Live Review - Nov 17th - Freedom of the Seas - Bourbon and Blackjack Weekend

[DeerJod]

Consider this the Hype post to start my 3 day live review on Freedom of the Seas. 

 

Itinerary is an interesting one in that we are not stopping at Nassau, every 3 nighter I've done in the past has the obligatory stop in Nassau so this will be interesting to have a true sea day to round out the long weekend. Honestly I thought we had a stop in Nassau until typing up this post and realizing we were not going to be seeing Atlantis, so not sure if this got dropped last minute or if it was never part of the itinerary?

 

This will be a family cruise with my DW and our two kids. So think of this as a Thirty Somethings Getaway Cruise guest featuring a 7 year old and a 2 year old. This sailing was HEAVILY subsidized by Club Royale, but not completely free as I had to pay for both of the kids. As a result we're all staying in an Ultra Spacious Ocean View room, (think regular OV room but with a set of bunk beds). All in all, the upgrade costs from the free interior plus two extra's put us at about $1,000 out the door with taxes and fees (not including tips) for the cruise fare. I'm interested to see what the room is like, but honestly have a feeling we'll be missing our typical connecting rooms. 

 

For those of you assuming family cruise = boring posts I assure there will be bourbon consumed and black jack being played which should balance out the posts from the kids pool nicely. We're all diamonds, so I guarantee we will leverage all of our free drinks each and every day of the cruise.

 

I'll keep an eye out for any questions or posts as we lead up to departure, but hope you all enjoy the ride. 

 

[DeerJod]

Although we have no distinct plans, there is a side quest that we'll be embarking on with this sailing. Thanks to Sea Dog I know that RCL ships carry this Jack Daniels Single Malt in the duty free stores. If you aren't familiar with this particular bottle it is only sold in duty free stores and some military bases so you can't simple walk into a liquor store stateside to purchase it. 

 

[DeerJod]

Not an ideal email from Jet Blue, but we don’t fly in until late Thursday so fingers crossed we’re good.

 

 

[DeerJod]

Weather systems appear to have passed, here’s hoping for a safe and uneventful travel day!

 

x 

[Sea Dog]

On 11/13/2023 at 5:58 PM, DeerJod said:

Although we have no distinct plans, there is a side quest that we'll be embarking on with this sailing. Thanks to Sea Dog I know that RCL ships carry this Jack Daniels Single Malt in the duty free stores. If you aren't familiar with this particular bottle it is only sold in duty free stores and some military bases so you can't simple walk into a liquor store stateside to purchase it. 

 

Thanks for the shoutout. I will be following along. Hopefully they will have the single malt at the duty free shop too. Have a great cruise.

[DeerJod]

Short run to offset the gluttony that is about to unfold.

 

 

[RedJessi]

Interesting - Im leaving on Liberty Nov 17 for a 3 night and we are still stopping at Nassau (I think I would rather have the sea day).

Also, it Absolutely rained literally all day yesterday - sun up to sun down (I live in Sola), but so far today is dry.

Edited November 16, 2023 by RedJessi

[Tree_skier]

On 11/12/2023 at 5:20 PM, DeerJod said:

Consider this the Hype post to start my 3 day live review on Freedom of the Seas. 

 

Itinerary is an interesting one in that we are not stopping at Nassau, every 3 nighter I've done in the past has the obligatory stop in Nassau so this will be interesting to have a true sea day to round out the long weekend. Honestly I thought we had a stop in Nassau until typing up this post and realizing we were not going to be seeing Atlantis, so not sure if this got dropped last minute or if it was never part of the itinerary?

 

This will be a family cruise with my DW and our two kids. So think of this as a Thirty Somethings Getaway Cruise guest featuring a 7 year old and a 2 year old. This sailing was HEAVILY subsidized by Club Royale, but not completely free as I had to pay for both of the kids. As a result we're all staying in an Ultra Spacious Ocean View room, (think regular OV room but with a set of bunk beds). All in all, the upgrade costs from the free interior plus two extra's put us at about $1,000 out the door with taxes and fees (not including tips) for the cruise fare. I'm interested to see what the room is like, but honestly have a feeling we'll be missing our typical connecting rooms. 

 

For those of you assuming family cruise = boring posts I assure there will be bourbon consumed and black jack being played which should balance out the posts from the kids pool nicely. We're all diamonds, so I guarantee we will leverage all of our free drinks each and every day of the cruise.

 

I'll keep an eye out for any questions or posts as we lead up to departure, but hope you all enjoy the ride. 

 

I'll be following along.  I had an Ultra spacious OV on Navigator in August when I went with my GK's and loved it. Ive recommended it to others with kids. It is incredibly spacious.  I'll be interested to read your thoughts on it.

[DeerJod]

2 full-size bags, a pack and play, car seat bag, stroller bag, three backpacks and a small purse. I forgot how much “fun” it is to travel as a family with small children.

 

 

[DeerJod]

Made it to the airport and everything is on time. 

[DeerJod]

So we have status with delta and after deltas fumbling with their loyalty perk changes jet blue offered a status match. I applied and was awarded mosaic having not flown on jet blue within the last year.

 

i have to say jet blue really offers a premium set of amenities, including free checked bags, priority lines, free access to upgraded seats and free drinks in flight.

 

I’ll lose the jet blue status on Jan 1 2024 but this little basket of perks is making our flight much easier without any additional cost.

 

C 

[DeerJod]

First drinks of vacation, we’ll consider a running tally.

[DeerJod]

Landed, off to Miami 

[perfect match]

Glad you got into Miami safely. Our Central FL news last night showed a lot of flooding in the Miami/FLL area. We’re just north of WDW and it is still raining here now. We do need the rain but enough already! 

[DeerJod]

You all didn’t miss anything last night, 30 min drive to Miami Beach and then everyone passed out. 
 

Kids decided to get up at 6:30 am so we’re getting an early start to cruise day!

[DeerJod]

Jet blue lost one of our bags, thankfully it was the stroller which can easily be replaced. 

[DeerJod]

This mornings planned run, should be 6.2 miles total and reward us with a beautiful look at the cruise ships.

 

x 

[DeerJod]

But first

[DeerJod]

I love running south beach 

[DeerJod]

Sightings from the run

[DeerJod]

Took the kids to the beach before heading to target to replace our lost stroller. 

[DeerJod]

Made it 

[DeerJod]

They have 12 plus Blantons at $109 plus cases of the side quest.

[DeerJod]

6-12 kids club looks like fun. 

[DeerJod]

Girls are sleeping so boys went topside, first official drink of the cruise.