Just off Freedom 2/25-3/4 (AFT)- Rumors Solved

[mizLORInj]

We are booked in #6487 aft in September. Are the balconys really noticably bigger? Do you have any pics?

 

Aft balconies are deeper than side balconies.

 

RE: Time changes--have had it change on some Caribbean cruises and not others.

OP Glad you had fun. 2 months from today we'll be on Freedom and it's a day at sea. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Folsom]

We are booked in #6487 aft in September. Are the balconys really noticably bigger? Do you have any pics?

 

I was in 6489, so I think you will be over the 1st E in Freedom.

 

Yes the balcony is quite a bit bigger. Same width, but maybe 2.5 times as deep. In addition the "slope" of the glass will allow you to put your knees under the handrail.

 

We had 6 of us out there for sail-away and had plenty of room to walk as well as 1 lounger, 2 chairs and a table. (My wife has some pics I am sure).

 

When we went to our friends regular balc. it was tight having 6 and 2 stacked chairs. You will love the aft.

 

-F-

[Folsom]

We are going on the Freedom 5/19/12 and a very sorry to hear about the poor piano player.

We are big fans of the piano bar set-up. Just off the Valor on last Sat. and had a terrific

time with Brad Alexsander in the piano bar!! Sure hope powers at Carnival see the bad turn outs for Sean and maybe replace him with someone more upbeat and more into what most cruisers want to hear. John F

 

I have to think that they look at bar service and notice the low spending in there.

 

Other funny thing was, when he passed out the lyric sheets. I think the only song that I recognized was "puff the magic dragon". And that was out of 30 some songs.

 

-F-

[ibcnusoon]

The only thing I disagree with is the tornado. I have personally experienced huge winds by opening the door with the balcony door open. Blew all loose paper all over the cabin.

 

Congrats on having your favorite cruise ever!

 

 

I agree. I disagree with OP.

 

When you have the balcony door (door leading to your balcony) open and someone opens up the cabin door (entrance door from the hallway) it is definately tornado and close to hurricane force winds that sweep in your cabin. :P

[Folsom]

About the time change: When you set the clocks ahead/back, did the times still coincide with those printed on your original itinerary before you boarded or were they an hour different?

 

In other words, is it safe to say that since my itinerary for my June Freedom cruise indicates a 9:00am arrival, that would be 9:00am EDT?

 

Thanks!

 

Good question,

 

The answer is Yes.

 

Here was our schedule:

 

Arrive Depart

Fort Lauderdale - +/- 5:30 ET

St. Thomas 7:00 AT 6:00 AT

Antigua 7:00 AT 6:00 AT

Tortola 7:00 AT 3:30 AT

Nassau 12:00 ET 7:00 ET

Fort Lauderdale +/- 6:00 ET -

 

All times were local and ship time. Same as original schedule published by Carnival.

[finzup-kt]

I have to think that they look at bar service and notice the low spending in there.

 

Other funny thing was, when he passed out the lyric sheets. I think the only song that I recognized was "puff the magic dragon". And that was out of 30 some songs.

 

-F-

 

There's no bar in the piano bar so hopefully the cocktail servers don't get blamed for the poor drink sales in there ! ;)

 

I was there one of the nights and someone wanted to hear 'great balls of fire' and he said no.. but then played it a few chords and made the 5 people in the audience sing it!

Then he went back to something dreary, slow, and tiring..

[Folsom]

There's no bar in the piano bar so hopefully the cocktail servers don't get blamed for the poor drink sales in there ! ;)

 

I was there one of the nights and someone wanted to hear 'great balls of fire' and he said no.. but then played it a few chords and made the 5 people in the audience sing it!

Then he went back to something dreary, slow, and tiring..

 

Good point on the bar, but I assume (I know, I know) that they can tell what tables or chairs the drink orders are coming from.

 

BTW, I am glad to hear it was not just us that did not get this guy. We looked at the fun Times every night hoping he would get off of the ship like the comedians do. No luck.

 

Also, I think I heard him say it was his first time, so maybe he can be coached.

 

-F-

[Lady_Jag]

Good question,

 

The answer is Yes.

 

Here was our schedule:

 

Arrive Depart

Fort Lauderdale - +/- 5:30 ET

St. Thomas 7:00 AT 6:00 AT

Antigua 7:00 AT 6:00 AT

Tortola 7:00 AT 3:30 AT

Nassau 12:00 ET 7:00 ET

Fort Lauderdale +/- 6:00 ET -

 

All times were local and ship time. Same as original schedule published by Carnival.

 

Thank you! That helps! :)

[flamom1122]

I leave on the Freedom sat, 3/10, my second time on her. I think she is a great ship. I was so looking forward to the Piano Bar, doesn't sound too promising!!!

Last year on the Freedom, we were on Eastern time the whole time. This weekend we go to Daylight Savings Time, and I was told that the ships will advance 1 hour.

Do not understand your post re: Eastern time and ship time. We were told last year to keep on ships time.

 

Can't wait for saturday.

[Adam185]

For me, having kids wear nicer clothes during formal night is less about the experience of those around them but more as an opportunity to teach our children about what we expect from them. As a parent, we teach our kids by words and actions. I truly believe that it is worth the effort because it will help them later in life. When my kids were young, we didn't take them to nice restaurants because we knew they were not old enough, but now that they are of age, we enjoy taking them and teaching them manners and courtesy to others.

 

We are the only teachers our kids will have throughout their lives and I think we do them a dis-service if we don't take every opportunity to teach.

 

Off to work but there was my two cents.

[smax730]

Thanks for your review. We will be on the Freedom June 24.

[stormynow]

For me, having kids wear nicer clothes during formal night is less about the experience of those around them but more as an opportunity to teach our children about what we expect from them. As a parent, we teach our kids by words and actions. I truly believe that it is worth the effort because it will help them later in life. When my kids were young, we didn't take them to nice restaurants because we knew they were not old enough, but now that they are of age, we enjoy taking them and teaching them manners and courtesy to others.

 

We are the only teachers our kids will have throughout their lives and I think we do them a dis-service if we don't take every opportunity to teach.

 

Off to work but there was my two cents.

Should be more parents like you. The world would be a better place.

[Folsom]

I leave on the Freedom sat, 3/10, my second time on her. I think she is a great ship. I was so looking forward to the Piano Bar, doesn't sound too promising!!!

Last year on the Freedom, we were on Eastern time the whole time. This weekend we go to Daylight Savings Time, and I was told that the ships will advance 1 hour.

Do not understand your post re: Eastern time and ship time. We were told last year to keep on ships time.

 

Can't wait for saturday.

 

FYI, there was a guitar player that moved all over the ship. Not sure of his name, but he wore a cowboy hat and he was very good. Played a lot of Johnny Cash and other music from 60's and 70's. we stopped a few times to watch him play.

 

Enjoy you cruise.

[Folsom]

Just an interesting side note...

 

So we are catching up on our TV shows that we DVR'ed while we were on the Freedom. When I got to Samantha Browns's Great Weekends, which is a show we like to catch from time to time. And guess what was recorded while we were away? She was on the Freedom and had the same ports of call that we did.

 

We had a blast watching and talking about the cruise we just got off of.

 

Anyway, just thought I would mention it.

 

-F-

[gelo7]

Glad that you had a great cruise.

[Texarribean Chick]

FYI, there was a guitar player that moved all over the ship. Not sure of his name, but he wore a cowboy hat and he was very good. Played a lot of Johnny Cash and other music from 60's and 70's. we stopped a few times to watch him play.

 

Enjoy you cruise.

 

Folsom - thank for your observations. How about the cover band? Was there one, where did they play, what kind of music and did you like them?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Folsom]

Folsom - thank for your observations. How about the cover band? Was there one, where did they play, what kind of music and did you like them?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Not sure if I hear a "cover band".

 

But...

 

Music that I did listen to:

1. Great steel drum band that played on the Lido deck almost everyday.

2. The duet, with a female singer and a male keyboard player were fun to listen to. They are from SE Asia and had an accent, but were generally good and played nice standards. Usually in the Lobby or Swingtime (Smokers) lounge.

3. The guy in the cowboy hat, that i mentioned above was probably our favorite. Usually near the casino or in the lobby.

4. House band was very good at all of the shows we saw.

 

-F-

[kcparrothead]

Good question,

 

The answer is Yes.

 

Here was our schedule:

 

Arrive Depart

Fort Lauderdale - +/- 5:30 ET

St. Thomas 7:00 AT 6:00 AT

Antigua 7:00 AT 6:00 AT

Tortola 7:00 AT 3:30 AT

Nassau 12:00 ET 7:00 ET

Fort Lauderdale +/- 6:00 ET -

 

All times were local and ship time. Same as original schedule published by Carnival.

 

This is new - we were on the same ship/itinerary in Sept. '09 and stayed on Eastern Time the entire cruise. I have never been on a cruise that HASN'T stayed on Eastern Time!

 

I just checked the time difference on a web-site and it says that Atlantic Time is 4 HOURS earlier than Eastern! This just sounds strange to me!!

Edited March 7, 2012 by kcparrothead

[finzup-kt]

This is new - we were on the same ship/itinerary in Sept. '09 and stayed on Eastern Time the entire cruise. I have never been on a cruise that HASN'T stayed on Eastern Time!

 

I just checked the time difference on a web-site and it says that Atlantic Time is 4 HOURS earlier than Eastern! This just sounds strange to me!!

 

 

no.. it's -4 from GMT .. and only 1 hour ahead of eastern.

 

and until daylight savings time, EDT is the same as AST

 

Confusing, yes!

 

Atlantic Standard Time (AST) = GMT-4

Eastern Standard Time (EST) = GMT-5

Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) = GMT-4

[buggystuff]

Not sure if I hear a "cover band".

 

But...

 

Music that I did listen to:

1. Great steel drum band that played on the Lido deck almost everyday.

2. The duet, with a female singer and a male keyboard player were fun to listen to. They are from SE Asia and had an accent, but were generally good and played nice standards. Usually in the Lobby or Swingtime (Smokers) lounge.

3. The guy in the cowboy hat, that i mentioned above was probably our favorite. Usually near the casino or in the lobby.

4. House band was very good at all of the shows we saw.

 

-F-

 

The guy in the cowboy hat, was Stan. And I would agree, he was very good for a one man entertainer!

[Folsom]

The guy in the cowboy hat, was Stan. And I would agree, he was very good for a one man entertainer!

 

There was one other guy in a cowboy hat, that seemed like he was in half of the pictures on the wall.

 

Cheers

-F-

[blue_water]

Well some people didn't like people smoking in the CIGAR BAR, so that's where Carnival relegated smokers to.

 

I certainly hope we can smoke cigars in the cigar bar?:eek:

[blue_water]

Not sure if I hear a "cover band".

 

But...

 

Music that I did listen to:

1. Great steel drum band that played on the Lido deck almost everyday.

2. The duet, with a female singer and a male keyboard player were fun to listen to. They are from SE Asia and had an accent, but were generally good and played nice standards. Usually in the Lobby or Swingtime (Smokers) lounge.

3. The guy in the cowboy hat, that i mentioned above was probably our favorite. Usually near the casino or in the lobby.

4. House band was very good at all of the shows we saw.

 

-F-

 

Did you enjoy the Beatles show?

[Folsom]

I certainly hope we can smoke cigars in the cigar bar?:eek:

 

Nope.

 

You can smoke in Swingtime Bar and Casino.

[Folsom]

Did you enjoy the Beatles show?

 

I am, let's say "NOT" a Beetles fan. So while the rest of my group went, I hung out in the Casino.

 

They said they enjoyed the music, but the lead male singer was not a great fit. FWIW.

 

-F-