Loved Freedom!!

[shellden]

Just a quick note we just got back and loved the Freedom. Only complaint was the kids club 12-14 or lack thereof. But we still enjoyed and the kids made some friends. Food, entertainment, service all great. We are loyal RCCL fans but really were pleased with this trip. Also great itinerary. Any questions please feel free will submit review soon.

[kcparrothead]

That is great to hear! I'm hoping you were just on the Eastern itinerery - would love to hear what you did at the ports!!!

[jbroons]

Just a quick note we just got back and loved the Freedom. Only complaint was the kids club 12-14 or lack thereof. But we still enjoyed and the kids made some friends. Food, entertainment, service all great. We are loyal RCCL fans but really were pleased with this trip. Also great itinerary. Any questions please feel free will submit review soon.

 

Please tell us more!! What was the itinerary? Did you eat in Chic or Posh? What was your favorite meal? Did you try the fish & chips? And finally....Room Service....Ummmmmm!

[CruiserKatie]

Doing Freedom this summer....loyal RCI customer..but the summer rates were great with Carnival?

 

Do tell about the 12-14 club? I am bring two 14(almost 15) year old boys..and they are totally hoping to be admitted to the 15-17 club..as they are both going to be freshman next year.

[AJeray4TN]

I would LOVE to hear some more about the itinerary too! We will be on the Freedom in oooh... lets see here... only about 10 DAYS NOW! We can't wait. I am interested in the dining rooms as well. Is one more preferable than the other?

Thanks!

[bball75]

would love to read about the ports and excursions.

[falconfan]

I have a 12yo going in July. Would like to hear moire about the kids club. Also, what Itenerary did you do?

[JXR]

Just a quick note we just got back and loved the Freedom. Only complaint was the kids club 12-14 or lack thereof. But we still enjoyed and the kids made some friends. Food, entertainment, service all great. We are loyal RCCL fans but really were pleased with this trip. Also great itinerary. Any questions please feel free will submit review soon.

 

Glad to you guys got home OK. I'm the one that did the Patouche excursion in Tortola with you guys.

 

My e-mail adress is JXR254@hotmail.com

 

Joanne

[JXR]

That is great to hear! I'm hoping you were just on the Eastern itinerery - would love to hear what you did at the ports!!!

 

Sorry to hijack, but I was on the same sailing and had an awesome time too. We did do the Eastern route. The first couple of days, it was really rough.

 

Here are my excursions:

 

San Juan: Did the Segway tour. That was awesome !!!

 

Tortola: Did the Catamaran sailing to the Baths with Patouche. I can't rave enough about this excursion. Highly recommended, and great crew.

 

St Thomas: Just took the ferry to St John. It was overcast that day, so I did not even go in the water. Coming back the ferry ride was really rough.

 

Antigua: Booked an Island and Beach tour with Gordon. Another great excursion. I highly recommend this one as well.

 

Nassau: Had a bad experience here. Hadn't booked anything prior to leaving, so I decided to do the Catamaran sail through the ship. BIG MISTAKE !!!! The boat had like 90 people on it, and we were squished like sardines. I couldn't not even go and enjoy the sail, as we had to sit underneat, as everything was full. People even had to sit in the stairs. I personally thought that the crew was rude (but that's just my opinion).

 

Any other questions, I can try to answer them as well.

 

Joanne

[pink roses]

We also have a 12 year old and are curious to know what was up with the program. Thanks.

[Warm Breezes]

Did you bring back any Capers/Menus/Kids Capers for Eastern Itinerary? Looking for any info you may have. Thanks

[cruisegal58]

finally!! cant find any info on the easter freedom sailings! let us have it please!! we have never been to tortola or antiuga, maybe we should check out gordon. i am glad about not booking the sailing in nassau!! almost did, we r signed for the blackbeards beach break. any info is great!! adults only area, is it adults only? thank-you, cruisegal...

[Rockjock64]

We went to Runaway beach on Antigua, it was awesome, there is a great lil beachbar there and they have beach umbrellas for cheap $8 i think.

 

The food at the bar was excellent, sandwiches etc.....They have jetski rentals there that were $30 for 30mins......

 

I got so sunburned there that it almost ruined my cruise.....it was a beautiful beach. I have a review from Destiny, june 07.....Anything else, ask away.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[Kerplode]

Excited to be cruising on the Freedom in June. I am excited to read anything and everything I can find about it.

[falconfan]

finally!! cant find any info on the easter freedom sailings! let us have it please!! we have never been to tortola or antiuga, maybe we should check out gordon. i am glad about not booking the sailing in nassau!! almost did, we r signed for the blackbeards beach break. any info is great!! adults only area, is it adults only? thank-you, cruisegal...

 

 

I have encountered the same issues. Everything I find is a review of the Western Caribbean itenerary. Right now I am looking for any crumb of information I can find on the Eastern.

[cruisegal58]

thanks pals, isnt runaway the beach carnival uses for their excursion? i have heard it is elbow to elbow with peeps. is this true or did u go on your own? if so, how much was the taxi or did the bus stop here?

this is a start falconfan!!

we only have what until 3-3:30 on tortola, wondering about brewers bay? or should i go thru the ship for something? i go with the ship when time is short.

i really havent heard about many beaches on tortola, any info here? thanks..cruisegal

[shellden]

I promise Ill respond tonight after work and do my best to answer all the questions.

Thanks

Shelley

[cruisernewbie1]

I will be on Freedom May 31st, and wanted to join the chorus of people looking forward to hearing all about your cruise!!! :D

[HarperSays]

Sorry to hijack, but I was on the same sailing and had an awesome time too. We did do the Eastern route. The first couple of days, it was really rough.

 

Here are my excursions:

 

San Juan: Did the Segway tour. That was awesome !!!

 

Tortola: Did the Catamaran sailing to the Baths with Patouche. I can't rave enough about this excursion. Highly recommended, and great crew.

 

St Thomas: Just took the ferry to St John. It was overcast that day, so I did not even go in the water. Coming back the ferry ride was really rough.

 

Antigua: Booked an Island and Beach tour with Gordon. Another great excursion. I highly recommend this one as well.

 

Nassau: Had a bad experience here. Hadn't booked anything prior to leaving, so I decided to do the Catamaran sail through the ship. BIG MISTAKE !!!! The boat had like 90 people on it, and we were squished like sardines. I couldn't not even go and enjoy the sail, as we had to sit underneat, as everything was full. People even had to sit in the stairs. I personally thought that the crew was rude (but that's just my opinion).

 

Any other questions, I can try to answer them as well.

 

Joanne

 

 

Hi Joanne,

Can you tell me more about your excursion in Tortola? We are leaning toward the ship's excursion for the Baths since we are only in Tortola til 3 or 3:30.

 

Also, where did Gordon take you in Antigua. We've heard good things about Gordon.

 

Thank you!!

[shellden]

As Joanne stated this was the Eastern Itinerary it was great.

We did not get off in San Jaun due to the time. and just went into town to shop in Nassau.

 

St Thomas

we used Sunny Liston he is lots of fun, Pick up at pier for shopping, then simple island tour. then choice of beach we choose Sapphier. It was OK it was overcast there was an area for snorkeling but we didnt really use it. Overall a nice day.

Tortola

Patouche awesome would do it again in a heart beat!! Crew was great they motored out to the Baths for a guided snorkel , then guided tour of the Baths interesting facts of their History. We had a bit of time to relax at the beach or snorkel then a sail back to the dock. Snacks and drinks included. I cant say enough about this it was worth the $$$$.

Antigua

Adventure Antigua this tour was fine, guides were good but not overly entusiastic. Boat ride and sites were nice snorkel was OK great Fauna and coral but few fish. Not much they can do about that. Glad we did the tour for the small group and relaxing day. Lunch and Rum punch and other drinks included.

 

Kids club

12-14 dont have there own space. They get bumped around to different rooms not suited with teen stuff. They didnt have access to computer games etc that all the other groups had. There was only 15 or so kids in this group so Im sure thats part of the social problem. The activities didnt work well with this few kids so that is not Carnivals fault. We are really not complaining about this as the kids still made some friends and found there own places to hang. I think if there were more kids it may have played out differently. Activities included Disco daily 9-10PM, scavenger hunt, board games, cards, Guitar Hero and others.

 

We dined in the Posh Main Seating. Both rooms seemed to be the same. We enjoyed almost everything. Meats were cooked to order. LOVED the Short Ribs!!! Lobster was OK. Oh and cant forget the Chocolate Melting Cake YUM YUM. Worth every calorie.

Fish and Chips were very good, Pizza good, Buffet always good. Didnt get room service or get to the Sushi Bar. Looked great.

Drinks well worth the $$ .

 

Won in the casino Hubby did well at Craps and I won on .25 slots. We came home wiht $$ thats a good trip.

 

Adults only pool seemed to stay that way. Not alot of kids on boat. I just dont understand why Pizza is located here? Kids Pizza? Anyway Seems like a nice area. And it has the cover so if weather is bad it can still be used.

 

If I missed your question please let me know.

 

The ship is beautiful, service was great, beds are comfy I even bought the pillows!!

 

Happy Sailing!!

[shellden]

bump

[JXR]

Hi Joanne,

Can you tell me more about your excursion in Tortola? We are leaning toward the ship's excursion for the Baths since we are only in Tortola til 3 or 3:30.

 

Also, where did Gordon take you in Antigua. We've heard good things about Gordon.

 

Thank you!!

 

About Gordon, he took us to Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights, a few scenic spots to take pictures. Devil's Bridge (this was the highlight for me). Then he took us to Long Beach, where he snorkeled with the group. All drinks were included, and he even bought us some food. I cannot say enough good things about this guy. We were only 7 on this tour, which made it much more personable.

 

For Tortola, I would not hesitate booking with Patouche, they know the ship's schedule, and it's their reputation that's on the line. But, just do what feels right with you.

 

Joanne

[Cruiseaholichal]

Just back ourselves.

The ship is great, clean and decorated in the usual Carnival "anything and everything goes" manner. Once you get used to it, you start to like it. Food in the main dining room was excellent- they have improved the low fat deserts. Buffet food was very good as well, and anytime I went the lines were short-very little waiting. Our room stewad did a fine job as did the dining room wait staff. Overal we loved the ship and the staff with a couple of exceptions. The Cruise Director was much , much too talkative and tried to be a little to slick for my liking. I'm sure the 70+ whelchair crowd loved him, but I would think that that would be about it.( but Lord knows there were a lot of them- Holland America must have overbooked and sent some pax to Carnival ) The production shows were fairly good with the excetion of the Beatles tribute - it was awful. The female singer was terrible at trying to sing Beatle songs, and hte guy was not a lot better. The best part of the show was the Philipino house band- they could really do the Beatles! We were very dissapointed.

 

We did our own walking tour of Old San Juan as all of us (8) had been done a tour there in 2006.

St. Thomas - We did a shopping /beach tour and went to Coki Beach- its a dump-don't go there.

Antigua- Did a Island/Beach tour to Long Bay - beautiful beach- go there

Tortolla-Did an Island / Beach tour to Brewers Bay - another beautiful uncrowded beach- go there too. Tortolla is fantastic- much nicer than St. Thomas- I want to live there.

Nassau- Wlaked on our own to Ft. Fincastle via the "Queens Staircase:. Took a cab ($4)over to Atlantis to see the Aquarium. Walked thru the Casino and the convention centre then out the door of one of the towers to the the Riu Hotel- thur that lobby to the beach. nice beach. Walked to the other side of the Rui to an army of cabs waiting to tke us back to the ship for $4.

 

Hope this helps someone.

[misguidedangel]

LOVEd the Freedom too!!!! I was on her April 19-25 for Western cruise. I wanted to take my cabin steward home. She was amazing and I've had her before on the Liberty!

 

Anyone who is on the starboard side of Verandah deck in the forwardmost cabins (up to the entrance of the atrium elevators) will have the best damn cabin steward there is. She is young, very friendly, and always makes you want to smile!!!! I may have gottem the same towel animals i've had before, but that didn't matter!!!

[jbroons]

As Joanne stated this was the Eastern Itinerary it was great.

We did not get off in San Jaun due to the time. and just went into town to shop in Nassau.

 

St Thomas

we used Sunny Liston he is lots of fun, Pick up at pier for shopping, then simple island tour. then choice of beach we choose Sapphier. It was OK it was overcast there was an area for snorkeling but we didnt really use it. Overall a nice day.

Tortola

Patouche awesome would do it again in a heart beat!! Crew was great they motored out to the Baths for a guided snorkel , then guided tour of the Baths interesting facts of their History. We had a bit of time to relax at the beach or snorkel then a sail back to the dock. Snacks and drinks included. I cant say enough about this it was worth the $$$$.

Antigua

Adventure Antigua this tour was fine, guides were good but not overly entusiastic. Boat ride and sites were nice snorkel was OK great Fauna and coral but few fish. Not much they can do about that. Glad we did the tour for the small group and relaxing day. Lunch and Rum punch and other drinks included.

 

Kids club

12-14 dont have there own space. They get bumped around to different rooms not suited with teen stuff. They didnt have access to computer games etc that all the other groups had. There was only 15 or so kids in this group so Im sure thats part of the social problem. The activities didnt work well with this few kids so that is not Carnivals fault. We are really not complaining about this as the kids still made some friends and found there own places to hang. I think if there were more kids it may have played out differently. Activities included Disco daily 9-10PM, scavenger hunt, board games, cards, Guitar Hero and others.

 

We dined in the Posh Main Seating. Both rooms seemed to be the same. We enjoyed almost everything. Meats were cooked to order. LOVED the Short Ribs!!! Lobster was OK. Oh and cant forget the Chocolate Melting Cake YUM YUM. Worth every calorie.

Fish and Chips were very good, Pizza good, Buffet always good. Didnt get room service or get to the Sushi Bar. Looked great.

Drinks well worth the $$ .

 

Won in the casino Hubby did well at Craps and I won on .25 slots. We came home wiht $$ thats a good trip.

 

Adults only pool seemed to stay that way. Not alot of kids on boat. I just dont understand why Pizza is located here? Kids Pizza? Anyway Seems like a nice area. And it has the cover so if weather is bad it can still be used.

 

If I missed your question please let me know.

 

The ship is beautiful, service was great, beds are comfy I even bought the pillows!!

 

Happy Sailing!!

 

Happy to hear that you loved Freedom...me too!!

 

I had a recent birthday and I loved the pillows as well. Did you by chance buy one for me? I'll give you my address if so.;)