Western Caribbean Cruise

Item: Freedom of the Seas
Rating: 3
Author: hkymom56

Freedom of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

hkymom56

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 61

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

6 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 05, 2017

Ship: Freedom of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9278

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

The Freedom is in need of another overhaul. Also, the staff needs to be taught good customer relations. This was our second sailing in the Freedom. We were really looking forward to an experience similar to our first. We were taken aback with the constant sales pitches for Specialty Restaurants. Speaking of Speciality Dining, we had dinner in Chops Grill, compared to our experience with Chops on the Oasis, We would rate the one on Freedom as just okay, definitely not a "speciality"

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Very fast service!!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Good in the main dining room was fairly good, although the quality has declined over the past few years. Service in Main Dining was outstanding

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Our room steward, the waiter and assistantvwaiter in Main Dining and bar staff in Boleros were great. Most other staff seemed to be either burned out or just disinterested in acting warm and friendly.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Our room steward, Arnold, provided outstanding service.

Ship tip

Watch out for hard sale of Speciality Dining and Spa service the moment you step in the ship. Be prepared to pay $8.95 per order for any room service.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

3 out of 5

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5

Because of the recent hurricanes in the Eastern Caribbean, all ships are heading to the Wrst. We had at least seven ships in each port making the ports extremely crowded.

Thumbs Up 0

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

1 out of 5

This port is designed as a stop for cruise ships. Very fake!!

Thumbs Up 1

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Excellent, both the ship and customs made for a very smooth departure.

9 Comments

twangster 7 years ago

RCI ships often feature a 10 drink card mid cruise once drink packages are no longer offered. It covers drinks up to $12 like the drink package, $13 on Oasis and Quantum class. While drink packages are not to be shared, the 10 drink card can be shared. 18% gratuity applies on top of the $75.

Thumbs Up 1

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Shay1920 7 years ago

Kristie2534, what drink card are you referring too? I've only seen a coffee drink card in my cruise planner and it was $31. I'm sailing on the Independence next month.

Thumbs Up 0

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cruzn2gether 7 years ago

@twangster I enjoyed your live blog! Lots of helpful information and great pics. Makes me all the more excited for my cruise!! 😁

Thumbs Up 1

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kristie2534 7 years ago

Tonight is my last night on the freedom as well. The entertainment has been excellent. Our room steward was amazing. We enjoyed chops and Giovanni’s. It isn’t the same as crushing in the past, but it is still an amazing vacation for the money. We really enjoyed the the drinks for $75 drink card. Perfect for us occasional drinkers!

Thumbs Up 0

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twangster 7 years ago

Yeah, this app doesn't like copy/paste. I'll send you a private message. That should be clickable.

Thumbs Up 1

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silvad88 7 years ago

How do i get to ur blog? I tried clicking it and it doesnt work

Thumbs Up 0

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twangster 7 years ago

I'm on Freedom now. It's our last night. I'm very happy with the Freedom although I do agree about Chops. Service was great in Chops but the filet just average. I'd sail on Freedom again without hesitation. All cruise lines have declined over the years, but I enjoyed my 8 days on Freedom. I've been live blogging my cruise here https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/4990-freedom-ots-111117-8-nights-modified-western-caribbean/

Thumbs Up 4

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walker6 7 years ago

We sail on the freedom of the sea next Saturday, sure pray that it’s just as good if not better then the last time we sailed on her!!!

Thumbs Up 0

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cruzn2gether 7 years ago

Sucks, our last cruise I noticed a vast difference in the service and food with Royal. We sail with them again in three weeks... if it's a let down, we will be going back to princess or celebrity.

Thumbs Up 0

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