Freedom Review 1/16-21 - any questions?

[Bradiego]

Cozumel - Day 4

I liked getting up early and walking the jogging track before we arrived in Cozumel, weather was perfect in the high 60's and party sunny. We opted to do a beach day that we have done in the past in Cozumel that is not booked through Carnival. We booked at Mr. Sancho's Beach Club. We made our reservations in advance through their website, was only $5.00 per person to hold the reservation and then $50.00 once you arrive, if for some reason you cancel or if the ship skips the port they refund that money back to you. We arrived on time, 3 or 4 other ships were already in port including the Caribbean Princess, another Carnival ship was right behind us. We decided to do the Continental Breakfast again this morning, no lines was easy to walk up grab a breakfast bread and a yogurt and juice. We met our friends that were going with us on Deck 3 at 9:30 am and proceeded to walk to Deck 0 for the gangway. It is a long walk on the pier through shops and more shops before you get to the taxi stand. It was $17.00 USD one way for 5 of us in one cab to Mr. Sanchos. We arrived within 20 minutes on the bumpy cab ride there, it was warming up and I needed sun. We paid our remaining balance and we were at our table within a few minutes with our server Jose. The price includes drinks and food and is well worth it. The beach was nice, water was a little cold, but it was a very busy day there and no chairs by the water were available. It was a relaxing day and I am glad we went back again and I would go back again when in Cozumel.

[Bradiego]

We left Mr. Sanchos Beach Club at around 2:30 to make sure we had enough time to get back to the ship, I always give myself plenty of time! Just make sure to give yourself enough time on the way back to get to the ship, there was lots of traffic and you have to walk through all those shops again. No line to get on the ship, which was good, last time we were on Triumph there were huge lines to get back on. We went to our cabin to put our stuff done and then went back down to Deck 3 to play the TV Tunes trivia, that was fun and we enjoyed a beverage as well.

Then we decided to go on deck to watch people that might be late walking to the ship. We did see one person, she might have been just a little intoxicated, fall and break her bottle of Liquor, I am guessing Kahlua because it was dark but I was glad to see the ship staff ran right to her and helped her up and walk onto the gangway, thank goodness she was not hurt. Then it started to rain so people were running to both our ship and the Caribbean Princess, it was close to 3:30 and not many people were left walking to our ship, when they say be on board at 3:30 they mean it and they will leave at 4. I think we left just a few minutes after 4 after everyone was boarded, we did get a scare and thought a couple of people that with our group got stuck in traffic, but we ended calling guest services and they told us everyone was on board.

After departing we stood on deck 6 in the front to watch us pull away, again we came in almost last (Carnival Magic was the other ship that came in after us) and we are leaving first, wish we would have had more time. It was real dark off the coast so we knew it was going to be a bumpy evening.

Edited January 29, 2016 by Bradiego

[Bradiego]

We decided to skip the MDR this night and go to the buffet, we just felt like a relaxing dinner, so we went to the buffet, it was okay, the food wasn't very warm. They had Veal Parm, which was okay and then I had salad. I thought about going back to the Deli to get a sandwich but decided to get a beverage at the Endless Pool Bar with my favorite Bartender Roma. We went to Karaoke in the International Lounge at 10 or so and stayed for a bit to watch our friends and then decided to go to the RedFrog Bar on Deck 5 and then ended up at the Casino, had fun, but didn't win. Oh the casino is dangerous you can withdraw money from your S&S account which I made sure to keep track how much I took out, which was only like $50 at the most.

After that I decided to call it a night. I kept thinking better luck tomorrow.

[Bradiego]

Wednesday - Day 5 - Day at Sea

Woke up around 630 and decided to go to the Fitness Center to work out, it was cloudy and looked like rain. I like getting to the Fitness Center before 7 because it was empty! The machines are in good condition and work pretty well, just remember to bring your own water. After that decided it was time for a cold coffee beverage and then went back to the room and changed so we can do Sea Day Brunch again in The Post Restaurant on Deck 3 (aft), it starts at 8:30am, we were meeting friends about 10. We were early so we stopped at the Centuries Bar at the casino and had a good bloody mary. Then off to brunch with friends and enjoyed it. Ordered an egg white omelet and some french toast, the servers were great as always. Like I said I have enjoyed the Brunch on Carnival. It was still cloudy so we decided to go back to the cabin to relax a little, vacation is all about relaxing! Busy day on the last day on the ship! We had gone up to the steakhouse the night before (after we ate dinner at the buffet) to see if we can dine again on Wednesday and they said they had to put us on the wait list.

Btw the cruise director was Malcolm and he was great and a fun CD.

So after the clouds vanished we decided to go up to the Serenity area on Deck 12 (whirlpool was on Deck 14) and get some sun and relax and enjoy some sun. Read a book, listened to music, it was a peaceful couple of hours. I walked to the steakhouse to see if they could get us in that night (again) and they said that they still have us on the list but to check back when they open at 5:30pm. After relaxing in the sun, decided to go rest a little in our cabin and get ready for dinner and be at the steakhouse at 5:30 when they open and see if they will sneak the 2 of us in for dinner. We were ready by 5:15 and decided to walk outside a little (I used the steps a lot, I think I used the elevator maybe once during this cruise) and then head to the steakhouse on Deck 10. We walked in and we saw the Manager that was so nice the first night we dined in there and she said you are in luck, we have a table for 2 available now as someone did not show up. We had a great table by the window. We were so happy at this point, the waitstaff in the steakhouse is excellent at their jobs and is worth the $35.00, we also added an extra gratuity on the bill at the end. We both had the surf & turf, which was delicious!

[Bradiego]

Turned out to be a beautiful last day at Sea

 

 

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[Bradiego]

lets try this again.

Endless Pool - they opened the roof since it was so nice out!

 

 

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Edited January 30, 2016 by Bradiego

[Bradiego]

Endless Pool on a perfect last day at sea - roof open too!

 

 

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[Bradiego]

so after our Dinner we went to Alchemy Bar had a beverage then headed to the Theater for the show "Heart of Soul", before the show they introduced 4 couples who were given champagne and strawberries and sat at special tables and Malcolm talked to them a little, I think one couple had been together 50+ years, another one was on their honeymoon. It was a cute little segment. So the show was okay, they had some good songs, but I liked the 80's pop one better. After the show stopped at the bar upstairs to see our favorite bartender Roma at the Endless Pool Bar and then it was time to go see the adult comedians, Chas Elstner and then Tom Foss. Chas was very funny and so was Tom. After that a couple more drinks with Roma and it was time for bed, we would be disembarking early on Thursday morning in Galveston.

Thursday - Galveston

We had the Faster to The Fun, which we had special tags to disembark #2. We got up had everything ready to go, waited in the Theater for about 30 minutes and were off the ship by 9am and grabbed our bags and through customs in a few minutes. Carnival seems to have the embarkation and disembarkation down in Galveston, way easier than RCCL and I would do the FTTF again in the future, definitely worth the extra cost.

 

So a few things I took away from the cruise - CD Malcolm was great! Steakhouse is worth it (would not sail on a ship without it). Great staff makes all the difference in a cruise and I enjoyed meeting Roma, who became our favorite bartender, Putu was great in the RedFrog Pub (Deck 5), Evangeline at the Sun King Steakhouse Bar and the Endless Pool Bar was great as well. 5 nights was not long enough, but it was okay I was able to get away so that is what matters.

So enjoy Freedom and I will definitely sail her again.

[dave_k58]

Thanks Keith, this is my first review, hope it is not too long!

 

This is a great review. Exactly what people want to see.

[watermelonqueen99]

Just got off the Freedom this morning. Enjoying your review. :)

[travelnteach64]

Thanks for sharing. We are doing that itinerary on Liberty when she gets to Galveston. How was disembarkation? I'm very nervous about getting off and getting to the airport to make out flight. We didn't realize how long of a drive it is.

[Bradiego]

Just got off the Freedom this morning. Enjoying your review. :)

 

Thank you. We enjoyed Freedom! I hope you did as well.

[Bradiego]

Thanks for sharing. We are doing that itinerary on Liberty when she gets to Galveston. How was disembarkation? I'm very nervous about getting off and getting to the airport to make out flight. We didn't realize how long of a drive it is.

 

We had Faster to The Fun, and it was worth it, we were off the ship at 9am and through customs in just a few minutes. What time is your flight? Are you flying out of Hobby or Intercontinental?

[twinsaj]

How would you compare this ship with the Triumph. We did not like the Triumph and am hoping that this ship is in better condition!

[robin13]

So glad that you posted this as I will be on this ship in September. I will be doing the 7 day cruise as 5 days is way too short. I haven't been on Carnival in a while as I have been doing RC and NCL lately. I was nervous about this ship but after reading reviews and watching Utube videos I think it will be fine. I am in total agreement with you about the steakhouse as I have always had a great meal at them on all of my previous Carnival cruises. It is so worth the $35 and the free bottle of wine on the first night. Thanks again for posting your review.

[luvcdays]

Did you notice if they let men wear long sleeve shirts with a tie, but no jacket in the dining room on formal night?

 

Thank you.

[VitaminDLover]

I very much enjoyed your first review! Thank you for sharing your recent experience. There aren't many recent Freedom reviews so I too will be writing one when I return in April!