Just returned from Carnival Freedom

[jjeessmm]

Here is a short review of my cruise on the Freedom last week.

 

About Us: Traveling just Me and my daughter Our 15th Cruise together ( 4th on Carnival, have been on NCL, Princess, Disney, Royal Caribbean ). We were on the Pride in Dec/Jan and I will make some comparisons

 

Embarkation: We took the Carnival transportation from IAH to Galveston. It took over two hours, our driver pulled over on the side of the road ( the highway) to go to Burger King and get a coffee. He was a terrible driver and was swerving all over the road. Not good at all. Once we arrived at the Port everything went smoothly and we were on the boat in no time. We went to our room and our luggage arrived by mid afternoon ( the return from the ship back to the airport was fine and very well organized. Good bus. Good driver)

 

Room: We had an outside cabin on the 6th Floor ( 6394). Perfect room. Perfect location. It was quiet, the AC was perfect, balcony wonderful. The bathroom was nice. Our cabin Steward was great.

 

Food: MDR- This was our second time having the American Table menu. We loved it, again. There were many choices every evening and the food was delicious. The food was noticeably better on the Freedom than on the Pride ( although I really liked it on the Pride too) I did not have one bad meal. All the food was served piping hot and was really so good.

 

Sea Day Brunch: I am giving this its own category because I love sea day brunch. Wish they changed the menu a bit- but why bother when they have mastered what is on there. The Salmon is so good. The tomato soup is outstanding and I haven't had one bad meal there. I ate 12 popovers on the last sea day ( 6 while there and brought a basket to my room with 6 for later). Loved them!!!

 

Buffet: Didn't really eat here except for the Monglian Wok- line was long but was worth it for that fresh delisiousness.

 

Guys Burgers: Fabulous. Loved them and ate just one this time. My daughter ate one every day.

 

Blue Iguana: Yum. Very fresh and flavorful

 

Deli- Great Sandwiches and ate there quite a bit. The woman running it was a bit slow and not too friendly but sandwiches were good.

 

Pizza Pirate: Fabulous. Delicious fresh pizza. Thin crust. Really loved it. Was never a wait ( unlike the Pride- always a wait) I must say though that the pizza on the Freedom was WAY better than the Pride. I think the sauce was different. Either way it was amazing and I pretty much ate it every day.

 

Room Service: Used it for sandwiches, coffee, etc... Everything was great and delivered promptly

 

Dive in Movies- Loved them watched 3- ate popcorn, had drinks.. I like the set up on the Pride better where the screen is lower over the pool but this was cool too. Got 4 blankets every night so I could cushion the seat.

 

Red Frog Pub- was good. They played mostly country music (not my thing, but hey we went out of Texas what do you expect)

 

Shows: didn't go to any. Went to Karaoke and was nice to listen to people

 

Pools; great, Anytime we swam there were only 1-2 other people in there or we had pools to ourselves

 

Spa: did the sea day special on Thursday. $169 for massage, mini facial and hand/feet- 75 mins. Was seriously only mediocre. Wouldn't do it again. My daughter felt the same way.

 

Nassau- Took water Taxi to Atlantis and had lunch ( $16 round trip for two people for the water taxi). Some dude on the boat told the story of the island and wanted tips. Ok, gave tip on the way there. Same story on way back. Wanted to pay the guy $20 to just shut up. He was talking way too loud and gave the same talk word for word

 

Freeport: Got a day pass at Lucaya Grand for $20/person. Was wonderful. Nice beach, pools, etc and well worth it. Took car there- $10/person roundtrip

 

Key West: walked around. Cute shops. Went to southernmost point. Was a couple miles from ship. Easily walkable

 

Casino: Didn't go in but sure smelled the smoke from it EVERYWHERE all over the ship. Was ridiculous- they need to design it differently so that they can shut the doors. The smoke on this ship was a huge problem.

[canadaman111]

Sounds like the shuttle needs a new driver. Glad you had fun!!

[JaniceB]

Thanks for sharing - sounds like you had a nice time.

[cruzkitty]

Thank you for posting your Freedom review. I enjoyed reading it. We will be sailing on her for the first time in October.

[cruiseapril]

Thanks for the review. We also liked the Grand Lucayan. Nice place.

[Clarea]

Thanks for the feedback.

[LovetheTXsun]

Thanks for the review! Cruising for the first time ever ~ and it will be on the Freedom! 7 days...14 hours and counting!

[sanmarcosman]

"Piping hot food" in the MDR? That would be a novelty for us :eek:

Edited May 7, 2016 by sanmarcosman

[lwhitlock1231@gmail.com]

Thank you for posting your Freedom review. I enjoyed reading it. We will be sailing on her for the first time in October.

 

What date will you be sailing? We are first timers as well Oct 22.

[wildcatcruzer]

Love Malcolm the CD on the Freedom.

[cruzkitty]

What date will you be sailing? We are first timers as well Oct 22.

 

We will be the week after you-Bummer! We are doing Oct 29th, The "Halloween Cruise"

[lwhitlock1231@gmail.com]

We will be the week after you-Bummer! We are doing Oct 29th, The "Halloween Cruise"

 

That should be exciting and sounds like it could be a lot of fun!! HAPPY SAILING!!!

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.