Carnival Freedom 3/21/15-3/28/15

[lberbe]

I just got of the Freedom this past Saturday... and loved it. This was only our second cruise and the first was on the Liberty so I don't have much to compare it to, but in my opinion it was wonderful! Can't rave enough about the staff, especially the wait staff.

I had early dining in the Posh restaurant. First night they asked our names, every night after they would all greet us by name and use our name when taking our orders. I had requested a private two top prior to the cruise and sure enough they delivered. Perfect two top in the corner against the window. Got to watch the sunset each of the first 5 nights. My wife ordered a sprite with her meal the first two nights and sure enough every night after that Eric cracked one open without us having to ask. They had creme brulee on like the second night and a couple nights later after asking I was told it wasn't going to be on the menu any other nights. So what did Eric do when he found out I really liked the creme brulee, he had four made up for me (ate 2 and took 2 back to the room).

The casino staff was also wonderful. Dealers and Pit bosses got to know me and I wasn't even in there excessively.

Our porter on the other hand I never got to know. We only really saw him the last night. My wife went to bed early after dinner several nights and on those nights we didn't get turn down service (or towel animal). Since we ate at the same time I would think he would hit our room at that time. But in a way it was good that we never saw him. He would usually come by once or twice during the day while we were out and tidy up and we never walked in with him cleaning. It was just done. Towels were replaced, everything cleaned, towel animals on the nights my wife didn't go to bed early, etc. I just didn't get to know him or even his name.

Internet service was decent. The day at Belize there were issues and basically no connection until we got an hour or two away and spotty on the day we were in Cozumel. Carnival gave a 25% credit for that so no complaints here. We had the $99 plan and took turns on it if I needed to access any specific non-social media sites and then we had the $25 social media plan. This worked great so we could text with each other. The $25 social media plan worked great for texting back home, posting pictures on FB, Snapchat, hangouts, etc. The $99 plan was only needed for things like logging into my bank or checking things at work. Highly recommend the $25 social media for the majority of people. And remember you’re in the middle of nowhere so if it does go out, don't get mad, just go see guest services and they'll give you a credit.

I only saw two of the singing shows so I can't talk much about them. However, I was really impressed with the quality of the singers. But as far as shows are concerned, the Comedy shows took the cake. Especially Dwight Slade (think that was his name), he was HILARIOUS!!

My last cruise (6/13) my daughters tried to get me to do the hairy chest contest. I'm really a bit on the introverted side and have NO rhythm what so ever. However, last cruise they offered a nice watch to the winner and between that, the ship-on-a-stick (to go with my BJ tourney one from last cruise), and the fact that my girls weren't there to be scared for life, I decided to do it. While I didn't win, I did make it to the final three and scored the 24k gold-plastic ship-on-a-stick. And wasn’t disappointed when 1st place only got a cheap bottle of champagne. Looking back I’m glad I did it but dang I was embarrassed for the next 4 days not to mention hurting from something being pulled in my back. Why would I ever think I could do a split. Lol

Excursions were wonderful as well. I can go into detail if anyone is hitting these ports and want some advice.

I’d also be willing to answer any questions about the Freedom but keep in mind this was just our second cruise. Plus it was free (with the exception of taxes and port fees) as a casino promotion from my play on our last cruise.

Oh, one last thing for now... room selection. Last cruise we had a balcony on Veranda (deck 8) on the left back side of the ship. This time we had an inside room (3210) since they didn’t have any more balcony rooms available for the casino offer. We really didn’t mind the inside room too much. We did miss the view but free is free. Anyway, when I booked it I figured I’d try something different and get the same deck but middle of the ship to be closer to the food and centered for getting to dinner or the shows. Can you say MISTAKE. There were several nights that I’d wake up to chairs being moved on the deck above me and one night that they had a deck party so it was a constant BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM as everyone jumped in sync to the bass. Luckily I brought some ear plugs and they helped a bunch. My wife had ear buds and listened to music. Anyway, that was my fault in selection. If you’re selecting the center of the ship go down to deck 7.

I’ll try to post some pictures soon.

[WindsorFred]

Thanks. We were on her for the 12 day repo in Feb, for the third time. Agree with everything you said.

[SMSACE6]

I am happy that you liked the Freedom. It is now tied with the Liberty as my favorite ship/s.:) On my cruise last November the staff were so attentive and caring everywhere. I have always enjoyed great service from Carnival staff, but this cruise was exceptional.

[Slippin]

We were on this same cruise. We have traveled on 5 cruises and 4 different boats. We loved the 2.0 upgrades on the Freedom. I must say Guy's burger is all that it is cracked up to be!

[cruiser fanatic]

I was on the Freedom on 3/7/15 - 3/14/15. I agree with the majority of everything you said. I thought only 1 singer was bad. I saw all the shows and I liked them all except for Getaway Island. I thought it was kind of corny.

[cruisin2604]

We will be on the freedom in July .. Can I ask how you made the table request for two in the main dining room?

[josefina022]

Thank you so much for your review! We are looking forward to our upcoming trip on the freedom!

[lberbe]

We will be on the freedom in July .. Can I ask how you made the table request for two in the main dining room?

 

Yes, about a week before you cruise, send your request to FDmaitred@carnival.com. Mine read like this...

 

"I would like to request a two top table for the main dining room.

 

Names

Booking #: xxxxxx

# of Guests: 2

Stateroom: xxxx

Dining Time: Early Dining 6:00 PM (Confirmed)

Sail Date: Mar 21, 2015

 

Thank you very much, can't wait for your wonderful meals!"

 

I'm hesitant about putting the table number here because I'm greedy and don't want any competition for our next cruise, lol, but it was 301. I don't think you'll be one bit disappointed.

[lberbe]

[lberbe]

We were on this same cruise. We have traveled on 5 cruises and 4 different boats. We loved the 2.0 upgrades on the Freedom. I must say Guy's burger is all that it is cracked up to be!

 

Between all of the excursions and all of the other food I only got to eat at Guy's once this trip but I 100% agree with you. Love those burgers!

We also made it a point to sacrifice several meals at Guy's this trip to try some of the places we missed last cruise. Like the Fish and Chips restaurant. Never even knew about it last cruise so we made a point to get it this time. I did have to wait a little bit for them to complete my order and the set up was a little confusing being our first time. But the food was really good.

We also didn't have any pizzas last cruise and made it a point to give that a try this time as well. It was a little easier with the early dining. We got the munchies at 1-2am a couple nights when I came in late and woke my wife. So I made a stroll up to get a couple pizza's. A little language barrier with the workers there but the pizzas were delicious. Had the mushroom one night and the cheese pizza another.

Also made it a point to get to the blue iguana for breakfast burrito. Again, phenomenal. I like spicy stuff so if you're like me, don't forget they have a condiment bar with all kinds of hot sauce.

Still on my to-do list are the deli and the Mongolian wok.

[Martini Mom]

We're sailing on the Freedom to Roatan, Belize and Coz. What days are the elegant nights?

[lberbe]

We're sailing on the Freedom to Roatan, Belize and Coz. What days are the elegant nights?

 

It was Sunday and Thursday. I had thought it would be Friday since Tuesday-Thursday were port days but it was Thursday after getting back on board from Cozumel.

 

Oh, just a side note about getting back on the ship in Cozumel. We, and just about everyone else, got back to the ship a little before the due time of 3:30 and the line to actually get on the ship took just over an hour. I have no clue why it took so long but either get there early or don't bother rushing.

[Martini Mom]

It was Sunday and Thursday. I had thought it would be Friday since Tuesday-Thursday were port days but it was Thursday after getting back on board from Cozumel.

 

Oh, just a side note about getting back on the ship in Cozumel. We, and just about everyone else, got back to the ship a little before the due time of 3:30 and the line to actually get on the ship took just over an hour. I have no clue why it took so long but either get there early or don't bother rushing.

 

Thanks! That's an odd choice for the 2nd elegant night, as a lot of people are pretty tipsy from their time in Coz. I guess it's because we are back on board earlier than the other ports.

[lberbe]

Thanks! That's an odd choice for the 2nd elegant night, as a lot of people are pretty tipsy from their time in Coz. I guess it's because we are back on board earlier than the other ports.

 

That may also have been the reason for the log wait getting back on the ship.