FREEDOM LIVE - April 23 to May 7 - Let's sail the Atlantic together!

Leaving for London tomorrow, with the Eurostar and flying to Orlando Tuesday on Norwegian's Air 789. I'll be spending 4 nights in Orlando where I have rented a car and will be hitting the outlets.

Saturday I will be driving to Fort Lauderdale and return my rental car. I am embarking the Freedom next Sunday for my first Transatlantic crossing. As long as Freedom's internet cooperates, I plan on taking you along.

I am spending my first night close to MCO, at the Best Western Airport Inn and Suites, that I booked through Priceline. I have an AirBNB booked for 3 nights in the Dr. Phillips neighbourhood. I specifically looked for hosts with dogs [emoji846]. In Fort Lauderdale I booked the Marriott Harbor and Beach Resort Spa.

As you already noticed, I will be doing a pre-cruise report too.

I will be staying in promenade stateroom 8631, at the time of booking it was the same price as a regular inside. I had originally booked a 16-night crossing on the Rhapsody, but it got redeployed. I ended up with $200 OBC for the inconvenience. I will be doing specialty restaurants. I have BOGO booked for the first two nights and I also booked Sabor and Giovanni's. I will also be doing MTD for the first time.

Photos I post here will be taken with my Iphone SE. I am also taking my Nikon D3300 with a 105mm lens, but posting pictures is much easier with my Iphone as you all know, much easier if you're being lazy!

My usual travel mate, my mom, won't be joining me on this journey. She decided that being on the ship this long (we have 8 consecutive sea days) wasn't for her. I'll miss my roomie!

We had a very active roll call, with tons of activities (slot pull, cabin crawl, chocolate sampling, etc). Lots of members have tours organised and I have signed up for those non-ship tours.

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go

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I will be following your review. Excited to be tagging along. Booked on my first TA next year on the Symphony from Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale. Happy sailing!!

Have sailed on the Freedom and she is a great ship! We had an amazing experience on her and I know you will not be disappointed. Will be following along also!! Safe travels to you!!

Have sailed on the Freedom and she is a great ship! We had an amazing experience on her and I know you will not be disappointed. Will be following along also!! Safe travels to you!!

I will be following your review. Excited to be tagging along. Booked on my first TA next year on the Symphony from Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale. Happy sailing!!

Thank you very much. Can't wait to sail, getting a little nervous now, which always happens before my travels. [emoji3]

Cindy

After this cruise, we are spending 10 days in Europe before flying to LA on Norwegian in route to Hawaii. Looking forward to hearing about the flight on Norwegian. See you on board.

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Leaving for London tomorrow, with the Eurostar and flying to Orlando Tuesday on Norwegian's Air 789. I'll be spending 4 nights in Orlando where I have rented a car and will be hitting the outlets.

Saturday I will be driving to Fort Lauderdale and return my rental car. I am embarking the Freedom next Sunday for my first Transatlantic crossing. As long as Freedom's internet cooperates, I plan on taking you along.

I am spending my first night close to MCO, at the Best Western Airport Inn and Suites, that I booked through Priceline. I have an AirBNB booked for 3 nights in the Dr. Phillips neighbourhood. I specifically looked for hosts with dogs [emoji846]. In Fort Lauderdale I booked the Marriott Harbor and Beach Resort Spa.

As you already noticed, I will be doing a pre-cruise report too.

I will be staying in promenade stateroom 8631, at the time of booking it was the same price as a regular inside. I had originally booked a 16-night crossing on the Rhapsody, but it got redeployed. I ended up with $200 OBC for the inconvenience. I will be doing specialty restaurants. I have BOGO booked for the first two nights and I also booked Sabor and Giovanni's. I will also be doing MTD for the first time.

Photos I post here will be taken with my Iphone SE. I am also taking my Nikon D3300 with a 105mm lens, but posting pictures is much easier with my Iphone as you all know, much easier if you're being lazy!

My usual travel mate, my mom, won't be joining me on this journey. She decided that being on the ship this long (we have 8 consecutive sea days) wasn't for her. I'll miss my roomie!

We had a very active roll call, with tons of activities (slot pull, cabin crawl, chocolate sampling, etc). Lots of members have tours organised and I have signed up for those non-ship tours.

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go

 

 

 

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Looking forward to following you. We will be on the return TA on the Freedom in October. I am anxious to see photos of the Promenade. It has been many years since we were on the Freedom.

Sandy and I will be on the ship with you. Maybe we will run into each other,

Sandy and I will be on the ship with you. Maybe we will run into each other,

If you see someone with a lanyard in the colors of the Belgian flag, come and say hi. See you onboard!

Looking forward to following you. We will be on the return TA on the Freedom in October. I am anxious to see photos of the Promenade. It has been many years since we were on the Freedom.

 

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I'll try to post lots of promenade pictures, plenty of time to explore every nook [emoji3]

Cindy

Goodmorning!

I made it on the train and I am on my way to Brussels Midi to catch my Eurostar. It is pretty quiet on the train, Easter Monday and all that.

I was followed all morning by two big bags

Oh look, they are on their own [emoji33]

My train arriving at the station.

And now the three of us are riding in comfort!

Cindy

Sitting in the Eurostar Terminal waiting for my 11.56 to London St. Pancras, where I hope to catch a train to Gatwick, a journey of about an hour. The journey to London should take just over two hours.

Security and passport control went very fast, but I checked in with the 10 first persons. Since we are leaving the Schengen zone, they check your records, instead of just checking if it's you on you passport. I didn't notice a difference. And those bags really keep following me around....

Way to the Eurostar.

Cindy

Have a great trip! Looking forward to your review!

This is exciting! Looking forward to your pics/comments on flying Norwegian also.

We sail the same day, so I'll be following just as far as next Saturday, it will help the week go faster, thanks...Bon Voyage!

Following. I'll be on the Freedom in September so looking forward to reading your review.

I arrived at the Premier Inn Gatwick and to be honest, it was a tiring journey. Eurostar got delayed because of security checks in Lille. Had a very good lunch on the train, a mash salad with chicken.

I caught a local train at St. Pancras for my journey to Gatwick.

No luggage racks on the train, which is a bit odd. Journey was just under an hour and check-in was a breeze. Room is comfortable enough and bathroom is spotless

Flight leaves tomorrow at 4 pm and since notice some of you are flying Norwegian, I'll try to take some pics. If you have requests, let me know, I'll try my best.

Thank you for following!

Cindy

Following. I'll be on the Freedom in September so looking forward to reading your review.

This is exciting! Looking forward to your pics/comments on flying Norwegian also.

 

 

 

We sail the same day, so I'll be following just as far as next Saturday, it will help the week go faster, thanks...Bon Voyage!

Have a great trip! Looking forward to your review!

Thank you! And to those sailing soon or later, have a great trip too.

Cindy

Awesome so far!! Rest up and safe travels tomorrow. Looking forward to the rest of your trip!! :)

Freedom of the Seas is one of my favorite ships. Can't wait to read on with you. Enjoy!

I see you have on your hoodie, Cindy! Did you leave the other two at home? Is it cool there? It is HOT here!

Barb

I see you have on your hoodie, Cindy! Did you leave the other two at home? Is it cool there? It is HOT here!

 

Barb

Well, I only left one at home, because I couldn't chose which one to take [emoji4]. I left home and it was 52. I think I may be hot over there.....

Cindy

Just had a nice dinner and I remembered to take pics so I could add some food porn.

Starter was soup of leek and onion

As a main I had a tomato and mozzarella salad with chicken. Pretty good, but I would have loved more greens

Just had a panick attack cause my iphone went missing. I thought I lost it, but it was hiding under my blanket. Now I'm off to soak in the tub while continue watching my Christmas movie on Netflix. And please, get your mind out of the gutter, there's no pictures of that! [emoji48]

Have a great evening all and hope to be back tomorrow.

Cindy

Good morning everyone!

I have been up for over an hour and to be honest, I didn't sleep very much. Probably too excited, since today is travel day. My flight leaves at 4 pm, so I can go lay back in bed and watch tv. Check-out is noon, so I'll be leaving just prior.

Went to breakfast and even though I noticed last night the hotel was crowded, it seems I beat those crowds. I had a very good breakfast, lots of choices. And yes, I took pictures!

I hope I won't be too tired to post tonight, if all goes well from Orlando. Until next time [emoji3]

Cindy

Just had a nice dinner and I remembered to take pics so I could add some food porn.

Starter was soup of leek and onion

As a main I had a tomato and mozzarella salad with chicken. Pretty good, but I would have loved more greens

Just had a panick attack cause my iphone went missing. I thought I lost it, but it was hiding under my blanket. Now I'm off to soak in the tub while continue watching my Christmas movie on Netflix. And please, get your mind out of the gutter, there's no pictures of that! [emoji48]

Have a great evening all and hope to be back tomorrow.

 

 

Cindy

Who on Earth would have their mind in the gutter bahahahhaa! [emoji56] [emoji56] [emoji56] it's so odd knowing I'll be joining you on your journey on the Freedom, see you soon! Enjoy Orlando (even though I like our Outlets down south (Sawgrass Mills) better lol!

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I'm looking forward to following along! We flew Norwegian to Tenerife last year. The free wifi was fab, but we found the seats rather uncomfortable. I'd be interested to hear what their long haul planes are like as they are a very reasonably priced option for flying to Orlando, where we've usually flown with Virgin Atlantic.

Safe travels!

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Sitting at Gatwick airport in the most comfortable chair I ever saw in an airport. They are more like loungers.

The airport is pretty busy. Just had a nice cup of tomato soup and a sandwich from Pret a Manger. It was really good.

This was probably the fastest I have been through check-in and security. I arrived at the airport before 12 and could check in immediately. The line moved fast. And if you book a one-way ticket to the US, you will be asked for a return ticket. Luckily I expected that and had my cruise reservation and return ticket from Barcelona with me. It was fine. I had also purchased premium security for £5. Even though I arrived 90 minutes before my reserved time I had no trouble going through. Check-in and security probably took 20 minutes, a breeze.

Norwegian is an interesting concept, but they are strict about the weight. Gate is not known yet and will be announced 80 minutes before leaving, at the time boarding starts. Interesting. I am seated in 9C which is an exit row near the aisle. I saw a video on YouTube and the leg room seems amazing.

Need to pick up some water now. WH Smith has the cheapest water: 2 x 750ml bottles for £2. A bargain for an airport.

See you all in Florida!

Cindy

Have a fantastic cruise, Cindy! Can't wait to read about your adventures! We were also scheduled to sail Rhapsody TA with you but now we're heading out on Jewel TA from San Juan on Sunday. Great start to your review. :)