FREEDOM OF THE SEAS: BEHIND THE LENS. September 8-15, 2024

[Lionesss]

Starting this cruise thread a tad differently. 
 

Of course I realize the cruise does not begin for 15 days but just wanted to do some ground work. 
 

My spouse Rick and myself booked this cruise over a year ago. Since then the price has doubled!!!

 

We will be sailing in the same Grand Suite  (1568) we sailed in on our first Freedom cruise Circa 2010. 
 

To think then I left a small note hidden in the cabin. I wonder if in 14 years the cleaning crew found it. Time will tell. And a picture  will be posted of the hiding place will be shared. 
 

I had a significant amount of time to think what to do to make a thread about a cruise ship that has been around for many years interesting. 
 

I have decided to present more pictures and a lesser amount of dialogue. 
 

We shall sea how it goes. 
 

Then I had to decide which camera to use. 
 

I have collected a few, and now have to decide which ones to take. 
 

I’ve  narrowed my choices down to the following:  Now to decide which one. 
 

First my palm camera. 
 

Then an oldie

 

 

I like this one an attention getter

 

 

This one will probably be eliminated. Very few still work. 
 

 

I will have to be very still to look down into lens to use this camera. 
 

 

Then my fun trendy camera. 

 

And finally love the blinding flash and “red eye” this one provides. 
 

 

It has been a difficult decision.  I currently have a collection of over 50 old cameras and love them all. 
 

 

So more details to come. 
I guess I should say more pictures to be shared. 
 

Take care. 

 

Edited August 24 by Lionesss

[RedSails1968]

We will be on her October 20. Looking forward to your review and pictures!

[Lionesss]

 

Today we cruise. 
 

Well kinda sorta. A land cruise. 
 

 

Taking one of the GTO’s to a community fundraiser in Fowler Ohio. 
 

 

 

Now. I did say more pictures than documentary—-Well shut my mouth. 
That will never happen. 
 

But I will try. 
 

The good news is we have a house sitter for pretty kitty (Lizzy) when we are gone. 

 

She is currently going through the terrible two’s. 
Of course every day she finds a new place to perch. 
 

One of her most recent spots was on the upstairs foyer desk. 
 

 

 

Well,  that’s all for now. 
 

Be safe. 

[Sea Dog]

Love this review! That’s a nice camera collection. Looking forward to following along.

[#1packerfan]

There are eight of us women on this cruise celebrating my youngest sister's 60th birthday. Hopefully I see you at some point, would love to meet you. Been following along with your reviews for a long time.

[cruiselover04]

Love the camera collection! Unfortunately we get off when you’re getting on. I’m going to have to follow along with your review though to see if you found the hidden note in your cabin. 🙂 

 

Jenni 

[Lionesss]

56 minutes ago, #1packerfan said:

There are eight of us women on this cruise celebrating my youngest sister's 60th birthday. Hopefully I see you at some point, would love to meet you. Been following along with your reviews for a long time.

 

Sunday after first seating in MDR, I will most likely be in the casino. 
 

Everyone has their cruise ritual. This is mine. 
 

Looking forward to making new friends. 
 

Be safe. 

[Lionesss]

53 minutes ago, cruiselover04 said:

Love the camera collection! Unfortunately we get off when you’re getting on. I’m going to have to follow along with your review though to see if you found the hidden note in your cabin. 🙂 

 

Jenni 

 

I will definitely update all in the event I find the hidden “note”. 
 

I will be shocked. 
 

Be safe. 

[dbancroft]

Last week on the Freedom there were a couple of ladies and one man that liked to bet big. I myself saw at least 10 hand pays but they were betting $10, $15 $25 and even $50 a spin. Too rich for my blood I usually only go as high as $2.50 a spin.

[cruiselover04]

21 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

 

I will definitely update all in the event I find the hidden “note”. 
 

I will be shocked. 
 

Be safe. 

Look forward to following along with your live review. 

[Lionesss]

Good Monday morning. 
 

We have waited over 18 months for this cruise but these last few weeks are dragging. 
 

When I check the countdown clock I sea. 
 

But it seems like forever. 
 

 

Now looking at the number 13, I decided to do a little research on it. 
 

First of all in my reading I found a really techno mumbo jumbo word that means the fear of the number. 
 

 

Wow. Now. I am not phobic but the internet provided some intense effects this fear causes to some. 
 

 

 

Did you know that many hotels will not have a 13th floor, feeling it would be a bad omen. 
 

I wonder if Cruise ships do the same?????

I mean avoiding a 13th deck. 
 

 

GUESS NOT on FREEDOM. 

 

Be safe. 

Edited August 26 by Lionesss

[Arzeena]

Looking forward to your review.
Have a wonderful trip! And GOOD LUCK in the casino🤞 (I guess I don't have to say that. It is a given! 😉)

[Oakman58]

45 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

Good Monday morning. 
 

We have waited over 18 months for this cruise but these last few weeks are dragging. 
 

When I check the countdown clock I sea. 
 

But it seems like forever. 
 

 

Now looking at the number 13, I decided to do a little research on it. 
 

First of all in my reading I found a really techno mumbo jumbo word that means the fear of the number. 
 

 

Wow. Now. I am not phobic but the internet provided some intense effects this fear causes to some. 
 

 

 

Did you know that many hotels will not have a 13th floor, feeling it would be a bad omen. 
 

I wonder if Cruise ships do the same?????

I mean avoiding a 13th deck. 
 

 

GUESS NOT on FREEDOM. 

 

Be safe. 

 

Carnival and Celebrity don't have a 13th deck but NCL does.  I don't think Holland even has a ship with 13 decks.  🙂

[helen haywood]

For Italians the bad luck number is 17.  So MSC’s ships don’t have a Deck 17.

[RobInMN]

What I find slightly odd is that some RCL ship classes skip 13, others don't

Radiance, Voyager, Freedom, and Quantum classes all have 13

Oasis and Icon classes skip 13

Vision's highest deck is 12

 

Edited August 26 by RobInMN

[Lionesss]

3 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

For Italians the bad luck number is 17.  So MSC’s ships don’t have a Deck 17.

Interesting. 
 

I just learned something 

 

TY. For sharing. 
 

Be safe. 

[crusnbee]

DH and I are also on this sailing. Pretty disappointed in the Roll Call activity. Glad to see you here!

 

We booked this on the sole fact that it was so cheap. Like you, the price has more than doubled.

 

Looking forward to meeting!

CG

[PhillyFan33579]

16 hours ago, dbancroft said:

Last week on the Freedom there were a couple of ladies and one man that liked to bet big. I myself saw at least 10 hand pays but they were betting $10, $15 $25 and even $50 a spin. Too rich for my blood I usually only go as high as $2.50 a spin.

From my experience and the experience of friends I cruise with frequently, the number of hand pays goes up significantly the more you bet. Most of the game rules allude to this if you take the time to read them. Of course even with increasing significantly, the odds are still very low. However, a few months ago a friend of mine won 7 hand pays in a little over 2 hours playing WOF at $10 a spin. 

[Lionesss]

I wish there was a magic special touch that would lead me to that one slot machine that would produce a generous payout. 
 

Oh,  I don’t always win. Many a time I am blessed to break even and yes I have donated, donated and donated.  
 

I have had some of my recent cruises post “VID” being fun and beneficial where slot machines go. 
 

I have posted the following picture on almost all of my live threads and was the one time I really got a nice cash out on an average bet. 
 

 

 

Yes. 
 

A cash payout of $15,000+ 

on a quarter machine. 
 

That was the great part. 
 

It was during the middle of our Symphony cruise. 
 

I slept with the $$ under my pillow. 
when we went to CocoCay I kept the beachbag  in my arm. 
 

When we walked around my husband said people were pointing at me and he heard people saying “ there she is”. 
 

Yes, the money made it home. 
 

150 —- $100 bills. 
 

Off to the bank. 
 

Tried to deposit 

Yup tried. 
The cashier was not permitted. 
Asked to see my ID. 

Even though my bank card brings up my picture. 
 

She leaves with money, ID and goes behind closed doors. 
Next thing the bank manager goes in room. 
 

A few moments later they come out together as the bank security goes to the door. 
 

OK 

 

So. The bank manager is now at the window and goes that’s a significant amount of cash to deposit. 
 

I go yes it is. 
 

He goes do you have a receipt of your acquiring this money. 
 

I said no. 
 

I go to myself. 
REALLY!!!! 
A retired classy lady wants to deposit this money and your thinking the worst case scenario.  
 

Yup you probably thought drug money. 
 

So, finally I go …….

 

I won it on a cruise. 
Want to see the picture? 
 

Yes he did. 
He said thank you. 
He then walked away as did the security guard from the door. 
 

I guess it’s not every day someone wants to deposit 150  brand  new in sequential numbered ——- $100 bills. 
 

 

Yup. 
 

I should write a blog other than cruises. 
 

 

Be safe. 

 

Edited August 26 by Lionesss

[Sea Dog]

17 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Everyone has their cruise ritual. This is mine. 

 

 

If I recall didn't you state that this time is when you have had your most luck?

 

 

23 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

I should write a blog other than cruises. 

 

I can see it now "The Gambling Seafarer." I bet it would be a very popular blog.

 

[LobsterStalker]

And this is where I believe they overstep their bounds !

Bottomline , It's your money and I don't feel It's any of "The Bank's" business , other than you've agreed to let them hold it for you ! 

I've gone to withdraw 10 G's ( From MY own bank account) , and got the 3rd degree.

It's my own damn money , and you need to know why  I want it ?... Give me a break

 

Cheers

[perfect match]

So I thought I was excited about our September 8 Wonder cruise, but you win! I haven’t even started to think about packing yet! Never mind starting a review.
 

Today’s distraction was the lawn mower guys trying their best to destroy the sprinkler system. Minor distraction since they were not successful but still did create some unreported damage.

 

Love your camera collection! I think I still have a few from the same era that many of yours are from.

 

I’ll be following along from home for now, from Wonder in 13 days time hoping you’ll find the note you left or maybe a note someone else left in response to yours.

[Lionesss]

From friends we know who also love cruising commented about our booking on Freedom after we have sailed and enjoyed Oasis and Quantum class ships. 
 

Well, Freedom was the second RCI ship we sailed on. We had the time of our lives. 
In fact we enjoyed it so much we were in the process of booking it for the next year when Oasis was becoming available. 
 

We were hesitant sailing on such a big ship as the Promo on Oasis previewed, all those neighborhoods and such. 
 

Looking back, boy were we wrong. 
 

Allure and Quantum have been two of our favorite ships. 
 

Looking back I have sailed 

 

Cunard. ( cannot remember name)

Disney Magic

Mariner

Freedom

Allure

Oasis

Explorer 

Quantum

Symphony. 
 

Some quite a few times. 
 

All have had great experiences. 
Sometimes encountered a snag but overall cruising is good. 

 

But one thing for sure. 
On a cruise I can sleep only 5 ish hours and wake up and do many of the activities from Trivia to watching various activities non stop all day. 
 

But when at home if I stay up late. Let’s say till:

 

 

 

Then I  need a nap. 
 

Good night. 
 

Be safe. 

[Lionesss]

Well I never thought this day would end like it has in Bowling Green Ohio. 
 

70 miles per hour winds

Monsoon rain 

Power lines down two blocks over from house 

Branches big tree limbs down. 

Fire department put out house fire where electrical lines came down. 
Flooding. 
Power outages. 
We are Supposed to get power back by 10 pm. 
Even Walmart closed. 
 

Thankfully no tornado watch or warning.

 

So what do we do?  We get in our car as the rain calmed down. Drove out for ice cream. 
 

 

Then to the stadium to take showers in men’s locker room. 
As we entered the stadium entrance to gym I would not use the electronic key pad because this bad boy was on it.
 

 

 

Ok. My turn for shower. 
 

Should have just stayed out in rain would have been done quicker. 
 

 

Be safe. 

Edited August 28 by Lionesss

[gambler]

Oh my, so sorry. Stay safe.