Carnival Freedom-- I love love love you. YES I DO! (A review)

[PGHProducer]

Sadly, I need to head back to work today. So in order to relive my awesome cruise on board the Carnival Freedom last week, I decided to write a review. It may take me a while to complete, but it'll get done!

A little about myself first. I'm a 27 year-old man from Philadelphia. (I'm still holding on to 27... I turn 28 in 10 days.) I actually took this cruise solo. I was in serious need of a vacation, couldn't find anyone to go with me on short notice (I booked 3 weeks before the cruise), and decided to just do it alone. I'll say one thing about cruising solo-- JUST DO IT! I had the time of my life! However, I am an extremely social person and found friends on the ship pretty quickly.

OK. Now on to embarkation. This was my 8th cruise-- my 2nd with Carnival. However, this was my first time ever flying in the day of the cruise. Usually I fly in a day before, but I couldn't swing that this time around. I took the first flight out of Philadelphia and landed in Fort Lauderdale around 9am. It was POURING outside! Seriously, it looked like a monsoon. I gathered my luggage and hung around the airport for a little bit. I was in no rush to get to the ship since it was raining so hard. I figured I'd wait to see if conditions improved. They didn't.

Around 10am I took a cab to the cruise terminal. I know this question comes up a lot-- the cab cost about $20, including tip. Most of the cabs have credit card machines, but I paid cash. However, some DO NOT have them! If you need to pay with a card, you need to tell the taxi dispatcher outside the airport. ALSO-- be aware that people will try to trick you into using a shared-ride van. I knew about this from Cruise Critic. Just keep walking to the actual taxis. And also be aware that the cabs will use a meter. It's illegal for the driver to tell you a flat rate.

I got to the terminal around 10:30am. It was an absolute mess! It was, by far, the most disorganized embarkation I have ever seen, which I attribute to what must have been the most disorganized debarkation ever. The ship pulled into port late because of the rain, and it was just a madhouse at the terminal. No one could direct me where to go. Porters seemed confused about whether luggage was coming in or going out. And EVERYONE was soaking wet!

Finally, I made it into the terminal and got checked in. I was given a Zone 5 card and told to have a seat. Usually, I've found ships starting to load new passengers around 11 or 11:30. At 11:30, they were still off-loading the last cruise! Finally, around 12:30, they called Zone 5, and I was able to walk up the gangway and onto Carnival Freedom.

More to come...

[tattoos]

Thank you for taking the time to post your review. I'm looking forward to your perspective as a solo cruiser. Sounds like you had a great cruise despite the rainy start.

Rose

[navybaby1113]

Looking forward to your review. I love the Freedom.

[myfamilyluvs2cruise]

I can't wait for your review . . . getting excited for our Freedom cruise in June.

[trutojc]

Can't wait to read the rest....did you do a 6 night or 8 night? I'll be on her in September!!!!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[christmas]

Originally Posted by trutojc

Can't wait to read the rest....did you do a 6 night or 8 night? I'll be on her in September!!!!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

he did the 6 night i think because the 8 night left yesterday

[LEAJIM]

You must have been on the same cruise as us (29 April - 5 May). The terminal was an absolute nightmare and the rain didn't help. We were directed all over the place. This was our 8th cruise but the only one that left from Fort Lauderdale. We decided never again for this port. Once we got on the ship it was an awesome cruise but getting on was another story.

[Lovefuninthesun]

Thanks for the first installment of your review -- can't wait to read the rest since we will be on the Freedom ourselves in a few months!

[CDT003]

Can't wait to read more. We are sailing her in September!

[ajhunt2]

You were getting on as we were getting off. That rain was HORRIBLE! when you were trying to get a taxi to the airport.

I think the hold up in the embarkation for you was the craptastic mess they created with luggage for the debarking passengers and not getting the right zones in the right area to be picked up

[Ramrac]

Can't wait to read the rest of your review. We're sailing on her in October and going to the same ports of call.

[vivavegas]

Nice Review! Sounds like you had a lot of fun! Looking forward to reading more!

[Notion_of_the_Ocean]

Originally Posted by sunandsea

Nice to see another review on the all so often missed Carnival Freedom. It really is a nice ship and a nice cruise. For those of you looking for another perspective, I continue to suggest this perspective for a good read:

http://voices.yahoo.com/carnival-fre...88.html?cat=16

Hi Sunandsea, thanks a lot for your review! Would you be able to tell me a little more about Bayahibe beach? I have heard there are two public beaches in Bayahibe? Did you go to the Dominicus one? How much do chairs and umbrellas cost? Are there food places and restrooms near the beach? And Based on your few hours there would you say it is a good way to spend the day?

Thanks,
Notion_of_the_Ocean

[nchikk]

Love the Elton John reference...didn't think anyone would catch that, did you?

[Notion_of_the_Ocean]

I guess the TC must have went on another cruise or something. lol

[abisha]

I just got off her a couple of weeks ago (April 15 - 21st) and also had a blast..loved the ship and ports and also did the six day.

Glad you had a great time going solo.

[mss22859]

Can't wait for more! We are on her in Sept.

[spbflseas]

Originally Posted by Notion_of_the_Ocean

Hi Sunandsea, thanks a lot for your review! Would you be able to tell me a little more about Bayahibe beach? I have heard there are two public beaches in Bayahibe? Did you go to the Dominicus one? How much do chairs and umbrellas cost? Are there food places and restrooms near the beach? And Based on your few hours there would you say it is a good way to spend the day?

Thanks,
Notion_of_the_Ocean

We did indeed go to Bayahibe. I was not aware of multiple beach sites. For us, the cab dropped us off, a "beach attendant" showed us a spot, but we did not need chairs or umbrella, we just settled under a tree. So I am not sure about chair/umbrella costs. The attendant gave us a tiki neaklace (free, but I think it showed his "ownership" of us) and reminded us of his store on the beach. It was a good way to spend a couple of hours with the kids. There are food and restrooms in the area, but the price of food seem steep.

[Notion_of_the_Ocean]

Hey TC just wondering if you are going to come back to finish your review?

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for starting your review, can't wait for the rest.