SouthernCaribbean Posted June 6, 2008 #1 Share Posted June 6, 2008 I posted this on the other thread, but thought those that are excited about this change and having a ship in FLL would like their own thread to chat about it. Im seriously thinking about booking the 8 day Eastern, since its so much like a Southern Caribbean cruise :) http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-06-2008/0004827974&EDATE= Carnival Freedom to Operate Year-Round Six- and Eight-Day Caribbean Cruises from Ft. Lauderdale Beginning Nov. 2008 MIAMI, June 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,974-passenger Carnival Freedom, which was originally scheduled to operate six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on a seasonal basis, will now operate the program year-round, following the conclusion of its 2008 Mediterranean program in October. Carnival Freedom's year-round schedule from Fort Lauderdale begins November 22, 2008, with six-day cruises departing Sundays and visiting Key West, Fla., George Town, Grand Cayman; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, while eight-day voyages departing Saturdays alternate to the eastern and western Caribbean. Eight-day eastern Caribbean voyages visit five ports: San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.; Antigua, Lesser Antilles; Tortola/Virgin Gorda, B.V.I.; and Nassau, The Bahamas. Western Caribbean cruises include Cozumel, Mexico; Limon, Costa Rica; and Colon, Panama. According to Lynn C. Torrent, Carnival's senior vice president of sales and guest services, "The Caribbean is, by far, the most popular cruising region for North Americans. It is easily accessible and affordable, and when combined with attractive, destination-rich itineraries such as these, a Caribbean cruise represents the ideal vacation choice for consumers." Torrent noted that while the plan had been for Carnival Freedom to return to Europe in 2009, the strong performance of the line's entire Caribbean fleet made the new six- and eight-day deployment a compelling choice. Exciting Six- and Eight-Day Cruises On Carnival Freedom's six-day cruises, guests can enjoy three distinctly different island experiences -- Key West, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios -- each of which offers excellent shopping and dining opportunities, along with a variety of "fun in the sun" activities, including magnificent beaches and watersports. Carnival Freedom's eight-day eastern Caribbean cruises feature five ports -- San Juan, St. Thomas (optional shore excursion to St. John), Antigua, Tortola (optional shore excursion to Virgin Gorda) and Nassau -- providing consumers a diversity of landside experiences, along with a variety of restaurants, shops and boutiques. A wide range of shore excursions are also offered, including horseback riding, scuba diving, hiking and kayaking. During an extended evening stay in San Juan, guests can also sample that city's legendary nightlife. In addition to historical sites and attractions, including centuries-old ruins, the eight-day western Caribbean cruises to Cozumel, Limon and Colon offer a multitude of dining, shopping and watersports experiences. A number of "adventure-type" tours, including canoeing, and white-water rafting, are featured, as well. From Colon, guests can experience all the wonders of the Panama Canal and even a unique bi-coastal railroad adventure. Both of these eight-day cruises offer visits to ports that are usually available only on cruises of 10 days or longer. In addition, these cruises depart on Saturdays and return on Sundays, which allow them to fit into the consumer's traditional one-week vacation pattern. Variety of 'Fun Ship' Amenities Spanning a length of 952 feet, Carnival Freedom offers a variety of on-board amenities and facilities: a 14,500-square-foot health and wellness facility, a jogging track, a duty-free shopping mall, full casino gambling, and 22 lounges and bars, including a multi-level theater showcasing lavish revues. Dining options include two two-level main dining rooms offering extensive menus and wine lists, a 1,200-seat poolside eatery with full breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and a 24-hour pizzeria, and an elegant reservations-only supper club. Family friendly amenities include children's programs for three different age groups -- "Camp Carnival" for kids ages 2-11, "Circle C" for 'tweens, and "Club O2" for older teens -- with facilities and activities for each. Carnival Freedom also offers a variety of accommodations including a wide selection of balcony staterooms and suites -- perfect for scenic cruising. All Carnival Freedom accommodations feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows. Carnival Freedom also houses an Internet Cafe, along with ship-wide Wi-Fi access and cell phone service. Reservations Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Freedom's year-round six- and eight-day voyages from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom, along with round-trip air supplements from a variety of North American gateways and pre- and post-cruise South Florida land stays, are also available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHP Posted June 6, 2008 #2 Share Posted June 6, 2008 We are doing the 8 day that goes to Cozumel, Costa Rica and Panama on Nov 22nd!! yea!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MESPal Posted June 6, 2008 #3 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Great News!!! Thanks for posting this. We will be looking to make reservations for next Summer. Missy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernCaribbean Posted June 6, 2008 Author #4 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Welcome, Im hoping all the people that are looking forward to this change will post here. The other thread has people upset because their cruise was canceled, so its really in bad taste to post on that thread... IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockee4055 Posted June 6, 2008 #5 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Well that is a welcome change. I love those islands but don't really want to go out of San Juan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernCaribbean Posted June 6, 2008 Author #6 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Well that is a welcome change. I love those islands but don't really want to go out of San Juan. You do realize this isnt a new itinerary. Liberty and Freedom have been doing it for almost 3 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel Angel Posted June 6, 2008 #7 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Interesting that they will still be calling on Jamica for the 6 nighter, but yet Princess has dropped that port of call due to the supposed rationale of "continued passenger negative comments of this port" and Princess is owned by Carnival ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlendaleCruiser Posted June 6, 2008 #8 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Interesting that they will still be calling on Jamica for the 6 nighter, but yet Princess has dropped that port of call due to the supposed rationale of "continued passenger negative comments of this port" and Princess is owned by Carnival ! I did that cruise last October on the Conquest, and if i had to to it again, I WOULD NOT get off the ship in Jamaica. Not my favorite port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toad455 Posted June 6, 2008 #9 Share Posted June 6, 2008 so only the Liberty will be in Europe in 2009?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flip2cruise Posted June 6, 2008 #10 Share Posted June 6, 2008 so only the Liberty will be in Europe in 2009?? As of now, Yes...Some are speculating Dream might do a few Fall 09 European sailing before heading to the States. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrendaB1 Posted June 6, 2008 #11 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Yeah. I'm doing the six day Nov 30th & can't wait to do the eight day eastern. That route was awesome when I did it on Liberty. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelkisses Posted June 6, 2008 #12 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Love the 8 day Eastern Itinerary! Not to hijack the thread or anything but I'm really anxious to see the Port Caneral "Dream" itinerary too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neatokimmo Posted June 6, 2008 #13 Share Posted June 6, 2008 We are doing the 8 day on Dec 6th wooohhooo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiggleBay Posted June 6, 2008 #14 Share Posted June 6, 2008 We are doing the Nov 30th 6-day followed by the Dec 6th 8-day. Our 1st B2B cruise. It will be our 12th & 13th cruise. We are celebrating our 20th Wedding Anniversary. We got a great deal on a Lido deck cabin. Same cabin for both cruises. Wish the time would go faster:D Cheri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjunea Posted June 6, 2008 #15 Share Posted June 6, 2008 You do realize this isnt a new itinerary. Liberty and Freedom have been doing it for almost 3 years. I know, really the only time I can cruise is in the summer because of being a teacher. No one has been doing these itineraries in the summer time and I have been wanting to go to Costa Rica! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flip2cruise Posted June 7, 2008 #16 Share Posted June 7, 2008 We are doing the Nov 30th 6-day followed by the Dec 6th 8-day. Our 1st B2B cruise. It will be our 12th & 13th cruise. We are celebrating our 20th Wedding Anniversary. We got a great deal on a Lido deck cabin. Same cabin for both cruises. Wish the time would go faster:D Cheri I did the same B2B on Liberty in 05. The 8 day/6day makes for a perfect B2B experience. Congrats on the Anniversary and the B2B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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