Since I've been cruising rating the performance of the staff and activities has been a part and parcel of the vacation. I'm not sure if it is new management, a fear for loosing their job or some other factor but there was a real tension on the Freedom of the Seas. OK I realized when I booked that it was not going to be on par with the Oasis from a pure size perspective but I did expect the level of service to be the same or better as they should be feeling a pinch for customers - who would prefer to sail on a newer, larger ship. Dates dictated that we sail on the Freedom.
First surprise was the size of the concierge lounge - box room compared to the Oasis. And a little too uptight about going with the flow and flexing rules - at 4:26 they felt uncomfortable giving out a beer! (I had the drinks package so didn't really mind, but I was passing).
Second surprise was the uptightness of the bar staff - a lot more strict on the drinks packages. I was half way through my beer and decided I'd like a whisky to take with me - oops big no, no. The non-engaged surliness of some of the bar staff also worried me. Were they getting miffed at the apparent increase in people buying the drinks packages and not adding the additional tip? Perhaps the automatic 18% tip has had its day and we should go back to tipping for excellence. I'd much rather tip 25% for that and 5% for a sour face!
Stateroom - we were lucky enough to be in one of the owners suites - cabin 1334 - on deck 10. Nice room but beware the ladies bathroom outside the Windjammer restaurant is right above this suite - you really hear the flushing (took us a while to work out what it was!)
The OS on the Freedom is basically the same as the Oasis but with a smaller balcony and curtains separating the bedroom from the living room, rather than a partition.
Just walked to the water taxi - paid the $7 return fare (although you can if you want ride it all day!) the beach oposite the ship, outside the main town was good enough for us. Deck chair and umbrella for $5 each all day. Very nice bars, food, market and shops all within a stones throw of the beach.