We enjoy traveling, but had never taken a cruise. We are also certified divers, so I chose this itinerary to allow us to do some diving and enjoy some warm weather in winter. As a couple in our early 50's we didn't want the party atmosphere of a Carnival ship, but wanted to have a selection of activities besides laying out on the pool deck. Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas met our needs! I booked a Junior Suite, due to the extra space and the larger bathroom - the difference in price was not crazy vs. the regular balcony stateroom, and my husband is 6'8" and I wanted him to be comfortable on our first cruise. We really enjoyed having the larger balcony in the Jr. Suite.
We arrived at the port around 12:55, using the free shuttle that Alamo provides from the car rental center at FLL (we had arrived two days early and rented a car to visit family). Thanks to having the Jr. Suite, we were able to use the "Suite" line to check in, bypassing the much longer line for other staterooms. By 1:20 we were walking on board the ship. Overall impression is it's very clean and well kept up, but the carpets are getting worn in the public areas.
Others have complained about the portions in the MDR, but I found the portions to be fine, and you could always ask for more, or order two appetizers, or order two desserts. Most of our meals were very good, one night the prime rib was just OK. Service was pretty good, but be prepared to take 1.5 to 2 hours each night for dinner. We did My Time Dining, and they managed to lose the reservations I had made online before the cruise. That was fixed with help from Guest Services. You can request the same table or servers section each night. We ended up at Table 7 after trying two other sections. Chebbi and his assistant did a very good job. Last night onboard we paid the extra fee for the Sabor Mexican restaurant. Not a huge menu, but the food was good, the dessert sampler plate was delicious and the freshly made guacamole and chips/salsa were very good. It was also much quieter than other dining venues. We ate at Windjammer for lunch most days, it was fine, lots of choices, always busy and loud. If you want soda each day, it is probably worth buying the $8/day soda package, as a can of coke was $3.84 with the 18% tip.
Loved our cabin on Deck 10. Our stateroom attendant Juan Morales was wonderful, would try and get you anything you asked for, and kept our ice bucket filled after we asked for it one day for our white wine. Our refrigerator did not cool things very well, needs to be replaced. Also, our "mini bar" only contained two big bottles of water. We left them alone. Loved the larger balcony (two recliners, a table and two chairs). Enjoyed the walk in closet and the slightly larger bathroom - the tub was great to have, room to move around and also wash out our scuba equipment. Being on deck 10, it was just one flight of stairs up to the Windjammer and the pool deck and gym, so didn't have to wait on elevator. Bed was comfortable. Appreciated having the robes and the coffee/tea service in the room.
Dropped off our rental car at FLL, used the free shuttle bus offered when you rent from Alamo. Yes, we were the next to the last Terminal, but we weren't worried about time as it was about 12:20 when we boarded the shuttle. Bus dropped us where you leave your bags, walked across the drive to the terminal. Find our way to the appropriate line for our room class, short wait, then onto the boat.