Freedom Ramblings and Misc Thoughts

[skeptic555]

Just back from the Freedom. Some assorted ramblings:

Brought the laptop. I believe the “WiFi” and “cellular” coverage is a bit overstated. Go in with reasonable expectations and youll be OK I think. I occasionally use my Motorola Q as a data modem, and largely was unable to connect – even for voice calls while at sea and in St Maarten. (this attempt to connect was more of a curiosity than a real need, but still). RCOnline was fine, but as you might expect, s l o w. Platinum coupon book included two $7.50 online credits, so that was nice.

I’ve long believed that if you rave about cruise food, you probably don’t get out much. And if you rant about it, your expectations are probably a bit out of whack. Fact is, food was fine. I do believe the quality has dropped over the years, which I attribute to cost cutting and passenger count increases. Operationally, something has got to suffer. That said, I *do* miss the fresh fruit sorbets from years past. “Sherbet” just doesn’t cut it. Princess DEFINITLEY wins the pizza contest however.

Speaking of those passenger count increases, crowds all week were manageable, with the exception of high time in the windjammer. But we are mostly off-time folks (early breakfast and lunch, comparatively speaking, and in no rush to get off the ship) so not an issue for us. Since the weather was lovely but not HOT, pool issues and chair availability really wasn’t an issue all week – at least for us. And I personally heard an employee being told that if a chair just had a towel on it for “an hour” to clear it off for someone else. So, an actual enforcement of a rule!

I do not have outgoing kids. So, the fact that they ASKED to go back to the Adventure ocean – daily - was shocking to me. As in, I was FLOORED. It helped that they were in the same group (2 girls, 6 and 8) but still, this is unheard of. When the eldest showed up hula hooping in the kids circus parade in front of real live people, well, you could have knocked me over with an antibacterial wipe. This is clearly a great ship for kids.

A highlight was the pirate parade, comprising around 25 kids aged 3 to 8, with faces painted and chanting things like “Whats a pirate’s favorite letter? ARRRRRRRR!” These kids marched in the dining room chanting “We want sugar! Give us your desserts!” Now THAT is high comedy.

The arcade was huge, but $1.45 for a game of circa-1983 Galaga? And I thought the pictures were pricey!

H20 zone was really quite excellent. But I almost froze my royal Rastafarian Ne Nes off in that water. Damnation, that was cold. We spent most of our time in the whirlpools.

There was a feeding frenzy when they had some Tshirt sale toward the end of the cruise. Really, what was up with that? Was their heroin hidden in the sleeves? The line was 5 deep at the tables for hours on end. For a t shirt! On this subject, rather disappointed with the “logo” shop. We are suckers for such things, and bought nothing. Seems like a missed opportunity.

I am a trivia and name that tune nut. I believe I hit every one over the week… and to my disappointment, there was NO Classic Rock Name that Tune that I read about here. That said, these were fun and as always a good way to meet folks. My only complaint is that people who go to these (like me) tend to take them seriously. Its part of the fun. So, bad answers that haven’t been updated, numerous bonus questions about the cruise staff, repeating questions in different sessions, making up rules as you go all serve to take a little of the fun out of it for the handful of serious geeks that make it a point to show up. I know the staff is tired of the same thing week after week, but remember that its new to US.

We went on no excursions. Tried to book Magens bay, but it was sold out. So we hopped in a safari bus, which was simple and perfectly lovely. As was the beach. I looked at the cost, and what I paid with tips etc, and it was with 2 bucks for the 4 of us from the tour cost. So I cant see that RCI makes much money on that particular tour. (I’m sure they do on others).

We bought nothing. Literally went in no stores in St Thomas, and bought nothing in St Maarten – so I am no help there. What I do know is that electronic purchases are very, very risky with grey market product, international warranties and the like. I assume similar pitfalls exist for other types of products.

Rant coming : My 3 least favorite people on the ship were

#3: the Art guy. Is everything they do “cant miss” and “must see” and “worth $500!”?

#2: Jackpot Jen and her endless, relentless bingo announcements. Give it a rest, honey.

#1: Cruise Director Allen something or the other. Annoying and Look-At-Me egotistical all in one package. We went to the first ice show (I enjoyed the quick change artists) and this boob went so far as to demand the audience provide a standing ovation – as in “Come on! Everybody stand up!” Are you kidding me? I would have to think that the performers would especially dislike such a thing – I’d prefer a sincere reaction than a rowdier but insincere one – wouldn’t you?

Cabin – a junior suite – was AWESOME. Couldn’t really ask for more on this front. Ive long said id rather go on one cruise with a balcony than 2 without, and this may have upped the stakes. The extra width – especially with those ankle biters I mentioned along for the ride, was a godsend.

Casino was lovely, and large. Could have used a Pai Gow Poker table, but that doesn’t generate much revenue, so I understand it not being there.

Went on the backstage theatre tour. Fascinating. Learned about the “sick tracks” with singing that get plugged in when a performer is ill, and the lighting and sound info was endlessly entertaining to a geek like me. You should do this if you get the opportunity.

I went to a couple of the karaoke sessions, which on the freedom are quite high tech – being able to see the lyrics that usually only the singer can see was lots of fun. And CLEARLY the majority of folks participating had lots of experience. Lots. You could tell from simple things like how they held the mic. I quite enjoyed this.

More may occur to me, and ill update if so. But overall, RCI does everything very, very well. There are always things that might be better for YOU as an individual, but if you keep in mind there are 3600 hundred other individuals also wanting things “their way” you’ll see that most decisions they’ve made are good ones. Except for those damn trivia hosts!

[mckinna]

A highlight was the pirate parade, comprising around 25 kids aged 3 to 8, with faces painted and chanting things like “Whats a pirate’s favorite letter? ARRRRRRRR!” These kids marched in the dining room chanting “We want sugar! Give us your desserts!” Now THAT is high comedy.

 

One of the best memories of all our cruises was when our youngest daughter was in AO and she did this pirate party. They "took over" the ship, going to the dining room, theater, etc. She was adorable in her pirate headscarf and face paint, and we have a really cute picture of her in her pirate getup.

[maryisme]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. I really enjoyed reading it. Thanks!

[hmsdos]

Thanks for the post/information.... a question..... do you recall the name of the Loyalty Ambassador, actually think the updated title is "Future Cruise Consultant"?

[party-of-5-ny]

Thanks for the post, we'll be sailing FOS on April 13th with our 3 kids, and I'm hoping they'll all have a great time!

[QTMichele]

Love the review & love that you had a great time. We can't wait to go with our girls (8 & 4) - NEXT year. :( The wait is killing me, but CC is helping me survive. :D THANKS again!

[cot427]

Just back from the Freedom. Some assorted ramblings:

There was a feeding frenzy when they had some Tshirt sale toward the end of the cruise. Really, what was up with that? Was their heroin hidden in the sleeves? The line was 5 deep at the tables for hours on end. For a t shirt! On this subject, rather disappointed with the “logo” shop. We are suckers for such things, and bought nothing. Seems like a missed opportunity.

 

I also went to the T-shirt sale. It was crazy. It started at 9:00, but really, not til 9:20. We had to rush, because we had an appointment with the LA, but the sale was crazy. It seemed like everybody on the ship was there. But I loved the t-shirts thought. I thought it was worth it.

We went on no excursions. Tried to book Magens bay, but it was sold out. So we hopped in a safari bus, which was simple and perfectly lovely. As was the beach. I looked at the cost, and what I paid with tips etc, and it was with 2 bucks for the 4 of us from the tour cost. So I cant see that RCI makes much money on that particular tour. (I’m sure they do on others).

 

Magen's Bay is not worth it. I took a tour no through the ship, and we had to pay extra for Magen's, which is not worth it. The other free beaches are probably way better. It did not impress me.

 

 

Rant coming : My 3 least favorite people on the ship were

#3: the Art guy. Is everything they do “cant miss” and “must see” and “worth $500!”?

 

My aunt went the art shows (actually, 2 shows). She bought art on previous cruises, and was looking forward to. But on the Freedom, she said the guy was really annoying, exactly like you said. She also said most of the art he brought out was way to expensive.

#1: Cruise Director Allen something or the other. Annoying and Look-At-Me egotistical all in one package. We went to the first ice show (I enjoyed the quick change artists) and this boob went so far as to demand the audience provide a standing ovation – as in “Come on! Everybody stand up!” Are you kidding me? I would have to think that the performers would especially dislike such a thing – I’d prefer a sincere reaction than a rowdier but insincere one – wouldn’t you?

 

You just missed the most awesome cruise director, Richard Spacey. He left one or two weeks ago. I'm guessing you had Allen Brooks, I've heard of him, but I don't know what he is like.

Freedom is awesome. Glad you had a great cruise.

[skeptic555]

No idea as to the "next cruise" person, sorry.

 

Seems we had lots of "new" - new director, new singers and dancers last week as well.

[hmsdos]

No idea as to the "next cruise" person, sorry.

 

Seems we had lots of "new" - new director, new singers and dancers last week as well.

 

 

Okay... thanks.

[Candleonwater]

Wow - One of DD's favorite cruise staffers is Jackpot Jen. She wanted me to find out where Jen was so I could book that ship.

 

Just back from the Freedom. Some assorted ramblings:

Rant coming : My 3 least favorite people on the ship were

#3: the Art guy. Is everything they do “cant miss” and “must see” and “worth $500!”?

#2: Jackpot Jen and her endless, relentless bingo announcements. Give it a rest, honey.

[TNT]

We just got back last week. Richard Spacey is back and is the best CD ever! They were enforcing the "chair hogs". We did however have to get up around 7:45 if the 10 of us wanted chairs close to each other. The ship was at max. It didn't really ever feel crowded.

I agree with the lines at the t-shirt sale. You need to look them over, as some of them have holes in them.

We ate at Portofino, but found we prefer Chops. The Once Upon a Time Production was wonderful. There are ten of us that travel together every Spring Break and leave the husbands at home. We did feel that the room stewards, waiters, etcs. were not quite as friendly as on smaller ships (even Voyager classes). We think we will go smaller next time. Loved the ship, but just didn't have the friendly RCCL feel.

[crusinmama06]

I do not have outgoing kids. So, the fact that they ASKED to go back to the Adventure ocean – daily - was shocking to me. As in, I was FLOORED. It helped that they were in the same group (2 girls, 6 and 8) but still, this is unheard of. When the eldest showed up hula hooping in the kids circus parade in front of real live people, well, you could have knocked me over with an antibacterial wipe. This is clearly a great ship for kids.

 

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! This was the funniest part of your review! :D We had the same experience on FOS. Welcome back!