LIVE from the Freedom of the Seas! - Nov 12, 2016/ 8 night Eastern Caribbean

3 main reasons for the delay of boarding on 11/12/2016

- The previous cruise went to Belize where a lot of contraband (drugs) may come on board, which required extensive scrutiny at port where a few things added to time constraints - one scanning machine down - number of immigration people was lower than usual.

- A medical evacuation at port

- A woman was arrested for an outstanding warrant from 14 years ago (from Texas) for a minor violation. She called her sailing partner (Murray) from jail - told him to have a nice vacation - bring back her luggage - she would see him at work next week at a bar/restaurant in Panama City, Fla. where they both work.

I was on the sailing after Robyn and have to say the terminal process was much improved. Part of the problem is they have all new employees. Security had to ask how to know if someone is in the Priority Line based on their set sail. I do think they try to get you on really quick and the first sailing was a learning curve.

This is so good to hear! So if all goes well, I'll tell my cabinmate about ckrobyn's comment followed by yours :-}

3 main reasons for the delay of boarding on 11/12/2016

- The previous cruise went to Belize where a lot of contraband (drugs) may come on board, which required extensive scrutiny at port where a few things added to time constraints - one scanning machine down - number of immigration people was lower than usual.

- A medical evacuation at port

- A woman was arrested for an outstanding warrant from 14 years ago (from Texas) for a minor violation. She called her sailing partner (Murray) from jail - told him to have a nice vacation - bring back her luggage - she would see him at work next week at a bar/restaurant in Panama City, Fla. where they both work.

Thanks for sharing -- all good reasons for delays. Hope the medevac passenger was ok and the woman from TX got things worked out.

3 main reasons for the delay of boarding on 11/12/2016

 

- The previous cruise went to Belize where a lot of contraband (drugs) may come on board, which required extensive scrutiny at port where a few things added to time constraints - one scanning machine down - number of immigration people was lower than usual.

 

- A medical evacuation at port

 

- A woman was arrested for an outstanding warrant from 14 years ago (from Texas) for a minor violation. She called her sailing partner (Murray) from jail - told him to have a nice vacation - bring back her luggage - she would see him at work next week at a bar/restaurant in Panama City, Fla. where they both work.

I personally did not experience a boarding delay - I was on the ship by about 12:30PM, however passengers who arrived at the terminal after around 11A.M were the unfortunate's who had to wait in long lines outside the terminal building. The feedback I heard from passengers later in the day was that they were waiting in a long line outside in the heat for 3 hours! :eek:

The medical evacuation and police arrest were the reasons for delayed departure.

I am hoping it is an improved process in February when I am there again!!!

These are the current menus that are still being used on most of the ships:

 

http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/download-press-kit/7/

Thank you very much!!!!

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Because Toronto is dull, cold and dreary....my thoughts turn to the Caribbean [emoji267][emoji267]☀️

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Because Toronto is dull, cold and dreary....my thoughts turn to the Caribbean [emoji267][emoji267]☀️

 

 

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If your thoughts are in need of directions let me know.;)

If has been pouring here for two days. If this had been snow it would have taken forever to dig out of the house.

If your thoughts are in need of directions let me know.;)

 

If has been pouring here for two days. If this had been snow it would have taken forever to dig out of the house.

It's raining here too......

I really struggle with waking up in the dark, spending the day in the office.....and driving home in the dark :mad:

My thoughts are open to direction, as long as it doesn't involve caves or low flying 747's :eek::eek:

Hey Cindy, yes they do have guest laundry [emoji106]

 

 

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Thanks, Robyn. Now I can add the Marriott to my list. I am waiting on the rates for holiday inn and embassy suites to drop, but it seems they don't.

Cindy

Thanks, Robyn. Now I can add the Marriott to my list. I am waiting on the rates for holiday inn and embassy suites to drop, but it seems they don't.

 

 

Cindy

The hotel prices in FLL have gone mad.

I was surprised at the rates in November, and now that I am booking again for February, I am faced with the same problem :eek: I'm not expecting $129, but I'm not expecting $300+ either!!

I just booked the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina - the rate is a still high, but not insane.

Keep checking rates, on a daily basis, especially with Marriott ;)

The hotel prices in FLL have gone mad.

 

I was surprised at the rates in November, and now that I am booking again for February, I am faced with the same problem :eek: I'm not expecting $129, but I'm not expecting $300+ either!!

 

 

 

I just booked the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina - the rate is a still high, but not insane.

 

 

 

Keep checking rates, on a daily basis, especially with Marriott ;)

I totally agreet, prices seem to keep climbing. I booked the Marriott through lmt. I paid 212+tax. I was'sick of checking daily, have been doing that for months. Since it is probably still high season, I think it is a pretty good rate. Cheaper than Embassy (price went from 234 to 300) and holiday inn. Very happy, hopefully I can do a walk on the beach to the channel to watch Harmony leave.

Cindy

Friend recently returned from TA on Navigator to advise on how poor the meal menus were for Lunch and Dinner. Not like it was in the past, this Diamond + mentioned.

But, most importantly, he mentioned that there was NO SMOKED SALMON for breakfast in Windjammer and had to request same in MDR.

Can anyone who has sailed FOS these past few cruises give us the real story.

No, Smoked salmon is not there, or YES it still is a staple.

Perhaps, as it was a TA voyage, the salmon was not available then, but, it is now back....

Anyone,, pleaae Robyn...help

Thanks

The Kids

sailing Dec 18th:):(

Just off Freedom today after 8 day cruise...Smoked salmon was definitely on the breakfast buffett---hubby had it at least 4 times. Can't be definitive on lunch because we skipped that meal most days.

Friend recently returned from TA on Navigator to advise on how poor the meal menus were for Lunch and Dinner. Not like it was in the past, this Diamond + mentioned.

But, most importantly, he mentioned that there was NO SMOKED SALMON for breakfast in Windjammer and had to request same in MDR.

 

Can anyone who has sailed FOS these past few cruises give us the real story.

No, Smoked salmon is not there, or YES it still is a staple.

 

Perhaps, as it was a TA voyage, the salmon was not available then, but, it is now back....

Anyone,, pleaae Robyn...help

Thanks

 

The Kids

sailing Dec 18th:):(

I can definitely tell you that smoked salmon is available upon request in the Windjammer - just ask the chef behind the counter and they will gladly provide you with a nice portion.

Enjoy your cruise! :)

Hi Robyn and ebonybee:

Thanks for your reply regarding smoked salmon in Windjammer for breakfast is available.

Would you please clarify if we must ask for smoked salmon or is out on the buffet display with other items as usual.

Thanks for your help. Mouth watering.......

The Kids

I personally never saw smoked salmon on the buffet, so I'm pretty sure Robyn asked for it. Now that I know it's available, I will!

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Now that I know it's available, I will!

Just like the shrimp cocktail for an appetizer, not on the menu but if you ask for it, you can usually get it.

Hi Robyn and ebonybee:

 

Thanks for your reply regarding smoked salmon in Windjammer for breakfast is available.

Would you please clarify if we must ask for smoked salmon or is out on the buffet display with other items as usual.

Thanks for your help. Mouth watering.......

The Kids

Smoked salmon is offered in the WJ by request :D

Thanks for the awesome review! Can't wait for our turn!!

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You were on the mark about the food & I wasn't wild about the ship's layout .... still had a fabulous time and loved a lot about re-visiting Royal: the ice capades, Marquis and Quest.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your trip and give those sailing after you a 'leg up'!

Booked it again, in 2015, but that darn upgrade fairy moved us to a JS on Deck 10, how rude! :D Enjoy.

Oh Bill, are you STILL whining over that upgrade?? LOL

And to think you tried to pretend you just didn't get your information on M&M. I am beginning to think maybe you just didn't want to come out to play. :)

oh bill, are you still whining over that upgrade?? Lol

and to think you tried to pretend you just didn't get your information on m&m. I am beginning to think maybe you just didn't want to come out to play. :)

happy new year to all..and, hopefully a great year..

The kids enjoyed themselves on the cruise with a few minor hiccups.

Unfortunately, we became ill on the last cruise day (friday) and we both wound up in the hospital for three days with the flu, bronchitis, heavy cough etc.

Did anyone else have similar symptoms??

One good thing was that it happened at the very end of the cruise rather than at the beginning.

One major observation, there were many passengers who were reluctant or did not care to use the hand sanitize machine prior to dining. And, in one case, several crew members who used the public men's room, did not even wash their hands before going to the mdr...

Service excellent, food ok,shows,ok,casino smoking terrible!!

Happy new year from the kids who celebrated their 61st anniversary

I was also on this cruise and thankfully stayed healthy, but a friend I was travelling with was quite sick for the first part of the cruise and stayed in her cabin

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Did fine this cruise no seasickness either happy new year to my fellow cruisers!

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