Detailed review of Carnival Freedom out of Galveston

We just completed our Carnival Freedom cruise to the Caribbean, which ended 1/13/18. This was our first Carnival cruise in about 15 years, but since that time, we’ve cruised 27 times with all the other mass market lines and some luxury cruises. But this review will not be a comparison to them.

We did not choose FTTF option, as we didn’t feel we needed it. We weren’t in a rush to get into our cabin or off the ship. We scheduled our port arrival with Carnival for 11:30 -12:00 and once we made our way into the terminal, we were whisked through the process in less than 15 minutes. Since we knew we would have our carryon luggage with us until 1:30, we limited it to one bag and had the porters handle the rest.

Our first order of business was finding a table in the Lido since we didn’t want to be on deck. That day it was about 45 degrees in Galveston. Since the Lido beverage stations are so spread out, it was easy to find a table for two. We wanted to try Guy’s burgers for our first food choice, but there was a long time. Instead, I tried the Mongolian Stir Fry. Very important note for the Mongolian food station and Guy’s – many times there are lines on both sides of the station. Before standing in line, check to see if the other end is open. That option shortened our wait many times during the cruise.

Regarding food on the lido, if you like your food hot (temperature not spicy) stick to the areas where they prepare it hot in front of you. Otherwise, you will probably receive much of your food lukewarm. I’m not a fan of tepid pancakes, waffles, and toast. However, since my tastes for lunch are usually chef’s style salads, the temperature was not an issue there. I made those salads by getting the greens at the salad section, and then taking a clean plate to the deli for pastrami or getting shrimp at the Blue Iguana or the Mongolian spot. A quick note about the pizza… loved the thin crust and the choice of toppings. You are not limited to the four pizza options on their menu. You can mix and match any of the ingredients available because it is made fresh to order and comes hot.

At 1:30 we went to our cabin and found one of our large bags was already there. At first glance, it looked like we wouldn’t have enough space for our clothes, but it worked out. Your cabin steward can bring more hangers, which are the type that you click onto a bar so you don’t steal them. We had an interior stateroom and the nightstands were a joke. The tops were no more than 12” square and the door opened to an empty space, no shelves. In that case, it was a disappointment, but we doubled up elsewhere. The bed was not the standard comfy pillow top I’ve come to love at hotels we stay at but it was improved with an egg crate mattress and 3 comforters under the sheet. The room comes standard with 4 comforters. The tiny bathroom made up for its size with a substantial amount of shelving above the counter. Didn’t plan to use the shower much anyway, since we usually shower in the gym’s locker rooms after a workout.

Had an issue with the steam and sauna rooms in both men’s and ladies areas. They are supposed to be turned on at 7:00 am. However, when we arrived around 8:00 we had to request they be turned on. Each takes 20 minutes to heat, so check before you use the gym equipment. And here’s another puzzling aspect. There’s a “hot tub” in the middle of the gym, but you can’t get to it in the gym. It can only be accessed through an unmarked door in the locker rooms. However, once we found the secret entrance, we discovered that the tub wasn’t heated. Per the spa manager, it’s supposed to be at body temperature (which I understand to be about 98 degrees) but the water temperature was more like your average drinking fountain.

After the quick muster drill with no life jackets needing to be carried about, we headed out to the pool deck. The sail away was fun with the cruise director and his staff getting us up and line dancing to the music. The wait staff was actively pitching their drinks of the day – which average $9.25 for cocktails and about $6.50 for beers. With those prices, I can understand how many buy the Cheers packages.

On our first night, we made a reservation for the Steakhouse. While we dined, there were maybe 8 or 9 tables in use with mostly couples only. Still with that small capacity, they couldn’t deliver the food hot. A béarnaise sauce that has a congealed topping is a sure giveaway to that point, but apparently not to the waiters. We did enjoy the crab cake, onion soup, and the steak, but they forgot to bring the side dishes for our entrees.

Other nights we dined YTD at the MDR. We had no trouble getting a table for two and stayed at the same station each night because we liked the service of Ricardo, Luis, and Gaipilau (not sure if I spelled that right – sweet young lady who carried a humongous amount of dishes to the serving station). Usually, finished our meal in 60- 75 minutes so it was easy to attend the production shows or music venues. Always enjoyed the options for appetizers and salads and could find at least one entrée I wanted to try. Desserts were disappointing with a seeming lack of needed sugar or butter. However, that meant one less way for me to gain weight!

Most of the music we listened to was the pop band who played in the atrium night. It was a pick-up band like other cruise lines do, but you’d never guess they hadn’t been a group for years. Great musicians and great voices. The other locals for bands we didn’t seem to catch right. Either we heard their last song in the set or they were already on break. I appreciated the singers in the production shows but was not impressed with their costuming or choreography. However, I loved the high-tech aspects of the background and the pyrotechnics. We only saw one comedian, but he wasn’t our style, so we skipped the others. Not a fan of dropping the f-bomb every few sentences. Crass and not funny to me if that’s how you show your artistic ability.

Did not do any excursions as we’d been to these ports multiple times. Even stayed on the ship in one port to enjoy the emptiness of the gym, pool, and hot tubs on deck. The Dive in movies were pretty popular and a fun idea to watch from a lounge chair at night.

Room steward delivered average service. We asked for morning and night service, which we received for 2 nights. Even though we were out early for the gym and breakfast, he usually came only late in the afternoon. However, he greeted us by our names whenever we saw him in the hall.

Debarkation is my least favorite part of a cruise. However, we were .eased into with a relaxed and unhurried breakfast in the MDR. Our section for leaving came 15 later than scheduled and included the slow crawl around the deck like Disney Theme Park lines. Customs was a breeze, but a bit confusing for those who bought alcohol and had to do the Texas declaration and pay the fees. We weren’t in that batch, so we easily moved toward our shuttle pick-up point.

Overall, the cruise was good. We enjoyed the food for the most part and the overall service. We’d rate it like a two-star hotel with your average casual dining spots and local entertainers. That was fine with us as we didn’t expect a 5-star experience – nor did we pay for one.

Thanks for sharing your cruise experience aboard the Freedom.

Thank you for your objective review.

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Enjoyed your informative and thorough review.

We are booked on the Freedom for the first time after 5 cruises on Dream class ships. I am looking forward to a slightly less crowded feeling.

Thanks for posting.

Thank you for your review.

Keith

Prior to this cruise, others were asking about how Carnival helps to celebrate a birthday. Here's my update on that. When we booked our steakhouse dining before boarding, we told them we were celebrating my birthday. Nothing happened until we had our coffee at the end and mentioned again that it was my birthday. Then they said to wait and let them fix us a special dessert which was a tart with a nut and custard filling with "Happy Birthday" scrolled in icing on the side.

On the other hand, when we checked into our cabin and put up a "Happy Birthday" banner on the wall, our cabin steward asked whose birthday we were celebrating. The next day, I received a card and 2 gift cards, One for $12 for photos and one for $50 for the spa. In each case, I was told I had to only purchase something over the dollar amount on the card, which I did easily.

He also gave us a mini cake like the one they used in the dining room to celebrate birthdays.

Thanks for the review.

Thank-you for your review.

Thanks for the review.

:) Thank you for your review!

Can you tell me if the aft pool is adult only? I know there's been some changes back and forth but I'm curious as to the status now since I'll be on the Freedom in 12 short days!!

Yes, the aft pool and hot tubs are for adults. The ones closer to the Lido are for all and are the ones that are covered in rainy days.

Nice review. Very balanced.

I feel the same as you about the comedians. We always go to the family friendly shows whether we have our kids or not. They have all been great and no vulgar language or R rated topics. Much more our style.

Those drink prices sound expensive but it seems all the lines have really raised their prices.

Yes, the drink prices are higher, but I've been on other cruise lines that have a daily special and it's usually $2 off the regular price and some even offer happy hour 2 for one.

What is the texas alcohol declaration?

Effective April 1, 2014, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) will begin collecting tax from all cruise passengers.

The tax is applicable to all liquor and tobacco that enters the state of Texas via the cruise terminal. Therefore, all purchases made on the islands, as well as onboard, will be taxed upon debarkation in the cruise terminal. These duties will be in addition to whatever taxes may be imposed by US Customs.

This shows the breakdown of the fees.

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1382/~/texas-tax-declaration%3A-the-texas-alcoholic-beverage-commission-%28tabc%29

Yes, the aft pool and hot tubs are for adults. The ones closer to the Lido are for all and are the ones that are covered in rainy days.

Am I correct that the pool and hot tub are adults only but there is no age limit for sitting in the loungers in that area? Or can you recommend other quieter spots for a teen who would like to quietly read a book in the sunshine, near an ice cream station? :)

Am I correct that the pool and hot tub are adults only but there is no age limit for sitting in the loungers in that area? Or can you recommend other quieter spots for a teen who would like to quietly read a book in the sunshine, near an ice cream station? :)

Right above that, on deck 10.

The ice cream is caddy corner from the pizza station on 9. Nine can be noisy because of the pool and the pizza. Deck 10, is convenient enough and should be quite enough

Oh, but access isn't restricted by the pool if that's where the teen prefers....

Thanks for the review and mentioning the Texas Alcohol Tax. I haven't sailed from Galveston since 2009 and did not know about the tax. The added fee kind of makes the lower Caribbean liquor prices less of a bargain. :(:(

Right above that, on deck 10.

The ice cream is caddy corner from the pizza station on 9. Nine can be noisy because of the pool and the pizza. Deck 10, is convenient enough and should be quite enough

Thanks for the info. Deck 10 at the back of the ship looks perfect.

I welcome any information on other quiet spots that aren't adults-only. I saw a video showing couches on the exterior walkway on Deck 3, but now I'm thinking that's a smoking area?

Thanks for the review!

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