Carnival Freedom 12 Day Repo Cruise with tons of pictures

[lovestocruise19]

We waited in a long line for dinner, but it moved pretty quickly (10 minutes). Not sure if we'll do YTD again. We got seated in a lighter section and we were actually seated next to Larry and Linda again! What are the odds of that? We ended up chatting with them throughout dinner.

 

I got fruit cocktail, farfalle with turkey and tiramisu. DH got Caesar salad, flat iron steak and coconut cake.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 21, 2015 by lovestocruise19

[lovestocruise19]

After dinner we didn't have time for a casual photo shoot like I wanted to do, so we went straight to the theatre. Our favorite seats were taken so we sat somewhere else. The preshow consisted of the piano bar guy "singing." He reallllly can't sing! He butchered a bunch of songs. We were glad the show 88 Keys featured the Playlist Production singers/dancers and the main singer for them is really good. At the end the piano bar guy came out for an encore and we bolted! Lol! Unfortunately all the photo stops were on break so I couldn't get a casual photo because we had to save seats in the comedy club.

 

*Tip* If you want a good seat (or a seat at all), get to the comedy club way early! We were always there between and hour and 45 minutes early.

 

This was my DH's favorite drink of the cruise. It's called, aptly, The Cruiser.

 

We watched the comedian and went back to the room to check out the towel animal and then up to Lido where we saw the Caribbean dance party. We got cookies at the late night snack area.

 

[springs741]

They played music on the way back and people danced. I danced a little bit near DH and not on the main dance floor near the bar. And speaking of the bar, some people were pretty snockered off the rum punch! I didn't have any and DH had one and said they were strong.

 

I was one of the ones dancing. I promise you I wasn't a snockered as you probably thought. I only had one punch. It was just a feel good day.

 

You have a great eye for photos. I am a firm believer that photography is an art. I am sure people will ask you about your camera. I often wonder if they ask a great chef on what kind of stove they cook?

 

I agree with you about the MDR. It was really hit or miss not only with the food but with the service too. It wasn't until day 8 that we found a wait staff we liked in a well lighted area.

[lovestocruise19]

They played music on the way back and people danced. I danced a little bit near DH and not on the main dance floor near the bar. And speaking of the bar, some people were pretty snockered off the rum punch! I didn't have any and DH had one and said they were strong.

 

I was one of the ones dancing. I promise you I wasn't a snockered as you probably thought. I only had one punch. It was just a feel good day.

 

You have a great eye for photos. I am a firm believer that photography is an art. I am sure people will ask you about your camera. I often wonder if they ask a great chef on what kind of stove they cook?

 

I agree with you about the MDR. It was really hit or miss not only with the food but with the service too. It wasn't until day 8 that we found a wait staff we liked in a well lighted area.

 

Oh, I wasn't judging about the dancers! Lol. It's their vacation and they can do whatever they want! DH said he saw someone throw up off the side of the catamaran when we docked. I'm glad I didn't see that. Yuck!

 

Thank you so much for your compliment. You guys are really boosting my ego here! I actually got a new camera for my birthday in December from DH. It is a Nikon Coolpix L330. I'm definately no professional, but love taking and posing for pictures! DH isn't really good at taking pictures, hence all the selfies! Lol! ;)

 

Yeah, it took us an hour and a half or more at a table for two every single night, whereas on the Conquest last year we were in and out in an hour.

[lovestocruise19]

We got off the ship at 10:30 a.m. after eating a quick breakfast on Lido. We didn't have any excursions planned for Curacao and decided just to do a little shopping. We were going to go to a maritime museum, but it was closed because it was Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lovestocruise19]

 

It took me forever to get this shot. So many people were milling around and then some girl hopped up and straddled the cannon. :rolleyes:

 

 

 

 

[lovestocruise19]

 

 

 

We missed the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge because it was opening to let the pilot boat through so we took the free ferry across instead. It was neat being able to see it open.

 

 

 

[lovestocruise19]

Queen Juliana Bridge:

 

 

 

Floating Market:

 

 

[lovestocruise19]

 

 

 

 

The street side of the floating market:

[SMSACE6]

I loved her too. Very personable and friendly.

 

I really liked her a lot last November. As you say, very personalble and friendly.

 

edit to say; that I understand that we all like some CDs more than others, and to each their own, but it upsets me when people are mean, and say nasty things about her. It is ok, not to like someone, but I find it uneccessary to be mean commented about why.

Edited February 21, 2015 by SMSACE6

[lovestocruise19]

I bought a magnet in one of the shops. On our way back to the ship, we were able to walk across the pontoon bridge because it had closed back up.

 

 

 

 

 

I hate how this is blurry. Still getting used to my new camera:

 

[lovestocruise19]

 

Back on the ship I showered and then we ate lunch on Lido.

 

View from our stateroom window:

 

I headed to Serenity and read for awhile and then came back to the room. I logged onto a social media site and saw that my Mom was on! We chatted for over an hour and she saw me on both the forward webcam and the one by the waterslide. I even got to chat with my sister a bit too.

 

DH and I ate up on Lido for dinner. After that we hung out in the sports bar. DH recognized the bartender from the Conquest last year.

 

 

We checked out Curacao all lit up.

 

[lovestocruise19]

After that DH went back to the stateroom to watch the Grammys. I bought a gangway photo and a super cute photo they took in the MDR the previous night.

 

 

 

I was going to go to the special performance of the Playlist Productions singers and the Steel City band, but it was packed when I arrived 15 minutes early (it was in the International Lounge) so I bailed.

 

I went to the Love and Marriage Show by myself and it was funny as always. The longest married couple was married for 57 years!

[SMSACE6]

The Steel City Band was still on the ship? They were on my cruise back in November, and they played mostly outside the casino on Promenade deck. I really enjoyed them, and while I am fairly reserved older lady, I really did enjoy their sets, and let loose a little:D I actually danced with the crowd:eek: So much fun though.

 

I like that pic of you and hubby in the MDR. Great memento.

Edited February 22, 2015 by SMSACE6

[lovestocruise19]

The Steel City Band was still on the ship? They were on my cruise back in November, and they played mostly outside the casino on Promenade deck. I really enjoyed them, and while I am fairly reserved older lady, I really did enjoy their sets, and let loose a little:D I actually danced with the crowd:eek: So much fun though.

 

I like that pic of you and hubby in the MDR. Great memento.

Yes, they mostly played outside the casino on this cruise too. We were always heading somewhere else and heard them on our way by. However, we did hear them perform in the Red Frog Pub one night. They are good and I'm kinda bummed I missed that special performance. I didn't realize it would fill up so fast like it does for comedy.

Edited February 22, 2015 by lovestocruise19

[lovestocruise19]

I like that pic of you and hubby in the MDR. Great memento.

 

Oh, and thanks! I love that pic too. It's my favorite pic of DH and I from the cruise.

[lovestocruise19]

DH has wanted to go to Aruba ever since he was a kid, so on this day his dream came true! I grabbed some breakfast and then we got off the ship around 10 a.m. and walked to downtown Oranjestad, Aruba.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lovestocruise19]

I bought some earrings and a magnet and DH bought a t-shirt. I also bought sand in a small bottle for my Mom. We dropped our purchases back off in our room and waited in the cruise terminal four our UTV excursion to start.

 

 

 

We took a five minute bus ride to De Palm Tours. We signed a waiver and took a bathroom break and then were on our way. They provided bandanas for everyone to wear on your face which was good because it was very dusty! I also had my pink camo bandana on my head and it actually got whippped off when DH hit 40 mph driving through town!

 

 

 

 

[lovestocruise19]

 

 

I apologize in advance for the blurry photos. It is very hard to take photos from a fast moving vehicle that is climbing over rocks on a dusty trail!

 

DH told me that this was his all time favorite excursion!

 

[lovestocruise19]

We made a stop at a little beach for photos.

 

 

 

 

 

Our tour guide was kind enough to take our photo!

 

[lovestocruise19]

 

 

Our guide Julius:

 

We stopped at an old gold mine. Our guide provided us with water and granola bars.

 

 

 

[WindsorFred]

 

 

 

Our guide Julius:

 

 

We stopped at an old gold mine. Our guide provided us with water and granola bars.

 

 

 

This is actually a gold smelting complex. Gold used to be big business on the island.

[SenatorsFan]

I'm really enjoying your review and pictures. That first picture of the sailboat in St. Maarten is just gorgeous! I'm also reliving my own cruise on Freedom this past July where we also went to Aruba and Curacao; those were the highlight ports for me. :) Keep up the good work.

Heather

Edited February 22, 2015 by SenatorsFan

[sjn911]

Wonderful review, photos and sharing of your lovely trip. You give us all more of a feel for these fabulous ports...

 

Sorry comming home was harrowing..you all on the east coast are absolutely getting hammered. Have had my share of getting out or back with big issues..both summer and winter storm wise..but it is always worth it if safe, and calm, padded time and insurance.

 

I had a surprising Roadway Inn save me this year on a tough drive back from Portland, Or this year..not as nice looking as yours...but clean..very clean and nice in middle of nowhere when I needed it ..LOL..and 60 bucks walk in!!!

Edited February 22, 2015 by sjn911

[lovestocruise19]

I'm really enjoying your review and pictures. That first picture of the sailboat in St. Maarten is just gorgeous! I'm also reliving my own cruise on Freedom this past July where we also went to Aruba and Curacao; those were the highlight ports for me. :) Keep up the good work.

Heather

 

Thanks!