Freedom offers an excellent value for superior service.

Item: Freedom of the Seas
Rating: 4.8
Author: Medic9701

Freedom of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean

Medic9701

Contributor Level: Cruise Director

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 11

Helpful Votes: 472

Overall rating:

4.8 out of 5

Eastern Caribbean

Sail date: February 17, 2018

Ship: Freedom of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 7628

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Freedom of the Seas offered fantastic service throughout our 8-day voyage. There was a variety of activities and entertainment offered at convenient, non-competing times. All in all, an excellent value.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Embarking at Port Everglades was painless. We unloaded luggage in front of the building, parked in a nearby parking garage, and were shuttled back to the rest of our party. We moved very quickly through the terminal to get our SeaPasses and were on board within an hour of arriving.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

The Windjammer offered the traditional, varied selection of food for breakfast and lunch. We did not have dinner in Windjammer, but heard good reviews from other cruisers. Our main dining room was Isaac's on deck 4 and the food and drinks were excellent. We had a birthday celebration in Giovanni's Table specialty restaurant. Bring Italian myself, I am very particular about that cuisine, We have had Chop's and the Chef's Table on prior cruises and this rivaled the best courses we have had. From appetizers to the main courses to dessert, everything was on point.

Sorrentos Pizza

4 out of 5

I am not a fan of Sorrentos Pizza, but it was very sufficient given that it is complimentary. The sandwiches and smaller deli items are good, though.

Windjammer Marketplace

5 out of 5

The Windjammer was typical of any RCI cruise buffet. It offered a plentiful variety of hot and cold food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Service was excellent with staff encouraging relaxation by offering complimentary beverages, promptly filling bar service orders, and suggesting additional snacks (cookies, etc.) while cruisers dined.

Café Promenade

5 out of 5

The snacks (food and desserts), as well as the gourmet coffees, were all excellent.

Main Dining Rooms (Galileo, Isaac & Leonardo)

5 out of 5

Fantastic service, great meals, and quick beverage service consistently throughout our 8 days trip. Thank you to Victor and Perry serving us at Isaac's on deck 4.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

We appreciated the fact that a variety of activities on Freedom of the Seas were available at times convenient to work with other activities. Even when we had to abandon a stop at one port, the staff quickly put together an activity filled sea day that allowed cruisers of all ages to have fun. The kids enjoyed ice skating, rock climbing, and boogie boarding on the Flowrider. The movie nights offered good video quality and visibility from around the pool deck with excellent audio. The only negative I would say was an overcrowded main pool at times.

Center Ice Rink

5 out of 5

The kids loved the opportunity to ice skate while on board the Freedom of the Seas!

Rock Climbing Wall

5 out of 5

Every kid loved a chance to climb the rock wall and ring the bell. Freedom of the Seas made this activity available with regularity to ensure that it worked with other planned activities on board.

Flowrider

5 out of 5

Excellent availability and appropriate supervision for rookies and those who are better skilled at boogie boarding and stand-up surfing.

H20 Zone

5 out of 5

A great area for kids to play while adults relax in the sun on lounge chairs or in hot tubs.

Swimming Pools

3 out of 5

Overcrowded at times, but a great use of space that allowed for the optional division of excited children and relaxing adults if desired. RCI also has lifeguards on duty at pools now.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

We caught a couple of the shows on Freedom of the Seas and loved them all. Once Upon a Time and Almost Elton John stand out as excellent, must see shows while on board.

On Air Club

5 out of 5

Great place to relax, watch a game, and have a beer.

Arcadia Theater

5 out of 5

Great sound and lighting with easy access and egress despite crowding at times. Bar service was good, too, despite having a full house.

Studio B

5 out of 5

Don's miss the ice show on Freedom of the Seas. I was happy to have checked this out, let the kids ice skate here, and also attended a Crown & Anchor event in Studio B, which was an excellent venue for both.

Promenade

5 out of 5

Excellent "main drag" for parades, shows, and mingling.

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

All of our 4 children were unimpressed with the Adventure Ocean program offered on Freedom of the Seas and likened their attendance to being punished. They did, however, enjoy the arcade at an additional fee.

Adventure Ocean

2 out of 5

The kids were unimpressed with Adventure Ocean youth program on Freedom of the Seas and viewed attendance as punishment.

Challengers Arcade

4 out of 5

The kids (and us) enjoyed playing some games in Challengers Arcade. At $1 or more per game, the game play was limited. Come on RCI, make these games a little more affordable for cruisers who you have already charged thousands of dollars!

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Perfect service received by all of our regulars: Thank you, sincerely, to stateroom attendant Jawi who made us feel very welcomed throughout our 8 days voyage. MDR server Perry and assistant waiter Victor also made the cruise an enjoyable experience by offering perfect service to adults and children in our party.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Great layout and design on Freedom of the Seas with clean, well-maintained common areas and staterooms. I couldn't be more impressed with a ship's design and cleanliness.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

One adult and 2 children slept and lived comfortably for the 8 day cruise. Great views from the balcony, which can be opened to share with room 7626.

Ship tip

Freedom of the Seas offers service superior to many of the previous cruises I have been on. It has a variety of activities offered at convenient, non-competitive times and the specialty restaurants are fantastic, as is the complimentary food offered on board.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida Did not visit port

Reside in FL. Drove in and out.

Thumbs Up 0

Basseterre, St. Kitts

5 out of 5

Beautiful with excellent shopping opportunities at the port.

Thumbs Up 8

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

4 out of 5

Toured the port shops and took a cab into town to have some local cuisine and look around. They are rebuilding quickly, but still not at 100% following recent hurricanes.

Thumbs Up 9

San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5

Gorgeous with rich culture. I highly recommend a guided tour to learn more about the area.

Thumbs Up 14

Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island) Did not visit port

Weather did not permit safe disembarkation.

Thumbs Up 1

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

Pretty quick departure and no hassles at customs. Staff was not overly concerned with assisting those with disabilities, which is atypical. Shuttled to the parking garage quickly with a friendly driver.