Report - Freedom of the Seas

I'll start with WOW! FANTASTIC! OUTSTANDING!

Now let's qualify this. We are fans of Royal Caribbean. We also favor the larger ships even though the best cruise we have been on was on the Nordic Empress (Empress of the Seas) 48,500 tons compared to 160,000 for Freedom. In addition, this was a FREE cruise. Everything including alcohol! So some of what I write will be skewed to the favorable side. But it was GREAT! Also note that some of the comparisons I make are to the Voyager Class ships.

Vic, now it's my turn to be jealous! You're going on the 7 day and I'm not. You really need a lot more time to enjoy everything.

The morning started out dreary and wet but by the time we got to the port, the sun began to peak in an out. It ended up being a beautiful afternoon. We got to the port about Noon.

SECURITY
Security began as we drove up to park our car. We were asked to open our trunk to have it inspected. Don't know what the guy was looking for or if he was event trained to look for anything other than a trunk full of explosives. So he took all of 5 seconds to view our trunk and we were on our way to park.

If you have been to Cape Liberty (Bayonne), the ship is docked a tram ride from the check-in building. As it turns out, we parked our car right near the ship and had to be bussed to the check-in building.

Check-in was your typical airport type security. We went through in about 5 minutes. No line at the check-in counter - we were moving and I was soooo excited! Other than getting my wife's name wrong, check-in was uneventful. Here was my first indication that everything was included. They didn't ask me for a credit card for on board expenses. We moved on to get our picture taken (security not your "Welcome Aboard" picture). Not a ship photographer to be seen on this cruise! We were also handed a numbered card when we checked in. This was the tram number we would have to wait for to take us to the ship. We had #10 and they were calling #4. Excitement is building, I can't stand the wait (about 15 minutes) - Get Me On The SHIP!

By the way Vic, there is no way 2 ships will fit in Cape Liberty. The Freedom went from one end of the pier to almost the other end. There was only a small gas barge that could fit in there. There is certainly room to build a longer pier but that doesn't appear to be happening anytime soon. And now that I see how big Freedom is, there is no way they can make the end of the canal wide enough for it to make a u-turn as in Miami. So they will either be pulling straight in and backing out (as we did) or vice versa as they have done in the past.

Finally they post and call #10. They skipped #9 so I hope those people aren't still waiting there. On the tram for the 1/4 mile trip to the ship. On board go through security once again. Everyone waiting for the elevator. We make our way through the waiting crowd and walk around to the second bank of elevators (everyone forgets or doesn't know about these). Find an empty elevator and wisk our way up to the 9th floor. Of course we are at the back of the ship and our room is way - I mean waaaayyyyy up front. Someone on the loudspeaker makes an announcement that rooms will not be ready until after 2pm. Yeah right! I just walked halfway across the ship and I ain't about to go back from where we came to go to the buffet. Finally find cabin 9229. It's an inside cabin. Haven't had an inside cabin since our 1st cruise. Hey it's free. Open the door and it is made up (or at least appears to be). Hang up a jacket and shirt, throw on some casual clothes. I had to go to the office in the morning for a presentation before heading to the ship. Open the bathroom door and...Oops! The towels are still on the floor. The room wasn't totally finished. Hey, the cabin steward will get over it. More on rooms later. Because this was primarily for travel agents, there was an open house of the different rooms to be viewed including the Presidential Suite that is booked through 2008 at $20,000 - $22,000 per week. It can sleep 14 people.

FOOD
Off to the Windjammer buffet for some lunch. All the excitement made me hungry. Two flights of stairs up (now I'm really hungry) for the trek back across the pool areas to the buffet. Of course the maintenance guys were on the scaffolds painting and touching up the upper decks. And they haven't had the maiden voyage yet!

First through the Solarium (adult - no kids allowed pool). Nicely decorated (Asian theme) with some covered areas for shade. Hot tubs on either side jutting out 12 feet from the side of the ship 112 feet above the water. Next through the main pool area. Similar to Voyager class ships. Seating on either side with some hot tubs around. Okay, the Windjammer must be close. Whoa! Another noticeable difference. A water park - the H2O Zone is next. We would realize later that the Adventure Ocean kiddie pools are gone - replaced with the Flowrider. The H2O Zone replaces the kids pools. Finally a door. Could it be the Windjammer. Yes it is. Another difference. There is now a bar at the entrance to the buffet. And it's crowded. All the travel agents getting their free drinks. Portofino to the left and Chops to the right. These are the private, reservations only restaurants. The left and right side of the buffet are called Jade. Basically, Asian style buffet. Continue into the Windjammer and both sides of the room have similar array of buffet style food. Pasta, sandwiches, salads, soup etc. etc. etc. Further to the back are still several more buffet lines. One has similar to all the other, another a carving station, another with hot dogs, hamburgers, fries. Annette had some salad and I had a burger and fries and potato leak soup. Soup was very good, fries were excellent and the burger your typical buffet style overcooked piece of meat. But I hadn't had a burger in about a month so it was the equivalent of a gourmet burger. Here comes a waiter with a tray of wine, some beer, some mixed drinks and some martinis. I just died and gone to heaven.

Breakfast in the buffet on departure day was your standard fare buffet. Watery scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, trays of pancakes (could double as Frisbees), French toast, oatmeal, cereals. I suspect on a standard cruise some of the stations would be cook to order omelets, pancakes and French toast. Food was good.

Dinner in the main dining room was excellent. We both started with shrimp cocktail and Caesar salad. Annette had sea bass that was excellent. I had filet of beef that melted in your mouth. Of course wine flowed throughout the meal as well as mixed drinks. Annette haad ice cream for dessert. I had the double strawberry cheesecake. Heavenly! Happy to see that most were dressed in business attire. Most men in jackets and women nicely dressed. Of course there were a few that stretched these limits.

If you have been on a Voyager class ship, the main dining room is similar. Three levels each decorated a little differently. This cruise was not fully loaded since they had the 3rd level of the dining room closed. And there were a number of empty tables on the other levels of the dining room.

SHIP
Worked our way to the sports deck. Came upon the Flowrider. There were 3 staff members in wet suits putting on demonstrations. It is really cool. When you fall, the base is like a trampoline so you don't get hurt. It has 34,000 gallons of water rushing every minute. It takes up 2 decks. The back of the sports deck where the golf course is on Voyager Class ships and it takes the deck below that used to be the kids pools. There is no more in-line skating. This is where the miniature golf course now resides. The rock climbing wall is larger and the basketball court the same. Time for a break in the Viking Crown Lounge. Stopped in to see the Skylight Chapel.

Made our way down to the Promenade. It is longer and wider. More shops, restaurants and pubs. There was the Bull & Bear pub (Pig & Whistle on Voyager of the Seas), Vintages Wine bar, Sorrentos Pizza, Café Promenade and Ben & Jerrys Ice Cream. There is an old fashioned Barber Shop and several shops. Time for a break in Vintages.

Headed down to the casino. Larger than on the Voyager ships. There are a lot more tables available. Couldn't get into the Arcadia theater because they were rehearsing. So we headed to the Ice Rink. I think we stopped and took a break in one of the lounges. The ice rink looks about the same as on Voyager ships. We realized that we hadn't found the boxing ring. So we went in search of it. It's in the gym. Duh! We got there about 5 minutes past 4. They were giving hourly demonstrations from 3 to 8.

When we got there they had the doors closed and would not let anyone else in. They were dedicating the boxing ring with Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes and Roberto Duran. We found out later they autographed miniature boxing gloves and gave them out to the crowd. Oh well! Time for another break. Stopped at the pool bar.

The gym is the largest I have ever seen (seen not used). Equipment is the most modern. All had individual screens.

Headed to the room to get our bathing suits. Headed to the hot tubs. Hung out in the hot tub during the sailaway. It was an interesting to be out over the water while backing out and heading up the river.

Wait a minute. We're in the hot tub and we are backing out. There was no muster drill. Not even scheduled in the Cruise Compass. Real surprise because a woman in the hot tub told us it was her 1st time on a ship!

You have an interesting view of about a dozen balconies sitting out there. Wish I had the camera. A woman realized she was being watched by 7 or 8 people in the hot tub when she started to take off her bikini top. Where's the webcam when you need it. Back to the room. Get ready for dinner. Covered that earlier. After dinner, it was time for ...

SHOWS
Royal has stepped up their shows by several notches. We saw 2 shows. Ice Skating and a Stage Show. Both Excellent! Ice show was a significant improvement over Voyager. The stage show - "Once Upon A Time" - had more entertainers/dancers on stage and had 4 main entertainers instead of the usual 2. They really put on a show! Great voices, outstanding choreographing and amazing sets.

Okay, time to relax. Headed to the disco - "The Crypt". Nothing going on here. Apparently not enough of the younger crowd on board. Time for a break. Schooners bar across from "The Crypt". Next took a walk around the ship at night. Well lit and colorful. Headed to the Promenade to the Champagne Bar. No wine or mixed drinks here. Only champagne! Duh! Headed down one deck to "Boleros" - bar with a Latin band playing. Took another break here. Listened to the music while some people danced the rumba and some other latin dances. Went over to Pharaoh's Palace. Band in there was very loud so we opted not to stay.

ROOMS
Already talked about our room. We did go visit the rooms open for inspection. Started with the Presidential Suite on deck 6. These are located at the back of the ship. I think there are 4 of these on the ship. To me these seemed claustrophobic. Several bedrooms off of some small hallways. The Master bedrooms were nice but the sitting/dining area would be tight for 14 people hanging around. Very large balcony with hot tub and outdoor bar. But the balcony did not go to the end of the ship. There was another 20 feet or so from the railing of the Presidential Suite to the rail overlooking the water. Looked like there was some maintenance stuff out there. Not sure anyone would spend that kind of money to see maintenance guys milling about.

Now the Royal Suite was nice. The automatic piano is a real nice touch. I did notice that all the balconies are wider on the ship in all staterooms. This had a very large master bedroom and bath, a walk-in closet and separate access to the balcony. Large living area and bar. This is actually larger then the Presidential Suite (1,200 sq. ft.). the Royal Suite is 1,400 sq. ft.

Owners Suite is about half the size of the other 2. Queen size bed, 45" flat screen that turns to the bedroom area or the sitting area. Large sitting area with bar.

Grand Suite and Junior Suite were much smaller then the owners suite. These are more like the typical cabins. Three of us stayed in the Junior Suite last year on Voyager to Bermuda. Very comfortable.

MATTRESSES
The new mattresses, sheets and pillow cases are really thick and comfortable. These will be a great addition to the entire Royal fleet over the next couple of years.

BARS
I think we covered those but we did not make it to all of them. We tried.

PORTS
There were none. We will have to wait for Vic to report back after the maiden voyage.

CELL PHONES
Yes they do work at sea. I had my phone/blackberry with me. We did not use the phone after we sailed. I did send some emails around 10 or 11pm to see if it would work. It did! I sent a text message to our daughter (back home) around 11pm and got a response back from her. Always had all bars on the cell phone. The interesting thing was it did not say roaming. So I don't know if there would be international charges applied.

CRUISE CARD
This was a first. They accepted credit cards in the shops on board. After talking to one of the officers, I was told that the cruise card system was not yet operational. They only have a couple of weeks to go. I wonder if putting the card in the security machine upon boarding was working?

Did all of this in 1 night!