This was our 2nd Freedom cruise. Our friend's 2nd RCCL. Memories of a "great" cruise + a cigar bar helped us decide to go on this ship. This was my 26th & 25th for my husband. Getting on the ship was easy because of Priority Boarding. Was surprised to find only the Windjammer open as many ships open other venues upon boarding the ship. Luckily, Giovanni's (next to Windjammer) was open for seating which meant we weren't searching forever for seats. Our rooms opened @ 1pm which was convenient. Room steward was nice & helpful, and unpacked my overly filled suitcase before the drill and dinner which was @ 5:30 (early for dining on most ships), but items that were promised were not in the cabin. Eventually, three days later, it got straightened out via Guest Desk (they were very friendly & helpful). Of course, experience has taught us to make sure our complete on-board credit was on our account. Had to wait until next day when Accounting had posted it. Our cruise mates waited two days, and they called our travel agent who had to straighten out their account.

Dinner the first evening was average for a "first night!" Servers were good & became great as the cruise went on (seemed friendly but a bit frustrated w/ the kitchen). We very quickly realized the food was less than average in quality & quantity. You see a lot of cost-cutting in the dining room. I am on a limited diet; A lot of cold soups on the menu, very few hot ones. I had salmon three times & I am not a salmon-lover. I found it hard some evenings having something to eat. One night their appetizer, Spinach Dip, had much too much of what seemed to be chili powder in it. Spinach Dip does not have pepper in it. One night I had cod which I barely ate - very fishy (old fish). Couldn't eat it & ordered Salmon. My husband ordered the free steak & it came out grey. Two other people complained also & sent it back. Windjammer was surprisingly good. Desserts were great in both, but one should eat their dinner before eating dessert? Thank you to the woman who gave me newly baked Xmas sugar cookies. You couldn't walk behind the dessert bar. You had to get a cruise attendant to reach them. Also, you couldn't help yourself to coffee @ the beverage station. Breakfast was good & the buffet helped! Steve could never get anyone to serve the lox plate w/ the eggs, and some days, had to search for a 2nd cup of coffee. Based upon our dinner experiences, we ate lunch in the Windjammer!

Because of the dining room experience, we booked the Crown Grill, as a treat. They did accommodate my limited diet (lap band) by charging me $10, but if my husband didn't want filet mignon ("filet"), they would have charged him $18 for a Porterhouse, Rib-Eye, etc. (one w/ a bone). My husband isn't a filet kind of guy!!! Please note: this is a $35 fee restaurant. Food was good, not spectacular as we remember it. Read more