ONBOARD FREEDOM OF THE SEAS — No lining up for meals, reveals or disembarkation. Dozens of pool deck chairs for the selecting. Effortless social distancing by default.
The Freedom of the Seas, which went through Royal Caribbean’s Amplified program simply earlier than the international cruise shutdown, felt extra like a personal superyacht than a large cruise ship at occasions on a three-night Bahamas & Perfect Day crusing out of Miami.
The Schooner Bar was one of a number of areas put aside for vaccinated visitors. Photo Credit: Hector Fadraga
Estimates from crew members of the quantity of passengers ranged from 700 to 800. Just do not get used to it, stated our maitre d’, who additionally famous many passengers have been first-timers.
Securing a pair’s therapeutic massage at the Vitality at Sea Spa and altering from early to My Time eating — two issues that throngs of fellow passengers might have made tougher — have been each a breeze. Multiple runs on the new Perfect Storm slides and embarrassing makes an attempt on the FlowRider and not using a peanut gallery have been attainable.
Also simply inside attain have been smaller diversions, resembling the probability to play a rubber match of billiards at the Playmakers Sports Bar with out having to make means for different visitors.
While having extra area to ourselves was good, we did miss the vitality {that a} fuller ship usually brings. Group actions undoubtedly suffered.
There was no raucous ’70s celebration on the Royal Promenade and bingo was canceled on Day 1 for lack of gamers.
A extra Perfect Day
The sense of opulence and area continued at our first name, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The non-public island can deal with a number of ships full of passengers, however on Saturday, the Freedom was the solely recreation on the town.
![T0726COCOCAY_HF [Credit: Hector Fadraga]](https://www.travelweekly.com/uploadedImages/Art/2021/0726/0726COCOCAY_HF.jpg?width=600&height=340&scale=both&mode=crop "T0726COCOCAY_HF [Credit: Hector Fadraga]")
The view of Perfect Day at CocoCay from the Freedom of the Seas. Photo Credit: Hector Fadraga
The low capability made visiting the Thrill Waterpark engaging, however we opted as a substitute to spend the day enjoyable at the Coco Beach Club. We have been glad we did, as the paucity of visitors led the group there to supply us a deal on a Beach Cabana improve.
Our devoted server, Gopal, cheerfully tended to our each want and even serenaded us with a flute rendition of “Despacito.”
Our ultimate cease was Nassau, and we discovered the overwhelming majority of outlets on Bay Street, in addition to the well-known Straw Market, have been closed.
![T0726COCOCAYFOOD_HF [Credit: Hector Fadraga]](https://www.travelweekly.com/uploadedImages/Art/2021/0726/0726COCOCAYFOOD_HF.jpg?n=8859 "T0726COCOCAYFOOD_HF [Credit: Hector Fadraga]")
A splendid unfold of lobster, shrimp and steak served at a Beach Cabana in the Coco Beach Club part of Perfect Day at CocoCay. Photo Credit: Hector Fadraga
Royal helped by offering disembarking visitors (all of whom needed to be vaccinated to be allowed off the ship) a listing of prime sights that have been open, together with the Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant, the place we loved a wine-tasting and shopped for liqueur-filled goodies.
On the means again to the ship, we visited the Margaritaville Beach Resort and One Particular Harbour residences at The Pointe, which is steadily nearing full opening of its waterpark, Margaritaville retailer, rooftop bar and different facilities. The advanced on Junkanoo Beach is a simple strolling distance from the port.
Until capability returns to pre-pandemic ranges, cruise passengers can take pleasure in a less-crowded expertise, whereas maybe lacking the vitality and vitality to which they’re accustomed. Just do not get used to it.
