After reading Sarisweet's review of the Aug.28 sailing of Freedom/Seas, I had to reply. Our family of four was on the ship exactly the same week. Shared the same space, breathed the same air, enjoyed the same beautifully calm sea. Although I'm sorry she seemed disappointed in her experience, our family, which has done its share of world travel, found the week on FOS to be just great in all ways. Maybe it has something to do with expectations.

On a ship with 4,000 passengers, serving 12,000 meals a day, FOS does a great job. The food is not inedible, it's very good, and a terrific variety. The evening meal was excellent. Our service was great. No staff member in any way gave us a "sob story" of their hard life. Quite the opposite. Our dining room server was a computer expert who enjoyed the travel opportunities on RC and has chosen to be a waiter for 7 years. Every staff person gave us smiles and prompt service.

Our shore excursions were completely fun: snorkeling and hiking. We chose activities that did not have a learning curve. If you want a great scuba or any other type of shore experience in depth, a cruise is NOT the place to get that, period. Cruises are smorgasbords of experience. If you want a great scuba experience, then stay in St. Thomas for a week and scuba with the pros. It's like complaining that you don't get to watch the sunset on the beach because the ship has to leave port at 5:00. Be realistic and choose excursions that you know you will be able to enjoy at your own level. Read more