Just back from Freedom 4 night-review

[Thenagers]

I just got back and thought I would share our experience.  Our group was a mom/teen son graduation trip

Day 1-

Drove to the port and had 1pm check-in.  Parking was easy and the check-in process very quick (if vaccinated!)  We were on the boat by 1:10, went straight to our muster and our cabins were even ready!  We were in 9706(aft balcony). We changed and went to the windjammer.  They served you but the lines were quick.  Remember to walk to the very back for more food options/ shorter lines.  The hand washing stations, directional sgns on the floor and them serving you were the biggest changes.  They had it set up with one side for entering and opposite for leaving(a circle).   We then grabbed pool chairs and hung out in the main pool for a few hours.  We had early dining so we went to the room at 4:30 and changed.  We were seated at table 214 in the middle of the 3rd floor dining room. Kevin and Jennifer took great care of us.  I was impressed with the quality of the MDR food compared to the Carnival cruises I have been on the last few years.  I had not done RCL in more than 4 years but this was way better.  BTW there were only about 10-15 tables eating when we were there.  Since we did early dining we were able to go to the lido for sail away.  Very little fanfare but it was so cool doing this when the sun was going down.  We then explored the ship a little and waited for the casino to open.  We spent most of the night in the casino.  I played blackjack and 3 card.  They had tables for both in the smoking and non smoking areas.  Definitely not a winning night!  Really wish they had at least 1 let it ride table.  I drank too much and got too much sun.  Went to bed early.  I will do day 2 later. Feel free to ask questions.  

 

Edited July 31, 2021 by Thenagers

[lazydayz]

Looking forward to hearing about your cruise.  What was the occupancy percentage?  Did you ever encounter long lines?  

[Thenagers]

3 minutes ago, lazydayz said:

Looking forward to hearing about your cruise.  What was the occupancy percentage?  Did you ever encounter long lines?  

I heard between 1100 and 1200. I honestly never saw a line for anything.  I will do day 2 in a few.  I am knee deep in laundry today!

[lazydayz]

23 minutes ago, Thenagers said:

I heard between 1100 and 1200. I honestly never saw a line for anything.  I will do day 2 in a few.  I am knee deep in laundry today!

 

Thanks.  That is crazy - maybe 25% occupancy.  Was it still fun with that few people?

 

Good luck with the laundry! 

[Thenagers]

Day 2 - Sea Day

Woke up and went to windjammer.  Decided to explore the outside decks.  Went out to the Flowrider area.  I thought our older teens would have hung there more often but did not.  This was the 1st time they were not participating in the teen clubs(too old).  My friend got a wonderful  massage in the spa and then we decided to do 10am Bingo. They needed more tables or at least clipboards.  This was a vaccinated only event.  They called people up to purchase 1 group at a time to avoid lines.  It was $20 for 1 card.  $3 extra if you needed a blotter.  We luckily brought some from a previous cruise.  Unlike Carnival, it was 1 game to win  $300 instead of 2-3 games with different prizes.   It was okay but we had no luck.  We then went to the pool.  Most of the chairs around the main deck pools were taken.  There were chairs available in the shade in the solarium and deck 12 around the main pool.  Not bad for 11am on a sea day!  We ate at  el loco fresh and sat in the pool for a while.  At 1pm we went to the Blackjack tournament.  They needed at least 7 to hold it and low and behold we had exactly 7.  It was 7 hands and most chips at end gets the $500 prize.  We had 4 of the 7 in our group playing  and the other mom with us actually won!  Spent an hour or 2 playing table games and booked the ice show at 4.  We decided to skip because it was not a vaccinated only show and we really were enjoying not wearing a mask most places. We ate early again and it was dress your best night.  We wore sundresses and the boys just wore button downs and khaki shorts.  It was fine attire.  I actually only saw a few people in really formal attire.  My rule for my son is always a collared shirt in the MDR.   My friend usually loves to grab a soft serve after dinner and was disappointed the ice cream station was not open after 6.  They actually had someone there to serve you there.  We tried our luck again in the casino. I had a much better $ session.  

[Thenagers]

5 minutes ago, lazydayz said:

 

Thanks.  That is crazy - maybe 25% occupancy.  Was it still fun with that few people?

 

Good luck with the laundry! 

Yes it was fun and I think we will be spoiled.  We were not really on there to meet people so it did not bother us.  Sail away was quiet but it was nice to always be able to find a seat at anywhere they were playing music.  I would love to see what the promedade is like when it is bustling.  

[Thenagers]

Day 3- Nassau

It was fun to watch them dock from our balcony.  I got coffee and croissants from Cafe promadade and brought to the room.  We had plans to go to the Hilton for a day pass and left around 10am.  It was a short but hot 10 minute walk from the ship.  We had booked though resort for a day for $85pp it included a $40 pp food and beverage credit.   We easily found comfy chairs because there were probably only a dozen people at the beach/pool.  The beach water was crystal clear and it was so relaxing.  Since it was a weekday, the pool restaurant was not open.  We were able to order food and drinks from the inside restaurant at noon.  The bartender offered to bring the food out to us but it started raining.  We ate inside and then the rain stopped.  Hung out a little longer and then tried some shopping Bay St.  Not a lot open except cheap shops and jewelry.  Bought a few little things.  Overall it felt safe but we stayed pretty close to the ship.  We went back to the boat and napped.  My son did not want to get up for dinner so he skipped the MDR but showed up for dessert.  We all went with him to Johnny Rockets and we used our drink packages to get milkshakes.  We took some amazing photos of Atlantis from deck 12 and watched sail away from there.    We then went and listened to the piano bar player.  He is very good.  The one thing about the late departure from Nassau is the casino does not open until late!  We played for a few hours and went to bed around midnight.  

[rtazz17]

53 minutes ago, Thenagers said:

Yes it was fun and I think we will be spoiled.  We were not really on there to meet people so it did not bother us.  Sail away was quiet but it was nice to always be able to find a seat at anywhere they were playing music.  I would love to see what the promedade is like when it is bustling.  

Its fun when people are there. People are what make the energy of the room(any room).I wouldnt want to cruise with 1/8th capacity. I like people watching as well. Of course some will say they would love to cruise with empty ship. But I bet after a week of that its not much fun.  On the other hand if you hate other people you love it. I would guess most cruisers are social people or they would go somewhere else on vacation. We are sailing on Allure on 8/8. I heard 50% capacity but who knows. I hope its 50%. Time will tell.

 

we went on freedom a few times. But after going on oasis class we couldnt go back. Lol

we loved freedom but we LOVED oasis class. 
Thanks for the review!

[Thenagers]

Day 4- CocoCay

Woke up to us docking.  I had an amazing view from my aft balcony!  Grabbed food from Promenade and enjoyed this veiw.  It was overcast with dark clouds in the distance.  We waited until 10 to get off.  We went to Chill beach and swam some.  There were thunderstorms in the area so they cleared the water.  Never rained and the sun came out.  I was one of the 1st ones at the Snack Shack.  Loved the chicken sandwich!  Be carefull of the seagulls. I was beseiged!  They stole a fry right off my plate.  Once the water reopened it was a gorgeous day.  I tried most of the bars in that area even the floating one in the ocean.  There was no need to pay for a cabana or an upgraded area.  There were plenty of chairs everywhere.  We came back to nap again.  Had early dinner again and it was delicious as usual.  We went to the shops and then tested the fates in the casino again. I was not a winning night!

[Preziosa]

Do They tell you to wear a mask if you are outside where few people are. 

Then it is possible to keep distance. We Will Be on Harmony in 2 weeks from Barcelona, Maybe the same rools ...

[ZoeyVictoria]

Did you have to wear masks while walking around Nassau?

[ahughes517]

Fun review so far! We leave next week on Freedom - question for Coco Cay: was South Beach open? Thanks!

[Thenagers]

18 hours ago, Preziosa said:

Do They tell you to wear a mask if you are outside where few people are. 

Then it is possible to keep distance. We Will Be on Harmony in 2 weeks from Barcelona, Maybe the same rools ...

We did not have to wear them on the outdoor decks.

[Thenagers]

18 hours ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

Did you have to wear masks while walking around Nassau?

We did not except when we went into shops.  

[Thenagers]

12 hours ago, ahughes517 said:

Fun review so far! We leave next week on Freedom - question for Coco Cay: was South Beach open? Thanks!

South Beach was not open.  

[jerseyjjs]

 

 

           Did you check out Playmakers right next to the casino?

[Thenagers]

5 hours ago, jerseyjjs said:

 

 

           Did you check out Playmakers right next to the casino?

Yes. Lots of games. They had the Olympics on most of the TVS.

[Thenagers]

Day 5 -Debarkment

We did self assist and went down at 7am.  We were off so fast especially with the facial recognition at customs.  We were in the car and out of the lot by 7:15am!

[Artemis at Sea]

On 7/31/2021 at 2:09 PM, Thenagers said:

Day 4- CocoCay

Woke up to us docking.  I had an amazing view from my aft balcony!  Grabbed food from Promenade and enjoyed this veiw.  It was overcast with dark clouds in the distance.  We waited until 10 to get off.  We went to Chill beach and swam some.  There were thunderstorms in the area so they cleared the water.  Never rained and the sun came out.  I was one of the 1st ones at the Snack Shack.  Loved the chicken sandwich!  Be carefull of the seagulls. I was beseiged!  They stole a fry right off my plate.  Once the water reopened it was a gorgeous day.  I tried most of the bars in that area even the floating one in the ocean.  There was no need to pay for a cabana or an upgraded area.  There were plenty of chairs everywhere.  We came back to nap again.  Had early dinner again and it was delicious as usual.  We went to the shops and then tested the fates in the casino again. I was not a winning night!

Sorry to hear about your fry- those seagulls got into my taco! They are relentless! 😄