Carnival Freedom 6 Day Review with Pictures 01/22/2012

[navybaby1113]

When we boarded the ship, we headed up to the lido buffet to grab lunch. The buffet today was French food. There was nothing either of us were interested in on the buffet, so DH got a turkey sandwich from the deli and I grabbed some chicken tenders and fries from the grill.

 

 

 

We returned to the room to relax for a little while. We heard a knock on the door. When I answered, I was handed a plate with a "We're Sorry" note on it. The dining room send us some chocolate covered strawberries and fudge to apologize for the wait in the dining room the evening before. The snacks were delicious and it was a very nice gesture.

 

 

 

After a little while, we headed up to the lobby to do some trivia. Then, they started the first round of Super Trivia. We teamed up with a group of four and an older couple and named ourselves the Tominators!

[terri&roy]

I am loving this review. Will be on the FREEDOM in 41 days. This review is getting me so excited. Thank you! Can't wait to hear about Jamaica.

[lovestocruise19]

Beautiful shot of the Freedom head on! Can't wait for my honeymoon cruise! 110 days!

[calex1976]

Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience on the sub. We looked at doing it also, but Lynda is very claustrophobic and I did not think she could handle it. You got some great shots of the Freedom that day. We actually got caught in the rain shower, but after snorkeling it felt nice. You really did not miss much by skipping out on the shopping unless you wanted to buy a diamond from one of the 10 diamond dealers we passed.

[SASA13]

Keep it coming :) I would never even think of going in the sub, as I am a bit closterphobic. I think I will do the turtle farm next trip.

[kcparrothead]

Looking forward to hearing (& seeing!!) what you did in Jamaica!! :)

[navybaby1113]

We were getting hungry, so we decided to go to dinner early. Got there at 5:45pm and the restaurant was empty! We got a nice two person table near the window. We had a different waiter named Ketut tonight and he was fabulous. Very entertaining!

 

Here are the menus for dinner tonight, borrowed from Zydeco Cruiser's website.

 

 

[navybaby1113]

For an appetizer, we both ordered the fruit cocktail from the every day menu.

 

 

For an entree, I ordered the filet mignon and short rib duet. It was very good, but the meat was kind of fatty.

 

DH ordered the lasagna which he has loved on previous cruises. He mentioned it was a little heavy on the spinach this cruise though.

 

 

 

For dessert, I ordered the apple pie which was very good. I also ordered a cappuccino, which was very nicely presented.

 

DH ordered the chocolate raspberry vanilla cream cake, which is by far his favorite dessert on the ship. The sorbet they serve it with is to die for!

 

 

 

[navybaby1113]

After dinner, went to the theatre where there was supposed to be a True or False game at 7:30pm. It was about 7:45pm and the ACD came out onto stage. Everyone asked him what was going on and he slinked back behind the curtain. He came out at about 7:55pm and did a rush game where people stood on either side of the stage depending on whether they thought the answer was true or false. DH and I both got on in the first round each time.

 

After that was the Gender Showdown (men won), 60 Seconds or Less, and then the Liars Club. Very entertaining!

 

After all of the fun in the theatre, we headed back to our room for bed and found this cutie!

 

[calex1976]

After dinner, went to the theatre where there was supposed to be a True or False game at 7:30pm. It was about 7:45pm and the ACD came out onto stage. Everyone asked him what was going on and he slinked back behind the curtain. He came out at about 7:55pm and did a rush game where people stood on either side of the stage depending on whether they thought the answer was true or false. DH and I both got on in the first round each time.

 

After that was the Gender Showdown (men won), 60 Seconds or Less, and then the Liars Club. Very entertaining!

 

After all of the fun in the theatre, we headed back to our room for bed and found this cutie!

 

 

 

 

We only made it to the Liars Club, and it was hilarious.

[MiMiof2]

Great review ! We board the Freedom on Sat for the 8 day to Panama.

[navybaby1113]

Great review ! We board the Freedom on Sat for the 8 day to Panama.

 

Thank you! Have a great time!

[kcparrothead]

I'm so happy to see the chocolate raspberry creme cake! That is my favorite dessert on the ship!!!

[RaiderFaninNM]

THANKS for a great review!!!

 

Love the many pics, PLEASE keep them coming and SO GLAD that the dining room still has the pumpkin soup and the mushroom soup, those were 2 of my favs!! THANKS for your time!!!!

[navybaby1113]

Thursday, January 26, 2012

 

We woke up at 6:30am to the sun peeking through our curtains. We were sailing into Ocho Rios.

 

We headed up to breakfast on the lido deck and watched up sail into Jamaica.

 

 

After breakfast, we headed out on an open deck so that we could take some pictures of the gorgeous country side.

 

 

 

 

 

[navybaby1113]

We had booked a Carnival tour to do the Cool Runnings catamaran sail and Dunn's River Falls. I heard it was one of the best ways to get to and from DRF. Our tickets said to meet our tour on dock at 8:30am.

 

We were directed over to our tour and were able to board the boat immediately. They were handing out punch, coke, and water to drink as soon as we boarded. They were also trying to sell pictures and logo items and were kind of pushy about it. They also made us sign a release of liability, which I thought was odd. I have never had to sign anything like that on a Carnival sponsored tour before.

 

It took 20-25 minutes to reach the falls. They gave us instructions on what to do before we reached the falls as well as what to do when while we were there. They kept pushing the items they were selling as well. They set up a place on the boat where we could live our bags and personal items while were climbing the falls. If you forgot water shoes, the boat has some that you are able to rent.

 

Here are some pictures from the boat ride over:

 

 

 

As you're walking across the beach getting ready to climb, they have you form a chain. The chain seems stupid and unhelpful at first, but you will come to appreciate it as you're climbing. The guy in front of me helped me quite often.

 

There are a lot of opportunities to stop and take pictures as you're climbing. At one point, our guide took our cameras and took pictures of the two of us. I highly recommend you bring a water proof camera with you. Also, it would help to have a strap. The couple in front of us almost lost theirs because he had it in his pocket.

 

I highly recommend DRF. I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to climb the falls because I'm not in the best shape, but it was definitely easier than I thought it was going to be. There are parts that are hard, but it's adrenaline rush. You should definitely do this if you go to Jamaica.

 

The next couple of posts will be pictures from the falls.

[kcparrothead]

It took me awhile to figure out what was spelled out in your last picture, but I figured it out! :p I'll have to look for that when we are there! (wow - I used "out" 3 times in that sentence! LOL)

Edited February 9, 2012 by kcparrothead

[navybaby1113]

 

By the way, the water was freezing! You got used to it though after climbing for a while.

 

 

 

 

[navybaby1113]

It took me awhile to figure out what was spelled out in your last picture, but I figured it out! :p I'll have to look for that when we are there!

 

It took me a while too. DH had to tell me what it was. :)

[navybaby1113]

 

 

 

[navybaby1113]

When we got back on the boat, the rum punch and rum and coke were free flowing. DH said his was really strong, but I enjoyed it. They do a little detour while heading back to the ship so you have a longer ride. The ride is a lot rougher on the way back to. A couple people on the boat started feeling sick.

 

They had loud music and a lot of dancing. They were very pushy wanting you to dance with them.

 

 

 

 

We had a lot of fun on this tour and would definitely do it again. The pushy people on the boat got a little annoying, but just continue to say no and you'll be fine.

 

 

We headed straight back to the ship after the tour as we had no interest in going into downtown Ocho Rios.

[kcparrothead]

We climbed the falls when we were there several years ago & I just remember how cold the water was, but I was sweating! - and just when I thought we were up as far as we were to go, we kept going! I loved it, though!

[lovestocruise19]

I love the first picture of you and your DH in the Falls! That turned out really well!

[pale lady]

By the way, the water was freezing! You got used to it though after climbing for a while.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is that a bridge you have to go under? Looks like I would get claustrophobic.

I am enjoying your review. My DH and I are leaving soon on the same trip and can't wait. Your pictures are great.

[RaiderFaninNM]

Dunns River Falls!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I loved that one! We did that last year and it was SOOO much fun and my son still talks about that one, the water was so refreshing as it was a HOT day last June. When we go back we will def book this one again, THANKS!