Carnival FREEDOM 10-5-13 Review (LOTS of Pictures)!

[valancy1]

After lunch, we sailed over to the turtle area where there is turtle grass. I was quite tired (we figured we swam a linear mile--no joke) so Barry got back into the water and swam over to the area and actually did see sea turtles! Next time, I'm going to ask to go to the turtle area first before the guided tour to/around the fish garden area.

 

We sailed back with about 45 minutes to an hour to get back on the ship.

 

What an incredible day. I absolutely cannot wait to do it again. Capt. Max was a wonderful captain and gave us a day we'll not soon forget.

 

TWO DAYS AT SEA means more pictures of the ship...

 

I think that this "diet" mocha cake was aptly named... it was cut literally in a 1-inch cube:

 

I loved this Habana bar (Midship, Deck 4). Latin bands, dancing, etc. It's nice to see that it wasn't just a lonely unused place on the ship

 

 

 

This is a blurry picture but only Barry (my 6'10" husband) could play these pianos in the piano bar. LOL

 

[valancy1]

Martini Bar (Promenade, Deck 5 Aft) opens at 4 pm

 

The Disco (with "70s" all over it on the inside) doubles as the Art Auction venue

 

 

The Coffee Spot on Promenade Mid Ship Deck 5 where you can get your latte and cake and other sinful delectables:

 

The shops area on the Promenade Deck Midship Deck 5

 

 

[valancy1]

For the benefit of those that don't know, this is a Sail & Sign kiosk. Instead of waiting in line for change or to put money on your account or whatever, you can come to these kiosks that are sprinkled around the ship and take care of it instead of going to Guest Services:

 

Food porn (just a couple):

 

 

 

Club O2

[valancy1]

Internet Cafe:

 

Pricing for the Internet Cafe:

 

Aft Pool Lido Deck 9

 

 

On the last sea day, there was a Chocolate Extravaganza. Go early because by 11:30 the lines were ridiculously long.

 

And after that, you can go work out in the gym:

[valancy1]

Sunset one night:

 

 

Sunrise on Debarkation day... it was lovely:

 

I hope you enjoyed the review and the pictures. If I can answer any questions, please let me know and I'll do my best to get them for you!

[michelle1836]

thanks so much for posting. love your pictures of the ship especially the food porn! I drooled a little :o

I see we were on the Pride cruise to nowhere together!

[hattack]

Thank you so much for sharing..what type of camera did you use...we will be sailing on the Freedom Nov 2nd, going to Half Moon Cay, Dominian Republic, Aruba and Curacao...after looking at your great pics of your food, I am soooooo hungry...what was your favorite entree

[Sinjan]

FYI -

#1. The Ahi Tuna Tartar in the Steakhouse is the same as is/was served at the Chef's Table. It should in no way be confused with what is offered in Fish-n-Chips or the main dining room. The dining room version is nasty while the Steakhouse offering will melt in your mouth with just the right balance of lime and cilantro.

 

#2. Not all Martini's are created equal. There are selections available at the Martini Bar that are not commonly served in the other bars. HOWEVER, pick up one of the recipe cards and take it to any other bar on ship, and they can whip up your fave.

[valancy1]

Thank you so much for sharing..what type of camera did you use...we will be sailing on the Freedom Nov 2nd, going to Half Moon Cay, Dominian Republic, Aruba and Curacao...after looking at your great pics of your food, I am soooooo hungry...what was your favorite entree

 

hattack,

 

I used a Sony HSC-9 (they have a newer model now) and an Olympus SZ-12. I have a Nikon D300 and didn't bring it this time and am sorry I didn't.

 

You are going to LOVE that itinerary... we did that one last year on Valor. If you haven't chosen anything in Dominican Republic, I highly recommend a Seavis tour. We went to the Island of Saona and it was the best day of our cruise. Let me know if you want information on that... (Oh and I have a review from that cruise from last year if you want to see pictures--they are on CC).

 

My favorite entree... hard to choose. Believe it or not, I loved the lasagna, the spanikopita, and the sweet & sour shrimp. But the steak from the steakhouse was divine.

[valancy1]

FYI -

#1. The Ahi Tuna Tartar in the Steakhouse is the same as is/was served at the Chef's Table. It should in no way be confused with what is offered in Fish-n-Chips or the main dining room. The dining room version is nasty while the Steakhouse offering will melt in your mouth with just the right balance of lime and cilantro.

 

#2. Not all Martini's are created equal. There are selections available at the Martini Bar that are not commonly served in the other bars. HOWEVER, pick up one of the recipe cards and take it to any other bar on ship, and they can whip up your fave.

 

Spoken from a true expert of all things tartar and martini :) (Um, next time, we are martini-ing together; got that?)

[Blazley]

Can anyone tell me why they love the Freedom ? :) Because it is my first tim at the Freedom (Breeze before)

 

I'm so excited .. In 3 Weeks i'm at the Freedom ! I Love Carnival .... :)

 

 

 

THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH FOR THE PICTURES. Now i've more Informations ;) !

[Sinjan]

Spoken from a true expert of all things tartar and martini :) (Um, next time, we are martini-ing together; got that?)

 

Yes ma'am! *hic* :o

[Blazley]

Can someone tell me if they have a "Beer Tower" at the Freedom at some Bar ??????

 

Thx

[Sinjan]

Can someone tell me if they have a "Beer Tower" at the Freedom at some Bar ??????

 

Thx

 

No Beer Tower. I think those are being put in with 2.0 upgrades.

[valancy1]

Oh and I wanted to say that we had EXCELLENT service from our cabin steward, our head waiter and the hostess in the dining room each and every day/evening. Our teams were incredible! (The hostess, Jovana, came each night to get my husband's gluten-free order, which is why we were involved with her.)

[Blazley]

No Beer Tower. I think those are being put in with 2.0 upgrades.

 

Oh Sad .. :(

 

Thank you

[NCteacherlovescruising]

We will be on the Freedom in Feb. I can't wait!! :D We are doing a different itinerary though.

[hattack]

The Freedom was the last "Conquest class" built by Carnival...This will be our 2nd straight jazz charter on her and we are excited because she is scheduled for drydock and 2.0 upgrades next spring and we will be on her again in Oct 2014 for a third time

 

I would guess fans of the Freedom love her because of her crew , the physical layout of the ship and the prime combinations of her ports of call..

 

I'm sure once you sail her, you will become a fan also

[bankofdad]

Day Five: St. Thomas

 

We went for a sail & snorkel on a 50-foot sailboat with Capt. Maxine. A friend of mine found her and told me about her and that was it--I just had to do this excursion.

 

This looks great! Do you mind if I ask what the cost was and how long the excursion lasted? Thanks for your review! We are on the last sailing before she drydocks.

[valancy1]

This looks great! Do you mind if I ask what the cost was and how long the excursion lasted? Thanks for your review! We are on the last sailing before she drydocks.

 

The cost was $140 pp. This was the cash price (there was a $10 fee pp if you use a credit card). We chose not to do any other excursions on this cruise so we could afford to do this.

 

We set sail at 9:15 and returned at 3:30. She fed us lunch (and took my husband's gluten intolerance into consideration which was great).

 

She is also listed under Trip Advisor as "Sailing with Captain Max".

 

I can't wait to do it again. Truly, the best day on a cruise ever.

[TurtleCrossing1]

The cost was $140 pp. This was the cash price (there was a $10 fee pp if you use a credit card). We chose not to do any other excursions on this cruise so we could afford to do this.

 

We set sail at 9:15 and returned at 3:30. She fed us lunch (and took my husband's gluten intolerance into consideration which was great).

 

She is also listed under Trip Advisor as "Sailing with Captain Max".

 

I can't wait to do it again. Truly, the best day on a cruise ever.

 

Great review! Did you hear anything about the freedom drydock?

[valancy1]

Great review! Did you hear anything about the freedom drydock?

 

No, I'm sorry, I haven't. There are way more people that are better informed than me. LOL

[Cinedan]

Sunset one night:

Sunrise on Debarkation day... it was lovely:

 

I hope you enjoyed the review and the pictures. If I can answer any questions, please let me know and I'll do my best to get them for you!

 

Awesome picture!

[ladylikes2cruise]

Loved reliving "our" cruise thru your pix and review.....

As I have gotten a bad case of bronchitis(sp) since Sun. after we debarked, I haven't even had a chance to view my pix, yet.

Reading and viewing everything you posted, has given me the push I need to do so.....

Smooth sailings to you and yours in the future.

[Orpheo]

Love the review.