FREEDOM OF THE SEAS: BEHIND THE LENS. September 8-15, 2024

[jk04]

51 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

So here is our renovated suite. 

That is nice to hear.  That Embassy was in dire need of renovations.  I like the location of the hotel due to the location to Publix and restaurants.  Wonder how much longer the construction is going to take.

[Lionesss]

4 minutes ago, jk04 said:

That is nice to hear.  That Embassy was in dire need of renovations.  I like the location of the hotel due to the location to Publix and restaurants.  Wonder how much longer the construction is going to take.

New balcony doors in suites, carpets, wallpaper,

and the bathroom 

WOW!!!

 

Yup

Reincarnated. Looking. Good. 
 

 

[Lionesss]

 

Just saying. 
 

 

[Lionesss]

We just did our check in and safety on the app. 
 

This popped up. 

 

We walked to Publix to kinda just walk and get our steps in. We really did not need to go, but we did. 
 

 

So far our steps are. 
 

 

And let me tell You  it was Hot. 
Temperature in the 90s. 
 

Concrete everywhere I’m sure it was significantly hotter. 
 

As we walked back to the Embassy we see an outdoor elevator taking down scrap from the renovation. 
 

 

Later

  

[Lionesss]

 

 

 

 

Just following. 
 

Just hope it stays close. 
 

Be safe. 

Edited September 7 by Lionesss

[Sea Dog]

What are your plans for this evening in FL? Dinner anywhere?

Edited September 7 by Sea Dog

[Lionesss]

7 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

What are your plans for this evening in FL? Dinner anywhere. 

  

 

First grabbing a drink at managers reception here at Embassy. 

We are exhausted. 
 

Maybe do door dash 

 

or

 

In the unlikely event we go out:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had dinner there before and were very pleased. 

 But. We shall see what it Be. 
 

 Be safe. 
 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 7 by Lionesss

[Sea Dog]

I’ve heard great things about Coconuts. I want to try it but I am anxiously awaiting the reopening of the Mai Kai.

[Lionesss]

 Both my husband and I have gotten so many spam texts lately. 
 

We just take a picture of the text. 
Ignore it. 

 

You figure if the can find my phone number. They know my zip. 
 

Anyway. 

[Lionesss]

I will add and repeat again how this area near port is absolutely not crowded. 
 

Now. The Freedom is the only cruise ship in port tomorrow, so I am sure that is a major reason. 
 

But. The Embassy is not a first choice for an overnighter. 
It looks like they are trying to improve and bring the crowds back. 
 

But with the ocean being a couple blocks away, and many want location location location it will not happen. 
 

When we have gone  to managers reception before, and the mixer selection is middle shelf. ……….

 

However if you get a mix drink it is almost all alcohol. For me  undrinkable. 
I ask for a Diet Coke. No ice at the same time and slowly mix. It’s like making 3 strong drinks. 
 

 But  anyway. 

I have a late entry here. 

I already shared my cab scenario airport to Embassy, but wanted to include the screen of service. 
 

 

 

Now when he stopped the  car at Embassy and as we were ready to  disembark (hee hee).

Once again he could speak English. 
 

He goes 

 

“…. You pay with credit card ….. I show you how”. 
 

We go

 

”….. No cash……..”

 

Once again He speaks. 
 

“…….credit card…….”

 

I go to spouse. 
 

“ Get out of car.  That will get his attention….”

 

We did. 
 

Attention obtained. 
 

Luggage out

 

Paid in full with tip…….cash……

 

But funny. In April the cost was $14 before tip. 
 

This was a new company. 
 

And just like every else the price has gone up by roughly 40%. 
 

But, he is into modern technology by

wanting  to be paid that way. 
 

ok 

 

later. 
 

Oh I am sure I am forgetting something. 
 

Be safe. 

Edited September 7 by Lionesss

[dbancroft]

We stayed at the same hotel in August.  We eat cheap tho we brought subs and food from hot food bar from Publix and ate dinner in hotel room. Luckily there were microwaves in the rooms. We were on the top floor and even had a small balcony which grandson loved.

[Lionesss]

So we stopped by the managers social. 
 

We just had Diet Coke and some pub mix. 

We got 6 drink  tickets when checking in. 

Snacks included 

celery sticks

carrot sticks

cauliflower

Pub mix

Thousand island dressing 

 

Large dispenser of 

“hurricane “

red wine

white wine 

bourbon

vodka 

 

Nothing worth stressing the liver …today. 
Diet Coke will be good enough. 

 

Not crowded. 
 

 

 

[Sunshine3601]

22 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

So we stopped by the managers social. 
 

We just had Diet Coke and some pub mix. 

We got 6 drink  tickets when checking in. 

Snacks included 

celery sticks

carrot sticks

cauliflower

Pub mix

Thousand island dressing 

 

Large dispenser of 

“hurricane “

red wine

white wine 

bourbon

vodka 

 

Nothing worth stressing the liver …today. 
Diet Coke will be good enough. 

 

Not crowded. 
 

 

 

Will they have the "free" breakfast?   I found this location to have a good selection in past stays.

[Lionesss]

2 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Will they have the "free" breakfast?   I found this location to have a good selection in past stays.

Yes. 
 

We are going tomorrow Morning for breakfast. 
We will see how it is. 
 

We saw tonight they have a setup opposite the old one. 
At the restaurant area. 
Do not know if they changed the selections. 
 

or 

 

If the still make to order eggs/omelette. 
 

Be safe. 

[jmh2006]

Sue, thank goodness they are updating that Embassy Suites.  We like to stay there too when travelling with our son.  Hope you made it to Coconuts!  We had a great meal there last March.

Bon Voyage tomorrow!

 

Jennifer

[Lionesss]

1 minute ago, jmh2006 said:

Sue, thank goodness they are updating that Embassy Suites.  We like to stay there too when travelling with our son.  Hope you made it to Coconuts!  We had a great meal there last March.

Bon Voyage tomorrow!

 

Jennifer

 

Well. 
 

Excuses. Excuses. Excuses. 
 

We decided the longer we sat in room the more lazy we got. 
We have been up since 2;30 am. And just wanted something close for dinner. 
 

 

Spouse

“Hey. Norte dame is playing”. 

 

Wifey

”So”

 

Spouse

” it’s halftime. Looks like a close game.”

 

Wifey. 
“So”

 

Spouse 

“might be a good game .”

 

Wifey 

“Do you want to see the game?”

 

Spouse

“I don’t care”

 

Wifey

“Where will we go?”

 

Spouse

”I dunno”

 

Wifey

”me neither”

 

Spouse

”I know. Duffeys. 
 

Wifey. 
“oh. Do they have game TVs?”

 

Spouse 

“the web page says they do”

 

Wifey 

“ok. Duffeys it is”

 

Spouse 

“ are you sure you want to go”

 

Wifey

”Only if you want to go. Besides I  can look up more recipes if I get bored”,  

 

 

I wanted to take pictures of all the team helmet. But there was many kids having dinner with their parents. And I will not take a picture let alone post anyone’s child anywhere. 

So now. 
Waddled back to room 

 

Watching more TV. 

 

Later

 

 

P.S.  I have been sharing what goes on. 
You cannot make this stuff up. 
I am sure some can relate to my life. 
Especially if you have followed my threads before. 
 

Sue. 

[Luckynana]

 

 

Bon Voyage, Sue and Rick!  Enjoy your time on Freedom!🛳️

[Lionesss]

 

This hair dryer has to be one of the best, strongest. Temperature controlled, easy to hold, long cord, easy to clean lint trap in back ………… that I have ever used in a hotel. 
 

RCI take notes 

 

I have shoulder length hair not too thick and this baby dried my hair in 7 ish minutes. 
 

Way to go Embassy. 
 

Also. 
I must give credit to their new walkin. shower. 
The shower head is approximately 7 feet above the floor. Although the base  is permanently affixed to the wall it rotates so you can aim for every where in shower. 
And the best is. For a hotel shower the force is strong enjoy get the soap/ conditioner out of your hair a lot faster. 
 

You see. When I was a newlywed and had Lucious flowing long hair it would take forever to get the soap/conditioner out of my hair when we stayed in hotels. 
 

So the spouse used to take a few tools and once we unpacked would take the shower head apart and remove the shower head water restrictor out of unit and BAM power wash. 
 

Now how many hotels would think to check a shower head for modifications. I bet the people who occupied the room after us were just as happy. 
And no——— he did not put it back when we were leaving. 
 

Finally. These are the pre bottled shampoo, conditioner and body wash mounted on wall. 
 

It’s ok. Nothing great.  Nothing  bad. It worked. 
Would I buy it. No. 
 

 Be  safe. 

[Lionesss]

CRUISE DAY!!!!!

 

 

 

[Lionesss]

Just a side note. 
 

 

 

When you open the RCI APP today and you look at the bottom. 
The tab for boarding has a white mark on it. 
When you hit on it your Boarding Pass automatically shows up. 
 

Way to go!!!

 

Now supposedly when you show this your arrival and   Check in is expedited. 

If you arrive before ship is cleared for boarding suites go to Pinns/suite seating area and express goes to express area 
 

You are guaranteed a quicker boarding spot. After B2B, Pinns/Suites. 
I do not know if The Key goes before/ or with you. 
 

Updates too follow. 
 

Also I will post if I find anything  “ unique” left behind in the cabin once we get in when cabins ready. 
 

Be safe. 

[Lionesss]

BREAKFAST :

 

Over view from up above

 

 

Two men cooking on antique butane camping frying pans. One burner not working. 
 

 

 

Eggs any way you like. Omelettes

 

Then a section for 

pre made eggs 

bacon

sausage

hash browns 

 

Toasters

 Breads bagels

 

Fruit

Coffee

Juices

 

Considering construction Embassy did a nice job. 

 

I wonder if the owners of these are at breakfast???

 

  

 

 

Be safe. 
 

 

 

Edited September 8 by Lionesss

[Lionesss]

Miss Freedom. 
 

Backed in today, no turn around in basin for us. 

 

 

Now I will be posting during the cruise and I will start once the spouse gets my access to the ships WIFI. 

 

I will get mine for free——compliments of the donations made in casino on previous cruises. 
 

💕
 

 

Edited September 8 by Lionesss

[Sea Dog]

Bon Voyage Sue and Rick!

[Lionesss]

 

 

Taxi dropped us off at 10am. 
 

Suite line check in. 
New picture taken

 

In in suite waiting area at 10:19am

 

OH LOOK.

 

That’s new. 

 

SUITE TREATS. 
 

 

And  one incidental event. 
 

Our taxi  was a Prius, and our suitcases did not fit. 
We were driven to port with an open trunk. 
Business was slow. 
He didn’t call for a second cab. 
Why did we not refuse the ride?????

 

We did not know. 
We thought it was the seat belt alarm going off. 
We were halfway to port when we found out. 
Luggage safe. 

 

 

Be safe. 
 

 

Edited September 8 by Lionesss

[Lionesss]

We were numbers 3 and 4 to board. 
 

—-The first time I walked down the aisle it was too you. 

I would do it over and over again. 

—- Now I walk down the aisle WITH you. 
33 years 28 days and counting. 

Spousette

💕

 

 

 

Now some random pictures. 
 

 

 

 

After sailing Allure, Oasis and Symphony this ship still is BIG. 

 

Off to WJ sit and grab something to eat. 

 

Happily ever after