Freedom of the Seas Review

4.0 / 5.0
2,408 reviews

Great ship with a fantastic Cruise Director

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Freedom of the Seas
User Avatar
Santa Rosa
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

Rating by category

Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service
Cabin

Additional details

Sail Date: Jul 2009
Traveled with children

Left Sunday 7/12/09 - Pt. Canaveral.  Family of 4 from SC, 2 teenage girls 14, and 16 (Girls had their own room, which is the only way to go!!)  I had to book it with 1 parent in each room, but then when we got to the ship, the Room Steward didn't care that we switched around.  His name was Jack from Jamica, and I brought food back for him from Johnny Rockets etc., and we laughed and joked alot with him.  He always brought us pool towels on the nights before our ports of call.The Ship was amazing and I never felt the ship move!  We choose My Time Dining, which worked out perfect for us.  We got to have a window seat most nights, and we usually ate around 7:30 p.m.  We took the girls to Portofino one night which was excellent.  The service, food, deserts etc. are definitely worth the $20 extra.  We only ate at the Windjammer once, on the day of arrival for lunch because the sit-down lunch was not open.  My family does not like buffets.  We ate sit down breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The salad bar at the sit down lunch is amazing.  The entertainment was top notch.  Richard Spacey is amazing.  I think I am going to book the Oasis during Spring Break 2010, just to see him one more time.  He is a true Comedian and Entertainer.  Don't miss the 70's Street Dance Party, what fun.  I laughed all week long.  Anything that Richard is going to attend, I would say not to miss it.  Don't miss Quest or the Farewell party either.  He really made the cruise for me; I can't even remember the names of my past Cruise Director's.Ports of Call:Coco Cay:We all brought snorkeling equipment; they tried to make us get a vest at $6.00 each but we refused and they walked away.  There were thousands of small jelly fish which scared my girls so we rented 2 floats and floated out past the jelly fish to the rocks where the snorkeling was.  Saw a Barracuda, and many fish.  My husband saw a Stingray.St. Thomas:  We took a taxi right off the Ship to Coki Beach for $9.00 a person 1 way.  That is the going rate and no bargaining.  This was a beautiful beach with Great Snorkeling.  The best snorkeling on the island.  We got back around 2:45 p.m. and had lunch at the coffee shop on the ship which has great Sandwiches and was back off the ship by 4:00 p.m. to shop.  Boarding was not until 6:15 p.m.St. Maarten:We did the sea taxi for $6.00 round trip, and then walked to Back St and got a Bus for $2.00 each to Maho Beach and Sunset Restaurant.  It is right by the airport and has planes taking off and landing.  Beautiful beach but the snorkeling was not that good.  Left around 2:30, and had to board the ship at 4:15.  We got stuck in a major traffic jam and did not get back until around 3:30.  Only got to shop for about 45 minutes.  I would not recommend this beach.  Next time I would just take the sea taxi over to Phillipsburg and shop and use their beach.3 things I will do different next time: Anyone that wants to skate has to have long pants, so my girls could not skate all week.  They also did not ride the Flow Rider because many girls with the 2 piece bikini swimsuits were losing either their tops or bottoms, and my 2 girls wouldn't have any part of that.  Also, for coffee drinkers bring your travel mug.  The coffee shop is open 24 hours but they only have 8 ounce coffee cups.  Don't miss the Apricot Granola Bars - they are fantastic.  If you are driving home, they have liters of hard liquor the 1st night only. If you are a Scotch Drinker - they had at least 6 differenct choices all for only $19.00 each.

Cabin Review

Our room was fine, but the colors were so boring.  For a ship only built in 2006, I would think it would be much more colorful.

previous reviewnext review

Find a Freedom of the Seas Cruise from $259

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.