sg1phileshipper

Thank you all for the wonderful advice! We will probably leave our luggage near Piazalla Roma, seems like we will lose less time like that. And of course, the best way to see Venice is the Vaporetto, so we will do that. Again, thank you!

Cindy

I would also say seasickness. You are describing the same symptoms I encountered on an overnighter from Amsterdam to Newcastle. Once you feel sick, it takes a couple of hours before the tablets work. In my case, I took something after I threw up and felt better after sleeping. Woke up hungry. Also got sick a good 15 mins after eating. Took tablets coming back, before leaving and I was fine.

I have never cruised without taking meclizine, except for the Caribbean. Laying down if you feel bad usually helps, just like you experienced. Once you got you sea legs, you were good to go! The sea bands may have helped too. And I do not know if you were dizzy, but if yes, that may explain a few things too (maybe inner ear off balance)

Happy cruising

Cindy

Hi all,

Leaving in less than four weeks from Venice. Since we arrive late at night the day prior to the cruise, I decided to stay near the airport. My plan is to take a taxi the next morning, drop our bags with the porters and not check in, but go explore Venice for a couple of hours and check in around 1-2. Around what time would I be able to drop my bags? I would love to hear experiences leaving from Venice. Thanks and have a great Sunday all. Happy cruising!!!!

Cindy

On Freedom they give out tickets for ice shows, first come, first serve. At least they did on the TA.

Cindy

Looking forward to you review!

Cindy

Hope everyone in Florida will stay safe. Thinking about you all here in Belgium and praying for you. Take care and be safe!

Cindy

Congrats on the upgrade. I wish I could adopt the upgrade fairy! [emoji12]

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I was on her doing the crossing. Very-well maintained, excellent staff and great food. She's in top shape and I would book her in a heartbeat.

Cindy

Advance booking doesn't work for BOGO. You have to booked once you are on the ship. We found out the hard way.

It works for the bogo you book online and pay for through the cruise planner. We may be talking about a different BOGO.

Cindy

The last night was kind of sad, since you have to say goodbye to all the great cruise buddies you met. I really don't like saying goodbye, but I am sure some people I met will cross my path again.

I give this cruise and this ship a very high rating, probably 6 out of 5 stars. It is like making a puzzle and all the pieces fit: It was that great. That's why leaving this ship was so hard.

Sailing as a solo is no reason to panic. You meet a lot of people in such a short time, it makes your heart spin. And if you hesitate to do a crossing, just go ahead and book it. It is incredibly relaxing and so much fun.

Immigration in Barcelona was a breeze for European citizens, not so for others. The wait was probably easily 30 minutes, probably more the later you got off. Not so for Mario who was first in line to disembark. Smart guy if you ask me.

Get on the right bus in Barcelona of you have a shore excursion. It says shore excursion and not airport [emoji5]. I had booked a city tour with airport drop off. Barcelona is a wonderful city, but it was extremely crowded

I flew with Brussels Airlines in a great exit row

Cindy

I am back in the land of living and kinda sorta over my post cruise depression.

The last sea was wonderful, but I had a feeling we didn't have enough sea days. If I could book a three week cruise to nowhere, I probably would. Freedom is a wonderful ship and she has so much to offer. I have yet to sail Liberty and Indy, but until then Freedom made it to my number one.

I really enjoyed Palma de Mallorca and our independent tour was once again wonderful. I learned a valuable lesson though. Even if it is warm and sunny and you plan on going to the Tramontan Mountains, take a sweater. I didn't and I was extremely cold. Luckily it didn't last and I got warm soon enough

Cindy

Never got to say goodbye to you cindy! It was so wonderful meeting you!

 

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Same here, it was nice meeting the two of you

Cindy

I can not believe today is our last sea day and the cruise will be over soon. You know that when you get the luggage tags.

I ordered room service for the first time ever and I like the concept. Of course, I did continental!

Last round of Master Sea Chef was on and it was good for another laugh.

Weather is not very good, but despite that I have decided that a crossing is my favorite cruise.

Tonight is the last formal night.

Missing Cruise Compasses coming later!

Cindy

Thursday May 4: Malaga

I had nothing planned and wanted to sleep in. Unfortunately I forgot to turn off the PA system in my stateroom and got woken by Captain Espen that we had arrived. I decided to go back to sleep and woke up around 9.45. A quick shower and I was out by 10. Walking out on deck 4 like boarding with the bridge was very nice

I walked to the beach and it is gorgeous in Malaga. Freedom, with being so big and all caught a lot of attention

They were also restocking food for a good part of the day, sniffer dogs and all

We were also being fuelled from around 3 until after 7. We had latecomers again and I guess that they were lucking fuelling wasn't done. Captain Espen does not wait for latecomers and I heard 10 people were left behind in Lisbon.

It was sunny and quite warm so I spent a good time reading.

I had dinner at Sabor and it was outstanding! That guacamole is wonderful

Dessert was so good I forgot the pics.

Also went to Love and Marriage and it was pretty nice

Cindy

Night of Wednesday to Thursday we sailed through the smallest part of the Street of Gibraltar around 2 am so I set my alarm to experience it. Though it was very windy, it was a unique experience

Cindy

Next stop was Alcazar. Although we had a very good guide, I lasted too long. A bit of information is very good but we got an overload. But Alcazar is very pretty, though really crowded!

We had an hour of free time before returning to the port. We got back a little after 18.45 and all-aboard was 8.30, so it was perfect. I ended up eating in the Windjammer, cause 7 pm was too tight and I wanted to shower

Cindy

Wednesday May 3rd

Again I got up early to watch the ship sail into Cadiz. And it was a very narrow channel to get into Port. I don't think a bigger ship would fit. Then Freedom had to turn around to park. She's one big lady!

They actually use a car to help with the mooring lines

I had an excursion planned with SpainDay Tours to Sevilla. It is a 90 minute drive from the port, but they are very-well organised and charge about half of royal.

Lisbon us a gorgeous city, but it was a bit hot. First we visited the Spanish Square and it's very beautiful

Cindy

See who I found in my stateroom tonight, just casually hanging out. On my side of the bed nonetheless.... How rude!!!!! I am glad he's not smoking a cigar though...

Cindy

Sailing out of Lisbon is truly beautiful. We first sailed by Celebrity Silhouette

Somehow I got so caught up in the beauty and taking pictures, that I forgot to take some with my iPhone.

Had another delicious dinner in MDR. The food has been amazing so far!

Tomorrow we will be in Cadiz where I have booked a tour to Sevilla with SpainDayTour. Really excited. And a huge thank you to Sue fog organising this wonderful tour. But before I go to sleep, here is the cruise compass for tomorrow

Cindy

All aboard was 4.30. Did we make it back to the port one time? Of course! Did we get on the ship on time? Heck no! The lines outside the terminal were ridiculous

Lady Freedom waiting for us

Once past security check, we got stuck in another line...

Cindy

Sintra is a village up in the Mountains where we visited Quinta da Regaleira. It is truly gorgeous

Cindy

A fellow CC'er had organised a private tour through premium tours to Cascais and Sintra and it was awesome. The Portuguese coast is truly amazing!

Cindy

Sailing into Lisbon this morning was wonderful. Glad I got up early and had finished breakfast in time to watch Freedom sail under the bridge. It was still very dark when I got up

Cindy

Monday May 1st

For those sailing soon on Freedom, do not worry, we had wifi yesterday, I was just too lazy [emoji12]

Had breakfast in MDR and since the sun was out, I headed to the pool deck. It was still very windy, but a chair out of the wind was really nice. I stayed there reading until after 2, when the sun was gone and it started to drizzle.

I walked to Michael Korse with my niece through Skype, since the handbags were 25% off. She found a nice one, so I'll be taking that home. They had Caribbean t-shirts on sale for $5.

I had dinner at the Windjammer, because they had lasagna bolognaise! No show for me, because I had to get up pretty early.

Cruise compass

Cindy

Hi Cindy, the character breakfast do you book this before you go or when you are on the ship?? Is there an additional cost for this?? This will be right up my daughters street she will just love it... glad your weather is improving.

It was available to book prior to our cruise, but I booked on board. Price is $10 per person.

Cindy