Freedom Review Just back today.

[Dicedlr711]

Now THAT'S nice! Enjoy your cruise. Hoping next year to do the same thing. I assume you are doing a B2B2B?

 

 

Yes we are. Our present to ourselves. Our kids are all adults now!

[beachbaby2]

Thanks for your review. This is wonderful news for us. Starting June 29th we will be spending the next 22 days on the Freedom.

 

Now that's awesome!!! Have a fantastic time!!!

[Waynesworld02]

Yes, Dominica was not warm and fuzzy to me. Spent the day onboard.

 

We were at table 538. I know they scatter the table numbers but were you on the 2nd level aft? As you walk in to the dining room we were all the way back by the railing overlooking the 1st floor. We were on the right side as you walked back.

 

We were on the 2nd level aft! We must have walked right past you every evening! C

 

 

Send from device_name using Cruise Critic your_app_name App

[Momma Mojito]

We used J&R Shuttle to get us back to the airport and it was painless. They charge $7.00 per person, very professional and safe. They are on mu list to repeat our next cruise out of FLL.

 

Thanks for your great review. We are going to be sailing the Freedom, August 10. Out ports are differents than the one you did but other than Tortola we've been to all of them.

We have sailed out of Ft Lauderdale many times but usually have just taken a cab to the airport . Do you happen to have info for J&R Shuttle. There are 12 of us who will be flying home after our cruise and this sounds like what we may want to use.

[princess di44]

Off the freedom too, great time. 2nd time on that boat and I have to say that both times we had some of the best dining room service we ever had. Dominican Republic has slot to offer but I think the key is to do a planned excursion there. The island is a poor one, but has many nice sites. As we ported in there were dancers to greet the boat, also dancers when we left port and they were all waving to us. As a poor country they I do believe that they appreciate tourists, but anytime going to those areas you will encounter beggars, etc. we never felt uneasy on our excursion and had a great time.

[princess di44]

The only issue we had was with embarkation which was terrible. We had zone 1 tags being platinum and it took one and a half hours. Absolutely ridiculous!

[princess di44]

Also loved the brunch menu in mdr on sea days! I found it to be a wonderful change as we did not have that on our fall cruise. Not sure that the taste bar went over better than the sushi bar tho. The taste bar always seemed to be fairly empty. Read somewhere that they occasionally did sushi on the lido at dinner but did not find that was the case.

[Tactics]

If you have any questions let me know. Always nice to have some additional info before you go.

 

Hi thx for the info. Quick question did they have any poker games / tables in the casino on Freedom?

 

ty

[Rockee4055]

We were on the 2nd level aft! We must have walked right past you every evening! C

 

 

Send from device_name using Cruise Critic your_app_name App

 

That's funny! You probably did walk by us every evening. Funny! Were you dead center? to the right? to the left?

[Rockee4055]

We used J&R Shuttle to get us back to the airport and it was painless. They charge $7.00 per person, very professional and safe. They are on mu list to repeat our next cruise out of FLL.

 

Thanks for your great review. We are going to be sailing the Freedom, August 10. Out ports are differents than the one you did but other than Tortola we've been to all of them.

We have sailed out of Ft Lauderdale many times but usually have just taken a cab to the airport . Do you happen to have info for J&R Shuttle. There are 12 of us who will be flying home after our cruise and this sounds like what we may want to use.

 

You can find it on the web but their number is 352-345-9073.

[Rockee4055]

The only issue we had was with embarkation which was terrible. We had zone 1 tags being platinum and it took one and a half hours. Absolutely ridiculous!

 

Wow, that's amazing. We were on so quick. They sat us in a special room being platinum and about 20 minutes after we arrived in the room they boarded us. Must have been the timing.

[Rockee4055]

Hi thx for the info. Quick question did they have any poker games / tables in the casino on Freedom?

 

ty

 

Yes, they did. All the normal tables games. I also saw Caribbean poker, 3 card and Texas holdem. I dumped about $60 into those dang blasted vault games and always close but no cigar. Love those penny machines. :)

[Tactics]

Yes, they did. All the normal tables games. I also saw Caribbean poker, 3 card and Texas holdem. I dumped about $60 into those dang blasted vault games and always close but no cigar. Love those penny machines. :)

 

wow nice I didn't think they would and yes those damn machines are evil! :)

[Waynesworld02]

That's funny! You probably did walk by us every evening. Funny! Were you dead center? to the right? to the left?

 

We were dead center! We were the table not right by the window, but the one next to it!

This is my hubby and I the first elegant night

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Edited June 12, 2013 by Waynesworld02

[poptart]

Thanks for your review. This is wonderful news for us. Starting June 29th we will be spending the next 22 days on the Freedom.

 

lucky you!!! just a couple more years and we'll have the time for that.

[ILCruzr]

Got confused when you said Dominica, cuz didn't u mean la romana Dominican Republic. Carnival doesn't go to Dominica. I did the same itinerary on the miracle in 2011 and we also went to grand Turk. Best cruise so far!!

[LOVECRUISING100%]

Thank You for posting .. Turks was also one of my favorite ports .. : )

[Rockee4055]

We were dead center! We were the table not right by the window, but the one next to it! [ATTACH]275258[/ATTACH]

This is my hubby and I the first elegant night

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

I think I do remember seeing you guys. That is so weird.

[Rockee4055]

Got confused when you said Dominica, cuz didn't u mean la romana Dominican Republic. Carnival doesn't go to Dominica. I did the same itinerary on the miracle in 2011 and we also went to grand Turk. Best cruise so far!!

 

Yes, la Ramona, my mistake....finger check.

[Bookbug53]

I noticed I never really touched on the cabin steward.

 

For the life of me I can't remember his name and always forgot throughout the cruise. How is it they can remember many names and I can't remember one of them? :o

 

Cabin steward was very good. It was rare when we saw him but we knew he was doing his job. Everything was perfect!

 

Always has turn down and pick up and ice bucket was always full and ready to chill.

 

He was very accommodating with everything we asked of him, although very minor things they were always taken care of.

 

I have always said, any cabin steward who is invisible and always gets the job done gets a 10 in my book. Absolutely!!

 

To add to my review....they now are in the process of having HR people on each and every ship. Their job is to ensure the workers are not over worked and they work the allowable hours they are required and nothing more. They are also there to work on employee issues, obviously and to ensure they are working in the best environment possible. They also do training sessions if someone is lacking in one area.

 

The HR person who did our behind the fun tour said if they get a complaint about an employee they immediately take that person in for additional training to make them better for the guests experience.

 

I really think CCL is stepping up to offer the best possible experience for their guests through training and personal correction in their work ethics. I really think this is a positive and going in the right direction.

 

It appears to me just by certain comments I've heard or certain questions I've asked that they are seriously trying to get back the consumer confidence and trying to bring their image back to where it should be.

 

I really found a lot of positives with things I've seen and heard. I know there has been a lot of negative things written on here and that's fine but I am seeing an upturn in service based on those negatives. With all the garbage the past 8 months this does not seem to me to be a company that follows those less then perfect standards.

 

Everyone and I mean everyone went out of their way for us no matter how trivial it may have been. I was always greeted with a smile, I was always addressed as Mr. or by my first name.

 

It was quite a pleasant surprise as I kind of went with the expectation of so much less from them and I received so much more.

 

 

The same thing happened to us on the Miracle in '08. Best cruise ever and I could never remember the steward's name. Room was perfect everyday and everything was as we had requested on the very first day.

 

We just returned from the Glory and the staff was wonderful. The only minor complaint I had was I don't want 80s disco music at the Lido pool. It just seems wrong. :p

 

I will give up a lot of fru fru to have excellent service and to feel as though I am special. Even for just a few days. Give me good music and it does not need to be live. Great service with good food is always preferred over gourmet food served by lackluster staff.

 

And as far as chocolates on the pillow at night....I brought home a whole bag for the grandkids. Just like always. :D

[AryMay]

We stayed at the Embassy Suites about a mile from the port. We arrived the day before and it was a great experience.

 

The Embassy has free transportation from the airport then again to the port. I called as soon as we had out luggage and we were checked into the hotel within 30 minutes of being picked up. The Embassy has happy hour from 5:30 7:30 and tons of free food, snacky kind of stuff but plenty of it. The price was $179.00 for the night but the value was well worth it.

 

Was this the Embassy Suites on 17th Street? We have reservations there for a Princess cruise in December, but didn't think they had a free shuttle. Did you maybe have a "cruise package" or something?

[freedom2009]

Thanks for your review. This is wonderful news for us. Starting June 29th we will be spending the next 22 days on the Freedom.

 

 

Thats awesome! We will be spending the first 14 with you!!

[vegadog2]

Wow, that's amazing. We were on so quick. They sat us in a special room being platinum and about 20 minutes after we arrived in the room they boarded us. Must have been the timing.

 

I am LOVING your review. The POSITIVE comments make me happy this was the ship we picked for our September cruise.

[Cyt4SoreEyes]

Thanks for the review as we are waiting for our time to take a shuttle an board the Freedom this morning. Glad ypu all lived the ship and had a great cruise!!

[SandyMcM]

Is it true that in Curaco the shops close at 6pm?

 

Thanks!

Barb

Edited June 15, 2013 by SandyMcM