Live From The Carnival Freedom: Crossing the Atlantic for a New Whale Tail

[Petersonfcu]

1 hour ago, jam19872016 said:

Very tasty and very generous portions.

 

Cappuccino included at mealtime. 

 

 

Italian hazelnut cake.

 

 

Chocolate cheesecake 

 

 

Petite fours 

The food and decor look great!  

 

Hmm, though . . . folks dressed in formal wear at embarkation?  I am curious about other impressions of your fellow Cunard cruisers. We met an Englishman, a retired bobby, and his wife on a Princess cruise years ago and have sailed with them a few times since on both Princess and HAL. I asked Robert once why they didn’t cruise Cunard.  He said “not my kind of people.”  I didn’t pursue it further with him . . . but I know he only wore formal wear on elegant nights!

 

I do realize it may be awhile before you have much in the way of impressions, particularly if you don’t have much social interaction.

Edited October 9, 2023 by Petersonfcu

[jam19872016]

4 hours ago, balcony bound said:

Looks like you are going to be having some lovely food!  Makes up for the lack of casino:)

I didn't get any casino action for the crossing over and probably not for the crossing back so I'm used to no casino by now 😅. The food has indeed been amazing so far.

 

 

2 hours ago, heffy2 said:

Thank you so much for the Queen Elizabeth pictures! It's always been a dream of mine to sail Cunard. I got into cruise ships when I was about 8 yrs old because I was obsessed with the old ocean liners. I can't wait to follow along on this one! Your Freedom live was wonderful too, thanks for taking the time to share this with us all.

Thanks for following along. Cunard was surprisingly affordable. Fourteen days for $799. Even if you could only do seven days it was $599. I had no idea the fares on here would be so low.

 

Might be time to make your dream a reality 😀

[jam19872016]

17 minutes ago, BigDog46202 said:

I sure do miss the included Cappucino! I used to get that almost on a nightly basis at dinner on Carnival!

I've never been a coffee with dessert guy. But it's never been included. This was a nice treat. Might do it nightly while enjoying my dessert.

[jam19872016]

16 minutes ago, Petersonfcu said:

The food and decor look great!  

 

Hmm, though . . . folks dressed in formal wear at embarkation?  I am curious about other impressions of your fellow Cunard cruisers. We met an Englishman, a retired bobby, and his wife on a Princess cruise years ago and have sailed with them a few times since on both Princess and HAL. I asked Robert once why they didn’t cruise Cunard.  He said “not my kind of people.”  I didn’t pursue it further with him . . . but I know he only wore formal wear on elegant nights!

 

I do realize it may be awhile before you have much in the way of impressions, particularly if you don’t have much social interaction.

So far it's not been bad. Tonight was "smart attire" which asks for a collared dress shirt and long pants for men.

 

It was like elegant night on Carnival but following the dress code, not simply what you can get by with. 

 

It also extends to most areas of the ship, not just the dining room.

 

It sounds off putting and it certainly made me nervous but I did not feel out of place in my "Carnival best" and so far I have not noticed any snobbery. In fact people have been extremely extremely nice.

 

Tomorrow is dressy night, and unfortunately I will not be able to have access to the dining room, suit and tie required but I knew that going in.

[jam19872016]

What an amazing first day. If I had one complaint it is that I don't believe I can access the wifi from my computer. If I can I can't seem to figure it out. For longer posts with a lot of typing I really prefer my computer. I'll ask reception tomorrow. 

 

They also mean it when they say video streaming is blocked. Speeds are fine so far although I lose my connection as I move around the ship and have to reconnect. That's the same issue I have on every royal ship.

 

Snapchat also doesn't work. Even a basic social plan on Carnival is compatible with that app. But for $5 less per day, I'll live.

 

Thanks everyone for continuing to follow along even though this has nothing at all to do with Carnival I appreciate the commentary and sharing my trip with people and I just don't think the audience size is there on Cunard to facilitate that so I truly appreciate everyone who is still reading for some reason 😀 😊. 

 

Two weeks from now, normal broadcasting will resume 🤣. 

 

Goodnight everyone, next up a sea day as we travel from Spain to France. 

[balcony bound]

I would be very upset if you quit posting just because part of your trip has taken you on a different line, it's still part of your journey and I've really enjoyed hearing from you daily.  I'm so glad it's a long adventure!

[Hogladyrider]

@jam19872016...that is a LOT of food and desserts, was that both yours and your mom's!

 

When I was much younger I would order 2 entrees on Carnival, not anymore, age has its privileges in that I get full faster!

 

I too really enjoyed a cappicino when it was free on Carnival, but then we have pretty much moved over to HAL from Carnival for many reasons with the food and live entertainment being on top of the list.

 

Looking forward to this cruise on a new ship for sure looks like it is going to be interesting.

[Petersonfcu]

1 hour ago, jam19872016 said:

 

 

Thanks everyone for continuing to follow along even though this has nothing at all to do with Carnival I appreciate the commentary and sharing my trip with people and I just don't think the audience size is there on Cunard to facilitate that so I truly appreciate everyone who is still reading for some reason 😀 😊. 

 

Two weeks from now, normal broadcasting will resume 🤣. 

 

I for one  think it is very interesting transitioning from Carnival to Cunard.  In the past I have read some posts on the Cunard forum.   Not impressed with that forum for various reasons.  Keep up your posts here! 

Edited October 9, 2023 by Petersonfcu

[LuvCruiSun]

Looking forward to hearing more about Cunard as well! The food looks amazing so far!

[#55worktoplay]

I am silently following and enjoying it. Food looks great.  
 

How is your mom enjoying her trip?

[fla33023]

Loving every minute! I'm such a basic eater though and the menu's look way over my head. Does beetroot ketchup taste anything like Heinz? 😅

[princess76021]

Thank you for staying here!!!

I'm loving the fact that you're doing this!!

Thanks again!

Hugs from Texas!

[ObstructedView2]

5 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

Tomorrow is dressy night, and unfortunately I will not be able to have access to the dining room, suit and tie required but I knew that going in.

 

Hi @jam19872016🙂

 

I'm glad you knew that going in. Your voyage on Cunard is 14-nights, which means you'll have Four Gala Evenings. I wish you could experience just one. Even if it were just for the food alone.

 

Gala evenings on Cunard go beyond the dining room a lil bit and will have four different themes. Your sailing will have all four since its a 14-night. Black & White Theme. Red & Gold Theme. Masquerade Theme & Roaring 20's Theme. 

 

You'll find these themes throughout the ship on Gala Evenings. They'll be ship decorations; Musical acts performing throughout the night; Signature cocktails & dishes to the evenings theme in bars & restaurants, and so on..

 

They'll always be some passenger's that don't participate, so I certainly wouldn't sweat it at all. You won't be alone.

 

Loving what will eventually be, when completed, a 56-Day adventure! You're doing a terrific job with this review! WOW!

 

Happy sailing! You're making wonderful memories!

 

 

 

💃🍹💃

Edited October 10, 2023 by ObstructedView2

[UtahCruiser1230]

We board the Horizon on Saturday, reading your review has been a great precursor to our cruise.  Thanks for letting us sail along.

[jam19872016]

Good morning. I didn't think I was going to ever fall asleep last night.

 

I suppose after my time walking the streets of Barcelona that my body wasn't tired.

 

Then there are the pillows. They don't like you to lay on them and you kind of slide off them unless you force your body weight onto them. I plopped down on my bed at one point yesterday and actually bounced off the pillows like a trampoline, I had to catch myself from falling onto the floor.

 

There are a lot of things I'm interested in checking out today not sure how many I can get to but I'm getting up now to see what I can get up to.

[jam19872016]

8 hours ago, balcony bound said:

I would be very upset if you quit posting just because part of your trip has taken you on a different line, it's still part of your journey and I've really enjoyed hearing from you daily.  I'm so glad it's a long adventure!

Thank you 🙂

 

8 hours ago, Hogladyrider said:

@jam19872016...that is a LOT of food and desserts, was that both yours and your mom's!

 

When I was much younger I would order 2 entrees on Carnival, not anymore, age has its privileges in that I get full faster!

 

I too really enjoyed a cappicino when it was free on Carnival, but then we have pretty much moved over to HAL from Carnival for many reasons with the food and live entertainment being on top of the list.

 

Looking forward to this cruise on a new ship for sure looks like it is going to be interesting.

Only the plate of petit fours were both of ours. The rest was all me 🤣. I suspect I won't be laughing when I get on the scale today.

 

 

[jam19872016]

7 hours ago, Petersonfcu said:

I for one  think it is very interesting transitioning from Carnival to Cunard.  In the past I have read some posts on the Cunard forum.   Not impressed with that forum for various reasons.  Keep up your posts here! 

The board over there feels pretty stiff, and not very active. The reality so far has been quite different.

 

7 hours ago, LuvCruiSun said:

Looking forward to hearing more about Cunard as well! The food looks amazing so far!

Thank you! The food has been a real treat so far.

[jam19872016]

7 hours ago, #55worktoplay said:

I am silently following and enjoying it. Food looks great.  
 

How is your mom enjoying her trip?

Thanks for following. 

 

I think she is enjoying it in her own way. She doesn't really show excitement very much. 

6 hours ago, fla33023 said:

Loving every minute! I'm such a basic eater though and the menu's look way over my head. Does beetroot ketchup taste anything like Heinz? 😅

The food is way over my head too 😆 . I have no idea what to except with what  I'm ordering. Tasted like the sauce from a beet to me but smeared along the plate for presentation. Perhaps a little more acidic like it was thickened with a tomato sauce base.

 

Reminds me of Celebrity where every dish came with hericot verts. Finally I Googled it to see what the heck this fancy sounding side was. Turns out it was the French word for green beans. Their hericot verts tasted like they came from a bag of bird's eye.  

[jam19872016]

6 hours ago, princess76021 said:

Thank you for staying here!!!

I'm loving the fact that you're doing this!!

Thanks again!

Hugs from Texas!

Your welcome 😀

 

5 hours ago, ObstructedView2 said:

 

Hi @jam19872016🙂

 

I'm glad you knew that going in. Your voyage on Cunard is 14-nights, which means you'll have Four Gala Evenings. I wish you could experience just one. Even if it were just for the food alone.

 

Gala evenings on Cunard go beyond the dining room a lil bit and will have four different themes. Your sailing will have all four since its a 14-night. Black & White Theme. Red & Gold Theme. Masquerade Theme & Roaring 20's Theme. 

 

You'll find these themes throughout the ship on Gala Evenings. They'll be ship decorations; Musical acts performing throughout the night; Signature cocktails & dishes to the evenings theme in bars & restaurants, and so on..

 

They'll always be some passenger's that don't participate, so I certainly wouldn't sweat it at all. You won't be alone.

 

Loving what will eventually be, when completed, a 56-Day adventure! You're doing a terrific job with this review! WOW!

 

Happy sailing! You're making wonderful memories!

 

 

 

💃🍹💃

Tonight is red and gold. I may rent a suit but only if my mom pushes me. It won't be tonight but perhaps by tje end of the trip.

 

I am looking forward to seeing the ship decorated.

 

Yesterday was the half way point. Twenty eight down 28 to go. Hard to believe this trip is almost over 😆. 

[jam19872016]

3 hours ago, UtahCruiser1230 said:

We board the Horizon on Saturday, reading your review has been a great precursor to our cruise.  Thanks for letting us sail along.

Thanks for following along. 

 

Enjoy your cruise, I loved Horizon!

[jam19872016]

Yesterday I lost another 2.0 lbs bringing my total loss to 6.4 during my stay in Barcelona. 

 

Today I lost another 0.4. Skeptical I am but I got the same reading twice which I couldn't do while sailing on the crossing. 

 

 

My 7 day average came down from the 18k it was running obviously but I'm keeping my 6 month average over 10k.

 

 

 

I've started my walking back at the starting point of two miles and will do a little more each day as before. I was at almost 5 miles when I left Freedom. 

[jam19872016]

Grabbed a little breakfast from the buffet.

 

 

I didn't want to comment on it until I could see it in action. The buffet is very poorly designed and has very limited seating. 

 

The buffet starts at the end of the line with a sign asking you to please go around (walking through the crowded seating area).

 

Nobody does that, instead we walk the narrow path inbetween the two buffet lines creating a bottle neck for those trying to use the buffet. 

 

Then it is just two long lines on each side of the walkway but different items on each so you have to play frogger across everyone entering the wrong way. Of course this also ensures there is not an orderly line along the buffet but instead a dart in and dart out method that feels like the buffet equivalent of driving in Miami.

 

Then there is the seating. It is extremely limited for the number of passengers on-board. I had to circle nearly the entire seating area before I could find a single opening. 

 

Not trying to be negative I'm of course still having a great time it just struck me odd how poorly designed the buffet is on an otherwise beautiful ship.

[jam19872016]

At the fruit and vegetables carving and  curry club with chef de cuisine. My m doesn't know how to hold a seat so  sitting far away from her in a corner.

 

[jam19872016]

Noon update

 

112 miles sailed from Barcelona

 

160 to go to toulon 

 

2490m sea depth

 

Traveling at 9knots

 

79 Fahrenheit air temperature

 

 

[jam19872016]

Just attended a port talk that was actually a port talk not a jewelry store sales pitch. Very refreshing. 

 

Heading now for lunch in the dining room.