Anybody been on the Freedom of Seas cruise?

M

momtomegs

Guest
We are heading off in a couple of weeks and just wondering has anyone else done this? My biggest fear is that we will be bored and is it expensive onboard? What kind of shop are on it? Any info would be most welcome :)
 
Boredom will be the least of your worries in fact we choose on several "port days" to stay on board, Reason being that the ship was less crowded & lots to do. Most expensive are the guided tours ashore. In most ports you are better off making your own arrangements when you go ashore. Best deals onboard are on the last full day when the shops & stalls have cut price offers. Jewellers, wine shops, cigarettes, souveniers, sportswear & art are the main shopping items on board.
One tip - Do not seek to be first to embark & fiorst to disembark unless you absolutely have to. If you leave things till later the long lines will all be gone.
 
Oh you will love it :) we were on the sister ship Liberty of the Seas last year on a Caribbean Cruise and we certainly were not bored.

The ship is cashless, you are given a access card on boarding the ship and this, gives you access to your room and buy anything on board. On the TV in your room you can check your bill to see what you have spent.
The only cash (dollars) will be needed for the casino :) and there are ATMs on board also.

On arriving on the ship there is a safety procedure where everyone puts on their life jackets and go to their designated areas it will take about 20 minutes.
It is impossible to get bored but is possible to get lost :)- every night there is an itinerary leaflet put on your bed with the next days activities- i.e. what shows on the theatre, food demonstrations, ice rink shows, kids shows, water sports, Fitness talks, offers in the health spa, hairdressers and cocktail of the day. the Flow rider, climbing wall, mini golf, running track are on the top deck so get out and enjoy. The musical shows they have on the main promenade in the evening are fantastic and create a fantastic buzz. there are a few nightclubs and there is a pizza bar opens into the early hours where you can get a late night pizza before you head off to bed. You will be over awed to think that you are on a ship.
The main thing you will purchase is the drink! It is approx to Dublin prices maybe a bit less with the price of the dollar.There is an offer at the start of the week where you can get a soft drink package and you can get as much as you want all week for about $30 dollars ( i think) which is great value if you are a shorts drinker. We got one between us. Also if you are a wine drinker you can buy your wine at the start of the week and when ever you want it even if you eat in another restaurant your wine will be fetched for you.

There are a few places you will pay a small fee - i.e. Ben and Jerry’s, The Portifino and Grille Restaurants, however the food in the main dining hall is fantastic. There are 2 sittings a night in the Main dining hall if you are too hungry to wait you can go else where is the buffet in the Windjammer Cafe. The waiting Staff are fantastic, they have to have 2 years experience in a 5 * before they can apply for a job on the ship. There are 2 formal nights on the Ship where there is lots of glitz as the Captain will pose for Photos so bring your glad rags.

As for shopping on Board as said before the last day is the best for the bargains. There is cosmetic perfume shop that was cheaper than duty free, and 2 or 3 clothes shops, gifts shops also.
Pizza, Coffee, Tea, sandwiches etc are free. :)
after all the food there is a great gym on board with over 200 pieces of equipment a boxing ring, a running track, Pilates, yoga classes too.

Oh also there is a policy on the ship where you cannot bring your own booze onto the ship. If you purchase any booze in any ports or in the ships duiy free it will be confiscated and given back to your before you depart.
When the ship docks or tenders (you get off the ship via a smaller boat,) the ship will have limited services so go and visit the ports of call..

Be prepared to diet when you get home and enjoy.

Oh BTW we went with a crowd and only 1 phone network provider would work – the red branded one.
 
Thanks for the info guys, we are getting really excited now :) All sounds great. Will update when we get back.
 
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