We are a family of 5: husband, me, three boys 11, 10, and 20 mos. We cruised during mid-winter break. This was our 7th cruise. We had Deck 7 forward, category H oceanview cabins (our cabins were separated by 1 cabin in between). We generally don't do excursions preferring to enjoy the ship and relax. We are not picky about food and usually don't eat in the dining room except for lunches (we ate at Windjammer for most meals).

2/18/07 - Day 1, Embarkation, Bon Voyage Dinner, Casual Attire, Welcome Aboard Show Embarkation: The notice that came with our cruise docs says not to show up before 2pm, but we were at the terminal by 1:30. We had to get new cruise luggage tags because we switched from deck 3 to deck 7 cabins just before the cruise. This was very easy, the baggage workers at the terminal have all the necessary tags there. We got to bypass the longer line because we had the stroller. It was a little confusing as we first entered the building; you are stopped by workers checking for passports but we didn't understand why. Then there's another checkpoint for passports upstairs. Then finally you wait in line for a RCI counter rep. However it all went pretty smoothly and we were on the ship by 2pm. ID photos (the ones stored in the ship system) are taken the first time your card is scanned as you first enter the ship. Can't remember where the 'Welcome Aboard' photo is taken because we didn't do that this time. As soon as you board, there is a table set up there where they put wrist bands on your kids which they wear the whole cruise (it shows where their mustering station is in case of emergency).

We went straight to the cabins to drop off the backpacks and were happy to see the cabins were ready! We had the kids' swim trunks and goggles, which were packed in the backpacks before we left the hotel room that morning. The kids took their radios and were off exploring within 5 minutes of getting on the ship. Since we have sailed on Navigator and Mariner, and Freedom is basically an enlarged version of those ships, they were familiar with the layout and we weren't worried about them getting lost. They were looking for the Flow Rider and it took a while. We had assumed it was by the pool but it's not - it's actually on Deck 13 aft behind the basketball courts. Read more