Let me start by saying that I've been on some really big ships before, but this one is just fantastic. As we walked up the boarding ramp in Miami, everyone (EVERYONE!) just stood silent, in awe of this magnificent vessel. I got the eerie feeling as one who might have stood, looking upon the Titanic on her maiden voyage. It gave me the creeps and I tried to forget about it.

The check-in process goes strictly by the numbers. They are quite specific as to when you are to arrive and what you are and aren't allowed to bring. We were among the first boarding party and this was one of the most smooth check-ins I've yet experienced, EVER. I usually am around the middle pack of people to check-in, but even from the people I spoke with who were the last on board, this was decidedly easy on the nerves.

After going through Check-in and the Security screening, they take your picture to compare as you board and exit the ship at each port of call. This is always an extremely unflattering photo taken at belly-button level and right up your nose. Beauty. This was definitely not a change.

After meeting with the Captain and getting through the "Maiden Voyage" Hullabaloo, things were normal cruise program material: There are two things that usually happen: 1. Everyone clambers on board and mingles in the common areas of the ship (no shops, casinos, clubs or restaurants are open yet!) or 2. Everyone clambers on board and goes outside on the top decks to wave at people down on the dock. Woo Hoo. I prefer to stay near the Air Condition and Shade. Who wants to get heat exhaustion before the ship even leaves the port? Not I.

El Capitan finally came on the PA system (much more audible on this ship in regards to other RC Vessels) to tell us how happy RC was to have us on board (blah-blah-blah) and do all of the announcements (I was talking, as usual, so I wasn't really paying attention), we were excused to our staterooms and then we did the Safety drill (letting us all know where our closest life-boat was in relation to our stateroom).

The Safety Drill is the fun part where everyone walks to the outside deck and puts on their PFD (Personal Flotation Device) and basically look like morons for about 15 minutes until the crew has successfully embarrassed everyone and then the guests are dismissed to unpack, etc. Yay!

About this time is when one hears the ship's horn blowing and one can feel the ship lurch against itself as the behemoth leaves the dock. (And, we're off.)

We all stayed in the Presidential Suite, which sleeps 14 people comfortably. Here are the specs:

Two master bedrooms with baths. Two additional bedrooms, each with two Pullman beds and two twin beds that convert to a queen-size bed. Two additional bathrooms with showers and a spacious living area with a sofa bed and dining table.
Private balcony with dining area and lounge chairs. (1215 sq. ft., balcony 810 sq. ft.)

As a side note: This particular suite is booked through 2008 and for the second ship in this Freedom Class (The Liberty), this suite is also booked through.

There are plenty of other staterooms, however, and I'm more than certain that they are just terrific. In fact, we partied with some people in one of the Superior ocean view staterooms as well as another bunch in a Promenade stateroom and both of those were very nice rooms.

As soon as the ship was in international waters (about 8p?), the party began. Drinking, Acrobats, Gambling and all kinds of festivities. Now we're talking.

Kieli Tip: Statistically speaking, the best time for one to gamble is the first half of the cruise (the last half, the odds get changed. The ships all deny this, but it is true.) That being said, you never want to purchase spa days on the beginning of a cruise (If one were to wait until, say, the middle to end of a 7-day cruise, the spa starts giving discounts on their specials). So, quick breakdown: Gamble the first-half, Relax the last-half.

There are art-auctions, bingo games (so much fun!!), talent shows (hilarious), trivia parties (also fun), dancing & exercise classes and even AA meetings (Bob goes with you!) on board the ship. There are also religious services in the Chapel and all other types of personalized stuff to do, just on the ship. This doesn't even include any of the shore excursions. (Sometimes you can even catch people trying to get REALLY intimate in the elevators- this is even funnier when my 7 yr old nephew catches them in the act!)

This Particular ship does a 7-day Eastern Caribbean, a 7-day Western Caribbean and a 7-day Western Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society "Members Only" Cruise.

Itinerary for Western Caribbean 7-day:

Day 1
Miami, Florida
5:00 PM Boarding

Day 2
At Sea

Day 3
Cozumel, Mexico 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Tendered

Day 4
George Town, Grand Cayman 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM - Tendered

Day 5
Montego Bay, Jamaica 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Docked

Day 6
Labadee, Haiti 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Tendered

Day 7
At Sea

Day 8
Miami, Florida 7:00 AM - Departure

(Tendered basically means that they drop anchor a ways out and take smaller boats in to dock, whereas the Docked days mean that the particular dock was large enough to accommodate such a large ship and we actually stepped directly off the ship onto the dock at the particular port of call. Tender lines on this trip only took about 10-15 minutes, on average. If you enjoy the company you keep, this should seem like next to nothing!)

Shore Excursions for Western Caribbean 7-day: They all cost $$ and they are all sponsored by Royal Caribbean. You automatically pay the port fees, regardless of if you get off the ship or not. Even if you don't want to pay for the excursions listed in the brochure, you can still enjoy the port.

Cozumel: There are over 55 Excursions just for Cozumel alone. I will go into more depth on the ones I actually participated in.

Catamaran Sail, Snorkel & Beach Break: $56/ Adult; $39/ Child.

We travelled by the huge 65-foot catamaran (Equipped w/ freshwater showers, 2 heads, a shaded lounge area, a bar and a massive sun-deck) to some really pristine reef systems off the coast of Cozumel. After the lengthy snorkel, we sailed to a private beach and had the option of kayaking, lazing in a hammock, floating around or dancing around like crazy people. A nominal fee bought us a really fabulous Mexican lunch, but the Margaritas and beer were all free.

When we left the beach, we were, again, dancing around like nuts, but still having a blast. Manuel and Jorge were just great!

George Town, Grand Cayman:

Again, there are over 46 excursions you can pay to enjoy here. This is what we did:

Rays and Reef combo with lunch: $94/Adult; $68/Child

The first snorkel of the day was at Coral Gardens and much like the brochure, we DID see Hector, the crew's pet eel (very ugly and I hate eels) but the fish-life was amazing. We then went to Stingray City (a family favourite) where we got to enjoy feeding these gentle, yet tickly and sting-ray-hickey giving beauties. We then got on a bus and went to Beach Colony Club Resort, on Seven Mile Beach and ate a terrific caribe lunch. We had more than enough time to laze around, again, in the water and enjoy the terrific weather and music. Then back to the ship. This tour included transportation, snorkeling equipment, beverages, lunch and the rental chaise lounge.

(Note: Minimum age: 5. Guest 5 to 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Further, please note that the average water depth is approximately 10 - 12 feet. As per Royal Caribbean)

Montego Bay:

There are almost 30 things to do here. But here is what the boys chose:

The Original Canopy Tour®: $89 / Adult or Child

This was so cool. You basically zip-line between tree platforms and rock ledges through the tropical forest of Jamaica. This is MUCH better than Dunn’s River Falls or Ocho Rios. You start the tour by walking over the Great River on a single-track rope, suspension bridge. “Way cool”, according to the buddies. There are 9 traverses, the first of which goes right through the root system of a massive fig-tree. Between some of these traverses are nature walks… not hiking by any stretch, but still extraordinarily cool.

(The brochure tells you: What to take: insect repellant, sunscreen, small backpack or fanny pack. Anything you take must be carried by you throughout the entire Tour in a way that leaves both hands free.

What to wear: Comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Jeans or shorts with sneakers. Closed-toe shoes are recommended however strap-on sandals are acceptable.

Notes: You must be 12 years of age to participate on this tour. You must have the ability to walk 30 minutes uphill and up steps, sufficient mobility and strength to climb a 20-foot ladder straight up, and fit in the harness and helmet in a safe manner as determined by the Chief System Operator (head guide). This tour is not suitable for pregnant women, persons with heart trouble, seizure disorders, asthma, problems with balance, some disabilities, back, neck or shoulder problems.)

Kieli Tip: I just put on BullFrog with Bug Repellant and left all my crap on the ship (with the exception of my Sea-Card) I didn’t want anything to potentially get stolen, so I just left it onboard.

Labadee:

Part of this island is actually owned by the cruise-line. They give you explicit instructions not to wander past the fences. In case you’re wondering, armed guards (automatic rifles) are patrolling the fences… not a good idea to push your luck! In any case, there are only 11 excursions here, and they are all relatively cheap, considering. We chose:

Castaway at Malfini Beach: $60/ Adult or Child

This takes a quick 20 minute boat-ride to a secluded, privately owned beach equipped with a bar, floating mats and lounge chairs. Nothing to do but relax. The boys were all playing in the sand and sleeping and I was drinking and lounging on my floating mat.

And then?
There are two days at sea. I say, enjoy the ship. There is so much to explore. Long lines at the wave-pool and rock wall made me laugh, but the boys all enjoyed the experience. I took the opportunity to do some shopping (duty-free) and work-out in the terrific gym, lap pool, jogging track, or full-size volleyball/basketball court. There is the added feature of cantilevered whirlpools: so creepy the first time you sit in one, but still incredibly cool, none-the-less. On the second day at sea (last day on board) I used the spa trip I had won at trivia. (I told you trivia could be fun!)

The food was always excellent and we even noted the cover charge at Johnny Rockets (usually free, now $3.50/ person) but didn’t really mind at all (the boys love their shakes). Another fun-fact: It is said that, on average, someone could gain over 35 pounds on a 7-day cruise (WHAT?!?!) The food services are available 23 hours a day and people get lazy. I usually lose weight on cruises (dancing, sex and shore excursions help with this!) but my older brother, Hoke, gained 15 pounds! Hilarious!


From RoyalCaribbean.com:

Experience our largest, most innovative ship yet, Freedom of the Seas! This Royal Caribbean International masterpiece of naval engineering features the first-ever onboard surf park at sea; cantilevered whirlpools that extend 12 feet beyond the sides of the ship; the H2O Zone® waterpark, complete with interactive sculpture fountains, ground geysers and a cascading waterfall; our largest rock-climbing wall, with eleven routes and a central spire you can swing around; and so much more! Extensive WiFi capabilities and connectivity for cell phones will also be available, as well as flat-screen TVs in every stateroom. You've got to see this ship to believe it.

Ship Highlights:

FlowRider®
H2O Zone
Cantilevered whirlpools
Rock-climbing wall
Ice-skating rink
Royal Promenade
Extensive WiFi capabilities and connectivity for cell phones
Full-size, flat-screen TVs in every stateroom
Themed bars and lounges
Adventure Ocean® youth facilities
ShipShape® Fitness Center and Day Spa
Full-size Everlast boxing ring
Casino RoyaleSM
Presidential Family Suite
Sports Pool
Full-size sports court
9-hole miniature golf course
Johnny Rockets® '50s-style restaurant
Portofino Italian Restaurant
Chops Grille
Ben & Jerry's® ice cream
Vintages wine bar
Boleros Latin-themed lounge
Sorrento's pizza


Ship Facts:

Passenger Capacity: 3,634 double occupancy
Godmother: Katherine Louise Calder
Gross Tonnage: 160,000
Length: 1,112'
Max Beam: 184'
Draft: 28'
Cruising Speed: 21.6 knots

Included: Shipboard accommodations, ocean transportation, most meals, some beverages and most onboard entertainment.

Not Included: Air transportation**; transfers**; items of a personal nature, such as shore & land excursions**, specialty restaurant fees, some beverages, photographs, gratuities/service fees, medical services, etc.
** You can add these during or after the reservation process

*Some info was taken from the excursion brochure and on royalcaribbean.com


Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Families