FREEDOM AT LAST!! Semi-live Report 5/26-6/2

[EeyoreRN]

For the most part, this is a beautiful hotel in a gorgeous, centrally located setting. There are some things in obvious need of repair, mostly on the outside, where you see big rust spots, peeling paint and plaster that looks like it's melting.  These are things you'd think would be easily addressed by Hilton. Also things that don't bother me much to tell you the truth.  I don't understand some of the extremely low ratings on this hotel. All that said, I haven't seen my room yet, so fingers crossed, my first and second impressions hold up!

 

 

Front desk changes colors!  There's a large aquarium in the lobby, the lights are on a timer.  This is before:

 

And after:

 

 

More around the lobby:

 

and outside on the ocean side, looking east:

Looking west:

 

[HouCplCruise]

We will be joining you on this one.  Headed that way today.  See ya at the Meet and Mingle!

[EeyoreRN]

22 minutes ago, MarlboroBell said:

You must be our clones! We're also about an hour north of Manhattan, we're also going on the Freedom (in August at the end of the summer vacation), and we're also staying at the Condado Plaza beforehand! Really looking forward to hearing more about your trip... (Our kids are a bit younger though -- 15 and 12.)

Wow!  Hi, neighbor! Please stay tuned for more and thanks for following! I hope I can offer a few nuggets for your planning.

[EeyoreRN]

2 minutes ago, HouCplCruise said:

We will be joining you on this one.  Headed that way today.  See ya at the Meet and Mingle!

Looking forward to it!!  Feel free to chime in, agree, disagree, whatever!

[EeyoreRN]

Lots of things to do around the property!  Relax your body and soul:

 

Challenge your mind:

 

Toes in the sand (and the protected...cove? Inlet?)

 

Aha!  It's a lagoon!  

 



 

The way this sign is positioned I can't tell which is the salt water pool.  No worries, I'll just taste them later haha!

 

 

And near the salt or not salt pool there's also corn hole!! When my kids wake up we are on that!

Also, ya gotta know what NOT to do...

 

Some not so gorgeous aspects of the hotel I noticed:

 

 

 

Stuff like this doesn't bother me too much but probably plays a large roll in recent negative reviews.  So this is the ocean side of the hotel.  Will post on lagoon side a little later.  Gonna close my eyes...

[zencruisers]

Following along. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[mchin]

Following.  We are also sailing on Freedom June 23rd and staying in the Hilton Condado Plaza for two night pre-cruise.   🙂

[EeyoreRN]

5 minutes ago, zencruisers said:

Following along. Enjoy your cruise!

 

Thank you and thanks for following!

2 minutes ago, mchin said:

Following.  We are also sailing on Freedom June 23rd and staying in the Hilton Condado Plaza for two night pre-cruise.   🙂

Aha, another intrepid Condado Plaza guest!! I have to say, so far (before having a room) I am pretty in love with this hotel.  Come with an open mind and low expectations and I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised!  Let me know if there's anything you want me to scope out!

[mchin]

1 minute ago, EeyoreRN said:

Thank you and thanks for following!

Aha, another intrepid Condado Plaza guest!! I have to say, so far (before having a room) I am pretty in love with this hotel.  Come with an open mind and low expectations and I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised!  Let me know if there's anything you want me to scope out!

Thanks!  I'm traveling with 12 other family members and am curious about some of the surrounding area, like food options within walking distance.  Sounds like Denny's is a breakfast option but will certainly keep expectations very low. 😉  

[EeyoreRN]

Two random observations:

1. I'm so tired I feel like I'm already on a ship.

2. There is a lot of chewing gum on the ground in Puerto Rico.  I am from NYC and I cannot remember the last time I stepped in chewing gum. This morning while deboarding the plane I stepped in a wad. Right on the plane!  Then at the baggage carousel I saw a kid around 10 years old spit his gum out right on the floor directly in front of his mother and they both just left it there. And I've seen many wads all over the hotel grounds.  Not judging just making an observation.

 

[rorito]

Have a great cruise! We are sailing same itinerary in September. Requesting photos of any Wheel of Fortune slot machines in the casino if you have a chance during your review. Bon Voyage!

[LBumb]

Have a great cruise 

[tcmagnum]

5 hours ago, EeyoreRN said:

 

 

 

 

 

Love this picture!!!  You need to frame/hang it at home!!

[Namelocg]

Following. A bunch of us did a transatlantic on Freedom in 2017. She is one of my favorite ships. Have a great cruise.

[EeyoreRN]

5 hours ago, mchin said:

Thanks!  I'm traveling with 12 other family members and am curious about some of the surrounding area, like food options within walking distance.  Sounds like Denny's is a breakfast option but will certainly keep expectations very low. 😉  

Plan to look around the neighborhood soon.  Will report!

4 hours ago, rorito said:

Have a great cruise! We are sailing same itinerary in September. Requesting photos of any Wheel of Fortune slot machines in the casino if you have a chance during your review. Bon Voyage!

Will check the slots.  I'm in a FB group doing a slot pull the first night.  We don't usually do casinos but will go for the team!

2 hours ago, LBumb said:

Have a great cruise 

Thank you and thanks for following!

1 hour ago, tcmagnum said:

 

Love this picture!!!  You need to frame/hang it at home!!

Agreed!  The kids just saw all the photos from the time they were napping. I love their reactions to this one.

43 minutes ago, Namelocg said:

Following. A bunch of us did a transatlantic on Freedom in 2017. She is one of my favorite ships. Have a great cruise.

Thank you and thanks for following!

[EeyoreRN]

 

 

We just woke up from some fabulous naps in our lovely, clean, comfy room.  These beds are so comfortable!!

 

 

 

 

Incredible shower!!

 

And the view!

 

 

We will be able to see Freedom over there Sunday morning!

 

Now we are off to explore a little of Old San Juan before dinner at Marmalade.

[JessyCruises]

Can't wait to see your review.  I loved Freedom class.  We are sailing on Liberty in August and Freedom in December.

 

30 minutes ago, EeyoreRN said:

Will check the slots.  I'm in a FB group doing a slot pull the first night.  We don't usually do casinos but will go for the team!

 

Speaking of slots.... this is probably a silly question, but as you enter the casino from the Schooner, there used to be a row of slot machines on the right that have these little bonus tubes with cash inside.  Can you let me know if they are still there?

 

thanks & have a great time!!

[mchin]

Nice pictures of the room.  Looks like you have an awesome view of the lagoon.  

[Btank]

On 5/23/2019 at 5:27 PM, EeyoreRN said:

Good evening, fellow cruise critics!

 

We leave tonight for San Juan!

 

We just got off Freedom last Sunday.  You're gonna love it.  I hope you're assigned to Imelda (waiter) and Mohammad's (assistant)  table in the Main Dining Room!

 

     --bruce T.

[davekathy]

10 hours ago, EeyoreRN said:

Two random observations:

1. I'm so tired I feel like I'm already on a ship.

2. There is a lot of chewing gum on the ground in Puerto Rico.  I am from NYC and I cannot remember the last time I stepped in chewing gum. This morning while deboarding the plane I stepped in a wad. Right on the plane!  Then at the baggage carousel I saw a kid around 10 years old spit his gum out right on the floor directly in front of his mother and they both just left it there. And I've seen many wads all over the hotel grounds.  Not judging just making an observation.

 

Watch where you step and have a great cruise. 

[BNL1213]

Thank you so much for the hotel details! It makes me feel so much better. Enjoy your day in San Juan today. Looking forward to following along!

[DISFANS3]

Cool trip report, Just back from the Freedom last month fantastic trip and ports...

[EeyoreRN]

16 hours ago, Canadian Disney Mom said:

Can't wait to see your review.  I loved Freedom class.  We are sailing on Liberty in August and Freedom in December.

 

 

Speaking of slots.... this is probably a silly question, but as you enter the casino from the Schooner, there used to be a row of slot machines on the right that have these little bonus tubes with cash inside.  Can you let me know if they are still there?

 

thanks & have a great time!!

Will do!  Thanks for following!

 

12 hours ago, mchin said:

Nice pictures of the room.  Looks like you have an awesome view of the lagoon.  

We do!  This morning it looked extra gorgeous in the bright sunlight!

 

11 hours ago, Btank said:

 

We just got off Freedom last Sunday.  You're gonna love it.  I hope you're assigned to Imelda (waiter) and Mohammad's (assistant)  table in the Main Dining Room!

 

     --bruce T.

Thanks for the tip!  Will ask for Imelda. We are doing my time dining so I'm not sure how much requests can be honored.

 

11 hours ago, davekathy said:

Watch where you step and have a great cruise. 

Haha we had another gum incident last night. Read on, and thanks for following.

 

4 hours ago, BNL1213 said:

Thank you so much for the hotel details! It makes me feel so much better. Enjoy your day in San Juan today. Looking forward to following along!

You're so welcome! Let me know if you have any specific questions! Thanks for following!

 

3 hours ago, DISFANS3 said:

Cool trip report, Just back from the Freedom last month fantastic trip and ports...

Thank you, I'm so excited!  I saw your thread last night and it distracted me from my own!  Thanks for following.

[EeyoreRN]

Good morning from beautiful, sunny San Juan!  Last night we had a lovely walk over to old Town and dinner at highly acclaimed Marmalade.  Service and food were amazing and well worth the price.  We are from new York remember so it seemed pretty reasonable to us. We have to run to catch a tour, when I'm back on wifi will catch up details!

[LBumb]

Bon voyage