We all love to cruise and getting a good deal is an important part of the process. On a dreary Super Bowl Sunday (2/5/2012,) getting the best deal on our cruise ship was not even an issue. We were about to experience the most expensive staterooms on board the Freedom of the Seas and we were all excited. On arrival at Port Canaveral, we easily found our assigned complementary parking lot. We walked the short distance to the terminal and joined the rest of our group waiting to board the ship. At 11:00AM there were basically no lines. The grumpy employee stationed just outside our entrance was the only unsmiling employee we encountered the whole day. Soon we cleared security, proceeded upstairs to check-in with our group leader & received name tags. We then relinquished our drivers license to RCCL personnel in exchange for SeaPass cards on lanyards. After settling into comfortable seating, we were greeted by a most pleasant & informative RCCL representative Joanne (Jo) Cotterman, Business Development Manager. Exactly at 11:30, Jo led our eager group of 34 for quick ID photos and then we all boarded the ship.

For the next hour or so we viewed most of the ship's deluxe suites. We viewed Junior Suite-1544, Grand Suite-1548, Owner Suite-1620 and Royal Suite-1640 and others located on Deck 10. We also viewed a very roomy (handicap) Accessible Junior Suite- 1628. Jo showed us the more standard inside Staterooms (Cat. L) which were very lovely but it was the luxury suites that all of us were interested in seeing - staterooms that most of us would never get see otherwise. They are gorgeous. If you can afford one, what a way to cruise! How nice that all mattresses are rounded to give even more space & maneuverability. Later we rode the elevators to Deck 6 and viewed the unusual Promenade Staterooms. These inside cabins have large windows that look out on the Royal Promenade below. One unusual Promenade Stateroom-6305 is called The Ben & Jerry Suite. It is an inside room that faces the backs of the cow sculptures over the Ben & Jerry Store. To compensate for this view, the ship offers you free Ben & Jerry Ice Cream throughout your cruise. What fun! The Promenade Staterooms cost more than regular inside staterooms but I think that they are worth it as they offer a more open feeling. Of course, when you turn on lights you lose privacy unless you close the drapes. The Promenade Staterooms also give you an excellent view of the parades & dance shows that are staged during your cruise. The spacious Presidential Suite-6414 received the most accolades from us. It sleeps 14 passengers - this is not a typo - for $80,000. All of us were wowed by what we saw - spacious luxury.

Book a suite larger than a Junior Suite for 4-nights or longer on RCCL & receive extra special amenities. You'll have priority check-in, departure & tender boarding, complementary Concierge Club Service plus luggage valet service including free pressing service on the first formal night. You have use of luxury Spa bathrobes & slippers and even get to choose your own type of pillow. Receive VIP pool deck seating, reserved seating in the theater & private breakfast & lunch seating in specialty restaurants. Complete breakfast, lunch & dinner menus are available for your in-room dining. Ghirardelli chocolates will greet you at turn down service. You can wave around your special Gold SeaPass Card to impress the rest of us onboard. There are other perks and upgraded amenities too numerous to mention. Read more