From Freedom to Spirit-Your thoughts???

[junglecat]

We just received an email indicating that we've been moved from the Freedom to the Spirit for our January 28, 2023 cruise.  We were in a balcony, front of the ship on the Lido Deck.  Looks like there aren't any rooms on the Lido on the Spirit so I'm not sure where we'll land.  I also went to the Carnival website to check prices for a possible price drop and our cruise isn't even listed?  Any thoughts on why it's not listed?  Has anyone sailed the Spirit?  Should we be concerned this is a downgrade of sorts?  Do we have options to change cruises all together?  Why isn't it listed as a current cruise to book?  Any and all information will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks all!  

[Indytraveler83]

We have the same ship change for 2023.  To answer your questions as best I can:

 

1) Carnival is working on the transition now.  You should have gotten an email with a timeline for the transition to take place (March 12 I think).  While it is happening, no bookings or changes are possible, so you have to wait till after that date to see what happens.

 

2) The Spirit may be older, but both the Freedom and Spirit are relatively older ships.  The Spirit's layout is one of Carnival's most popular, and one of the least crowded ship designs in mass market cruising.  

 

3) Changes are usually possible, but it may depend on the rate that you booked.  We booked Early Saver, so I know we can make just about any change we want, after March 12.

 

 

I'd say just hold on and see how it shakes out.  Once you get your new cabin assignment, you can contact Carnival if you aren't pleased with how it shook out.  I'm playing a similar waiting game, as we booked a 4J cabin on Freedom, and Spirit doesn't have those.

[lakedweller64]

Was also booked on the freedom for April 17 cruise with two balconies side by side. Just got new room numbers one on port side other on starboard. Called pvp was told sorry ship is sold out.freedom is a bigger ship  had more passengers that they are trying to squeeze into the spirit a much smaller ship.I asked if I could cancel was told no refund.

[Luckysll]

The cruise won’t show up online until Carnival has transferred all the passengers to the new ship.  Then Carnival will send you a new booking confirmation with your new cabin info. Until then, it’s a waiting game.
 

I just had my second ship change. Freedom to Splendor for Alaska (got pretty much the exact same cabin) and now Freedom to Spirit for the Panama Canal in 2023.  I love the Spirit, personally. I had a mid-ship balcony cabin on Freedom. As long as my new cabin isn’t too far forward or aft, I’ll be happy.  

Edited March 1, 2022 by Luckysll

[craig01020]

I got the e-mail today about my Feb. 11, 2023 cruise.  I'm a little annoyed because I booked it just four days ago.  Now I wait and see what cabin they assign to me.

[Guest BasicSailor]

Again, I would think a PVP would be an invaluable resource of help in the situation.  Knowing that the rooms will change. Call Carnival before the sell out.

Edited March 1, 2022 by BasicSailor
Jeepers :)

[junglecat]

Thanks everyone.  I posted before I really read and took in what the email said.  I saw change and that's all I saw.  We'll receive something in a few days that will help see where we really stand.  I'm very encouraged by the positive things people have said here and on our "Freedom FB page" about the Spirit so that's a plus.  Now my only concern is where we'll land, room wise.  I am calling our PVP this afternoon and see what he has to say.   I'd think (wishful) that we would have some sort of reduction in rates for a small and older ship???  

[Indytraveler83]

12 minutes ago, junglecat said:

Thanks everyone.  I posted before I really read and took in what the email said.  I saw change and that's all I saw.  We'll receive something in a few days that will help see where we really stand.  I'm very encouraged by the positive things people have said here and on our "Freedom FB page" about the Spirit so that's a plus.  Now my only concern is where we'll land, room wise.  I am calling our PVP this afternoon and see what he has to say.   I'd think (wishful) that we would have some sort of reduction in rates for a small and older ship???  

 

Rate change is unlikely based solely on the ship change.  The Spirit may be older, but the Freedom isn't very new either, they are separated by only 6 years.  

 

If we were scheduled on the Mardi Gras and moved to the Spirit, it may be at least worth an argument, but in all honesty, the Spirit class ships are somewhat of a legend and Carnival will feel that they are offering a ship with similar capability (to which I can't argue).

 

A lot will be determined by your room assignment.  You may get an "accidental" upgrade or downgrade, depending on how your reservation translates to the Spirit.  That's where you'll want to really pay attention.  

[jsglow]

While I can't speak to the Spirit specifically, that class of ships is perhaps my favorite.  Enjoy.

[MalleyCat]

We got the same email. We had a 4J on the Freedom, not an option on the Spirit. We don't have a good feeling about where we'll end up. 😭

[Princess1963]

I had a 6c oceanview booked but either way it goes I still plan on enjoying my vacation. I will get to sail on the spirit and eventually reschedule me a cruise on the freedom

[rellersi]

Ours is in October. We are booked in a Balcony not sure of the class, but as long as they give us a balcony I will be OK with it. If they downgrade they had better give us OBC. Love the Freedom, had my best ever casino win on the Freedom, but have been on the Miracle (a Spirit class ship) a few times and do love the layout. Also will be going on the Spirit in 3 weeks, have a suite for that one.

[nwcruiselover]

We’re on the Miami to Seattle Panama Canal cruise 4/16/23 and I’m not worried about the change.  I have sailed the Spirit 4 times and I like it.  We’re in an 8C balcony and as long as we get a comparable balcony, we’ll be fine.  To people who are planning on calling their PVP, the letter specifically mentions that no one but Carnival’s technical team has access to the bookings at this stage.  We all just have to play the waiting game, as I see it.

[Nic6318]

1 hour ago, MalleyCat said:

We got the same email. We had a 4J on the Freedom, not an option on the Spirit. We don't have a good feeling about where we'll end up. 😭

 

Hi

 

We booked the same cabin class. I think that unless we are moved to at least an obstructed OV we would be entitled to some form of rebate, because we did pay a premium over the inside cabin fare. Of course along with this also comes the issue of where on the ship we are placed. For me that is often more important than what type of cabin. I just don't know whether it would be best to speak with my PVP immediately and see if he has any say in the matter, or just wait to see what we are given.

 

[junglecat]

We won't cancel and aren't happy and it's wayyyy better than a day at work.  I just hope that we get what we originally paid for and not a downgrade.  My FB is blowing up with several saying there will be no OBC and no reduction in price/cost.  We're not expecting a handout just something comparable to what we had and paid for.   I'd hate for this to be Carnival's way of us sticking by them during these trying times and rebooking with them.  

[Indytraveler83]

1 hour ago, MalleyCat said:

We got the same email. We had a 4J on the Freedom, not an option on the Spirit. We don't have a good feeling about where we'll end up. 😭

My suspicion is that they'll try to put us in 4K rooms, which offer big windows, but a glorious view of a lifeboat.  

 

Not sure about you, but we've got a lot of time before our cruise, so if that is what happens, I'll just have to keep my eye out on upgrade offers/rates.

[farjar]

Our Sept. 2022 Seattle to Miami cruise on the Freedom has been switched to the Spirit.  Today (March 1) is the date we were told the transition would be completed.  We are anxiously waiting to hear our new cabin assignment.  If the new location isn't comparable to our original one I will be one the phone immediately.

[Nic6318]

22 minutes ago, Indytraveler83 said:

My suspicion is that they'll try to put us in 4K rooms, which offer big windows, but a glorious view of a lifeboat.  

 

Not sure about you, but we've got a lot of time before our cruise, so if that is what happens, I'll just have to keep my eye out on upgrade offers/rates.

 

Hi 

 

Yes, I believe you are right. It's not quite the same, but I would accept that. 

[Indytraveler83]

13 minutes ago, Nic6318 said:

 

Hi 

 

Yes, I believe you are right. It's not quite the same, but I would accept that. 

I probably wouldn't be happy with a 4K.  The whole reason for a 4J was to have a view and easy access to that forward facing deck.  The 4k's don't give either of those things.

 

That said, I understand why Carnival would consider it an equivalent, and wouldn't be angry.  I will be looking to switch/upgrade if that's the case though.  However, I have a year and a half to figure that out, which makes my situation a bit easier than some.

[Funsince1983]

5 minutes ago, Indytraveler83 said:

I probably wouldn't be happy with a 4K.  The whole reason for a 4J was to have a view and easy access to that forward facing deck.  The 4k's don't give either of those things.

 

That said, I understand why Carnival would consider it an equivalent, and wouldn't be angry.  I will be looking to switch/upgrade if that's the case though.  However, I have a year and a half to figure that out, which makes my situation a bit easier than some.

Not Freedom to Spirit, but we’re Freedom to Splendor, we were moved from our 4J (and the same cabin exists on Splendor) to a 4S. I was sort of annoyed because we wanted the window and deck access, but I guess we’ll just observe from the warmth of the spa now instead. I called my PVP the day our bookings were available to them and our original cabin wasn’t even available to move to. 

[Indytraveler83]

6 minutes ago, Funsince1983 said:

Not Freedom to Spirit, but we’re Freedom to Splendor, we were moved from our 4J (and the same cabin exists on Splendor) to a 4S. I was sort of annoyed because we wanted the window and deck access, but I guess we’ll just observe from the warmth of the spa now instead. I called my PVP the day our bookings were available to them and our original cabin wasn’t even available to move to. 

 

Ok, I'm not usually a fan of true inside rooms, but the idea of seeing Alaska while sitting in the warm pool or on a heated lounger would be a pretty awesome way to go.  Would probably keep that swap.

 

[Funsince1983]

9 minutes ago, Indytraveler83 said:

 

Ok, I'm not usually a fan of true inside rooms, but the idea of seeing Alaska while sitting in the warm pool or on a heated lounger would be a pretty awesome way to go.  Would probably keep that swap.

 

Also figure it’s not the worst to be in a true inside with all the daylight in Alaska that time of year. 

[Indytraveler83]

1 minute ago, Funsince1983 said:

Also figure it’s not the worst to be in a true inside with all the daylight in Alaska that time of year. 

I honestly didn't even really think about that. Very good point!

[SF Cfan]

1 hour ago, Indytraveler83 said:

My suspicion is that they'll try to put us in 4K rooms, which offer big windows, but a glorious view of a lifeboat.  

 

Not sure about you, but we've got a lot of time before our cruise, so if that is what happens, I'll just have to keep my eye out on upgrade offers/rates.

Thank you for posting this.  I had a 4K (or its equivalent) on Holland America (on the Eurodam) several years ago and really liked it for its price-point.  We too were booked in a 4J for the 2023 Miami to Seattle sailing.  I'm disappointed not to have the forward facing window.  However, if we get assigned to a 4K at a gap in the lifeboats I'll consider that a fair swap.

[Indytraveler83]

3 minutes ago, SF Cfan said:

Thank you for posting this.  I had a 4K (or its equivalent) on Holland America (on the Eurodam) several years ago and really liked it for its price-point.  We too were booked in a 4J for the 2023 Miami to Seattle sailing.  I'm disappointed not to have the forward facing window.  However, if we get assigned to a 4K at a gap in the lifeboats I'll consider that a fair swap.

Hmm, any idea which rooms have the gap?  I'd take a 4k if it had a real view, and not just a lifeboat.