CleveCruiser

June 21 Travel

We have a long drive down from Cleveland to Fort Lauderdale. Won’t bore you with the details of that fun trip (two girls sharing the back seat for 18 hours). We keep them snacked up and zoned out on movies. I have to initiate stops more than them!

We arrived in Jacksonville about 10:00 pm. Called Hampton Inn & Suites, Bartram Park, just outside of Jacksonville, about 9:00 pm to make sure they had room. We got a King Suite this time. It was nice to have the king-size bed and not a queen. The girls slept on a pull out sofa, which they said was comfy (they are young and malleable). It is a nice hotel, lots of plugs and USB outlets. Quiet room with a kitchenette near the entrance and vanity area next to bathroom.

I had a moment of EXTREME panic when I thought I left the boarding passes and our passports at home. My daughter insisted that she was stepping on them the whole way up (they were in my metal clipboard). Could not breathe properly until my husband went out to the car and brought them in. Cannot tell you how relieved I was!

I hadn’t slept at all the night before, getting stuff ready and finishing up some things, so off to bed.

A photo intensive review of the 8-Day Southern Caribbean itinerary on Carnival Freedom, June 22, 2014. I took a lot of photos (lots of food porn and 2.0 changes) and a lot of notes. :) It's my very first attempt at a review and I hope it benefits someone like other reviewers have helped me!!! Hope i can figure out this picture thing!

Quick summary, if anything interests you….read on!

Drove from Cleveland to Jacksonville, spent night at Hampton Inn, Bartram Park.

Embarkation Day: Drove last 4.5 hours Sunday morning to Port Everglades. Publix for supplies. Port Everglades. Easy embarkation with Faster To The Fun (FTTF)-worth it. (After Platinum and Diamond boarded). Red Frog Pub, Blue Iguana. Loved the 2.0 changes to Freedom. Late sail-away. Dinner in MDR. Playlist show “80’s Pop to the Max”. Piano Bar. Lido snack.

Sea Day 1: Brunch in MDR. Meet-N-Greet fun/successful, CC representative gave freebies. “Getaway Island” Playlist show, impressive LCD screens. Trivia. 24/7 Pizza.

Grand Turk: Jack’s Shack and fun with Topher. Margaritaville. Dinner in MDR. Hasbro show.

Dominican Republic: Seavis Saona tour (so great). Dinner in MDR. Love and Marriage show. Piano bar.

Curacao: Late port. Brunch in MDR. Dolphin sighting. Irie Tour (very worth it). Dinner in MDR. Hypnotist Peter Gross. Off ship for night pictures. Lido snack.

Aruba: Public bus to Palm Beach. Palapa rental. Jet pack. Jet skis. Hyatt pool. Past guest party. Playlist show “88 Keys”. Comedians Joe Marlotti and Mark Hawkins. Piano Bar.

Sea Day 2: Towel animal day. Blue Iguana breakfast. Brunch in MDR. Future Cruise talk. Family photos. Dinner in MDR. Piano bar (sensing a theme here). Lido snack/Salsa party in room.

Sea Day 3: Behind the Fun tour. Lido lunch (chocolate day). Pixel studio. Taste bar. Movie “Frozen” on Lido. Comedy show. Dinner in MDR. Playlist “80’s Pop to the Max” show. Comedy show.

Disembarkation: Zone 1; but had breakfast in MDR before leaving. Easy disembarkation (30 minutes start to finish).

Hope it works

Can it get any funnier???? Mrs. Lawn, I am LOVING your side of the story - so so so funny.

Also...I realize about 50% of Mr. Lawns jokes are probably going over my head :confused:, but I am 100% amused just the same!!! :)

I believe I read somewhere that, although they put in the pub, there is no "kitchen" area associated with it and therefore, no food. :(

Adults only, swim up bar.

Lazy river.

Shaded jacuzzis.

Thrill theater/Planetarium.

Water tube ride.

Classy decorations that awe the heck out of me.

Mounted telescopes/binoculars (even if a small charge was applied)

Eco-Friendly build / Solar power.

"portal window" view screens for inside cabins.

So Much More....!

So very funny, I meant to get to bed at a decent time....nope; stayed up till 2:00 a.m. reading and laughing. Thanks

Thank you all. As I get older, I get less adventurous...but this sounds do-able!

Yes, I was hoping to get some input as to the reality of taking a public bus back from the Sea Aquarium to port: how far from Aquarium to bus station, and frequency of the bus.

Or; will cabs be available later in the evening? like 6pm or 7pm?

I'm curious to know what breed of dog Topher is? Anyone know?

I am pretty sure he is a goldendoodle. I remember Jack saying that and thinking he was like my Pippa.

We are using Irie Tours, East end in June; If we want to stay at the Sea Aquarium beach longer then the tour allows...How would we get back to port? Are cabs readily available or public bus easy to find/walk to?

Any thoughts? suggestions?

This may have been talked to death already but...

This is our first cruise out of Fort Lauderdale. Is it best to park right at the port, or is there cheaper, secure parking close by with shuttle service?

Would appreciate any assistance.

Coming in on a late stop with Carnival (1pm to 11pm -ship time) in June.

We are a group of 7; ages 14-45.

Would like to see more of Curacao then just a beach.

Options we are considering: a) explore town on our own b) Irie East end tour, or c) Sea Aquarium.

Not afraid to try the bus on our own; but would need info on stops and costs.

Any opinions with such an odd/late time and diverse group? We do have 10 hours to explore the island!

Has anyone done this stop recently? Or any local experts willing to share tips?

You can very easily walk around on your own around town - there are free guides at the tourist info booth at the far end of teh floating brodge

Shutterbug999; your pictures are just GORgeous! What camera are you using?

Thank you for taking the time to do such a detailed review! We will be sailing Freedom in June and appreciate the information you provided (8-day Southern).

Did I see you mentioned Miami? I thought Freedom was out of Fort Lauderdale's Port?

Thanks for what you have posted. The misses and I are sailing on the Freedom Jan. 25 - 8 day. I will make sure to post my thoughts and reviews in a separate thread. Keep your eyes peeled for our thoughts. If someone has a special area of the ship or topic they want answers to, let me know and I will try to get the info or pics. I love the forums but a lot of information is outdated and needs to be updated. :) Thanks again to the OP for what you have posted.

Hope you do a review! We will be sailing in June on the 8-day southern. Which side of the ship do you think is better to be on for docking/sights, etc.

Great review with beautiful pictures! My favorites were the beach/surf/sky shot at Grand Turk and the tiny crab on the hand.

Thank you for taking the time to post!

I agree; but all her shots were beautiful! Would like to have some as desktop wallpapers.

Thanks for a wonderful review....may be copying you at every stop you made it loos so good.

Question: can you describe more where you shopped for trinkets in Aruba?