken, carnitas, chili, rice, beans, and all the sides. Was pretty good! 

[manders175]

Dinner tonight was Izumi Hibachi. The Main Dining Room theme was French night and that was our least favorite menu so we picked tonight for Izumi. 

 

Had a great time and the food was delicious as always! 

[manders175]

Here is Night #2 offerings. French night.