Live from the Carnival Freedom !!!

[Wennfred]

 

1. Are the pools crowded? I know it depends on weather etc but was just wondering.

 

2. Did you hear what people's favorite excursions were?

 

3. Was there a liquor tasting and how does it work on this ship? One ship I went on, they were generous and we found new liquors to buy but one ship was only sharing rum and we could get that in the states so didn't buy much there.

 

4. Did they have the secret doors on Freedom? Which deck if so?

 

5. Is there any part of the spa I can use free? If so, what part?

 

Thanks for your review. I will now go back and edit it so I can bring it with me on our cruise.

 

1. The pool itself wasn't crowded but the chairs around them were. Chair hogs will get those pool chairs very early.

 

2. No, we pretty much did a beach excursion in St. Martin over at the end of Orient Beach, in St. Thomas we booked out private tour with Godfrey Tours, you can find them online, and in P.R. we did the 3 hour walking tour, wasn't worth it, its best to do your own thing there especially go to the forts.

 

3. Lots of Liquor tasting during the evening hours or at night, thats lots of fun because you can taste all types of tropical flavors.

 

4. They probably have the Secret door but I didnt go look for it.

 

5. I don't recall if the Spa was connected to the Gym, also can't remember if they had a nice public spa in there. I'm sure they do but I didn't go see.

 

 

Fred

[Wennfred]

Fred, is there a benefit to booking another cruise while onboard? Is there a smaller deposit? OBC?

 

Linda

 

In the past you could book a cruise while onboard and get 100.00 OBC but I think they did away with that program. Check once onboard but make sure you do your research before get onboard Freedom.

 

 

Fred

[cruzinnluvinit]

In the past you could book a cruise while onboard and get 100.00 OBC but I think they did away with that program. Check once onboard but make sure you do your research before get onboard Freedom.

 

 

Fred

Thanks for all the information. You are so helpful. Have fun on your Nov cruise.

[Vettebuf]

Hi, Fred. I'm so glad I subscribed to this thread. We'll be back on the Freedom in 114 days and I'm getting excited about going Platinum again. We have your Freedom cabin again too. Actually, we have both of those cabins. I promise to leave them in good condition if you ever decide to pick one of them again :)

 

Linda, I don't have anything to add to what Fred said except that I recommend grabbing a cab to Coral World while you're in St. Thomas, that is, if you haven't already been there. It's so convenient to have Coki beach right next door. Stop at the visitor's booth at Havensight and ask for coupons for Coral World. I think you got $4 pp off.

 

Also, look for the Fish 'n Chips restaurant over the Lido Deck buffet and find out what hours they are open. None of the passengers seem to know about it.

[Wennfred]

Some Freedom stuff:

 

Freedom Galley Tour: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=762154

 

Freedom Mongolian Grill: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=760717

 

Freedom Food Facts: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=771021

 

Freedom Cabin 2462 Video: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=757565

 

Freedom's Single Cabin 1426 with decorations: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=757179

[crsnfun]

Fred-

 

Where can we find your pics from your cruise?

 

Did you post any of them besides what you have on your links ie: Galley, Mongolian grill, etc?

 

Thanks!

[nothomeonacruise]

Thank you Fred. I love reading and seeing your pictures, videos, and reviews.

[Vettebuf]

Here are some more Freedom and Eastern Carib. port pictures.

 

http://vettebuf.winkflash.com

 

Click on April, 2008 Cruise with Jen and family

[crsnfun]

Here are some more Freedom and Eastern Carib. port pictures.

 

http://vettebuf.winkflash.com

 

Click on April, 2008 Cruise with Jen and family

 

 

Thanks for the links Vette! Great photos of the cruise!

 

And beautiful pics of that Chase Ryan!!

[Vettebuf]

I'm glad you enjoyed them. In case you didn't know, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are Phillies baseball players. My daughter, Robin, named the first two sons. Son-in-law, John, named the new little guy who was born on 8/8/08 and weighed 8 lbs 8 oz.

[crsnfun]

I'm glad you enjoyed them. In case you didn't know, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are Phillies baseball players. My daughter, Robin, named the first two sons. Son-in-law, John, named the new little guy who was born on 8/8/08 and weighed 8 lbs 8 oz.

 

 

No, I wasn't aware of that! Great story! Grandson?

[cathyoo]

I'm glad you enjoyed them. In case you didn't know, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are Phillies baseball players. My daughter, Robin, named the first two sons. Son-in-law, John, named the new little guy who was born on 8/8/08 and weighed 8 lbs 8 oz.

 

Love the Phillies so love the name. Wow, that's gotta be a child born to be lucky.

[Vettebuf]

Yes,grandson. We have a granddaugher too whose name has a story behind it. Her middle name is Tesla after a renowned scientist who, my other daughter and her husband, feel didn't get enough credit for his theories and discoveries.

 

But, back to the Freedom, I'm about to check out Fred's video. My computer at work wouldn't let me access it.

[crsnfun]

Yeah, mine won't let me access either!!!

 

So, Vette, you have been on the Freedom....tell me, is she fantastic, or what??

 

I have sailed half a dozen times or so but, this will be only my 2nd Carnival cruise (sailed Inspiration last time)....

 

Wondering what to expect....the food, the atmosphere...

 

Going to Jamaica for the first time on this ship....

[Vettebuf]

You know, it's funny, but the thing I liked best about the last cruise was seeing all the fun my daughter and her family was having on their first cruise. We now have an 8 year old cruise addict! Of course, my favorite dishes were served and I really enjoyed my two tries at the slots tournament. I do remember that our cabin steward was exceptional. It was our first time visiting Half Moon Cay and it was a beautiful beach day. I really liked Grand Turk too. My 25 yo son spent the day with a new friend, the friend's mother, and me at the Margaritaville pool bar. That was cool. I played tour director to my daughter's family in St. Thomas and San Juan.

 

I think the Freedom seems to attract families rather than couples. We saw more couples than families on our four RCCL cruises and 2 Princess cruises.

[crsnfun]

When I went on the Inspiration, it seemed like a total party ship!!! Everyone drunk at all times of the day!!

 

I am taking my girlfriend on the Freedom in December to celebrate her birthday. So, it will jsut be the 2 of us! I think a cruise is really what you make of it so, I am sure we will have a wonderful time!!

 

Plus, I think that, perhaps, since it is the week before Christmas, there may not be as many children on board. If so, that is fine...

 

I have been to Key West and Grand Cayman....this will be first time in Ocho Rios. I think we will paln a Carnival sponsored excursion as I have heard that it is not a really safe place.

 

I can't wait!!!

 

Question: I would assume there is an "Adults only" pool abord the Freedom?

[Vettebuf]

I'm sure that there's an adults only pool. The pool and hot tubs aft on Lido were in a quiet place and the pizza bar, grill, and soft serve station was there. What's not to like about that!

 

We were on the Inspiration twice - once in 2000 and once in 2003. I really loved the first cruise on her (St. Lucia, Aruba, Curacao) but the second was a mixed bag. We left from Tampa and the passengers were an elderly crowd. Many of them had their oxygen tanks with them and one old man fell on me. His two friends were all concerned about him but couldn't care less about me. They got him up and left me lying there bruised. We had to skip our stop at Grand Cayman too because of weather. There were a lot of good things though. I finally got to New Orleans (pre-Katrina) and loved it. And the food and shows were great as usual. I can't remember the name of the cruise director. I think I'll email Carnival and suggest that they provide a web page showing a history of captains, cruise director's, and shows for each ship by date. There are probably a number of us now that would appreciate that.

[crsnfun]

Yeah, same here, when I went on Inspiration, we were not able to go to Grand Cayman (bummer, I love that place) because it was to rough to tender in. Overall though, I think that just all of the circumstances surrounding that vacation made it not so enjoyable.

 

Plus, I have sailed Disney many times and, comparing a ship like Inspiration to a ship like the Magic, you just can't do it! They each have their own qualities! And, I found myself comparing ALOT! NO more!! I am going to go and have a great time and enjoy every single second!! Plus, on Disney, you don't have a casino and, who knows, I may end up hitting the JACKPOT!!! :D

 

I agree with your idea on a list with all of the past entertainers, CD, etc would be nice to have!