S. Carribean Itenerary/Freedom of the Seas

Item: Freedom of the Seas
Rating: 4.5
Author: unojmh

Freedom of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

unojmh

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 53

Overall rating:

4.5 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Southern Caribbean (San Juan Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 12, 2019

Ship: Freedom of the Seas

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 1366

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

We had not been to 4 of the 5 ports and enjoyed each stop. Each island had unique features and plenty of variety for shore excursions on land and sea. Even underground. The ship was in good shape for it's age and will be refurbished early next year which should bring it back to it's original lustre.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

We arrived about 10:30 and there were no lines or crowd and we walked right on the ship

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

We had a good lunch at Chops Grille on embarkation day as part of our "KEY" program The main dining room food was quite good most nights. The Windjammer while quite crowed at peak hours kept the food fresh and hot and prefilled drink glasses for pick up or had roving attendants serving drinks.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Lots to do for the younger passengers. Three separate pool areas but hard to get chairs near the pool. There are plenty of loungers on the upper deck just steps from the pool. Separate pool fo kids. Lifguards on duty.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

We found the music aboard very good in the venues with a good variety to choose from. The theatre shows were very good too.

Children's Programs

No children with us.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Our waiters were great!!!!! Our room steward was very good and always said hello and kept the oom tidy.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

The ship was in very good shape despite some of the reviews saying otherwise.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

First junior suite for us. We are spoiled now!

Ship tip

We bought the "key" program which included "voom" which kept us well connected to the world. Other perks are priority seating at the main shows like the higher rated guest enjoy, priority debarkation which wasn't really needed unless you needed off the ship in the first 15 minutes after the gangway opened. It included a free lunch at Chops Grill, a private breasfast on debarkation day with anytime departure, separate luggage area off ship and escort off ship avoiding the crowds and all the way to a special customs line. That alone worth the money.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

San Juan, Puerto Rico

4 out of 5

Stayed at Sheraton the night before cruise. Hotels was very nice and just 5 minutes from terminal.

Thumbs Up 5

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

4 out of 5

We did the Maho Beach water tour. No swimming. It was OK but only saw a few planes land or take off. A one time excursion.

Thumbs Up 3

Basseterre, St. Kitts

4 out of 5

St. John's, Antigua

4 out of 5

Castries, St. Lucia

4 out of 5

Bridgetown, Barbados

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

3 Comments

wgammon1 4 years ago

Glad you had a good cruise. Thanks for the great review.

Thumbs Up 0

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Redroan75 5 years ago

What does The Key cost?

Thumbs Up 0

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tolkienfan43 5 years ago

Heading back on FOTS in a few weeks. Thanks for the review. We also purchased The Key and looking forward to enjoying the perks. Quick question: We are also staying at the Sheraton. Did the hotel have a shuttle to the port or did you grab an Uber over? Cost? Thx!

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