***LIVE*** From the Carnival Freedom

[travelady]

Travelady: When you were in Rome did you hear about the Roma Pass or the Archaeological Card?

Does anyone know if these are still being offered in August?

 

http://www.romapass.it/english/cosa.html

 

OR

 

ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA CARD

http://www.romaturismo.it/v2/allascopertadiroma/en/musei08.html

 

travel888

 

No sorry can not help - never heard of it

[NYC2FLA]

Great reviews!!! Would like to ask all who have Cruised the Freedom so far. What would you say is the best area to hold a "Meet and Greet" party for a Roll Call group of about 25 - 50 persons from Cruise Critic?

 

Bar? Deck?

[7toEleven]

Great reviews!!! Would like to ask all who have Cruised the Freedom so far. What would you say is the best area to hold a "Meet and Greet" party for a Roll Call group of about 25 - 50 persons from Cruise Critic?

 

Bar? Deck?

 

We meet at 5:00 pm back the the endless pool. There is covered area if you want to be out of the sun, and the bar is open. Have fun!

[jolin68]

Thank you all so much for the great reviews - and the suggestions on packing for breezy nights. I just can't wait to experience everything you are all detailing for us.

[JanfrWA]

Freedom cruisers, thanks for the great reviews. I do have some questions about the Sun King Supper Club. How do I make a reservation and does it get booked up quickly?

 

Kelly

 

If you visit Cruise Director John Heald's blog and post a request, he will book your reservations for you. http://johnheald.wordpress.com/ Go to the most recent blog and post a comment with sailing date, name, cabin number, date and time requested.

 

We did this a couple of days before we left for Rome. On board (we boarded early by noon) there was a staff person from the restaurant up on the Lido Deck, outside by the pool, also taking reservations. We checked his list to make sure we were on it at the correct date/time. The list looked wide open at that time. We had booked the 2nd sea day at 730pm and dinner was over around 10pm.

 

PERSONALLY, I would not spend the extra money to eat in the Supper Club again. I posted earlier that I felt the service was so-so and my dinner selection (Surf & Turf) was small and dried out. The steak and lobster had been so much better in the Chic dining room not to mention the excellent service. The presentation of the desserts especially was beautiful - a piece of art. However, by that time I was pretty disenchanted.

 

I may be in the minority and I must say I was shocked by seeing families with small children in the Supper Club, and have also read reviews where families state eating in there several nights! Too spendy for me! Maybe there is a discount for children and someone can answer that?

 

Janet

[terri910]

Great reviews!!! Would like to ask all who have Cruised the Freedom so far. What would you say is the best area to hold a "Meet and Greet" party for a Roll Call group of about 25 - 50 persons from Cruise Critic?

 

Bar? Deck?

The Mellow Yellows (May 13th sailing) met on the Lido Deck, as well...it was generally described as the "bar area on Lido Deck nearest the big screen TV. Since we had all arranged to wear bright yellow, we were able to keep an eye out for one another....We wound up putting a few of the tables together on the Lido Deck, starboard side, near the pool area....we could watch the Big Screen TV and watch for fellw Mellow Yellows as they made their way. And at a designated time we all went up one flight to stand near the Big Screen TV and wave toward the aft webcam....several of us had told friends and family at home about what time we would be there, so they could check out the webcam whle we waved to them!!

 

Additionally, cruise director John Heald arranged for us to have a second Meet 'n' Greet on the afternoon of the first sea day, where he and Heidi met with us for about 40 minutes. Lots of fun, got lots of good info, had a chance to meet any Mellow Yellows that hadn't connected at the sail-away meet. We met in the Dynasty Room, I think it was called!

[richcrow]

Great reviews!!! Would like to ask all who have Cruised the Freedom so far. What would you say is the best area to hold a "Meet and Greet" party for a Roll Call group of about 25 - 50 persons from Cruise Critic?

 

Bar? Deck?

 

On our May 1st cruise, we had well over 50 people involved in some of our meet-and-greets. We had three meetings. The first one was at the Aft Lido Deck bar and pool area at 5:00pm on embarkation day. It was not crowded at that time at all. Our second and third meetings were held in the 70's Lounge. Carnival provided us with a bar tender and wait staff along with some bar snacks at no cost. We had to pay for our drinks though. The cruise director John heald and his wife came to our second meeting. I left him a written invitation at the Pursers desk. We had our second meet-and-greet at during the afternoon on our first sea day. The third one was during our last sea day.

 

Richard

[7toEleven]

If you visit Cruise Director John Heald's blog and post a request, he will book your reservations for you. http://johnheald.wordpress.com/ Go to the most recent blog and post a comment with sailing date, name, cabin number, date and time requested.

 

We did this a couple of days before we left for Rome. On board (we boarded early by noon) there was a staff person from the restaurant up on the Lido Deck, outside by the pool, also taking reservations. We checked his list to make sure we were on it at the correct date/time. The list looked wide open at that time. We had booked the 2nd sea day at 730pm and dinner was over around 10pm.

 

PERSONALLY, I would not spend the extra money to eat in the Supper Club again. I posted earlier that I felt the service was so-so and my dinner selection (Surf & Turf) was small and dried out. The steak and lobster had been so much better in the Chic dining room not to mention the excellent service. The presentation of the desserts especially was beautiful - a piece of art. However, by that time I was pretty disenchanted.

 

I may be in the minority and I must say I was shocked by seeing families with small children in the Supper Club, and have also read reviews where families state eating in there several nights! Too spendy for me! Maybe there is a discount for children and someone can answer that?

 

Janet

 

Janet;

Sorry to hear you dinner at the Sun King Supper Club was just so so. And, don't you just hate this...........our was fantastic! We also had the surf and turf and it was wonderful. You should have said something (or maybe you did) so they could correct this. We were celebrating our anniversaries and it was just perfect and we thought worth every penney. I'm glad to hear everything else was good, I know you had a great time! See 'ya in the Pacific NW!

Margi

[devlin5]

I think, like a lot of things, choosing to spend the xtra money is a personal preference thing. However, once making that choice I think most people are not disappointed and I am sorry it wasn't great for you Janet - I hate to feel like I have wasted money!!!

 

We were most likely the ones with the children (8,11 & 13) as we ate there on the 2nd sea day also. We live near San Francisco in the wine country, eat out frequently and my husband is in the wine and spirits business. We are used to paying hundreds of dollars for a similar quality meal, so thought the $30 was a bargain. (As a side note - ALL the wines in the Supper CLub and dining room were VERY reasonably priced compared to state side prices, and my husband was very familiar with many of the vineyards as he has sold them) Also, our children (all girls)enjoy eating out and dressing up (provided they are allowed to leave the table and go back to the cabin when they are done eating - which they can't do in a regular restaurant!) This was a great opportunity for them to experience a more formal type of dining and they also tried things like escargot and mushroom capuchino that we could not get them to try in the regular dining room. There is no discount for children if they order an entree, if they order a side dish like pasta or a baked potato I believe they charge 1/2 price.

 

This was our third time in a Carnival Supper Club - we tried it once on Pride and once on Spirit. The presentation is beautiful, service excellent although LEISURELY, and food also excellent. NOW for the bad news on Freedom, and some of the things that might have contributed to Janet's overall experience: We thought the service was not just formal but stiff, it is a subtle difference and hard to explain, seemed like they were not comfortable with their duties although they performed them well(new ship???) I was disappointed to find the menu to be exactly the same as our two previous cruises. I certainly like having some signature dishes so you can have your favorites again (the chocolate dessert is always fantastic!) but I really would have liked to see some new choices - especially on a new ship. Also, the dining room itself is NOT in a good location on the ship and we thought the atmosphere was sub par to the spirit class ships. On those the CLub is above the atrium with a glass staircase leading to it, glass high ceiling, much more spacious and elegant....we were disappointed here. Finally, although the food we had was superior to anything we had in the regular dining room overall we did not think it was as good as on the other ships. Perhaps they were having a bit of an off night, or maybe they are still working out new staff/ship kinks. They certainly do not have as much practice up there as the regular dining room staff does....

 

Bottom line for us - if it is in your budget, well worth a try. We always save so much traveling with Carnival versus other lines that this is one of the places we use that savings or our OBC. As far as kids go that is a VERY personal choice based on whether your children WANT to go, and if they can sit still for a fairly long meal, even if they skip dessert as ours did.

 

OK as usual I've written a novel instead of the 2 sentences I planned on ...I hope to write a review similar to fellow shipmate and CC'r "fendere" (who has 5 and 8 year old kids) as we commiserated on our rollcall about the lack of information on cruising the med with children of any age. Since my kids are older and we have 3 of them we had a different experience that may be helpful to any of you with "middle aged" children (8 to 13) Unfortunately, I still have laundry to do and photos to sort and unlike "fendere" who appears to need NO sleep at all, I need A LOT of sleep. How do you do it woman!!!?????

[MEDIUMCRUISER]

I have read so many reviews and it amazes me me how people are so petty... Geez You are on vacation anything is better then being at home. So if the water is cold enough or the line is to long at the buffet WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think you are still better off then being at home.... More Importantly, I have never read anything about the CASINO..... can anyone tell me if they heard of or possibly themselves be a big winner. I would love to know... if no winners that is a good thing so that means the machines are saving up for me to get there on the 8/5/07 voyage....

Thank You I look forward to a response... and lighten up if you are one of those miserable people that hate everything from carpet dust to ceiling lights and eveything in between

[fendere]

Leslie, your post had me cracking up! No, I actually made a bad decision, started typing that darn review and couldn't stop! I had woken at 2:30am that morning WIDE awake so I planned to type an hour and go back to bed. At 8am when the kids were just waking up and I was finishing, I knew I was in for it for zombiehood later on, WHICH was true!

 

Looking forward to a review from you! I can learn from it since we are planning to do it again next summer!

 

RENEE

[JanfrWA]

I have read so many reviews and it amazes me me how people are so petty... Geez You are on vacation anything is better then being at home. So if the water is cold enough or the line is to long at the buffet WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think you are still better off then being at home.... More Importantly, I have never read anything about the CASINO..... can anyone tell me if they heard of or possibly themselves be a big winner. I would love to know... if no winners that is a good thing so that means the machines are saving up for me to get there on the 8/5/07 voyage....

Thank You I look forward to a response... and lighten up if you are one of those miserable people that hate everything from carpet dust to ceiling lights and eveything in between

 

There's a Casino on the ship ??????? :confused:

 

We used to gamble in the casino but there are so many other things to do that we have gotten away from it. And some nights it is pretty smokey so we don't even walk thru. We usually go to Reno or Vegas once a year or so and get it out of our systems then. However, I surprised my DH with a trip to Reno last January ~ and we "participated" in the sports bar during the NFL playoffs but that was it.

 

My DH did bring $$ for the casino this trip ~ just never got around to it.

 

We were traveling with two other couples ~ I think the guys played and one lost a little and the other won $500 overall ~ maybe on blackjack but I really don't know for sure.

 

SUPPER CLUB ~ Leslie, funny about the atmosphere . . . I totally forgot to mention that while sitting at our wonderful window table ~ "walkers" were walking by. geez. We also "earmarked" our OBC towards the bill that night, I just wasn't impressed. And someone at our table had already interacted with the staff regarding the excessively hot soup served and got no reaction, so I just let it go on the dinner. They could at least have brought him some ice;). There was a review somewhere that I read that the family liked it so much they went back 3 times during the cruise! I just figure I have already paid for dinner and the dining room suits me fine. Can your DH write it off as a business expense? :) That would be perfect!!

 

MEDIUMCRUISER ~ In reading some of the reviews posted on the Carnival Member Review page rather than most in the roll calls, it is amazing how some people find the entire experience lousy. Sometimes I wonder if they are plants from other cruiselines;). I personally wanted to share a few of the things that I didn't think were great just to give others a diverse view.

 

Renee ~ After a full week, I finally slept in past 4 or 5 am!! That was getting so frustrating! It did give me time to catch up on this site and the blog tho!! Loved reading your reviews. You did a great job with details!

 

Janet

[devlin5]

Mediumcruiser -

DH enjoyed the casino nearly everynight. Started out winning, up by a little over 1000 at one point, but put it all back by the end. Swears the cards and machines are rigged to do that! CD John announced that someone had won 11,000 on progressive slots, that was the most we heard of. Casino is largest we have seen.

 

While I agree that some people aren't happy with ANYTHING, I do think that most people who write reviews are just trying to be honest, which would include the negatives. And of course we all have our pet peeves. I personally appreciate everyone who takes the time to give their perspective, positive and negative, all of the info helps me plan and anticipate my trip!

 

Janet-

LOL at the walkers, I was waiting for someone to spit or do something else embarrassing as it did not appear that they could see in!!!!!:) Agree with your thought that maybe there are some plants from other lines on the review boards, they really are more negative than the roll calls!

[fendere]

Janet- thanks on your comments about the review. I'm a rambler, always have been, so there was no other way of doing it for me. Would have liked to have been concise like you and Jerry, since you both got out the same amt of info in a fraction of the time and space! :)

[decsy40]

well said medium cruiser!!!

[maylee]

Hi Travelady, We are the other CC family who went out for dinner in Rome with Renee (fendere) and I can help you out with the name of the restaurant. Our first night we really enjoyed our dinner topped off with free shots of lemoncello...yummmmm. So after being ripped off at lunch the next day, and meeting up with Renee's lovely family at the Spanish steps we went back to the same restaurant, after dinner they brought out a caraffe of lemoncello, enough for about 3 shots each, after we happily :D finished it, they asked would we like some more, all on the house, but I think 3 each was plenty. I had read about this restaurant on this site

http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/66/Restaurants_In_Rome.html

 

it was No 5 Da Francesco in a little street a couple of blocks away from Piazza Navonna.

 

We have 2 children aged 12 and 10 and I also plan on writing a review but as I only arrived home last night it may take awhile to get to it. The best part of this amazing cruise was being able to enjoy it with all the special friends we made through cruise critic, it really made it that much more fun. So I really encourage you to go to your meet and greet meetings on board and you will all have a wonderful time together.

[duckplay]

Hi Travelady, We are the other CC family who went out for dinner in Rome with Renee (fendere) and I can help you out with the name of the restaurant. Our first night we really enjoyed our dinner topped off with free shots of lemoncello...yummmmm. So after being ripped off at lunch the next day, and meeting up with Renee's lovely family at the Spanish steps we went back to the same restaurant, after dinner they brought out a caraffe of lemoncello, enough for about 3 shots each, after we happily :D finished it, they asked would we like some more, all on the house, but I think 3 each was plenty. I had read about this restaurant on this site

http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/66/Restaurants_In_Rome.html

 

it was No 5 Da Francesco in a little street a couple of blocks away from Piazza Navonna.

 

We have 2 children aged 12 and 10 and I also plan on writing a review but as I only arrived home last night it may take awhile to get to it. The best part of this amazing cruise was being able to enjoy it with all the special friends we made through cruise critic, it really made it that much more fun. So I really encourage you to go to your meet and greet meetings on board and you will all have a wonderful time together.

 

Wow, I was just reading this. My family and I ate there last summer. It was our favorite restaurant of the entire trip (the Liberty, Grand Med.). I kept their card so we can return this summer (Freedom, July 12th). My husband and I frequently speak of the the tortellini con funghi. Our server was so friendly too. We had lunch though, so no lemoncello. I think we'll plan dinner there this trip.

[NYC2FLA]

Great reviews!!! Would like to ask all who have Cruised the Freedom so far. What would you say is the best area to hold a "Meet and Greet" party for a Roll Call group of about 25 - 50 persons from Cruise Critic?

 

Bar? Deck?

 

7toeleven

"We meet at 5:00 pm back the the endless pool. There is covered area if you want to be out of the sun, and the bar is open. Have fun!"

 

terri910

"The Mellow Yellows (May 13th sailing) met on the Lido Deck, as well...it was generally described as the "bar area on Lido Deck nearest the big screen TV. Since we had all arranged to wear bright yellow, we were able to keep an eye out for one another....We wound up putting a few of the tables together on the Lido Deck, starboard side, near the pool area....we could watch the Big Screen TV and watch for fellw Mellow Yellows as they made their way. And at a designated time we all went up one flight to stand near the Big Screen TV and wave toward the aft webcam....several of us had told friends and family at home about what time we would be there, so they could check out the webcam whle we waved to them!!

Additionally, cruise director John Heald arranged for us to have a second Meet 'n' Greet on the afternoon of the first sea day, where he and Heidi met with us for about 40 minutes. Lots of fun, got lots of good info, had a chance to meet any Mellow Yellows that hadn't connected at the sail-away meet. We met in the Dynasty Room, I think it was called!"

 

richcrow

"On our May 1st cruise, we had well over 50 people involved in some of our meet-and-greets. We had three meetings. The first one was at the Aft Lido Deck bar and pool area at 5:00pm on embarkation day. It was not crowded at that time at all. Our second and third meetings were held in the 70's Lounge. Carnival provided us with a bar tender and wait staff along with some bar snacks at no cost. We had to pay for our drinks though. The cruise director John heald and his wife came to our second meeting. I left him a written invitation at the Pursers desk. We had our second meet-and-greet at during the afternoon on our first sea day. The third one was during our last sea day."

 

Great idea's. Thanks so much. I think 1 on the day of sailing and 1 each day at sea would be my choice.

 

SIncerely,

PJ and Amy

[travel888]

Dear Current and Future Shipmates:

 

WELL...Almost LIVE. In a few hours we will fly to Venice and join those already for the inaugural cruise of the much anticipated Carnival Freedom. While I am not a well-heeled cruiser who uses the on-board Internet facilities, I will try to write from an Internet cafe in Dubrovnik, Croatia on Wednesday and give you my first impressions.

 

But please...someone steal my thunder....

 

How did the christening go today?

 

How does the ship look?

 

Anyone up late in Venice in their hotel and can pen the first few lines on what I hope will be the most valuable thread in this roll call...

 

Coming VERY SOON...........***LIVE*** from the Carnival Freedom

 

 

Blackegg

Jim

Blackegg: Is it possible to make reservations for the Carnival Freedom Sun King Super Club prior to the cruise?

[luvdasea]

fendere, if you are still out there...I loved your review! It was so easy to read and so helpful. Regarding the port of Naples, I was considering a Capri, Sorrento and Pompeii tour vs. the Almalfi coast tour. I know my kids are older, 11 and 13, but would you do the Almalfi coast again? Did the kids find it too much driving?

[JanfrWA]

Blackegg: Is it possible to make reservations for the Carnival Freedom Sun King Super Club prior to the cruise?

 

You can go to cruise director John Heald's blog a few days before you sail and post a comment with your name, sailing date, cabin number, choice of date/s and time, and he will book it for you. www.johnheald.wordpress.com

 

 

If you are boarding early, there didn't seem to be very many people on the list when we looked to confirm our reservation was there.

 

Not sure if you can pre-book thru Carnival.

 

Janet

[alinehu]

Im almost finish loading my pictures of my cruise on The Carnival Freedom June 6 at Snapfish. If anyone wants to see them send me an email

nanettehu@yahoo.com

[Disney 5]

Hi Everyone:

 

Has anyone done a 'post cruise' stay in Rome? We are scheduled to stay a few nights and are being transported via the Carnival shuttle. For planning purposes, we were wondering if anyone has taken these shuttles for a post stay, and if so, what time they left the ship and approximately what time you arrived in Rome.

 

Grateful for any information . . . :)

[terri910]

Hi Everyone:

 

Has anyone done a 'post cruise' stay in Rome? We are scheduled to stay a few nights and are being transported via the Carnival shuttle. For planning purposes, we were wondering if anyone has taken these shuttles for a post stay, and if so, what time they left the ship and approximately what time you arrived in Rome.

 

Grateful for any information . . . :)

Well, hubby and I stayed a couple of nights in Rome, post-cruise. But we didn't take the Carnival shuttle, so I can't really help you there. Sorry!!

 

I can recommend the B&B we stayed at, however, if you're interested!

[7toEleven]

Hi Everyone:

 

Has anyone done a 'post cruise' stay in Rome? We are scheduled to stay a few nights and are being transported via the Carnival shuttle. For planning purposes, we were wondering if anyone has taken these shuttles for a post stay, and if so, what time they left the ship and approximately what time you arrived in Rome.

 

Grateful for any information . . . :)

 

Yes, we did a post-cruise stay (May 25th) via Carnival's shuttle and a Carnival hotel (by the airport). We were the very last to leave the ship! (9:30!) I know someone has to be late but goodness it was a long wait, they start desembarking at 6:00 am. Then, by the time we got to the hotel, checked in, had the Carnival people talk to us, it was almost 1:00, half the day was gone. There were those who were really unhappy, as this of course, cut into a big chunk is sightseeing time. I would just make sure you can get off the ship early and into the city, then all would be good! Have super time!