Carnival Freedom 10/10/09 Review - Just Got Off - What A Wonderful Cruise!

[ChefSusan]

As the title of the thread says, my husband and I just got off Carnival Freedom 10/10/09! In this thread will be a review of our cruise, including photos. We were part of the FREEDOM FUN-ADDICTS group, and we had an absolute blast!!!

 

Feel free to ask questions!

[Guest JJWW]

What would you say was the highlight of the cruise ?

[ChefSusan]

What would you say was the highlight of the cruise ?

I would have to say that the highlight for us was our day at the Virgin Gorda Baths courtesy of Patouche Tours. We had a private catamaran sailing for our group, Freedom Fun-Addicts, and both the trip to and from the Baths was amazing! Kudos to Branson and his crew, who kept us in stitches and made this one of, if not THE highlight, of our cruise.

[tiyana4]

We just booked this cruise and would love to hear your review. Keep us posted!

[amcjeep4life]

We leave on Friday for our 8 day western trip. I'm looking forward to reading what you have to say before then. So...hurry up already!:p I know you just got off the ship like 10 minutes ago, but really, you should have all the way thru Day 4 posted already! What's the holdup?

[WAcruisers]

Would love to read your review. Thinking about taking the Freedom next year

[ChefSusan]

What would you say was the highlight of the cruise ?

 

I would have to say that the highlight for us was our day at the Virgin Gorda Baths courtesy of Patouche Tours. We had a private catamaran sailing for our group, Freedom Fun-Addicts, and both the trip to and from the Baths was amazing! Kudos to Branson and his crew, who kept us in stitches and made this one of, if not THE highlight, of our cruise.

 

I made a mistake - there was a tie for the highlight of our cruise!

 

Along with two of the other couples that we cruised with, we all did the Segway Tour of Antigua - WHAT A HOOT!!! We booked this one, as well as the Virgin Baths tour with Patouche Tours ourselves - we did not book any excursions with Carnival this time, as we learned that you can get a much better deal when booking excursions yourself. Yes it's a bit risky, but if you do research first on here, you can find incredible excursions that Carnival may not offer.

[ChefSusan]

We leave on Friday for our 8 day western trip. I'm looking forward to reading what you have to say before then. So...hurry up already!:p I know you just got off the ship like 10 minutes ago, but really, you should have all the way thru Day 4 posted already! What's the holdup?

LOLOLOL!!!

 

I have to go thru all of my photos (as well as the ones that my husband shot with his camera) and select the best of for my review!

 

The ship is absolutely incredible, and we were so glad to have booked this route! Warning though - when the sunroof for the Lido Aft/Endless Pool is closed, it is almost like a steambath!:eek: We had a couple of days when the roof was closed, and it did not make for a pleasant swim experience. No chair hogs back there, and we actually had to call security one day due to a European family who insisted on letting their 6 month child go in the pool totally naked!!! :eek: Luckily the child did not pee back there, and we did not see the family back there for the rest of the cruise.

 

Another thing about that pool - we had very few far and between bar server sightings the entire time!!!:eek:

 

Also - there is absolutely no smoking allowed back there - if someone wants to smoke, they have to go upstairs to the Deck 10 Starboard side and light up.

 

More shortcuts for the ship as I remember them...

[boxerdoglady]

Freedom is in contention for our cruise next year.

[lollylew]

Looking forward to your review! I always love to read about other peoples' cruises; makes me feel as though I am there :D

[scorpioncrawl]

Do they have an area where they sell pastries, cookies and stuff?

[boxerdoglady]

So, just googled the baths; they look AMAZING!

[ChefSusan]

Do they have an area where they sell pastries, cookies and stuff?

Yes, they do have that - it's called the Vienesse Bakery (or something like that), and is located on Deck 5 (Promenade) between the Future Cruise Desk and the Casino. Didn't try any of them, as we forgot about the area!

[ChefSusan]

So, just googled the baths; they look AMAZING!

They WERE amazing! If you do the excursion, book a private charter through Patouche Charters - it's $86.00/pp, and includes the return trip to the docks, drinks and snacks, snorkeling (and a dingy if anyone in your party does not snorkel), and is the BEST way to see the Baths. If you book the excursion thru Carnival (or anyone else), you will have a pretty long walk both to and from the actual Baths site, and will most likely be stuffed onto a ferry and/or taxi. Make sure to mention that you got the recommendation from the Freedom Fun-Addicts!

[ChefSusan]

Sorry I have not posted in this thread over the past 36 hours. I am fighting off food poisoning from a local restaurant that we frequent. I hope to get this thread going over the next day or so.