Freedom Eastern Caribbean - 5/23/09 Sailing

[rhcruzer]

Wonderful review and pictures. Headed on the same itinerary June 20. This made me so much more anxious to go. Loved looking at the capers. Even started to plan activities.

[aubreysmom]

Well Done :) "clap, clap, clap"

[tinetine]

Thanks so much for the review, we will be on there June 20th-Im so excited---

[kcparrothead]

Thanks, Lee, for the awesome review! I will be on her (and the same itinerery) in 100 days!!!!!

[tnsunshine]

What fun I have had following each post! LOVED your pictures! Sailing on the Freedom 8/1/09 and your post have really added to my excitement! Mucho thanks!

[SANJOSEGAL]

In an upcoming episode of the Travel Channel series, Samantha Brown’s Great Cruises, host Samantha Brown reunites with family and friends during an hour-long cruise special airing Saturday, June 13, at 10 p.m. on Travel Channel. In the episode, Samantha provides viewers with an inside look at her vacation aboard the Carnival Freedom.

 

 

 

The program highlights her experience with the variety of facilities and features aboard the 110,000-ton “Fun Ship,” along with the many sites and attractions of its popular eastern Caribbean itinerary that includes St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola/Virgin Gorda, Nassau and San Juan.

Brown and her traveling companions relax and re-connect aboard the Carnival Freedom, taking advantage of the 2,974-passenger ship’s many on-board amenities, including luxurious spa treatments in the 14,500-square-foot health club and a host of activities, ranging from basketball, mini-golf and ping-pong to a ballroom dancing class and a visit to the casino.

 

 

 

Cameras also follow the group as they explore Carnival Freedom’s tropical ports of call. Activities include an exhilarating ATV adventure and zipline tour in Antigua, swimming and relaxing at The Baths in Virgin Gorda, shopping for duty-free bargains in St. Thomas and a scenic carriage ride in Nassau.

__________________

[newlife_2010]

Thank you so much for posting this!! I cant wait to watch and setting the DVR now.

 

In an upcoming episode of the Travel Channel series, Samantha Brown’s Great Cruises, host Samantha Brown reunites with family and friends during an hour-long cruise special airing Saturday, June 13, at 10 p.m. on Travel Channel. In the episode, Samantha provides viewers with an inside look at her vacation aboard the Carnival Freedom.

 

 

 

The program highlights her experience with the variety of facilities and features aboard the 110,000-ton “Fun Ship,” along with the many sites and attractions of its popular eastern Caribbean itinerary that includes St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola/Virgin Gorda, Nassau and San Juan.

Brown and her traveling companions relax and re-connect aboard the Carnival Freedom, taking advantage of the 2,974-passenger ship’s many on-board amenities, including luxurious spa treatments in the 14,500-square-foot health club and a host of activities, ranging from basketball, mini-golf and ping-pong to a ballroom dancing class and a visit to the casino.

 

 

 

Cameras also follow the group as they explore Carnival Freedom’s tropical ports of call. Activities include an exhilarating ATV adventure and zipline tour in Antigua, swimming and relaxing at The Baths in Virgin Gorda, shopping for duty-free bargains in St. Thomas and a scenic carriage ride in Nassau.

__________________

[Astep@atime]

Thanks to all for the nice comments on the review.

 

One thing I forgot to mention that I wanted to, was that I was impressed with the cleanliness of the ship. Everywhere we went, there was someone cleaning something or wiping something down. And the hand sanitizer stations were plenty.

 

One funny story for y'all...

 

Quite a while ago, I taught my son that when in public restrooms, after washing your hands, use the paper towel to open the door or your shirt if you have too (since many people don't wash and touch the door handle!). Well, in the restrooms on the ships, they have these dispensers hung on the door that give out little towels to use on the door handle. Very considerate, right?

 

So one night I went into the restroom and there were a couple of guys who had obviously been hard at drinking all day. Very loud, having a good time. One guy washes his hands, goes over to this little towel dispenser, pulls about 50 of them out. Then says to his buddy in a loud voice "these towels are too d*** small to dry your hands!".

 

Just made me bust out laughing :D

 

Anyways, the ship was very clean. Only had to wait to get a table bussed one time too.

[pink roses]

Thanks so much, you have gotten me excited about our trip.

[travelingran]

thanks for the info. we sail on saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pink roses]

Are you a past guest to Carnival ? if so did you receive your past guest pins? I heard they were no longer giving them.

[Astep@atime]

Are you a past guest to Carnival ? if so did you receive your past guest pins? I heard they were no longer giving them.

 

We aren't a past guest - we were cruise virgins. However, some of our cruise buddies were. There were rumors they were no longer giving them, but they got their pins partway through the cruise - I think 3-4 days into it. Don't think they got them at the past guest party, maybe left in their rooms?

[aubreysmom]

Pink Roses - we did get our pins :) Yeah! We were invited to 2 parties. The first party was basically a roll out/sales pitch trying to get you to book your next cruise while on board. We had an invitation to this in our room - but no pin. I was a little upset because I had heard the rumor about the pins too.

 

The past guest party ended up being on Thursday afternoon - @ 4:00. The invitations were put in our cabin a night or two before - as usual - with the pins. <Happy Dance > However, recent cruisers on the Glory did not get their pins. Someone said that when supplies run out, the pins are gone.

 

Check the message boards for updates on the pins. (Search "past guests pins"). The latest I read is that Carnival is now aware that many past guests are upset about the pins not being given out. I also read that they may be offered for sale in the gift shops????

 

The saga continues. . . I am keeping my fingers crossed that you get your! :)

Charlotte

[pink roses]

Pink Roses - we did get our pins :) Yeah! We were invited to 2 parties. The first party was basically a roll out/sales pitch trying to get you to book your next cruise while on board. We had an invitation to this in our room - but no pin. I was a little upset because I had heard the rumor about the pins too.

 

The past guest party ended up being on Thursday afternoon - @ 4:00. The invitations were put in our cabin a night or two before - as usual - with the pins. <Happy Dance > However, recent cruisers on the Glory did not get their pins. Someone said that when supplies run out, the pins are gone.

 

Check the message boards for updates on the pins. (Search "past guests pins"). The latest I read is that Carnival is now aware that many past guests are upset about the pins not being given out. I also read that they may be offered for sale in the gift shops????

 

The saga continues. . . I am keeping my fingers crossed that you get your! :)

Charlotte

Thanks so much!

[ctnecruisers]

Let's see if I can wrap up this review. For you hardy and brave souls still reading along, I'll do my best to provide something of use to you!

 

Day 7 - Sea Day

 

After 3 wonderful but tiring port days in a row, we were ready for a sea day. So how did I start my day of rest? Running on the upper deck of course! Really, just happened to wake up early, realized I was going to eat and eat and eat that night at the Supper Club, so why not watch the chair hogs come out and fight for that prime real estate while burning a few calories?

 

After the run and some gym time, we had breakfast at the Lido grand buffet. A few mornings we ate in the Posh dining room (nice service), but my son did best with the big assortment of choices at the buffet. I think breakfast is the best meal to eat at the buffet - lots of choices, including the made to order omelets. The line moves quickly, just good solid stuff!

 

We chilled for a good part of the morning, hanging around doing a whole lot of, well, chillin'! Took a shot at the comedy trivia (13 out of 20), and a few other games. After lunch (buffet again), a good part of the afternoon was spent sunning on the deck, playing in the pools, and going down the water slide. Basically a relaxing day at sea. Very nice.

 

This was the second elegant evening. While my son enjoyed dressing up for the first one, he only wanted to do one. So we dropped him off at Camp Carnival, and my wife and I dressed in our finest polyester. We had reservations at the supper club. What a treat!

 

We enjoyed a leisurely 2 1/2 hour dinner. The room was about half full, and the service was on par with any of the fine dining restaurants I've been to. I didn't take any pictures of the food, but I'll try to describe what we had.

 

Appetizers - I had a shrimp cocktail. Now these are not the same shrip cocktails served in the main dining room. Very large, very tasty. And the cocktail sauce was perfect - some nice bite to it. My wife had a crab cake. Her verdict: Awesome! Again, much, much better than main dining room.

 

Salad - I had a caesar and she had a mixed california green. Nothing world beating here, but very solid in taste, texture and presentation.

 

Main course - We both had surf and turf. This was half a grilled lobster tail and a petite filet mignon. Sounds simple, and it is. But very well prepared. The lobster tail was grilled perfectly, hot yet still juicy and of very good size. The filet was tender and well seasoned. Simple ingredients but just well prepared. For side dishes, she had mashed potatoes with wasabi and I had sauteed mushrooms. Again, very well prepared and delicious.

 

Dessert - Wow. Really good. My wife had a chocolate tarte. We expected some type of cake thing...what she got was four seperate desserts. Think large shot glass size. Each filled with a different chocolate concoction. Judging by the way her eyes rolled up in her head with each bite, I'd say it was good! I had the apple tartin - a golden crust with apple and all sorts of spices and sugars to make it taste heavenly.

 

For wine, I was looking for a Barolo wine, but while the wine list was reasonably extensive, they had no Barolos. The sommelier suggested a Luce as an alternative. It was fantastic! That's a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot grapes and hit was full bodied, yet spicy. "Pepper" came to mind. We'll be buying some of this for home!

 

If you are on the fence whether to spend the extra money to attend the Supper Club, I'd encourage it. You will not get a meal of this caliber for this price at any other restaurant!

 

After dinner, we made the rounds to see friends and other cruisers in their elegant dress. Great people watching! Later, we changed into some casual clothes and waited for the late show of Happy Cole's "adult" comedy routine.

 

We had seen Happy earlier at the family event. We knew he'd be popular, but weren't prepared for the crowd he attracted! The 10:30pm show was standing room only. We got to the lounge about 11:30 for the midnight show. As the early show got out, madness ensued. Early people were leaving, while late show people rushed to claim seats. The scene was akin to a store with huge sales opening the day after Christmas. Bedlam!

 

Happy gave us quite a few laughs again. I actually think his family show was funnier, but everyone seemed to enjoy it (except for one couple that walked out).

 

After the show and more rounds of drinks for everyone, we finally called it a night. It was as if we all knew the cruise was coming to an end soon and wanted to delay it as long as possible.

 

Day 8 - Nassau

 

We'd never been to Nassau (or any of these ports) before, so I sat in one of the sessions that teach you how to find bargains. (By the way, what kind of training do you go through to have the Shopping Expert job on Carnival?). Here was the takeaway: never pay asking price, always negotiate. Wise words!

 

It's obligatory to take a lighthouse picture coming into Nassau. So here it is:

 

 

Since we knew this was the last day of vacation, our plan was to have a quiet beach day. We reserved a day room at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort (along Cable Beach) $99 bucks for up to four adults. Children no cost. That gave us a room, beach chairs and towels.

 

Before going to the resort, we spent time in the straw market haggling for souvenirs. It's a fun sport and I think we felt we got good deals, and the vendors still seemed happy too.

 

Our only problem this day was finding a taxi to take us to the resort. It seemed all the drivers wanted to go to Atlantis. We finally had success and paid $20 for the three of us to take the 15 minute ride to the resort. We got checked in (after a longer wait than we wanted). Headed to the beach, found a couple of great chairs (not a crowded beach). And it started to rain. Bummer. Fortunately it only lasted a few minutes and the sun came back out. Our son played on the beach, we built sand castles, and just enjoyed ourselves. We then ate lunch at the outdoor pavilion. Food and drink were pricey! After lunch, we moved over to the pool areas. Here are a couple of pictures - there are three seperate pools.

 

 

 

The Sheraton also has a casino, some shops, and is connected to the Wyndham.

 

While walking back to our room, we saw something that caused us to do a double take, then laugh out loud. Enjoy it for yourself:

 

 

What is that room for????? Alas, it was locked, so I'll never know.

 

We took a shower in the hotel room, cleaned up, and got a taxi back to town for $18. A little more shopping, and then back aboard.

 

I'm out of pictures, so final thoughts and pictures in the next post

That is funny. We were there on The Conquest in March and I took this picture.

[CutiePie1]

Hi!! My husband and I along with some of our family members will be on this exact same cruise in Oct. 2010. I am so excited to read your review. I love all of your pictures and the ship is absolutely beautiful. I can barely wait for Oct. to get here. I noticed that you said you drove from Alabama...I live in Pinson, my husband and I were going to drive to Jacksonville to his uncle's house and then we all leave from there going to Ft. Lauderdale.

[sewer]

:)..Thanks so much for such a great and detailed review...we are going on the Freedom for Thanksgiving (8 of us). I'll post some review..thanks again.....

 

 

And shots of each - its fun to look and compare:

 

 

The Carnival Imagination. It has a huge slide on top of it. Looked like very few balconies.

 

 

And the NCL Sky

 

 

We enjoyed one last evening with our dining table friends. It's a funny mood that last evening - people are a little sad the cruise is ending, yet want to have fun too. Kind of a manic/depressive thing.

 

We handed out small fortunes to all the people who had taken care of us while aboard. Nice feeling - to show gratitude tosomeone who has made taking care of you their top priority.

 

Disembarkation

 

We packed up the night before. Debated doing self-assist for about 30 seconds, before realizing we might as well let someone else lug these things around. Since we had a suite, we were given Zone 1 tags - priority. After a breakfast on the Lido, we did a final room check and headed to the Victoriana Lounge. Apparently, a lot of other people decided to self-assist, because that took longer than expected. While it seemed like a long wait (didn't help we were kind of sad), we had our zone called by 8:45. By 9:10, we walked down the gangway, picked up our luggage, gone through customs, paid the parking tab, and were on the highway, heading north. Pretty fast and smooth process.

 

I hope you've enjoyed the review as much as I enjoyed writing it. What a grea way to relive the vacation. Ask away with any questions.

 

And have fun on your next cruise!!

[Astep@atime]

Hi!! My husband and I along with some of our family members will be on this exact same cruise in Oct. 2010. I am so excited to read your review. I love all of your pictures and the ship is absolutely beautiful. I can barely wait for Oct. to get here. I noticed that you said you drove from Alabama...I live in Pinson, my husband and I were going to drive to Jacksonville to his uncle's house and then we all leave from there going to Ft. Lauderdale.

 

You're close! We live in Hoover. If you're driving to Jacksonville, you'll have about 4-5 hours to go to Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Enjoy the cruise - it's really a great itinerary.

[DaisyGirl55]

Awesome, awesome review! I felt tlike I was right there with you on your cruise. You have a way with words, and an eye for taking great pictures.

 

I am sailing on the Freedom in September, on this same itinerary. It will be fiun to get on the ship and recognize some of the photos from your review.

 

Again - a review well done!

[CutiePie1]

You're close! We live in Hoover. If you're driving to Jacksonville, you'll have about 4-5 hours to go to Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Enjoy the cruise - it's really a great itinerary.

 

 

 

Hi Neighbor!!! LOL Thanks for the info!! We can't wait to go on this cruise!!

[Sherrybaby412]

Hey neighbors. I live in Hartselle which is an hour north of BHam on i-65. :D

[htrobaug]

How did you book the Jolly Mon for half a day? I am celebrating my boyfriends 50th on the Jan 2 sailing and he would just love to go on that boat. Thanks in advance. Great review!!

[poptart]

I really enjoyed your review. Thanks for taking the time and for the great pictures. You have a lovely family.

[Astep@atime]

How did you book the Jolly Mon for half a day? I am celebrating my boyfriends 50th on the Jan 2 sailing and he would just love to go on that boat. Thanks in advance. Great review!!

 

We emailed them. Sarah does the booking and took us out. Email is svjollymon@hotmail.com

 

They were very accomodating. I think Jan would be their busy season, so I'd suggest reserving fairly early. have fun!

[Astep@atime]

I really enjoyed your review. Thanks for taking the time and for the great pictures. You have a lovely family.

 

 

Thank you for the kind words :) Glad you enjoyed it.