Just off Freedom...W. Caribbean 4/5-4/11

[sea57]

Cant wait to read! I will be on the Freedom July 4th! Are there pictures?!

 

thanks soooo much!

 

cbc

 

We will be on the same cruise..counting the days!!!!

[jbroons]

We will be on the same cruise..counting the days!!!!

 

Congratulations!!!...Your first post ever and #200 on this thread....well done!! Enjoy Freedom in July....I miss her!:(

[jbroons]

Congratulations!!!...Your first post ever and #200 on this thread....well done!! Enjoy Freedom in July....I miss her!:(

 

 

Sorry it was #201!:eek:

[pink roses]

Is this the same show that has been presented on the Fantasy? If so do all the ships do exactly the same show? I was thinking the bigger ships did diferent shos for some reason.

 

 

 

Day 5 April 9th, 2009 Ocho Rios, Jamaica

 

I woke the girls up an hour early due to being confused about time changes....& Kyra, who is NOT a morning person wasn't too happy about it! I brought a battery-operated travel clock with me and also set the time on the DVD/VCR player so you would think that I could have figured it out. We figured this error out when we went to Lido for Breakfast Buffet and there were very few people there. At first I told the girls "Well, a lot of people don't like to go to Jamaica so they are probably just sleeping in"....so much for the smart Dad!;) We had ham, swiss & mushroom omellettes, fruit, bacon, bagels (with cream cheese) and the hot hard-boiled eggs with coffee, oj and water. It was excellent as usual...especially with no buffet lines whatsoever:D.

 

Got off Freedom to Ocho Rios and met up with our guide for the day. I booked a Carnival excursion for Dunn's River Falls & Bamboo Beach Club. The port in Ocho Rios was very crowded but also very "guarded". The bus didn't leave for like 20 minutes...just sat there waiting for "two more people" who never showed. At DRF, long wait (again very crowded that day) for water shoes and to meet up with our DRF tour guide. Walked down to the beach to begin our ascent up the falls...it's supposed to take about 45 minutes but because of all the people it took twice as long. However, the Falls were amazing but the climb was much harder than I thought it would be...I am a male (47) in good shape, fyi. Anyway, this was my daughters' favorite part of our trip. There were natural sliding pools along the way and we had ample chance to enjoy them. The Falls are surrounded by lush vegetation, banana & palm trees so any sun exposure was not a concern whatsoever. BTW, all groups hold hands, single file, while climbing the falls (it's like 954 feet up) but I found that in difficult areas it was easier to go it alone so I could use my feet AND hands for momentum. Also, the thing that made it hard to climb was because of the volume of people....we would gain a foothold on a rock and would then have to stop and wait for the person waiting in front of you....couldn't get any momentum, especially when the person behind you is pulling you backwards. Anyway, this was another "must do" activity....we all just loved it!!

 

Bamboo Beach Club...Lengthy bus ride from the Falls to BBC...about 20-30 minutes. Drinks and reserved lounge chairs were waiting for us. The food was offerred throughout our 1.5 hours there, the entertainment was great and the sand & water beautiful. Perhaps because of the crowd, the place was a bit dirty with plastic cups, plates and forks all over the place. Overall, we had a good time. Bus then took us back to Freedom @ about 2:15....Inside the gates near the ship there were all kinds of vendors selling all kinds of Jamaican artifacts (most with Bob Marley on them...hehe...I love Bob, don't get me wrong, mon). So, there's no reason to get harrassed by vendors near the Falls when you can get the same things in a "protected area" by the ship. We bought some things for my girls' friends at home...BTW, whenever I was quoted a price for something I would offer half, and negotiate from there...this usually cut-off 25-30% easily.

 

Back on Freedom (I actually missed her while in Ocho Rios) we showered, got some pizza and hit Lido for some sun and rum drinks (for me). The girls were actually offerred alcohol on three occasions on Freedom but, of course, declined....twice in the MDR. What parent let's their kids drink alcohol when they are 15 & 17....I just don't get it!!

 

Dinner in Chic was again great. I forget exactly what we had this night but I do recall tiger shrimp, caesar salads, salmon, steaks, lots of french bread, french fries, baked alaska and, yes, warm chocolate melting cake...ummm.

 

OK, I LOVE The Beatles. In Vegas last year the LOVE show at The Mirage by Cirque de Soleil was unbelievable. The show on Freedom tonight was Ticket To Ride in Victoriana Lounge...Love that theatre!!! This show is soo good....do NOT miss it if you have the chance to see it!! I felt like I was in NYC on Broadway...yes, it was THAT good. The stage changes in a relatively small confinement were so impressive and smooth that I cannot do it justice or say enough. See this show!

 

I then hit the casino (slots) for a while and went back to #7322 to hang with the girls. We again got room service and ate every bite...blts, ham & cheese & pb&j...with tea & water...soo good!

 

I sat on the balcony for a while and took deep breaths looking out to the open sea....peaceful is the only word that applies! Read capers and went to sleep to dream about our final day on this wonderful ship...Go Freedom!!

 

Next, final day of our Caribbean adventure tomorrow!:(

[crazy cajun]

ROFLMFAO!!!

Mac & cheese is probably one of my least favorite foods. Unless it's done on the smoker.

I could eat sea food pretty much every day but like anything else .it gets old after a while .

Today i spent a few hours in the kitchen cooking meat balls and spaghetti. Now have the heart burn to prove it.

[pdileo]

Thank you so much for your awesome review. I am sailing on Freedom 9/1/2009 with my family and my sister's family and we can't wait to go!! Thanks again!

 

Patty

[thephillykid]

I always go to Millers Ale House in FLL. There are a few of them close to the port, just get a cab. It is a small chain based in florida, and they recently opened 2 places up in philly. Just look up the menu at millersalehouse.com. Great sports bar with great low drink prices, unlike the ship. Have fun.

 

Howard

[jbroons]

Is this the same show that has been presented on the Fantasy? If so do all the ships do exactly the same show? I was thinking the bigger ships did diferent shos for some reason.

 

If it's "Ticket to Ride" then, yes, it will be the same show....awesome!

[AnnieB925]

If it's "Ticket to Ride" then, yes, it will be the same show....awesome!

 

How's the piano bar on the Freedom? Did you get a chance to go there? Also, did you do the supper club?

 

Please don't stop......I'm getting withdrawals!

[jbroons]

How's the piano bar on the Freedom? Did you get a chance to go there? Also, did you do the supper club?

 

Please don't stop......I'm getting withdrawals!

 

Me too Annie:(.....piano bar---stopped by twice...all seemed to be having a great time. Supper Club----one of my daughters' didn't seem thrilled about the 2 1/2 hour dining experience so I cancelled our reservation. MDR was VERY good all nights so I was OK with it.

[Mrs.C05]

Me too Annie:(.....piano bar---stopped by twice...all seemed to be having a great time. Supper Club----one of my daughters' didn't seem thrilled about the 2 1/2 hour dining experience so I cancelled our reservation. MDR was VERY good all nights so I was OK with it.

 

2.5hour dining experience? Is that how long it is?

 

We are going on this ship in Feb. 2010.....a little ways away.:( But I'm still counting down the days! I really enjoyed your review!!! THanks so much!!! I'd love to see pics!!!!

[jbroons]

2.5hour dining experience? Is that how long it is?

 

We are going on this ship in Feb. 2010.....a little ways away.:( But I'm still counting down the days! I really enjoyed your review!!! THanks so much!!! I'd love to see pics!!!!

 

Yes, 2 1/2 hours if you wish....you can "quicken" it up a bit if you wish to.

 

Thanks for reading my review....I don't know how to get pix from my computer to the posting area...I don't think that I'm stupid!!

 

I'll be in Florida on 6/20....I show you the pix then!!;)

[jbroons]

ROFLMFAO!!!

Mac & cheese is probably one of my least favorite foods. Unless it's done on the smoker.

I could eat sea food pretty much every day but like anything else .it gets old after a while .

Today i spent a few hours in the kitchen cooking meat balls and spaghetti. Now have the heart burn to prove it.

 

I LOVE spaghetti & mealballs....I'll give you my address so you can freeze/express any leftovers!!

 

What's your recipe for meatballs?

[Linosoup]

Can you tell me about each night's dinner in the MDR. I am trying to figure out which night would be best for reservations at one of the Specialty places. Don't want to miss Formal Nights or Lobster night!!!

 

Thanks!

[jbroons]

Can you tell me about each night's dinner in the MDR. I am trying to figure out which night would be best for reservations at one of the Specialty places. Don't want to miss Formal Nights or Lobster night!!!

 

Thanks!

 

Lobster night was our third night, 4/7...Ocho Rios night. In the MDR something great was served every night...like chateaubriand on the last night for example. I would do MDR on first night definitely to meet theMaitre'D and wait staff.....if you tell them your plan for the cruise they'll be ready for you (they were great). I would do Supper Club on your second night or your second to last night, IMO!!

[jbroons]

Lobster night was our third night, 4/7...Ocho Rios night. In the MDR something great was served every night...like chateaubriand on the last night for example. I would do MDR on first night definitely to meet theMaitre'D and wait staff.....if you tell them your plan for the cruise they'll be ready for you (they were great). I would do Supper Club on your second night or your second to last night, IMO!!

 

 

Sorry I was wrong on this.....Lobster was on the third night but this was a sea day....NOT Ocho Rios!!

[sewer]

:confused: HI. CAN HARDLY WAIT... WE ARE FAMILY OF 8 BOOKED FOR CARNIVAL FREEDON 11/21/09.

[jbroons]

:confused: HI. CAN HARDLY WAIT... WE ARE FAMILY OF 8 BOOKED FOR CARNIVAL FREEDON 11/21/09.

 

Good for you....how many rooms did you get for 8 peeps??

[AnnieB925]

Yes, 2 1/2 hours if you wish....you can "quicken" it up a bit if you wish to.

 

Thanks for reading my review....I don't know how to get pix from my computer to the posting area...I don't think that I'm stupid!!

 

I'll be in Florida on 6/20....I show you the pix then!!;)

 

I just copy and paste to post a picture. The other option is to use the yellow mountain icon above and add your URL. Here's a pic from a recent cruise to Bermuda:

 

 

Bermuda

[jbroons]

I just copy and paste to post a picture. The other option is to use the yellow mountain icon above and add your URL. Here's a pic from a recent cruise to Bermuda:

 

 

Bermuda

 

I love Bermuda....it is so "fragrant"....and your picture is beautiful. However, being stupid again, what icon are you talking about?? Thanks Annie.

[floridacruzin]

I liked the review however, Orange you forgetting something?

 

HAHA--Welcome back!

[nmyorkiemom]

Sailing freedom in 96 days w/ DD 17. Did your girls go to Club02? Do you happen to know what, if any, excursion the Club02 did?

thanks!!

[jbroons]

I liked the review however, Orange you forgetting something?

 

HAHA--Welcome back!

 

Berri Funghi....and thank you!!;)

[AnnieB925]

I love Bermuda....it is so "fragrant"....and your picture is beautiful. However, being stupid again, what icon are you talking about?? Thanks Annie.

 

Re: the icon is seen when you open a reply window. See the tool bar? There are 2 yellow icons, one has a mountain on it and one has script. Scroll over the mountain icon and it will read "insert image". Click on that and then find your image and insert it into the body of the message. Clear as mud?

[AnnieB925]

Re: the icon is seen when you open a reply window. See the tool bar? There are 2 yellow icons, one has a mountain on it and one has script. Scroll over the mountain icon and it will read "insert image". Click on that and then find your image and insert it into the body of the message. Clear as mud?

This was dinner on the Victory last Feb.