Carmel
Crusader
Years ago when the Freewinds first came about, we heard all sorts of wonderful stories about it. Several friends of ours were on the maiden voyage, and went on the subsequent annual voyages. We knew several who went on the Freewinds and just raved about it. Never heard of anyone who didn't love it.
15 years ago, my spouse and I incorporated a stint on the Freewinds during an overseas business trip. We were looking forward to it, and thought it would be a bit of a treat for us.
We got to the ship early. But then for some reason I wasn't allowed on. They wouldn't tell us what the problem was. They were trying to get my spouse to board without me (It wasn't until after I got home, that I found out that there was a problem with my "security clearance" or something at the time - when there absolutely shouldn't have been). It eventually got sorted, and we both got on.
We boarded, then had to hand in our passports. I had no problem with that at the time (I thought it must have been something to do with them going to different ports and immigration stuff). We got the hatting, and went to our cabin. It was a cheap cabin, but geez - it was bad. So small and pokey, and the bed wasn't long enough or big enough for two. I hadn't ever been on a cruise ship. I had only ever been on a large transport ferry (that transports people over the Cook's Strait in New Zealand), and on that, the crew's cabins were bigger that which we were in, on the Freewinds.
First we had to do that course about the ship, and then we were set to do the "Route to Infinity" course. After the course about the ship, I started the route to infinity course, but soon after that I'd had enough and wanted to get off. I didn't like it. When we were on it, it was like a ghost town. I didn't like the decore. I didn't like the flows of the crew (although they were all very friendly and polite). I couldn't handle being so restricted as to where I was allowed to go. And we were on there with other "public" who we both found rather bravado types. Also the lack of randomity was nearly driving me up the wall. It wasn't my scene.
I spoke to my spouse about it. We looked at the itinerary and worked out where I could get off, and how I could get back to Flag where our kids were staying with our private nanny. I went to the woman at the desk, and told her that I wanted to get off. She said that I couldn't get off. When she said that, I then really wanted to get off. I asked for my passport and she wouldn't give it to me. Shit!
That was a horrid point! I got angry, and then two security guards arrived. One of them I knew (he used to be in ANZO, I knew his family and I used to let him bludge cigs off me when he was broke). Things settled a bit, I realised I'd have to play my cards right, so I did. After about four hours, I got agreement from them, that I could get my passport back and get off. But, first I had to finish that bloody course. We were at St Kitz at the time. I had done a bit of sightseeing there. The next morning we were set to do some snorkling. But now cause I wanted off, I had to forfeit that and spend the time on course, to get through and get out on time, in order to get a flight back to Flag (otherwise I'd be stuck on the ship, another two days).
I got off, got back to Flag, and had a great day at Disneyworld with the kids. While waiting for my spouse to get back, I did some reg'ing at Flag, with a reg who was on a project there. Luckily for me, she had weight and wanted my help, so when it was suggested I go to ethics for my BI's (bad indicators)on the ship, she squashed the idea. I wasn't mouthing off about it or anything. Just when asked, I'd say very politely that it wasn't my scene. That didn't go down well at all, with the odd few Flag crew who I spoke to about it. In ANZO though, it wasn't a problem.
I have never met anyone who didn't rave about their trip on the Freewinds. But now (after all this time) I realise why maybe, and also realize that there would have been others who didn't like it either. Are there any of you out there?
15 years ago, my spouse and I incorporated a stint on the Freewinds during an overseas business trip. We were looking forward to it, and thought it would be a bit of a treat for us.
We got to the ship early. But then for some reason I wasn't allowed on. They wouldn't tell us what the problem was. They were trying to get my spouse to board without me (It wasn't until after I got home, that I found out that there was a problem with my "security clearance" or something at the time - when there absolutely shouldn't have been). It eventually got sorted, and we both got on.
We boarded, then had to hand in our passports. I had no problem with that at the time (I thought it must have been something to do with them going to different ports and immigration stuff). We got the hatting, and went to our cabin. It was a cheap cabin, but geez - it was bad. So small and pokey, and the bed wasn't long enough or big enough for two. I hadn't ever been on a cruise ship. I had only ever been on a large transport ferry (that transports people over the Cook's Strait in New Zealand), and on that, the crew's cabins were bigger that which we were in, on the Freewinds.
First we had to do that course about the ship, and then we were set to do the "Route to Infinity" course. After the course about the ship, I started the route to infinity course, but soon after that I'd had enough and wanted to get off. I didn't like it. When we were on it, it was like a ghost town. I didn't like the decore. I didn't like the flows of the crew (although they were all very friendly and polite). I couldn't handle being so restricted as to where I was allowed to go. And we were on there with other "public" who we both found rather bravado types. Also the lack of randomity was nearly driving me up the wall. It wasn't my scene.
I spoke to my spouse about it. We looked at the itinerary and worked out where I could get off, and how I could get back to Flag where our kids were staying with our private nanny. I went to the woman at the desk, and told her that I wanted to get off. She said that I couldn't get off. When she said that, I then really wanted to get off. I asked for my passport and she wouldn't give it to me. Shit!
That was a horrid point! I got angry, and then two security guards arrived. One of them I knew (he used to be in ANZO, I knew his family and I used to let him bludge cigs off me when he was broke). Things settled a bit, I realised I'd have to play my cards right, so I did. After about four hours, I got agreement from them, that I could get my passport back and get off. But, first I had to finish that bloody course. We were at St Kitz at the time. I had done a bit of sightseeing there. The next morning we were set to do some snorkling. But now cause I wanted off, I had to forfeit that and spend the time on course, to get through and get out on time, in order to get a flight back to Flag (otherwise I'd be stuck on the ship, another two days).I got off, got back to Flag, and had a great day at Disneyworld with the kids. While waiting for my spouse to get back, I did some reg'ing at Flag, with a reg who was on a project there. Luckily for me, she had weight and wanted my help, so when it was suggested I go to ethics for my BI's (bad indicators)on the ship, she squashed the idea. I wasn't mouthing off about it or anything. Just when asked, I'd say very politely that it wasn't my scene. That didn't go down well at all, with the odd few Flag crew who I spoke to about it. In ANZO though, it wasn't a problem.
I have never met anyone who didn't rave about their trip on the Freewinds. But now (after all this time) I realise why maybe, and also realize that there would have been others who didn't like it either. Are there any of you out there?
Felt very OT on the flight home. 
until...
...they made so sick they turned my stomach and I was not nice to them.
