Freedom-Horrible Reviews?! I'm Shocked

[lauderdalebob]

Having been an avid fan of cruisecritic for years and sailed on various lines (Carnival Freedom, 16 nights 11/9/08 first time CCer this fall) I decided to wander over today to cruisemates.com and read reviews there of the Freedom. I was shocked. Out of about 20 reviews dating from last November or so through March this year I think there were only 2 good ones and about 18 bad or even worse, scathing ones. Rude staff, endless dirty tables, horrible food. Wow! I'm booked on the Freedom this November and next May on Liberty for Baltic States. It takes a lot to make me not like something, but, boy, reading the reviews over there makes me wonder. I know you certainly can't please everyone, but the majority said "don't do it!" Well, I'm certainly not changing my plans since the price and itinerary are great and I'm certainly no gourmet so I'm sure I'll find something I'll like to eat, but I just wondered why so may bad reviews over there and very few on this board. Ya got me?!

[posh08]

You know, there are folks out there that wouldn't be happy working in a pie factory even if they got a taste of every pie. Just ignore it. I call them tourist:cool:

[cruisinbuddy]

I just took a quick look at the Freedom Reviews on the home page of CC and without doing the math, I'd say the average rating is 5 out of 5. I'm sailing a B2B next Jan on her and can't wait.

[LHP]

Having been an avid fan of cruisecritic for years and sailed on various lines (Carnival Freedom, 16 nights 11/9/08 first time CCer this fall) I decided to wander over today to cruisemates.com and read reviews there of the Freedom. I was shocked. Out of about 20 reviews dating from last November or so through March this year I think there were only 2 good ones and about 18 bad or even worse, scathing ones. Rude staff, endless dirty tables, horrible food. Wow! I'm booked on the Freedom this November and next May on Liberty for Baltic States. It takes a lot to make me not like something, but, boy, reading the reviews over there makes me wonder. I know you certainly can't please everyone, but the majority said "don't do it!" Well, I'm certainly not changing my plans since the price and itinerary are great and I'm certainly no gourmet so I'm sure I'll find something I'll like to eat, but I just wondered why so may bad reviews over there and very few on this board. Ya got me?!

 

I would read every bad review and ask myself three questions.

 

1. Are the complaints legitmate? It does not take long to distinquish between a balanced review and someone with a starfish up their fanny.

I ignore the starfish variety. A good view means they have gone into great detail even about the bad stuff. Starfish folks have nothing better to do then say things like "all the food was bad" or "everybody was rude". Sorry, that is not humanly possible...because these people did not eat all the food that was available and they certainly did not meet every staff and crew on that ship.

 

2. If the complaints are legitmate, do they apply to me? If someone complains about karaoke and this is not an area of your interest...then it won't affect you.

 

3. If the complaints are legitimate and they do apply to you, can you still go (armed with this information) and have a GREAT (not just a good) time?

 

If so...start packing!! :)

[Jolimont]

All I can say is I had a fantastic time on the Freedom last summer and going back for more on the Splendor.

 

Even the one cruise I was on that didn't live up to my expectations (Princess Diamond) I'm quick to admit I was a bad fit for the line but their product is fine (if you're the right age and temperament). They mishandled embarkation because the ship hit the pier right before we were to get on and that threw them off their game. They parked us in a conference center with insufficient bathroom facilities or sanitation and half the ship got the roto virus. By the time we embarked we were infected and about to come down hard. Missed ports because of our late departure (and damaged ship) and it was all downhill from there. Cruisers were grumpy. So I tell folks Princess is not for me, but it's fine for lots of other folks. And when the cruise goes well there's no reason to be grumpy.

 

Long answer to pretty much say the Freedom is a fantastic ship, I would go back in a heartbeat.

[Kurbanfan]

All I can say is I had a fantastic time on the Freedom last summer and going back for more on the Splendor.

 

Even the one cruise I was on that didn't live up to my expectations (Princess Diamond) I'm quick to admit I was a bad fit for the line but their product is fine (if you're the right age and temperament). They mishandled embarkation because the ship hit the pier right before we were to get on and that threw them off their game. They parked us in a conference center with insufficient bathroom facilities or sanitation and half the ship got the roto virus. By the time we embarked we were infected and about to come down hard. Missed ports because of our late departure (and damaged ship) and it was all downhill from there. Cruisers were grumpy. So I tell folks Princess is not for me, but it's fine for lots of other folks. And when the cruise goes well there's no reason to be grumpy.

 

Long answer to pretty much say the Freedom is a fantastic ship, I would go back in a heartbeat.

 

One bad Princess cruise and you call it quits:confused: Good thing I didn't say that after my Holiday cruise or I would have never had such wonderful experiences on my last 9 Carnival cruises;)

[pe4all]

I just hopped over to that "other" board to read some of the reviews. I have been lucky to be on the Freedom 2x in 4 months. Those people must have been on another ship!! (maybe it wasn't the CARNIVAL Freedom - LOL) One guy who was on one of the same cruises as my family said he and his kids went hungry every nite, and they were starving cause the food was inedible. With ALL the food choices on board, I can't imagine they couldn't find something to please them. We are not foodies - anything that someone else cooks usually satisfies us. And the crew was friendly enough - just be friendly to them. Oh well - to each their own. We would go on Freedom again tomorrow if we could.

[Muumuu]

I have yet to see a ship that has not had a bad review.

I take it with a grain of salt, go and check it out myself.

After all, the only important review is YOUR own review.

[DiamondDave26047]

We went on the Freedom for out 5th Aniversary Cruise in Jan and had a blast. The crew was very friendly our waitresses in the main dining room would see us @ the lido for lunch or breakfast and chat with us. Todd was very approachable and very friendly. The food in the main dining room was very good don't miss out on the Supper Club!

 

In short the Crew was great and we had a blast!!

[quest2best]

We were on the Freedom last summer and had a wonderful time. Only complaint was the wash and fold laundry service was rough on our clothes. The ship is beautiful and spacious. We never felt crowded even though we were sailing at full capacity. The staff was marvelous and the food delicious. We had 11 happy cruisers (ages 11 to 71) who would definitely book her again.

[Wennfred]

Freedom April 5th 2008, No Problem Found :D

 

 

 

Fred

[ooulio]

I just came back from end of February Cruise on Freedom. It was the Best Ship we have been on. I haven't heard anyone say anything bad about the ship except a few people that complain about everything. Some people will never be happy anywhere. Food was delicious. Supper Club was awesome. Service was quick and very efficient. Our room stewards were right on the ball. Our casino host, Dana, went out of her way for us. Don't listen to people who are very unhappy. We sat next to a table that had 2 little girls. I had asked them if they were having a good time. Both of the little girls said, they were having a Awesome Time. We had such a Great time that we have already booked it for next February but a different itinerary. Our friends came with us. They have done over 30 cruises. They said it was a great cruise too. Go and have a great time. Don't let people ruin it for you. I agree with the other lady. I looked at some reviews. They had 5 stars and good ratings. Ship was so easy to get around. Have a Great time.

[Rockee4055]

I just hopped over to that "other" board to read some of the reviews. I have been lucky to be on the Freedom 2x in 4 months. Those people must have been on another ship!! (maybe it wasn't the CARNIVAL Freedom - LOL) One guy who was on one of the same cruises as my family said he and his kids went hungry every nite, and they were starving cause the food was inedible. With ALL the food choices on board, I can't imagine they couldn't find something to please them. We are not foodies - anything that someone else cooks usually satisfies us. And the crew was friendly enough - just be friendly to them. Oh well - to each their own. We would go on Freedom again tomorrow if we could.

 

People only want to be treated like you or I would want to be treated. More then likely they had something go bad and copped an attitude which had a domino effect.

 

I've heard people complain on the Disney Magic because the phones did not match the decor of the ship...I mean give me a break here.....

 

Have I always had a good experience? NO. I always tried to correct it and move on.

[Pegs222]

There are just some people that complain about everything. They are hard to please and think that we would want to read that crap. Sure there are things that should be reported but the things these people complain about are not only not worth reading but not worth replying to.

[PA Dutchman]

Well we loved it in January and thats all that matters. Not one problem with anything, well the casino got me. But that my problem. Now going on it again in Jan 2009. Not worried.:D Hope the grumps go on another cruise line, then I don't have to put up with them

[nanadeborah]

My DH and I did the B2B Transatlantic and Mediterranean cruises April 26th and May 10th. The crew was great, the service was excellant, the ship was exceedingly clean, and the food was for the most part very good.

We had a group of over 1600 senior citizens that came with a TA who didn't treat them very honestly, and that group complained about a lot of things. They treated the staff badly (300 of them took off their tips because they didn't want to tip), got into fistfiights with fellow passengers and with crew members, one guest tried to strangle and stab another guest, and all kinds of grumpiness abounded.

The Mediterranean cruise was much better. Our steward was absolutely terrific, as was our waiter. After we thanked the maitre d' during the first part of the B2B, he came to our table every night.

I would definitely travel on the Freedom again. The worst thing about the whole trip was having to leave at the end!

[Embre]

I haven't sailed the Freedom, but do have something brief to say regarding reviews. We all know how subjective they are, and as stated on another post somewhere, people with complaints are more likely to post reviews. People who were happy with their trip tend not to. After reading a statement to that effect I made it a point to right a nice review, on my Triumph cruise last December, not gushing, and not ignoring some of the less pleasant points of the trip, but trying to be as objective as possible. I think it is important for those who have good experiences to take the time and right a quick review....balance the scales a bit.

[Crusin6]

I just hopped over to that "other" board to read some of the reviews. I have been lucky to be on the Freedom 2x in 4 months. Those people must have been on another ship!! (maybe it wasn't the CARNIVAL Freedom - LOL) One guy who was on one of the same cruises as my family said he and his kids went hungry every nite, and they were starving cause the food was inedible. With ALL the food choices on board, I can't imagine they couldn't find something to please them. We are not foodies - anything that someone else cooks usually satisfies us. And the crew was friendly enough - just be friendly to them. Oh well - to each their own. We would go on Freedom again tomorrow if we could.

I would venture to guess that the guy who couldn't get his kids fed just couldn't feed his kids! IMHO and I will make some guesses here, They probably don't travel much and the kids were not properly suited to this type of travel. I.E. the pool was too small, the elevator took too long etc etc. I even bet he had late seating because that is what he and DW wanted. If you get the jist of what I am thinking here. They just had no clue. Again just what I THINK was their problem. Why, because I have met these types before!!!!:D

[Michelle M]

:) Went on Freedom Mar 29th (spring break) food was outstanding, supper club was best of any Carnival ships we experienced, staff went out of their way to please from Pursers, to Maitre D' to waitstaff and housekeeping staff.

I do believe some people wil complain to be heard. I am sure though there are those instances where things do go wrong for some passengers but overall our experience was first class on Freedom, even at full occupancy.

Go and Enjoy!!:D

[Crusin6]

Also, they guy was probably a real jerk as well and when he realized the true cost of his cruise started to act out himself!!!:eek: