I wanted to share pictures and the fun had on my first cruise! It was a Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Western Caribbean. We left out of Fort Lauderdale and went to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Labadee Haiti, Grand Cayman and Costa Maya Mexico. I went on the cruise with some friends in January 2009. I know! So long ago! But, I did go on another one last year, Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas out of Baltimore, MD.
At the time of the cruise, Freedom of the Seas was the largest cruise ship. That didn’t last long of course! Royal Caribbean is always looking for ways to make sure their guests are happy!
The first thing we did when we got on the ship was, you got it! Got a drink. How can you not get a drink when you’re about to walk the ship and layout on the lounges? We had a perfect day in Fort Lauderdale before we got on the boat, so of course, it was made better when we got ON the boat!
The second thing we did was get in our bathing suits and went to get in the cantilevered hot tub. Just imagine if you can. Sitting in the hot tub and knowing that the only thing from you falling into the ocean was the bottom of the hot tub! Talk about unhindered views.
When we got to Labadee Haiti, our excursion for the day was zip lining. Oh my. The zip line is called Dragon’s Breath. They have you do a training on a smaller zip line closer to the beach area.
The views were absolutely amazing!
This zip line claims its fame as the longest zip line of 2,600 feet over the water. It also goes over trees and a sandy beach. Speeds can reach up to 50 mph. The ride was exhilarating. I screamed most of the way down. Felt bad for the guy who went down next to me! Now, I’m going to admit how much of a wuss I was. The whole time up on the launch pad, I kept telling my friends. I can’t do this! What was I thinking, allowing you to talk me into this??? I must be out of my everloving mind. They just laughed at me and continued watching everyone going down before us. Disrespectful…
I was SO glad I did it though! It was scary, but it really was SO worth it. After we did the zip line, we lazed around on the beach, went swimming and shopped at the local merchant shops.
Our next stop was Ocho Rios Jamaica. We took the party boat to our next excursion of climbing up Dunn’s River Falls. Ummm. Party boat at 9 am? And they are VERY free with the Rum. Climbing the falls when you are tipsy is quite the experience!
Most of the way up the falls you do have to hold hands with everyone. Although, the workers there? They must have known exactly where to step. They were climbing right up the middle in bare feet. There are spots along the way up that you can stop and get good pictures.
It’s really not a bad climb, though. It gets a little slippery of course, but for the most part, it’s not bad at all. If you’re going, make sure to wear water shoes
As the comedian on the last night pointed out… No white woman should EVER get her hair braided like this. I can only blame the rum…
After we got off the party boat back at port, we went exploring Jamaica. Jamaica truly is a beautiful island. The people are very friendly. Always have a smile. I mean come on. Living on an island? Who wouldn’t be happy?
Our next port of the Royal Caribbean cruise was Grand Cayman. and then Costa Maya Mexico. In Grand Cayman, we took a cab to the Seven Mile Beach. They didn’t charge us to get there. Our driver told us to pay her when she came back to get us. We swam and laid out for a few hours. It was our day of nothingness. And it felt great. We went back to town and shopped of course. We had lunch at what I thought was Sr. Frogs, but I’m thinking it was Breezes. Either way, the food was great!
In Mexico, we did the all you can eat and drink excursion package. We had chairs. Went jet skiing. However, I will admit, after a few moments of this, I had my friend bring me back to shore! Staying on land I took pictures of them lol. We also went kayaking and a friend climbed the inflatable rock climbing wall, and we all had fun on the huge trampoline in the water. Sorry for my lack of pictures for the last two ports!
The days that we were at sea, we took in the sun, played games, watched shows and explored everything they had on the ship. But, I will say one thing. If you have ADD or ADHD? Make sure you bring your medication so you can focus. During a Royal Caribbean cruise, there is so much to do on the ships, you will want to do it all. And you can’t! Well, you can if you go on the same ship again and don’t get off at the islands. We talked to a few couples who have done that.
Have you been on a Royal Caribbean cruise before? Or any cruise? What was your favorite thing? What didn’t you like?
Here are some other pictures from the cruise ship :).
Here is a brief list of what you should include in your suitcases for your cruise!
- Charger
– This is a three outlet charger and two USB cords.
- Waterproof Case – Phones or anything else to keep dry.
- Beach Towel Clips – Keeps your towels from blowing away when you are on the deck lounger.
- Over the Door Pocket Organizer
– This was a perfect fit right over the bathroom door. Kept your counters cleared. We all know how small those bathrooms are!
- Walkie Talkies
– Especially great if you are traveling with multiple people, or your teens want to wander. Easy to keep in touch with.
– This is a three outlet charger and two USB cords.
– This was a perfect fit right over the bathroom door. Kept your counters cleared. We all know how small those bathrooms are!
– Especially great if you are traveling with multiple people, or your teens want to wander. Easy to keep in touch with.
If you’re new here, make sure to stop over and follow me on Facebook and Instagram! I’m hoping to have more travel pictures this year for you all! My plans are to go to:
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Nashville, TN
- Poconos, PA or
- Rhode Island
Stay tuned for more!
Vintage Roots and Hippie Wings 
38 responses to “Royal Caribbean Cruise – Freedom of the Seas”
I have been dying to go on another cruise. I have never gone on Royal Caribbean, but that is the next cruise line I want to try out.
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I absolutely love Royal Caribbean. I haven’t been on any other cruise line, but I tend to stick with a company once I love them lol.
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I haven’t been on a cruise in years. I do visit the Caribbean every year, but I usually fly to my destination. This one sure looks like fun.
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Where do you normally visit? Or is it different locations each year?
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That looks like such a fun cruise! I really want to go on a Viking River Cruise! I’m afraid I’d get stuck in the ocean, and a river isn’t too wide lol.
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Wow it looks like you had a great time. I have never been on a cruise before, so it is definitely on my list of must-dos!
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We are probably the only people left to go on a cruise but we do plan to go. Yours looks like fun! I have heard great things about Royal Caribbean.
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I have never been on a cruise— but think I finally have my husband talked into one! This looks so fun, thanks for sharing! Maybe for our 15 year anniversary!
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I have never been on a cruise. After reading your post, I guess it will be fun. Thanks.
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We have never been on a royal cruise before. We were put off there when so many people were getting sick. Seems like they have improved and you had a great time. Those towels made into animals are fun and the food looks delicious.
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Sounds like you had a great time. You did a ton of fun excursions. I have never been in a cruise but you make me want to go on one!
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Your cruise looks like it was so much fun!! I would love to go on a cruise one day!!
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Cruising is so much fun! My husband and I are headed on our fourth cruise together in December. I cannot wait!
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We’ve never been on a cruise .. although many of our friends have. Maybe one day soon .. we do have an anniversary coming up!
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I love cruises and we jump at any chance we have to board one. The Royal Caribbean cruise looks like so much fun! I admire your courage going down that zip line. I won’t do it. That’s for sure.
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The Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Western Caribbean would be so much fun. I have never been on a cruise before but would love to experience this cruise for my fist one as well. The falls look like it was an amazing adventure. Thanks for sharing your awesome experiences.
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I am trying to travel with Royal Caribbean this year. I have been on another one but I would like to see how this one compares. You all look like you had a good time!
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Cruise looks like such a fun! I really want to go on a Cruise! I want to enjoy the air breeze in the mid of the sea far from the noise and the hustle-bustle of cities where we live. Only the never ending sky and sound of the ocean. Imagining how the experience would be.
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Ana, it is amazing! I went on a nine-day cruise last May to Bahamas and Bermuda. We had several days that were at sea. I’d just sit on the deck and look out at the ocean. As busy as I am? That felt like a luxury!
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I recently went on my first cruise (Carnival) last November and it was so much fun! I never thought of myself as a cruise person but I enjoyed it so much that I’ve been looking to book a Royal Caribbean Cruise and a Disney cruise ASAP!
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Ahhh! This sounds and looks like it was a blast! We’ve never tried this cruise line before but it looks like a winner!
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I really want to experience the complete cruise ship thrill. The luxuries, the beautiful views and the amazing time. The Royal Caribbean would definitely be one that I want to travel in.
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OH WOW! It looks like you had a blast! I have been on 1 cruise in my life and I had an amazing time. I really want to take my kiddos on a Disney Cruise. Maybe I will sneak one in before that lol.
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I have never been on a cruise. My husband and I have talked about going, but I’m not sure that I would enjoy being on a big boat. I may splurge for a Disney Cruise when the kids are a little older.
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I have never joined a cruise yet. I remember a colleague of mine asking me if I would like to try it. I am still not sure if I can endure a cruise because I have a sea sickness. On the other hand, I think that you did well and you enjoyed your royal caribbean cruise. Aside from that, you have good photos out there. I love it.
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Oh wow, what a fun adventure. I have never been on a cruise, but my husband and I are saving up for a cruise on our anniversary. I will keep this cruise line in mind.
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I would love to go on a Royal Carribean cruise. My aunt has cruised with them a few times. I’ve only been on one, with another cruise line, and my son has been begging to do another one ever since. I’ve heard such great things about RC!
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Sounds like you had an amazing time! I have never been to Jamaica or Haiti, only to Dominican Republic but I would love to go. That zip line does look pretty scary, I’m not sure I would have been able to do it!
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I never used to care much about cruises, and coincidentally have never been on one. However, in the last few years they have been intriguing me more and more!
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[…] of Fancy Mom has a review of their recent Freedom of the Seas […]
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I’ve heard nothing but great things about Royal Caribbean. I would love to make this our very first cruise experience. Hopefully I will be able to make that happen sooner rather than later!
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[…] of Fancy Mom has a review of their recent Freedom of the Seas […]
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[…] of Fancy Mom has a review of their recent Freedom of the Seas […]
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I have never been on a cruise because I am still kind of afraid to take it. Although I might just go soon. Your trip looks awesome!
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Jocelyn, a friend of mine is afraid to be out in the middle of the ocean with no land around her. I keep trying to convince her, but as she can’t swim, I don’t think it’s going to happen. But a cruise is a great way to see multiple places in one vacation!
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Add to your travel list nausea medication, patches or wristbands. I have been on 2 cruises and the first time I got sick, the second time I didn’t. I am so happy you had so much fun!
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I was thinking of that! I know it’s an issue, but didn’t add it for some reason. May have to update the post with that 🙂
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I’ve never been on a cruise before. I’d really like to go on one though!
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