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Carnival Freedom Review w/Pics - 3/9/13 8 Day Eastern Caribbean W/ Cheers and FTF

MANDALOUWHO

By MANDALOUWHO,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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MANDALOUWHO

MANDALOUWHO

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We got in late last night from our Spring Break cruise aboard the Freedom and had an absolute blast! I had a hard time finding a lot of reviews with pictures of the Freedom, especially this itinerary, so I had decided before I left that I would post a detailed review. Plus they just seem so fun to do!

I am downloading the 1200+ pictures I took tonight when I get home- back at the office already - and will begin the detailed review then. But wanted to take a minute to start the thread and give some background info and introduce us all.

We had 10 in our group total spread out between 3 cabins.

Me (Amanda), my hubby Mike, and our sons Tyler (10) and Talan (6) had a Balcony room on the 8th deck. This was our third cruise as a family our other 2 were on the Fantasy. We like to have fun and went non-stop our entire vacation. We try and make the best out of everything, but I will mention some criticisms I do have just to be fair. We did everything from trivia - we took home like 20 ship on a sticks between the 10 of us. I am trying to figure out creative decorating options involving them. Lots of karaoke - yes my son is the one who accidently said the F word during a karaoke song I am that mom lol. Casino, spa, dancing, piano bar, we did it all on this ship! Overall we loved it and it was our best cruise to date. None of the critiques are major or detracted from our vacation in any way.

The others in our group were my sister, Amber, and her boyfriend, Joe, (21 and 23) had an interior of Deck 2. This was Amber's second cruise and Joe's like millionth. Ok, not a million but he has been on a ton.

My mom (51) and 3 siblings Maria (15), Carly (14), and Cameron (12) had an ocean view on Deck 2. This was their second cruise.

Because of the age range, 6-51, we did a lot of different things so I will give you all the feedback from everyone on everything so there will be a lot of details and as many pics as I can post.

We did Cheers and FTF so let me know if you have any questions on the ship, ports or those things. I will get to detailed reviews of each, but feel free to ask away. I am hoping this post can live on for a few months so I can relive our vacation until it gets closer to our next lol

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uncletr21

uncletr21

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We did Cheers and FTF so let me know if you have any questions on the ship, ports or those things. I will get to detailed reviews of each, but feel free to ask away.

 

Thank you for posting.

 

What time did you arrive at port and when could you board? Was there a seperate line to check in with FTF? (I don't even know if Diamond members have their own lines.) Did you have lines for baggage scan and getting seapass cards? Thanks.

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MANDALOUWHO

MANDALOUWHO

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No problem. See below :)

 

Thank you for posting.

 

What time did you arrive at port and when could you board? Got to port around 10:20, line took about 15 minutes, on the boat by 11:30ish room was ready right away Was there a seperate line to check in with FTF? Yes, you go through baggage scan and go to the left. We accidently went to the VIP line on the right, which is different so our lady had to walk to the other side to get our S & S cards. No big deal. The lounge was crowded. I did not think FTF got to go into the lounge but we did and so did my Mom's group who also did FTF. My sister did not and she was in group 9. She was on about an hour or so after us, but got to the port at the same time. (I don't even know if Diamond members have their own lines.) Did you have lines for baggage scan and getting seapass cards? No for scan, yes for cards.Thanks.

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rmoczygemba

rmoczygemba

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We just got off the Freedom yesterday. This was our first cruise with Carnival. We have been on seven others with RCCL/Celebrity. Based on this forum I purchashed the FTTF package. It was a wise investment. We arrived at the port at 10:40. We were given a Priority Card in the beginning, directed to the front of the check-in counter, then escorted to the lounge. We joined the other priority members to board early. We were in our cabin at 11:30am. Our room was prepared and our luggage had already arrived. We went upstairs to the Lido deck for the buffet and started our cruise. Nice deal.

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BETH_M

BETH_M

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Question - What time were people called to leave the ship? We are on the 4/20 saling with the same ports and I am trying to figure out if we can make a 10:15 flight vs. hanging out until 5:45 or paying alot higher price in between. We would take our stuff ourselves and would even buy FTTF if it would help.

Thanks

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MANDALOUWHO

MANDALOUWHO

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We did FTTF and were told to meet at 7:30 in the dining room. We were let off first and were in the customs line with our 12 (yes! 12) bags by 8:00am. We then got a shuttle to our hotel in Plantation and were on the road home by 8:30am. You will be cutting it close if everything goes smoothly, but I would think it could be risky if the ship takes longer to clear? We would have made a 10:15am flight, easily.

 

Question - What time were people called to leave the ship? We are on the 4/20 saling with the same ports and I am trying to figure out if we can make a 10:15 flight vs. hanging out until 5:45 or paying alot higher price in between. We would take our stuff ourselves and would even buy FTTF if it would help.

Thanks

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MANDALOUWHO

MANDALOUWHO

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It was at migdnight the night of the deck party. A full-on Mexican buffet. It was yummy for sure but eating Mexican that late did not sit well with our tummies lol I believe the buffet was the night of Tortola day before our last sea day.

 

Mexican Station? Never had a ship with one, info please!!!
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