Freedom of the Seas Review

Freedom of the Seas delivers hope to Haiti

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Freedom of the Seas
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CruiseFever
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Jan 2009
Cabin: Grand Suite

We recently sailind on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas doing a Western Caribbean itinerary. On board with my wife Lisa, daughters Sydney and Whitney and friends Theo and Brandi, we had quite a week of it aboard this beautiful ship with a group from The Villages here in Florirda, the Virginia Trace Cruisers. Come along with us as we explore Freedom of the Seas, on our first sailing of the ship since an inaugural sailing several years ago.

Embarkation and the first day

Embarkation was a breeze. Royal Caribbean's system of getting guests on the ship is quick and efficient. We arrived at the port about 10:15 and were on the ship by 11am. Staterooms were strictly not ready until 1PM so we were invited to tour the ship and have lunch which was being served in a number of venues

Cabin Review

Grand Suite

Cabin GS

This was our first time in a Grand Suite and hopefully not our last. Stateroom 1548 was an excellent location choice, close to the elevator but not right on top of it and just one deck down from the top deck with easy access to everything

It all began with an email from the ship's concierge about a week before sailing though with this letter:

"My name is Amit and I will be your Concierge onboard the Freedom of the Seas. We are excited that you have chosen Royal Caribbean for your cruise vacation.

As a Concierge Club guest, you will be offered amenities and services not available to other guests onboard. Upon boarding, you will receive a folder with more detailed information as well as the key to the Concierge Club. Below is a brief summary of your amenities:

• Use of the Concierge Club lounge located on Deck # 10.

• Spa bathrobes for your use onboard & upgraded bathroom amenities

• Continental breakfast served in the lounge daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

• Hors d'oeuvres, petit fours and complimentary bar setup in the lounge every evening before and after dinner from 5:00pm to 8:30 pm.

• Daily menus displayed and pre-ordering for your dinner wine.

• Reservations for any of our Specialty Restaurants, Explorations!, Freedom Day Spa services.

• Personalized Port & Shopping guide advice.

• Reserved Lounge chairs set-up on Deck 11 & 12 in front of the Sky Bar ( limited sitting arrangement).

• VIP access for the Shows in the Arcadia Theater Deck 4 as well as for "FREEDOM-ICE.COM" Ice Show.(No tickets required)

• Complimentary pressing service on the first formal night.

• Priority departure for tendering ports from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.

• DVDs and CDs for your use while onboard.

• Reserved private seating during breakfast and lunch at the Windjammer Cafe in Portofino dining area.

• Priority departure for tendering ports after 10:00 am please meet in the Concierge Lounge deck #10.

• Complimentary luggage valet & onboard check-in service.

There was more but you get the idea: This is going to be really nice.

We had booked a Grand Suite on Freedom of the Seas and were looking forward to the extra space a larger stateroom would offer, mainly because we were bringing several family members along. Ok, maybe that was an excuse and we just wanted to try a suite, just once, to see what it was like. Yes, there, now I told the truth and feel better about it.

I felt better still when the ship delivered every single one of the benefits outlined in that initial email and more. Stay tuned for more details on the suite experience and send your questions along too

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