Live Review: Freedom of the Seas Feb 27-March 3, 2023

[CatLadyFemme]

Phew. I made it on board, but dang if DaKahuna isn’t right; it’s is crowded as all get out! Last year, we did Allure (but at about 60%), Voyager (about 70% in Europe), and Quantum (close to 100%). This one is likely full and it is crowded and LOUD. To be honest, if I wasn’t already planning on adding Florida to my embargo list (and Texas is already on there, so Galveston is out), I would certainly not plan on any other Caribbean cruises, at least not shorter ones. 
 

Checking out this morning, again a massive line. Getting a Lyft was simple, and my driver was lovely. His wife actually works at the RCCL terminal! However, Monday morning Miami traffic was something I had not accounted for. Got to the port around 11:45 for my 11:30 time slot.

 

This is where it went downhill. Most complicated and frustrating boarding process I have had in over a dozen cruises. No wheelchairs outside; was sent inside to wait. No seating downstairs, so sent to second floor. No clear signage. Over 45 minutes, I asked at least 8 different people. All of them said they would send a chair, but no one did. by the time I gave up, I felt a panic attack coming in (wearing a mask in a humid space didn’t help), but I talked myself down.
 

Finally, I realized that junior suites (the one and only time I am in one!) count as suites, so I moved over to that area. Security was super quick, but then they only had 3 people checking folks in there, and there were two large groups (20+ people each), so again, waited close to half an hour and then finally walked myself on board. My feet are already swollen and I was feeling pretty dizzy.

 

Got checked in; still loving the easy muster still check in and glad they’ve kept it.  Circled by the dining room to make sure my GF and veg notes were there and that I had a solo table on as out of the way area as possible; check! Made it in to then Solarium because by then, WJ was too crowded to navigate and try to get GF food and accessible seating. The solarium was packed too (including with some kids?) so it was not possible to find seating away from folks, but I did find a seat next to a nice older Canadian man and his nephew who was family, which made me feel a smidgen safer), and we chatted while I drank a virgin mojito.

 

 

Once the rooms opened, I let the elevators clear and then went down. The room is LOVELY. It’s the accessible junior suite and dang! So much space and what ai really like is many seating options; a couch, a chair with footstool both perfect to elevate my legs to help with my POTS), two chaises and two chairs outside (room service breakfast!), a vanity with a chair, a bed, and a walk in closet! Plus the shower with a shower chair (the number one reason I need an accessible room), and even though it is pretty similar to a regular bathroom, the trim and products are nicer. Other than the TV being oddly placed (you cannot watch it from any of the seating options), and the usual lack of plugs near bed, full marks!

 

 

When I told them MrCatLady would not be joining us, I didn’t realize that would cancel the internet too (it had been in his planner), so dealt with the drama of a canceled package, tried to buy a new one (for way more $$, of course), but still had issues. Zoom folks on deck 5 helped, with a line of course. Some drama in cancelling then beach bed; they told me it needed to be done 48 hours in advance, which it was (today in Monday and CocoCay is Thursday), but was still given pushback. However, he finally called his manager and was given permission.

 

Was able to order a gluten free pizza from Sorrentos, no problem at all, and took it up to my room to eat it. While not a fan of GF pizza often, theirs is fine (Udi’s crust I think), and they did a good job keeping it safe. No issues. This is good to know that worse comes to worse with the new MDR and WJ situations, I can always rely on medicore pizza. (Not sarcasm; I get anxious about not being able to find safe food, so this is reassuring).

 

 

To those thinking about noise; Oy! I am SO glad I had my Loops earrings on. I had them plugged in about 90% of the day outside my room. The band by the main pool was doing Reggae covers of the Cranberries, Michael Jackson, Simon & Garfunkel, etc. and it was so loud that even in the Solarium, we could not hear each other. Similarly, on the promenade, they were playing the music so loudly that people had to shout, and there were a bunch of drunk folks shouting along with it. If that is your vibe, I totally get it, AND it is not mine at all.  Glad I plan to spend a lot of time on my balcony, and hope that my dinner table really is in a quieter area!

 

Luggage isn’t here yet and haven’t seen the cabin steward. Planning to take a bit of a nap and then go check out the Diamond Lounge, as this is my first time as Diamond!

[Ocean Boy]

That cabin looks huge and it seems that it must have a nice size balcony as well. What is the balcony furnished with?

 

The closet also seems to be loaded with life vests.

[CatLadyFemme]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

That cabin looks huge and it seems that it must have a nice size balcony as well. What is the balcony furnished with?

 

The closet also seems to be loaded with life vests.

Two chaises, two chairs, and a table. Am very much enjoying the chaises. Only issue is it is right below windjammer or el Loco Fresh, and even when we are moving, it smells like fried food, especially fried seafood, which is making me a bit nauseous. Alas! Still hanging out anyway 

[Jenglish711]

Yay another CatLady live! The fashions! The glasses and accessories! The writing that makes me feel like I am there! I'm excited to follow along and I hope this cruise is nice and refreshing for you. I'm still over here thinking of your plaid dress in Alaska, haha. Enjoy! 

[CatLadyFemme]

Typed this all once a lost it, so forgive me that it isn’t as good.

 

 

Still have not met my cabin steward. However, he left a card in my door. Before I left for dinner, I called him and asked for an extension cord, an extra pillow, and a bucket of ice for my ice pack. When I returned from dinner, all three have been delivered in my room, and then turned out. As of right now, no issues yet with the new housekeeping system. That being said, The cabin stewards definitely look more harried in the hallway. Less smiles, jokes, and asking how you are, and more nose to the Grindstone. I feel kind of bad for them. 

 

I had meant to go up to the diamond lounge for my first diamond lounge experience before dinner, but time got away from me. I headed down to deck three around 5:45 PM, and they were able to see me right away. Similar to our table on Voyager of the Seas in May of last year, my requested table was in a very back corner, next to the window. Absolutely perfect! Less traffics, less COVID risk, less sensory overwhelm. So thankful!

 

 

Everyone keeps asking me where my partner is, why I am alone. Getting a tougher skin, but it’s definitely a lot. Luckily, the table next to me is a very nice family with a 7 and 11 year old, all very friendly, and we chatted a bit. My head waiter helped me figure out some things to eat safely tonight, including the tomato soup (no croutons), a garden salad with Italian dressing, the vegetarian Indian dish from below (still available to request!), and the vegan peanut butter bar. I would say fine, good, tasty but very spicy, and meh, in that order. My virgin blueberry mojito was tasty! The table next to me got escargots (they said were done well), the soup, the vegan portobello (tasty but way too small; she wound up getting a salad too), spaghetti bolognese, and the prime rib (he ordered rare but it came out way too rare; sent it back to make it less bloody, and said us was disappointing). Key lime pie was well received, the chocolate custard was so so. Kids liked the ice cream. Even with out another person, I promise to report on the normal MDR menus! I pre ordered for tomorrow MDR brunch  (8:30-12) and dinner.

 

After this, I headed to the ice show. Full disclaimer; I used to be a competitive figure skater, and much better at performance than athletics (for those in the know, I always scored much higher in artistic and interpretive than freestyle or compulsory). Ergo, I am more judgey in some ways, kinder in others. Let me start with the fact that the skaters were absolutely talented. Not only skating on a small rink, at sea, but also, during the finale, they hit all their moves, landed all their jumps, and nailed their spins. GOOD quality skaters. 
 

So I don’t know why the choreography and costumes were so off. Like, the theme was the early days of the internet, but a third of the show was hippies, a quarter pirates, and then some pan Asian culturally appropriative Yang Yang stuff. Afros on non-Black folks. Everyone in ying Yang coated karate outfits. SO many wigs that clearly pulled or itched. Whhhhhy? Also, the two pairs teams were AMAZING so why the heck would you put two singles skaters together in a pair like duo right before the amazing pairs? It makes them look shabby and they were not shabby skaters. Similarly, how do you have someone skate to If I Were A Rich Girl with nary a shimmy? And how is this call connected to searching the World Wide Web (in the description) for the word FREEDOM? It was fine, worth seeing for the pair teams alone, but not nearly as good as some Royal ice shoes we have seen. I think the Tarot themed one was my favorite so far.

 

One of the centrum elevators, at least, is out of order. We were waiting forever to get up! Am now on my balcony, enjoying the sounds of the waves (though not the persistent small of fried food), and deciding what mocktail I’d like before bed.

 

 

Edited February 28, 2023 by CatLadyFemme

[CatLadyFemme]

6 minutes ago, Jenglish711 said:

Yay another CatLady live! The fashions! The glasses and accessories! The writing that makes me feel like I am there! I'm excited to follow along and I hope this cruise is nice and refreshing for you. I'm still over here thinking of your plaid dress in Alaska, haha. Enjoy! 

Oh my gosh! You’re making me blush. My outfits aren’t as cute this trip because I packed in a last minute panic, but will do my best!

[RJ257]

On 2/27/2023 at 3:23 PM, CatLadyFemme said:

Phew. I made it on board, but dang if DaKahuna isn’t right; it’s is crowded as all get out! Last year, we did Allure (but at about 60%), Voyager (about 70% in Europe), and Quantum (close to 100%). This one is likely full and it is crowded and LOUD. To be honest, if I wasn’t already planning on adding Florida to my embargo list (and Texas is already on there, so Galveston is out), I would certainly not plan on any other Caribbean cruises, at least not shorter ones. 
 

Checking out this morning, again a massive line. Getting a Lyft was simple, and my driver was lovely. His wife actually works at the RCCL terminal! However, Monday morning Miami traffic was something I had not accounted for. Got to the port around 11:45 for my 11:30 time slot.

 

This is where it went downhill. Most complicated and frustrating boarding process I have had in over a dozen cruises. No wheelchairs outside; was sent inside to wait. No seating downstairs, so sent to second floor. No clear signage. Over 45 minutes, I asked at least 8 different people. All of them said they would send a chair, but no one did. by the time I gave up, I felt a panic attack coming in (wearing a mask in a humid space didn’t help), but I talked myself down.
 

Finally, I realized that junior suites (the one and only time I am in one!) count as suites, so I moved over to that area. Security was super quick, but then they only had 3 people checking folks in there, and there were two large groups (20+ people each), so again, waited close to half an hour and then finally walked myself on board. My feet are already swollen and I was feeling pretty dizzy.

 

Got checked in; still loving the easy muster still check in and glad they’ve kept it.  Circled by the dining room to make sure my GF and veg notes were there and that I had a solo table on as out of the way area as possible; check! Made it in to then Solarium because by then, WJ was too crowded to navigate and try to get GF food and accessible seating. The solarium was packed too (including with some kids?) so it was not possible to find seating away from folks, but I did find a seat next to a nice older Canadian man and his nephew who was family, which made me feel a smidgen safer), and we chatted while I drank a virgin mojito.

 

 

Once the rooms opened, I let the elevators clear and then went down. The room is LOVELY. It’s the accessible junior suite and dang! So much space and what ai really like is many seating options; a couch, a chair with footstool both perfect to elevate my legs to help with my POTS), two chaises and two chairs outside (room service breakfast!), a vanity with a chair, a bed, and a walk in closet! Plus the shower with a shower chair (the number one reason I need an accessible room), and even though it is pretty similar to a regular bathroom, the trim and products are nicer. Other than the TV being oddly placed (you cannot watch it from any of the seating options), and the usual lack of plugs near bed, full marks!

 

 

When I told them MrCatLady would not be joining us, I didn’t realize that would cancel the internet too (it had been in his planner), so dealt with the drama of a canceled package, tried to buy a new one (for way more $$, of course), but still had issues. Zoom folks on deck 5 helped, with a line of course. Some drama in cancelling then beach bed; they told me it needed to be done 48 hours in advance, which it was (today in Monday and CocoCay is Thursday), but was still given pushback. However, he finally called his manager and was given permission.

 

Was able to order a gluten free pizza from Sorrentos, no problem at all, and took it up to my room to eat it. While not a fan of GF pizza often, theirs is fine (Udi’s crust I think), and they did a good job keeping it safe. No issues. This is good to know that worse comes to worse with the new MDR and WJ situations, I can always rely on medicore pizza. (Not sarcasm; I get anxious about not being able to find safe food, so this is reassuring).

 

 

To those thinking about noise; Oy! I am SO glad I had my Loops earrings on. I had them plugged in about 90% of the day outside my room. The band by the main pool was doing Reggae covers of the Cranberries, Michael Jackson, Simon & Garfunkel, etc. and it was so loud that even in the Solarium, we could not hear each other. Similarly, on the promenade, they were playing the music so loudly that people had to shout, and there were a bunch of drunk folks shouting along with it. If that is your vibe, I totally get it, AND it is not mine at all.  Glad I plan to spend a lot of time on my balcony, and hope that my dinner table really is in a quieter area!

 

Luggage isn’t here yet and haven’t seen the cabin steward. Planning to take a bit of a nap and then go check out the Diamond Lounge, as this is my first time as Diamond!

I was on the Allure you took last year. Followed your other cruise reviews also. I am on Freedom in April also in a jr suite deck 9. Ill follow your review and hope you have a good cruise.

 

[wolfcathorse]

A Michigander here, you got the storm worse than we did. Schools closed but we didn't lose power. Love your tats. I like cruising solo too, sometimes hardly leaving my cabin! Enjoy your time away from the snow, let the moonlight calm you on your balcony!

[CatLadyFemme]

I spent a lovely evening after the ice show on my balcony, and finished the night tucked into bed reading. I had wanted to go down to Sorrentos and get a snack, but just didn’t have the energy. Tried to be better about outfit pictures today; it’s hard when you don’t have anyone to take them for you!

 

 

Today woke up with a flare. Not sure if long COVID, fibro, or POTS, but I snoozed for an hour before dragging myself down at 11:30 for brunch in the MDR. I asked for a quiet two top and got one in an area where no one was sitting.

 

My meal had already been pre ordered last night, and all came out ok. The virgin mojito I got seemed to have been with no sugar; it tasted more like a mint lime sparkling water…which was fine, but nothing special. The fruit plate was self explanatory, though the watermelon was hardly ripe (which is how I prefer it, but I know most people don’t). The butternut squash risotto, which has been delicious in the past, was…ok? Definitely overcooked and a bit mushy. Not particularly great, but edible. In lieu of the coconut cake (which I had been told they would make GF), they sent a GF blueberry bar. I am not a huge fan of baked fruit desserts, but it was not bad. I had it if orange juice pushed on my as well, so my vitamin C is excellent 😂

 

 

I used my CO2 meter and air filter; seems to be working well!

 

 

Headed back up to my room after to lie in the shade on the balcony, which was really lovely, though I wish we had actually been moving. Once the sun started to encroach on me, I went inside and took another nap from which it took me 90 minutes of snoozing to get up. Chronic illness + burnout is no joke!

 

 

Dressed in 13 minutes (including hair and make up 😬) for dinner, so please excuse me not showing up properly for formal night. I will say, I have notice more people dressing up nicely for formal night than the past few years, which I really enjoy. Gave lots of compliments! Planning to bring a ballgown or two on our transatlantic with MxCatLady, who enjoys dressing dapper as well.

 

 

I failed at dinner and only took some pictures. COVID brain! I had preordered the butternut squash soup (solid, needed salt), the wedge salad (which turned out their GF veggie version was just iceberg, chives, tomatoes, and Italian dressing, so it was a reconstructed version of last night’s salad), the vegan asparagus and pea risotto (Oy. Rice part was better cooked than lunch, but it was also about 66% blended pea purée [which is sneaky and looks like pesto but absolutely is not] and had only two small spears of asparagus - I ate about half of it), and their GF version of the apple crumble. Which was…not good. Like it literally was just apple filling with plain oats on top. I had about two bites. I also don’t understand why they’d make the veg dish at lunch risotto, and then risotto for dinner the same night (same with two butternut squash). Like, I LOVE risotto, but a) make it better and home and b) risotto twice in a day is A LOT.

 

 

My friends next to me were back. I am so relieved to have nice folks to talk to, and their family reminds me of mine when I was a kid, before my father passed. Their feedback tonight was that the French onion soup was almost inedible: the alcohol in it had not been cooked off properly and it was watery, the butternut squash soup was ok but needed salt, escargot were tasty again, the seafood linguini was delicious (in fact, the father’s salmon was so over cooked and the crust was just patted on top instead of seared; see picture, that he sent it back and go a linguini instead), crème brûlée was good, and the mom declared the apple cobbler the best item of the day, for what it is worth.

 

 

I preordered for tomorrow, though am not 100% sure I am going to go off the ship. It’s a lot of walking with no one to be a support or help me find seating, hydrate, etc., plus the last time I was at CocoCay, the GF veggie meal they came up for me was fresh fruit and two plain, cold corn tortillas. We will see what type I awake tomorrow and go from there.

 

After dinner, I went to the Cafe Promanade to try and get a few GF cookies to keep in the room, but apparently they don’t offer those anymore, which is frustrating. Then I tried to go to Sorrento’s to pick up some roasted veggies, olives, and other small plate stuff for a late night snack. Apparently, they don’t have those anymore either. Very frustrating. I don’t need a whole pizza, but it would be nice to be able to get some cookies of veggies as a snack.

 

I have $100 of non refundable onboard credit (no idea why this wasn’t applied to other stuff, but ok?), and needed to spend it, so was excited to go shopping. However, slim pickings on this ship. I ended up with a $20 tank top for sleeping, and am hoping tomorrow or Thursday they have a good sale.

 

Now debating about running up to windjammer to see if they have something I can take down with me for later. CocoCay tomorrow! Also, ran into my cabin steward, who did my room while I was gone, and made me a cute towel animal I haven’t had before. So adorable.

 

 

[JamesEM]

Following along, after a year of chemo I know what it feels like to run out of "gas."

[LouChamp]

Aloha.  Love your review and thank you for taking time to post, especially the food pictures. Enjoy!

[Lionesss]

We just booked Freedom for next year, it was one of our earlier cruises, and cannot wait to go back.

 

Thanks again for taking us with you.

 

Following your thread, your doing a great job.

 

When is you TA?

 

Be safe

[RedSails1968]

Love all your reviews and outfits!

[CatLadyFemme]

10 hours ago, LouChamp said:

Aloha.  Love your review and thank you for taking time to post, especially the food pictures. Enjoy!

I’m glad someone likes peeking at the food from others folks as much as I do!

[CatLadyFemme]

7 hours ago, RedSails1968 said:

Love all your reviews and outfits!

Aw thanks so much!

[CatLadyFemme]

8 hours ago, Lionesss said:

We just booked Freedom for next year, it was one of our earlier cruises, and cannot wait to go back.

 

Thanks again for taking us with you.

 

Following your thread, your doing a great job.

 

When is you TA?

 

Be safe

I hope you have an amazing time!

 

we leave May 1st on Anthem out of Newark.

[CatLadyFemme]

14 hours ago, JamesEM said:

Following along, after a year of chemo I know what it feels like to run out of "gas."

Oh my gosh, it’s so real. If you’re familiar with spoon theory, let’s just say I ran out of spoons several months ago and my dishwasher is broken 😂

[CatLadyFemme]

Slept well again last night. I forgot how much better I sleep on the water. It’s been really nice sleeping and being able to actually rest.

 

 

Woke up around 11:30am today, a more reasonable hour for me, and got all dressed up. As always, I share an image of my fatkini to remind others that there is no wrong way to have a body. A nice thing about being autistic is I don’t care (as much) about what others think; I am one of three people I have seen masking on board, and definitely the only on with an air filter, and one of the fewer fat folks wearing a two piece, though that number has increased over the years. I hope everyone who is cruising can love their bodies and wear outfits that make them feel good.

 

 

Today’s progression was basically step 1. Put in cute two piece. 2. Put on gothy coverup after struggling to put sunblock on myself. 3. Walk a stupidly long distance to Skippers to get my meal (there were no trans waiting). Be hot and cranky and get sand in my shoes. Then walk a longer way to the lagoon to realize there are no chairs and they are playing Baby Shark and the Wobble at top volume while drunk people shout along. 4. wait for and ride a tram back to the ship. 5. Go up to solarium, cool down in the pool, drink a virgin mudslide, be much happier.

 

 

 

 

I will say it is the first time my pre-ordered meal has actually been available on CocoCay…but also, it was literally just a vegan burger and GF bun (which was much better than the GF bread on the ship), some GF fries (which WAS exciting! GF fryer!), and one of the Udi’s cookies I had been hoping to get at Cafe Promenade (so they DO exist; now I will ask in the MDR tonight). No offer of veggies from the back with no cross contamination or anything. It was fine, but to be honest,  not worth the exhaustion of getting off the ship. Definitely planning on staying aboard tomorrow in Nassau.

 

 

I did head to WJ last night to try and grab a snack. Only thing labeled GF on the whole buffet was Jello 😬 I took some cantaloupe from a fresh tray (it was not ripe), and went to Sorrentos for another GF pizza. Much harder to snack on this Royal ship than previous trips. I stopped packing a ton of snacks to eat because I knew I could always get something, but now we know to pack a lot more of our next trip. Too bad.

 

Showered, and now waiting for dinner in the MDR. Also forgot I have a reservation at Giovanni’s tonight because this was has been remodeled. Two dinners in one night? Someone has to take one for the team, and I am ok with it being me.

 

A few more things I have noticed; one of the chaises on my balcony continues to pop down to flat, so may be broken. Also the rail is raw/unfinished; I almost got a splinter last night in the moonlight. No outlets by the bed is really frustrating. And in addition to fired food, now smelling a lot of cannabis on my balcony. Which while I would MUCH rather people be high than drunk, the smell isn’t my favorite. 
 

[DaKahuna]

Really surprised by the family's next to your dinner table's comment regarding the French Onion Soup.  I bet my wife ordered it six nights out of the 8 on your cruise. Other than it being slightly saltier than she likes it, she enjoyed every bowl. Full disclosure - she does not eat the bread or cheese and very few of the onions.  She just likes the soup.

 

Loud music and crowds were the main reason we did not do a lot of activities on our Harmony cruise.  I tried to go to the Schooner Bar one night to listen to the piano player but the competing noise from the Promenade made me leave.  Apparenlty it was a good thing.  The next time I went there was nothing going on in the Promenade and I heard him play a couple of songs while having a drink at the bar.  Needless to say, by the 2nd song, I was ready to leave and did when I finished my drink. 

 

[JamesEM]

11 hours ago, CatLadyFemme said:

Oh my gosh, it’s so real. If you’re familiar with spoon theory, let’s just say I ran out of spoons several months ago and my dishwasher is broken 😂

I'm happy my spoons are increasing and my dishwasher is working. 

[CatLadyFemme]

10 hours ago, JamesEM said:

I'm happy my spoons are increasing and my dishwasher is working. 

Me too!!

[CatLadyFemme]

17 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Really surprised by the family's next to your dinner table's comment regarding the French Onion Soup.  I bet my wife ordered it six nights out of the 8 on your cruise. Other than it being slightly saltier than she likes it, she enjoyed every bowl. Full disclosure - she does not eat the bread or cheese and very few of the onions.  She just likes the soup.

 

Loud music and crowds were the main reason we did not do a lot of activities on our Harmony cruise.  I tried to go to the Schooner Bar one night to listen to the piano player but the competing noise from the Promenade made me leave.  Apparenlty it was a good thing.  The next time I went there was nothing going on in the Promenade and I heard him play a couple of songs while having a drink at the bar.  Needless to say, by the 2nd song, I was ready to leave and did when I finished my drink. 

 

It totally depends ship to ship. The family two tables down got it last night and also sent it back. I think whoever is in charge of it in this kitchen isn’t the best fit.

[CatLadyFemme]

Last night, dinner was the usual. Outfit pictures for those enjoying them. This is my “Caribbean” look (I *am* wearing octopus earrings, but again, packed very last minute! 🤷🏻‍♀️). I will say, not only did the staff dress up, but a ton of diners did as well. I was impressed!

 

I got the maple soy tofu/avocado situation, which is new. For me, they switched out the soy sauce for lemon juice (weird, since Izumi has GF soy sauce usually, but again, 🤷🏻‍♀️), and I was nervous, but it was still tasty. The woman next to me got the original version and love it. That table, in my recommendation (from these boards) got the coconut shrimp for everyone, and ordered second helpings for everyone. A clear winner! The lentil soup was ok. Not great, but not bad. Needed more salt and pepper, but I’d always prefer to have to add it than it be too salty. While I ordered the pesto pasta in a GF version, they also made a GF version of the vegan eggplant (more veggies inside the eggplant instead of couscous). The pasta was delicious (and the table next door had two people who also enjoyed the gluten full variety), but the eggplant had no starch or protein and given that neither did my soup or salad (at least the starch), it wasn’t anything exciting. The vegan creamed spinach (on the side? I think that is what it was) was meh, but I also don’t like regular creamed spinach. I think it would be much better for non GF folks with the couscous.

 

The gentleman next to me got the strip steak, against my recommendation. (Shaking my head; never argue with an autistic person about their special interest; you will be wrong 😂), and wound up just pushing it around the plate. He said if ranked lower than Outback; perhaps a TGIFridays or Applebee’s level. It was tough and didn’t have much flavor. The kids loved the baked potato though. For desert, I had asked them to make me something chocolate that was veggie (no gelatin) and GF. Every ship I do this on has something different that their chefs make in response, from brownies to fudge, to this cake. It was a little dry, but definitely appreciated. Also! I asked my head waiter about the GF Udi’s cookies and she brought me two to take to my room. So they DO exist on board, but no longer in Cafe Promanade.

 

 

Post MDR, I started getting a migraine, so reschedule my Giovanni’s second dinner to tonight. I spent the night medicate, in my balcony, and then reading.
 

 

Today, I spent mostly on the lovely chair in my room reading. around 1:30, I meandered upstairs. The solarium was actually quite full today, to my disappointment. Grabbed a chair and then headed to WJ to see what they had. Asked one of the head waiters there, and he told me the mashed potatoes were both Gf and veg. Otherwise, the cooked veggies are all cooked in pasta water (what?!? At least he knew this!), and offered to cook me a burger (vegan with a GF bun) or pasta. Since that is what I had yesterday, I opted for some salad items. The ones in the back row had just been refreshed and I asked for fresh tongs. Olive oil and vinegar.

 

Nothing exiting but what I expected. It sucks, because some ships have had SUCH good GF selection in WJ (labeled, off to the side, sometimes with fresh made GF rolls) that to see this was quite a disappointment, especially since I usually promote RCCL to my GF friends. I don’t know if this is a short cruise thing, but will report after our trans Atlantic.

Now enjoying a virgin pina colada and reading a murder mystery in the Solarium.

 

 

[AKR2011]

I am so sorry that your food has been so disappointing. My mom has celiac's and I know the struggle, but ships tend to be much better than your description. You are very brave sticking with Royal on a Transatlantic. I really hope it's a better experience for you.

[CatLadyFemme]

12 minutes ago, AKR2011 said:

I am so sorry that your food has been so disappointing. My mom has celiac's and I know the struggle, but ships tend to be much better than your description. You are very brave sticking with Royal on a Transatlantic. I really hope it's a better experience for you.

I will bring many more snacks this time! One smaller suitcase with snacks, and then it can be used for souvenirs on the way home 😬 But yes, it IS frustrating. We have the ultimate dining package on the TA, so eating lots of sushi and at Jamie’s (plus hopefully another fun night at Wonderland!) will hopefully be a better experience.