Royal Caribbean Blog contributor Michael Poole is on Freedom of the Seas this week reporting all about his cruise experience.
Pre Cruise
I arrived to Cape Canaveral around 1:00pm, so we had the whole afternoon ahead of us.
For lunch, I wanted to head down to the restaurants on the water and watch the cruise ships sailaway. We ended up going to The Grill on the water; it had live music and right beside the new terminal 1. If you are looking for a fun way to start the vacation, I would suggest their patio on Saturday afternoons.
Hotel
There was a group of 20 staying at the Radisson resort at the port. The best thing about this hotel is the location, its right across the street from the pier; we could actually see the Freedom. They have a beautiful swimming pool, tennis courts; only downfall is the layout of the resort.
More often than not, I was lost I couldn’t find my room, very few signs directing you where to go, but we managed. Also a good perk of this hotel is 0.2 miles from hertz rental car.
This morning I dropped the car off at 7am, and walked back to the hotel and it took less than 10 minuets. If you can grab a good rate on the rental car, this might be the best way to travel the 45 miles to Cape Canaveral.
Embarkation
We arrived to the pier at 11:30am and there was no line until we made it to the check-in desk to receive our sea pass cards, but didn’t take more than 15 minutes. The terminal is beautiful with such a modern look, though it does not feel larger than the one Oasis of the Seas is currently using in Fort. Lauderdale.
By noon, we were walking onboard and headed straight to the Windjammer for the signature first meal.
It didn’t feel that over crowded that it usually does on day 1, and we were able to get a table for our group, which is 11 people.
Cabin
The staterooms are ready at 1:00pm and I’m in an inside cabin, where the nightclub used to be on deck 3.
The cabin is actually great, if not the best inside cabin I’ve had. I’m sorry I haven’t taken pictures yet, but I will.
Everything has that blue theme color, where the other inside cabin’s have the green tint. It looks like the cabins on the new Quantum ship.
I would book this cabin again if I was returning to the Freedom, it’s 3543.
Pre Dinner
Before dinner we went to vintages for some wine, it’s located on the royal promenade on deck 5. They did have a shortage of almost every wine we asked for, they said the guest on Saturday night wiped them out and they would be restocked on Monday.
Not a big deal, but we actually ran into the same issue at the new R Bar. They couldn’t make a few drinks because they were out of everything, including bottles of water that are included in the drink package.
Dinner
Tonight my brother treated the whole group to dinner at Chops Grill. The cost of this dinner is $35 pp, which includes the gratuity.
The service was really great, especially for such a large group.
I started out with the French onion soup and it’s so full of flavor, one of my favorite items on the new menu. I also had the shrimp cocktail, and the shrimp were so large almost a meal within themselves.
For the main course I had the filet mignon, with the red wine sauce. This is always such an amazing steak, no matter what ship you are on and I would recommend everyone to try it out.
Our waiter surprised my brother and his new husband with a desert at the end of the meal, one more reason I love Royal Caribbean so much. Shortly after dinner we all headed to bed, it was a really long day for everyone.
Internet Package
The cost of the Internet package for 1 device is $140 and 2 devices was $220. This is before any crown and anchor discount. For Diamond members, it’s $40 off.
The speeds are extremely slow; I was so spoiled from the Internet speeds on Oasis of the Seas. When you send a text (imessage) they are pretty fast, but pictures almost can’t go through.
Also, I cannot pick up a WiFi signal in my stateroom.
That about wraps up my day 1 on board the Freedom of the Seas, up next is Coco Cay!
Feel free to comment below and let me know if you want to see pictures of anything onboard.
