Originally Posted by tonypct
If anyone is sailing on Freedom tomorrow, Sunday, August 27 out of Miami, please be advised that due to Tropical Storm Ernesto, your itinerary has changed. I understand that you will now be traveling through the Eastern Caribbean. This was told to me by a couple who are staying on for a second week and were informed of this change in itinerary by Guest Relations.
Just returned from the 8/27 sailing of Freedom of the Seas. Although Hurricane Ernesto caused some havoc in the Caribbean, our ports ultimately were not changed and we traveled on our original itinerary to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and Labadee. Tendered in every port but Montego Bay. Tendering was fast and painless. Cozumel dock is not ready yet but should be in a few weeks. (Carnivals smaller ships can dock in Cozumel now.)
Although we had a great cruise, there were several BIG negatives. The first is simply that there are way too many pax on this ship. RCCL added more staterooms than their Voyager class (we sailed the Mariner last year so we have a good comparison) but did little to increase the facilities. Elevators are overworked. Restaurants are crowded.
Food was good in the dining rooms and waitstaff was excellent. Food and service in Chops and Portofino was top notch.
Housekeeping staff was excellent.
Flow rider was fun but very busy. Sign up takes place 30 mins before the session and you must arrive early if you want to participate. Rock climbing wall was rarely crowded. Kids H20 Zone was fun for the little ones. Pools are fresh water throughout the ship, which is nice.
Ports were fine but not as good as the Eastern itinerary. Shopping in Jamaica and Labadee is repetitive and merchants are annoying to the point of being ridiculous. I know they are poor people who rely on the cruise trade but I honestly think they'd make more $$$ if they laid off the constant hawking and just let you shop.
Our ship was made up of well over 60% non-native English speaking pax, which I found surprising.
Elevators were slow and erratic. Kids pushing all the buttons, and people getting on at Deck 4 only to get off at Deck 5 didn't help (c'mon people, walk off the buffet food for heavens sake!).
Casino payout was poor...no surprise there.
Debarkation was long. We took the last call as our flights were late in the afternoon, so we had no rush, but many people with noon and 1p flights were cutting it way too close. Do not make an early flight out of Florida unless you have only carry-off luggage (RCCL allows this) or take the early am tags.
All in all, the ship was beautiful, the staff was excellent. Weather couldn't have been better for our vacation as we left ahead of Ernesto and came back in behind him. But the ship holds way too many people and common areas were not built to accomodate the larger pax numbers.