Thinking about going on a Royal Caribbean cruise aboard the Freedom of the Seas ship? Check out my Freedom of the Seas Review based on my experience on the 4-night cruise to the Bahamas.
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Intro
The Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas cruise to the Bahamas perfectly blends adventure, luxury and relaxation. I had boarded the Freedom of the Seas cruise to the Bahamas for a 4-night stay, and this review will go over my experience aboard this luxury cruise ship with stops at CocoCay Island and Nassau, Bahamas. If you’re interested in taking a Royal Caribbean cruise, check out their sailings here.
Additionally, if you want more details about the Freedom of the Seas cruise ship and its amenities, or you’re interested in some tips, check out my Freedom of the Seas Tips and Guide post.
The Ship: Freedom of the Seas
The Freedom of the Seas first started sailing in 2006, and was refurbished back in 2020. It’s clear that the ship is older when compared to some of its newer Royal Caribbean siblings (like the Oasis of the Seas, or the newest Icon of the Seas ship). However the Freedom of the Seas ship still makes you awestruck with its sheer size and its exterior design and structures. The ship’s sides are a wall full of lavish balcony staterooms, and the upper deck is filled with fancy activities like FlowRider, The Perfect Storm slides, and a colorful pool deck. Additionally, the ship’s interior is nice and updated and emits luxurious vibes.
Embarkation Day
Every point along the way in the Embarkation process, the staff was extremely welcoming and friendly, further building up the excitement as you board the ship.
Miami Port
For my cruise to the Bahamas, the Freedom of the Seas was docked at Royal Caribbean Miami port. Getting to the port was not difficult and an Uber/Lyft can easily bring you there and drop you off right at the curb. There are also parking garages that you can park at if you plan to drive or rent a car.
Once at the port building, there are Royal Caribbean staff members on the sidewalk collecting everyone’s luggage. Before you give them your luggage, be sure that the Royal Caribbean luggage tag with your deck and cabin information are viewable. This tag is how the crew staff will know where to drop your luggage off once it’s on board the ship.
Check-in
After dropping off the luggage at the curb, the lines to check-in move fast where we got to a check-in desk within minutes of having just arrived. The check-in was smooth and fast, just be sure to have your passport ready. Once you pass the check in then they’ll have a security line where your on-person belongings will go through the X-ray. Then right after you pass the security checkpoint, there are photo opportunities with backdrops where you and your party can take your first group photo of the cruise.
Onboard the Ship
Once on the ship, you are instructed to go to your Muster Station. If you have difficulty finding your Muster Station, then a crew member will be able to provide directions. Once there, another crew member will provide verbal instructions on what to do in an emergency.
Based on your check-in time, your stateroom and luggage may be ready at an estimated time. This time can be found in the Royal Caribbean app profile. So before the stateroom is ready along with your luggage, you can check out the Windjammer café to get some food or you can roam around, and explore the ship’s deck. The Royal Promenade is open to explore its shops or you can fix or alter any arrangements at Guest Services. The pools, mini golf, and FlowRider may be open to try out too.
Stateroom Entry
At your estimated time that your stateroom will be ready at, you can check it to see if your key card is available (left at outside your stateroom door) and if your luggage arrived. On my Embarkation day, our key cards were ready well before our luggage so we were able to get into the rooms and freshen up a bit, but our luggage didn’t arrive until a couple hours later. Because of this, it is important to keep a small carry-on or tote bag with some essentials. If you want to enjoy the pool once you get onboard, be sure to have your bathing suit on you to change into, or have some basics if you wanna freshen up before your luggage gets in.
Anchors Aweigh!
Around 5 PM, the ship will start leaving the dock. At this time, go to an outdoor deck or balcony and watch as the ship leaves the Miami Port and heads towards the Bahamas. You’ll see awesome views of the Downtown Miami skyline, and of Miami Beach and its luxury islands.
Staterooms
There are different stateroom options you can book:
- Stateroom Options:
- Interior Stateroom $
- Ocean View Stateroom $$
- Balcony Stateroom $$$
- Suite Stateroom $$$$
I unfortunately could not snag a balcony room, but the Ocean View stateroom I stayed in was spacious and had a large window. It was located right in the front of the ship on the port side (left side). Normally, if you’re prone to motion or seasickness (like I am), then it’s best to choose a room located in the middle of the ship at a lower deck and with a window so you can see the horizon. However, the room I was in at the very front caused no issues for me, BUT I did take Dramamine every day to minimize experiencing any seasickness effects.
Stateroom Steward Team Review
The stateroom steward team was amazing! We met our main steward, Dan, when we first arrived at our stateroom. He learned our names and every time we saw him, he would call us out and greet us with friendly pleasantries. He always made sure we were having a nice time and that our stateroom was in good order. Like most cruises, the staff will leave towel origamis on the bed which I always enjoy. On the Day at Sea day, he also asked us what a good time would be to come by and clean our room while we’re enjoying the ship’s amenities. A++ service.
Dining
There are several dining options:
- Complimentary Dining Options
- Main Dining Room (Traditional Dining)
- Windjammer Café (Buffet)
- Café Promenade (Coffee shop)
- Sorrento’s (Pizzeria)
- El Loco Fresh (Mexican)
- Room Service
- Additional Cost Dining Options: Specialty Restaurants
- Cupcake Cupboard (Cupcakes) $
- Playmakers (Sports Bar & Arcade) $$
- Johnny Rockets (American) $$
- Izumi Hibachi & Sushi (Japanese) $$
- Vintages (Wine Bar) $$
- Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen (Italian) $$$
- Chops Grille (Steaks) $$$
- Chef’s Table (Upscale Cuisine) $$$$
The dining options exceeded expectations, with high-quality foods and a large variety of dishes. The Main Dining Room’s rotating menus offered an awesome way to try many different new foods every day. Surprisingly one of the most delicious appetizers I had was the Escargot in garlic butter. I also loved that we can order multiple items in one category since so many dishes sounded so soo good. The Windjammer Café also came with many options, and as a gluten-sensitive person, I was surprised they had a gluten-free foods section that didn’t lack in taste and flavor.
Dining Wait Staff Review
We had the same wait staff serve us every dinner in the Main Dining Room. They were extremely friendly and accommodating and always took care of all of our requests and needs. Great and attentive wait staff!
Photo Opportunities
There are several opportunities for your photo to be taken by the onboard photographer crew. You’ll first see them on Embarkation Day before boarding the ship. Then you’ll find them at the main Dining room and at the port of calls.
Additionally, at evening times, there will be photo backdrops with dedicated photographers to take your photos. I’d definitely recommend trying to take a photo on the formal night! Each photographer provided instructions on different poses and take multiple pictures. I was especially grateful for the pose instructions they gave since I really don’t know how to pose on my own.
When the photographer finishes then they’ll ask for your stateroom number so that they’re easily accessible via the onboard Photo Gallery or the Royal app.
Private Photographer
A cool perk is that you’re able to book a private photographer to take photos of you and your group. While at CocoCay’s Coco Beach Club, we had a photographer come to our overwater bungalow where we had a private photo shoot with just our group.
This was such a cool experience and all the photos came out amazing! When the photos are ready to be viewed, your group will be given a time to go to a private room at the Photo Gallery, where the staff member will put all the photos in a slideshow deck and add music. Take note of which pictures you like and they’ll even “favorite” them to help downselect the best photos.
However, since my group couldn’t decide on just a few photos to purchase, we decided to get them all! When split between a large group (like I was part of) then the cost per person wasn’t too bad.
Photo Packages
Purchasing photo packages come at a pretty hefty price, especially if you want a larger printed photo on canvas, acrylic, or metal. If you do purchase a print, then they will ensure the image is cropped or centered the way you want it and they can add text to it as well. However, there are various photo packages you can purchase if you like multiple photos, or alternatively you can purchase single photos a la carte.
Activities
There are several activities you can enjoy on board:
- Pool Deck
- Flow Rider Surf Simulator
- Rock Climbing Wall
- The Perfect Storm (Slides)
- Sports Court
- Mini Golf
Pool Deck Review
The pools were refreshing to dip in on hot days and a great way to relax after a full day of activities. The Solarium whirlpools were extra therapeutic with its heated water and jets that gave nice massages. At times, the whirlpools can be crowded and some even had a more rowdy group of adults. When this happened, I just checked the other whirlpool and it usually was more quiet and peaceful. The tall floor-to-ceiling windows at the whirlpools also made it feel like you were hovering right over the ocean. In the late afternoons around 3 – 5 PM, there were usually available sun chairs near the main pools since people were likely leaving to get ready for dinner.
FlowRider Surf Simulator Review
The FlowRider open session lines were long but I decided to pay the extra cost for the Private Lesson. This was absolutely worth it since you don’t wait in long lines for your turn and it’s guaranteed that you’ll both boogie board and stand-up surf within the one hour lesson. I would highly recommend this if you have never rode a FlowRider and don’t want to wait in long lines just to not be able to get on it.
Activities’ Crew Members Review
All the crew members working each activity were friendly and even personal cheerleaders, especially on the Rock Climbing Wall! I almost gave up about three-quarters of the way but the crew member below egged me on and I made it to the top! The FlowRider instructors were extremely patient and gave good instruction on how to correctly mount and control the boards to make the most of your time while on it.
Entertainment
There are several activities you can enjoy on board:
- Vitality Spa and Fitness Center
- Broadway-style Shows
- Ice Skating Rink
- Casino
- Sports Bar
- Royal Promenade
- Other: Arcade, Bingo, Movie Night, Night Clubs, Trivia, Shopping
Vitality Spa and Fitness Center Review
The Fitness Center had all the necessary gym equipment, from treadmills to medicine balls. The gym environment was also very clean and felt like an upscale gym with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out into the Atlantic Ocean.
At the Vitality Spa, I paid extra for a spa package that included a full-body massage, eye collagen treatment, and hot stones. It was amazing! I never had a hot stones massage before and I actually really enjoyed it. The warm stones really helped calm my muscles and the higher pressure from the hard stones provided a nice deeper massage.
My spa technician/masseuse was very kind and attentive to my concerns and gave me a nice pamphlet afterwards that provided ways to relieve or treat them. The spa is a great way to relax, wind down, and pamper yourself on vacation.
Broadway-Style & Ice Skating Shows Review
All the shows offered on board were impressive, entertaining and so much fun! I was able to catch the storybook Broadway-style show and I really enjoyed their performance since I am a big fan of classic storybook fairytales. The production was well-designed and of high quality, from the lighting and music choices to the on-stage backdrops and props. Also, all the singers and dancers are extremely talented and gave an amazing performance.
I was also able to catch an ice skating show and that performance also blew my mind with how the skaters multitask skating and dancing. The skaters also executed some really amazing ice-skating moves such as axels and flips. Definitely a must-see.
Casino & Sports Bar Review
The Royal Casino and Playmakers Sport Bar also provided a different level of entertainment by being able to partake in various games. The appeal of gambling was evident with all the slot machines and tables full of people, and the table games at the Sports Bar were always occupied as well.
The only “issue” we had was that the Sports Bar does not play all Sports channels, such as TNT. So if you’re looking to watch a sports game while on your cruise, you’ll have to look at the game schedule and check if they’ll play that game. It does seem that the primary channels they show are variants of ESPN so most games should be showing.
Port of Calls: Bahamas
The 4-night Bahamas cruise docks at the following port of calls:
- Perfect Day at CocoCay
- Nassau
Perfect Day at CocoCay
From the moment you disembark the ship and arrive on land, you will immediately notice what an exclusive island CocoCay is. You’ll spot the Thrill Waterpark’s waterslide, towering at 135 feet (41 meter) high, and considered the tallest water slide in North America! The entire Island is adorned with colorful structures, beautiful beaches, and has plenty of space to find a spot on the beach, by the pool, or at a covered dining area.
Coco Beach Club
When I went, most of my time was spent at the exclusive Coco Beach Club. This club does require paying an additional cost to access, which makes it that much more exclusive. It features an infinity pool, upscale food, and both on-land and overwater bungalows.
Finding the entrance to the Coco Beach Club was not easy where we had to ask multiple staff if we were going the right way. There are signs but the actual entrance to the Coco Beach Club seemed hidden and is easy to miss.
The infinity pool was directly next to the bar so you can enjoy an ice cold beverage while lounging in the shallow parts of the pool. The pool is also right on the beach but it does not have an unobstructed view of the ocean, that is, there are palm trees between the pool and the ocean. Still a calming and nice view of the ocean though!
We were mostly in an overwater bungalow which includes food and drink service, had couch seating and sun chairs, a net to sunbathe on, a water slide and floating pads to lounge in the ocean. You’re also able to Bluetooth-connect to the bungalow’s speakers and play music from your phone!
Additionally, the food was incredible as they offered unlimited menu items including their Surf and Turf entrée, which we ordered more than enough of to take advantage of the club access and bungalow cost.
Nassau
Nassau is full of vibrant buildings as well as a vibrant culture. Everyone we interacted with were all welcoming and friendly, even the people we haggled with at the Straw Market.
Atlantis Resort
We decided to take a ferry to Paradise Island to roam around the world-famous Atlantis Resort. On the way there, our ferry guide was humorous and gave interesting historical and cultural information; it was almost like we were on a free tour! Once on Paradise Island, it’s a short walk to get to the Atlantis Resort Marina Village shops which is a row of outdoor shops and food options. It then leads into the Casino and the Crystal Court Shoppes lined with luxury boutique (and duty free!) shops.
If you didn’t pay to access the Aquarium or Water Park, then you are limited from roaming the entire Atlantis Resort grounds. We didn’t so the farthest we got was after the Crystal Court Shoppes to an outdoor area for nice views of the lagoon and the resort buildings.
Nassau Marketplaces
Taking the ferry back to the mainland passes right next to all the docked cruise ships; a really cool sight. Back in the main city of Nassau, there’s plenty of marketplaces and shops to visit. We stopped by the “world-famous” Bahamas Straw Market, an indoor marketplace that’s PERFECT for souvenir shopping.
You are able to haggle for lower prices if you’re into that, but it seemed more likely to haggle down the price if buying multiple items (as opposed to buying a single item). I had purchased 3 items with one vendor and was easily to haggle it down, but others would not budge too much if I just wanted one item. It could have also just been the particular vendors we visited, but just keep that in mind if you like to haggle.
The nearby streets and the marketplace on the way back to the cruise ships also have tons more shopping opportunities, snacks options, and they even had a cool hair-braiding section!
Final Words
The Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas cruise to the Bahamas delivers an incredible vacation experience. The ship’s amenities, diverse dining options, and extensive entertainment ensure there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for a getaway that combines adventure, relaxation, and luxury, the Freedom of the Seas cruise to the Bahamas should be at the top of your list. Hope this Freedom of the Seas review encourages you to experience it yourself! Bon Voyage!
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