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 has everything you want in a cruise vacation: 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 I was still awestruck with the Freedom of the Seas ship 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, updated, and emits opulent vibes that made me feel like I stepped into a world of luxury.
Embarkation Day
Every point along the way in the Embarkation process, the staff was extremely welcoming and friendly, which really built up even more excitement as I boarded 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 easily brought us there and dropped us off at the curb directly in front of the terminal entrance. 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 (or birth certificates for non-passport-holders like babies or small children). Once we passed the check-in then there was a security line where our on-person belongings went through the X-ray. We passed through these easily with no issues. Then right after we passed the security checkpoint, there are photo opportunities with backdrops where my party and I took our first exciting group photo of the cruise!
Onboard the Ship
Once on the ship, we were instructed to go to our Muster Station. If you have difficulty finding your Muster Station, then a crew member will be able to provide directions. Once we found our Muster Station, another crew member provided verbal instructions on what to do in an emergency. It was a super quick 5 minute spiel, a bit different and short compared to ones I’ve done on Carnival cruises.
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. Our estimated time was not until 3 PM. So before the stateroom was ready along with our luggage, we checked out the Windjammer café to get some food, we roamed around the ship, and explored the ship’s various decks. The Royal Promenade is also open to explore its shops, or you can fix or alter any arrangements at Guest Services. The pools, mini golf, and FlowRider were also 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 way 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. We saw awesome views of the Downtown Miami skyline, and of Miami Beach and its luxury islands full of incredible mansions and yachts.
Staterooms
Stateroom Options
- Interior Stateroom $
- Ocean View Stateroom $$
- Balcony Stateroom $$$
- Suite Stateroom $$$$
I unfortunately could not snag a balcony room, but the Ocean View stateroom I stayed in was spacious and had a large window. It was located right in the front of the ship on the port side (left side). Normally, if you’re prone to motion or seasickness (like I am), then it’s best to choose a room located in the middle of the ship at a lower deck and with a window so you can see the horizon. However, the room I was in at the very front caused no issues for me, BUT I did take Dramamine every day to minimize experiencing any seasickness effects.
Stateroom Steward Team Review
The stateroom steward team was amazing! We met our main steward, Dan, when we first arrived at our stateroom. He learned our names and every time we saw him, he would call us out and greet us with friendly pleasantries. Dan always made sure we were having a nice time and that our stateroom was in good order. Like most cruises, the staff will leave towel origamis on the bed which I always enjoy. On the Day at Sea day, he also asked us what a good time would be to come by and clean our room while we’re enjoying the ship’s amenities. A++ service!
Dining
There are several dining options you can enjoy on board the Freedom of the Seas cruise:
Dining Options
- Complimentary Dining Options
- Main Dining Room (Traditional Dining)
- Windjammer Café (Buffet)
- Café Promenade (Coffee shop)
- Sorrento’s (Pizzeria)
- El Loco Fresh (Mexican)
- Room Service
- Additional Cost Dining Options: Specialty Restaurants
- Cupcake Cupboard (Cupcakes) $
- Playmakers (Sports Bar & Arcade) $$
- 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. So good I ordered it twice lol. I also loved that we can order multiple items in one category since so many dishes just sounded so soo good, I had to try them all! 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
In the Main Dining Room, we had the same wait staff serve us every dinner. They were extremely friendly and accommodating and always took care of all of our requests and needs (especially for the younger ones in our party). They always provided recommendations when we asked for them, and had no issues giving us seconds. 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 too.
Additionally, at evening times, there were photo backdrops with dedicated photographers to take our photos. I’d definitely recommend trying to take a photo on the formal night! Each photographer provided instructions on different poses and they take multiple pictures, not like just a one and done. I was especially grateful for the pose instructions they gave since I really don’t know how to pose on my own lol.
When the photographer finished they then asked for our stateroom number so that the photos are easily accessible via the onboard Photo Gallery or the Royal app. This was such a nice perk I wasn’t expecting!
Private Photographer
Another 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, our group was given a time to go to a private room at the Photo Gallery. Here, a staff member put all the photos in a slideshow deck, added music, and played it for our entire group to watch and look at the photos. We took note of which pictures we liked and they 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 the Freedom of the Seas cruise:
- 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 were 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 I was hovering right over the ocean! Kinda cool but also kinda scary haha. 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 I didn’t have to wait in long lines for my turn AND it’s guaranteed that I’ll get to 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. A few other people in my group decided to wait in the open session lines, and they had to wait 2 hours before they got to go on the FlowRider.
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 my time while on it. I would absolutely do it again!
Entertainment
There are several activities you can enjoy on board the Freedom of the Seas cruise:
- 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. Super nice.
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 really is a great way to relax, wind down, and pamper yourself on vacation.
Broadway-Style & Ice Skating Shows Review
All the shows offered onboard 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 were 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 Sports 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 printed on small tabletop signs, and check if they’ll play that game. It does seem that the primary channels they show are variations of ESPN so most games should be showing.
Port of Calls: Bahamas
The 4-night Freedom of the Seas cruise docked at the following port of calls in the Bahamas:
- Perfect Day at CocoCay
- Nassau
Perfect Day at CocoCay
From the moment we disembarked the ship and arrived on land, I immediately noticed what an exclusive island CocoCay is! I quickly spotted the Thrill Waterpark’s waterslide, which towers at 135 feet (41 meter) high, and is considered to be the tallest water slide in North America! The entire Island is also 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 members if we were going the right way haha. There are signs pointing towards it but the actual entrance to the Coco Beach Club seemed hidden and was easy to miss. We passed right by it without even noticing!
The Coco Beach Club 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! I spent some time relaxing in the half-sunk lounge chair in the shallow part of this pool.
Most of our time at Coco Beach Club was spent in an overwater bungalow we booked. It included food and drink service where a staff member frequently checked on us and took any orders. We had arrived super early so I ordered a much needed coffee, but to our surprise, there was also a mini fridge where we could enjoy some cold beverages. Another awesome feature was that we were also able to Bluetooth-connect to the bungalow’s speakers and play our own music from our phone!
The bungalow also had couch seating, sun chairs, an overwater net to sunbathe on, a water slide, and floating pads to lounge in the ocean. The waterslide has a water-squirt to make it wet and slippery to slide down, which I thought was a really necessary feature for smooth sliding. We also took a crack at the floating pads and took them out to the ocean. However, there was a slight breeze when I went, so we kept drifting away from our bungalow lol. We did notice that there seemed to also be a shallow patch a bit farther out since there were people just standing out of the ocean! Unfortunately, this shallow patch was a bit far from our bungalow and the breeze kept blowing us away from it so we didn’t get to check it out, oh well. After having some fun on the slide and ocean, I then spent some time sunbathing on the net, just soaking in the ocean views and bungalow vibes. What a life!
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. Hehe.
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 I easily haggled 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. I hope this Freedom of the Seas review encourages you to experience it yourself! Bon Voyage!
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Have you been on the Freedom of the Seas cruise?
What was your experience like – I’d love to hear your thoughts!
