Sarah@Sea

To all you lucky folks soon setting sail on the Freedom....;

 

Please provide some reviews, even the quickie reviews without photos would be appreciated. I just cant wait to hear about it.

 

My turn doesnt come till November, and after the winter we just put behind us up here in the north, I dont want to wish away my summer, so reviews will help me bide my time until my cruise day comes.:)

 

Happy sailing to you all, and remember all us review thirsty people when you return home please and thank you.

I will definitely try to post something before sail away, also first port is Key West so I'll have cell service and probably stop at Starbucks for a drink and wifi.

Does Carnival provide the trolley shuttle from the ship's gangway when docked at Pier B in Key West? I know the actually Old Town Trolley station is right there at Mallory Square but I've also seen some ships have the trolley right to the ship, as our HAL cruise did in December.

Please educate me. what is Kiosk?

See I think many people just do not know they exist or think they are ATMs.

Oddly enough after I posted this thread JH posted on FB asking who using the kiosks.

I bet most of the people in the line are removing tips. Be sure to double up on yours to help carry the load. ;)

Reading the "butter up" post and seeing that some people give $100 up front to room stewards I'm less concerned that other people remove tips. Seems it probably all evens out for most crew.

I usually pre-pay and tip individual at the end for excellent service.

I haven't gotten of the ship in Key West since my first cruise in 2008. I used to live in Miami so been to Key West often. At that time RCCL didn't have shuttle, we were at Pier B. I don't know which Pier we docked at in December but I know HAL did have the trolley's coming by the ship to get people, I saw them from the ship and if I had known I might have gotten off, like you sister I have difficulty with distance walking....not so much the getting off...it's getting off the ship, enjoying the port then getting back to the ship.

Our last cruise we signed up for luggage express and there was a problem with mine. I had to go to GS 3 times last day. :eek: that is why I will always purchase FTTF!! I did notice most people were paying off their S&S cards. Doesn't make sense to me. Why not just let it go in a credit card and pay it off later? (And get FF miles!)

I usually use BF credit card for cruises and since I went solo last time I did attach my bankcard to my account but I loaded cash to my SS with the kiosk. I've had to go to GS about towel charge on RCCL even though the towels were returned the night before and the crew swiped our cards, irritated by it as I wish RCCL would just leave the beach towels in the room like at Carnival. I guess if more people used the Kiosks for what they could, the line would be shorter for the issues that need a live person.

I'm getting married on the freedom 5.18 cruise, so maybe we will bump into each other. this is my first carnival cruise, so we are all very excited. glad we got the 2.0 upgrades.

Congratulations!

Not every ship has the interactive televisions. And some people don't like using kiosks. What's the big deal?

No big deal, just wondering...as I said I don't want to have to be waiting in line if at all possible but to each their own.

My first cruise that had the kiosk we had about a $25 credit left over, I went to the Kiosk and didn't know which option to select but I wasn't about to wait in line, let them send me a check, but as I headed to get in line to get off the ship I asked the crew member if in fact the Kiosks issued refunds he told me they did and actually walked over and showed me exactly which menu options to select.

Perhaps having a crew member periodically check in with the people in line to see if their needs can be met by the kiosk and show them how to use it, esp on debark would be a positive for both the passenger and GS staff. Similar to when I'm on hold for customer service for a business and they hold message will be information about which online services are available.

I always stand in the line at guest services the first day to get extra keys so I can get into my kid's room.

I've needed to stop by GS the first day also, regarding medical request, but thankfully no line or just a few people. There have been other times during the cruise when I had a question and GS was very busy so I opted to stop by at a less busy time.

Yet I must be missing why your standing there looking at the line.

It's hard to miss seeing the line of people when I walk up to use the Kiosk that is located across from the GS desk.

Sometimes people have to collect the $500 they won playing BINGO the night before!

That happened to me once and I had to go to GS the next morning before getting off the ship. But I was more than ok with standing in line for a few minutes to collect my $500!

Oh I'd stand in line for that too! :D I'm sure we'd be the people smiling while waiting in line verses the grumpy looking people.

Change, OBC refunds, information, debarkation tags and early deboarding requests, complaints, tip adjustments, credit disputes.....

 

The list can go on forever.

Change and OBC refunds can be done at the Kiosk...morning of debark would be too late for luggage tags?

Guess I'll just consider myself lucky that I am informed and know of the other means to get the information I need or to stop by GS at less busy times.

I can't wait to here all about it. We have until Oct to cruise :(

Looking forward to the reviews after this week's cruise!

I'm always surprised by the long lines of people at Guest Services, especially on the morning of disembarkment? I find that Carnival Kiosk has removed my most common need for GS which is change, although I usually try to stop by the bank and get smaller bill for porter tips, room service tips, etc. I am able to put money on my SS via the kiosk, get back any refund on the last morning and check SS charges. I can also check charges on the cabin TV, which I periodically do so if there are any issues I can go to GS when they aren't busy. The last thing I want to do...other than have to get off the ship, is to wait in a long line verse enjoying the last few moments of my vacation. I find most issues or requests I have are handled by the room steward.

So are the people waiting just unaware of the services the kiosk and in room TV channels can provide? Is Carnival making that many mistakes on SS charges?

Which dining locations are open for lunch on embarkment day?

People are storming JH facebook page saying the porters left there luggage outside and out of no where a major storm hit and soaked everything.. Ruined clothes suits electronics ect...

That is why I have a hard cased suitcase, I sometimes fly out of a small airport where you have to walk outside and board the plane via stairs, so luggage goes out too, well I think most airlines your luggage can be exposed to rain while being loaded? Anyway I was dumbfounded when the 2nd layer of clothes were damp but no liquids had leaked, then I realized it was that my luggage had gotten wet but the luggage had dried out and the top layer of clothes...so I switched to a nice hard shell case, which is actually lighter. Not sure how they claim the luggage was "left" outside it's outside on racks until it's load, part of the process....as rain is part of S. FL weather.

Its awesome and they make some of the best drinks you will find on board a Carnival cruise.

Any suggested drinks? Do they have tastings and lessons also?

This will be my 5th cruise on Carnival but the first time on a newer, larger ship with anything "extra" and luck me Freedom just got lots of extras! I have been reading the boards and trying to do my homework but would love some additional feedback on what I need to check out and try during my cruise. I would also like to know approx times the areas are open? I know the times can vary and I should check the Fun Times for each day!

Guy's Burgers - try a burger and fries. Donkey sauce? Yes or No?

Blue Iguana - I've read the breakfast burrito is a must try...anyone have a favorite salsa?

Red Frog Pub - fun place to hang out, adult trivia and coconut shrimp...maybe sliders. I'll be solo so no Fishbowl partner and I surely cannot manage one on my own.

Alchemy bar - ????

So that's the new stuff...I also made a reservation for the steakhouse for my first night as I've never been on a ship that had a steakhouse. What's your favorite side dish? I'll most likely go with surf n turf as my meal.

Thank you in advance! :D

Waiting in line to board her now!!!!!!!!

Lucky! What are you going to check out first?

Free

Returning from drydock and 2.0 upgrades. Sets sail today.

I wouldn't do 8 days in an interior cabin even when sailing with someone else, perhaps I spend more time in my cabin more than others, but I have a chronic illness so yes I rest a lot especially after a day in port, etc. So with that YES, get a balcony...esp if you got the zero supplement rate as I have found recently!

That's the one disadvantage of buying soda at the ports of call. Different water used in the making of the soda makes it taste different.

Canned Mexican Coke and Diet Coke tastes so much better to me I might have to find some Coca Light while in Cozumel to take back on the ship.

Yes, I've requested a price drop, yes I've had OBC issues...but no, never experienced the same customer service issues as you because I have a PVP so I always speak to the same person when I call or email and things were corrected immediately.

May 18th!