Live from the Carnival Freedom !!!

[gail811]

Welcome back....thanks for the GREAT review.....except for the rocking I experience when I get off the ship, I feel like I have been along with you. Can't wait for yours and Paul's reviews! Hope your flight is on time!

[Wennfred]

Disembarkation Timeline

 

6:00am Ship arrives (approximately)

 

7:30am We got our butts out of bed and into the shower.

 

7:35am Self Assist starts to debark

 

7:45am Wendy and Cathy are off to breakfast in the Dining room

 

8:40am off the ship as Luggage tags 1,2,3 & 4 along with self assist deck 6 are called.

 

8:55am Baggage claim

 

9:20am Departed the cruise terminal

 

9:25am Got on the Bus

10:00am Arrived at Miami International Airport.

 

10:10am Checked 3 bag with American Airline using the Self Assist machine at the first class counter.

 

10:25am Passing through security.

 

11:00am We make it to Gate C-5

 

If we were coach we would still be standing in line waiting to check our bags in. There were long lines in that section.

 

 

 

Fred

[pe4all]

Fred-

Again, thanks for the posts. Enjoyed cruising with you. While we won't be "live" when we sail on the 19th, we will surely put up a short review when we return. Have a safe fly home - we'll keep an eye on your airport updates.

[Wennfred]

Can't wait for yours and Paul's reviews! Hope your flight is on time!

 

Gail, Im done, what was my review :D In the next few days I will be uploading pictures and posting topics and adding those pictures to them.

 

I will write both cabin reviews, Cathys Cat.1a single cabin and our Cat.1a with the 2 windows. I will also write a review on the Mongolian Grill since there isnt any on Cruise Critic yet.

 

 

Fred

[ellenmb]

OK GUYS,

 

Im live here at the Airport, I can chat all day now LOL. We have a flight later today so now we get to relax and wait.

 

 

Fred

Thanks again Fred for the trip; now I am champin' at the bit for mine...Do you know anything about FLL airport? want to know if it is condusive to "relaxing" as hub and I have a later flight and don't know if we should wait as long as we can on the ship, then go directly to airport or if we should do something in Miami before we go..we could probably do without spending more money by that time, so was wondering if it would be ok to hang out at the airport and never have been to FLL. thanks for any info you may know...and have a great flight!

[emmysmommy]

Fred: Nice to see your final updates. (I am one of those who need to trade in the all back generic luggage for something that stands out!)

 

When you get to Vegas, it will be a beautiful warm day - highs in the low 80s just like So. Ca.

 

Enjoy your travels home. (Well, I suppose flying 1st class, it can't be too bad!)

 

Take care!

[marcia014]

Hi Fred,

I am also an avid reader of this thread and want to thank you for your vivid writing style - I truly felt like I was on the cruise with you. A two-part question if you don't mind: As a seasoned cruiser, what about this ship / itinerary really stood out to you as the best thing about this cruise? I know you had wonderful staff, so please say something else. Also, as this was Cathy's first cruise, what stood out to her as the best feature of this cruise / itinerary? Thanks again!

Marcia

[cathyoo]

ahh, Fred I feel like crying.. I don't want your cruise to be over. Why didn't you do a B2B so we all could look forward to more "Live From". It was a fantastic review and we all appreciate you taking the time to let us cruise along.

 

Wishing you a safe trip home.

[Wennfred]

Thanks again Fred for the trip; now I am champin' at the bit for mine...Do you know anything about FLL airport? want to know if it is condusive to "relaxing" as hub and I have a later flight and don't know if we should wait as long as we can on the ship, then go directly to airport or if we should do something in Miami before we go..we could probably do without spending more money by that time, so was wondering if it would be ok to hang out at the airport and never have been to FLL. thanks for any info you may know...and have a great flight!

 

 

Its been over 15 years since I last flew out of FLL, but for us by the time we get off the ship, we want to relax at the airport and get the whole airport thing out of the way. With airport WIFI we can get intouch with everyone and catch up on our emails etc. They do have like 3 tours in Miami, one of them was the Art Deco district and South Beach, One takes you into the Everglades and there was the Jungle Island or Parrot Island one which is right next to the cruise terminal.

 

On these tours you take all of your luggage with you and at the end of the tour they take you to the Airport.

 

 

 

 

Fred

[airhead22]

I have a new disease...pfcd (post Freds cruise depression)

[Musicman9859]

Fred-

 

AWESOME job. You did so much for all of us out here in CC world. Felt like I was right there with you at times!! Now I'm really looking forward to my first VIP cruise in 23 days out of Miami on the Imagination! And, of course, we are all looking forward to your pics!!

 

ALSO: I get the sense you may go through Mongolian Grill withdrawal?? :D

 

Thanks again!!

 

Scott

 

(Musicman9859)

[Wennfred]

Hi Fred,

I am also an avid reader of this thread and want to thank you for your vivid writing style - I truly felt like I was on the cruise with you. A two-part question if you don't mind: As a seasoned cruiser, what about this ship / itinerary really stood out to you as the best thing about this cruise? I know you had wonderful staff, so please say something else. Also, as this was Cathy's first cruise, what stood out to her as the best feature of this cruise / itinerary? Thanks again!

Marcia

 

The truth is that after you get on your first Conquest Class ship, they all are pretty much have the same except for the decor will be different of course. I thought that the new addition of the Big Screen and also the Mongolian Grill was a very nice touch. The most definite thing that I noticed on this cruise was the improvement of the food and its flavors, it wasn't like the old bland George Blanc dishes, also they added new dishes to our menu. For Cathy it was the personalize service we got as VIP Platinum cruisers and also the family type atmosphere in the dining room. She truly enjoy the special attention she got from the waiters in the dining room as well. She also enjoyed the food and was afraid to order 2 entrees so we would order them for her and she just told me that everything she had to eat was very good.

 

This ship being the newest, they incorporated more things into the cabin like 2 Air Conditioner vents, I pointed out to Paul the 2 fire sprinklers and also a smoke detector which sits on the ceiling but right in the middle. Also you no longer see the drain pipes under your bathroom sink. That is nicely covered and there is a speaker in the bathroom facing the toilet. There is also a ceiling speaker in the cabin.

 

As far as the itinerary, we selected this cruise mainly because of the Freedom but we got lucky that it went to 3 beautiful ports. We have travelled to these same ports before but for Cathy they were new to her and I wanted her to see the real aqua blue waters of the carribbean that you see on T.V. She is orignally from the state of Washington and as you the closest to aqua blue waters to her is a swimming pool lol.

 

 

Fred

[Wennfred]

Fred-

 

AWESOME job. You did so much for all of us out here in CC world. Felt like I was right there with you at times!! Now I'm really looking forward to my first VIP cruise in 23 days out of Miami on the Imagination! And, of course, we are all looking forward to your pics!!

 

ALSO: I get the sense you may go through Mongolian Grill withdrawal?? :D

 

Thanks again!!

 

Scott

 

(Musicman9859)

 

Musicman,

 

Lucky for me I can go to a Local indian casino in San Diego and get my Mongolian grill, also the Imagination was sitting pretty right here in Miami right between the Triumph and the Freedom. VIP rock!

 

 

Fred

[Wennfred]

ahh, Fred I feel like crying.. I don't want your cruise to be over. Why didn't you do a B2B so we all could look forward to more "Live From". It was a fantastic review and we all appreciate you taking the time to let us cruise along.

 

Wishing you a safe trip home.

 

Cathyoo,

 

I would love to do B2B's but we have to get our butts to work Monday night for me and Tuesday for Wendy. With all of the Vacation time I've been taking in the past 2 years, Im pretty much done till next March when we embark on yet another journey onboard the newest ship Splendor.

 

 

Fred

[barbevrn]

Fred, glad they didn't take your camera away. Did they check to make sure you erased the video? I've wondered why it is such a big deal.....but I suppose I don't think like a criminal. Someone could use video and pictures to plan something terroristic I guess.

 

I always read your reviews. It is always fun taking a virtual cruise with you and Wendy. I'm sure it would be even more fun in person.

 

Now, that dream team cruise.......isn't that like 2010 or something?

[e150club]

Hello Fred: Thanks again for this great thread. I'm curious and not to get personal but are you a Polly wog or a Shell back.

[Musicman9859]

Musicman,

 

Lucky for me I can go to a Local indian casino in San Diego and get my Mongolian grill, also the Imagination was sitting pretty right here in Miami right between the Triumph and the Freedom. VIP rock!

 

 

Fred

 

Fred,

 

I'm glad you've got a good Mongolian food outlet right there in San Diego and thanks for the Imagination update. She was recently refurbished and has the new Waterparks... Did the Freedom have the monster waterslides on it that they are putting on the Fantasy class ships? Also, how much did you have to flash your Platinum cards around to make sure the crew understood you were VIP? I read about the cabin gift issue you resolved at the Purser's desk. Does it help to flash the card around some in the dining room, with the room steward, etc. or are they ALL aware when you first arrive that you are platinum?

 

Thanks!

 

Scott

[barbevrn]

 

VIP rock!

 

 

Fred

 

LOL, I obtained VIP status in Feb. It was awesome! It goes to show that the little things count. Walking around that corner and seeing the massive lines to board after a long day of delays was almost more than I was up to. It was amazing how fast their tune changes when they see VIP. Got to VIP check-in and was onboard in 5 minutes. It's quite funny to see the look on the ship employees faces when they see that platinum card. Their whole demeanor changes. And let me tell ya......VIP debarkation isn't too shabby either!

[jckvpa0]

Wow, your wife showered, dressed and was out the door in 15 min. ! She's my hero !!!

[WiggleBay]

Fred

 

Thank you so much for a wonderful review. Can you send me Todd's email via my email mbolchoz1@bellsouth.net

 

So glad you had a wonderful cruise. I read your thread everyday. looking forward to the pic

Safe trip home

Cheri

[Wennfred]

Fred, glad they didn't take your camera away. Did they check to make sure you erased the video? I've wondered why it is such a big deal.....but I suppose I don't think like a criminal. Someone could use video and pictures to plan something terroristic I guess.

 

Now, that dream team cruise.......isn't that like 2010 or something?

 

I showed the officer the 2 small video clips and also showed him my credentials and he trusted in me to erase them when I got home.

 

Hello Fred: Thanks again for this great thread. I'm curious and not to get personal but are you a Polly wog or a Shell back.

 

 

Shell Back all the way !!! :D Over the line in 85 :eek:

 

 

 

Fred

[Wennfred]

Fred,

 

how much did you have to flash your Platinum cards around to make sure the crew understood you were VIP? I read about the cabin gift issue you resolved at the Purser's desk. Does it help to flash the card around some in the dining room, with the room steward, etc. or are they ALL aware when you first arrive that you are platinum?

Thanks!

 

Scott

 

The Conquest class has a long water side, I took a picture of it. I didnt flash my Platinum card much but when they saw it they acknowledge you right away, infact last night at the Casino Bar, I had it out and the bartenders went right for me first but I told them that these other people were ahead of me and they thanked me because they have been waiting alot longer.

 

By the way during our Galley tour, you will see a bulletin board with alot of info for the crew and all of the menus etc. One of the papers on that board was the Platinum guest list with their table numbers.

 

I used the VIP Platinum Concierge line at the Purser deck all the time. The dining room staff and also the cabin stewards get a list of Platinum guest so they know where you are.

 

At there Cruise Terminal when you ask them where is the VIP line, they want to see your VIP Luggage tag and once they see it they send you on your way to the correct line. But onboard they know. You can buy a card holder with the plastic insert & lanyard from the gift shop or go to the Casino and they will punch a hole in the card and give you one of the spring like lanyards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fred

[ellenmb]

Its been over 15 years since I last flew out of FLL, but for us by the time we get off the ship, we want to relax at the airport and get the whole airport thing out of the way. With airport WIFI we can get intouch with everyone and catch up on our emails etc. They do have like 3 tours in Miami, one of them was the Art Deco district and South Beach, One takes you into the Everglades and there was the Jungle Island or Parrot Island one which is right next to the cruise terminal.

 

On these tours you take all of your luggage with you and at the end of the tour they take you to the Airport.

 

 

 

 

Fred

thanks for all the info!

[e150club]

Dear Fred: I thought you would be a Shell Back. My dad had almost 50 yrs. GS 28 of them US Navy. WWII Vet. Ret.CPO. two presidental citations. Many great stories and some tearful stories. Thanks for your service to our great country.

[dec2007w3boys]

Hi Fred -

Wonderful concurrent review, great information on the ship and what a way to pass my week vicariously through your vacation! If I could only fast forward 6 months to my cruise on the Freedom.

 

Did you get to try the new Mexican food place?

 

I hope you have a great trip back and can't wait to see the video/pictures!

Lisa