LIVE from Freedom of the Seas 9.27.21 - 10.01.21

[Maryscooking]

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Edited September 28, 2021 by Maryscooking
Testing

[kittykkr]

love the freedom

 

[John&LaLa]

This is y'all sailing past our place last night

[Maryscooking]

Are the pics showing up as links for everyone else?

I can't figure out how to fix it...

[Maryscooking]

(Re-posting, hopefully with pics instead of links!)

 

Ok I fell asleep on a Coco Kay beach chair and didn't finish my first post 🤣. So here's attempt #2!

 

Who and why: I booked this cruise for my cousin and myself for May 2020, as a celebration for her success in her business. Well covid hit, and after two cancellations, WE ARE FINALLY HERE, husband and child free for four days!!! 

 

I am going to try a live review since this will be a very laid back trip. We have two Coco Kay days and one stop at Nassau. I've cruised RCL, Celebrity, NCL, and Carnival, once or twice a year since 2004. When you read my thoughts, I'm comparing this trip, entertainment, food, and service to all of my past experiences. So getting on with it...

 

I left my house at 3:45am yesterday to get Michelle and head to the airport. Look, I'm such a light packer - one backpack and a carry on!

HA - that's a big lie. I also have a full 25" suitcase not in this pic 🤣. For four days! 😳

 

One advantage of 6am flights is watching the sunrise from the sky, and it did not disappoint!

 

Port of Miami in the distance. First view of cruise ships in two years!!! I have honestly never been so excited for a trip and have appreciated everything more than ever.

We got to the port at 12:30pm, Check in was so fast that we could barely pull up our docs, vax cards, and covid test results fast enough. No wait at all. I think it helped that we boarded through the suite guest line, but the other line also looked quite short. I will say that five different people examined our Vax cards through the various check in points. They looked closely too! 

Pre-boarding suite lounge area selfish (don't mind our airplane hair:

Before we knew it we were walking across the gangway.

 

 

We headed to the Windjammer. It was very empty feeling. The bar tender told me they only have 1100-1200 people on board this cruise. He said it varies and they've had as many as 2200 on board at once since starting sailing again.

 

Quick kudos: The service has been 100% top notch this trip. Obviously with less guests, it's easier to provide good service, but everyone has been so friendly and helpful, and responsive.

 

Ok, back to the Windjammer. Covid precautions are in full force. You can't enter without washing your hands, tables are blocked off for distancing, and all the food and drink at the buffet stations are served by the staff, or in pre-made individual portions like bowls of salad.

 

The "crowd" at 1:00pm:

 

We easily found a table with a beautiful view.

 

[puente0629]

can you please let me know which days are formal nights and post the dining menus if possible? thank you!

 

we are going on this cruise in May, so excited!!

[Maryscooking]

I had a Greek salad with grilled chicken that I pulled from a roasted piece of chicken.

 

To be honest, the chicken was dry, but mixed with the salad dressing and cheese, it was good.

Michelle had something from the carving station and mashed potatoes. She especially liked the mashed potatoes.

 

She also had two pieces of cake - yellow with oreo cookie frosting (good frosting especially), and chocolate/chocolate (good but too rich).

 

I took two coconut cookies back to the room, which are my worst cruise weakness. I could probably eat a dozen a day.

 

We picked up our deluxe drink package cups. I love these, but I wish you could buy an optional detachable handle (like Yeti has). (This pick is from right now, not the Windjammer, obviously 🤣.)

 

Edited September 28, 2021 by Maryscooking
Moved a pic.

[cynt]

Have a BLAST!!!

[Maryscooking]

8 minutes ago, puente0629 said:

can you please let me know which days are formal nights and post the dining menus if possible? thank you!

 

we are going on this cruise in May, so excited!!

Yes I will! Fyi, I'm not sure how far in advance they post them, but the dining menus were available in our app before we boarded.

[Maryscooking]

While at lunch, they announced that the cabins were ready. We have a junior suite with large balcony, and it is just the right amount of space for two people. The walk in closet is large enough for one person to change in, which comes in handy. Our beds needed split, which our awesome steward did later.
 

 

 

 

 

 

My only complaint about the room, which I am sure is familiar to everyone: The lack of outlets. Like many women of a certain age, I sleep much better with a fan blowing on me at night.

We were 100% pooped from getting so little sleep the night before. Michelle napped in bed and I took my pillow and slept in my lounger on our balcony. People near us were yelling back and forth from their balconies, and in my half asleep state I thought I should tell them to quiet it down. I'm glad I didn't, b/c they would've probably asked why I thought I should gave quiet for a 2pm balcony nap! 🤣 Despite that, the sleep was refreshing, and the view was incredible.

 

[Sea Dog]

Pictures look great. That Jr. Suite looks like the one I suppose to have Last Oct. before Covid cancelled us and we had to do L&S. Have a great time.

[ScoobyGal]

Thanks so much for doing this!  We are sailing on Freedom for 4 nights in a few weeks.  Your pictures and comments are great!  Looking forward to your posts.  Have a wonderful time!

[Maryscooking]

After we woke up, we put our suits on and headed out for some solarium time and a snack (we have late seating dinner). The solarium hot tubs were the only busy areas on the pool deck. We waited until we saw an opening and got in. The water temp felt so good, but is a little light on the massage jets for my taste.

We grabbed a "snack" at El Loco Fresh, which has been my favorite thing I've had so far. I got two soft tacos with carnitas, Mexican rice, black beans, cheese, light sour cream and pico. Like the buffet, the toppings are all added by dining staff. I think it was closer to four tacos worth of filling and I ate it with a fork. Michelle liked her choices too. I know she said the meat was steak.

My "two" tacos:

 

Michelle only got one, plus nachos:

 

As soon as we sat down, I realized I left my seapass in the cabin, and ran into our room steward and asked him for the beds to be split, for more towels, and for ice every morning and night. I told him I use it for my chronic sinus/headache issues and he actually scheduled a time to bring me ice each morning! I was so impressed with that.

(PS - I left him a significant extra thank you tip for this on the bed. I pre-paid the tips, so I hope he knows this is extra, but I don't think they actually know who has pre-paid)

Back in the solarium, I tried two drinks - the Lime & Coconut from the same named bar, which I honestly was bored with. Not bad exactly, but it needed something more. Michelle's was a strawberry daiquiri I think. My drink came in a little pail (?).

I only drank a bit, so I got a Goombay Smash next, which I promptly sipped down.

Once we'd had our fill of the pool deck, we headed back to the cabin to change for dinner and the headliner comedian.

 

We had a 7pm sail away, which made for very nice goodbye pics. I took selfies too, because I'm vain like that 🤣. Side note - my phone keeps auto correcting "selfies" to "selfish," and I wonder if it's trying to tell me something? 🤪

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking at this pic made me realize that my profile pic here is 10 years old now, and the little girl in it is not so little anymore. Missing her face already.

 

 

Edited September 28, 2021 by Maryscooking
Grammar

[Maryscooking]

Last post of Day 1!

 

We went to the promenade, shopped, walked by Sorrentos, and at Cafe Promenade I grabbed an alcoholic coffee drink that I can't remember the name of - but it was very good! We relaxed in Boleros (Michelle got a drink at the bar), and listened to just the start of a talented singer's set before we had to leave for dinner.

 

 

 

 

We have late seating. It was odd seeing the dining room look so empty, but it is still just as beautiful. Our waitstaff was wonderful, attentive, and fast. I forget to take food pics, but I have to say that this was not our favorite meal. Michelle had the onion soup (good), prime rib (she wasn't impressed and only ate a bit. Our waiters tried very hard to bring her something different, but she said she was ready for dessert), and the creme Brule, which she practically inhaled :). I ordered the crab cake (very nice), fried fish fillet, scallops and shrimp, and key lime pie. I did not realize the scallops and shrimp would be battered and fried just like the fish. I took them out of their fried shell, and it was ok. The fried fish filled was just that - battered fish. But it needed some seasoning. The key lime pie left an odd coating on my teeth. Hard to explain but weird. Taste was ok though.

After dinner we went to the headliner show, Louis Johnson. He was funny, worth seeing, and we do plan on attending his late night adult show tonight. Before Louis came on, the cruise director highlighted the orchestra and they played for us - very nice! I generally love live music and they were good.

 

After that we headed for bed and slept soundly (even though there was no plug for my fan 😑.)

 

Day 2 up next!

Edited September 28, 2021 by Maryscooking
Grammar

[Maryscooking]

3 hours ago, puente0629 said:

can you please let me know which days are formal nights and post the dining menus if possible? thank you!

 

we are going on this cruise in May, so excited!!

Ok menus are my next post! The bottom few items in each category are available every night, so I won't post those each day.

[Maryscooking]

MAIN DINING MENUS FOR DINNER - DAY ONE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[erinsmom03]

Thank you for bringing us along! We will be on Freedom in January...can't wait!!!

 

Can you tell me where the large balcony junior suite is located? We have one of the new ones on deck 11 booked. 

[Maryscooking]

Well it's 1:10am on day 2, and I am determined to at least start the posts from today before I fall asleep.

 

The day started with Marlon bringing my ice around 8:30am just as we scheduled. Then we got dressed for a day on the beach and went to eat breakfast. I had muesli (good), a mango parfait (good but a bit dessert like), and a piece avocado to/ast (very good, but could've used toastier bread).

 

Michelle had waffles and berry pancakes. The pancakes was hard on the edges.

 

 

A very attentive waiter brought me a cappuccino from the bar.

 

 

Windjammer, around 9am.

 

More to come tomorrow! I am falling asleep typing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 29, 2021 by Maryscooking
Fell asleep typing.

[Maryscooking]

Good morning! We are in Nassau today. I'm laying in bed waiting on my ice. After it comes, I'm going to book a couple of spa appointments. I also want to talk to the future cruise person. And other than that, I have no plans. It is glorious.

 

So hopefully I'll catch up with yesterday's activities and then be truly live for the last two days. We will see!

Edited September 29, 2021 by Maryscooking
Grammar

[Maryscooking]

Ok back to day 2 - 

The washy washy policewoman was so cute! She also had a whistle that she used when people tried to sneak by without washing their hands 🤣.

 

One of the best things about cruising is the changing view. This was breakfast, and built the anticipation of Coco Cay.

 

 

Here are the day 2 cruise compass pages. 

 

 

 

 

Coming up next - we can't figure out how to actually get to Coco Cay.

[Maryscooking]

My last cruise was Jan 2020 on Celebrity. The RCL was May 2019. And on both, I definitely remember signs near the elevators port days guiding you towards the gangway. Yes? No?

 

Ok well at least I remember never getting lost!

 

Not tooooday though!!!

 

After packing ourselves up and admiring the matching sun visors that we didn't plan (you'll see those later), we realized we didn't know where to go. Deck 2? Deck 3? Luckily we found the gangway labeled under deck 1 in the elevator.

 

BUT this is what we saw when we got off on Deck 1.

 

So we got back on the elevator to go up. But where?

 

Deck 2 didn't look like a possibility, so we took a more scenic route. Maybe deck 3? We went upstairs.

 

 

And found a few souls playing trivia. The host was explaining their great odds of winning a Keychain 🤣.

 

 

I saw this.

 

And being a good former Catholic, I immediately wondered why there was a shrine to the Blessed Mother in a bar. (Hint: She is NOT the Blessed Mother).

 

Moving on. Casino.

 

Playmakers.

 

And finally - we saw the light.

🤣

I crack myself up.

Edited September 29, 2021 by Maryscooking
Added something, deleted a pic.

[PhillyFan33579]

21 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

This is y'all sailing past our place last night

I can’t tell for certain what ship that is, but it is definitely not Freedom. The bottom part of the hull is painted light blue on Freedom. It is all white on the ship in this picture. 

[WM219]

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Edited September 29, 2021 by WM219
Duplicate Post

[WM219]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I can’t tell for certain what ship that is, but it is definitely not Freedom. The bottom part of the hull is painted light blue on Freedom. It is all white on the ship in this picture. 

Based on Skypad but no cantilevered whirlpools, it looks like Mariner to me.

[Sea Dog]

Enjoying your live review. Love all the pics. Drink a Kraken Colada for me. Cheers!