First timers cruise to Eastern Caribbean well- worth it for family

Freedom of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 41

Overall rating:

4.6 out of 5
Freedom of the Seas

8 Night Eastern Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 17, 2018

Ship: Freedom of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8566

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Great trip for first timers to Caribbean. Will go to Southern Caribbean next trip for the ABC islands

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Fast as we are gold members of Royal Caribbean

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
The ships main dining room were great except for the first night when I had confirmed a table for 4 and it was reconfirmed by both my Travel Agent (TA) and Royal Caribbean itself. When I checked the table on embarkation day, I found I was sitting at a table for 8. This was unacceptable as I came on a hard earned cruise to spend time with m family an NOT with strangers (no offense, just wanted family time). Was told that I could get a table for 4 at 6pm during My Dining Time, but unacceptable as have medical pills that need to be taken with food at 5:30pm. Ate at 6, and the head waiter came to change my table to another floor for the rest of the cruise. Ryan M, from India was extremely helpful and gave me extra appies that were not listed on the day's menu sheet. l

Windjammer Marketplace

5 out of 5

Windjammer has a great selection of salads, soups, desserts and food every day and evening. It was refreshing and very fresh

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5
Did the mini golf, flowrider, pools, sauna, steamroom, an all amenities that were free.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Stephani Parker, the diva of the seas, was excellent with her interpreation and renditions of Whitney Houston. Liverpool Lads, a Beatles tribute was excellent holding the audience captive, an the Freedom Ice skaters had a fabulous show as well.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Aida on the 8th deck was awesome. Always had the room made up when we came back, and it was impeccable with towel animals every night.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
All areas were kept, ship-shape, pardon the pun.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5
The size woud be good for 2 people, but had our teenage daughter with us. The 3rd be was a bunk be that came unlocked from above the queen be, but my daughter requested a cot instead. The room was tight, but functional. The bathroom has closing door shower, and not a shower curtain, to not have water spill into the bathroom. Water pressure was excellent.

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

5 out of 5
Warm, sunny and many things to do

Basseterre, St. Kitts

5 out of 5
Lots of duty free shopping, but took a land tour to see island from local excursion company. Was good.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

5 out of 5
Took a water taxi to closest beach (not Maho beach) and staye there for hours. Hot sun, refreshing ocean water and plenty of shops along boardwalk

San Juan, Puerto Rico

3 out of 5
Shops opened at 9:30-10am for many places and the ship arrive at 7am. Walked around, but typical of other islands before.

Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island)

5 out of 5
Many beach spots and lots of paid activities except for the free lunch. Beaches have coral in most places so bring water shoes.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
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2 Comments

twhite1    6 years ago

We are going on Freedom for our 4th time, 9th cruise in 58 days. Wooohooo. Doing the southern trip to Aruba, Curaçao, St Thomas and St Maarten. Did the other southern to Barbados. Loved it. You’d love that too.

browncsm    6 years ago

The Southern Caribbean itinerary out of Peurto Rico was incredible. If you can, stay a day or two in San Juan and explore.

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