6 Day Carnival Freedom 8/18/2013

[Warm Breezes]

Just home from Carnival Freedom 6 day Western and had a wonderful time. Traveling with me was DH, DS(19), DD(16) and DD's BFF(16). This was our families 10th cruise (6th on Carnival) and BFF's 1st cruise.

 

Pre/Post Cruise we stayed at Embassy Suites FLL. This is our favorite pre/post cruise when sailing out of FLL or MIA. They have Managers Receptions from 5:30-7:30 every night with free drinks and snacks and a hot cooked to order breakfast every morning. The rooms are large 2 room suites with microwave and refridgerator and we had views of the port from our balcony. The pool area is beautiful and clean. Duffy's Sports Bar, Outback, and a Publix store are all within close walking distance.

 

Rooms...We got connecting balcony rooms on the Verandah Deck. They were spacious and nice and worked out great for the 5 of us. Our room steward did a wonderful job keeping it clean and our ice buckets full.

 

Food...I would love to tell you how it tasted but DD gave me her cold as the cruise started so I didn't have much of an appetite, nor could I taste much the whole cruise (lost 5 pounds). I can tell you that kids and DH always ate most everything they ordered in the MDR. DH liked the steaks. We tried the brunch on the first sea day and they all wanted to go back to it on the second sea day. We had anytime dining in the lower level of the Chic dining room. Service was great and we never had a wait to be seated. Service was a little slower on elegant night but that usually seems to be the case and we were not in a hurry. Lines were long in the buffet. The kids loved getting sandwiches from the deli and the fish and chips.

 

Live Bands/Entertainment...Freedom still has the orchestra playing live for the shows and the 5 piece band playing in the lobby. The music and shows were great. Some of the best I've seen on Carnival. The DJ's played on the Lido and the girls had a great time dancing at all the deck parties, the past guest party, and the thriller dance class.

 

The VIFP Party was great. The appetizers were hit or miss but they served full size Fun Ship Specials and plenty of them and the girls had a blast dancing.

 

Key West... was hot. We were going to rent an e-car but once we did a little shopping and photo bombing with the statues, we decided to head back to the ship and enjoyed the pools without the people. DH and I went to the Serenity Area and enjoyed some time in the whirlpool and the big loungers. The girls hung out at the pool area. We got DS the internet package for $159/500 minutes so he was occupied with that.

 

Grand Cayman...we waited until we were on shore to get the $20 island tour. It took us in air conditioned mini buses to the Dolphin Experience where we watched them work with the Dolphins for 30 minutes, to the Tortula Rum Factory to taste some rum and rum cakes, to Hell, and last stop was 7-Mile Beach for an hour and a half. The water was very refreshing and beautiful on the hot day.

 

Jamaica...this was our first time in Jamaica and after reading so many people say they didn't like it, we were pleasantly surprised. We did the bobsled excursion through the cruiseline. They took us to Mystic Mountain where we took the skylift up the mountain over the rain forest. That ride itself was worth the cost of the excursion...it was beatiful. At the top of the mountain we did the Jamaican Bobsled. DH and I hooked together, DD and BFF hooked together and DS went on his own. We were nervous he wouldn't fit since he is 6'8" but he fit just fine. It was a blast and they brought you back up the mountain in the bobsled slowly through the rain forest. It was gorgeous. Back at the top there was an infinity pool with awesome views of the ship. We had a wonderful morning in Jamaica.

 

Overall this was one of favorite cruises. Freedom was already our favorite Carnival ship from the first time we sailed her in 2009 and this just reinforced our opinion. It was HOT and that was a particular downer for DH, but it helped that we had a balcony so he could keep the air turned up high in the room and I could go out to the balcony to enjoy the warmth.

[ontheweb]

We're back from the same cruise; wish we had met. I did discover earlier today that I may not have only met Mary49, but may have physically assisted her on or off the Bob Marley bus in Jamaica.

 

Our cabin on deck 10 was very convenient for getting to swimming and the buffet on deck 9. It was not nearly as easy to get from the Chic dining room (3 forward) to the Habana lounge (4 aft) where we often went after dinner to listen to and sometimes try to dance to the Latin musicians.

 

We enjoyed those musicians, the show band, and Virgil the guitar player. The very last show, the Beatles tribute, was fantastic.

 

My DW kept wanting eggplant, which they finally had the last night (eggplant zucchini parmesan). We were hoping to have dinner one night in the Fish and Chips, but it was only open for lunch. We did get to eat lunch there. Lots of good food in both the dining room and the buffet. I did think that the waiters had too many tables, and it made for some slow service.

 

I was supposed to buy DW a watch, but before I could, she won a watch set in a raffle.

 

I really enjoyed the trivia. I ended up being awarded a ship on a stick three times, twice for individual wins, and once as captain of the men's team in the men versus women team trivia. (You could only be captain once, but they did want to re-elect me.) BTW, the men won all 4 times. Bruce, who conducted those contests said no team had ever swept before.

 

Lastly, since we had many hours after debarkation until our flight, we used the luggage express service. This worked out well for us.

[Warm Breezes]

Sorry we didn't meet. There was a lot I wanted to do but found myself relaxing on the balcony during the day instead of doing much because that cold wore me out. I didn't play any trivia or bingo this trip. Completely missed tea time, which I wanted to try for the first time.

 

I thought the girls would like Club 02 since they had each other to go with but they went to the orientation, left, and never went back. They all ended up hanging out with us in evenings. They did have a blast with the photographers. I'm betting we had over a hundred photos to go through at the end of the cruise. Ended up purchasing $180 worth.

 

DS tried his hand at the Casino for the first time on a ship. He got frustrated sitting by me because I kept winning when he was there and he couldn't win a thing. I ended up down $11, DS lost $30, and DH wouldn't tell me what he lost :o.

[marrkid79]

I'm sailing on the Freedom on 9/7. How slow was the internet connectivity when you sailed?

[Warm Breezes]

I'm sailing on the Freedom on 9/7. How slow was the internet connectivity when you sailed?

 

I'll have to ask my son for you. I used it briefly to check my e-mails once and it didn't seem to bad. He used it the most along with DD's BFF who used it to check in with her parents. They never complained about it being slow.

[nhraformula00]

Glad to hear everyone injoyed the Freedom, we are also on the 9-7 sail for our second time in 2 years. This will be my 10th and the wifes 11th.

[Jane2357]

Yikes - so sorry about your cold - but jeez - I'd LOVE to lose weight on a cruise :eek: I'm so excited to read your review as I am sailing with 19 friends on Oct. 13th. Can't wait!!!!

[noleguy84]

I've read multiple times now that the temperature on the Freedom is unbearably warm. I hope that is not the case with our indoor cabin this weekend. I need my room a certain temperature at night or it's impossible for me to sleep. I'm glad you had a great trip overall though.

[Dare2Believe]

Just home from Carnival Freedom 6 day Western and had a wonderful time. Traveling with me was DH, DS(19), DD(16) and DD's BFF(16). This was our families 10th cruise (6th on Carnival) and BFF's 1st cruise.

 

Pre/Post Cruise we stayed at Embassy Suites FLL. This is our favorite pre/post cruise when sailing out of FLL or MIA. They have Managers Receptions from 5:30-7:30 every night with free drinks and snacks and a hot cooked to order breakfast every morning. The rooms are large 2 room suites with microwave and refridgerator and we had views of the port from our balcony. The pool area is beautiful and clean. Duffy's Sports Bar, Outback, and a Publix store are all within close walking distance.

 

 

Jamaica...this was our first time in Jamaica and after reading so many people say they didn't like it, we were pleasantly surprised. We did the bobsled excursion through the cruiseline. They took us to Mystic Mountain where we took the skylift up the mountain over the rain forest. That ride itself was worth the cost of the excursion...it was beatiful. At the top of the mountain we did the Jamaican Bobsled. DH and I hooked together, DD and BFF hooked together and DS went on his own. We were nervous he wouldn't fit since he is 6'8" but he fit just fine. It was a blast and they brought you back up the mountain in the bobsled slowly through the rain forest. It was gorgeous. Back at the top there was an infinity pool with awesome views of the ship. We had a wonderful morning in Jamaica.

 

 

We enjoyed our stay at the Embassy Suites as well! We loved how close it was to the Total Wines store ;-)

 

We also did that Mystic Mountain excursion...wasn't that just beautiful? I think it was the perfect way to experience that island!

 

So glad you had a great time!

[Warm Breezes]

I've read multiple times now that the temperature on the Freedom is unbearably warm. I hope that is not the case with our indoor cabin this weekend. I need my room a certain temperature at night or it's impossible for me to sleep. I'm glad you had a great trip overall though.

 

DH had our room cold. I was always escaping to the balcony to get warm.

[Warm Breezes]

We enjoyed our stay at the Embassy Suites as well! We loved how close it was to the Total Wines store ;-)

 

We also did that Mystic Mountain excursion...wasn't that just beautiful? I think it was the perfect way to experience that island!

 

So glad you had a great time!

 

We loved Mystic Mountain. It was so beautiful. I would have no problem going back there. We always try to stay at Embassy Suites when we can. I think the one in FLL is one of our favorites...the one on Deerfield Beach is really nice to.

[Warm Breezes]

Yikes - so sorry about your cold - but jeez - I'd LOVE to lose weight on a cruise :eek: I'm so excited to read your review as I am sailing with 19 friends on Oct. 13th. Can't wait!!!!

 

Have fun. Freedom is a great ship and a lot of fun.

[ontheweb]

I'm sailing on the Freedom on 9/7. How slow was the internet connectivity when you sailed?

 

We tried to get online at the internet café on the last day. It was so slow that we could not even get to where we could connect. The internet manager said it would be just as slow online if we could have connected.

[ontheweb]

I've read multiple times now that the temperature on the Freedom is unbearably warm. I hope that is not the case with our indoor cabin this weekend. I need my room a certain temperature at night or it's impossible for me to sleep. I'm glad you had a great trip overall though.

 

We had an inside on deck 10 (panorama deck). DW was often turning the temperature UP because she was finding it too cold.

[Warm Breezes]

I'm sailing on the Freedom on 9/7. How slow was the internet connectivity when you sailed?

 

DS said overall it was good. There were times it was slow, especially when the weather was bad but overall he said it was like normal for him. He brought his own laptop with him.

[Warm Breezes]

Some pictures:

[Casanova02]

Grand Cayman...we waited until we were on shore to get the $20 island tour. It took us in air conditioned mini buses to the Dolphin Experience where we watched them work with the Dolphins for 30 minutes, to the Tortula Rum Factory to taste some rum and rum cakes, to Hell, and last stop was 7-Mile Beach for an hour and a half. The water was very refreshing and beautiful on the hot day.

 

 

Thank you very much for the information. We'll be on the Freedom next week...

 

You did the island tour (Dolphins, rum factory and beach) for 20$. sorry for asking but are you sure ??? 20$ sound very low for such a tour...

 

If it 20$, do you remember with whom ???

 

Thanks again

[Warm Breezes]

Thank you very much for the information. We'll be on the Freedom next week...

 

You did the island tour (Dolphins, rum factory and beach) for 20$. sorry for asking but are you sure ??? 20$ sound very low for such a tour...

 

If it 20$, do you remember with whom ???

 

Thanks again

 

It was $20 pp and stopped at the Dolphin Experience where you could watch the dolphins for 30 minutes or you could go across the street to the turtle farm but it would cost extra for the entrance fee, a 20 minute stop at the Tortula Rum Factory for tastings and a 20 minute stop at Hell for pictures then an hour and a half at the public area on 7 mile beach. It was a bright yellow building in with the little shops right on the pier.

[Casanova02]

It was $20 pp and stopped at the Dolphin Experience where you could watch the dolphins for 30 minutes or you could go across the street to the turtle farm but it would cost extra for the entrance fee, a 20 minute stop at the Tortula Rum Factory for tastings and a 20 minute stop at Hell for pictures then an hour and a half at the public area on 7 mile beach. It was a bright yellow building in with the little shops right on the pier.

 

 

WOW very surprise.... 20$ is very cheap and the tour sound very good.....

 

Beside the 20$ (and the entrance fee for the turtle farm), was it other fees ?

 

Do you remember when the tour start ?

 

Thanks again

[Warm Breezes]

WOW very surprise.... 20$ is very cheap and the tour sound very good.....

 

Beside the 20$ (and the entrance fee for the turtle farm), was it other fees ?

 

Do you remember when the tour start ?

 

Thanks again

 

We didn't go to the turtle farm so we didn't have the extra fee. We just stayed at the dolphin experience and watched the dolphins. If you wanted chairs or umbrellas at the beach there was a charge for that at the beach. We just used our towels from the ship. We were in the water most of the time anyways. There was a trailer there selling food and drinks too if you wanted some.

 

We just walked up to the building when we got off the tender (around 8:45) paid for the tour and they told us to come back at 9:15 (all ship time). We got back to the pier around 1:45.

[Casanova02]

We didn't go to the turtle farm so we didn't have the extra fee. We just stayed at the dolphin experience and watched the dolphins. If you wanted chairs or umbrellas at the beach there was a charge for that at the beach. We just used our towels from the ship. We were in the water most of the time anyways. There was a trailer there selling food and drinks too if you wanted some.

 

We just walked up to the building when we got off the tender (around 8:45) paid for the tour and they told us to come back at 9:15 (all ship time). We got back to the pier around 1:45.

 

 

Thank you

[Warm Breezes]

Thank you

 

You're welcome....enjoy your cruise!

[semichigan]

We're back from the same cruise; wish we had met. I did discover earlier today that I may not have only met Mary49, but may have physically assisted her on or off the Bob Marley bus in Jamaica.

 

Our cabin on deck 10 was very convenient for getting to swimming and the buffet on deck 9. It was not nearly as easy to get from the Chic dining room (3 forward) to the Habana lounge (4 aft) where we often went after dinner to listen to and sometimes try to dance to the Latin musicians.

 

We enjoyed those musicians, the show band, and Virgil the guitar player. The very last show, the Beatles tribute, was fantastic.

 

My DW kept wanting eggplant, which they finally had the last night (eggplant zucchini parmesan). We were hoping to have dinner one night in the Fish and Chips, but it was only open for lunch. We did get to eat lunch there. Lots of good food in both the dining room and the buffet. I did think that the waiters had too many tables, and it made for some slow service.

 

I was supposed to buy DW a watch, but before I could, she won a watch set in a raffle.

 

I really enjoyed the trivia. I ended up being awarded a ship on a stick three times, twice for individual wins, and once as captain of the men's team in the men versus women team trivia. (You could only be captain once, but they did want to re-elect me.) BTW, the men won all 4 times. Bruce, who conducted those contests said no team had ever swept before.

 

Lastly, since we had many hours after debarkation until our flight, we used the luggage express service. This worked out well for us.

 

How was the Bob Marley tour? We are sailing this itinerary on the Freedom 9/29 and still trying to decide what to do in Ocho Rios.

Thanks!

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[crusinfamof4]

I've read multiple times now that the temperature on the Freedom is unbearably warm. I hope that is not the case with our indoor cabin this weekend. I need my room a certain temperature at night or it's impossible for me to sleep. I'm glad you had a great trip overall though.

 

My family was on the same cruise, we were on the Empress deck, cabins 7426 & 7428-they were both hot even with the air turned all the way down to cold. Only one time can I say I was cold in there. All other times, it was warm.

[MIZZ_K]

This cruise was my second leg of a b2b.