Carnival Freedom Review-As Objective As My Antipathy Allows For

[summersigh]

Cruise Cost is the root of all evil ....:D

 

I see threads here on CC bemoaning all the terrible cuts Carnival has made - as if those cuts are being made to see just how pissed off the line can make the passengers rather than to keep CCL from operating in the red.

 

On the other hand there are all kinds of threads bemoaning how expensive the cruises are these days. With the prices of everything going up the only way to keep prices low is to cut expenses. (the cost of eggs is 2 1/2 times higher than it was when we started cruising):)

 

When I go back and look at receipts from earlier cruises I'm finding that cruising today is actually cheaper than it was when we first started cruising. Also, those ships where folks rave about all of the awesome amenities and shows - those amenities aren't free. You pay significantly more $$ in fares to cruise on those ships than you might on a Carnival ship.

 

We choose our cruises based on itinerary, timing and cost we're willing to pay. It has to be understood that, as in most other things and situations, you get what you pay for (not a bad concept:) It has to be understood that when you pay for the Holiday Inn Express you don't get a room or the services of the Ritz-Carlton. Just my opinion of what's going on in the industry. All of the different cruise line's boards have the same complaints about higher fares and budget cuts.

[HollandAvery]

Thank you for your posting your review and providing some insight into your vacation experience.

 

We will be sailing the Freedom in November and although I'm very excited I'm a bit nervous as well, because of course I have my own concerns. Mostly it comes down to the food. I love love love food and even though I don't expect 5-star dining on Carnival, I do always hope that it will be enjoyable. I'm hoping I'll enjoy the MDR. We have a night at the Steakhouse booked for the first night so I'm hoping the MDR won't be too much of a letdown the rest of the cruise :(

 

The entertainment has me slightly worried as well, as we always tend to get a bit bored between the hours of 10am-6pm...we never quite know what to do with ourselves on sea days because there does seem to often be a lack of activities at particular hours and then a lack of activities that interest us. We do have a special room booked this time though, so maybe I can just sit and finally read a real book this trip (and study for exams, yuck).

 

Again, thank you for your review!

Edited September 28, 2015 by HollandAvery

[seamusdad]

I am preparing to go on the Freedom October 29th for a 4 day cruise. I was on it for a 7 day cruise June 27th -July 4th. Reading your review now it seems like we were on 2 different ships. There was plenty of trivia,and karaoke throughout the day on my cruise but we had a different cruise director never gave much thought to a cruise director making a difference but maybe. The Habana bar had a salsa group preforming. There was even steel drums on lido. There was a magician. Food in mdr was terrific. Yes the promenade by the casino was smoky but that's to be expected with it being one of 2 inside places where smoking is allowed. The comedians were hilarious. As far as shows in the main theater didn't see any but am planning on at least 1 this cruise. As far as other guest, I cruised solo and met some great people all over the ship. Hope your next cruise is a better experience.

[Water Nymph]

My husband and I will be on the Freedom for a four day cruise on November 12th. The Captain could spend all four of those days drilling holes in the water and we wouldn't care - we just like cruising. A little trivia, a little dancing, the Serenity deck.. it's all wonderful.

 

Having said that, when we learned that Jen was going to be our Cruise Director, we groaned. It might just be us, but we think she's actually kind of annoying as Cruise Director. I'm trying to think back and remember specifics, but the feeling was that there wasn't much to do until the afternoon, and that Jen herself maybe wasn't as polished as other Carnival Cruise Directors have been over the years.

 

Just my .02

[Cruisegoer]

It certainly shouldn't be on a cruise however.

[seamusdad]

I don't think Jen in on the Freedom anymore. I never cruised with her but from what I hear I think she would be annoying.

[berrieh]

The other ironic thing is the pouring of your water. Even the most basic quick serve restaurant will pour your water but yet, Carnival no longer will.

 

I've often wished there was a carafe of water on the table at restaurants or on a cruise. I'm sure the waitstaff would pour it for you if you asked, but it's inconvenient to wait for water vs. have the carafe RIGHT there. I don't see how this is a complaint, really - they've literally made it easier for guests to access. When we've ordered a bottle of wine, someone would come by and pour it for us if they were near, but it's nice to know I don't HAVE to wait if I'm not inclined. Same with water.

 

I get some complaints, but this one is bizarre to me.

[aflyingbuttress]

I've often wished there was a carafe of water on the table at restaurants or on a cruise. I'm sure the waitstaff would pour it for you if you asked, but it's inconvenient to wait for water vs. have the carafe RIGHT there. I don't see how this is a complaint, really - they've literally made it easier for guests to access. When we've ordered a bottle of wine, someone would come by and pour it for us if they were near, but it's nice to know I don't HAVE to wait if I'm not inclined. Same with water.

 

I get some complaints, but this one is bizarre to me.

 

I'm with you. It's way more of a hassle and inconvenience to wait for water. It's actually one of the things that will ruin my meal. Nothing like letting my food get cold while I sit and wait 5-10 ,invites to get a refil on my glass of water. (I can't eat without a drink due to a medical issue, so I can't just eat while I wait.)

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

Sure I love to be waited on but I also like convenience. Leave me a carafe of water, a tea pot not just a cup, a small coffee thermos, bread on the table. I don't need someone to pour out my salad dressing, or cut up my entree, or mash up my baked potato. I don't live like the residents of Downton Abbey.

[jimbo5544]

I've often wished there was a carafe of water on the table at restaurants or on a cruise. I'm sure the waitstaff would pour it for you if you asked, but it's inconvenient to wait for water vs. have the carafe RIGHT there. I don't see how this is a complaint, really - they've literally made it easier for guests to access. When we've ordered a bottle of wine, someone would come by and pour it for us if they were near, but it's nice to know I don't HAVE to wait if I'm not inclined. Same with water.

 

I get some complaints, but this one is bizarre to me.

 

I have sailed on ships with the new dining. While there is a carafe of water on the table, we never had to pour it for ourselves, it was always done for us. The service was the same wonderful level. Some posters here like to stir the pot on any negative comment made.

[Jana60]

I've often wished there was a carafe of water on the table at restaurants or on a cruise. I'm sure the waitstaff would pour it for you if you asked, but it's inconvenient to wait for water vs. have the carafe RIGHT there. I don't see how this is a complaint, really - they've literally made it easier for guests to access. When we've ordered a bottle of wine, someone would come by and pour it for us if they were near, but it's nice to know I don't HAVE to wait if I'm not inclined. Same with water.

 

I get some complaints, but this one is bizarre to me.

 

I wish they would do the same with a pot of hot coffee in the morning at breakfast. I hate waiting for my coffee refills.

[berrieh]

I wish they would do the same with a pot of hot coffee in the morning at breakfast. I hate waiting for my coffee refills.

 

Yes, though I can see why they never will since it's hot. You know someone would spill it on themselves doing something stupid and then complain. But honestly, a carafe is a great convenience. And glad to hear from someone that staff even courteously refill when they see it would be a good time (this is what they do with wine in my experience, if you have a bottle, so I'm not surprised). It seems like that would be the "good service" thing to do (though I wouldn't harumph and fuss if they missed one because I gulped down a whole cup at once - I actually do this and drink like nothing for awhile and then suddenly ALL of my water, so a carafe would be useful to me as waiters cannot be expected to psychically know when I've "pounded" my water).

[train460]

I agree with most of your thoughts. We cruised freedom last month to Jamaica etc and again this Saturday, Bahamas one.

last month the wife and I made comments about the lack of activities, ie trivia, corn hole (bean Bag toss), ping pong tourneys etc. very little of that all week.

I felt the food wasn't as bad as you felt and that it was ok. Guys burger was great. All in all not bad but I agree about the entertainment being very little to none.

My 02

Michael

[Texasl8dy]

We just got off the Freedom this past Saturday. I totally agree with everything you said except for the buffet. We didn't eat there. There is STILL nothing to do most days before 3:00 PM. We had a good time but it could have been so much better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Cinders411]

Thank you for your review. I appreciate a balanced review. :)

[Big_G]

For people who cruise to be entertained, those days are in the past. Many of us could care less about the shows, or the bands, or trivia, or lectures, or hairy chest contests. But to each their own. We cruise to relax, get together with friends, visit ports, and enjoy some sunshine, read that book we bought months ago when it was a best-seller and an occasional visit to the casino. If I want to go to shows I visit Las Vegas.

 

You're misrepresenting your personal preference as a trend. Just because you avoid the shows doesn't make them a thing of the past. I've never sailed Freedom but the review seemed pretty balanced.

[Jana60]

I just got off of Carnival Freedom yesterday so I'm putting in my opinion here for comparison. I had a fantastic time on the trip but this was more due to the people I met and the company I kept rather than to the ship. The freedom has such poor ventilation that every single public area smells like a dirty ashtray and often was even filled with smoke. And I'm not just talking about the casino. There was not a single public area that did not smell like smoke including the main theatre and the show lounge. Even the lobby smells like smoke. The only other negative was that they have the new playlist productions which are shorter in length then the old shows and since most of the areas on the ship were so filled with smoke that I could not be there more than a few minutes this left us with nothing to do the rest of the evening because they also did not have karaoke other than three nights out of the cruise. They did add 30 minutes of karaoke the last night because the comedian who was scheduled did not make it to the ship and I suggested that they put karaoke in the place of that comedian. Now for the things I liked. I liked the new American menu but I still prefer table cloths on the table because the cloth would absorb the sweat from the glasses as the ice melts. I don't like my glass swimming around in a puddle of water. I also had the most wonderful waiter I've ever had anywhere on the sea or land. We were able to tell her when we had a show we wanted to make it to and she made sure dinner was done by that time. The room steward was okay at least he made us cute towel animals but he failed to put in the room items that are normally given to platinum until I specifically asked for each item. If I had not been aware that I was supposed to receive items such as a free bottle of water, a drink coupon, a platinum gift, and priority debarkation instructions I would not have received them since he did not bring these until I asked for them.

Edited October 11, 2015 by Jana60

[TxChick]

We cruise Freedom in a few weeks and I'm not expecting much. Honestly, I haven't expected much in a few years from Carnival. Gone are the days where every nook and cranny had a great band with every style of music you could imagine was playing. I miss the steel drums and raggae music playing on the lido deck, the deck parties, the live band during the shows, and nightly karaoke.

 

We never really eat at the buffet but it is nearly impossible to make that much food in that little time and keep it fresh so I won't judge it. I do, however judge both the bacon police and those who waste it, lol. I haven't had the new menus yet but I'm excited about the new menus. I do fear that the lack of tablecloths and water on the table will take away from the ambiance.

 

Yes, if you were a cruiser from years back you will notice glaring cutbacks in amenities and service while newer cruisers will not. I've sworn off Carnival a few times but a great deal comes along and I book again because it's still a great value. We cruise for relaxation, not entertainment, and will most likely continue too unless I don't feel safe.

[ledelstein]

We sailed Freedom in late August this year and I just wanted to add my short review because I have a different opinion.

I loved the food. We ate at the buffet every morning and it was fantastic. Bacon police didn't bother me. Just ask for more...they'll give it to you.

Dining room every night...food was great, service was top notch and no table cloth was never an issue. We had coasters on our table.

I felt like there were always activities. We liked to lounge during the day so we didn't participate except for one day in an 80s trivia and that was a blast!

The playlist productions were only about 30-40 minutes but I really enjoyed them.

Costume changes, great music, great dancing. Loved every show!

There was live music every night. We enjoyed going to hear the band who sang a different genre every night and were fantastic.

Comedians were funny, karaoke was as expected...ok, and our CD was approachable and excellent at his job.

Room was always clean and stayed cool. We never got hot like I had read and my husband is very hot natured.

I would not have changed anything except I would have purchased the drink package but that was my fault.

I have already booked my next cruise on the dream and I am counting down the days!!

Edited October 11, 2015 by ledelstein

[Jana60]

We sailed Freedom in late August this year and I just wanted to add my short review because I have a different opinion.

I loved the food. We ate at the buffet every morning and it was fantastic. Bacon police didn't bother me. Just ask for more...they'll give it to you.

Dining room every night...food was great, service was top notch and no table cloth was never an issue. We had coasters on our table.

I felt like there were always activities. We liked to lounge during the day so we didn't participate except for one day in an 80s trivia and that was a blast!

The playlist productions were only about 30-40 minutes but I really enjoyed them.

Costume changes, great music, great dancing. Loved every show!

There was live music every night. We enjoyed going to hear the band who sang a different genre every night and were fantastic.

Comedians were funny, karaoke was as expected...ok, and our CD was approachable and excellent at his job.

Room was always clean and stayed cool. We never got hot like I had read and my husband is very hot natured.

I would not have changed anything except I would have purchased the drink package but that was my fault.

I have already booked my next cruise on the dream and I am counting down the days!!

 

Do you folks smoke? That was the biggest issue I had. I couldn't breathe!! This was my 20th Carnival cruise so I'm quite familiar with how smoky the ships usually are and freedom was much more filled with smoke! I'm a big Carnival fan and have actually already booked to my next two cruises but they won't be on freedom. And you might note that's a statement I have never made referring to any other Carnival ship!!

Edited October 12, 2015 by Jana60

[ledelstein]

My husband was a smoker. He uses an electronic cigarette now. I have never been a smoker.

I am pretty sensitive to smells and I agree with you about the smoke smell but we really only noticed in the casino area and the outside smoking area which we walked through once.

I hate you had that experience! I would hate to be surrounded by that smell the whole time. [emoji12]