An important question after any cruise is... "Would you sail this ship again?". YES!
I enjoyed my time on the Freedom of the Seas and would not hesitate to sail her again. Wait staff in the restaurants were great. Food in the Windjammer and the My Time Dining room was very good. Cabin service awesome. Everything was clean.
As for the ship layout and features I can see why so many like this class of ship. I really like having access to the helipad and the solarium pool being uncovered.
Freedom is not a brand new ship and after sailing on Harmony a few weeks ago you do need to maintain perspective and research the ship. By doing so expectations were met and overall I'm very happy with the experience. Money well spent.
The only problem - at 8 days it was too short.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Arrived by Lyft from my hotel in Las Olas area, $9.95 including tip. Short 3 minute wait for security and metal detector, no line in platinum/emerald queue then upstairs to the waiting area. Freedom had just returned from Europe this month and US Coast Guard was doing a more thorough inspection as they do when a ship returns from a foreign region. Boarding began just before 11:30am, suite and pinnacle, followed by diamond and then emerald. 1st drink in hand by 11:48am.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
I ate most of my dinners in the My Time Dining Room, lunch in the Windjammer and breakfast split between MDR and Windjammer. I also had two specialty dinners, Giovanni's Table and Chops Grille. I was very pleased with the MDR and enjoyed great service from Adrin and Kresimir. Menu's changed each night and I enjoyed the meals each night. Great flavor, perfect sized portions leaving just enough room for dessert. The specialty dining meals were just average and food below what I've experienced on other RCI ships in the same venues. Service was excellent though.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
A lot to do. I like that the adult only solarium pool is open and you can enjoy the sun by the pool. The pool has underwater stools where you sit and enjoy a beverage while talking with other cruisers. The flow rider is a blast. Mini-golf is always fun to do on a ship. The helipad at the bow is open for guest access and a great place for sail-away or just enjoying the ocean on sea days.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The first night was the Amazing Adagio of Peter and IIdilko. Captivating. Don't miss it. Comedians were funny without excessive profanity, something I dislike on some other ships. The ice skating show was also great - front row seats! The guitar player in Boleros and Piano player in the Schooner Bar were great. The Royal Swedes were a great cover band in the Star Lounge. These and other acts moved between venues including the pub. Mid-cruise some new entertainers came on in Cozumel while some left the ship. This meant new comedians. Mario & Danial - Two Funny Guys were great.
Children's Programs
No kids with me on this cruise
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
I did not have a single bad crew experience. Everyone was friendly and said hello, good morning or good evening. One of my MDR waiters is approaching the end of their contract and their next engagement was posted on another ship. He requested staying on Freedom and was approved. Even the crew love the ship.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
I had heard great things about the Freedom class and now I know why. I loved having access to the helipad and the uncovered adult only solarium pool. It's an easy ship to navigate. The covered deck 4 under the life boats lets you feel connected with the ocean and you can walk around the ship on this deck combined with stairs up to deck 5 to access the helipad. The promenade is a great central meeting place and the Vintages wine bar became a daily favorite. Everything was clean including public restrooms. Lots of quiet places to find some solitude when you want to.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
I had booked a guarantee fare and was assigned to deck 10 right below the pool deck. I was curious to see if I would hear pool deck noise and was pleasantly surprised to have heard none at all despite there being deck chairs right above me. The shower has a shower door which I prefer compared to a shower curtain. Perfect cabin for me, no complaints. Wonderful cabin attendant.
I always love Cozumel. The color of the water is incredible. I've been here many times and rented a jeep, walked around outside the port area or have doe resorts for a day. This time I walked in the direction of town, found some bars on the water and enjoyed a margarita looking at the beautiful waters with the ship as a backdrop.
I've been 3 times and like how they have developed the port area. I walked outside of the port area and sure I had many offers for taxis and other items but a quick no thanks with a smile and it was no problem.
I love Labadee. I've been 4 times and never hesitate to take a cruise with Labadee on the itinerary. The nature walk towards the spa and out to the point is great. Columbus Cove and Nellie's beach are sandy. Only the 1st beach near the base of the zip line is rocky as it is exposed to the waves of the Atlantic ocean.
Self-disembarked and got down early to begin lining up. I was 3rd in line. Customs was slow on this Sunday morning which some of the frequent and local cruisers mentioned this can happen on a Sunday. That's not the ships doing, they can't control the federal government. They started letting us off at 6:50am and by 7:25am I was through security, bag checked and waiting at my gate in the FLL airport. I took a taxi which were waiting for us outside the cruise terminal. $17 including tip.
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