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Cruise Summary An important question after any cruise is... "Would you sail this ship again?". YES! I enjoyed my time on the Freedom of the Seas and would not hesitate to sail her again. Wait staff in the restaurants were great. Food in the Windjammer and the My Time Dining room was very good. Cabin service awesome. Everything was clean As for the ship layout and features I can see why so many like this class of ship. I really like having open access to the helipad and the solarium pool being uncovered. I'm glad I had the opportunity to try both the Voom Surf as well as Surf and Stream. I had several hour or two hour wifi phone calls using the basic Surf. During heavy rain it slowed down, a phenomenon called rain-fade that affects all satellite reception even on land so its not perfect or just like at home, but heck I'm in the middle of an ocean. The O3b satellite system makes a big difference and I'm hoping ships like Mariner or Independence entering dry dock next year will receive this upgrade. The comedians were very funny without resorting to excessive profanity that some comedians use in lieu of not being that funny. Some of the entertainers left mid-cruise while others replaced them. It was nice to have new faces and new shows. There is always risk booking a 'guarantee' cabin. When I saw a deck 10 cabin assigned I was curious if pool deck noise would be an issue. I am happy to report it was not. One of the crew is approaching the end of their contract term and had been assigned another ship for his next engagement. He requested staying on Freedom and was approved. He also told me he is trying to get an extension on his current term. Obviously the crew like the Freedom of the Seas as well. I can't think of a single negative crew experience anywhere on the ship. Freedom is not a brand new ship and after sailing on Harmony a few weeks ago you do need to maintain perspective and research the ship. By doing so expectations were met and overall I'm very happy with the experience. Money well spent. The only problem - it was too short. I had almost made it into a B2B but work intervened. Having sailed Freedom I'll keep an eye on her in the spring for short term deals. Liberty is high on my list for her water slides and I've booked Independence so hopefully soon I can complete the Freedom class trilogy.

Well, I spend a lot of time in the Schooner. Not a lot of noise in there and usually only a piano player during the day or evening. And on the Oasis, its a smaller bar. I wouldn't worry about the noise too much, even during the day.

Today was a beautiful sunny day as we made our way around the North coast of Cuba on our way back to Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale. I enjoyed my lunch in the Windjammer, took in some sun at various places including the solarium, captured some sunset pictures and headed to dinner in the MDR. Minutes ago I entered an elevator and made small talk as you some times do in an elevator. When a woman asked how am I am doing I replied "Not good, I have to leave tomorrow". At that point none other than Super Mario turned from looking out the elevator at the promenade and said "get off my ship!". Too funny! With his back turned I had no idea I was chatting with him! I'm procrastinating at the moment. Packing my bags is what I should be doing, but as long as I make the final theater show at 9pm... Here are some sunset photos from tonight: I caught a cat running down the stairs after the Dreamworks parade. One last look at the decks 3, 4 and 5.

This was an amazing live blog! That's so much for sharing and for the fantastic pictures!

Thanks for all the updates, I do miss the Freedom. It is by far my favorite.

Thanks a bunch for such a great liveblog, @twangster! Really really excited now for my own 8-night voyage on her in just 132 days! Can’t wait wait for your next live blog on Anthem!

Disembarkation I had an early flight so I wanted to be off early and did the self-assist disembarkation. The line by the doors on deck 4 near Boleros began queueing at 5am. The ship was already tied up at the pier. You have two options for self-assist, line up near Schooner Bar or line up near Boleros. At the forward Schooner Bar door to the outside deck it's farther from the gangway so they allow you to queue up outside. At the Boleros end they require you to wait inside. You don't have to do self-assist, standard disembarkation for guests who put luggage out the night before works as normal and luggage valet is offered in Port Everglades. I've done luggage valet on Harmony in Port Everglades and it works great. Put your luggage out the night before and you never see or touch it again until baggage claim in your home airport. You have to have a later flight though, after 11am I think. Suite and Pinnacle were escorted past us, including Super Mario who explained customs always wants to see him as they suspect he is laundering money :). There was some sort of delay, supposedly someone's credit card had an issue and immigration wouldn't begin until it was cleared up. So we waited, and waited. It was becoming quite stuffy inside and this morning was cool by Florida standards so all of us longed to be waiting outside. If it was hot and humid we would be glad to inside. Breakfast options start at 6am for a continental breakfast at cafe promenade or 6:30am for WJ, so I planned to grab something at the airport. At 6:50am they allowed us to disembark. I was in a cab heading to the airport by 7:05am, bag checked and through security at my gate by 7:25am. My 8:45am flight will start boarding at 8:15am. Since I have elite status with my airline I can push my luck knowing I can get something later if needed, otherwise I wouldn't book an early flight like this. With that it's time to exit the Delta Skyclub and head to my gate. I'll work on a summary on the plane and post that later.

Thanks for taking the time to do this blog @twangster! Really enjoyed following each day. Can't wait to follow along your next journey in a few days on Anthem and then Indy...Still envious. Share pics please ?

Day 8 Dinner - My Time Dining MDR I chose the Lamb Shank and Key Lime pie for dessert. It was all very good. The reality is starting to kick in, I'll be cooking for myself by this time tomorrow. I need another cruise. Oh, wait...

Day 8 - Sea Day, Last Day Sunrise as we make our way back to Port Everglades

OMG. This blog is so awesome, I just booked Indy next month! Ok @Matt I know you are going on her next week, tag... you're it!

Welcome aboard Mike, Yes, you will need to go online and fill out forms. Log into your account and reservation number. On the Count Down To Cruise page you will see "Online Check-In" and "Cruise Documentation" on the right side of he page just above the Cruise Planner banner. The Online Check in and Cruise Documentation will be available 90 days prior to your cruise date and must be completed 3 days prior to the cruise date. The cruise documentation will tell you when boarding starts, but, you can show up early. If you do get on board early, like 11:00 a.m., your cabin will not be available probably until after 2:00 p.m. Their will be porters available when you get off the bus that will take your bags and get them on board. They appreciate tips and they are well worth it rather than dragging your bags on board. Just be sure you have your baggage tags (you will print these off when you do the on line check in) securely attached and visible on your suit cases. Many of us on this message board use these which are available on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Cruise-Luggage-Holder-Seal-Steel/dp/B01E4SQNU4/ref=sr_1_4?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1510942270&sr=1-4&nodeID=9479199011&psd=1&keywords=cruise+luggage+tags. I would recommend attaching these tags to your suit cases after you pick them up at the airport baggage claim area. Since your room may not be ready for you and your suit cases will not be delivered for a couple of hours, bring a back pack with any medications you need, bathing suits, sunscreen, cameras, etc. There will be places on board to get lunch and the bars will be open as well as the pool. This will also be an excellent time to walk around the ship and explore! Feel free to ask any questions you have. Let us know which ship you will be on and what the itinerary is. That way we can give you more advise and recommendations! rjac Online Check-in

@twangster what's your count at now??? Everyone else...CALL NOW! THERE IS STILL TIME! FOMO IS REAL!!

Now you ruined the whole thing ! LOL

Let's see, so far I've cost @Sweety a new lens and @Sabrinaklai a new cruise. Not bad for a few days work...

@twangster RC should pay you commission! After looking at these pics for the last few days, and having never sailed Freedom class myself, I just booked a cruise on Indy! Figured it would be very similar since they are sister ships and Indy will have the slides and trampoline park by the time we sail her. I have to say, your pics had a lot to do with the decision making! Thanks! Even my husband who never knows the where, what, how, and when is asking, "So, what pics did Twangster post today?" ??Thanks for taking the time to do this blog!

Been on Freedom a three times, my favorite. We were actually on the last cruise out of Port Canaveral. Wish it stayed....

They do, my daughter loves it with the fries.

I wouldn't get off the boat at a private island if that was the case.

They swap out the kimonos for the bath robes.

Eve: Here ya go, one champagne cocktail. Adam: Oh, thank you. Eve: I thought only hookers drank those things? Adam: Well, I know Mom sure likes 'em.