Wardogcoach

if you have any questions about our cruise or the Freedom let me know and I'll be happy to answer.

Jim

We just returned from our 7th cruise (for most of us) aboard the Carnival Freedom. Will try to include pics. I'm a history teacher and high school basketball coach so forgive me english teachers if I don't write in perfect and proper form, I usually write with a "list of facts"

 

We had a group of 13, all but 1 from Northeast Oklahoma (Grove, Fairland, and Miami)

Myself 51, wife 49, son 20 and my special needs foster son 20

Daughter 30 and Son in Law 31, grand sons 7 and 2

Family friend 54

 

We traveled from NE Oklahoma to Dallas thursday night and stayed there, got up Friday and most of us went to George W Bush Presidential Center and then headed to Galveston after that. Arrived in Galveston late afternoon. We ate at Papa's Pizza on Seawall Blvd, it was outstanding, we had ate there in previous trips to Galveston.

After a stroll on the beach we stayed the night at a timeshare that we have ownership in. Got up Saturday morning and headed for the ship.

My wife and daughter at Bush Center

My Son with Bush statues

 

Us and grandkids at beach at Galveston Friday evening

Daughter 27 and son in law 34 with grand daughters 11 and 5 - were omitted.

Summary - had a great cruise. Will take the group again in 2020. Loved the ship and the outstanding service.

Only negatives to me

Pizza Pirate - seemed understaffed and impossible to get pizza, regardless of time of day. Long line with little pizza available.

Only one ice cream machine working in evenings.

few last pics

feeding birds at condo

Cozumel - went to Nachi Cocom, great service and food. Loved the beach and the pool.

First few days were Sea Days - we just took it easy and enjoyed the ship. We went to dinner each night in Posh dining room, went to the Shows in the theatre, and most of guys went to comedy shows each night.

Montego Bay - one of my least favorite ports. 4 of guys got off and took a tour of Negril via a taxi at the port. It was awful, guy didn't know much about Jamaica or where the sites were. Most of group stayed on ship and enjoyed the quiet pools and such. Those of us who got off wish we would have stayed on.

Grand Cayman, for the 2nd time we chartered a 47 ft sailboat thru sail cayman dot com. Neil is the owner and it is amazing excursion. We stayed away from the crowds, he took us to remote reef for snorkeling and sailing. He brought up stingrays for us to feed and touch. Simply amazing. Only negative was we got some rain this day, but still amazing day. This is 2nd time we gave chartered with him.

 

 





 

 

Saturday morning - time to head to the ship. We had a 11:30 boarding time but we did not get there until about 12:15. Very smooth boarding and getting on ship. Seemed we never stopped walking, never having to stand in alind more than a few minutes at most. Really seemed that we just kept moving forward until we were on the ship.

waiting on us to get back from parking lot. We prepaid for parking at port - saved $5.

Got on board and ate a bite to eat, rooms were ready by 1:30. Saw a fellow educator and former principal I had worked for on board, its a small world. My wife says that after teaching and coaching for almost 30 years I see someone I know everywhere we travel.

Our rooms were 9269, 9289, 1051, and 1118. All balconies. We all had great stewards and service on board. Always so friendly and willing to get what needed. My steward was Leo, he was outstanding. We brought a fan but it wouldn't work and he found us another one. I need one to sleep.

We always choose early dining, the food was outstanding and the service was even better. Our waiter was Jorge and his 2 assistants. 1 lady and 1 gentleman.

By the 2nd night they had our dring waiting (all soft drinks) and a shrimp cocktail waiting for my wife at her setting,

Were were at 4 tables side by side with a high chair. The 3 oldest grandkids and my special needs son sat at a table together. They were all very kind and showed them great attention and were very helpful each night. The young lady Nureemong ( bad attempt at spelling ) showed special attention to my son who is autistic and was a great with him.

We asked about Cappuccino Pie which we always look forward to, we were informed it was not available anymore. The next night Jorge had arranged the pastry chef to make 2 of the pies for our group.

We just returned from our 7th cruise (for most of us) aboard the Carnival Freedom. Will try to include pics. I'm a history teacher and high school basketball coach so forgive me english teachers if I don't write in perfect and proper form, I usually write with a "list of facts"

We had a group of 13, all but 1 from Northeast Oklahoma (Grove, Fairland, and Miami)

Myself 51, wife 49, son 20 and my special needs foster son 20

Daughter 30 and Son in Law 31, grand sons 7 and 2

Family friend 54

We traveled from NE Oklahoma to Dallas thursday night and stayed there, got up Friday and most of us went to George W Bush Presidential Center and then headed to Galveston after that. Arrived in Galveston late afternoon. We ate at Papa's Pizza on Seawall Blvd, it was outstanding, we had ate there in previous trips to Galveston.

After a stroll on the beach we stayed the night at a timeshare that we have ownership in. Got up Saturday morning and headed for the ship.

My wife and daughter at Bush Center

My Son with Bush statues

Us and grandkids at beach at Galveston Friday evening

coin or sign and sail?

Thanks

Thanks for the reviews and pics. We will be on the Freedom in July.

looking for a pic of the JUTA (taxi) sign at Montego Bay. It has the destinations and prices for locations in Jamaica. If anyone has one the could share or send I would appreciate it,

Jim

Our first was the Carnival Holiday. We have been on 6 total cruises and have our 7th booked July 2018.

I'm a high school teacher and have photos off all our ships we have sailed on in my class. I tell my students how great cruising is.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Appreciate your honest review so far.

 

We took the Dream once years ago. It was and probably still is the most

crowded-feeling ship in the fleet. With long waits as well.

 

Hey, a cruise is still great. But we prefer smaller Carnival ships.

we were on this Spring Break -first time on the Dream. We think we like the smaller ships the best, for the same reasons - seem less crowded.

We had great time and loved our cruise.

You should be fine. I live in Central Louisiana (about 3 hours north of NOLA), and know the route you'll be taking very well (I travel a lot for work). There was a good bit of flooding near Shreveport and Natchitoches, but it's already subsiding some. As of now, all of the highways (I20 and I49) are open. I'm actually leaving tomorrow from here (Alexandria, LA) to go to Orange Beach, AL for my son's soccer tournament, so I'll be driving in it as well.

thanks for your reply, greatly appreciated.

we are traveling from NE Oklahoma late Friday night (11th) headed to New Orleans to board the Dream on the 13th. With all the rain and flash flooding will I have any problems getting to New Orleans. Thanks

we are traveling from NE Oklahoma late Friday night (11th) headed to New Orleans to board the Dream on the 13th. With all the rain and flash flooding will I have any problems getting to New Orleans. Thanks

Thanks so much - even adds to our excitement. We get on the Dream Sunday March 13th 3 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

are washing machines and dryers on the Dream coin operated or do you use your sign and sail card?

thanks

24 days til our Crusie

Must have coins v

Was just on Triumph. There was laundry on lido near glass elevators 3 washers and 3 dryers. $3 each. Iron and ironing board.

Used them often.

and some more pics

Some more Pics

Some more Pics of Cruise

Attempt to load pic

Wife and I in Jeep rental - Cozumel

Have several pics - not sure how to post them. Will keep trying.

Just returned from 5 day cruise on Triumph to Progreso and Cozumel. This is our 5th Cruise - all on Carnival. Traveled with a group of 12. My wife and I, our kids ( 3 ages 26,22,16 ) / grand kids / son in laws / and 1 close friend and 2 special needs individuals we care for.

Getting on ship was delayed to fog, we were notified by Carnival the night before and received updates the morning of the cruise on when to come to ship. Very impressed with info coming from Carnival. Was told to arrive after 1:30. Boarding and processing went very smoothly. Lines moved very quickly and we were on board by about 3. The rooms were ready when we got aboard. We had 4 balcony cabins on Lido deck - all balcony. We love this location near the elevators with proximity to food and such on the Lido deck.

1st day was very cold outside - tried to watch the NCAA Football championship outside on big screen but gave up after half and moved to EA Sports bar.

Dinner was Paris dining room early seating. Our waiters were outstanding - especially with our special needs kids - Tiger and Sebastian. Service and food was outstanding each night.

My grand kids loved Camp Carnival / Club Ocean. They are age 3 / 7. My Son age 16 enjoyed going to Club O2 and meeting others.

Live music in main lobby and by casino bar ( band ) were outstanding. Guy in piano bar was really bad, sorry I don't have names.

Progreso - did not rush off ship. Paid $11 each to go to Techotel resort for afternoon. Beach water was dirty and cold - kids swan in pool. Did not eat or drink there. Was nice time but would not probably go back. Was able to get chairs under the shade and relax. Also bought some knock off sunglasses at market where bus let you off. Was taken back to boat directly from resort.

Cozumel - rented Jeep from Alamo at Port. Traveled to east side of Island, very beautiful. Stoped at few bars / restaurants on east side - did not know name of place - very nice side of island. Shopped around port and returned to ship to eat at Guys Burgers instead of in town.

Loved our Cruise and this ship. Send questions if you have any and I will try to answer.

Loved the Guys Burgers. Chinese Food "Chopstix" was very good also. All food thru ship was outstanding.