Trip Report Carnival Freedom 10/17-10/24/10

[Name Of The Game]

This was the sixth cruise for my mom and I, the last five on Carnival. We flew into Ft Lauderdale on 10/16 and had booked the Hampton Inn on Stirling Road. They wanted to put us in a king room and said the only double room they had available was a suite which we could have for the same price. We'll take it! :D

 

 

 

 

The price included breakfast in the morning. After that we took their shuttle to the port and arrived at 11:00 to find a long line. We boarded at noon. There was a group in front of us with shirts that said, "If alcoholism is a disease, I'm here for my shots". Sure enough they were at the bar when we stepped on! :D

 

[Name Of The Game]

It's always fun exploring a new ship.

 

 

 

 

My mom had to get a picture of her first buffet of the week!

 

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This is my mom after that buffet.

 

 

No, actually we had just found the Serenity deck.

 

 

Here's the slide that I love.

 

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Our first port was Key West. We hadn't been here since our first cruise ten years ago.

 

 

Our first stop was Harry Truman's Little White House.

 

 

 

An elderly gentleman was our guide. Once the tour started we were no longer allowed to take photos. It was interesting and the house was air conditioned which was a plus!

 

 

We didn't ride the train or trolley since they wanted $29.00 apiece. We walked at a leisurely pace to the Hemingway House taking in the sights.

[Name Of The Game]

We stopped at this huge tree.

 

 

This will give you a better perspective of the size.

 

 

We wanted to visit the Hemingway House since we love cats. We found them!

 

 

 

Ironically, this one is named Harry Truman!

[Name Of The Game]

More cat pictures.

 

 

There were a couple of kittens in cages that loved playing with my shoe laces.

 

 

 

 

[Name Of The Game]

We had coupons for free jello shots at Fat Tuesday and then went across the street to Caroline's Cafe for lunch. This was the fish sandwich.

 

 

We had a coupon for the Lazy Gecko as well.

 

 

The Blonde Giraffes were all closed when we were in Key West so we tried key lime pie at Kermits - tasty!

 

[Name Of The Game]

Lots of statues around the town to pose with. :rolleyes:

 

 

 

You're never too old for a towel animal.

 

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The next day was the Hairy Chest contest. Here's the guy that won. The host (Nate) nicknamed him Vanilla Gorilla! :p

 

 

Elegant evening

 

 

We meant to try the fish & chips but never did.

 

 

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On our way to Grand Cayman. The weather didn't look too promising.

 

 

It poured when we got off the tender but stopped shortly thereafter. We got in a van and were on our way to Royal Palms for $4.00 each.

 

 

Here's the beach at Royal Palms. Dark clouds still lurking.

 

 

[Name Of The Game]

Look what I found!

 

 

My mom kept busy too. :rolleyes:

 

 

She wouldn't allow any pictures in her bathing suit but she liked this one.

 

[Name Of The Game]

I just realized I've been so busy putting in pictures that I haven't done much commentary. On Monday the show was Jump, Jive & Wail, which was very good. On Tuesday the show was The Big Easy. That was actually the third cruise in a row we've seen that show. It is excellent.

 

The next day we arrived in Ocho Rios. Looks like it could rain again.

 

 

 

Sorry duplicate picture, my bad. :confused:

 

 

 

This was our first time in Ocho Rios and I haven't heard too many good things about it. We decided beforehand not to venture off anywhere but take the five minute walk to Margaritaville. We're glad it wasn't any farther. Men would walk along with you keep trying to coax you to take a taxi with them. When we got to Island Village we were given coupons for free margaritas with a purchase at Margaritaville.

[Meyer2]

Great review & pictures so far! I look forward to more!

[Name Of The Game]

There's a small beach behind Margaritaville. The water wasn't as clear as in Grand Cayman.

 

 

Fun!

 

 

Here's the free margarita.

 

 

We had a quesadilla and a few drinks and headed back.

[Name Of The Game]

The margaritas knocked us out and we took a nap for an hour. Those inside rooms are good for that! We set our alarm for something we saw in the Capers that was right up our alley - Beatles trivia! "We got this!" We felt like walking in and saying "Just give us the ship on the stick right now."

 

Yes, we won by a mile!

 

 

That night was the Beatles show "Ticket to Ride"! After the early show we both said we HAD to see the second show as well. It was fantastic!

 

 

On Friday morning we walked by the cafe and there was the cruise director, Ryan Fitzgerald, sitting along Promenade. He was the cruise director on the Triumph two years ago when he had several meet & greets. He's a very personable guy and actually remembered us. We had to get another picture with him.

 

 

Ice carving on the lido deck.

 

 

And a lot of horsing around with deck games.

 

[DiamondBill102]

Loving the review

[Name Of The Game]

Sunrise or sunset (can't remember which) taken through the glass.

 

 

Final thoughts:

 

We've loved all of our cruises but would put this cruise in the "top 2". We both thought it had the best food out of any of them. The service was excellent and the fun staff was indeed fun. Hope you enjoyed. Let me know if you have any questions.

[SanKay]

Loving the pics!!!!!!!!

[Name Of The Game]

Oops, no big deal but the cruise actually got back on 10/23 not 10/24. This was a 6 nighter not our usual 7 nighter. We bought a Future Cruise Certificate.

 

My mom went to the farewell party and past guest party but I didn't. She said the farewell party was crazy fun with the free drinks, dancing, staff members taking pictures and posing for pictures, etc.

[spiritkat090909]

So THAT's what the Ship on a Stick looks like! No wonder everyone covets them. ;) Love the top your Mom is wearing on Elegant night...

 

Great review!

[Ykgorbie]

LOVING your review ! We got off of the Freedom on Oct. 17th, I guess the day you would have boarded. We did a b2b, so our first cruise was the same as the one you did. Enjoyed the pics as the ports you visited were still fresh in my mind. Ahhhh, I'm suffering from SUCH cruise withdrawal. Glad you had a nice cruise....

[susieon]

Looks like you had a great time. Was Sam (Harry Potter) the ACD on your Cruise?

[Name Of The Game]

No he wasn't. The fun staff consisted of Nate, Michael, Jack, Serita, and Liz.

[Perfect Stranger]

Looks like you made the most of your time in Key West.

 

I enjoyed seeing your photos. You are quite a handsome young man. ;)

[Name Of The Game]

Thanks!

 

Key West was a lot of fun.