A quick Freedom review

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Just returned from the Halloween cruise. Lots of positive. As usual, awesome costumes and get ups. Lots of fun. Only one negative. The guy and girl singing by the casino bar were terrable. Really bad. You may not believe this. The food in the buffett was unbelievably good. . "Only did the buffett" Guy's burgers were far better than usual. Juicy and thick. Never before on Carnival, this was only a 5 day cruise they had mashed potatoes for lunch 3 of the 5 days. Each day made different and all were excellent. 😎One afternoon they had fish and chips. Cod, excellent. All the hot food was hot, the soup was super hot. Even the soft serve and the frozen yogurt were excellent. Thick and solid. So yes, the food ws a total suprise. As you would expect the ship is certainly showing its age. But still in very good condition. We have cruised on the Freedom 5 times this was the 6th. Do not remember it being this good. Getting on and off was a breeze and fast. 

[Jamman54]

Very nice! We'll be on her in January. Thanks for sharing! 😎

[RedbirdFLCruiser]

Thanks for the review! Glad to hear you enjoyed the food.

 

We'll be on the Freedom later this month! Can't wait!

[ninjacat123]

We will be on Freedom Jan 2024 and reading this review makes me very happy!  Thanks for posting!!

[dbkruzr]

We were on Freedom a few weeks ago had fun good cruise no complaints. If you enjoy a good soloist don't miss Morgan in the Red Frog Pub she plays an electric ukulele has a wonderful voice and does all types of music we really enjoyed her.

She told us she'll be going home to the UK Jan 21.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

23 minutes ago, dbkruzr said:

We were on Freedom a few weeks ago had fun good cruise no complaints. If you enjoy a good soloist don't miss Morgan in the Red Frog Pub she plays an electric ukulele has a wonderful voice and does all types of music we really enjoyed her.

She told us she'll be going home to the UK Jan 21.

She had a 1/2 hour on stage and then played in one of the musicales as well. The last show was awesome.

[Kermarkim]

2 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Just returned from the Halloween cruise. Lots of positive. As usual, awesome costumes and get ups. Lots of fun. Only one negative. The guy and girl singing by the casino bar were terrable. Really bad. You may not believe this. The food in the buffett was unbelievably good. . "Only did the buffett" Guy's burgers were far better than usual. Juicy and thick. Never before on Carnival, this was only a 5 day cruise they had mashed potatoes for lunch 3 of the 5 days. Each day made different and all were excellent. 😎One afternoon they had fish and chips. Cod, excellent. All the hot food was hot, the soup was super hot. Even the soft serve and the frozen yogurt were excellent. Thick and solid. So yes, the food ws a total suprise. As you would expect the ship is certainly showing its age. But still in very good condition. We have cruised on the Freedom 5 times this was the 6th. Do not remember it being this good. Getting on and off was a breeze and fast. 

So excited to hear this.  I will be on the 5 night Freedom early December.  This makes me excited.  Will you be sharing any photos or other commentary.  Looking forward to hearing more if you are sharing.  🙂

[BETSY DOLL]

3 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

Very nice! We'll be on her in January. Thanks for sharing! 😎

What are your dates? Jamman!

we are 1-21 on Freedom 

I think we missed each other a few cruises back!!!

[BarbieGee]

Is 'unbelievably good food" a rarity? I would hope it is a regular occurrence on most Carnival ships but this comment causes me to worry. My first time on any Carnival ship will be the Paradise in February.

[mz-s]

7 minutes ago, BarbieGee said:

Is 'unbelievably good food" a rarity? I would hope it is a regular occurrence on most Carnival ships but this comment causes me to worry. My first time on any Carnival ship will be the Paradise in February.

 

Those of us who have cruised Carnival for years can recognize the marked decline in their food quality, especially in the past few months and years. The buffet serves more and more rice and other cheap foods. The "sausage" on the breakfast buffet is often just cut up hot dogs, but that's not new (I experienced that on the Fantasy in 2014 as well). The shrimp in the MDR shrimp cocktail are smaller and you get fewer of them. They've shortened hours and cut out some meals out completely. Nothing is available 24/7 included in your cruise fare anymore for example.

[Jamman54]

10 hours ago, BETSY DOLL said:

What are your dates? Jamman!

we are 1-21 on Freedom 

I think we missed each other a few cruises back!!!

Just missed again. We  are on the 1/7 sailing. 😎

[Kermarkim]

11 hours ago, BarbieGee said:

Is 'unbelievably good food" a rarity? I would hope it is a regular occurrence on most Carnival ships but this comment causes me to worry. My first time on any Carnival ship will be the Paradise in February.

I believe that the food has declined across most cruise lines over the years. I've been cruising for over 25+ years and I have always been satisfied with Carnival's food choices and quality.  Carnival is my favorite cruise line and it is not for the food but I will choose Carnival every time.  There is nothing for you to be concerned about unless food is your only determining factor of a wonderful vacation.  I just cruised Carnival post COVID shutdown in August and was thoroughly satisfied even though I noticed the changes (some as a result of supply chain issues, others due to shortage of staff and probably the portion sizes and hours of operation due to economics).  I think the best food I may have had on a cruise was on Disney but that was the most boring cruise from an entertainment factor that I have ever been on.  I also think Disney Cabins are nicer than Carnival and their private island is a plus.  However, my family has never had as much fun on Disney or any other cruise line as we have on Carnival.  We will be giving MSC another shot in May 2023 on one of their newer ships but also have Carnival booked for July 2023.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

14 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

Those of us who have cruised Carnival for years can recognize the marked decline in their food quality, especially in the past few months and years. The buffet serves more and more rice and other cheap foods. The "sausage" on the breakfast buffet is often just cut up hot dogs, but that's not new (I experienced that on the Fantasy in 2014 as well). The shrimp in the MDR shrimp cocktail are smaller and you get fewer of them. They've shortened hours and cut out some meals out completely. Nothing is available 24/7 included in your cruise fare anymore for example.

The breakfast sausages were excellent links. Very good as was the shreaded potato patties, fresh and made pefect. Sad, no bacon. Fresh made yogurt. Three different fuits. Again totally unexpected on a Carnival ship, no less the Freedom. A very pleasant suprise.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

3 hours ago, Kermarkim said:

I believe that the food has declined across most cruise lines over the years. I've been cruising for over 25+ years and I have always been satisfied with Carnival's food choices and quality.  Carnival is my favorite cruise line and it is not for the food but I will choose Carnival every time.  There is nothing for you to be concerned about unless food is your only determining factor of a wonderful vacation.  I just cruised Carnival post COVID shutdown in August and was thoroughly satisfied even though I noticed the changes (some as a result of supply chain issues, others due to shortage of staff and probably the portion sizes and hours of operation due to economics).  I think the best food I may have had on a cruise was on Disney but that was the most boring cruise from an entertainment factor that I have ever been on.  I also think Disney Cabins are nicer than Carnival and their private island is a plus.  However, my family has never had as much fun on Disney or any other cruise line as we have on Carnival.  We will be giving MSC another shot in May 2023 on one of their newer ships but also have Carnival booked for July 2023.

Considering the cost of a Disney cruise the food should be excellent to say the lease. Boring, yup I would think so. 52+ cruises on Carnival, maybe 2 or 3 were not up to expectations, not bad.

[d12j28]

20 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Just returned from the Halloween cruise. Lots of positive. As usual, awesome costumes and get ups. Lots of fun. Only one negative. The guy and girl singing by the casino bar were terrable. Really bad. You may not believe this. The food in the buffett was unbelievably good. . "Only did the buffett" Guy's burgers were far better than usual. Juicy and thick. Never before on Carnival, this was only a 5 day cruise they had mashed potatoes for lunch 3 of the 5 days. Each day made different and all were excellent. 😎One afternoon they had fish and chips. Cod, excellent. All the hot food was hot, the soup was super hot. Even the soft serve and the frozen yogurt were excellent. Thick and solid. So yes, the food ws a total suprise. As you would expect the ship is certainly showing its age. But still in very good condition. We have cruised on the Freedom 5 times this was the 6th. Do not remember it being this good. Getting on and off was a breeze and fast. 

Was the Freedom band still playing in the Atrium? They were awesome when we went in March.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

15 hours ago, BarbieGee said:

Is 'unbelievably good food" a rarity? I would hope it is a regular occurrence on most Carnival ships but this comment causes me to worry. My first time on any Carnival ship will be the Paradise in February.

I would not get your hopes up on great food. Our experience on the Freedom I think was becuse of the cooks. NEVER had more than one day on a 7 day cruise that they had mashed potatoes. 3 out of 5 has never happened. However, when they had turkey. Baked potato or rice. No mashed with grvy, darn!

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

5 minutes ago, d12j28 said:

Was the Freedom band still playing in the Atrium? They were awesome when we went in March.

Sad to say. No more live band.

[d12j28]

17 minutes ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Sad to say. No more live band.

That's a bummer. They were really good. Didn't have a live band on the Spirit a couple weeks ago either but they didn't really have a good spot for one either.

[groundloop]

20 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Just returned from the Halloween cruise. Lots of positive. As usual, awesome costumes and get ups. Lots of fun. Only one negative. The guy and girl singing by the casino bar were terrable. Really bad. You may not believe this. The food in the buffett was unbelievably good......

 

Good to hear, we'll be boarding Freedom in a couple more weeks for Thanksgiving.

 

AND I must say that I've been very pleased with the food on Carnival lately.  We most recently did a 15 day cruise to Hawaii on Miracle and the food was very good.  

 

 

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

4 minutes ago, groundloop said:

 

Good to hear, we'll be boarding Freedom in a couple more weeks for Thanksgiving.

 

AND I must say that I've been very pleased with the food on Carnival lately.  We most recently did a 15 day cruise to Hawaii on Miracle and the food was very good.  

 

 

Do NOT miss the last shows. It was excellent

[groundloop]

15 minutes ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Do NOT miss the last shows. It was excellent

 

Do you recall the name of it?

 

(I've seen most of the Playlist shows multiple times and have been skipping some of them.)

[tree.critter]

1/15/11 was my first cruise on the Freedom. It was 8 day which included Costa Rica and remains one of my favorite cruises. A couple of cruises in between on her, next one is 12/22 and I’m happy to hear she’s still a great ship, I’ve got a bit more age on me too, not such a bad thing. Have always loved the crew on it too. My profile pic here is from the Veragua rainforest zip line, time of my life! 

[Robpuffdaddy]

Going on my 2nd cruise on Freedom.  It has been like 8 years since I have been on a cruise.  Been to long I know, (don't judge) lol  Real excited to be going back in March.  I know people complain about everything, but I put it this way if you do not like the food at one place they have so many options.  You will not go hungry.  I love going on cruise critic to get ideas and stuff and get me in the mood, but seems like in the world today there is so much negativity.  This is a vacation, escape reality and have fun

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

3 hours ago, groundloop said:

 

Do you recall the name of it?

 

(I've seen most of the Playlist shows multiple times and have been skipping some of them.)

I am almost sure it was, 

• 80s Pop to the Max.
• Songs from the 60s to the 80s. Just awesome.

[mz-s]

I always try to catch at least one show every cruise even if I've seen it before. Even though the show is the same, the performers can make a big difference in either direction.