Freedom! Live From The Freedom of the Seas 8/11-18, 2024

[jam19872016]

Just now, Ocean Boy said:

I really like having access to the bow and helipad on F class ships.

Me too! A wonderful feature that they didn't get right after Freedom class.

[Ocean Boy]

25 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

Onboard internet price with my D+ discount.

 

It is cheaper to buy on board with the D+ discount than for me to buy right now with the sale in my cruise planner. I usually wait until after midnight on sailaway day which cuts out another day. I figure I can use cellular until after the ship departs. So I end up paying for 5 days on an 8 night cruise.

[Ocean Boy]

9 minutes ago, NJ&Ozzie said:

Thanks!  Yes, I remember that - it was great to do it yourself.  I know sometimes you can change your vino, etc. onboard if you find a nice bartender - but will give them a dingle...  

Hugs,

NJ  

RCI has evolved backwards with things on the website. In addition to managing your C&A choices, there was a time when you could even change your cabin and cabin category on your own.

[jam19872016]

Just now, Ocean Boy said:

It is cheaper to buy on board with the D+ discount than for me to buy right now with the sale in my cruise planner. I usually wait until after midnight on sailaway day which cuts out another day. I figure I can use cellular until after the ship departs. So I end up paying for 5 days on an 8 night cruise.

Yep, wish I could combine with precruise sales since this only saves a little. After eight days it is cheaper (by about a buck) to buy with my Casino Royale discount. If I could just stack I could really save some money 😄

 

I tried going without Wifi recently, I found I really enjoy having it. I don't consider myself addicted to technology but maybe I am just rationalizing to myself 🤪

[Ocean Boy]

8 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

Yep, wish I could combine with precruise sales since this only saves a little. After eight days it is cheaper (by about a buck) to buy with my Casino Royale discount. If I could just stack I could really save some money 😄

 

I tried going without Wifi recently, I found I really enjoy having it. I don't consider myself addicted to technology but maybe I am just rationalizing to myself 🤪

I used to be OK without internet. However, now with the RCI app my phone is always with me on the ship as well as because it is the only camera that I now carry. I also have a lot of music on my phone, as well as I like using Spotify, and posting to Cruise Critic. So internet access adds to my enjoyment of my time aboard so I buy the overpriced wifi / internet.

[jam19872016]

Lunch was pretty good, but no way do I want to be this full the entire cruise like I was on Oasis. 

 

Starting with the bread, which I normally try to wave off, I went ahead and gave it a try because I couldn't remember if I liked it or not but was pretty sure I did. It was nice a fresh. Soft and covered in butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese. It came with a side of marinara sauce (with a cute little spoon) and olives. This won't make the list of to die for breads I just have to have (like the bread at 150 Central Park) but it was very nice and as I said, I don't really eat bread too often. I would probably still pass on it next time because it is too filling.

 

The meatball gigante was a giant ball of beef the size of a child's hand! It was smothered in cheese, and stuffed with cheese that came oozing out when I cut into it. Very delicious and piping hot. Love this meatball.

 

I got a truffle caprese salad to try and keep things light. Had I just got this instead of this and the meatball I may have succeeded. I never really know what to say about a salad, but it was a very good salad. Very fresh and delicious.

 

I was really looking forward to the pizza. It was the whole reason I came. I was way too full by this point so I had trouble enjoying it fully. That said, I found it to be too greasy and too salty. I probably don't need to try this again at $22 (plus I got dinged by the old sales tax since we are in port). I want to give it another shot and I was planning on another sea day lunch here on Saturday but now I am not sure. It just wasn't what I remembered. TBD on that.

 

Dessert I kept things light with the Tiramisu. There was a strong taste of alcohol to theirs which I don't usually care for but I found it just sweet enough to still be enjoyable. The raspberry on top was also an unexpected delight and I usually do not care for raspberries but something about this bite was pleasing to my palate.

 

All in all a great lunch even if the pizza was a bit of a let down. Service was quick and attentive and the host remembered my cabin number when I came back, meanwhile I was trying to pull it up on my phone.. Amazing how they can remember details like that.

Edited August 11 by jam19872016

[jam19872016]

5 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I used to be OK without internet. However, now with the RCI app my phone is always with me on the ship as well as because it is the only camera that I now carry. I also have a lot of music on my phone, as well as I like using Spotify, and posting to Cruise Critic. So internet access adds to my enjoyment of my time aboard so I buy the overpriced wifi / internet.

Exactly how I feel. It adds to the enjoyment of the cruise for me. 

[bluewater1298]

14 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

Standard inside cabin as far as I am aware. I may need the curtain, when I gave my room number to the host at Giovani's he said "John and Andrew". I am not sure who Andrew is, but I will insist on a curtain if he is booked into this room with me. 

 

Well I hope Andrew doesn't invade your space. Nice room! We decided to go for a window room on our Freedom voyage, so ours should look like yours with a window. What deck are you on? Ours will be on deck 2 midship. I have never stayed on that deck before. Any insights would be appreciated.

[jam19872016]

Relaxing in the cold chamber. Bed is the normal Royal Caribbean plywood mattress but it has a topper on it already making it tolerable. I need to go get in some exercise but I'm almost feeling like I need a nap to recover from my food coma.

[jam19872016]

2 minutes ago, bluewater1298 said:

Well I hope Andrew doesn't invade your space. Nice room! We decided to go for a window room on our Freedom voyage, so ours should look like yours with a window. What deck are you on? Ours will be on deck 2 midship. I have never stayed on that deck before. Any insights would be appreciated.

So far I do not appear to have a room mate.

 

I am deck 8 forward as I find the forward elevators to be far less crowded than midship. I am sure I've been on deck 2 before back when I got OV rooms from the casino but ordinarily I don't care for that deck for the risk of being under something noisy on deck 3. I got one on Deck 3 once on Indy and was right under Izumi (interior not OV) and I swear someone was just dragging a chair across the floor for the entire meal service just to mess with me. Did you notice what is above you?

[jjtt]

Hi and thanks for this detailed review. We will be sailing on her sister ship Liberty next month. It's been many years since I have been on a Freedom class ship. We sail mostly on Oasis class now. Anyway, we will be glued to your review as we wait for our turn next month. 🙂

Thanks again and enjoy your cruise. 

[jam19872016]

2 minutes ago, jjtt said:

Hi and thanks for this detailed review. We will be sailing on her sister ship Liberty next month. It's been many years since I have been on a Freedom class ship. We sail mostly on Oasis class now. Anyway, we will be glued to your review as we wait for our turn next month. 🙂

Thanks again and enjoy your cruise. 

Liberty is a little unique among the sisters but still a great ship! I absolutely loved Sabor and I am not usually a fan of Mexican food.. 

 

Enjoy your cruise and thanks for following along with mine!

[jam19872016]

Tv not looking promising. With no sauna to relax in was hoping for some movies in the cabin during my afternoon downtime. Selections are pretty bad. And cost $11.99. If I spend that on a movie I want something recognizable at least.

 

I brought my hdmi cable and universal remote just in case and looks like I will need to use it to stream from the laptop.

[jam19872016]

Alright, enough digesting. Going to head out for a walk. Two miles is the goal. 

[bluewater1298]

1 hour ago, jam19872016 said:

So far I do not appear to have a room mate.

 

I am deck 8 forward as I find the forward elevators to be far less crowded than midship. I am sure I've been on deck 2 before back when I got OV rooms from the casino but ordinarily I don't care for that deck for the risk of being under something noisy on deck 3. I got one on Deck 3 once on Indy and was right under Izumi (interior not OV) and I swear someone was just dragging a chair across the floor for the entire meal service just to mess with me. Did you notice what is above you?

It looks like cabin rooms are directly above us, so that's good. We booked a GTY and haven't officially been assigned a room yet but I added our set sail pass to apple wallet and found the room number. I'm going to assume that's our room location.

 

If you have any extra time this week, could you see if the hallway goes all the way through with access to both elevators? Or if it's blocked off near the ice rink? Maybe on one of your many walks you could take a stroll below.😉 I have googled it but come up with conflicting reports. 

 

Hope you enjoy your casino and silent disco tonight! Or whatever you plan to do. Have fun!!

Edited August 11 by bluewater1298

[jam19872016]

4 minutes ago, bluewater1298 said:

It looks like cabin rooms are directly above us, so that's good. We booked a GTY and haven't officially been assigned a room yet but I added our set sail pass to apple wallet and found the room number. I'm going to assume that's our room location.

 

If you have any extra time this week, could see if the hallway goes all the way through with access to both elevators? Or if it's blocked off near the ice rink? Maybe on one of your many walks you could take a stroll below.😉 I have googled it but come up with conflicting reports. 

 

Hope you enjoy your casino and silent disco tonight! Or whatever you plan to do. Have fun!!

I will check it out and let you know.

 

I'm thinking casino and silent disco for sure. Maybies include comedy at the theater, schooner bar, and the night club if I'm still awake.

Edited August 11 by jam19872016

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, bluewater1298 said:

Well I hope Andrew doesn't invade your space. Nice room! We decided to go for a window room on our Freedom voyage, so ours should look like yours with a window. What deck are you on? Ours will be on deck 2 midship. I have never stayed on that deck before. Any insights would be appreciated.

I can give you some insight. When we started cruising on RCI we did several cruises in deck 2 OV cabins. I really liked the location. I found it very quiet as there is not much need for anyone to be on the deck who is not staying there. When the elevators come down they are empty as everyone has gotten off at their various decks so you don't have the issue of not being able to get on. Best of all, F class ships use deck one for gangway at ports of call. So when you come back to the ship you can bypass the lines waiting for the elevators, walk up one flights of stairs and you are home.

 

As to your question on a later post... as I remember it, and it had been awhile so I could be off... on Voyager class ships you cannot walk the entire length of the ship on deck 2 but you can on Freedom class ships. So you don't have to worry about which elevator bank you use on the F class ships.

[jam19872016]

4 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I can give you some insight. When we started cruising on RCI we did several cruises in deck 2 OV cabins. I really liked the location. I found it very quiet as there is not much need for anyone to be on rather deck who is not staying there. When the elevators come down they are empty as everyone has gotten off at their various decks so you don't have the issue of not being able to get on. Best of all, F class ships use deck one for gangway at ports of call. So when you come back to the ship you can bypass the lines waiting for the elevators, walk up one flights of stairs and you are home.

 

As to your question on a later post... as I remember it, and it had been awhile so I could be off... on Voyager class ships you cannot walk the entire length of the ship on deck 2 but you can on Freedom class ships. So you don't have to worry about which elevator bank you use on the F class ships.

That makes sense. I remembered having access on one cruise and not on another so was not sure the answer with out verifying. 

 

Will still double check since I'm here but that makes perfect sense.

[jam19872016]

Got my two miles in. Nice gym, could use stronger ac though.

 

Stopped at a water fountain. Kid sized so I squatted down to reach it and that sucker had some pressure and squirted me right in the eye 😆. 

 

Taking the scenic route across the pool deck and will cross back to the front on the promenade to reach helipad for sailaway which should be soon.

 

Edited August 11 by jam19872016

[exlondoner]

2 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

@exlondoner

 

This one's for you and I hope you have a good reason for being late to the party 😆 

 

Having studied these as an devotee, I think these must actually be rather difficult to hang on to, because of their bulbous shape, and smooth material. But they certainly match.

[jam19872016]

Promenading down the promenade 

 

[jam19872016]

Quick detour.

 

[colesc15]

11 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

Quick detour.

 

Always enjoyed the casino on freedom class. Definetely more cramped than oasis class, that'd be my only complaint. I hate not being able to get down an aisle between slots. 

[jam19872016]

I see just 6 video poker machines and only one of the traditional type. Not ideal but I see a $2 max bet quick hits which I have not seen in a while and some other favorites to play and hopefully strike it rich!

 

In the library till I feel us move then I'll step out to the helipad it's hot as hades outside. I feel some rumbling should be soon.

 

 

 

[jam19872016]

Oops we are moving.