Excellent

Freedom of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Reviews: 3
Helpful Votes: 93

Overall rating:

5 out of 5
Freedom of the Seas

Eastern Caribbean

Sail date: September 20, 2015

Ship: Freedom of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 6393

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

First of all, Royal Caribbean is a great cruise line because it offers a variety of activities and entertainment to satisfy different interests.  There are fun activities and games happening during the day by the main pool area (which is large enough so you don't feel like a sardine stuffed in a can, and there is a separate pool for kids, so their loud yelling and running is not bothering anyone), and a variety of activities happening inside the ship for those who don't want to be at the pool.  There is always something for everyone to enjoy.  Many games you can participate in and watch others.  There are gorgeous shows in the evening in the theatre, as well as more games and activities happening in the bars and lounges.  There is live music and disney dreamwork characters for kids to take pictures with or simply enjoy watching them dance and play.  Food is great and there is lots of it. It is very unlikely that anyone would be bored on this ship, even during the sea days.

Second of all, the destinations on this cruise were amazing.  St Thomas and St Marten are beautiful islands with gorgeous beaches.  And Coco Cay (cruise line's private island) is gorgeous as well, with a few different beach areas for snorkeling, swimming, playing, or just relaxing and getting a tan.  We took excursions on St Thomas and St Maarten, and both of those were amazing, staff was friendly and happy to assist us, and activities were well worth the cost.  

I would definitely go on this same cruise again, but first I want to check out other destinations.  There were many people on this cruise (frequent cruisers), who have already been on this same cruise before, and some even more than once.  Many people were saying that St Maarten and St Thomas are two of the most beautiful destinations, and that's why more experienced cruisers, who have seen it all (or almost all), prefer going back to these islands. 

 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
The quality of food was great. Service was awesome. I would have liked to see more variety in the buffet though, but they do have specialty restaurants, so if you don't mind spending more money (since these are at extra cost), you would enjoy more options (steak, Mexican, etc.), which I believe taste much better than food elsewhere on the ship.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Clean. Not as small as I thought it would be.

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5

Cococay (Cruise Line's Private Island)

5 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

5 out of 5

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

5 out of 5
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10 Comments

lindackelley    9 years ago

I was always a Carnival Fan and Cruiser.... But wanted to try RC out. Carnival has good food places to eat, especially on Sunshine. I am excited to have many things other then just drinking on my RC cruise. Thanks for sharing. You made me even more excited about my next cruise.

budhakitty    9 years ago

*wonderful

budhakitty    9 years ago

itynuv, I am glad you enjoyed your trip! We are looking at taking that itinerary on that ship next year. I agree with CrusinTim above. What matters is that you had a wondeful experience. People have their preferences regarding cruise lines, hence why there are multiple cruise choices. Not every cruise line and ship is a match for every personality. Thanks for taking the time to write your review, that helps us in selecting our future cruise! :-)

lindackelley    9 years ago

I have to say Carnival DOES offer more choices of places to eat for FREE on the bigger ships. And It's really good.... But other then water slide, and bars and clubs there is nothing else on most ships.

CrusinTim    9 years ago

Well Jim, I wonder where that puts my thoughts? I sailed on the Jewel of the Seas in May of 2013 and felt that any of the 5 Carnival cruises I had taken in the past blew the Jewel away!! But, I then sailed on the Brilliance of the Seas in November of 2013 and that cruise blew away any Carnival ship I had sailed. See my point here? The line doesn't matter. The ship doesn't matter. The experience of YOUR cruise is all that matters.

jimnkathy    9 years ago

I like Royal Caribbean. I've been on 8 cruises with them and have no negative comments about them. And frankly, as far as I'm concerned, anybody who says Carnival is better has rocks in their head. Carnival is in no way comparable.

Kellybud    9 years ago

We took Freedom of the Seas a couple years ago. It was ok then. Had an opportunity to tour it Sunday to see the "refurbishments" that have been done. Have to say I was disappointed. Carpets and furniture look beat up and stained in the main social areas and pool areas. Time to replace them. Except for a new mexican restaurant I'm not sure what they have added. I feel RCCL is lowering their standards.

crusin2016    9 years ago

drama queen is right, picky picky

DebDoesCruises1    9 years ago

Do yourself a favor and stay far away from RCCL...they have gone down hill over the past few years and are designed to take your money...it is one big marketing scheme on the water...if you want decent food you have to pay for specialty restauarant ....desserts are horrible ...pizza is frozen.....Windjammer is like one big slop house.....try another cruise line......

DebDoesCruises1    9 years ago

We just got off Freedom RCCL , and it was the worst cruise ever. The activities were limited unless you wanted to pay. The dining room dinner food was good but the Windjammer food for both breakfast and lunch were limited and horrible. iT was the same food every day and at every station...there was no fresh cooked food anywhere on the ship......The shows were OK....no comedy clubs ....

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