LIVE from the Freedom of the Seas! - Nov 12, 2016/ 8 night Eastern Caribbean

[Clarea]

Robyn, if you get a chance, please post a photo of the "As You Depart" flyer.

 

Thanks for taking us along!:)

[ckrobyn]

Robyn, if you get a chance, please post a photo of the "As You Depart" flyer.

 

Thanks for taking us along!:)

 

 

 

Will do [emoji4], and you're welcome! I've had a lot of fun both on this LIVE and on the actual cruise!!!

 

 

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[ckrobyn]

I have debated as to whether or not I would share my overall feelings about the food onboard, however I have decided I will, with the caveat that food, and one's opinion of it, is very subjective.

 

This is, without a doubt, the most disappointing MDR food experience I have had in all of my cruises. I'm not sure what the reason is? True that many favorite items have indeed been removed from the menu and replaced with cheaper versions i.e. Prime rib gone, strip loin replaces it. The filet of beef is also gone, and was replaced with a cheaper cut of meat that I didn't like at all.... The appetizers were not all that appetizing [emoji52] The escargot was served room temperature and the butter was tasteless, shrimp cocktail is no longer available every night, and the countless other apps we tried were definitely not what we have become accustomed to. I strongly believe there are issues in the kitchen of the Freedom.

Let's face it, the menu is static week to week, there shouldn't be any surprises, and the food should be great considering all the practice the chefs have making it! I've said it previously, but worth mentioning again, I am not a foodie, and I don't allow a negative food experience to ruin my cruise, however after 30 cruises, I have come to expect a certain level of quality. I didn't dream this up, Royal put me here! There have been so many cruises where the food has been outstanding, that when it's not, I really notice [emoji1361]. I do hope that they figure out what's going wrong in the kitchen and fix it ASAP. The major issues (mine as well as feedback from other guests) is : food lacks taste/flavor, too salty especially soups, meat over cooked even when asking for "medium", food temperature luke warm, desserts lacking in flavor and texture, baked Alaska served melted on a warm plate last night [emoji15]

 

The flipside is that overall I have really enjoyed the Windjammer, at all 3 times of day. Plenty of selection, especially at dinner. In fact we are dining there tonight.

We did not end up trying Chops or any other specialty restaurant, although in retrospect maybe we should have?

My advice is to keep an open mind, and form your own opinion based on your own experience. These are my thoughts....yours may be very different? One last thing..... the pizza wasn't good.

Okay, enough on food.

 

The VOOM wifi has been intermittent at best. I get booted off constantly and have to reconnect. It will boot you off after 2 hours of inactivity, but I get booted off after 10 minutes lol!

 

I'm sitting outside the pub watching guests scramble to purchase last minute gifts, a live band is playing, and it seems that everyone is happy, as they should be on a cruise!

 

Feel free to ask any questions and I will try to answer them all [emoji3]

 

 

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[oldmom]

Going on the Freedom for the 3rd time-Dec. 4th. I am not picky about my food. But to be honest-when you posted the menus- I thought "yuck"-what has RCCL done! I really did not see anything that appealed to me-except the nightly salmon. I'm not really a Jamer fan-but I guess I will have to be this sailing:eek:.We are doing the Bogo specials for night 1 and 2-after that? Loved your review! Speaking of food did you do room service at all ? Thanks. Melinda

[lvstitch]

Thanks for your honest review. After sailing Disney for so long we though the one thing Royal beat them with was food (and price). We are sailing with first timers and people that have been on 20 cruises, it will be interesting to hear their feedback.

[ckrobyn]

As requested

 

 

 

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[Johnamac123]

I can echo your food assessment. MDR menu has been "downgraded", some preparation issues. I too was very pleased with the choices and quality in the Peoplejammer. I did send RCI an email post-cruise.

 

Did you hear of any impressive snorkeling venues on your trip?

[Clarea]

As requested

 

Thank-you Robyn.:)

[ckrobyn]

Thank-you Robyn.:)

 

 

 

For you, anything! You are so helpful and amazing on CC [emoji4][emoji106]

 

 

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[ckrobyn]

I can echo your food assessment. MDR menu has been "downgraded", some preparation issues. I too was very pleased with the choices and quality in the Peoplejammer. I did send RCI an email post-cruise.

 

Did you hear of any impressive snorkeling venues on your trip?

 

 

 

Lol @ peoplejammer!!

 

Didn't hear of any snorkeling venues, sorry!

 

 

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[irishgal432]

I agree about the food in the Mdr on freedom. We were just on there and are heading back when you disembark. The only thing you can do is note it on your surveys. I made it a point to use the comment section on the food. I received a follow up call regarding my comments., so they do listen.

 

Also, can you give us ur experience disembarking at terminal 29. This is the overflow terminal and I was curious how it was working.

 

Enjoy your last day.

 

 

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[Ocean Boy]

 

 

One last thing..... the pizza wasn't good.

Okay, enough on food.

 

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When we got back from our last cruise on Oasis my comments about the pizza was that it was bad in Sorrento's, it was bad in the Wipeout cafe, and there wasn't any in the Windjammer, but if there had been pizza in thereI was sure it would have been bad there too.

[ckrobyn]

When we got back from our last cruise on Oasis my comments about the pizza was that it was bad in Sorrento's, it was bad in the Wipeout cafe, and there wasn't any in the Windjammer, but if there had been pizza in thereI was sure it would have been bad there too.

 

 

 

I'll be on Oasis for the first time in May. Note to self: Avoid Pizza

 

 

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[Jkh14cruise]

I so enjoyed your review of your cruise to the Eastern Caribbean on FOS. We will have the same itinerary leaving on April 1, 2017 and this is our first cruise with Royal Caribbean. Thank you for taking time to share your adventures with us.

 

 

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[luvscruising2007]

I have debated as to whether or not I would share my overall feelings about the food onboard, however I have decided I will, with the caveat that food, and one's opinion of it, is very subjective.

 

This is, without a doubt, the most disappointing MDR food experience I have had in all of my cruises. I'm not sure what the reason is? True that many favorite items have indeed been removed from the menu and replaced with cheaper versions i.e. Prime rib gone, strip loin replaces it. The filet of beef is also gone, and was replaced with a cheaper cut of meat that I didn't like at all.... The appetizers were not all that appetizing [emoji52] The escargot was served room temperature and the butter was tasteless, shrimp cocktail is no longer available every night, and the countless other apps we tried were definitely not what we have become accustomed to. I strongly believe there are issues in the kitchen of the Freedom.

Let's face it, the menu is static week to week, there shouldn't be any surprises, and the food should be great considering all the practice the chefs have making it! I've said it previously, but worth mentioning again, I am not a foodie, and I don't allow a negative food experience to ruin my cruise, however after 30 cruises, I have come to expect a certain level of quality. I didn't dream this up, Royal put me here! There have been so many cruises where the food has been outstanding, that when it's not, I really notice [emoji1361]. I do hope that they figure out what's going wrong in the kitchen and fix it ASAP. The major issues (mine as well as feedback from other guests) is : food lacks taste/flavor, too salty especially soups, meat over cooked even when asking for "medium", food temperature luke warm, desserts lacking in flavor and texture, baked Alaska served melted on a warm plate last night [emoji15]

 

The flipside is that overall I have really enjoyed the Windjammer, at all 3 times of day. Plenty of selection, especially at dinner. In fact we are dining there tonight.

We did not end up trying Chops or any other specialty restaurant, although in retrospect maybe we should have?

My advice is to keep an open mind, and form your own opinion based on your own experience. These are my thoughts....yours may be very different? One last thing..... the pizza wasn't good.

Okay, enough on food.

 

The VOOM wifi has been intermittent at best. I get booted off constantly and have to reconnect. It will boot you off after 2 hours of inactivity, but I get booted off after 10 minutes lol!

 

I'm sitting outside the pub watching guests scramble to purchase last minute gifts, a live band is playing, and it seems that everyone is happy, as they should be on a cruise!

 

Feel free to ask any questions and I will try to answer them all [emoji3]

 

 

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First, thank you for your live review. It has been wonderful to share your cruise.

Second, It sounds like there could be two issues with the food.

The menus, in my opinion, leave a lot to be desired. And, the preparation may be lacking on your ship.

Both are issues that I hope you will address on the post cruise survey. If enough cruisers complain, changes will be made. We don't sail for awhile so hope the menus will be improved and even returned to the old ones by then.

[tanner150]

Hey Robyn - great live review...so amazing that you did this. I asked this earlier - did you see the drink coupon package? It's supposed to be offered on some cruises - like a punchcard system for 10 drinks. I sail on the 8 night itinerary Febr. 4 and can't wait.

[waterlegs]

Thank you so much for this wonderful daily diary you are sharing with us. The photos are fab too. I am going on FOS in May from Barcelona and it will be my first ever and maybe only cruise. Can't wait.

[Wolfhunt]

Thanks for taking the time to do this, it was fun and informative. Appreciate you posting the menus and compasses, those helped me pass the time for our Dec 10 cruise on the Freedom and plan a few things.

 

Have one quick question, on some of the compasses I noticed a $3 table game time slot. Do you know if that is all table games? I like to play a little craps but usually have a small bankroll.

[beachsands]

I have debated as to whether or not I would share my overall feelings about the food onboard, however I have decided I will, with the caveat that food, and one's opinion of it, is very subjective.

 

This is, without a doubt, the most disappointing MDR food experience I have had in all of my cruises. I'm not sure what the reason is? True that many favorite items have indeed been removed from the menu and replaced with cheaper versions i.e. Prime rib gone, strip loin replaces it. The filet of beef is also gone, and was replaced with a cheaper cut of meat that I didn't like at all.... The appetizers were not all that appetizing [emoji52] The escargot was served room temperature and the butter was tasteless, shrimp cocktail is no longer available every night, and the countless other apps we tried were definitely not what we have become accustomed to. I strongly believe there are issues in the kitchen of the Freedom.

Let's face it, the menu is static week to week, there shouldn't be any surprises, and the food should be great considering all the practice the chefs have making it! I've said it previously, but worth mentioning again, I am not a foodie, and I don't allow a negative food experience to ruin my cruise, however after 30 cruises, I have come to expect a certain level of quality. I didn't dream this up, Royal put me here! There have been so many cruises where the food has been outstanding, that when it's not, I really notice [emoji1361]. I do hope that they figure out what's going wrong in the kitchen and fix it ASAP. The major issues (mine as well as feedback from other guests) is : food lacks taste/flavor, too salty especially soups, meat over cooked even when asking for "medium", food temperature luke warm, desserts lacking in flavor and texture, baked Alaska served melted on a warm plate last night [emoji15]

 

The flipside is that overall I have really enjoyed the Windjammer, at all 3 times of day. Plenty of selection, especially at dinner. In fact we are dining there tonight.

We did not end up trying Chops or any other specialty restaurant, although in retrospect maybe we should have?

My advice is to keep an open mind, and form your own opinion based on your own experience. These are my thoughts....yours may be very different? One last thing..... the pizza wasn't good.

Okay, enough on food.

 

The VOOM wifi has been intermittent at best. I get booted off constantly and have to reconnect. It will boot you off after 2 hours of inactivity, but I get booted off after 10 minutes lol!

 

I'm sitting outside the pub watching guests scramble to purchase last minute gifts, a live band is playing, and it seems that everyone is happy, as they should be on a cruise!

 

Feel free to ask any questions and I will try to answer them all [emoji3]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

My wife and her mother are on this cruise too. She said the same thing about the food. Very Lacking was her assessment. After having been on a few other Royal cruises its a bit disappointing to hear of the food issues.

 

Thanks for the review it was great !

 

Joel

[cjnix29]

I so enjoyed your review of your cruise to the Eastern Caribbean on FOS. We will have the same itinerary leaving on April 1, 2017 and this is our first cruise with Royal Caribbean. Thank you for taking time to share your adventures with us.

 

 

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We will be on that sailing too! First time on Royal, so have really enjoyed this review!!

 

 

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[aliciam]

Love love love following along Robyn and thank you for all your work. You had mentioned doing the Marriott in St Kitts but I didn't see anything in your review so I am assuming plans changed. Definitely looking forward to your views on Chops if you make it there as we are doing our wedding reception dinner there. Hope the weather clears and you enjoy the last days.....we love sea days at the end of a cruise to just unwind completely. Take care, Jim

 

 

If looking for info on the Marriott in St. Kitts, we were there two weeks ago. It is/was still early in their season so we almost had the beach to ourselves. The sand is soft and clean, and chairs are comfy and nice. We had a great day relaxing. The water wasn't as clear/pretty as it was on other areas of the island, but it was great just to sit and relax. Had a nice breeze all day and it was wonderful. Short taxi ride from the port. I'd recommend if looking for a beach day away from the crowds.

[ckrobyn]

Gorgeous final sunset at sea for this cruise....

 

 

 

 

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[LPut714]

Going on the Freedom for the 3rd time-Dec. 4th. I am not picky about my food. But to be honest-when you posted the menus- I thought "yuck"-what has RCCL done! I really did not see anything that appealed to me-except the nightly salmon. I'm not really a Jamer fan-but I guess I will have to be this sailing:eek:.We are doing the Bogo specials for night 1 and 2-after that? Loved your review! Speaking of food did you do room service at all ? Thanks. Melinda

 

Was the BOGO something that was advertised? I didn't see anything on the website. We got a casino rate on our cabin so don't know if that is something that we would be eligible for.

We just got back from a Carnival cruise last week and I am usually easily pleased-I also found quite a decline in the food-first time came home weighing less than when I got on board. I am sure it is a cost issue-but I agree it may drive alot of folks away from cruising

[John&LaLa]

Was the BOGO something that was advertised? I didn't see anything on the website. We got a casino rate on our cabin so don't know if that is something that we would be eligible for.

We just got back from a Carnival cruise last week and I am usually easily pleased-I also found quite a decline in the food-first time came home weighing less than when I got on board. I am sure it is a cost issue-but I agree it may drive alot of folks away from cruising

The BOGO dining is a D+ perk. Sometimes they offer it to all, no guarantee. It is usually only good on first two days

 

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[John&LaLa]

I'll be on Oasis for the first time in May. Note to self: Avoid Pizza

 

 

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Try the make your own at Sorrento.

 

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