Live from the Carnival Freedom !!!

[gypsyrose]

This has been so much fun to follow along and I can't wait for the picture reviews and different threads when you get home. Hopefully your flight will be ready and waiting to whisk you to Las Vegas:D We are flying AA next week so hopefully they will have all of these problems fixed by then.

[pe4all]

Fred-

Enjoy your last sea day, and thanks again for all the time you spent on line with us. I had a great cruise with you - 8 days till we board! Good luck getting home - then again, there are worse things than getting "stuck" in Miami an extra do or so. The main thing was your flight down was okay. We have flites on AA next Friday - hopefully these cancellations will be a distant memory by then. Watch the sunburn, and eat, drink, and be merry!

[davesgirl]

I have been a "lurker" for days, but had to say "thank you" to you while you are still posting "live". I appreciate the time you have taken from your cruise to keep us posted and informed. I am sailing on the Victory with my family in less than a month and reading your posts has made me feel like I am there already! Hope that your DW and MIL understand how much we, your fellow CC board members, appreciate what you are doing. My DH gets a little frustrated when I set aside time from our cruises, vacations, etc., to check email, post/check the boards, and so on. Again THANK YOU!

[Jayne315]

Fred: One final question...looking at a picture of the Freedom is Cabin#2462 the last picture window? Thanks & enjoy your day!

[marter99]

I too have just been lurking (for years really), but just had to say Fred that I absolutely love your reviews. Only 72 days till my cruise, and reading these posts makes me wish we were leaving tomorrow, oh wait, I haven't packed yet. Anyway, thank you for sharing your cruise with all of us! :D

[Donna n Francis]

.....well Fred it's the last day of 'our' cruise and I wanted to thank you for the terrific job you did on taking all of us on your cruise. Have a wonderful Fun Day at Sea, a safe trip home and I look forward to your pictures next week:D

 

Kindest regards, Donna

[CarnivalCruiseLover]

Fred,

Can I send you my email address to so I can get Todd's? I got it from him last year, and can't find it. thanks so much. Love the review !

 

 

Got Todds, email, will get with you when I get home.

 

 

 

Fred

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

Freedom Day 6 AT SEA Cont.

 

 

Platinum Laundry Service & Past Guest Party

 

I forgot to mention, the way it works for the Platinum Laundry service, if you have the cabin steward pick up the

laundry bag before 10am, you will get your bag by 6pm, if they pick it up after 10am then you will get it back the

next morning.

 

We just return from the Past Guest party, the Video is new because of the new CEO and even John Herald has a part

in it. Someone won a free supper club for tonight and also got a picture with Todd and the Capt.

 

We got to try alot of different drinks at this Past Guest party, it was very nice.

 

The only new thing that Todd mentioned at the part was that they will have some type of Rewards for those that book

future cruises while onboard, he didnt mention anything about OBC's.

 

 

Fred

[mics pics]

Fred, I wanted to say thanks for the review, and especially for posting the photos. I know that eats tons of your minutes. I must say, this has been the first week I haven't been chomping at the bit for my cruise in 85 days, and I know it's because I'm living through you, Wendy, and Cathy.

Thanks again!

BTW, since your flights are over a long distance, I'm guessing you will be on a 757 again, so I think you're okay. The only flights that have been canceling lately for all airlines are MD80 type aircraft. AA just had the bad luck to have so many of that type.

Have a great last day, and safe travels home. :)

[Mikel1733]

Fred - First what an awesome report - we are on the Freedom the 19th a week from tomorrow.

 

Question is "how smoky is the piano bar" we love the music but some ships can breathe and have to fore go the enjoyment.

 

Al.....what a bummer that someones habit is more important than everyone on the cruise (who all paid for the same entertainment) can't enjoy the piano bar. My daughter has asthma and we've never been able to sit down and enjoy the piano bar. I hope you can find a time when its not too smokey.

[cruisldy]

Fred, have much enjoyed your "on the go" trip report. Have to let you know that if you aren't staying in Las Vegas, you will be coming home to a heat wave. Supposed to be in the 80's all weekend and into Monday. :)

[crusinpsychRN]

This has been a great read! It's the first thread I open every morning. Fred, it seems clear to me that you are one heck of a nice person. You never seem to get caught in any of the negative stuff. Refreshing!:D

[Leighpast]

Fred, I too, along with many others have enjoyed reading your adventures on the Freedom. I don't have my next cruise booked, but I'm looking forward to one this fall! Have a great last day!

[jrmende63]

Fred,

Thanks for getting me excited for the Freedom! We sail her Nov 30-Dec 6th and then get on the Splendor Dec 6th- 13th. We are very excited to go on the two newest ships! Thanks for the great reports. I know Cathy had a blast, So I would expect to hear more from her cruising in the future!

Julie

[CarnivalCruiseLover]

Well that was a pretty offensive statement. I pay for my cruises, along with 20 other people in my group when I travel, and we cruise often, and some of us smoke. As long as it's legal, and they allow it, then deal with it. You are only seeing it on one side, which is a non smoking side. Why should everyone be punished because of your daughter's asthma issue? That includes smokers, people that wear cologne, perfume, etc.

The last time I checked, all the cruises I paid for, and I paid for entertainment to go along with it. And yes I smoke, and I deserve and I am entitled to the same entertainment, and doing that, I should be allowed to smoke in a piano bar.

 

You have the dinining room,show longues, half the out door deck, shops, elevators, and now you want it all? My suggestion, if it's too smokey, stay out, or stay home and live in a oxgen bubble in your house.

 

 

Al.....what a bummer that someones habit is more important than everyone on the cruise (who all paid for the same entertainment) can't enjoy the piano bar. My daughter has asthma and we've never been able to sit down and enjoy the piano bar. I hope you can find a time when its not too smokey.

[e150club]

Thank you Fred, I've been reading along with everyone all week. I can't wait to see all your pics. I hope you all have a smooth trip home and don't suffer post cruise depression.

[bemarshall]

My understanding was that on Carnival it was $30 a day. Was your cruise a 10 cruise?

 

I did a quick search and found this post which was actually originally posted by Fred. :D

 

OK, Heres the Deal, You have to call Groups Event Planning Department and you must have a Valid Booking number to begin with.

 

A. 30 GUEST is the Minimum.

 

B. Everyone has to participate period, even if you have 57 in that group.

 

C. Everyone will be issued a Drink Card so they can order Unlimited drinks.

 

D. It will cost 45.00 per person per day.

 

E. It will only be for drinks costing 7.50 and lower, if your drink cost more then 7.50 then I guess you have to come up with the difference.

 

This info comes from the Group Events Planning Department.

 

Fred

 

Fred, still loving your reports, thank you!!

[misssea]

FYI, the piano bar is not that smokey unless you happen to be unfortunate enough to sit next to someone who is smoking. We visited the piano bar every night except the night it was closed and only one night did a smoker sit next to me. Rude or not, I just kept waving it away from me. I wasn't going to sit there and inhale it all night!

[davesgirl]

Well that was a pretty offensive statement. I pay for my cruises, along with 20 other people in my group when I travel, and we cruise often, and some of us smoke. As long as it's legal, and they allow it, then deal with it. You are only seeing it on one side, which is a non smoking side. Why should everyone be punished because of your daughter's asthma issue? That includes smokers, people that wear cologne, perfume, etc.

The last time I checked, all the cruises I paid for, and I paid for entertainment to go along with it. And yes I smoke, and I deserve and I am entitled to the same entertainment, and doing that, I should be allowed to smoke in a piano bar.

 

You have the dinining room,show longues, half the out door deck, shops, elevators, and now you want it all? My suggestion, if it's too smokey, stay out, or stay home and live in a oxgen bubble in your house.

 

...there's no need for your tone...I believe you owe us all an apology, but more so to Mikel1733...your response was to say the least, rude...I am sure you could have found a different, more civil way to state your view...

One day, you might find yourself in a position where others might have to make some concessions in order to accomodate you, and if so I hope you don't encounter someone who might feel that you "should stay out, or stay home and live in a ... bubble in your house".

[*CruiseFan*]

...there's no need for your tone...I believe you owe us all an apology, but more so to Mikel1733...your response was to say the least, rude...I am sure you could have found a different, more civil way to state your view...

One day, you might find yourself in a position where others might have to make some concessions in order to accomodate you, and if so I hope you don't encounter someone who might feel that you "should stay out, or stay home and live in a ... bubble in your house".

 

2nd. Seems like someone forgot to take their happy pills...

 

Glad you're having a great time, Fred!

[Socref124]

Well that was a pretty offensive statement. I pay for my cruises, along with 20 other people in my group when I travel, and we cruise often, and some of us smoke. As long as it's legal, and they allow it, then deal with it. You are only seeing it on one side, which is a non smoking side. Why should everyone be punished because of your daughter's asthma issue? That includes smokers, people that wear cologne, perfume, etc.

The last time I checked, all the cruises I paid for, and I paid for entertainment to go along with it. And yes I smoke, and I deserve and I am entitled to the same entertainment, and doing that, I should be allowed to smoke in a piano bar.

 

You have the dinining room,show longues, half the out door deck, shops, elevators, and now you want it all? My suggestion, if it's too smokey, stay out, or stay home and live in a oxgen bubble in your house.

 

Wow are you asking to ber flamed or what???:confused: BTW, I am a non smoker that doesn't care one way or the other.

[trudle]

Fred,--------------- I also want to thank you for your great review----we go on the Freedom in November and it will be like cruising on her twice. I am looking forward to your other reviews and the pictures.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise and a safe trip home.

 

Trudy

[MonaCK]

Thank you so much for this wonderful review! Even though I am not sailing on the Freedom, it's still wetting my appetite for my upcoming cruise. I give you a lot of credit - I'm not sure I could be as deligent as you :)

 

Thanks for taking us along for your vacation. :)

[Wennfred]

Freedom Day 7 AT SEA LAST DAY

 

Hi all, we slept in late this morning, Cathy knocked on our door this morning at 10am, because the curtains were closed we didn't see any day light and kept on sleeping, it felt great. Wendy shoulders and Cathys feet are still red but getting better, Wendy never learns.

 

We did the Free Cruise Bingo, as always I wasn't even close, all that was needed was the large X on the bingo card, there were 3 bogus bingo callers that were clueless and finally there were 4 people that won but they had to go up on stage and pick the highest number. The second lady out of the 4 that won picked O-75 which is the highest bingo ball in the batch, so she won the free cruise.

 

Right after the Bingo was the Disembarkation debrief, Cruise Director said that there were new things during the debrief. I guess the only things that were new is the New Miami Cruise Terminal with the baggage area and then he spoke about the new debarkation luggage zone tags. We get Zone 1 because we are VIP but we are not in a rush to get to the airport, we will probably debark around 9:30am and head out slow. Our AA flight leaves for Miami at 3:30pm, I should be able to post for free from Miami Airport as many have free WIFI.

 

After the Debrief we headed up to Lido Deck to chow down on some food, we were hungry and all I had was a Bass Ale beer (Breakfast of Champions).

 

After lunch we headed back to the casino to donate some more money and also play in the Slot tournament, Wendy and I didnt even come close, but later we came back at 3PM to see if they would call out our raffle ticket to get into the final slot tourament. Someone else was called LOL. We suck.

 

Then we headed up to the Spa, of course we have to go through this on every cruise with the Spa about getting our 25% off on services because we are Carnival Vacation Club members as well, and thats one of the perks, so the person took our paper work and should be calling us here in the cabin shortly with in the next 15 minutes. I will use this time to fill out my comment cards and also my Customs Declaration form.

 

I have 10 minutes left on this account thats why I haven't posted much today and I have to try and print out our boarding passes because its a pain to do that in Miami, you know the lines. we are First Class but still even in First Class you still have to wait in lines. In Las Vegas the kiosk machines that you do a self check-in and then it prints out your airline tickets well it was having alot of problems booting up, I saw it was using Windows XP no wonder it was having problems.

 

We are fully packed and it feels like my main luggage wieghs around 45 Lbs, it shouldn't go over 50 Lbs, I've been pretty good with guessing. Cathy is going to check in her small luggage that she used to carry on, it probably wieghs less then 30 lbs.

 

We are tipping everyone very well, even the Maitre'D will get a tip and also our Dining room Bar Waitress Aniko will also get a tip, thats a first. Maitre'Dino really took care of us and he even gave us a bottle of champagne because we made his day that night when I told him he had alot of Cruise Critic fans. Dining room Bar waitstaff Aniko was always there right next to us when we needed a soda from Wendy's fountain card and also our Drinks.

 

Tonight is the Legends show, we are not going to it because we never like watching people lip syncing to music, I perfer seeing the real talent shows that they used to have or still do on other ships. I will write that on the comment card. Hopefully they will bring back the Talent show one day.

 

Wendy is going to wait for the call from the Spa, Im going to head down to the Internet cafe to try and print our boarding passes for American Airline, that will be something less we have to deal with tomorrow.

 

Thats all I have to say, till we get to Miami tomorrow I will try to log on and tell you if we still have a flight to Vegas.

 

We just got a call from Mick the Spa person and he said we got our 25% off for those services, that was nice but again you always have to fight for it.

 

Arrival tomorrow morning in Miami is around 5:30am.

 

You guys take care! This cruise was great, alot of fun but you always wait for a whole year to get to your cruise and in a blink its over LOL.

 

 

See ya.

 

 

Fred

[4kidsplusty]

thanks fred. have asafe trip home we hope to see pictures soon

[duck512]

Goodbye Fred, have a safe trip home and hope to sail with you again soon! LOL! This thread has been great.

 

Pat