LIve from Freedom of the Seas

[jerseygirl3]

We boarded yesterday (probably the windiest sailaway in history...LOL). Anyway, ship is beautiful, staff is, for the most part, very friendly. Service in the dining room last night was excellent. Food is good. The ship has just about anything anybody could want for, except.....I have to say, there are some very rude passengers onboard. I don't know if it's just a sign of the times or this sailing. But I've never been around so many rude people. I'll elaborate when the cruise is over, but for now, we're just enjoying the ride. Weather has been mostly cloudy today with bursts of sun here and there. Tomorrow we arrive in Labadee, which I'm looking forward to...haven't been there since 1995 and I hear it's changed a bit!

 

Anybody with specific questions I'll try to answer as best I can.

[Cruising89143]

Hey Jo-Ann, glad that you're enjoying the Freedom. About the rude passengers. I think it's just a sign of the times. Seems to get worse each year.

[LisaGoeke]

I have to say, there are some very rude passengers onboard. I don't know if it's just a sign of the times or this sailing. But I've never been around so many rude people.

 

I think maybe they stayed on from the week before when we were on there because we had quite a few also.

 

Don't let them ruin your cruise; have a good time! I wish I could have stayed onboard for another week.

[cruisinisforme]

We had that general feeling on the freedom last year too, I am wondering if it is just that there are so many more passengers on these freedom class ships. I was especially appalled when this poor lady in a wheelchair who was waiting at the elevator was the only one not to get on when it opened.

[RevSmith]

They are probably not readers of this board...as everyone here knows you get a lot more by being nice and courteous to passengers and crew...and personally I think you have a nicer trip.

[cot427]

Take care of her for me. I just got off yesterday. Yes, it was very winding yesterday. We waited outside, and it was very windy.

 

As for the service, it is great in the dining room, but the food, I would give it a 8.5/10 as a pose to 9.999/10 on the other ships.

 

As for the rude passengers, they must have stayed an extra week after my week. There were some very rude passengers on my sailing, most of them coming from Europe (Spain) speaking spanish, not english.

 

Our first day was also overcast, and some rain. It must be that area of the ocean, near the Bahamas.

 

Have a great time and take care of her.

[SherriZ366]

We boarded yesterday (probably the windiest sailaway in history...LOL). Anyway, ship is beautiful, staff is, for the most part, very friendly. Service in the dining room last night was excellent. Food is good. The ship has just about anything anybody could want for, except.....I have to say, there are some very rude passengers onboard. I don't know if it's just a sign of the times or this sailing. But I've never been around so many rude people. I'll elaborate when the cruise is over, but for now, we're just enjoying the ride. Weather has been mostly cloudy today with bursts of sun here and there. Tomorrow we arrive in Labadee, which I'm looking forward to...haven't been there since 1995 and I hear it's changed a bit!

 

Anybody with specific questions I'll try to answer as best I can.

Thanks for the update. Did you choose traditional or anytime dining? Were there many folks choosing anytime and if you talked to any, could you please give us feedback. Thanks!!!

[we1cruise]

Great to hear from you hope the people get nicer once they are on vacation for a few days. What room are you in? we are in 9638 next week. Weather is not looking so great great for us either. Let us know if the excursions are still fun with rain. We are doing a 1/2 day catermaran to St Johns. Hope you have fun and take all the rude people off with you. Maybe I'll have to wear my "I Hate Rude People" T-Shirt :)

[cruizinmimi]

We boarded yesterday (probably the windiest sailaway in history...LOL). Anyway, ship is beautiful, staff is, for the most part, very friendly. Service in the dining room last night was excellent. Food is good. The ship has just about anything anybody could want for, except.....I have to say, there are some very rude passengers onboard. I don't know if it's just a sign of the times or this sailing. But I've never been around so many rude people. I'll elaborate when the cruise is over, but for now, we're just enjoying the ride. Weather has been mostly cloudy today with bursts of sun here and there. Tomorrow we arrive in Labadee, which I'm looking forward to...haven't been there since 1995 and I hear it's changed a bit!

 

Anybody with specific questions I'll try to answer as best I can.

 

Yes, she is a beautiful ship. Enjoy every minute of your cruise. Ignore the rude people:D

 

If you have time, report about the open dining.

[rclcruzer]

Our FAVORITE ship, our most favorite vacation!!!

Don't let the "rudies" ruin your trip........we encountered the same thing on the Serenade to Alaska this past June, I have finally learned to stand up for myself and actually say something now, makes me feel better, although I only had to say something once. I just won't tolerate it anymore...life is too short. Sometimes you can ignore and just have a "whatever" kind of attitude, but on the flip side, sometimes it's good to speak up ;)

Have an awesome cruise, say hi to our favorite ship for us!! Soooo jealous :D

[Rancher Dave]

Have a great time!!!

 

As for the rude pax, I think it is society in general. I ran into them on Majesty, in the hotel ahead of the cruise, in the airport, on the plane...it just goes on and on...

 

At least the crew taking care of us on Majesty were wonderful so that made up for rude pax...

 

I bet you also find a lot of really nice pax like I did on Majesty. I waited while they made a custom pizza for me, and folks started to line up behind me and not assume it was ok to cut...of course when I realized someone was behind me I explained I was waiting on a custom and that if they wanted something already out go for it..most did, one couple wanted a custom as well.

 

Someone pointed out wheelchair pax not getting an elevator...that is beyond rude to me. If the able footed folks were in the chair they would have been upset if others did to them what they did to her. Ask DW, I hate waiting on the elevator so I almost always walk the stairs...she gets mad, she could take the elevator and in most cases I would already be at the top when she gets there...but she prefers to complain about me taking the stairs and follows me. I even walked all stairs after spraining my ankle in middle of cruise. Oh well, it only hurt an extra day because of the stairs. (Of course now 3 Saturdays in a row I have managed to sprain my ankle, not as painful on the 3rd go around though. Its a ranching thing.)

 

Do enjoy the cruise despite rude fellow pax.:)

[Jeka]

Thanks for the update. Did you choose traditional or anytime dining? Were there many folks choosing anytime and if you talked to any, could you please give us feedback. Thanks!!!

 

Sherriz366, unbelievable!!!!

 

Jerseygirl, have a wonderful vacation. We were on Liberty in September and it was our favorite cruise. Hope you enjoy Freedom as much as we did her sister.

[wanderlust88]

We boarded yesterday (probably the windiest sailaway in history...LOL). Anyway, ship is beautiful, staff is, for the most part, very friendly. Service in the dining room last night was excellent. Food is good. The ship has just about anything anybody could want for, except.....I have to say, there are some very rude passengers onboard. I don't know if it's just a sign of the times or this sailing. But I've never been around so many rude people. I'll elaborate when the cruise is over, but for now, we're just enjoying the ride. Weather has been mostly cloudy today with bursts of sun here and there. Tomorrow we arrive in Labadee, which I'm looking forward to...haven't been there since 1995 and I hear it's changed a bit!

 

Anybody with specific questions I'll try to answer as best I can

Enjoy your cruise JG3..

I have been trying to get on the freedom or the liberty since they came out. RCCL has been really keeping their prices very high. I am able to get travel agent reduced rates, and i gotta tell ya, they sure are not allowing any agents on the big ships at ALL. In the past sept oct nov have been the best times to get the better rates..but everyone...has jumped on that bandwagon...and lately I am part of the masses, and just having to pay regular rate to feed my cruise addiction

Sooo, I will be patient, and i am hoping to get on the Liberty or the freedom next year.

Its funny...cus the itineraries are the same...they are getting these outrageous prices by ship alone!!!amazing!

thanks for letting me vent...enjoy your cruise.

what kind of cabin do you have by the way??

[michigyrl]

Whew...I thought it was just me thinking the passengers were overly rude last week. But...I bet I can play a mean game of dodge ball now since I felt like I spent the entire week dodging out of people's way!! :D

[willysgrandma]

As for the rude passengers, they must have stayed an extra week after my week. There were some very rude passengers on my sailing, most of them coming from Europe (Spain) speaking spanish, not english.

 

.

 

Unfortunately, I have to agree. When we were on FOS in Sept., Americans were definitely in the minority on the ship and we found the same rudeness, like nothing I've ever seen on any cruise I've been on.

 

I think you can thank the fact that the value of the U.S. $ is so low - it makes it so that it is cheaper for citizens of countries outside the U.S. to cruise. A lot of it is just cultural differences between what is acceptable to Americans and what is acceptable to citizens of other countries.

 

The majority of the cruisers on our FOS were from Latin America and Europe. But trust me- I saw plenty of rude and very Americans too.

 

Wait until the sale of the pool deck the day before you get into port - if you want to see a riot and rude behavior, tht is where you'll see it. I can't tell you how many people I watched steal stuff and just walk away.

[familycruzer]

Gosh, I hope those rude people have not been on from my sailing back in August. We had a group of about 160 people from China and they were the worst co passengers I have run into yet.

 

Enjoy your cruise anyways. Its a great ship with so much to see and do.

[ready2sail40]

anxious to hear more...crusiing the freedom in may 08!!

[Jiffymom]

We booked this large ship because we felt it would be more family ( Kids)friendly than a smaller. Curious are the shows suitable for young children or more adult oriented? I know they would love the ice skating show they also enjoy musicals.

[willysgrandma]

I thought they kept the shows very family friendly. Even the comedians were pretty mild. On of the shows (I think it was called Once Upon a Time) was great for families with kids.

 

The only thing really not appropriate is Quest and everyone is clearly told in not on the Compass but at the show that kids aren't permitted.

[Libby7]

Sherriz366, unbelievable!!!!

 

Jerseygirl, have a wonderful vacation. We were on Liberty in September and it was our favorite cruise. Hope you enjoy Freedom as much as we did her sister.

 

Jerseygirl - I hope you have a great cruise. We've been on the LB twice and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll be anxious to hear about how the anytime seating experience is going. We have a tendancy to eat late, and want to eat late, so I hope we will have that option. We just got off another large RCCL ship, and the waitstaff there are concerned that the anytime eating will impact their ability to get to know their guests and impact service. Have fun!

[LindaandJeff]

I have been trying to get on the freedom or the liberty since they came out. RCCL has been really keeping their prices very high. I am able to get travel agent reduced rates, and i gotta tell ya, they sure are not allowing any agents on the big ships at ALL. In the past sept oct nov have been the best times to get the better rates..but everyone...has jumped on that bandwagon...and lately I am part of the masses, and just having to pay regular rate to feed my cruise addiction

Sooo, I will be patient, and i am hoping to get on the Liberty or the freedom next year.

Its funny...cus the itineraries are the same...they are getting these outrageous prices by ship alone!!!amazing!

thanks for letting me vent...enjoy your cruise.

what kind of cabin do you have by the way??

 

Do what we did...pay full price! While we are TAs, we opted to pay what our clients pay rather than wait for TA fares since we like to be able to talk to our clients from experience...that dictated booking right away. We sail in 3 days! Yeah! I am so glad we are not waiting...

[jerseygirl3]

Sorry I haven't gotten back sooner. Unfortunately, the rudeness prevails. To the poster who commented about the majority of the passengers being non-Americans, this seems to be the case on this sailing as well. That being said, I like to meet and mingle with people from all backgrounds, but the majority of these people are just very rude and obnoxious. Oh well, I'm letting it go and not allowing it to ruin my vacation.

 

As I said before, the ship is beautiful. The staff has been extremely friendly. The Captain (a short-statured Greek man, sorry can't recall his name) is very personable and his mother is sailing with us this week.

 

We went to the repeat passengers cocktail party last night. It was probably the best we've ever been to, including all the various cruiselines. NO jockeying for a seat; they escort you to a seat. Much more civilized that way. The drinks were flowing and they would get you anything you want if what they had didn't suit you. They talked about doing onboard bookings; they are $100 pp and they NEVER expire! That's very enticing. They talked about the Genesis class; over 6000 passengers and two Royal Promenades.

 

We had dinner in Chops last night; all I can say is it was outstanding. Service, food, everything just excellent.

 

To those asking about anytime dining, we're doing traditional, but I will try to talk to others and get some feedback for you on the anytime. We lucked out and got a fabulous waiter. He's funny, professional, and really on the ball. Can't say enough good things.

 

Weather could be better. Monday was cloudy pretty much most of the day, yesterday was nice in Labadee (sorry can't comment about Labadee, spent the day on the ship). Today we're in Jamaica and it was raining this a.m., but looks like it may clear out a bit and we might see some sun.

 

We are really enjoying the adults only solarium area. Very quiet and peaceful.

 

We're in Cabin 9622, which is a D1 (I think) balcony. Cabin is more than sufficient. Bathroom could use a little more storage; just one side of the mirror has storage. Shower is great; water pressure good, and instead of curtains they have the shower doors. I wish they provided shower gel instead of bars of soap. The soap dish is grated, and the soap keeps falling through. They do provide a dispenser with shampoo, but no conditioner.

 

Well, I think I'm seeing the sun peeking through the clouds, so I'll sign off for now. I will try to check back in tomorrow,.

[SherriZ366]

Sorry I haven't gotten back sooner. Unfortunately, the rudeness prevails. To the poster who commented about the majority of the passengers being non-Americans, this seems to be the case on this sailing as well. That being said, I like to meet and mingle with people from all backgrounds, but the majority of these people are just very rude and obnoxious. Oh well, I'm letting it go and not allowing it to ruin my vacation.

 

As I said before, the ship is beautiful. The staff has been extremely friendly. The Captain (a short-statured Greek man, sorry can't recall his name) is very personable and his mother is sailing with us this week.

 

We went to the repeat passengers cocktail party last night. It was probably the best we've ever been to, including all the various cruiselines. NO jockeying for a seat; they escort you to a seat. Much more civilized that way. The drinks were flowing and they would get you anything you want if what they had didn't suit you. They talked about doing onboard bookings; they are $100 pp and they NEVER expire! That's very enticing. They talked about the Genesis class; over 6000 passengers and two Royal Promenades.

 

We had dinner in Chops last night; all I can say is it was outstanding. Service, food, everything just excellent.

 

To those asking about anytime dining, we're doing traditional, but I will try to talk to others and get some feedback for you on the anytime. We lucked out and got a fabulous waiter. He's funny, professional, and really on the ball. Can't say enough good things.

 

Weather could be better. Monday was cloudy pretty much most of the day, yesterday was nice in Labadee (sorry can't comment about Labadee, spent the day on the ship). Today we're in Jamaica and it was raining this a.m., but looks like it may clear out a bit and we might see some sun.

 

We are really enjoying the adults only solarium area. Very quiet and peaceful.

 

We're in Cabin 9622, which is a D1 (I think) balcony. Cabin is more than sufficient. Bathroom could use a little more storage; just one side of the mirror has storage. Shower is great; water pressure good, and instead of curtains they have the shower doors. I wish they provided shower gel instead of bars of soap. The soap dish is grated, and the soap keeps falling through. They do provide a dispenser with shampoo, but no conditioner.

 

Well, I think I'm seeing the sun peeking through the clouds, so I'll sign off for now. I will try to check back in tomorrow,.

 

Jerseygirl -- thanks for the updates. Sounds like a fabulous ship. Hope your weather gets better.

 

According to Woflcathorse's captains thread, your captain is Mannolis Kasselas. If you have a Mingle Party, you may get to meat "Wolf" who does a fantabulous job of keeping track of the captains' rotations.

 

Thanks also for the update on open seating and for trying to get feedback from those taking this option. Great that you got such a wonderful waiter.

 

We are on FOS (but eastern) on Feb. 24 so please keep the reports coming.

[Darkwolfe]

you may get to meat "Wolf"

 

There's a bit of a bad pun waiting there somewhere. Give "Wolf" a steak when you meet maybe? :D

 

Sorry.. slightly twisted sense of humor and I'm bored at work today.:)

[SherriZ366]

There's a bit of a bad pun waiting there somewhere. Give "Wolf" a steak when you meet maybe? :D

 

Sorry.. slightly twisted sense of humor and I'm bored at work today.:)

obviously meant meet. Should have proofread. Too funny.