Freedom of the Seas...Western Caribbean, March 2012

Heavy rain had moved in overnight but clouds began dissipating as our daughter graciously drove my husband, Lynn, and myself to the Port Canaveral cruise stop. The two of us were sailing on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, a gigantic ship capable of carrying 3634 passengers. (This cruise would garner the credits needed to finally obtain Diamond Status).

With no delay in boarding, noontime found us happily ensconced in the Windjammer Buffet for lunch. The ship appeared close to full capacity but our inside cabin on the eighth floor was surprisingly spacious. That night, despite a disappointing fish entree, our five table-mates provided a congenial atmosphere for dining and the evening's theater performance demonstrated a marked upgrade in talent since our previous cruise in January of 2011. Unfortunately, there was one new big hiccup: pre-boarding only reservations were now permitted for theater seating. Lynn and I were amongst the majority of passengers who had been unaware of such an opportunity, leaving a large unhappy group of us banished to the balcony and fighting it out for seats. (Guest Services informed us later that, thanks to numerous complaints, this reservation option was being phased out). Read more