Carnival Freedom Review - 2/26/11-3/6/11

[IslandToIsland]

Great review....we will also be in 7358 in Sept. doing the Western itinerary, so thanks for showing our room.:) Love the pics of the ship! Can't wait!

[Mrs.C05]

Okay, I'm back!!! Let's get this thing started again!!

[Mrs.C05]

So, we got rained out in Antigua, so we were not able to enjoy the band that was going to play at 3:30pm.

 

A note about our MDR service - the service was nice, but twice they forgot one of two of our appetizers, but we didn't say anything because we had dinner coming anyways. The first time it happened, we waited to see if they remembered but the didn't. (Husband ordered a salad and cocktail shrimp, which they forgot the shrimp.) The 2nd time it happened, I was full sorta full from my black beans and rice, that I didn't even want the salad I had ordered. Other than that, it was good. We never did see our tablemates, if we even had any. I'm sure we did, but they never came to dinner. I hate to say it, but it was kinda nice. LOL!

 

Anyways, on to Tortola with our Jost Van Dyke excursion!!!! Are you ready?!?!!

[Mrs.C05]

NONONONO!!! I was typing away and pressed Tab and then space bar which is like enter I guess and it took me back a page and lost all that I typed! UUUGGHHH!!!! :mad::mad::mad:

 

Let's try again!

[Mrs.C05]

Today was an early day getting up at 6:30am for our excursion at 7:30am! Here we're pulling into Tortola....

 

We grabbed some quick but somewhat filling breakfast before heading off the boat.

 

 

What was weird was we had to meet at the ships time, but we went by the local time. We exited the ship and followed it out to the security area. We shopped around a little bit before realizing we had forgotten the sunscreen! :eek: We knew there was a marina nearby so we found a shop that had a lot of fishing gear, tackle and bait, etc. We decided to buy the sunscreen there because we weren't sure if we would have enough time to get back on, run to the room (7 floors) and then back off. Most expensive bottle ever! $7.95! Oh well, it saved us for sure, because we would've been lobsters!

 

While we were talking around, I saw this cute donkey all decorated / dressed up. Later on I saw the guy charging to take pictures! Good thing he didn't see me snapping this picture! Then again, I was pretty far away and just zoomed in.

 

The directions in the email weren't too clear, but the security lady at the checkpoint was courteous and told us where Tortola Charters usually stands. We hung around at 8:15am and then we saw a man was standing there with a Tortola Charters sign. He told us where to go and we headed over to the marina.

[Mrs.C05]

Here is our catameran!

Sail away to Jost Van Dyke - pronounced yost van dike.

Here are our two captains and for the life of me I cannot remember their names!!!:confused:

In this picture, straight ahead, with the white house/building on top of it, that is St. Thomas. Weird how we were there just 2 days ago!

[Mrs.C05]

We can see the island! Anxiously waiting!

 

 

We're getting closer...

 

Such beautiful water!

 

About to hop off the boat....and the water was freezing!!!!

 

We got to White Bay Beach around 11am local time and laid out until about 12:45pm local time. We grabbed drinks and lunch at the Soggy Dollar. It was very good and appropriately priced. Drinks were $6 and lunch was a bit pricey, but total for 2 drinks, 1 jerk chicken sandwich, 1 hamburger and 1 box of fries were $35. We had about 2 hours to be on the beach before heading back to the boat to head back to the ship. Once getting back to the marina, it was 2:50, and we didn't have time to do anything but walk quickly back to the ship, as we had be back on board by 3pm for departure at 3:30pm.

[Mrs.C05]

A lot of the bars / restaurants on the island were expensive, but Soggy Dollar was a little less than everyone else. We got drinks and food there and the bartender, Oldtimer, was very comical.

 

[Mrs.C05]

My husband pulled a chair into the shade, while I laid out in the sun. DH was going to snorkel, but decided to just totally relax and enjoy the sleeping on the beach.:p

 

We had about an hour (after hanging out at Soggy Dollar) before the whistle was blown for us to head back to the boat. Only a few people swam back, we choose not to this time around.

 

View from my chair:

 

My delicious #3 drink from Soggy Dollar. It was called "Banana Bender". I didn't want anything too strong, like the Painkiller I had heard so much about.

[Mrs.C05]

Sadly, we heard the whistle blow too quickly for my liking but I didn't want to get left behind either.

 

The captains had Rum Punch on board for us to drink for the ride back. Some people had quite a bit.

Buh-Bye.....

 

Here is a small video clip I took while on the island. Nothing special though. I believe you have to click on this and it'll take you to photobucket.

[Goldengirl470]

I absolutley love your review! Good Reviews for the freedom (this itinerary) are hard to find, we'll be on her in 2.5 months! Yaaaaaay!

 

I especially love your pics from jost van dyke! :D We'll be there in June and are looking forward to it! How was Tortola Charters? I was originally going to book with them, but at the last minute decided to book with Kuralu Charters.... By the looks of your pictures, I'm thinking maybe I should have stayed with Tortola Charters and saved the extra $$$.

 

Was the beach crowded? What was in that delicious looking banana bender? Did Soggy dollar have much on their drink menu besides painkillers??

 

Sorry for all the questions, Can you tell I'm excited?

[Mrs.C05]

Once we arrived back to the port where the ship was, we had about 10 minutes to spare before "be on ship time". The captains certainly cut it close, but from what they said, they've never missed the boat. ;)

 

We were on our balcony, "people watching", and we heard 4 people from our excursion be called, but then they stopped calling them. Then we were waiting on 2 other people and then they came running. Of course they got an applause. The gangway people were rolling in the walkway immediatly after they got on the ship. No waiting around!!!

 

Tonight has been mostly a relaxing evening.

 

Here is the sunset for the evening. So pretty!! My DH loves sunrise and sunset pictures.

 

We had dinner at the buffet tonight (mashed taters, turkey, gravy, salad and roll) and then went to the casino where DH won some good money at the Craps table. We're very tired so tonight is an early night, in bed by 9pm.

[Mrs.C05]

I absolutley love your review! Good Reviews for the freedom (this itinerary) are hard to find, we'll be on her in 2.5 months! Yaaaaaay!

 

I especially love your pics from jost van dyke! :D We'll be there in June and are looking forward to it! How was Tortola Charters? I was originally going to book with them, but at the last minute decided to book with Kuralu Charters.... By the looks of your pictures, I'm thinking maybe I should have stayed with Tortola Charters and saved the extra $$$.

 

Was the beach crowded? What was in that delicious looking banana bender? Did Soggy dollar have much on their drink menu besides painkillers??

 

Sorry for all the questions, Can you tell I'm excited?

 

No problem with the questions!! I'd be excited too if I were going again! And I'd love to!

Tortola Charters was excellent IMO but others could/would tell you differently based on the thread over in the Tortola section. For the $55/person it was well worth it.

 

The banana bender was banana rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice, topped with nutmeg. It gave it a unique taste but it was delicious! Soggy Dollar had quite a few drinks to select from besides their popular Painkiller. My husband got some kind of Mango drink. They also had beer there.

 

The beach wasn't too crowded actually. Nice, even space between everyone.

[Mrs.C05]

Playing putt-putt (sp?) with the wind being strong and one handed doesn't work out too well. It was just something to do to kill time until the buffett was opened up.

 

And if you ordered any of their Classic Cocktails, you got a $5 casino match n play card. We ordered their "classic cocktail" which was pretty good. More of a sipping drink for me.

 

After this drink and playing Craps, we called it an early night. I look exhausted here, but here is a few pictures from this evening in the casino.

 

Traditional end to an evening.....the towel animal, tonight is an elephant!

 

 

Well, I've gotta get some work done, so I'll be back probably on my lunch break to do some more! Sorry for the delay in getting to the next day!

[hogwildcruzers]

Again, love your review and some really great photos....we sail on the Freedom in less that 3 weeks and doing the same itinerary....one question I have is, do you know if the Freedom has laundry by the bag?...thanks,Steve

[Goldengirl470]

No problem with the questions!! I'd be excited too if I were going again! And I'd love to!

Tortola Charters was excellent IMO but others could/would tell you differently based on the thread over in the Tortola section. For the $55/person it was well worth it.

 

The banana bender was banana rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice, topped with nutmeg. It gave it a unique taste but it was delicious! Soggy Dollar had quite a few drinks to select from besides their popular Painkiller. My husband got some kind of Mango drink. They also had beer there.

 

The beach wasn't too crowded actually. Nice, even space between everyone.

 

 

Thanks so much!:)

[Mrs.C05]

Again, love your review and some really great photos....we sail on the Freedom in less that 3 weeks and doing the same itinerary....one question I have is, do you know if the Freedom has laundry by the bag?...thanks,Steve

 

They actually did have a laundry bag special on Wednesday I think. I'll have to go back and look at my Fun Times (mental note inserted here to bring them to work and scan!) to double check how much.

As for laundry by the bag any other day, I'm not sure. I heard it isn't too much to go do it yourself but we never did find the laundry room.

[beach410]

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This dress is beautiful, you look lovely!

[pompom2]

Thank you so much for the great review... Another one going on the April 23 sailing.. I am getting excited now!!!

[jolyroger]

Sadly, we heard the whistle blow too quickly for my liking but I didn't want to get left behind either.

 

The captains had Rum Punch on board for us to drink for the ride back. Some people had quite a bit.

Buh-Bye.....

 

Here is a small video clip I took while on the island. Nothing special though. I believe you have to click on this and it'll take you to photobucket.

OMG, that water is so beautiful!!!! I'm lovin your review!! Getting me very excited for our cruise!!!!

[cruisedrew]

Hey Mrs. CO5!

We are also going on the Apr 23 version of this cruise!

AND we already booked Tortola Charters to Jost Van Dyke!

If you have a free minute...

Questions: How long is Catamaran ride? Does it stop anywhere for Snorkeling? Were people snorkeling at the beach there? Were there snorkels and masks there? or bring your own?

And...

Those hills next to the beach... can people climb up there? Any Hiking?

And do you have to swim from catamaran to beach? or another option?

 

Thanks so much!!!

Can't wait!!!

:-)

(Spring Break 2K11: "Off the Hook")

[Irish708]

Thanks so much for the info and pictures ! We are going Sept 10th, and can't wait ! You and Hubby look gorgeous in your formal attire. I like dressing up, glad to see others doing it as well !:)

[Mrs.C05]

Hey Mrs. CO5!

We are also going on the Apr 23 version of this cruise!

AND we already booked Tortola Charters to Jost Van Dyke!

If you have a free minute...

Questions: How long is Catamaran ride? Does it stop anywhere for Snorkeling? Were people snorkeling at the beach there? Were there snorkels and masks there? or bring your own?

And...

Those hills next to the beach... can people climb up there? Any Hiking?

And do you have to swim from catamaran to beach? or another option?

 

Thanks so much!!!

Can't wait!!!

:-)

(Spring Break 2K11: "Off the Hook")

 

The catameran ride is 1.5hours and once you get to JVD, you do get off and snorkel if you want. They tell you where you can and can't go. They do provide snorkel and mask. I advise you if you have any facial hair to shave it off so you can snorkel. Hubby learned this the hard way on our honeymoon, such a PITA to hold it on and he sure didn't want to vaseline up!

The hills next to the beach, I don't know if you can climb or not. I'd imagine you can if you wanted, but honestly I don't know if you'd have time for all of that. We only had about 2 hours ON the beach before heading back to the ship.

JVD website says it takes 45 minutes to get there....yeah on a windy day!!! They used the sails and the motor to get us there.

 

As for getting to the beach from the boat....you can either wait for the dingy to take you, or swim. Depending on how many other boats are there, they can pull up pretty close. We were in about 7-8 feet of water where we were dropped off. DH and I swam when we got off, but was freezing cold! We decided to dingy it on the way in.

[Mrs.C05]

[

 

This dress is beautiful, you look lovely!

 

Thank you!!

[Mrs.C05]

Looks like jolyroger and cruisedrew are going on the same cruise....are you guys in the same group/know each other?