Just off freedom 6/30 - 7/8

[USA41018]

Just off Freedom this morning. Engine trouble before we arrived in Nassau yesterday causing us to be about 2 1/2 hours late docking in Nassau. This caused us to be late arriving in Ft. Lauderdale today. We arrived about 7:45 this morning. The cruise was to St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola and Nassau. We are Platinum cruisers with 134 days after this cruise.

 

In the next few days I will review our experiences with the new Platinum features in place. If anyone has specific questions please feel free to ask.

 

EMBARKATION:

There is so much construction at the Port of Everglades it is a mess. We embarked at a different pier than we usually had in the past. We arrived at the port a little before 10:00. We always drive since we are not that good at flying. Since we are retired, we have all the time in the world to make our way from Northern Kentucky to a Florida port. The porter took our luggage easily and and my DH went to park the car. The parking rate is $15.00/day payable after the cruise. This was an 8 day cruise, so the parking was $120.00. We could have stayed at a hotel that offered stay and park free but we are Marriott rewards travelers and our hotel was free so it was more economical to pay the parking fee. By 10:15, we were through the security screening and on the way to the VIP lounge. The customer service people were so nice saying that we were their first legitimate Platinum cruisers since the new VIFP program went into effect last week during the previous cruise. So it actually didn't start until this cruise. Elevator to the second floor with an escort. When we arrived at the second floor there were already a few VIPs there...they were Suite people who also get the VIP lounge. So I guess we were the first. Around 11:00 we were escorted onboard and by 11:10 we were sitting on the Lido deck amazed at how quickly we boarded. The earliest we had ever boarded before in 21 cruises was about 11:25. Met a few people while waiting for boarding and we had lunch together. The rooms were ready around 1:00 which is early and we emptied our carry-ons which included everything but the kitchen sink.....that was in our checked LOL.

 

We are currently staying at a hotel in St. Augustine for the night and still have 2 days of driving home. I will continue with this tomorrow with information about the Platinum/Diamond party, laundry, and other perks. Any questions, so far.

[vivavegas]

Welcome Back! Looking forward to reading more of your review!:)

[rkacruiser]

Welcome Back! I would be interested in knowing what kind of construction issues there were at Port Everglades. Is there re-modeling work going on at Piers 19 and 21?

 

Have a safe and pleasant drive back to Kentucky!

[dwaterhouse]

Looking forward to your review , please drive safe!

[pcvtmom]

I'm anxious to read your review! My family will be on the Freedom in August. We, too, are platinum, so I want to know how the new VIFP program was for you.

[Ramrac]

Great start to your review, can't wait to read the rest!

[HMC RET]

Welcome back and looking forward to your review as we board the Freedom this coming Saturday. Hopefully you will elaborate more on the enging trouble as this is the first I have heard about it. Hopefully everything is fixed and there is no more troubles

Thanks

[Lovefuninthesun]

Looking forward to the remainder of your review as we will be on the Freedom in November.

We will be driving from Tampa, but might consider spending Friday night at a hotel that offers parking for the cruise -- good suggestion!

[somefunsuntime]

We were on the Freedom 6/24-6/30. (2nd x) You know I thought I sensed some techincal trouble seemed testing something below. Then all normal. We were in the rain storms, missed key West and had hot sun the rest of the way! There were plenty of guests and prob. 1st time cruisers from the "More the Merrier" promotion. Nothing was too crowded to enjoy. We sail in the aft balcony rooms so we have our own space when desired!

 

We tried the Turtle Farm and really enjoyed it!! Snorkeled, and ate and drank on deck overlooking lagoon/snorkling, nice aviery(love birds), the driver said we could go over to Dolphin Exp. across st./the entry free so you could get a pic some did we were having such a fun time snorkling we forgot :( We go again in Aug. and may do it again. Aug. will be our 10th cruise with Carnival. That prev. would've put us in Platinum!

 

We stay at the Hyatt for Pt Everglades and Miami. No. of Tampa drive over and park and sail. We have never not had a nice stay! We like to rest shuttle over and get on board befor 12:00. Always do. Have a lunch nose around & in room by 1:30. If ist timers take a bag bathing suit etc. to sunbathe while waiting for room.

 

Took 2 btls wine 2 adults and some water. Luggage was broken into, mine, lock busted and inside straps unfastened. Either startled, or couldn't find what they wanted. Ev. neat except what's mentioned and lock inside. I don't think carnival checked I believe they leave a sticker or ? notice. We took all our electronics with us in a small wheeled suitcase!!! Good thing! Camera, iPhone speaker deck, etc. lots. Maybe looking for stuff to pawn.

:(

 

Ports were sure short stays hard to do much. We went to Cozumel instead of KW, (bad weather) not my favorite. We go there gain in Aug. We were going to rent a jeep like prev. go to Atlantic side have some ceviche etc., but our cards were not working. Strange I knew I had the money in there! Left looked back dark skys over there went to ship and checked account sure enough all there so we figured the good LORD was keeping us from some unforseen prob. Hate to be stuck, jeep prob. etc. and miss the ship! So we enjoyed the ship we really didn't care!

 

Got home and flooding subsided and sink holes left behind! Our tile roof seperated at ridge had water damage toceiling, prob. because we have some signs of sink hole prob. under geological surveying haven't heard results yet. Gee cracking and ground sinking spots should give a clue. One area the pipe went 19 ft dn before hitting rock! Personally glad I was away! Water almost went into daughters house=up to door it's raised from walk!

 

We are 45 or less ? days from Platinum, but we have had the VIP with a bal.suite I love the check in!!! I'll be waiting for the cont'd review. :)

Safe sailing!

[USA41018]

The main problem at the Port of Everglades with the renovation/construction was that we departed from Pier 21 when we usually depart from Pier 25. Pier 25 is closed. The area for dropoff was way at the end of the street. Then had to walk with carryons what would be comparable to a couple of city blocks to the entrance. When returning, self assist was a nightmare, since debarkation was at Deck 0. You couldnt' wait anywhere near Deck 0, the closest was Deck 3. Then forget using the elevators, had to wheel luggage down 3 flights of stairs and out of the gangway on Deck 0. Then the equivalent of 3 city blocks along the pier to the building at the end of the street for customs/immigration. Then depending on how you are leaving walking 3 city blocks to the passenger pickup or taxi/van with all of your luggage.

 

We usually self assist but decided not to this cruise. Boy was that the best decision we ever made. We are 70 and 63 respectively and could never had gotten down 3 flights of stairs with our luggage and carryons. We sat our luggage outside the night before but still had to do all the walking to the luggage claim area and customs and then to passenger pickup so my DH could get the car and pick me and everything up.

 

I have no idea about the engine problems but we were informed that the problem had been fixed ahead of time on the way to Ft. Lauderdale and we arrived in Ft. Lauderdale ahead of schedule. Whatever they were, they slowed us down considerably but apparently all is well. Just check the boards for any new info.

[angel54321]

Thank you for your review. We are on the freedom 8/11 with the same itinerary..... Looking forward to hearing more! Thx again!

 

 

 

Soon to be Mrs. Taddeo. 8-10-12

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[USA41018]

Muster drill on time and sailaway was about 4:30, a little late. Our cabin was a 4J which is considered an inside cabin but we have a nice window which looks out to the front. We were on the Empress deck. The nice thing about these cabins is that you walk out your cabin door and around the corner out another door to a small deck area that most people don't know about. You are at the very front of the ship. If you have a problem with motion these cabins can be bad. They are located front on about 4 decks. Just look for 4J. If we don't go for a balcony, these are a nice alternative. We cruise 3, 4 or sometimes 5 times a year, so we determine the best time for a balcony and a best time for the inside cabin with a window.

 

After sailaway, I hit the casino slots. I am addicted to the slots. At home I don't gamble but on the cruises, .................... Also went to the liquor tasting early. Purchased Sheridan which is the only place you can get it outside of ordering it from the UK. Checked it out and it's like $75 delivered from the UK. I purchased 2 liters @ 2/$40 plus got a small bottle free. If you are interested in any liquor go before the liquor tasting starts. After, that Sheridan was 2/$46.99 and no free bottle.

[USA41018]

Sorry, still on the road home, we are in Knoxville, TN. We will be home tomorrow. Then I can retrieve my Funtimes and tell you more. Unfortunately I don't know how to post the Funtimes and I don't take digital photos. So you will not see photos of my DH and myself around the ship or in the ports.

[debbie48]

Can you tell us who the piano player was?

 

Thank you!

[luv2cruise777l]

If you still have your Funtimes......Can you tell me when the Slots Tournaments were??? Was it on Sunday or Monday and what time were they. I am trying to organize a Wine Tasting Party with my roll call and I keep reading conflicting times. Thanks in advance!:)

[harleymouse]

Did you have your son around 10 years old with you? my kids played with a boy from Kentucky we wanted to get his info but we didnt see him at the arcade at the time we said to meet. just looking to see if that was your son We know his name but i wont post it . thank you.

Just off Freedom this morning. Engine trouble before we arrived in Nassau yesterday causing us to be about 2 1/2 hours late docking in Nassau. This caused us to be late arriving in Ft. Lauderdale today. We arrived about 7:45 this morning. The cruise was to St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola and Nassau. We are Platinum cruisers with 134 days after this cruise.

 

In the next few days I will review our experiences with the new Platinum features in place. If anyone has specific questions please feel free to ask.

 

EMBARKATION:

There is so much construction at the Port of Everglades it is a mess. We embarked at a different pier than we usually had in the past. We arrived at the port a little before 10:00. We always drive since we are not that good at flying. Since we are retired, we have all the time in the world to make our way from Northern Kentucky to a Florida port. The porter took our luggage easily and and my DH went to park the car. The parking rate is $15.00/day payable after the cruise. This was an 8 day cruise, so the parking was $120.00. We could have stayed at a hotel that offered stay and park free but we are Marriott rewards travelers and our hotel was free so it was more economical to pay the parking fee. By 10:15, we were through the security screening and on the way to the VIP lounge. The customer service people were so nice saying that we were their first legitimate Platinum cruisers since the new VIFP program went into effect last week during the previous cruise. So it actually didn't start until this cruise. Elevator to the second floor with an escort. When we arrived at the second floor there were already a few VIPs there...they were Suite people who also get the VIP lounge. So I guess we were the first. Around 11:00 we were escorted onboard and by 11:10 we were sitting on the Lido deck amazed at how quickly we boarded. The earliest we had ever boarded before in 21 cruises was about 11:25. Met a few people while waiting for boarding and we had lunch together. The rooms were ready around 1:00 which is early and we emptied our carry-ons which included everything but the kitchen sink.....that was in our checked LOL.

 

We are currently staying at a hotel in St. Augustine for the night and still have 2 days of driving home. I will continue with this tomorrow with information about the Platinum/Diamond party, laundry, and other perks. Any questions, so far.

[USA41018]

Entertainment first..

 

The piano player was Sean, didn't catch his last name but he was good.

 

The shows were the Welcome Aboard with CD Brad Calabrese (we are not into CDs but he was great, down to earth and no "think I'm great" complex. Was a school teacher and is engaged to a dancer on the same ship.) The entertainment team was also great...Ileana from Ohio, Jenna, Jay and Irish .... The assistant CD was Marcellus who will be on the Ecstacy next week as CD, promotion.

 

Ticket to Ride

The Big Easy

Jump, Jive & Wail

Live Motown with Marcus Anthony

Showcase of Stars

Carnival Legends

Love and Marriage Show

 

Seen alot of the shows on other cruises and the Showcase, Legends and Love and Marriage are pretty much standard fare, entertaining definitely

[USA41018]

HarleyMouse

 

We did not have a son or grandson with us although we have cruised with both many times. We were cruising by ourselves celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary.

 

Hop you and your son had a great cruise.

[USA41018]

On our cruise there was only 1 slot tournament and it was called the big 4th of July slot tournament. It was on the second sea day with a $1,000 payout. I can give you details but I think it was a one time only since it was the 4th of July. Other than that there must have been several Texas holdem blackjack and regular blackjack tournaments.

[luv2cruise777l]

On our cruise there was only 1 slot tournament and it was called the big 4th of July slot tournament. It was on the second sea day with a $1,000 payout. I can give you details but I think it was a one time only since it was the 4th of July. Other than that there must have been several Texas holdem blackjack and regular blackjack tournaments.

 

Thank you so much for the response! I have read on reviews that the slot tournaments were held on Monday's so maybe that is their usual day for the slot tournaments. Thanks again!:)

[USA41018]

FOOD............

We dined for dinner 5 times in the MDR and the other 3 nights, Lido and room service. No escargot yet and shrimp is not available everynight. We enjoy the MDR. The beef is great, the filet mignon (yes they offered it), boneless stripsirloin, braised beef, prime rib, marinated boneless pork chop. Just don't get it well done (any restaurant at home would recommend this) Medium is really good. Seafood, lobster, shrimp, especially large fried shrimp. The soups are amazing. We are not into the cold soups but the bean, chicken noodle, black bean, root veggie soup, french onion, and on & on. We prefer the MDR for breakfast, the food is hot but choices are limited. In a hurry the buffet is good but sometimes the food is cold. Lunch is a crap shoot. If we are at sea, we do go to the MDR. In port there are enough choices to enjoy. But sometimes the food is cold or just not what you would like...but the salad bar is great, deli, the carved meats, hamburgers, fish & chips are good.

 

We have never been to the Steakhouse. We have always found great food in the MDR. The deli Reuben Sandwich and Hot Pastrami on Rye are really good. Have had the turkey on a roll. My Dh really enjoys the tuna sandwich and grilled cheese. Not really into Sushi but like the cucumbers marinated and a couple of the offerings.

 

The omelets on the Lido deck are yummy but you have to be there at a time the line is not wrapping around the corner.

[somefunsuntime]

If you have not tried the steakhouse you have missed a truely FINE experience! No food on the ships compares to what you will experience there, nor the service, believe me! Huge steaks etc. almost too much for most lady's and maybe some men lol Up $5. to $35, but worth every last nickel!!! (Inflation in everything) You will not get this for any individua for $35.