Just off Freedom of the Seas!

[Tpnaida]

We will have the replenish package in March. Where do you get Espresso, Cappuccino, Lattes since they are not covered from Starbucks?

[molly5673]

What's the name of the pub? do you know the menu?

[DonnaK]

There was a post several weeks ago and Graham Seymore, a favorite cruise director on leave, said he would be back on the FOS sometime this fall. Sorry, don't remember what month. We will be on the ship in late November and he will be there too. I believe whoever is there now is only temporary

That was an outdated post with info from several years ago.

 

Graham is committed to Rhapsody for a long time. By his request. He wants to be on a smaller, more intimate ship, with a more exotic itinerary for a change.

 

He posts his schedule himself on the Cruise Director's thread, which I maintain, so the info I have is straight from Graham. He will not be on your cruise, and he will not be returning to Freedom. In fact, he mentioned that a CD has a maximum of 3 years on the same ship before they are reassigned, and he has completed 3 years on Freedom already.

 

Freedom will have a new regular CD to be announced soon, due to start when Mike goes on break in a few weeks.

Edited January 27, 2014 by DonnaK

[GolfSki]

We were not impressed at all with Mike the cruise director or his assistant Belle. (Her name is something like that.) She was very annoying. Together they did not make a very good team at all in my opinion.

 

Fox-

We were on Freedom recently and felt the same way. "Annoying" is the word we used to describe her as well. Other posters have said that she was all over the ship, which is true. She did work much harder than Mike Hunnerup (who I thought was boring). It seems that most people like them though.

 

What's funny is I have seen quite a few people on here bash Jimmy Rhodes as a cruise director. I loved him. I thought that he and his assistant (Marvin?) were hilarious on their TV show. Reminded me of the Wayans Bros. on the old TV show "In Living Color"

[EviesCruisin]

I'll be on the Feb 9th sailing with a 4 year old & 18 month old. I can let you know after this if no one else answers your question. It's an Eastern itinerary.

 

Did you have young children with you? If so, I was wondering about Adventure Ocean times...do they offer lunch for a fee from 12-2 or is it strictly closed during that time on sea days? Did they offer Adventure dining for dinner every night or just a few?

 

Also, do you have the compasses you can post or email by any chance?

 

Any GREAT things and any problems that you incurred?

 

What kind of excursions did you do and did you enjoy them?

 

Aren't you glad I'm out of questions? LOL!

 

Thanks!!

[GolfSki]

We will have the replenish package in March. Where do you get Espresso, Cappuccino, Lattes since they are not covered from Starbucks?

 

Tpnaida-

 

I had the replenish package and Starbucks did honor the package. I got cappuccinos, lattes everyday and they were always free under the replenish package. N/A frozen drinks also included at all bars/venues. No problems whatsoever

[EviesCruisin]

Could you get Starbucks brand drinks then, such as a Frapuccino, white mocha latte, caramel macchiato, etc? official starbucks coffee, or just lattes made at the cafe promenade? My Dad is a Starbucks lover and we have a soda card. This could make the Replenish package worth it.

 

Tpnaida-

 

I had the replenish package and Starbucks did honor the package. I got cappuccinos, lattes everyday and they were always free under the replenish package. N/A frozen drinks also included at all bars/venues. No problems whatsoever

[riclop]

Just got off FOS Western cruise. Any questions? :D

How was your cruise?

[villager13]

How was your cruise?

It was wonderful!

Very relaxing and even though the ship is very large we managed to find plenty of quiet relaxing spots around the ship when we did not feel like being part of the crowds around the pool area.

Entertainment was fantastic especially the Ice Show and the Texas Tenors who joined the ship midway through the cruise for a one night appearance (they were on Americas Got Talent)!

The weather was a bit chilly on some days and they had to cancel the Make A Wish Foundation Walk due to rain and high winds which was disappointing.

Loved going out on the helicopter pad deck! Many times there was no one there and it was like we were cruising on a private ship! :D

Edited January 27, 2014 by fox

[mickev99]

I'll be on the Feb 9th sailing with a 4 year old & 18 month old. I can let you know after this if no one else answers your question. It's an Eastern itinerary.

 

Thanks! I will be on the Western itinerary, but I'm sure that will help tremendously!

[Merion_Mom]

Freedomfest is something they do one sea day where the promenade is filled with yummy food and cool activities. They have staff members demonstrating food carving, towel animal making, napkin folding, etc.

 

Lily, thanks for a MUCH better description of Freedom Fest from what I wrote! ;)

 

 

FreedomFest was cool with demonstrations on the Royal Promenade, I do believe this event is unique to Freedom.

 

And the Independence would really really really benefit from having something like this! :eek: :D

[oracer]

Did you go up to Jade and can comment on the types of sushi that you can get and if it is still swamped with people? We went 3 years ago and was not that good, but was hoping that quality got better.

 

Is the Flowrider still busy?

[kingstonKouple72]

Thought I would voice in since we just got off FOS on Jan 19th. Cafe Promenade does still have the free coffee/ tea/ hot chocolate. It's along the back wall as others have mentioned.

 

I thought Mike and Belle were awesome, so maybe they were just having an off week when you went? Belle seemed to be everywhere, which really impressed me.

 

I second all of the must-do things mentioned above. I also think the adult games shows (love and marriage, the quest, battle of the sexes) should not be missed.

 

Freedomfest is something they do one sea day where the promenade is filled with yummy food and cool activities. They have staff members demonstrating food carving, towel animal making, napkin folding, etc.

 

OMG - I was on the same sailing as you!

The Love and Marriage show was HILARIOUS! In all our cruises it is always the oldest couple that wins! (fav part: she's wearing a black number that I bought her and no underwear)

The Quest: My wife was a captain, at one point she was running around another woman's false teeth. gross!

Battle of the Sexes.... I'd hate to be the woman whose top fell down. I am really glad they didn't show that in the Cruise in Review film at the last show!

 

Now that I am back home in the frigid north I am pining away from another cruise. Today it is a warm -10 C (14 F).

[copi2boys]

We just got off the same cruise. It was wonderful - love the Freedom class. Cafe Promenade had free coffee - Seattle's Best I believe. The CD was okay. The Texas Tenors (from America's Got Talent) were the main show but i don't remember seeing them advertised as the star entertainment. Only found out as we were going in to the theater to see the late night comedian (who wasn't very good) and they were standing at the rear of the theater talking to guests - behind a roped area so no real contact. Love and Marriage was a riot. Did real well in the casino - finally!!! Did the My Time Dining which worked out really well. Would do that again.

[starryeyedlady]

tpnaida-

 

i had the replenish package and starbucks did honor the package. I got cappuccinos, lattes everyday and they were always free under the replenish package. N/a frozen drinks also included at all bars/venues. No problems whatsoever

 

yes!:d

[tntornadox]

OMG - I was on the same sailing as you!

The Love and Marriage show was HILARIOUS! In all our cruises it is always the oldest couple that wins! (fav part: she's wearing a black number that I bought her and no underwear)

The Quest: My wife was a captain, at one point she was running around another woman's false teeth. gross!

Battle of the Sexes.... I'd hate to be the woman whose top fell down. I am really glad they didn't show that in the Cruise in Review film at the last show!

 

Now that I am back home in the frigid north I am pining away from another cruise. Today it is a warm -10 C (14 F).

 

It was a wonderful cruise, wasn't it? Yes! The adult shows were soooo good this sailing! I remember seeing your wife with the false teeth! :D

[skibyrd]

We will have the replenish package in March. Where do you get Espresso, Cappuccino, Lattes since they are not covered from Starbucks?

 

They ARE covered!!!! We were thrilled we got Starbucks with the Royal Replenish!

[atlgants]

Tell me everything! We leave this Sunday on the Western. How were the shows? What did you choose to do at the ports? What tips can you share? Thanks!

[fourkittys]

That was an outdated post with info from several years ago.

 

Graham is committed to Rhapsody for a long time. By his request. He wants to be on a smaller, more intimate ship, with a more exotic itinerary for a change.

 

He posts his schedule himself on the Cruise Director's thread, which I maintain, so the info I have is straight from Graham. He will not be on your cruise, and he will not be returning to Freedom. In fact, he mentioned that a CD has a maximum of 3 years on the same ship before they are reassigned, and he has completed 3 years on Freedom already.

 

Freedom will have a new regular CD to be announced soon, due to start when Mike goes on break in a few weeks.[/quote

 

Thank you for the information. I am disappointed of course, he was wonderful. But FOS is my favorite ship and will be happy just to be on her.

[ltoye]

We were on the western last week...... loved the cruise and the staff...... our favorite excursion was the zipline in labadee. We also did a beach day in Jamaica..... over by Montego Bay and didn't care for it or Jamaica too much. We really enjoyed Cayman although the stingray/snorkel was cancelled due to high seas, boooooo!!! In Cozomel we did Nochi Cochum which we liked, but it wasn't very sunny and decided next time we would do the dolphin push/pull.

 

We loved both specialty restaurants, found most everyone to be very friendly.... almost everyone :) there are always a few who try to ruin it for others...

 

food in dining room was good.... not outstanding, but good.

 

I do wish coffee was better. It's average at best, and the seattle's best on the prominade was the best..... imo

 

oh, and we found the cd to be just ok....... Belle was all over, and appeared to work much harder, but they were just not great.

Edited January 28, 2014 by ltoye

[EviesCruisin]

They ARE covered!!!! We were thrilled we got Starbucks with the Royal Replenish!

 

 

Sweeeet! Might have to rethink my beverage package!

 

 

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[villager13]

Tell me everything! We leave this Sunday on the Western. How were the shows? What did you choose to do at the ports? What tips can you share? Thanks!

This is a picture of what you have to look forward to on the Grand Cayman beach! Take a taxi for 4.00 to the Royal Palm beach. They have chairs to rent for 7.00, a pool you can use, and a bar/food right on the beach.

Also be sure to go out on the deck where the helicopter pad is when you pull out of Port Canaveral and throughout the week! It's a great spot and you can get right on the bow over the water. It's on the deck with the lifeboats. Just go all the way to the front of that deck and up the steps.

[iuki]

Tpnaida-

 

I had the replenish package and Starbucks did honor the package. I got cappuccinos, lattes everyday and they were always free under the replenish package. N/A frozen drinks also included at all bars/venues. No problems whatsoever

 

Can only one person in a cabin purchase the replenish package? If my hubby purchased the replenish package, would I also have to purchase the replenish package?

[EviesCruisin]

Just one person can purchase

 

 

 

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[copi2boys]

We did Nachi Cochum last year, would have been much more enjoyable had the weather cooperated better :) Some day will try it again. We did the dolphin swim with the manatee encounter 3 years ago. All adults, all still talking about it as THE best excursion/experience ever. Felt bad for a little boy who didn't get to do it last week because of the weather.