Just back from 8 day Freedom cruise

[arf2005]

trying to post photos but seem to be photo posting disabled!

[arf2005]

The food in all areas of the ship was very good. Yes, breakfast doesn't seem to change much, but then again, it's breakfast.

 

The dining room seems to be offerring fewer selections, but the food was very good with the exception of 1 night when most of the ship must have ordered steak, and the kitchen wasn't prepared for that many steak orders. The staff was very apologetic, saying there were issues in the kitchen. They offerred other selections but by 9:30 no one really wantd to order again. Unfortunately, this was the one night when most at our tables did NOT order more than one entree!

 

Only one member of our group throught the food was bad the entire cruise and after a few days we realized nothing was going to please her, so we just tuned her out. If I don't have to cook it and serve it, it's at least edible in my opinion! I don't want to milead anyone, the food really was very good for the most part (although the one place I didn't care for was the fish and chips area, and I love seafood).

[arf2005]

I won't do a day by day accounting, but if you are going on this ship, don't miss Vince in the piano bar, the Beatles Tribute show or the karioke host (she's a scream). I also heard the big band show was very good but I didn't personally attend. The Mexican grill was very good as was the Sushi Bar and the Deli. The potato soup and the lobster bisque in the dining room was excellent!

 

Claudia is the casino host and does a great job. Part of my goup was disappointed that they didn't have all of the ESPN channels for them to watch their favorite teams in the BB tournaments, but they got over it pretty quickly.

 

Stroller rentals are $25 a week with a $100 deposit that is fully refundable. The Camp Carnival staff seemed very friendly, although the only event we participated in was Build a Bear (additional cost).

[arf2005]

 

Atrium - Embassy Suites

 

 

Boarding in our bright tshirts!

 

 

 

 

1st birthday!

 

 

Sail-a-way

 

 

[dclark]

Pre-cruise we stayed at the Embassy Suites in FLL. Rooms are ok but I wouldn't pay the rate they asked for if it were based solely on the room). .

 

We like to stay at Embassy Suites before the cruise because, well, we like to get hammered at the managers reception- consider it a warm up for the captains party.

 

My wife is a teacher and she rarely drinks. But, get her on vacation and look out!

Last summer, we stayed at the West Palm beach ES because it cost a lot less points (we have the Hilton Visa). We use that card a lot and now have enough points (60,000) for free stays. I like hotel credit cards because you don't have to pay taxes on the room; in effect, you are getting almost a 3% return.

[Kan't Wait]

We have a day at Nachi Cocum planned for when we are in Cozumel in May. I would love to know what you thought about the food, the service and the facility.

 

Thanks,

[arf2005]

We have a day at Nachi Cocum planned for when we are in Cozumel in May. I would love to know what you thought about the food' date=' the service and the facility. [/left']

 

 

 

 

Nachi is beautiful, but take bug spray for the sand fleas! My son walked down to a local store to get us some after we arrived and realized how bad they were. The service was fantastic. I don't remember ever having to wait for a drink. The facility is beautiful and if you get tired of the beach you can swim in the pool or use the hot tub (with the bar right next to it for easy drink access)! You order off of a menu, and they will serve you on the patio at a table, or on the beach if you prefer. I thought the food was very good - especially the pico - if you like spicy be sure and try it!

 

 

 

Thanks,

[arf2005]

We like to stay at Embassy Suites before the cruise because, well, we like to get hammered at the managers reception- consider it a warm up for the captains party.

 

My wife is a teacher and she rarely drinks. But, get her on vacation and look out!

Last summer, we stayed at the West Palm beach ES because it cost a lot less points (we have the Hilton Visa). We use that card a lot and now have enough points (60,000) for free stays. I like hotel credit cards because you don't have to pay taxes on the room; in effect, you are getting almost a 3% return.

Many in my group were teachers as well! We can certainly relate!

[arf2005]

In Costa Rica, we used Oscar Brown for white water rafting and ziplining. What a blast! We all want to do this again as soon as possible. Oscar gave us a history lesson on his country during the bus ride and stopped several times to get fruit for us to sample. We also stopped briefly at a banana plantation. I would highly recommend him to others. We found out upon return to the ship that we only paid $16 more to do both ziplining and rafting than those who just ziplined (reservations made through Carnival). We were concerned about getting back in time. Not only were we back in time, but with enough time to shop.

 

[arf2005]

In Panama we used My Friend Mario to visit the Emberia Indians and then the Panama Canal. We were lucky enough to see a ship going through the canal while we were there and then as we were leaving Panama, that same ship was completing its journey and fell in behind us for a while.

 

The roads in Panama are nothing short of awful. If they want to keep tourists in the area, I would think they would eventually have to address this issue. It's also one of the dirtiest places I've traveled to. They seem to use the ground as a dump - in the outlying areas as well as within the city. Part of our group took tours of the cities during the 3 stops, and they were all pleased with what they were able to see and do. As Americans, we were all also reminded how very fortunate we are to live in the United States.

 

[arf2005]

The formal night are on Sunday and Friday with the past guest party on Tuesday. With the change in dress code, many are now wearing jeans on a regular basis to the dining room. I know we are a more casual society today, but it seems a shame to not maintain the more formal dining. There are plenty of areas to eat on the ship where you can be as casual as you want.

 

The Capers define Cruise Elegant (Sunday and Friday)as:

Gentlemen: dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so.

Ladies: cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. If you'd like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too!

NOT Permitted: shorts, t-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear and baseball hats.

 

On other days, it seemed like pretty much anything was allowed.

 

If you aren't in the center of the dining room it's difficult to see the entertainment and with young children, we would have liked for them to be a part of that...so...we picked them up and took them to where they could see!

 

We had some pretty rough waters the last night - I loved it! By the way, you do feel more vibration and hear more noise from the engines in the back. However, we actually enjoyed it - it reminded us we were on a ship!

 

Debarktation - we were off the ship by 8 am. No long lines, in fact no lines at all. The only suggestion I would make is if you are going up for breakfast (or down after eating) please consider taking the stairs so that those with luggage can use the elevators. Many were having to ride up in order to ride down.

 

I'm currently having to come to terms with making my own meals! I think I need to start planning my next cruise!

[rubeus]

Rebus. Could you fill us in on the Taxi to the locks in Panama. How did you arrange? How long was the round trip and how long did you spend at the locks? How much did you pay?

 

We are going in May and I think this is what I want to do but have ready so many cautions about Colon I'm a little hesitant.

 

Thanks

 

Dave

 

When you get off the ship at Colon 2000, cross over the bridge and at the bottom of the escalator. You will be hounded by many tour guys.

you can either try and speak with one of these guys and make a deal.

If you walk further you will see a line of taxi's in the parking lot.

You could just hop in one of these and arrange with them.

 

We paid $50 for 4 people in a taxi.

It was about 10-15 minutes each way.

We spent about 1 hour at the locks while the taxi waited and then he brought us

back.

 

The driver was quite friendly and helpful.

We had no problems.

 

I should have written down his name/contact info.

[AryMay]

trying to post photos but seem to be photo posting disabled!

 

Any chance you could post a link to see your photos online? I would love to see them "bigger".

[arf2005]

Any chance you could post a link to see your photos online? I would love to see them "bigger".

 

I would be happy to do that as soon as I get them all together.

[JudiinMt]

We were on the 3/14 Freedom and took a taxi to the locks for a total of $ 40 for 3 of us. We paid a $5 entrance fee. It was narrated in English, Spanish and French. We watched the Island Princess go thru the locks. It was fascinating.

 

I have submitted my review so hopefully it will post soon.