Below Expectations

Item: Freedom of the Seas
Rating: 2
Author: jesse286

Freedom of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

jesse286

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 49

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 28, 2016

Ship: Freedom of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 6548

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Several things I didn't like. Housekeeping held onto soap like it was gold. We were down to nothing, and had to ask for more. When we went to eat on Monday night, we were refused for lack of "formal" dress--and refused in a fairly rude manner. On my last cruise, there was one one formal dining night, Thursday; this time there were two, but they made it hard to know that. The next night when we went to dine, our table had been given away to someone else. At that point, I just skipped the dining room and ate in the Windjammer cafe. When I say the refusal for lack of formal dress was rude, I mean just that. They could have said: "I'm sorry, sir, but we now have two formal dining nights; sorry if you didn't get the message. Can I hold your table until you dress more formally?" Instead,m they snarled at me, as if I were a social pariah, inflicted with deadly leprosy, and they were obliged to yell "Unclean! Unclean!" So others could flee from my filthy presence! My next cruise will DEFINITELY NOT be on Royal Caribbean/. The Caribbean was fine, but there was nothing royal about my cruise or that ship.

Ship experiences

Cabin / Stateroom

Don't skimp on soap. It doesn't cost that much!

18 Comments

tnnikkij 8 years ago

It's pretty awkward when people come in not dressed up. I respect them for holding to the dress code. Our first cruise we went online & read the letter placed on our bed so we'd know about dress code. Also, If we needed anything we just asked our room attendant. He was amazing!!! And spoiled our kids rotten! They work for gratuities- they want you to be happy! Gold member cruisers get robes.

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poisonivy28 8 years ago

I've been cruising for many years and 7 night cruises have always had two formal nights.

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DWB 8 years ago

I've been on the Freedom twice. The first time on formal nights I wore a suit. I saw many people in dress pants and shirts with and without ties. The second cruise I wore the dress pants, shirt and tie. I'm a big guy and eating in a suit coat sucks. I don't care what anyone wears because it's your vacation.

I can't believe anyone can book a cruise and not know about dress up nights. Especially after several cruises.

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Patrick4 8 years ago

I'm glad they enforced the rules...nothing worse than everyone dressed up and a drunken clown walking in w shorts, t shirt and sandals on

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okiebeachbum154 8 years ago

Just out of curiosity, what were you wearing for them to not let you dine?

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sunflowergirl80 8 years ago

You know Jesse286, I can understand a little frustration on a new cruise line. We have been on the big red whale tail several times with extended family trips, but we first cruise RCC this past year. I admit, it was a little different. The lack of things like robes, or needing to ask to get something refilled or to get some towel animals was annoying a little to us at first. But we left a little note on a scratch pad on the bed and they accommodated us for the rest of the trip. We have also seen some pretty Unformal dress on that other cruise line, even though they "supposedly" have the same policy. My family and I tend to dress to Go Out every night to dinner, so we brought plenty of attire. But then, we checked on the website and it clearly stated that cruises of 7 days will have 4 casual, 2 formal, and 1 smart casual dinner. We utilized much of the ships services on our first trip, my husband even ran into the ship's doctor who took him down to the clinic to check out a corneal abrasion and get some steroids for his eye in the middle of the night. Now, he is a social butterfly, so he can be rather chatty. But in nearly every case, we left with smiles on both our faces and the crew's. Of course I can't speak to how someone acted, but in my experience, most people tend to respond in kind. I'm sorry if you had a bad experience, but for my family, we will be utilizing RCC for most of our cruising in the future. The entertainment was on a whole other level and we had no issues with any of the staff, we simply treated them as we would any of our own family, knowing that they are indeed busy behind the scenes trying to make everyone's vacation a better experience.

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rick7932 8 years ago

Always has been 2 formal nights on a 7 day cruise. Formal means just what it sounds like, tie and jacket for men and something nice for the ladies, dress etc. This is a minimum code and we very much look forward to dressing for dinner. We have been to too many dinners where it was not enforced and that spoils the atmosphere for us. If you don't want to dress up go to the buffet !

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chadley77 8 years ago

I really liked the Windjammer too especially for breakfast and lunch and even dinner.

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chadley77 8 years ago

I always take my own soap when I cruise, among other things.

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chadley77 8 years ago

They had 2 formal nights when we cruised on Freedom of the Seas last May. We went to both and had a great time.

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CrusinTim 8 years ago

I would like to know what you were wearing that made your dress "UNformal"! Usually dress pants, a button shirt with a collar and decent shoes are permitted.

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Jewels 8 years ago

Another Bravo to RCI!

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petersen 8 years ago

You and me both, it did not look very nice.

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mattward 8 years ago

Bravo to Royal Caribbean for standing by their dress code. First time I have heard of that... I've seen some real 'losers' allowed into the Main Dining Room.

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mattward 8 years ago

I agree, the Daily Compass is hand delivered to your stateroom everyday. It clearly states in black n white dress code and formal nights.

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petersen 8 years ago

Yes, we had 3 on a 11 days cruise on the Seranade last year, everyone was told about it via the daily Newsletter thing that was delivered to the cabin in the evening. So no excuse for not beeing told about it.

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mattward 8 years ago

Pack your own bar of soap next cruise. It doesnt weigh that much.

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babygrljaz 8 years ago

All 7 day cruises have 2 formal nights. I knew that before even my 1st cruise which was only a 4 day

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