Southern Dan Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 Alright gang, here we go again. Having completed my first solo cruise on Radiance a few weeks ago I now have 5 Nights onboard Freedom of the Seas sailing out of the universally loved Port of Miami. One week until I set sail, and it can’t get here soon enough. This is going to be my first time sailing on a Freedom Class ship. For this trip I splurged and booked the UDP. I have a healthy mix of a lunch and dinner each at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen (which I’ve never dined at) and Chops Grill as well as a dinner at Izumi. No specialty on Night 1 as I just want to be free with no plans and the next day we’re in port followed by the Super Bowl. On top of that I look forward to my beloved Windjammer where I will sample all the finest Indian dishes by our friends at Royal Caribbean. I also plan on visiting El Loco Fresh and Playmakers for snacks when necessary. Might even swing by Johnny Rockets if I get a hankering for a milkshake! Excited to have the large hot tubs on the side of the ship in the Solarium as I like going up there each morning. Curious how the "open air" Solarium is, never experienced that before. I really liked the themed Solarium on Radiance but it got crowded in there and couldn't enjoy the one hot tub in there as it was always occupied with a line of people waiting to get in. The Super Bowl onboard will be a first for me which should be fun. I also would like to see the ice skating show as I didn’t when I was onboard Symphony a couple years ago. I’m flying in a day early on Friday and will be staying at the Hilton Miami Downtown for Night Zero. My cabin for the weekend will be a Balcony on Deck 8. Like my last sailing, the itinerary will be nothing Earth shattering with visits to Nassau on Super Bowl Sunday where I plan to visit the Royal Beach Club after enjoying it a ton on my Radiance sailing. There is also a stop at Falmouth Jamaica which replaced Labadee. I will be staying on the ship for that stop. The only thing left to do is pack I guess, will get around to it either Tuesday or Wednesday night. Gonna also have to pack a backpack for a quick trip up to NYC too, I'll be flying home to Georgia from Miami on the 12th to do laundry and spend a night with my cats. Then I'll be flying up to JFK the following day for two nights with my wife for Valentines Day. We'll be staying at the TWA Hotel which is very cool, will be our second time staying there. It's gonna be a busy 10 days or so... Ampurp85, JohnK6404, OCSC Mike and 9 others 11 1 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 5 minutes ago, Southern Dan said: No specialty on Night 1 You know I love me some WJ Indian food... but SKIPPING a UDP dinner??? Blasphemy! My family said they probably won't go to all the lunches in March... so unless my wife or a niece wants to go with me, I may have a solo meal or two in your honor. Ogilthorpe, Southern Dan, WAAAYTOOO and 3 others 3 3 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 7 minutes ago, Southern Dan said: out of the universally loved Port of Miami. [raises eyebrows in deep skepticism] 🫨 OCSC Mike, Jamesszy94, MaryS and 7 others 9 1 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 freedom is @Ampurp85’s favorite ship. (maybe wonder too) anyway!! here we go!! Ogilthorpe, Southern Dan, JohnK6404 and 3 others 4 2 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 31 Author Report Posted January 31 3 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said: You know I love me some WJ Indian food... but SKIPPING a UDP dinner??? Blasphemy! My family said they probably won't go to all the lunches in March... so unless my wife or a niece wants to go with me, I may have a solo meal or two in your honor. I know, I know. I just figured after Nassau/Super Bowl Sunday I literally will be on the ship for 3 straight days and have no plans other than eating/drinking/relaxing so I want to give myself flexibility for the first 36 hours onboard. Dining solo was more enjoyable than I expected, no chit chat just enjoying a nice meal and people watching. I won't stare at people in the mouths like those Europeans on Icon the past two weeks though...that is just flat-out creepy. 4 minutes ago, asquared17 said: [raises eyebrows in deep skepticism] 🫨 I am really not looking forward to dealing with Port of Miami...I have this sailing and then Icon in January to deal with. Hopefully they go relatively smooth... OCSC Mike, Ampurp85, Ogilthorpe and 4 others 7 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 1 minute ago, Southern Dan said: I literally will be on the ship for 3 straight days and have no plans other than eating/drinking/relaxing Sub PDCC for Nassau and that's our recent and short term future cruise plans... sounds good to me! Ampurp85, JohnK6404, Southern Dan and 2 others 5 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 10 minutes ago, Southern Dan said: 17 minutes ago, asquared17 said: [raises eyebrows in deep skepticism] 🫨 I am really not looking forward to dealing with Port of Miami...I have this sailing and then Icon in January to deal with. Hopefully they go relatively smooth... just give yourself plenty of cushion time. there’s this golden window where the disembarked are mostly gone and the incumbent cruisers are slowly arriving. you want to time it for that window. better to sit at the port than stuck in the traffics. Sweety, Ampurp85, Ogilthorpe and 2 others 5 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 31 Author Report Posted January 31 7 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said: Sub PDCC for Nassau and that's our recent and short term future cruise plans... sounds good to me! I had booked my Allure 6Nt for late Sept/early Oct this year but found out my bosses have something that Saturday 10/3 planned so I'm gonna have to switch to the Utopia 4Nt instead that week. I will lose two days but at least I get to go on the newest and best Oasis Class ship. I also will get to check out Port Canaveral for the first time too. Should figure that out for sure next week and reach out to my TA to make the switch. I will not get off the ship at all for that sailing probably. OCSC Mike, Sweety, JohnK6404 and 2 others 5 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 31 Author Report Posted January 31 1 minute ago, asquared17 said: just give yourself plenty of cushion time. there’s this golden window where the disembarked are mostly gone and the incumbent cruisers are slowly arriving. you want to time it for that window. better to sit at the port than stuck in the traffics. I'm probably gonna get a ride over there at 9:30 to beat the mad rush, my scheduled boarding time is 11:30 so I'm sure I'll get on early too. Ampurp85, Ogilthorpe, Sweety and 1 other 4 Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 23 minutes ago, Southern Dan said: No specialty on Night 1 There's still time to correct this obvious temporary, lapse of sound judgement. The Freedom Class is a wonderful size ship. Not too big, not too small. I know you will enjoy it ! Sweety, JohnK6404, Jamesszy94 and 5 others 5 3 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 Freedom is still my favorite ship in a tie with Wonder. Since you didn't make a night 1 plan you can always get Playmakers if the WJ doesn't suffice. I say it depends on how close your hotel is to the port but 9:30 on a weekday might see you arriving at 10:30 with traffic. Icon started boarding at 10:30, which might also be the case for freedom . Jamesszy94, JohnK6404, Southern Dan and 5 others 5 3 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 14 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: There's still time to correct this obvious temporary, lapse of sound judgement. When someone besides me tells you it's a mistake... just saying. JohnK6404, Ogilthorpe, Ampurp85 and 3 others 6 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 20 minutes ago, Southern Dan said: I'm probably gonna get a ride over there at 9:30 to beat the mad rush, my scheduled boarding time is 11:30 so I'm sure I'll get on early too. 3 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: I say it depends on how close your hotel is to the port but 9:30 on a weekday might see you arriving at 10:30 with traffic agree. depending on how close your hotel is — i’d recommend planning earlier. we left at 9:30 last time from the JW marriott (v close) and still got caught in traffic. maybe leave closer to 9? Ogilthorpe, Ampurp85, JohnK6404 and 3 others 6 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 31 Author Report Posted January 31 According to Google Maps this is what it’s like currently…not bad at all. I know things vary greatly week-to-week. JohnK6404, WAAAYTOOO, Sweety and 2 others 5 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 i’d also consider checking to see how many ships will be in POM that day. if on the lower end of the lineup, definitely easier!! Sweety, Ogilthorpe, JohnK6404 and 1 other 4 Quote
InmyElement Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 58 minutes ago, Southern Dan said: Dining solo was more enjoyable than I expected, no chit chat just enjoying a nice meal and people watching. I won't stare at people in the mouths like those Europeans on Icon the past two weeks though...that is just flat-out creepy. You just made my morning..And a solo cruise sounds dangerously delightful. No chit chat, peak people watching, AND the bed to myself?! lol I’m usually the coffee/food runner..I wouldn’t know how to behave with all that freedom. Shhhhh...lol JohnK6404, OCSC Mike, Ampurp85 and 6 others 8 1 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 31 Author Report Posted January 31 4 minutes ago, asquared17 said: i’d also consider checking to see how many ships will be in POM that day. if on the lower end of the lineup, definitely easier!! I was JUST doing that...6 this Saturday vs 9 next Saturday. 9am it is! asquared17, Ogilthorpe, Sweety and 2 others 4 1 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 34 minutes ago, Southern Dan said: I was JUST doing that...6 this Saturday vs 9 next Saturday. 9am it is! oh yeah. especially if there are some big kahunas in port. Ogilthorpe and Sweety 2 Quote
JohnK6404 Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 Have a great time! One of many we have yet to sail. We've only been on Liberty in that class and loved it (2015)! Southern Dan 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 7 hours ago, Southern Dan said: For this trip I splurged and booked the UDP. Great size ship to have the UDP on. I find that on the bigger ships UDP can be too much sometimes. But both times we have sailed FR and had the UDP, it was just enough. And not a total fan of POM traffic but that sail away just cannot be beat! OCSC Mike, Sweety, Ogilthorpe and 5 others 7 1 Quote
Southern Dan Posted February 1 Author Report Posted February 1 Port Everglades was definitely not as scenic as Miami but getting in and out of there more than made up for it. Sweety, Ogilthorpe, asquared17 and 1 other 3 1 Quote
asquared17 Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 3 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: And not a total fan of POM traffic but that sail away just cannot be beat! amen!!!! the basin turn around when the sun hits the skyline 6 minutes ago, Southern Dan said: Port Everglades was definitely not as scenic as Miami but getting in and out of there more than made up for it. 100 percent agree. this is why i stopped torturing myself and put a formal kabosh on POM. Sweety, Ogilthorpe, JohnK6404 and 2 others 5 Quote
Southern Dan Posted February 1 Author Report Posted February 1 Just got that silly email from Royal overnight talking about final payment and cancellation for this sailing when I paid it off like 3 months ago. Of course I panic and go to my sailing and it says paid in full...way to give me unnecessary anxiety first thing Sunday morning Royal you big knuckleheads. MaryS, Sweety, JohnK6404 and 6 others 1 8 Quote
asquared17 Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 if it makes you feel any better, i keep getting messages from hotel indigo in miami, where we booked for this trip initially as we were going on beyond. confirming my reservation (which i cancelled months ago) and today telling me to check out MaryS, JohnK6404, Southern Dan and 6 others 6 3 Quote
Southern Dan Posted February 1 Author Report Posted February 1 In good news, just found out our store is not opening up today so only 4 more days of work until vacation! JohnK6404, Ogilthorpe, Lovetocruise2002 and 7 others 9 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 3 hours ago, asquared17 said: if it makes you feel any better, i keep getting messages from hotel indigo in miami, where we booked for this trip initially as we were going on beyond. confirming my reservation (which i cancelled months ago) and today telling me to check out I get those emails too from a few hotels that I have cancelled. Sometimes I get them reminding me to check in and then I worry I forgot to cancel it. I don't know why that happens. PPPJJ-GCVAB, Ogilthorpe, Sweety and 1 other 1 3 Quote
tonyfsu21 Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 On 1/31/2026 at 10:23 AM, Southern Dan said: I know, I know. I just figured after Nassau/Super Bowl Sunday I literally will be on the ship for 3 straight days and have no plans other than eating/drinking/relaxing so I want to give myself flexibility for the first 36 hours onboard. Dining solo was more enjoyable than I expected, no chit chat just enjoying a nice meal and people watching. I won't stare at people in the mouths like those Europeans on Icon the past two weeks though...that is just flat-out creepy. I am really not looking forward to dealing with Port of Miami...I have this sailing and then Icon in January to deal with. Hopefully they go relatively smooth... POM is fantastic and second in efficiency only to PC. As long as you time the entry process correctly, POM is so quick (especially for Icon)! Quote
Southern Dan Posted February 3 Author Report Posted February 3 On 2/1/2026 at 5:30 PM, tonyfsu21 said: POM is fantastic and second in efficiency only to PC. As long as you time the entry process correctly, POM is so quick (especially for Icon)! I've heard Icon is very efficient. I've heard less than good things about the MSC AA Terminal that I'll be embarking/disembarking at for this Freedom cruise. Guess I'll find out in 5 days, will be in Miami in 4. Cannot wait. Ampurp85, JohnK6404, MaryS and 2 others 5 Quote
asquared17 Posted February 3 Report Posted February 3 26 minutes ago, Southern Dan said: I've heard less than good things about the MSC AA Terminal that I'll be embarking/disembarking at for this Freedom cruise. my nightmares still haunt me from AA. BUT. i have faith you will have a better experience!!!! Ogilthorpe, Ampurp85 and Southern Dan 3 Quote
Southern Dan Posted February 3 Author Report Posted February 3 Good Lord, I might have to start drinking early Saturday at the hotel to numb the pain. Ogilthorpe, asquared17, OCSC Mike and 3 others 1 5 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted February 3 Report Posted February 3 People who experienced the larger terminals have a different POV. The smaller terminals aren't like terminal A in POM. They aren't always fast, nor as efficient. I forgot what terminal Indy sailed from Jan 2025 but it was a mess even around noon.. InmyElement, Ogilthorpe, Southern Dan and 1 other 4 Quote
Southern Dan Posted February 4 Author Report Posted February 4 I pulled my small suitcase and backpack out of ye ole closet so I guess I’m making some progress. Will pull clothes tomorrow morning while enjoying my coffee before work. Tired and don’t feel like dealing with it tonight. 36 hrs until I head to the airport… OCSC Mike, JohnK6404, Ampurp85 and 4 others 6 1 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted February 5 Report Posted February 5 9 minutes ago, Southern Dan said: I pulled my small suitcase and backpack out of ye ole closet so I guess I’m making some progress. Will pull clothes tomorrow morning while enjoying my coffee before work. Tired and don’t feel like dealing with it tonight. 36 hrs until I head to the airport… Right on schedule in my book. Preparing for the UDP > worrying about packing. JohnK6404, Southern Dan, Ogilthorpe and 1 other 4 Quote
Southern Dan Posted February 5 Author Report Posted February 5 2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said: Right on schedule in my book. Preparing for the UDP > worrying about packing. Now that I settled on the Utopia 4Nt for September I kind of want to book the UDP for that so I can make my reservations before I leave Friday morning. Mason Jar awaits! I think I’m gonna do Royal Railway too even though I’ll be solo…not sure if/when I’ll sail on Utopia again honestly as I’m a long ways off for repeating ships. Ampurp85, OCSC Mike, WAAAYTOOO and 2 others 5 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted February 5 Report Posted February 5 28 minutes ago, Southern Dan said: I kind of want to book the UDP for that so I can make my reservations before I leave Friday morning. Just be aware that I’ve found the UDP to be pretty glitchy with Utopia. We have it for both legs of our B2B in March & the 4N leg in June. Day 1 on 2 of those 3 legs didn’t let me make reservations for months after I had already booked the other days. Strategy reminders… the one sea day is the only day certain restaurants like Hooked are open for lunch while Mason Jar brunch is served on embarkation day. Also, if you’re not going to the RBC or doing something else in Nassau, GK & I believe Izumi are open for lunch while in port. Just some info to help you plan. No one is forcing you to book 7 specialty meals during a 4N cruise… and then try to use your daily credits to Playnakers, Gio’s Wine Bar, and Izumi in the Park. Have I mentioned that the UDP is especially crazy on Utopia? WAAAYTOOO, JohnK6404 and Southern Dan 3 Quote
Southern Dan Posted February 5 Author Report Posted February 5 After looking at the weather for the next week I've made my list for packing. It's going to be warm but not hot this trip. It will be 30 degrees leaving my apt in GA at 6am and the high in Miami tomorrow will only be 60. Nassau Sunday is going to be mostly cloudy with a high of 65...I will probably not get off the ship immediately as planned even though Wonder and Explorer will be there with us. Not gonna be laying on a chaise lounge this go around. Probably get off the ship around 10am, have a few drinks and enjoy the heated pools. Eat a few things then try to meet up with twangster and Almond Farmer around 1pm. Will probably get back on ship shortly thereafter. Sea Day on Monday is going to be partly cloudy with a high of only 75, Falmouth has a high of 81 but it's going to be sunny but pretty windy which might lead to issues for us docking. No big deal, staying on ship anyways. Sea Day on Wednesday will be 75 and mostly sunny. This cruise will be all about exploring the ship, eating, drinking and enjoying hot tubs. I have booked the UDP for my September Utopia sailing, more on that later. Very excited to get this journey started! OCSC Mike, Lovetocruise2002, Ogilthorpe and 3 others 5 1 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted February 5 Report Posted February 5 1 hour ago, Southern Dan said: This cruise will be all about exploring the ship, eating, drinking and enjoying hot tubs. Love it! 1 hour ago, Southern Dan said: I have booked the UDP for my September Utopia sailing, more on that later. Love that more, lol, but I'll shut up about Utopia. 5 weeks from tomorrow for us. Southern Dan, Ogilthorpe and JohnK6404 2 1 Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted February 5 Report Posted February 5 2 hours ago, Southern Dan said: meet up with twangster and Almond Farmer Now THAT will be an interesting meet-up. Mr. Pragmatic and The Joker. Can’t wait to hear those tales ! MaryS, Ampurp85, Lovetocruise2002 and 1 other 2 2 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted February 5 Report Posted February 5 I love that PDCC and the beach club make it easier for people on the blog to meet OCSC Mike, WAAAYTOOO, JohnK6404 and 3 others 5 1 Quote
Southern Dan Posted February 5 Author Report Posted February 5 6 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: I love that PDCC and the beach club make it easier for people on the blog to meet I haven’t met anyone here yet so hopefully it works out! WAAAYTOOO, OCSC Mike, Ampurp85 and 1 other 3 1 Quote
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