Freedom to Spring into Break (3/15/25-3/23/25)

[Gilley]

15 hours ago, GatorCruiser said:

We did the damajaqua waterfall and Atv excursion. Took the entire time we were in port. Boarded at 240 with 230 boarding time. Almost pier runners. Was good but had no time in Taino bay 

How was the ATV experience.  I’m there next month.  How long was the excursion.  I really want to spend a little time at port if time permits.  Is there an option to ski-the beach after the ATV ride?

[JohnK6404]

For us, the service in Playmaker's on Oasis, Odyssey, and Wonder were just OK, but the service on Icon was the worst of the four. I also do not like the basement bar vibe on Icon since you have no fresh air or view of the Boardwalk or the SeaPlex and ocean views.

Short story... my wife and I were eating in Playmaker's on Icon and she received a "Rover alert"  via our FB cruise group while we were finishing lunch. The server was nowhere to be found so my wife ditched me to catch up with Rover for a pic in Central Park! It took me 5 or 10 minutes to track down our server so I could sign the check and by that time Rover had left CP. We did catch up with her again later that day! 

[GatorCruiser]

1 hour ago, JohnK6404 said:

For us, the service in Playmaker's on Oasis, Odyssey, and Wonder were just OK, but the service on Icon was the worst of the four. I also do not like the basement bar vibe on Icon since you have no fresh air or view of the Boardwalk or the SeaPlex and ocean views.

Short story... my wife and I were eating in Playmaker's on Icon and she received a "Rover alert"  via our FB cruise group while we were finishing lunch. The server was nowhere to be found so my wife ditched me to catch up with Rover for a pic in Central Park! It took me 5 or 10 minutes to track down our server so I could sign the check and by that time Rover had left CP. We did catch up with her again later that day! 

Pretty much sums up our experience on icon as well. I want to love playmakers because I love the concept but the service is always straight arse. And I tip with the best of them. The issue is getting their attention in the first place. Ok I’m done bagging on it and moving on. 
dinner last night was Gios, service was stellar, food fine. Caprese salad and steak muffeleta. 
SL breakfast pics for @OCSC Mike Chocolate croissants daily amigo! 
St Thomas today, doing royal signature excursion whatever that is. Kayak, hike, snorkel in cas cay. I’ll have @Tarheel Cruiser provide review. 

[TarheelCruiser]

Review Damajagua Waterfall Hike and Buggy Adventure Puerto Plata Dominican Republic

Met at the Star Lounge at 7 am, and were on the shuttle to the excursion by 745 am. This was one of the most efficient boarding processes for excursions we’ve had, especially with it being such a large tour group.  I think we had 3 tour buses.   Since it was early, we did not have time to grab breakfast.  Big mistake, HUGE!  

It was a 45 minute ride to the location, we had to stop for a bit to let cows run down the road which the kids thought it was hilarious.  

At the location, we were split into groups of about 50 and our group did the buggy first.  We purchased lockers to store our stuff ($8 US) and headed over for the briefing and to get our helmets (full helmets with visors) They were Polaris vehicles, two or four seaters.  There are not as many four seaters so if you would like one, try to get in the front of the group.  4 seaters had a canopy roof the 2 seaters did not, so sunscreen would be absolutely needed.  We had a four seater. The ride was about an hour and went through farmland and then crossed the river/creek a few times we also went through a small village where the tour operators had police blocking a couple of sections of the road for safety.  There was a small stop for us to purchase things and switch drivers.  However, no one brought in cash with them, but apparently you could pay back at the location.  We did not buy anything.

 

Headed back for waterfall hike, got fitted for lifejackets and helmets.  Close toed shoes are required so some people had to rent water shoes ($8 US).  Our family has the Columbia drain maker shoes, which are good for water and hiking, and were perfect for this excursion.  On the way to the waterfall entrance, we walk through a little section that had some shopping a nice canteen area with cocktails and snacks for purchase so we had planned on just purchasing some snacks and adult (and kid friendly) beverages after the hike.  

Our group of 50 went on the hike,   it was a vertical but not technical as most of the vertical areas had steps built, very rocky.  Because the park was so full that day there were a few stops along the hike in order to space the groups out and allow rest which made the hike very long.  We made it to the water after about an hour or so, and had to queue into the falls portion.  There were four rock slides and one area where you could choose between a 15 foot jump or another slide to get down the waterfall areas.  All of the slides dumped into plunge areas that were over everyone’s head hence the lifejackets and why they tell everyone to leave everything in a locker.  The slides hike and jump were super fun however all the stopping and starting, made it a very extended tour.  The listed time was 6 hours, however if there are no crowds it probably would have been closer to 4.5 hrs.  

We got back to the lockers at 1:45 PM and had to immediately jump on the bus as all aboard time for the ship was 2:30 PM and we still had to get back to the port.  We did not have any time to explore the area at the excursion or grab snacks or drinks.  Our shuttle made it back to the port area at 230 pm but dropped us on the other side where we had to walk through the entire port area to get to the pier.  It was fine at least we got to see the port while running through it.  Looked really nice, hope we come back here on another trip.  Made it back to the ship by 2:45 which is the first time we’ve ever been late for an all aboard.  Thank goodness it was a Royal excursion and they had a couple of people waiting for us.

 

Overall, fun excursion.  Eat breakfast and/or pack snacks.  Take bug spray, the waterfall hike is in a rainforest.  The tour provides plenty of bottled water.  If you want to explore the port, I would not recommend this excursion bc you will not have time unless the ship is leaving later.  

[smokeybandit]

The long drawn out backwards docking in st thomas is oddly relaxing

[WAAAYTOOO]

2 hours ago, GatorCruiser said:

 

I love Caprese salad....except for the one that has the super sweet syrup or whatever it is.  I think that one comes from Jamie's. This one looks like one of the "good" ones.  Did it have a sweet drizzle or is that just the balsamic glaze ?

[asquared17]

15 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Odyssey still stands as the worst.

15 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Odyssey Playmakers was the one and only restaurant I have ever walked out on. 

amen x3 hozier style. 

WHAT A TIME ON THAT SHIP. 

although — in their defense (and i can’t believe i’m saying this) that playmakers is horrendously laid out from a visibility standpoint. like you can’t see people in a line of sight way due to the wrap around layout with the seaplex in my opinion. 

16 hours ago, GatorCruiser said:

I feel like I’m the only one who experiences this.

i swear you are not!!!

[smokeybandit]

On 3/15/2025 at 6:10 PM, GatorCruiser said:

OMG , get to port merchants stat!! 

More in stock tonight, but $119 is a bit stiff 

[asquared17]

12 hours ago, TarheelCruiser said:

Big mistake, HUGE!  

this made me think of the scene in pretty woman

[smokeybandit]

4 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

this made me think of the scene in pretty woman

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

7 hours ago, asquared17 said:

this made me think of the scene in pretty woman

Oh my gosh me too!  Love that movie!

[GatorCruiser]

So yesterday was st Thomas. We got into port at 11 am and our excursion met dockside at 1:15. We did laser tag for the first time at 10am and it was quite fun. It’s set up in studio b and the obstacle course is all inflatable.  
We got off ship and browsed around crown bay and had a few beers at bushwhackers bar right there in port before the excursion. 
Excursion was a kayak, hike, a snorkel in cas cay which is a protected marine sanctuary. It was fine. It was several hours and we again got back right before gangway up. 
dinner was windjammer and then bed. 
Today is St kitts. We have some type of catamaran excursion. Then I’ll hit up la casa del habanos for some stoges. I’ll try to get some more pics today.  
And indeed, @TarheelCruiser’s reference to Pretty Woman was intentional. She’s stoked y’all got it. 

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, GatorCruiser said:

dinner was windjammer

Ballers do not go to WJ (people like me do). Your status is dropping.

Congrats on D+ btw, think I forgot to say that earlier.

[GatorCruiser]

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

Ballers do not go to WJ (people like me do). Your status is dropping.

Sometimes you have to hang with gen pop so you don’t lose touch. Also, let the record reflect we have never done star class. So our baller status is limited. 

[GatorCruiser]

Random thoughts: we have some pineapple people in da house 

service has been great all around ship. 
Cabin steward awesome as always. 
Very limited observed shenanigan's if any. 
I must be very menacing looking, which is a good thing I suppose. 

[smokeybandit]

We met our cabin steward for the first time today. He's doing fine work just we hadn't crossed paths yet. 

 

We went to discovery beach bar, just down the beach from carambola beach club.

Lots of natural shade, fantastic food and fair prices. It's a one man show and he works on island time, so you need a bit of patience,  but a nice and relaxing place 

[smokeybandit]

It's not 103F. And the 50C is not 103F.

Funnier thing is that the floor above said 99

 

 

[GatorCruiser]

Back in suite lounge happy hour reflecting on the day. We were in St kitts today and our excursion was the st kitts and Nevis catamaran Sail and beach excursion. It met at 1015 where we boarded a very nice cat and sailed to penny beach in Nevis. Booze provided on the way there , while there and way back. It consisted of Carib beer, rum punch, and various soft drinks. Also a delicious lunch of black beans and rice fish and  chicken and pasta salad was provided. We also had about an hour and a half to frolic in the water. The boys found starfish and my feet got burned. The crew was incredible and actually, this might be the best catamaran excursion we have ever done and we have done a bunch. 
got back and hit up La casa de Habanos for Mojitos with Havana club and I bought some Cuban cigars. 

[GatorCruiser]

For @B. Lomax and @smokeybandit

[smokeybandit]

Those are hard to find in the states but those prices are steep.

 

 

[smokeybandit]

St maarten today, and this is the slowest docking procedure I've ever seen. 

[InmyElement]

On 3/18/2025 at 12:33 PM, asquared17 said:

amen x3 hozier style. 

WHAT A TIME ON THAT SHIP. 

although — in their defense (and i can’t believe i’m saying this) that playmakers is horrendously laid out from a visibility standpoint. like you can’t see people in a line of sight way due to the wrap around layout with the seaplex in my opinion. 

i swear you are not!!!

I hear ya..the layout is weird your back is to the ocean while sitting at the bar and we were there for the superbowl...talk about crazy   It is kinda my little hideout away from the chaos for a nice beer and wings/buffalo rolls during the day.  

We're back on the demon ship next week..

Sorry off topic as usual for me but loving your blog @GatorCruiser! Safe Travels!

St. Marten!

[smokeybandit]

I love me some gulhomars 

 

 

[GatorCruiser]

St maaarten today. Did the rhino riders excursion. Went to Maho Beach with the  rhino riders and saw a couple planes come in. Then went to Kimsha Beach where we played in the water and had a couple drinks and tacos . Then took bus back to front Street where I went to Gulhomars and La casa  del Habanos.had a few more beers at the SXM bar in port, then boarded and had some ELF. Saw big Bastards and Holland house @asquared17 from afar and looked on them longingly. Not to be this trip. 

rezy tonight at Chops. Met a nice couple and their kids on our excursion who are first time cruisers. I preached the gospel of cruising and they seem to be interested in doing more of it.

We are in port with symphony and Ascent. Ain’t gonna lie, Ascent Looks nice !

[GatorCruiser]

5 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I love me some gulhomars 

 

 

Interesting choices!! 

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, GatorCruiser said:

Interesting choices!! 

Two recommended by a friend at home,  the one on the right recommended by the store staff.

 

I easily could have gotten 3 more 

[TarheelCruiser]

A little late…
Cas Cay Small Group Adventure:  Kayak, Hike, Snorkel

St Thomas Royal Signature Excursion.  This was our first Royal signature excursion and it was definitely a smaller group ~20 people.  We boarded an open air shuttle and headed over toward the Haven side port.  It was a 30 minute ride to the site for the ecotour.  We had a safety briefing and got our life vests. There was a community locker and 4 port-a-potties available.  They had the option of two or one person kayaks.  @gatorcruiser and I each took a kid.  We kayaked through the mangroves and learned about them.  We saw quite a few jellyfish and were able to hold them.  We then headed to an island where the hike began.  There were hermit crabs everywhere, the kids loved picking them up.  We hiked to a coral beach area where there were sea urchins and starfish for the kids to pick up.  We then headed back to the beach where we snorkeled.  Not much to see, but we probably swam for ~1 mile total.  Thank goodness for life jackets!  We then kayaked back.  The guide said we kayaked for 3 miles total and we definitely felt it.  We rode the open air shuttle back to the port and made it back with very little time to spare.   Overall, it was a fun but very active excursion.  @gatorcruiser would have rather been at a beach bar!  

[OCSC Mike]

21 minutes ago, TarheelCruiser said:

Overall, it was a fun but very active excursion.  @gatorcruiser would have rather been at a beach bar!

He's not the only one, lol. Glad the kids enjoyed it though.

We did active stuff in Alaska b/c it's Alaska.

The most active I get in the Caribbean is the walk to get a taxi in Cozumel to go to a beach club or the walk down the road in St. Martin to the dock where our favorite speed boat & snorkel tour leaves from or the walk to our favorite spot on CocoCay. Oddly, all those walks end in me mostly sitting around eating and drinking. Weird.

[TarheelCruiser]

On 3/18/2025 at 6:33 AM, Gilley said:

How was the ATV experience.  I’m there next month.  How long was the excursion.  I really want to spend a little time at port if time permits.

Update from another couple.  While our group that did the Polaris vehicles first was late back to the port, the group that did the waterfall hike 1st made it back in plenty of time.  So your mileage may vary depending how your tour is spilt.  I wouldn’t plan on much time after, especially if you have the same docking and all aboard as we did (7-2:30pm) 

[GatorCruiser]

Dinner was chops. Pics below. Filets medium rare, lobster bisque, mushroom soup , wedge , red velvet and digestiv drink. Same server as previous dinner , Ankur, totally sublime. Great meal overall. 

[smokeybandit]

Barf bags are out. Expecting 9-10 foot seas tonight which is nothing for an experienced cruiser.

[asquared17]

6 hours ago, GatorCruiser said:

Saw big Bastards and Holland house @asquared17 from afar and looked on them longingly. Not to be this trip.

there will be other trips!!! st. maarten is the best!!

6 hours ago, GatorCruiser said:

We are in port with symphony and Ascent. Ain’t gonna lie, Ascent Looks nice !

my two favorite ships!!!!!!

and ascent is our ultimate favorite these days… can’t wait for you guys to come over to the dark side

[smokeybandit]

Add a another captain to the list that confirmed discovery class in 2029. He said, if I understand through the accent that he was unsure of the size,  just that it wouldn't be any smaller than radiance class.

[WAAAYTOOO]

15 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Barf bags are out. Expecting 9-10 foot seas tonight which is nothing for an experienced cruiser.

Where are you ?  We’re on our way to Labadee and our seas are like glass.  I’m gonna tell our Cap to steer clear of wherever you guys are !  

[GatorCruiser]

[GatorCruiser]

Chilling in the Viking crown lounge. I spy these two things. Sea is glassy but with swells. Also, freedoms suite sundeck is on top of lime and coconut on pool deck and has zero shade. It’s completely only for sun bathers. Otherwise you’d get nuked. I know you seasoned Freedom class cruisers know this but I did not. 

[smokeybandit]

That doesn't look like a margarita

[OCSC Mike]

13 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said:

Also, freedoms suite sundeck is on top of lime and coconut on pool deck and has zero shade. It’s completely only for sun bathers. Otherwise you’d get nuked.

Not that I worry about suite sun decks but that's awful.

[smokeybandit]

I mean, it is called a SUN deck

[GatorCruiser]

45 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I mean, it is called a SUN deck

Sunny indeed. I really like this ship. Freedoms class seems about as small as I can go at this point in my life. I’ve done explorer and have another on her later in the year, but that seems too small now. Freedom class and up for me.