Here's the review for our 6 night cruise on the Freedom 11/14/10. We have cruised on Royal Caribbean 7 times and Carnival 3 times. DW and I drove down from Kentucky and stayed at the Days Inn, Oakland Park, the day prior to the cruise. Motel charged $67 (plus tax), about $75 total. The motel does not have a free shuttle, but has an arrangement with KSA tours to transport cruise guests for $25.00 round trip for two to the cruise port. They charge $5.00 per day for parking. So, room, transportation and parking was about $135.00. The motel is not fancy, but adequate, and we found our room clean and comfortable. Parking at the port would have been about $100, so I think we arranged a good value at the Days Inn Oakland Park. The motel does offer guests a nice pool area that we enjoyed and shopping is nearby. Overall we were pleased with our stay.
Embarkation was easy, we arrived about noon and it took about thirty minutes to be processed and on board. We found the Lido buffet very busy, but not overly crowded and enjoyed lunch. Overall food on the Lido is varied and plentiful. We thought the hamburger and pizza stations were very good and also enjoyed the 24 hour ice cream often.
Cabins were ready at 1:30. We booked last minute, an inside cabin near the back of the ship on deck eight, which was where we changed and headed up one deck to the pool deck. Nice sail away party, great music and dancing...electric slide, cupid shuffle, etc. Bags delivered by 5:00, with a 12 pack of Bud Light and Rum runners safely aboard!