Freedom Review 1/16-21 - any questions?

[Bradiego]

Had a great time on Carnival Freedom January 16-21, 2016 out of Galveston. This was my second time on Carnival, first time was on Triumph in Dec 2014.

The weather was kinda crappy leaving on Saturday, it was raining and even lighting and thunder was present, which was a surprise.

BTW, we purchased Faster to The Fun (FTTF) for $49.95 and it was worth every penny!

We left NW Houston around 8:30 am and got to the parking lot around 10:00, so great timing, it was busy at the lot, we got on the bus and was at the terminal within a few minutes. Since we had FTTF, we were able to skip the lines and walk past all the people waiting around for their time to be called, walked right up to security once inside and that took only a few minutes, took the escalators up and followed the signs as we were instructed and didn't even have to stand in a line upstairs. Check-in took just a few minutes and we were headed to the line to board the ship! Carnival has a much better terminal with Terminal 1 is all I have to say! The Staff was courteous as well.

[Bradiego]

So boarded the Carnival Freedom within about 15 minutes from arriving at the cruise terminal, that was fast! You enter the ship on the third deck and of course there is a bar right in front of you. We decided to go up to our rooms since we had FTTF and walked through the door that was closed but said you could enter if you were Platinum or Diamond or had FTTF. We walked to our cabin and just like it said it was ready, so we were able to drop our bags off and walk around the ship. We were meeting friends a little later too. It is a big ship and lots to explore, we decided to skip the buffet since we knew it was going to be a madhouse at the beginning anyways.

[Minkster1973]

I'm looking forward to the rest of your review. I'll be on Freedom on 2/20. :D

[Bradiego]

Our inside stateroom 6203

 

 

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[Bradiego]

First day's Fun Times

 

 

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[thedispatcher]

We went on the Freedom in November 15.. Loved it!

We didn't get FTTF and got on really really fast.. I wonder if Galveston is just really well put together? Everything seemed to go so smoothly when we left (and got back for that matter..)

 

Cant wait to read the rest of your review!!!

[Bradiego]

Our inside cabin was located pretty close to mid ship, I really liked the location. We walked the ship to check her out from front to back, don't like that you can't walk deck 3 from front to back, you must go up to Deck 5, the promenade. The ship was clean, overall looked really good, carpets, wall coverings were all in good shape, the only thing I noticed is when we went to Deck 11 and looked up at the famous Carnival funnel, it really could use a touch up paint job. It started to rain so we went back down to Dec 5 to the RedFrog Pub and met Putu the bartender. He was nice and suggested the Thirsty Frog Red, which is a great Beer! We enjoyed the beer until our friends met us. There is no food available in the Pub and I guess on other ships they offer a food menu. Our friends met us and we then turned around and it was almost time for the muster drill so we went to our stateroom to rest for a few minutes before the drill. We went down for the muster drill to station D and it was raining, thank goodness it is covered where we had to stand. The worst thing happened, some lady who obviously was drinking way too much...already, ended up throwing up on the back of another passenger all over her. We hadn't even finished the briefing. I think she should have been thrown off at that point, no excuse for that at all.

[Bradiego]

We went on the Freedom in November 15.. Loved it!

We didn't get FTTF and got on really really fast.. I wonder if Galveston is just really well put together? Everything seemed to go so smoothly when we left (and got back for that matter..)

 

Cant wait to read the rest of your review!!!

 

 

Thank you! I agree Galveston has things put together very well, well at least the Carnival Terminal 1, I have been on Royal several times out of Galveston and have not been impressed at all with the embarkation or disembarkation with Royal, very disorganized!

[Bradiego]

So after the Muster we walked around the Promenade checked out the casino and the lounge and went to the dining room to see where our table would be. We were with a small group so we had a few tables on the side by the windows, which I never get a window table so I was excited. We walked up to the Spa and Fitness Center on Deck 11 Forward to check it out and get entered into the drawing. Wasn't that impressed with the Spa on Freedom, but did like the Fitness Center and I knew I would use it.

After that we went back to the cabin to relax before dinner, because that is what I like to do on the cruise. We had a 8:15 seating in the dining room, which is a little late, but the early dining was full by the time we booked this cruise. We met early at the Alchemy Bar to enjoy the very unique cocktails they have, which I did enjoy.

Side note, you can't purchase the Cheers package on Carnival until Day 2, however I don't understand why, since Royal sells it right when you get on board??

So on to Dinner in the Dining Room, we were in the Dining Room, Posh, Deck 3 Aft. We had a good table, great service. It is the new dining menus, American Table, I liked the new tables without table clothes and it is good for laundry too to save water, etc.

Dinner was good, had the Salmon and the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake for dessert, was perfect! Sorry didn't take any pictures of the menus in the dining room.

After that I was tired and ready for bed, I know too early, but I am on vacation and can do what I want!

[Bradiego]

Day 2 At Sea Fun Time

 

 

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Edited January 27, 2016 by Bradiego

[Bradiego]

Day 2 Fun Times Continued

 

 

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Edited January 27, 2016 by Bradiego

[Bradiego]

Day 2 Fun Times continued

 

 

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Tapatalk

Edited January 27, 2016 by Bradiego

[Bradiego]

Day 2 - Day At Sea

AKA My day to relax and sleep in. Well sleep in until about 7 and decided to get up and go to the Fitness Center to work out. Had a great work out, bring your own water, we ordered from Carnival and was well worth it. Only $2.99 for 12 bottles.

After the gym went and had coffee at the Viennesse Café on Deck 5, it was an extra fee but very reasonable (cheaper than Starbucks). Shops opened at 9:30 stopped by on the way back to the cabin to see the "specials" for the day.

Then went to have brunch in the restaurant, Posh Deck 3 has Sea Day Brunch from 8:30am-1:30pm. We went around 10:30 and there was a short wait but we were able to sit with friends. I like the menu at Sea Day Brunch was a good menu, if you haven't had a chance to try it, definitely do it. Food and Service was great in my opinion.

After brunch, stopped by to check out the casino and what fun games they had. It turned out to be a nice day so decided to go up to the pool deck, enjoy some fun in the fun, because just like the Carnival slogan Fun For All and All For Fun, we had to enjoy it!!

Enjoyed relaxing by the pool and enjoyed the slide, the water is a little cold and it is salt water too. After while of the slide, decided it was time to eat at Guy's Burgers, great burgers and toppings, always a line but moves fast, try it, if you haven't had one before, you can get no bun too if you prefer like I do, rather eat the fries than the bun! Time to take a shower and relax in the cabin until Dinner.

[Bradiego]

Had dinner in the Restaurant again, it was the American Table Experience again, it was good, our waiter remembered I liked Iced Tea with my dinner and brought it right over to me. Skipped Dessert tonight. After Dinner made our way to the Theatre on Deck 5 to see the 80's Pop Show, it was good, enjoyed the music, brought back memories! Everything from Cyndi Lauper to Michael Jackson and the cast did a good job in my opinion, don't miss it if it is on your cruise!

After the show we stopped at the Endless Pool Bar on Deck 9 Aft to see the bartender Roma, she is great and I can only say great things about her. Then we went to the Comedy Show at 11:30, Tom Foss, glad I went to see him, he was good! After that time for bed, next day is Monday and first stop is Progresso.

Edited January 27, 2016 by Bradiego

[Bradiego]

A few things about the staterooms, the bathrooms are small, but okay in size, there are soap and shampoo dispensers in the showers, however we usually bring our own body soap from Bath & Body Works and then I always bring my own bottle of antibacterial soap to wash my hands with (great tip I learned on this site).

I also forgot to mention I wish they would get rid of the bed scarf, totally unnecessary and ours ended up on the floor anyways. I work for a hotel and we pulled those off all our beds, could save some money by getting rid of those, not like they was them often anyways.

[Bradiego]

Day 3 - Progresso

Arrival 7:30am - On Board 3:30pm

There is a three (3) mile pier and a free bus ride to get into Progresso (I will try and find a picture).

We arrived right on time, this ship is very quiet while docking that is for sure, unlike some ships I have been on. Looks like it is going to be a great day, nice and sunny and in the 70's. Woke up and went to the Fitness Center for about 30 minutes then decided to go walk around the jobbing track on Deck 10 since it is a nice morning outside.

We headed up around 8 to the breakfast buffet on Lido Deck 9. The lines were crazy long, so we opted for the small Continental Breakfast towards the center of the back of the Lido Buffet, no lines, offered cold cereals, milk, yogurt and a nice assortment of breakfast breads. Met our friends around 9:30 on Deck 3 and headed to Deck 0 to head to the gangway. We did not do an excursion, instead we decided to check out Progresso since we have not been to this port before. You go through a small gift shop and a few shops to get to the lines to board the buses. So they are free, but are not in great and I am glad it wasn't hot out because there was no air conditioning. It is a bumpy three mile ride on this pier to get into the city of Progresso. They drop you off in the middle of the city (or what seems to be) and guess what more shopping! We walked towards the beach and found a restaurant after being bombarded by so many street vendors asking us to buy things or asking for money. Enjoyed an hour or two in Progresso and walked along the beach, it is not clear blue water but was still pretty and decided time to go back to the ship! Quick walk from the bus drop off back to the ship, no wait to get on and we were back at the cabin for a quick rest.

Always go to the Decks to watch the departure to see if anyone runs to the ship, we were the only ship in that day and we departed exactly at 4pm and no one was late :-(

Watched the ship pull away and went back to cabin since we were having dinner at 7 in the Steakhouse, decided to get ready and then stop at Alchemy Bar for a drink before dinner. Steakhouse was great, well worth it, if you get a chance to do it, definitely worth the $35.00! Great service, great food and ambience. After eating the big meal, stopped at Casino, played for a short while and decided to call it an early night.

Next day is Cozumel!

[Keith1010]

Glad you had a great time and enjoying your posts.

Keith

[Bradiego]

Thanks Keith, this is my first review, hope it is not too long!

[najnelle]

I'm enjoying your review. Thanks for sharing.

[luvcdays]

Thanks Keith, this is my first review, hope it is not too long!

 

It's great! Thank you fo writing it. Have fun!!

[cincicruisers]

Enjoying your review. Looking forward to the rest.

[munchkin4]

Enjoying your review. Definitely not too long! Looking forward to being on the Freedom in 10 days. We have sailed this itinerary several times but the Freedom will be new for us.

[cruzkitty]

Enjoying your Review. Thanks for taking the time to post. We'll be on the Freedom in October, for the first time.

[dbrown13]

So on to Dinner in the Dining Room, we were in the Dining Room, Posh, Deck 3 Aft. We had a good table, great service. It is the new dining menus, American Table, I liked the new tables without table clothes and it is good for laundry too to save water, etc.

Dinner was good, had the Salmon and the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake for dessert, was perfect! Sorry didn't take any pictures of the menus in the dining room.

 

I was somewhat concerned when I heard they no longer have table clothes in the dining room. Is it still a nice dinner? Is there still a dining room dress code? And do most people still get fairly dressed up for dinner?

 

One of the things we truly enjoy about cruising is having the opportunity to get dressed up and have a nice dinner every night since we don't get to do it much any other time.

[Bradiego]

I was somewhat concerned when I heard they no longer have table clothes in the dining room. Is it still a nice dinner? Is there still a dining room dress code? And do most people still get fairly dressed up for dinner?

 

One of the things we truly enjoy about cruising is having the opportunity to get dressed up and have a nice dinner every night since we don't get to do it much any other time.

 

I did enjoy the dinner in the MDR. I have read quite a few reviews of people upset about the lack of tablecloths, the menu was good too I thought. I can just imagine how much water they can save by not washing all that extra laundry.

People were way casual on our 5 night cruise, even on formal night, I always wear a suit, but the people at the table behind us were in fleece pullovers, jeans, kids in tshirts and that shocked me. I think you should have at least have to wear slacks and a button shirt on formal night.