Live from Freedom of the Seas March 6, 2016

[Kimmy0303]

We are on the last few days of our Eastern Caribbean cruise heading back to Port Canaveral. I've cruised with RCCL three times and have always enjoyed it. Our group of seven include myself (52), DH (48)), two DS (23 & 16), MIL and her friend (69), and my son's GF (25). Four of our group are first timers. We have been enjoying ourselves, but the weather has been a bit cooler and very windy. The seas are a bit rough. Several people onboard have been seasick, to the point that bags were taped on the staircases just in case.

 

We arrived in Orlando on Saturday night and stayed at the Holiday Inn Airport. We stayed there before and it is very nice. There are a few restaurants and a store within walking distance. Cocoa Beach Shuttle picked us up at 11:00 am and we made two stops to pick up additional passengers. We were at the port by 12:15. The price was reasonable, $264.50 round trip with gratuity included.

 

Embarking went well. The only complaint I have is that the Crown and Anchor Gold priority line was empty, but we had to stand in a longer line to check in because only one of our reservations showed us as Gold members. Each of our rooms had a Gold member in it.

[Keith1010]

Look forward to the rest of your posts.

 

Keith

[Kimmy0303]

Our rooms were ready when we arrived on the ship. We explored a little and then headed to the Windjammer. We found a seat fairly easily and ate our lunch. We wandered around a little more until the muster drill and then headed to the pool deck for the sail away. It was very windy and chilly up there and we did not last very long.

 

We decided to purchase the premium drink package since three drinks cost us $40. My son is getting his money's worth for the cruise. I will probably break even, but I will have to really try. I tried to cancel my drink package on day 5 and was told I missed the cut off for cancellation.

[Kimmy0303]

We are I deck six with two adjoining balconies and an inside room. All are clean and comfortable. Randy is our room steward and is doing an awesome job. He's always friendly and helpful.

 

We were unable to go to Coco Cau due to the high wind and waves.

[sarahkslp]

Appreciating these posts! Keep 'em coming!

[yvet]

I'm following because i'll cruise in May on FOS

[tustin3]

Following too! Going on the first 8 dayer the FOS does after making Port Everglades it's home. Do you notice any other than normal vibrations on the Freedom like others have mentioned?

Edited March 11, 2016 by tustin3

[dgh203]

Did you ask that the dividers between the balconies be opened? If so, were they willing to do it?

[DrD]

Thanks. I'm going in 2 WEEKS! Plus 2 days.

 

2 years ago they opened our balcony dividers no problem.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for your report. Hope you have a good time.

[Megan07]

Following as I'm on Freedom may 1 eastern Caribbean. Little nervous about the seas

[Kimmy0303]

Did you ask that the dividers between the balconies be opened? If so, were they willing to do it?

 

 

We asked to have the dividers opened and they did open them for us. They could not open them for a few days because of how windy it has been though.

[Kimmy0303]

Following as I'm on Freedom may 1 eastern Caribbean. Little nervous about the seas

 

 

This is my third cruise and this is by far the rockiest voyage I have had. I've heard several other cruisers say the same thing. I think it's the time of the year. May should be better seas!

[Kimmy0303]

We arrived in St. Thomas a few hours early (9:00 am) since we missed Coco Cay. We had went to the port shopping seminar, so we were given stickers for priority to debark first and there was a line of open air taxis to take us into town to shop ($4 pp). We were given lots of coupons and freebie vouchers for the stores.

 

After shopping we took another taxi to Magen's Bay. This was $8 pp and our driver stopped for a few photo ops along the way. He also shared some information about the island. We asked him to come back and pick us up and he ended up staying and waiting for us. Magen's Bay was $5 pp to enter, chair rental was $7. The had a restaurant and bar service on the beach. Drinks were $8 for frozen and $6 for a rum punch. You could also rent floating mats, kayaks and SUP's. No jet ski's allowed.

 

We spent three hours here and headed back to the ship. The water and beach were beautiful. A little crowded though.

[Kimmy0303]

We do notice the vibrations, but mostly when we are sitting somewhere like the dining room or the Arcadia theater.

[CookieDiva]

We had went to the port shopping seminar, so we were given stickers for priority to debark first and there was a line of open air taxis to take us into town to shop ($4 pp). We were given lots of coupons and freebie vouchers for the stores.

 

Were the seminar and coupons and freebies worth your time and effort? Just curious because we'll be on the Freedom in 3 weeks and 1 day (yeah baby!) for our first cruise and were wondering about the best things to do and those to skip.

Edited March 12, 2016 by CookieDiva

[Kimmy0303]

Were the seminar and coupons and freebies worth your time and effort? Just curious because we'll be on the Freedom in 3 weeks and 1 day (yeah baby!) for our first cruise and were wondering about the best things to do and those to skip.

 

 

It was an hour long and we missed the sunshine on the pool deck. It did get you to the front of the line to get off the ship, which was nice. And the taxi's were waiting for us. And they had a raffle, which you had to be present to win. So for a few lucky people it was well worth it.

 

You can get the coupons from all the hecklers on the street. It did inform us of a lot of freebies and raffles. I don't like to plan my day around that kind of stuff. My MIL and her friend loves it though.

 

In my opinion the best thing to do is hang around the pool, walk around the entire ship on Deck 4 (it's gorgeous and almost deserted), the ice show, Love and Marriage and Quest (for a laugh) and the ice show. They have tons of seminars and sales which ear up your time and are basically sales pitches. .

[John&LaLa]

Onboard as well. Hope you don't mind that I add a few random thoughts.

 

Mattresses in the JS are fine. Nice pillow tops

Internet is adequate for simple posting. They installed some of the high speed equipment, it should be up and running soon

Kummlewreck sandwiches served in WJ bar on Saturday. Nice and rare.

Drink specials offered yesterday. Both the 10 drink punch card for $65, and the two sea day pkg for $115. Both of these included tips.

 

Kelly Goodrich still in Schooner bar every night. Tribute shows at 10 PM and are packed.

 

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[Kimmy0303]

We've ate most of our meals in the main dining room and they have been delicious. The favorite appetizers have been escargot, scallops gratin and crab cakes. The horseradish encrusted salmon is amazing! Desserts are just so-so, therefore I've been skipping them for the most part. The key lime pie is very good and the white chocolate mousse was light and delicious

 

Sorrentos is nice for a quick breakfast on port days. We've ordered room service for an afternoon snack and most of our breakfasts from there also. We brought some small candy bars to add to our tip for room service and they have been received very well.

Edited March 12, 2016 by Kimmy0303

[Kimmy0303]

Onboard as well. Hope you don't mind that I add a few random thoughts.

 

Mattresses in the JS are fine. Nice pillow tops

Internet is adequate for simple posting. They installed some of the high speed equipment, it should be up and running soon

Kummlewreck sandwiches served in WJ bar on Saturday. Nice and rare.

Drink specials offered yesterday. Both the 10 drink punch card for $65, and the two sea day pkg for $115. Both of these included tips.

 

Kelly Goodrich still in Schooner bar every night. Tribute shows at 10 PM and are packed.

 

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

 

Don't mind at all. Mattresses are comfortable, which I was worried at first because people were saying they were hard.

[mtsublueraider]

We board on Sunday. I think I'm now more confused than ever when it comes to drinks. Can anyone confirm prices of things like jack and Coke or vodka and tonic? Or even the bud light bottles? I never got the package before but it's like they are forcing your hand now. Also these drink punch cards? Is that for any liquor drink? Then the sea day package? Makes my head spin!!!

 

I think it makes sense to investigate prices on day one and then purchase package if you want to on day two.

[CookieDiva]

It was an hour long and we missed the sunshine on the pool deck. It did get you to the front of the line to get off the ship, which was nice. And the taxi's were waiting for us. And they had a raffle, which you had to be present to win. So for a few lucky people it was well worth it.

 

You can get the coupons from all the hecklers on the street. It did inform us of a lot of freebies and raffles. I don't like to plan my day around that kind of stuff. My MIL and her friend loves it though.

 

In my opinion the best thing to do is hang around the pool, walk around the entire ship on Deck 4 (it's gorgeous and almost deserted), the ice show, Love and Marriage and Quest (for a laugh) and the ice show. They have tons of seminars and sales which ear up your time and are basically sales pitches. .

 

 

Thanks for your thoughts and tips. I know that we'd MUCH rather lie around the pool than waste time [emoji6] at a sales pitch.

[3Blessings]

What day were the punch cards available?

[John&LaLa]

Punch cards offered on Friday, first of the last two sea days on an Eastern voyage. Simple highballs like Vodka and Cranberry are 8.50. 16 oz bud light is 6.50

[Kimmy0303]

We had planned St. Maarten to be at Orient Beach all day, but as we were ready to get off the ship the captain warned us of blockades on the French side roads to protest their taxes. He said we might get stuck over there, so we took a water taxi to the beach and rented chairs there. The kids jet-skied, we shopped a little and had some Caribbean jerk chicken and shrimp creole. The weather was nice for the most part, although it did rain a little.

 

The seas were rocky again as we left.

Edited March 13, 2016 by Kimmy0303