We decided to cruise on Freedom after reading the excellent reviews and mainly because it had a pool for toddlers in swim diapers. This is an amazing ship no doubt but there were a few issues from our perspective ( family with a young child).

We cruised with my parents and dh and ds. We have cruised Royal before, Celebrity and Princess. We booked a pre-cruise night and transportation to the ship with RCCL and stayed at the Westin Coral Gables which was a nice hotel but in a run down area ( effects of the economy these days). This all went well with no hassles at all.

Embarkation day was a nightmare! It almost made me not want to go. Long waits, pushy people and no access to the rooms till 3:30pm. Packed Windjammer and no bags till after dinner ( when my son goes to sleep so we unpacked in 10 minutes or less). i understand there was a noro virus on the last cruise and know they need to clean well but with a toddler who needed a nap and a change of clothes it was a tough experience. Read more