Freedom review and a thank you

[LizzieandLuke]

We got off the Freedom on Sunday and I want to say thank you for all the great tips and to everyone who answered mine or anyone’s questions as I have been trolling the boards for months. You all definitely made the trip more enjoyable.

 

On a scale of 1 to 10 the overall vacation would be an 11. :D

 

To be honest, I was starting to get nervous as I had read so many bad reviews lately so I would like to quash any negativity about the Freedom.

The trip was for my hubby’s 50th Birthday and we brought our 11 YO daughter and 9 YO son along for the ride.

 

I won’t do a whole review as I don’t I couldn’t compete with some of the great informative reviews I have read on CC for the past year, but I will share some of the highs and couple of points I would like to share and have heard people debate or ask about.

 

It was an Eastern Itinerary and we completely skipped Coco Cay to stay out of the way of the hurricane. We went behind Cuba to St. Thomas so we were there a few hours early.

 

The ship itself looked great. It was clean and in good condition.

Cartons of ice cold milk – there was plenty. I know before I left someone wrote that they had unrefrigerated boxed milk and I was concerned because my son only drinks milk but he had plenty of ice cold milk – our waiter kept it stocked at his station for my little guy.

 

Drink Package –hubby had premium and broke even. He may have consumed less if he didn’t have it but then he would be counting drinks. I thought coffee was good enough. There was no need to have to pay extra for Starbucks. It was always hot and available - definitely try it before you buy it. My daughter had the soda package and I think that was the highlight of the trip. I did find myself on day 2 picking thru the trash as my son threw one of the cups away. The bartender saw me and scrubbed it out for me.

Kids Club – my kids loved it. My daughter is 11 and made friends from up north in Canada and across the pond in Manchester and across the Walt Whitman Bridge in New Jersey. I think the key is taking them early and often for short periods of time to start. I heard there was 500 kids on board.

 

My son is 9 and special needs. He is very sweet and respectful but very delayed. They moved him to the 6 – 8 group and gave me a phone (which never rang) when I dropped him off. He quickly became a favorite with the staff.

 

Food was great. Service was great. We never had a bad meal. Windjammer was crowded but we always found a seat. Pizza did stink but my kids liked it and I never missed it as I was never hungry (Philly pizza is great so I am a tough critic.) They said roast beef would be available on Thursday at Park Café but I never saw it. Had Honey Stung Chicken from room service – I could take or leave that as well.

 

Balcony – we did have a balcony which I enjoyed immensely. That being said, I don’t think I would splurge on a balcony again unless the price difference was minor. My family slept in and I was out and about at dawn and could always find somewhere to go and see the ocean. At the end of the day I crashed with the kids from exhaustion so if you are really hesitant about spending the extra don’t (of course if you have - spend it).

 

We were on Floor 9 which was great because the elevators stink. (Some bi@#% actually purposely elbowed my boy after he accidentally stepped on her toe in an overcrowded elevator.) We only needed to take them from floor 3 after dinner to our rooms. Other than that we took the stairs the entire time.

 

We enjoyed the shows especially Once Upon a time and the Marquee. My daughter really liked the magician. The ice show was good but I didn’t think it was as good as the others.

 

Pool was crowded but we always found seats. They were limiting towels to two per person until 11 so you couldn’t take a row seats.

 

The rooms need hair conditioner. With all the pool/ocean time I ran out of conditioner and had to pay $5 for a cheap bottle of White Rain (felt like I was buying it at 2 in the morning at a 7-11). I know it’s not a big deal but it was annoying. Even if they had it in the dispenser like the shampoo it would have been OK.

 

In St. Thomas we snorkeled and in St. Marten we took the water taxi to the beach rented two chairs and just enjoyed the day. My original plan was to benefit from the empty ship but since we only had two stops I wanted the kids to have more beach time.

 

I am happy to answer any questions or give any feedback.

 

Again – thanks so much.

[dacsmom]

Thanks for your review, the Freedom is my favorite ship. While I like the pizza on board, I have to admit there is not much better than a Philly pizza.

[jules815]

Thank you for your review! We sail on FOS this Sunday and are very excited. It will be our first time on this ship, so I've been doing my research and always nice to read another favorable review.

[KristyM79]

Nice review. I was on there the week of the 10th and had a lovely time. I'm with you, the pizza does stink. I'm not a pizza snob, but I do like a good slice. This was worse than frozen pizza.

[njmomof2]

We were also on the 8/24 sailing and on deck 9 as well. Wonder if we passed you in the halls at all.

 

My younger son commented that the pizza tasted different. Like they changed either the crust or the cheese or something. But he usually eats a lot of it, and I live in NJ so pretty good pizza (not as good as NY and I'm sorry but never had Philly pizza) but this time, he barely at it at all.

 

We did the water taxi in St. Maarten but only over and back. Don't bother with the beaches and really, I don't buy jewelry so no point lingering. I've done Maho and the French side, and we weren't interested in doing it again.

 

Love Freedom and always have a great time on her.

[lakemurraykid]

Thank you for your review and I was so happy to read that you liked it. I was really interested in it because we're sailing her 10/4 and this will be our first time of the Freedom. We're really excited about our upcoming cruise. We'll be on deck 9 too and from what I've heard, it is quiet.

[BillOh]

Thanks for your review, the Freedom is my favorite ship. While I like the pizza on board, I have to admit there is not much better than a Philly pizza.

 

The key to the pizza at Sorentos on most ships is getting it right out of the oven, its at least tolerable. They put so little sauce on it , if it sits it dries out quickly. You will see the crew members consolidating pies into one pan, but I'll watch for a new one to come out.

 

If you ever get on an Oasis class they offer a made to order personal pizza in their Sorrentos that is actually good.

[fiona.anne]

Hi thanks for the review, we are first time cruisers going on the FOS 10/12 and our 6yo daughter is autistic so I was a bit concerned about her going to the kids club for her age and was going to see if she could go to the younger one with her 3 yo brother but after reading ur review I hope the staff are as understanding as u have said also myself and my partner are getting married on board the cruise on the last full day so we are really excited about this x

 

 

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[LizzieandLuke]

[quote]Hi thanks for the review, we are first time cruisers going on the FOS 10/12 and our 6yo daughter is autistic so I was a bit concerned about her going to the kids club for her age and was going to see if she could go to the younger one with her 3 yo brother but after reading ur review I hope the staff are as understanding as u have said also myself and my partner are getting married on board the cruise on the last full day so we are really excited about this x[/quote]

 

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. I never made it to the chapel but I am sure your wedding will be beautiful.

 

I spoke to the woman in charge of the Kids Club during registration and gave her a synopsis of Luke and although I readily agreed, it was she who suggested he move down. When I checked him in there obviously was a flag next to his name as everyone new he was special and reached for the phone. As I wrote previously I think the key is early, often and for short periods of time till they warm up to it. I think your daughter will be in great hands.

[The gubber]

Was there anything suitable for a couple of 75 plus women to do on board? How did you find the meals in the MDR ?

[LizzieandLuke]

Meals in the MDR were great. Food was great and service was great. You would love the shows and entertainment. The solarium (adult pool) seems very nice (I couldn't sneak much time in there) but there is plenty of shade and quiet. There is always BINGO, Trivia, and the Casinos too.

 

You will have a great time.

[reallyitsmema]

Hi thanks for the review, we are first time cruisers going on the FOS 10/12 and our 6yo daughter is autistic so I was a bit concerned about her going to the kids club for her age and was going to see if she could go to the younger one with her 3 yo brother but after reading ur review I hope the staff are as understanding as u have said also myself and my partner are getting married on board the cruise on the last full day so we are really excited about this x

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

The cruise line will let you place your autistic child in whichever group you feel fits best. You can also get priority check in, boarding and disembarking as well. I am not sure if you have seen the information on the cruise line website, but here is a link to it.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/experiencetypes/product.do?pagename=onboard_prod_autism_friendly_ships

 

You can contact special needs prior to your cruise with any questions.

[shirleygallegos60]

Hi

Can you tell me what snorkeling excursion you did, I'm having a hard time choosing.....

[LizzieandLuke]

[

QUOTE]Can you tell me what snorkeling excursion you did, I'm having a hard time choosing..... [/quote]

 

Sure, we did Adventure Snorkel on a Sea Blaster. You will get soaked on the ship before you even get to the snorkeling spot as there is a ton of water coming in boat off the ocean. My kids loved the boat ride and so did my hubby - me not so much. The snorkeling was good and they were very nice though and very patient with my little guy (he lost a flipper - we got it back). It was reasonably priced and we enjoyed it.

[dacsmom]

Hi

Can you tell me what snorkeling excursion you did, I'm having a hard time choosing.....

 

I have also done the Sea Blaster excursion in St. Thomas and loved it. The crew was great, and we stopped at two snorkeling spots. Saw lots of turtles and fish. I would definitely do it again.

[mrpayroll]

Glad to hear you enjoyed FOS. We will be on it on the 14th....:)

[thegima]

Glad to hear a good time was had. We did the Sea Blaster snorkeling last year and I enjoyed it - I actually bought a t-shirt too. Were they still offering the rum punch on the way back? I probably had 5 cups of that stuff hah :D

[maureencruiser]

Thanks for the review, I might be heading back on the FOS this winter, glad to hear she is still in good shape. :)

[chicy724]

Thank you for your review and I was so happy to read that you liked it. I was really interested in it because we're sailing her 10/4 and this will be our first time of the Freedom. We're really excited about our upcoming cruise. We'll be on deck 9 too and from what I've heard, it is quiet.

 

10/4 on Freedom? We are 10/5 on Freedom.. how can that be.... :confused: Do they pick up at a different port the day before and go to Port Canaveral?

Edited September 6, 2014 by chicy724

[LizzieandLuke]

Were they still offering the rum punch on the way back? I probably had 5 cups of that stuff hah

 

There was plenty - my hubby had it too!! :p

[American Bear]

Nice review. I was on there the week of the 10th and had a lovely time. I'm with you, the pizza does stink. I'm not a pizza snob, but I do like a good slice. This was worse than frozen pizza.

 

Agreed, Carnival and MSC have superior pizza, the pizza on RCL is awful!:eek:

[American Bear]

We were also on the 8/24 sailing and on deck 9 as well. Wonder if we passed you in the halls at all.

 

My younger son commented that the pizza tasted different. Like they changed either the crust or the cheese or something. But he usually eats a lot of it, and I live in NJ so pretty good pizza (not as good as NY and I'm sorry but never had Philly pizza) but this time, he barely at it at all.

 

We did the water taxi in St. Maarten but only over and back. Don't bother with the beaches and really, I don't buy jewelry so no point lingering. I've done Maho and the French side, and we weren't interested in doing it again.

 

Love Freedom and always have a great time on her.

 

Don't bother with the beaches?

Why?

The warm, beautiful Caribbean water! OOOOOH Baby!:D

Agreed, Freedom is a great ship!

Edited September 6, 2014 by American Bear

[Finbar127]

 

My younger son commented that the pizza tasted different. Like they changed either the crust or the cheese or something.

 

We were on the same cruise. Have to agree about the pizza. It has always been sub par but this time was worse than usual. They must have changed something. That said I thought the MDR and Windjammer were excellent this trip.

[Debitoo]

We were on the same cruise. Have to agree about the pizza. It has always been sub par but this time was worse than usual. They must have changed something. That said I thought the MDR and Windjammer were excellent this trip.

 

Nevermind....sorry

Edited September 6, 2014 by debitoo