Freedom of the Seas Review
Probably the best service of the three times on this ship !
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Additional details
Just off the Freedom on Sunday. A few noticeable changes from the dry dock/renovations included some different art work in the stair wells. The Farrah's Lounge is now called the Star Lounge, and quite pretty. The C & A events were held there as well as Bingo. The Crypt club has been removed and Sabor's put in some of that space, along with additional staterooms. We asked for towel animals because of the children traveling with our group, otherwise they normally only do them twice, maybe three times during a 7 night trip. We were given our robes to use (without asking) and service in the stateroom was impeccable. The ship was sold out due to many Quinceanera celebrations as well as graduation celebrations. Needless to say, many many many 15 year old girls. The mermaid on the Promenade deck was still there but she looked like she had been painted as did some of the posts and walls throughout the ship. If you are a ship shopper they pretty much put out the same items throughout the trip, with slightly different sale options. Went to Bingo twice. The first time you had the option to buy a six pack for $40 and/or the electronic for $60. The win-a-cruise Bingo was $67 for the electronic and after they still had many of those left, they offered two additional electronic units for $40 (only if you had already purchased one for $67). Loved all the nightly shows. One was exactly the same as the years before. The Quest show was not nearly as provocative as in years past.
We initially sat in the Isaac dining room, deck 4, and had horrible service. Only half of us were given menus. Our entrees were starting to be delivered when the rest of the dining room had already received dessert and were heading out. As such, we were not given coffee, refills on any water or tea and items were being taken off our table (butter, sugar, salt/pepper) before we started eating. The next time we moved to the 3rd deck into Leonardo dining and received the best service and food the remainder of the trip.
We were on deck 10 in a balcony room and had an absolutely fabulous room steward. I have to admit though, on that particular itinerary and this time of year, if we were to do this again, I probably would not opt for the balcony room as it was so flipping humid it was even hard to enjoy coffee on the balcony in the early morning. Perhaps on the next one which will be in the winter. The balcony was good though to dry the bathing suits (I know, again the policy but everything was secured with boca clips and only while in dock).
Cabin Review
Superior Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony
Even though the ship was filled with 15 year old girls we only heard them as we were opening our state room door. We were below the Windjammer Café and were not in our room during the normal "eating times" so never heard any noise. With that in mind, we did hear them cleaning, vacuuming, moving dishes and silverware, etc. upon them cleaning the Windjammer, which was about the time we'd be in our state room and sitting on the balcony before going to bed. But, once the balcony door was closed, we heard nothing. The only other negative, I like to keep the curtains open at night and this did not work so well when the people in the cabins to our left (1688, 1690, 1692) would turn on their balcony lights. Our headboard was on the wall of room 1684. We would not see their outside light on but could see the three rooms down from us. Easy fix though, flip onto my other side. Enough room to store our 3 suitcases under the bed and all our clothes in the closet and drawers. AC worked fantastic.
Port Reviews
Port Canaveral (Orlando)
Originally from Orlando so love Canaveral BUT found a fantastic little motel in Titusville that we will plan on staying at for all future cruises !!! It's called Twin Palms Motel.
Labadee
Dramatically changed since we've been there last. Clean beach area. Very rocky getting into the ocean, definitely want to have on some type of water shoes. Nice swimming area. The "market" is still high pressure and although we walked through it we did not stop at all.
Falmouth
We walked in and around the port stores as we had never gone in through that port. Very nicely set up. Not high pressure sales. Unfortunately the Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee has gone up considerably in price so I did not buy as much as would have normally.