This was our second cruise on Freedom of the Seas, and we enjoyed every minute of it except the time I spent standing in line for new Sea Pass cards when mine wouldn't unlock our cabin door. Before the week was over, I had had five cards made (and my husband had had three made), but they still assured me there was nothing wrong with the lock - I was causing the problem by not keeping my Sea Pass away from my camera. I told them truthfully that I wasn't carrying a camera, but this just triggered superior "we know better" looks, not an investigation of the problem.

It would have been hard for this to be our best trip on Freedom, because last year's experience near perfection, but with the exception of the Guest Relations staff, every RCI employee went out of his/her way to give us excellent service. Our cabin steward was awesome, our waiter and assistant waiter were outstanding, and the man who takes care of the on-line area and library went way beyond my expectations in taking care of the problem I experienced when Guest Relations didn't transfer my Diamond complimentary on-line minutes to Sea Pass No. 4 and I couldn't access the Internet.

As was true last year, the entertainment highlight for us was the ice show. If you're planning a cruise on an RCI ship with an ice show, be sure to get tickets as soon as they are available. Read more