Carnival Freedom?

[jinxnb]

Although I've never sailed Carnival before, this site has convinced me that Carnival is an awesome line!

 

I've been SO sucked into the Carnival cruise subculture that I'm already considering holidays for summer 2010.

 

My husband and I are teachers who are saving for a house (and future babies, retirement, etc.) As teachers, we can only vacation during the summer. I've been researching 2010 cruises, and the 6-Day Western Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale that goes to Key West, Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman lookslike a dream!!

 

So here's my question: What did you think of the Freedom? No holds barred, please!

 

Thanks!

*Liz*

[cruisernewbie1]

I was on the Freedom last week for the 6 day Western...I have a link to my review in my signature - lots of pictures! :D The cruise was awesome!!

[cruisinlawn]

just off her last month. fantastic ship with decent 6-day itin. If it fits your schedule I'd go in a heartbeat. I may ask self 'should we consider the 8-day? You'll enjoy it, we have been on several diff lines so not loyal to just one line. I'll say, our Freedom cruise rates at the top. The entire week was tops, the only miniscule negative our group could come up with was the 45 minutes standing in the 90 degree heat waiting to enter cruise terminal at embarkation. Go...you'll enjoy.

[Gater Girl]

My husband and I have cruised on Carnival enough times to be close to VIP. But our cruise on the Carnival Freedom that ended today might stop us from cruising Carnival again. Right now I am angry and I am old enough to know that fades. But now...I am angry about being termed a "cheater" at the roulette wheel in the Freedom Casino. I am also shocked at the number of kids and young adolescents who roamed the ship, played games on the elevators, ran and whooped where ever.throughout the cruise.and even had an impromtu party on the stairs of one level our elevator briefly touched on. I never saw an adult near them. That scenario can get dangerous for them...and scary for other passengers. Just the constant running was a hazard for older people. And the inconvenience of the little brats immobolizing the elevators was irritating. This is cruising on Carnival in the summer I guess.

The Casino bit really mortified me. One with an ounce of sense knows that casino is monitored with cameras and most likely on internal security manned camera. THEY KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. I had never played roulette before. After playing their tight, tight slot machines, I played once for a few chips. Then I took the Carnival guide book on roulette to my cabin and studied the different bets one could make. On the last night, I was playing one chip on a group of six numbers and mostly watching. I played green and put the chip on the same six number group. It came in. The Casino Employee ranked in the chips and payed out the winners. I said I had a chip on the group that covered number 26. She said I did not. I looked around said I did. She said she did not see it. No one said anything. I was mortified. I honestly did not know what to do so I had a few chips left and I put another chip down..same place..played again. And again. It won again. AGAIN she took my chip and told me I had not put one down there. This time the man and woman sitting beside me said That they saw me put the chip down, that I had played the same bet all night. Other people said so too so she then paid my bet..which was just five chips. Then she watched my hands on every spin. I guess she thought I was going to push illegal chips out on the board. Like with a group of people around...anyone would do such a thing??I played out the few I had and left. I am sure my face was as red as fire. Nothing like that has happened to me ever before.

I am angry because someone at Carnival did not take a few minutes to view the tape..or more likely look into the camera or ask the persons operating them..............Did I put the chip down? They would have had to say yes..and that would have ended it. Instead..I was called a cheater TWICE..AND ONLY THE PROTESTS OF STRANGERS SITTING AROUND ME STOPPED IT.

I cannot imagine this happens often. I am not much of a gambler. I cannot imagine booking a cruise on Carnival again. I cannot image it. This could have been prevented so easily. Right Now..you could not GIVE me a cruise on the Carnival Freedom.

[Mikel1733]

We got off the Freedom a week ago and it was fantastic. It was our first cruise as platinum and the perks were great. I give the ship and crew a big thumbs up. I can't wait to sail the Freedom again.

[Gater Girl]

I will write a review when I am not angry at Carnival. Because The Cabin Attendant who did such an excellent job deserves it as well as the extra tip we gave him. The Excellent wait staff at dinner which we also tipped extra and the Maitre D who found us a table a two deserves it. The Activies Staff, which is the best at sea, deserves it. There are many Trivia events and each drew large crowds. One Young man, Steve Reid, could make the dullest event fun..as could the young man from New Zealand..whose Name I did not catch. The Young lady from Canada was also funny and enthusiastic. These People really do deserve credit for doing a top notch job..every day. AND they are courteous to everyone.And the cleaning people who keep that entire ship spotless should be recognized. It shines..as only elbow grease can make it shine.And the people who make and serve the food..excellent except for too many sauces on everything. The Pizza..the cookies at lunch...the fried chicken on American Day in the Lido Restaurant...The Supper Club we went to once..all good. The Music in the Casino Lobby...Better than Good. The Shows..all Good. The "Ticket to Ride" Show...Excellent ++++.

 

As teachers...I would opt for the Panama Canal Trip. The excursion through the Canal is awesome. That is an overused word..but it is awesome.It is something you can tell your students about for years. Take lots of pictures. Ditto the Excursions in Costa Rica. Who knew that tiny nation is such an up and coming one? I was inpressed by our guide...the people..the lovely countryside..even the Volcano we saw smoking in the distance. We saw Pineapple plantations...banana plantations..a tropical garden..and saw schools in every little village and town. I was impressed.

 

We always have taken Carnival Tours. The ship will not leave without you if you are on one of their tours. They test out the safety of the shore trips they sponsor. And...in developing worlds, I honestly think the little bit extra $$$$ over independent tours is worth it for the safety factors. Enjoy.

[BrendaB1]

I did the Freedom 6 day last November. Beautiful, shiny new ship & great cruise.

[eggplant]

My wife and I saild the Freedom in January with a couple of friends. We did the 6 night itinerary and loved every minute of it. Ship was nice and clean, crew was very friendly. Did not see much of our cabin attendant but he did a great job at keeping the room ship shape. Our wait staff in the Chic Dinning room started out slow the first night but after that they kicked butt and we had a great time with them. The shows and food where excellent! All and all a very great week on the high seas and would recommend the Freedom to anyone!

[angelsbaby1]

If at all possible try to do the 8 day Eastern! It is a blast! I have a link to our blog about the cruise in our signature. I would sail on Freedom again.

AnitaMarie :cool:

[CeleBrat]

We are booked for the Freedom 8-day in August of this year. So...don't have a review quite yet, but will be sure to do one when we return. Only 60ish more days 'til we sail.

 

I say...go for it!

 

CeleBrat

[chevygirlgonecruizin]

We cruised on her back in May. I have to say my husband and I enjoyed the 6 day cruise so much that we would like to cruise on her again with our teenage son. This was our 3rd cruise but our 1st cruise longer than 4 days. I chose this cruise because of the itinerary and length of time. The ship was great! Clean as a whistle! Every crew member we ever encountered were all very nice and very attentive. The food was fabulous. Especially the Supper Club! Cabins are very spacious. Entertainment was great! We never felt over crowded. The ports of call were awesome! We loved the Keys. Grand Cayman we just went to the beach for a few hours and it was nice. Jamaica was our favorite because of the excursion we did at Mystic Mountain. We did the chair lift up the mountain then the Jamaican bobsled then the zip-line. There was also an infinity pool with a slide, restaurant and a nice shopping area. It was something else! Between the ports of call and the endless things to do on board I have to say it was one of our favorite vacations to date. You will love it!

[nol4am]

I am a teacher also and summer months can be expensive so we opted to cruise the 8 day during Thanksgiving week. Cant wait :)

[TinaJ04463]

I am a teacher also and along with my teaching friends, we have found that April break works for us. We are from the northeast and get the 3rd week in April. We don't have to worry too much about delayed flights due to snow storms, and spring break is mostly over. Prices are not as high as in summer either. We have done Freedom twice, last year to Eastern and this year to Western, and loved both of them. Never had problems with kids.

TinaJ