Just off Freedom - Trip Report

[UK Fan 78]

We just got off Freedom yesterday, so I thought I would share a brief summary of our trip while it is fresh. This trip report won't be like some of the wonderful ones I see here with lots of pictures (because I am trying to catch up on some work), but I felt it was important to share because I get so much from this group.

 

My husband and I were traveling with another couple who had never cruised before. We arrived in Miami late Sunday evening and took an uber from MIA to the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay. Check-in was fast and hotel was very nice and clean. There is a $30 Destination Fee added to the cost of your room. This fee includes the following:

 

• Premium High-Speed Internet
• $30 F&B Credit
• Welcome Gift - 2 BPA Free Water Bottles
• Two Bike Rentals (up to 2 hours per room, per stay)
• Daily yoga/fitness classes for 2 guests per room
• Two tickets to Millions Billionaire Sight Seeing tour
• Two Welcome Drinks in “Gold Coast Kitchen + Cocktails”

 

We had a bay view room (#9304), which had a great view of the bay and the ships. We are early risers, so on Monday morning, we woke up, had some coffee in the room and then headed downstairs to the M Club for the complimentary breakfast. The breakfast was nice. It included eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, fruit, cereals, pastries, meats, cheeses, etc. M Club includes 24-hour access for some alcoholic drinks, free breakfast, etc. If you do not have Bonvoy status, it can be purchased, but I am not sure of the price. Check-out as fast and easy. We ordered an Uber for 10:15am for the short ride to the port.

 

Including a couple of pictures below. 

 

[A&L_Ont]

The hotel view looks great. Looking forward to your take on Freedom and your new to “newbie” friends thoughts on cruising. 

[karena1]

Love Freedom, got off Monday and going again Sept 8th.  Fantastic ship.  Everything on her is great from the staff/food/entertainment, etc.  

 

[UK Fan 78]

Our Uber driver was on time (even a bit early) and was wonderful! We arrived at the port about 10 minutes after he picked us up at the hotel. The port was busy, but extremely efficient. We were separated from our friends as they used the general check-in and we used the suite line. We hopped on the elevator, went through security (no line) and arrived in the suite check-in lounge where we showed out passports and sat for maybe 10 minutes before boarding. There were some refreshments in the suite waiting area (sandwiches, cookies, water and coffee). 

Once on board, we made our way to check in at our muster station. That process took about 2 minutes. Note we had previously watched the required safety videos at the hotel that morning. Our next stop was the bar, of course! We needed to pick up our soda cups and a drink while we waited for our friends to board. They were on shortly thereafter and we were in vacation mode! They were very impressed with the check-in process as well and said it went much faster than they expected.

 

Edited August 29, 2023 by UK Fan 78

[UK Fan 78]

On 8/26/2023 at 6:19 AM, A&L_Ont said:

The hotel view looks great. Looking forward to your take on Freedom and your new to “newbie” friends thoughts on cruising. 

The hotel was great! Very nice staff (with one exception) and the remodel was very well thought out. Our room had a fantastic view of the ships when they made they turn coming in!

[UK Fan 78]

On 8/26/2023 at 8:42 AM, karena1 said:

Love Freedom, got off Monday and going again Sept 8th.  Fantastic ship.  Everything on her is great from the staff/food/entertainment, etc.  

 

We had a great time! Everything was wonderful. Our next sailing is on Indy in November. Enjoy Freedom in September,

[UK Fan 78]

Stateroom/Attendant: We were in JS 9338. It was the typical JS. Our cabin attendant, Suraj, was wonderful! Our cabin was always tidy and his sense of humor was wonderful. 

MDR: We ate dinner in the MDR every night since our friends had no interest in specialty dining for dinner. We chose MTD and had reservations for 7:45pm every night. After the first night, we requested the same wait staff. Our request was granted and we sat at the same table each night. There was never a wait to be seated. Aris and Hope in the MDR were great! They anticipated our requests and were always quick to respond. We discussed the days events and what we had planned for the next day with them. Aris also made an effort to speak to us every morning at breakfast even if we were not assigned to his table. I feel like this type of experience is what makes the MDR what it should be. They were second to none! The food was always the appropriate temperature and was overall tasty. I have always loved the french onion soup. Some other standouts were the calamari app, crab cake, apple cobbler, tiger shrimp, carrot cake, mushroom risotto, NY strip and the chocolate-hazelnut cake.

Windjammer: The food was good for a buffet. It was very crowded on the first day at lunch, but was fine the rest of the trip. To me, the desserts were lacking a bit. We did have breakfast there one morning and it was good.

Other Food: El Loco Fresh was fantastic, but the line was always crazy long. Playmakers wings and nachos were fantastic. Sorrentos pizza was just how I remember it...a nice pizza fix. 

Entertainment: We frequented to casino and had a good experience there. There casino hosts were very helpful and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the various shows, but I do wish there was a bigger headliner show (like Grease, etc.).

Pools: The pool areas were always clean and never really felt so crowded that you couldn't find a seat. We enjoyed our time in the pool areas.

Bar Service: Bar service was excellent. No complaints whatsoever in this department. Drinks were not "watered down" as we sometimes hear complaints of and were very tasty.

Ports: Coco Cay was a nice beach day. We rented a beach bed on Breezy Bay and we felt it was worth $199 to us. It was nice to have a home base for the day and some shade. Most of the time, I stay on the ship in Nassau, but we ventured off the ship this time because our friends had not been there before. We did some shopping, had a nice lunch and headed back to the ship.

Overall, we had a great experience and our friends really enjoyed their first cruise. I have never sailed Freedom before and was pleasantly surprised! I will say that I was very skeptical of the MDR going in based on other reviews, etc., but our experience was good. Was it the best food I have ever had? No, but it was good and certainly edible. The service made it special.

[pcur]

By any chance did you take an Uber back to the airport after the cruise?  Could you give me general directions to the Uber pick up area, please?  I want to see my sis off to the airport before I get the ship's transportation for a b2b out of Ft Lauderdale.

 

Thanks!

[UK Fan 78]

5 hours ago, pcur said:

By any chance did you take an Uber back to the airport after the cruise?  Could you give me general directions to the Uber pick up area, please?  I want to see my sis off to the airport before I get the ship's transportation for a b2b out of Ft Lauderdale.

 

Thanks!

We did not use an Uber to get back to the airport, however, I did see cabs off to the right as we exited the building. Perhaps Uber pick-ups are also in that area. I am so sorry I am not more helpful!

[Goodtime Cruizin]

We've done Indy and Liberty twice. One day soon we hope to do Freedom as we really like this class of ship that Royal offers. They are our favs. 

 

Nice review! Thank you. 

[knbcruisers]

Thanks for the nice review, very helpful. We are going on RCL for the first time next July and taking DD her hubby and  3 kids ages 8-14.  We are in two JR Suites next to each other. We also have family joining us:  my 2 SIL , one hubby one teen. A few questions if you are willing ?

is there space in a JR for a blow up twin bed?  I am not sure how big the sofa beds are and I am worried that the 12 & 14 year old boys will be too crowded in the bed together? I was thinking of bringing an air bed that could be stored in the closet during the day?

in the MDR how would we work a group of 11? Can we get a table large enough? Maybe not everyday but it would be nice to have one or two big family dinners.

 

Thanks again..I’m a Princess girl so this is a lot of new things to think about 
 

 

[Lionesss]

Great review. 
 

Thanks for sharing. 
 

 Be  safe. 

[UK Fan 78]

8 hours ago, knbcruisers said:

Thanks for the nice review, very helpful. We are going on RCL for the first time next July and taking DD her hubby and  3 kids ages 8-14.  We are in two JR Suites next to each other. We also have family joining us:  my 2 SIL , one hubby one teen. A few questions if you are willing ?

is there space in a JR for a blow up twin bed?  I am not sure how big the sofa beds are and I am worried that the 12 & 14 year old boys will be too crowded in the bed together? I was thinking of bringing an air bed that could be stored in the closet during the day?

in the MDR how would we work a group of 11? Can we get a table large enough? Maybe not everyday but it would be nice to have one or two big family dinners.

 

Thanks again..I’m a Princess girl so this is a lot of new things to think about 
 

 

That sounds like a fun trip!'d love to help if I can. 

 

Yes, there is ample room in in the JS for an inflatable bed (I must admit though, I don't know the rules about having them onboard). I would say it would best fit in the area near the balcony door where the couch and chair are. 

You may have to get two tables beside each other. There are several options where there is a set-up for 10-12 people near windows that could work for you. They were VERY close, so it would be like being at the same table. For example, our dinner table was set-up like this in a 4-2-4 configuration. I did see larger groups with tables though. I would suggest contacting rcldining@rccl.com a couple of months before you sail. I think they will do their best to accomodate you.

 

I hope you have a great time! Please let me know if I can answer any other questions. 

Edited August 30, 2023 by UK Fan 78

[5soonerfans]

We were also on the same cruise and agree with everything you have said! It was our third time on the Freedom for the same cruise. We think the food in the MDR was some of the best we have had in quite awhile. We went to the Coco Beach Club this trip and have rented the daybeds before. Both are very. nice. It was a Perfect Day. 🙂

[toxicfairy]

We'll be in  9638 next August😁

[UK Fan 78]

1 minute ago, toxicfairy said:

We'll be in  9638 next August😁

I think you will love it! We were happy to be close to the elevators and had no issues with noise at all!

[UK Fan 78]

20 minutes ago, 5soonerfans said:

We were also on the same cruise and agree with everything you have said! It was our third time on the Freedom for the same cruise. We think the food in the MDR was some of the best we have had in quite awhile. We went to the Coco Beach Club this trip and have rented the daybeds before. Both are very. nice. It was a Perfect Day. 🙂

I am by no means a picky eater, but I had prepared myself for pizza and Johnny Rockets based on what I've been reading. Honestly, it really was some of the best food I've ever had on a cruise. I would sail on Freedom again in a minute. We have Indy booked for November and now I'm worried it won't live up to Freedom!

[Psycho and Barb]

We have sailed Freedom three times and loved it every time.  

[UK Fan 78]

50 minutes ago, Psycho and Barb said:

We have sailed Freedom three times and loved it every time.  

I can see why! I am hoping Indy is just as wonderful!