Sad and Happy notes for the day … we leave San Juan – but we board Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Of The Seas for 6-days of sailing the Southern Caribbean, completing our travels through the Caribbean Islands.
a little about our home-away-from-home
Our room is a Grand Balcony Suite, and there is a reason behind getting such “lavish” accommodations .. the perks (and that “all-about-me” thing I keep referring to) that come with it compared to the standard room. While some people love sitting around a crowded pool, I prefer the solitude of my PRIVATE BALCONY where I can listen to the music I like (always create a playlist on your smart devices), I can lounge with cocktails delivered to the room (one of the perks), and the bathroom is just inside those sliding doors (for when you’ve had too many of those cocktails). Besides … I never have to worry about someone stealing my lounger. Tom has his and I have mine.
Of course, the rooms are bigger and we have a full-sized bathroom. The “so-called” bathrooms in a standard stateroom are basically closets with (if lucky) a 3’x3′ shower stall, a “bar-type” sink .. and wedged between the two is your commode.
One of the reasons I prefer this type of room is the availability to sit and relax in a designated “living space” instead of the bed or the typical love-seat that shares the space with your dressing area. I mean, we’re both bigger guys. WE NEED SPACE. If I don’t like crowded pools, do you seriously think I’m going to put up with a crowded room for a week. NOT!
… aboard the Freedom of the Seas
There are boring specifics on the ship, so I’ll get to the things everyone wants to know.
restaurants …
- Windjammer Buffet – free
- 3 different dining rooms on 3 different decks – free
- Promenade Cafe -free
- Sorrentos (pizza) – free
- Bull and Bear (English Pub) – a la carte
- Sabor (Mexican) – a la carte
- Chops (Steakhouse) – a la carte
- Giovanni’s Table (Italian) – a la carte
- Johnny Rockets (Burger joint) – a la carte
Pool areas …
Entertainment
If you can’t find something to do on a cruise, (simply put) you’re not looking. Of course, everyone has a different reason for cruising – most of the time is to sit around the pool , drink and pass out. Others like to partake in the numerous on-board pre-planned activities like Bingo, cupcake decorating, ballroom dancing … the list goes on and on.
On the Freedom of the Seas, you can play a round of mini-golf (on an actual course), climb the rock-wall, or test your talents on the flow-rider surf simulator. Mini-golf is free. A fee for the other things.
The theatre provides live entertainment every night, and on this ship there is also an ice-rink, open for skating during the day and professional shows at night.
In the main pool area, there is a huge outdoor screen where they are constantly playing sports, and each night is movie night where you pull up a lounger in your favourite spot, order up a cocktail and have some popcorn — all under the stars.
Personally … I finally did something I have never done after all these cruises. I got to see the full moon and the stars. I know – something so simple, but often taken for granted.
Sometimes, the simplest things make for the best vacations.
