Just off Freedom

[Threedrones]

Not exactly “just off”, but sailed 9/18-9/22. Just thought I would jot down some points that it seems people ask about frequently. Departure was a breeze at Port of Miami. Our check in time was supposed to be 11:30, but we arrived at 10:40. Checked in with birth certificates ( long story there) with no problem. No sooner than being seated in the waiting area, our group was boarding. Went directly to muster station for info and proceeded to Windjammer. Windjammer opens at 11:15 and it was only 11:00. They opened early (11:05) so we enjoyed a nice lunch. In short, we checked in, did our muster drill and ate lunch prior to our assigned arrival time. The process was extremely easy and organized.

A small hiccup occurred after we ate. Thinking our soda cups would be in our cabin, we went to the bar to order a soda. The bartender scanned our set sail passes and gave us glasses of soda. When we later found that the cups were no longer placed in the cabin, we went to claim ours. However, when our set sail passes were scanned, it indicated that we received our cups. It took a while to explain, but we finally got our cups though I still think they didn’t believe us.

Cabin 9340 was nice and convenient. A hump cabin near the elevators, it was still quiet inside. Our steward, Serjav, was great. There is no longer a turn down service in the evening, but that is fine in our opinion. The stewards are really overworked as it is.

Food in the Windjammer was not really hot, but not cold either. Carving stations aren’t prevalent as they were in the past. We had omelets made to order at breakfast (these were hot) and remarkably the fellow taking our order knew it on the second day before we would order.

Main dining room was satisfactory. The service was terrific, but portions are definitely smaller  and far less variety is available. Taste, of course, is too subjective to comment on, but we were happy with our selections. And, if you want more to eat, you can always get more, no problem.

Since this was a cruise to just relax, we didn’t attend any shows. We would have gone to the ice show, but it began at 10:30 pm, too late for us. We really lucked out on the weather with the storms coming at night and daylight hours being warm and sunny.

Finally, with embarkation so organized, we found the opposite for disembarking. Everyone is assigned a number if you are not walking off with your bags. Cabins need to be vacated before 8:00 am and your number is assigned a place to wait. Everything fine so far, but there were no announcements to announce the numbers being called. We were in the Royal Theater, with many other numbers, and there was a small screen displaying the process and who had already been called, but the average person would need binoculars to make out the numbers. We did not care, because we were in no hurry to leave, but I can see how it would be a burden to some.

Overall, a great cruise and am looking forward to our next.

[UK Fan 78]

Thank you for sharing. Glad you had a great trip. We were in 9338 last month and had the same cabin attendant. He was absolutely wonderful. We are booked on Independence for November. I am hoping it is as wonderful as Freedom!

[fla33023]

5 hours ago, UK Fan 78 said:

Thank you for sharing. Glad you had a great trip. We were in 9338 last month and had the same cabin attendant. He was absolutely wonderful. We are booked on Independence for November. I am hoping it is as wonderful as Freedom!

It is! I'll be on Indy in Nov too. Love Freedom class!

[fla33023]

6 hours ago, Threedrones said:

Not exactly “just off”, but sailed 9/18-9/22. Just thought I would jot down some points that it seems people ask about frequently. Departure was a breeze at Port of Miami. Our check in time was supposed to be 11:30, but we arrived at 10:40. Checked in with birth certificates ( long story there) with no problem. No sooner than being seated in the waiting area, our group was boarding. Went directly to muster station for info and proceeded to Windjammer. Windjammer opens at 11:15 and it was only 11:00. They opened early (11:05) so we enjoyed a nice lunch. In short, we checked in, did our muster drill and ate lunch prior to our assigned arrival time. The process was extremely easy and organized.

A small hiccup occurred after we ate. Thinking our soda cups would be in our cabin, we went to the bar to order a soda. The bartender scanned our set sail passes and gave us glasses of soda. When we later found that the cups were no longer placed in the cabin, we went to claim ours. However, when our set sail passes were scanned, it indicated that we received our cups. It took a while to explain, but we finally got our cups though I still think they didn’t believe us.

Cabin 9340 was nice and convenient. A hump cabin near the elevators, it was still quiet inside. Our steward, Serjav, was great. There is no longer a turn down service in the evening, but that is fine in our opinion. The stewards are really overworked as it is.

Food in the Windjammer was not really hot, but not cold either. Carving stations aren’t prevalent as they were in the past. We had omelets made to order at breakfast (these were hot) and remarkably the fellow taking our order knew it on the second day before we would order.

Main dining room was satisfactory. The service was terrific, but portions are definitely smaller  and far less variety is available. Taste, of course, is too subjective to comment on, but we were happy with our selections. And, if you want more to eat, you can always get more, no problem.

Since this was a cruise to just relax, we didn’t attend any shows. We would have gone to the ice show, but it began at 10:30 pm, too late for us. We really lucked out on the weather with the storms coming at night and daylight hours being warm and sunny.

Finally, with embarkation so organized, we found the opposite for disembarking. Everyone is assigned a number if you are not walking off with your bags. Cabins need to be vacated before 8:00 am and your number is assigned a place to wait. Everything fine so far, but there were no announcements to announce the numbers being called. We were in the Royal Theater, with many other numbers, and there was a small screen displaying the process and who had already been called, but the average person would need binoculars to make out the numbers. We did not care, because we were in no hurry to leave, but I can see how it would be a burden to some.

Overall, a great cruise and am looking forward to our next.

We've been in Playmakers the last 2 debarkations and could hear the announcements well. Maybe it's just the theater. Glad you had a good cruise!

[UK Fan 78]

10 hours ago, fla33023 said:

It is! I'll be on Indy in Nov too. Love Freedom class!

What date in November are you sailing? We will be on Indy November 26-30.

[fla33023]

14 hours ago, UK Fan 78 said:

What date in November are you sailing? We will be on Indy November 26-30.

19 - 26 for Thanksgiving. 

[UK Fan 78]

9 hours ago, fla33023 said:

19 - 26 for Thanksgiving. 

I hope you have a great trip!