“Live” from the Carnival Sensation & Carnival Freedom: Nov 8-17,2012: B2B

[yellowbird23]

Your review is fantastic. Can't wait until you arrive in Grand Cayman. One island I have not visited (yet). Have a wonderful time!:)

[Mad Capn Bob]

Just now taking in your live report, sneaking it in at woik. I did that walk, yes, walk to Paradise Island on my first visit to Nassau, in 2010. For me, the draw was its connection to Henry "Long Ben" Every, the so-called Pirate King, and one of the few who "Got Away With It" (not to mention making the biggest haul in pirate history, off in the Red Sea). I can tell you, its a long trudge when your bursitis acts up, and mine was acting up about halfway there. It was only bloody-mindedness that got me there and back again. I loved the marina there, and was jealous of it at the same time.

 

Excursion Thoughts & Ramblings

With this trip it's my goal to attempt to do unique excursions that might not usually get accomplished with others or a group traveling together. I’ve been to each of these ports more than once with the exception of “Jamaica” this being my 2nd time there. Last time I sailed to Jamaica was back in September 2007, and we visited “Dunn’s Falls”, while Dunn's Falls was fun, I view this as an experience you only need to do once.

 

Grand Cayman was a struggle to find something unique that hasn’t already been done. When we sailed to Grand Cayman November 2011 we did the city tour, turtles and went to “Hell”. Figured I didn’t need to go back to “Hell” again and get another post card, I’ll be moved or shipped there whether I want to or not one day anyways, I’m sure. Now one thing I’d like to pre-requisite about excursions is planning and actually booking an excursion prior to a cruise is not a usual form of pre-cruise planning that I normally do. I’m the “Wing it” and go on the “Fly” type of traveler. What you decide you want to do today, may not be what you want to do XX amount of days, weeks, months from the time you book said excursion.

 

Good news is that’s what Nassau will be for, completely "Winging it"! I’ve been to Nassau so many times and have struggled on something “Unique” to do there with this trip, but will most likely visit places that are part of the "Walking tour" that is a paid excursion on the ship. I'm pretty sure I can say I’ve never done any type of island tour in Nassau.

 

Well wait, I take that back. During a previous cruise back in August 2009 on the Sensation my girlfriend and I "walked" from "Prince GeorgeWharf" to “ParadiseIsland” and “Atlantis”.

 

Yes, I said “Walked!" As we approached the bridge I said to my girlfriend that was slightly grumpy at the time (really don't understand why she was so grumpy), Good News, there is going to be an “awesome” view from the "top of the bridge", this great view will make this wonderful walk well worth while. Needless to say my girlfriend was not amused nor impressed with my comment.

 

Once we were at the top of the bridge I assured her what a great thing we had accomplished and to look at this as practice for her yearly breast cancer walk. After she gave me the glare, I also stated we did find this awesome hole in the wall “rum cake” factory during our “walk” and a great hole in the wall bar for a couple beers, that a "paid tour" would have never brought us too, nor would have we ever found and thankfully experienced if we didn't walk this great journey to Paradise Island.

[sunsailsand]

KEEP UP THE GOOD REVIEW AND PICTURES,more ,more,more

[Jane2357]

you haven't sent us an update in sometime now. I'm wondering if the Pub Crawl got the best of you ----- come back!!!!:D

[MrFunInTheSun]

you haven't sent us an update in sometime now. I'm wondering if the Pub Crawl got the best of you ----- come back!!!!:D

 

Good news is I was back on the ship by 330 before we set sail at 400.

 

Bar Crawl was good but at the conclusion of the Bar Crawl I went to Margaritaville and had one of these

 

 

Getting ready for dinner now and will have a full report of today later at this point. :-)

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Bar Crawl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Key West Sculptures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Key West

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Aida was our port mate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Good evening! Today was another wonderful day aboard the Carnival Freedom. After breakfast in the Posh dining room this morning I went and explored Key West some prior to the Pub Crawl getting back to the pier around 10:45. Pub Crawl left the pier pretty much on time at 11: am. All I can say is it was a blast, there were so many from the ship that participated in the Pub Crawl there were about 30-31 people in 4 groups. Must say I was not expecting that many folks taking advantage of this great excursion during this particular cruise with the large charter.

 

Met some great people during the excursion of course. After the excursion was over I made my way to Margaritaville and had a rather large Margarita on the rocks.

 

 

 

Got back to the ship around 315 or so and picked up a beer from my cabin and made my way to the Serenity deck. During periods of time I don't quite remember. I think the margarita from Margaritaville and the rest of the drinks finally caught up to me. I know I went back to my room after we sailed off from Key West as I have pictures of our sail away. I took a nap and woke up 610 or and then got ready for dinner. This would lead to a late dinner for me tonight compared to all my past ones.

 

Before heading off to the dining room I stopped by and got some sushi then finally made my way to get some real food as I was very hungry by this point. There was a slight line around 730 when I went to the dining room but I was seated right away with 6 other fine folks. We had a great meal and dinner conversation.

 

 

After dinner I walked around the ship some and made my way to the casino to donate some money to Carnivals ship building funds. Shortly after 11pm I decided to call it a night and had back to my room. Tomorrow is a sea day, wahoo! I love sea days! On Wednesday nights its Chefs Table, I got confirmation today, so no chance of it being cancelled on this cruise!

 

Till a later time, live from the Carnival Freedom...

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Jane2357]

We often drive down to Key West - a total blast over New Year's if you ever get the chance. Besides a ton of bars there are some wonderful restaurants there, Louie's Backyard is to die for. Can't wait to hear how the rest of your cruise is.

Question for you - I've never stayed in an inside - does it bother you at all? Does it have better lighting than the balcony cabins which to me are often rather dark after sunset? Any fear of no other exit in an emergency? Does the lack of natural light mess with your sleep patterns? I'm trying to decide it I could do it. Thanks.

[MrFunInTheSun]

Good Morning! Welcome to day 6, day 3 on the Freedom.

 

It's a beautiful day out here in the caribbean as we travel to the north west of Cuba.

 

We are located here

 

 

We are currently traveling about 16 knots. Temperatures outside are about 84 degrees with humidity abut 75%. The seas are fairly calm and creating the perfect rolling effect through the ship.

 

I'm off to the posh dining room to graze a bit more. Todays an exciting day on the ship as we meander around the caribbean in search of our tropical island. To bad we can't port in Cuba, one day though we will have that choice.

 

Todays at Sea "Fun Times"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Till a later time, live from the Carnival Freedom...

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Question for you - I've never stayed in an inside - does it bother you at all? Does it have better lighting than the balcony cabins which to me are often rather dark after sunset? Any fear of no other exit in an emergency? Does the lack of natural light mess with your sleep patterns? I'm trying to decide it I could do it. Thanks.

 

Actually rather like inside cabins, the darkness for sleeping is wonderful. Price wise it's nice as some of the savings allows to have another cruise or so a year. I do miss my port hole room I had on the Sensation though.

 

The lighting in the room seems pretty good.

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Beautiful day out at sea here on the Carnival Freedom. These views never get old...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[hockeyluver]

Good news is I was back on the ship by 330 before we set sail at 400.

 

Bar Crawl was good but at the conclusion of the Bar Crawl I went to Margaritaville and had one of these

 

 

Getting ready for dinner now and will have a full report of today later at this point. :-)

 

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Did your blender say Key West on it? We just went to Niagara Falls and I got one there, and it does have NF on it. So happy to hear you enjoyed the pub crawl, that is the only excursion we know we are booking for sure!! Did you see the sculptures on the pub crawl? looking forward to more of your excellent live review

[MrFunInTheSun]

Plenty of deck seating

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[BeadedGoblets]

this is great fun for those of us preparing to board the Freedom soon; thanks! do you happen to have the page of today's funtimes that shows the evening shows?

 

also, any chance you have the menus you could post?

 

regardless, let me say: GREAT REVIEW! many of us are enjoying it!

[MrFunInTheSun]

Good day from the Caribbean

 

While at breakfast I saw my Canadian friends (Ironically a member of our roll call) enter the Posh dining room. Once I was done breakfast I walked over to their table to say hi and catch up from where we all left off our first night we all hung out on the ship. Incidentally I think I had breakfast with another member from our roll call, while I didn't ask nor did any of us talk about cruise critic this couple looked really familiar. Back to my Canadian friends, they are the nicest people, not just them but I've spoke to many Canadians this cruise and they are all so wonderful.

 

After breakfast I walked around the ship some and then got side tracked on the Serenity deck for a bit and continued reading "Diary of a MADD cruiser"'. Just before 11am I took a break from the sun for a bit and snapped the pictures I posted earlier today. Continued walking and exploring the ship more before I found myself back at the Serenity deck and continued to read and ordered a frozen concoction to help me hang on. Today I ventured to try a "Miami Vice". All I have to say is it's delicious! With a view like this, nice sunshine and the breeze at the bow of the ship how can one complain about anything or even paying that $12 for the frozen concoction? Won't hear any complaints from me!

 

 

 

 

On our first night of our cruise at dinner I don't think I mentioned it another solo was at our table with us. Nice lady from NY that was supposed to travel with her son. The hurricane in NY changed plans and her son had to work so she said the heck with that, I'm still cruising. I missed running into her while we were at Key West too.

 

Whilst I was up at the Serenity deck she saw me and we got all caught up in our adventures in Key West. Later in the day once we all were back on ship she coincidently was hanging out with the three sisters I'd met on the pub crawl and they got to talking and I ended up being a part of their conversation and all knew me.We made plans to meet up to go to dinner together at 6pm tonight.

 

Shortly before noon I walked around the ship some and made my way back to my room for a bit before heading to the posh dining room for lunch. Left around 1 and found my way back to the serenity deck where I acquired another frozen concoction to help me hang on (Miami Vice).

 

A nap is now in order before getting ready and going to dinner. We are currently cruising at 10-11 knots and the temperature is about 85 degrees. All the decks are active and everyone appear to be enjoying themselves.

 

Till a later time, live from the Carnival Freedom!

 

Platinum snack this cruise

 

 

Here we are, now south of Cuba

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Did your blender say Key West on it? We just went to Niagara Falls and I got one there, and it does have NF on it. So happy to hear you enjoyed the pub crawl, that is the only excursion we know we are booking for sure!! Did you see the sculptures on the pub crawl? looking forward to more of your excellent live review

 

Doesn't say Key West on it. :-(

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

this is great fun for those of us preparing to board the Freedom soon; thanks! do you happen to have the page of today's funtimes that shows the evening shows?

 

also, any chance you have the menus you could post?

 

regardless, let me say: GREAT REVIEW! many of us are enjoying it!

 

I haven't copied any of the menus as of yet but will try to snap a couple before this is all over. ;-)

 

 

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[BeadedGoblets]

if the menus are a hassle, don't do it. you are there to have fun and not worry about accommodating all us poor folk back here on land. ;) WONDERFUL pix, by the way.

[legalwife]

Ahhh... I am feeling it - so feeling it.

 

Thanks for sharing your cruise with all of us. Enjoying immensely.

[MrFunInTheSun]

Tonight's menu. Tonight was elegant night

 

 

 

 

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[MrFunInTheSun]

Platinum gift

 

 

 

VIFP Party Invitation

 

 

 

 

 

 

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