Currently on board the FREEDOM

[High Seas Texan]

Greetings all. Boarded the FREEDOM today, Aug 29, 2015 and will be posting comments throughout the week as I have purchased the internet package that, for one set price, offers you WiFi for access to social media and email. First time on the FREEDOM, but sailed many times on the sister ship CONQUEST....Some things nice, some things not so nice and some things very, very disappointing.

 

GOOD: Staff is friendly and up to Carnival standards as usual so I know this will be a great cruise vacation, in the end. More positive things to come tomorrow, it is late and tired from a busy day embarking and exploring.

 

BAD: First, very, VERY disappointed in the changes to the Main Dining Room (MDR). I have heard good and bad, mostly bad, things about the American table, but was willing to give it a try as the sample menus posted on lin here and various other places did not seem too bad, in my opinion. I had heard that although the menus had changed, the MDR was still gracious with service and table cloths. WRONG. It is just too tacky for words. No table clothes, and the set up when you walk in appears to be just an overcrowded Lido experience. Tables are cramped as though they have tried to accommodate more people per seating. We are assigned the POSH dining room, late seating. We walked out. Went to the SunKing Steakhouse. THAT is lovely, good menu choices, free bottle of wine the first night, exemplary service. We have now booked it for every night on the cruise. Don't flame me please because I like the old more formal dining room. For people desiring casual, there is the Lido. Chatted with some people later in the evening who dined in the MDR and they were not pleased at all. Complaints on servie, attitidue of staff, menu and the extremely casual setting.

 

Ship is very quiet this first night. Does not seem or feel crowded, although I understand we are sold out. Some nice music venues with live music. I hope the shows, now being Playlist vs live band will be entertaining. Piano bar a complete bust. No one in there. No one in the Alchemy bar. Very smokie around the casino. Very. Music from the Casino Bar makes cabins on deck 6 anything but peaceful. Plumbing issues with toilets overflowing. Rooms are way too hot. Not cool and not comfortable. New standards for Carnival-keep rooms at 80 degrees. No air circulating out of vents. Told this meets guidelines. Top of guidllines, but meet them. Oh well.....

 

Will be posting here throughout the week. If anyone has questions I will try and find out the desired information.

 

Cheers All.

[High Seas Texan]

Another BIG disappointment. Shows. So it is now 1:35 AM Sunday morning and the FunTimes has just now been delivered for Sunday. Not left at turndown. Sunday, the first sea day, is also our first "cruise elegant" night. We have late seating, 8:15, should we choose to go to the MDR, which we wont. See earlier post. We like to dress up, but who wants to dress up for a bare, cafeteria table? Not going back there. Now, I have heard that even though Carnival has cut out the live house bands, the Playlist productions, especially the 80's show is one not to miss. However, there is just one show, at 8:15. this means on the dress up night, when most people would probably like to try and dine for the prime rib and lobster, only the first seating or YTD people will get to see the show. I like seeing the shows and being entertained. Two major disappointments here though. I promise to find some good things to say, but feeling the need to vent, and warn.

[loxley]

So invoke your vacation guarantee and stop being disappointed.

 

May take a few of those to happen for carnival to get the message.

 

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[Hawaiifrank]

Keep it coming. I'm doing a back-to-back-to-back on Freedom starting Nov 28.

 

I hate warm cabins. The first thing I do in the cabin is crank the thermostat all the way down. What catagory is your cabin?

 

I'm glad we selected early seating. I agree that the shows have gone down hill recently, but they should schedule the shows so both seatings can go.

[train460]

we just got off freedom last week and are going again in mid oct. we had the oct trip planned since the first of the year and our trip last week was a last minute plan as we had to cancel our motorcycle trip and again the freedom was in our vacation time and at a different destination as our oct trip.

We were also disappointed on the entertainment and activities. Very little trivia games etc.

We did eat in the MDR 4 of the nights. didn't think it was that bad tho.

Service was good, food good etc.

we missed the Fish and chips place as they are only open for lunch, will try that in oct.

guys burgers are good as well as the deli. pizza place SUCKED bad and what's with breakfast not having any gravy?

also breakfast on the lido is the same thing every day but for one egg dish that swaps every other day. Will try the MDR for breakfast our next trip.

 

I have a portable fan that I carry with me to keep some air moving in the room and also gives some noise.

my 02

michael

[cruzn buckeye]

we just got off freedom last week and are going again in mid oct. we had the oct trip planned since the first of the year and our trip last week was a last minute plan as we had to cancel our motorcycle trip and again the freedom was in our vacation time and at a different destination as our oct trip.

We were also disappointed on the entertainment and activities. Very little trivia games etc.

We did eat in the MDR 4 of the nights. didn't think it was that bad tho.

Service was good, food good etc.

we missed the Fish and chips place as they are only open for lunch, will try that in oct.

guys burgers are good as well as the deli. pizza place SUCKED bad and what's with breakfast not having any gravy?

also breakfast on the lido is the same thing every day but for one egg dish that swaps every other day. Will try the MDR for breakfast our next trip.

 

I have a portable fan that I carry with me to keep some air moving in the room and also gives some noise.

my 02

michael

Just curious here... on the breakfast buffet they have cereal, scramble eggs, boiled eggs, oatmeal, mush,pancakes, french toast,hash browns or steak fries,ham, sausage,bacon, toast, rolls, pastries, bananas, oranges, grapefruit and other fruit and other things... so i understand that breakfast is the same every day... what could they possibly add to a buffet?

Never been on the Freedom, so can't really voice an opinion here... but I will be on the Breeze in a few weeks, it will be my first time with the American table... and thinking I probably won't like it as much as before, hoping i am wrong:rolleyes:

[Podna's]

So invoke your vacation guarantee and stop being disappointed.

 

May take a few of those to happen for carnival to get the message.

 

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

 

Get what message? Bookings are stronger than ever right now. Why fix something that isn't broke?

[High Seas Texan]

uPDATE: There was a problem with the FunTimes, which is why it was delivered so very late. There are, in fact, two shows tonight. There is a econd show at 10:15....they just printed the one time of 8:15 in the main add for the show, but it IS listed in the small type on the hour by hour "things happening", so we will indeed be able to see the show.

 

This is our first sea day, so breakfast in the MDR will just be the sea day brunch, beginning at 8:3- until 1:30. We will take it in as more luncheon. Lido buffet VERY GOOD. Nice selection. Had a wonderful omelette, very crisp bacon and the pasteries have improved over past years. Had a fantastic cheese danish.

 

Also, the room service coffee tasted better than I remembered from past cruises, I wonder if they have a new supplier of coffee beans....

 

Although it was disappointing about the appearance of the room in the dining room and not pleased with the menu, the Steakhouse was wonderful. So there are pleasing options out there. My cabin attendant told me they will do table cloths tonight for "cruise elegant" as he is friends with one of the waiters in the Posh Dining room. I also heard that the menu tonight will feature the traditional and expected prime rib and lobster. We will give it another chance.

 

Chatted with a man at breakfast who ate in the buffet last ngiht. He said the Lido was not crowded for dinner, and they had steak availalbe, which he chose and it was good.

 

Busy day at sea. Will report more later.

Cheers!

[rufflesmom]

We were on the Freedom in May and there were tablecloths every night. Not sure what changed.

[freedomcruiser891]

We were on the freedom in March and absurdly loved it. Everything was excellent and the only thing I could even start to complain about was lack of activities from 12-3.....going again in March and still looking forward to it [emoji1]

[MaiTaiMary]

We were on the Freedom last week (Aug 22-29). Our first two nights in the MDR were NOT good. Especially night #2 (elegant night). That night was HORRIBLE. Seriously, it was just like a comedy of errors. 1 hour 15 minute wait for a table....15 minute wait for menus... never got drinks...food was COLD....staff was very rude. etc. etc. etc.

 

We ended up switching the side of the restaurant we ate on and the waitstaff on the opposite side was INCREDIBLE. Our entire dining experience turned around. Waitstaff was just awesome. Loved, loved, loved them. We really looked forward to dining in the MDR from this point on.

 

But wow... what a difference.

[ObstructedView2]

 

Good to hear you're going to give the MDR another chance.

 

There WILL BE tablecloths for 'elegant night', that some Carnival cruisers refer to as 'DRESS UP NIGHT', LOL!! LOL!! Or even worse, 'lobster night', hahahaha!! Dress up night! Too funny.

 

Many of the finest restaurants in the world do not have tablecloths. Never understood the mentality of Carnival cruisers when it comes to tablecloths. It's actually comical.

 

The main dining room food beats the buffet hands down. Warning though, they have no tablecloths in the buffet.

 

But in the buffet they do offer some awesome cafeteria food. And just a few steps away from the cafeteria buffet you can get a luxurious burger & pickles from Guy's Burger Joint. Just what one yearns for after months of planning & all of the money invested into a cruise.... A burger from Guy's, LOL!!

 

Stick with the MDR & the steakhouse.. The buffet is ok for an occasional breakfast. If you want an outstanding meal, even better than the steakhouse, reserve a spot at the Chef's Table Dinner, you certainly won't be disappointed.

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[besito20]

If you do happen to check in again.....

 

I've read a few different posts from people that have recently sailed on the Freedom and complained about their HOT staterooms.

 

Just curious as to which deck your room is on and what kind of stateroom it is.

 

We are sailing the Freedom in March and I hope they fix any possible AC issues!

 

Thanks again for all your feedback (positive and negative)! Enjoy your cruise!

 

:)

[paulatay]

Keep posting. Taking our first cruise, Oct 3rd, on Freedom. I wanna know all the details....good and bad!

[DebJ14]

My fear is that the tables in the MDR will end up smelling like the tables in the Lido. So many times we have had tables that smelled awful from the dirty rag they used to wipe it down. DH went to find one of the supervisors in the Lido and he too was appalled that the table stunk.

 

I for one am pleased to read the OP's observations since we are on the ship in early November. We sailed the Freedom out of FLL before the upgrades and enjoyed it, probably because the Conquest Class is our favorite. I have also heard horrible things about the American Table menu and agree with the poster that the Sun King is great.

[themerle]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. We will be on the Freedom in Feb. or at least we are booked. If I keep hearing bad things about the Freedom maybe we won't be sailing on the Freedom or any other Carnival ship! I think it's a good value for the $$$ but don't keep cutting things.

[Vacationlover01]

Thank you for posting. I have two cruises planned on the Freedom in the next year. Good to hear the experiences of others.

[pjinaz]

Thank you so much for posting. I hope you will decide to keep it up. I hope you saw all of the positive comments to you before they took them down. I was really enjoying your review.

[Midwestern Cruiser]

Sailing Freedom in 19 days...please keep the reviews coming.

And if you get a second, could you check Fun Times and let us know if there are any bands/guitarists on deck or by the casino?

Thanks! And hope things improve some every day.

[High Seas Texan]

Thank you to those reading that provide encouragement and positive feedback. Although I noted disappointments, I did not mean to come across as a complainer, and try to be objective regarding how things are done. Some things sre done very, very well, which is why I enjoy cruising Carnival and will continue to do so. I am a Platinum Cruiser, so I do carry some experience with how operations work under my belt, and I examine and reviews based on what I have experienced and enjoyed in the past. Time change, things change, we cope and go on.

 

Now some updates: Cruise IS Fabulous, despite some changes I do not care for.

 

For those asking what cabin type/location I am in: Cabin 7307, a Grand Suite. The flow of air is minimal, and comes and goes. Today is cloudy so the temp has been very good, almost too cool at times, but when the sun is out, around 5 PM, the cabin becomes very warm. Sweating warm. It does cool down though by morning. Closing the curtains does help-some-but part of the joy of a balcony is having the view, so I do keep the curtains open, but pull the sheers to shade a bit. Last afternoon, closed the heavy draperies in an effort to keep the temp bearable. The cabin is located mid ship. A friend on board on the 6th floor, also mid , also has temp issues.

 

We are indeed enjoying the Steakhouse and have booked it every night. Tonight, we do the Chef's Table and are looking forward to that.

 

Chatting with people we have met, the MDR needs attention. They tell us e are not missing anything by avoiding it. Even last night, "cruise elegant" night. They did in fact have the table clothes for that, but today they are gone. At least for the afternoon tea service they put cloths on some of the tables, but the overall look of the dining room, IN MY OPINION, is tacky. Some comments regarding the American Table, items like the bread basket, place for communal sharing, are not shared. Some people keep them to themselves, do not pass, offer. At breakfast yesterday, the basket was placed in front of a woman who proceeded to taste everything in it. Today it was passed. The attitude of some waiters is not good. I ordered hass browns yesterday morning, received teak fries. Did not complain, just did not eat them. When asked if everything was all right, I told them about the mistake and was told I could not have hash browns since I had ordered the eggs Benedict. Only steak fries could be served with them. Really?? Oh well.

 

There are live bands throughout the ship, and back on the Lido. Pleasant. Lido tables though are not bussed frequently. Tried the Fish and Chips today for lunch, There were plenty of empty tables, but they were all covered in dirty dishes. By the time I got a clean table, the food was cold so I did not eat it. Will try it again one day. The pizza and Deli are very well run. On the MAGIC, there never was anyone manning the 24 hr pizza, you had to ask for someone to come and make it. This Pizza shop has a man there all the time, with samples in a cse, but will make up fresh and hot whatever you order.

 

I will ry and hit one of the shows tonight. Tonight is 88 Keys which I have heard good things about.

 

For any specific questions, I shall try and find the answer. Thanks again for the encouragement. Looking forward to Jamaica tomorrow.

[fwsportsnut]

Was on Freedom last week. MDR service was very good. Waiter knew names after first night, did not even have to ask how to cook our steaks after first time. Every steak I had was cooked perfectly. Was not sure of new menus but was pleasantly surprised. Ended up enjoying but also liked the old.

 

Room - ours was perfect. A/C was great, never an issue.

 

Remember, you get out of your cruise what you put into it. Sounds like OP had higher expectations then should have. I know what to expect with Carnival and therefore what was "missing" was not a big deal. One of the best overall cruises I have had.

[Midwestern Cruiser]

For any specific questions, I shall try and find the answer. Thanks again for the encouragement. Looking forward to Jamaica tomorrow.

 

Have chocolates on the pillows at turn down really stopped?

Minor thing, I know, but I just heard that and wondered.

Thanks -- I'll be back again to read more!

Sorry to hear about the MDR.

[Midwestern Cruiser]

Was on Freedom last week.....

Remember, you get out of your cruise what you put into it. Sounds like OP had higher expectations then should have. I know what to expect with Carnival and therefore what was "missing" was not a big deal. One of the best overall cruises I have had.

 

Please...High Seas Texan is platinum with CCL, so you have to believe he knows what to expect as well as you -- and he's been clear that his disappointments are with changes.

Regardless, he doesn't need to justify his opinion. Or, perhaps, your expectations are lower.

 

I'm enjoying his posts and hope he continues to share them.

[poolreader]

Have chocolates on the pillows at turn down really stopped?

Minor thing, I know, but I just heard that and wondered.

Thanks -- I'll be back again to read more!

Sorry to hear about the MDR.

 

We have been getting chocolates, but they are on the nightstand. I asked why and was told too many people came in and fell asleep without realizing the candy was there. It was making quite a mess on the pillows.

[Midwestern Cruiser]

We have been getting chocolates, but they are on the nightstand. I asked why and was told too many people came in and fell asleep without realizing the candy was there. It was making quite a mess on the pillows.

 

Sounds good to me...as long as they leave 'em, it's ok that they're not on the pillow!

Are you on Freedom (or a CCL ship) right now, poolreader?