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Live from the Carnival Freedom !!!

Wennfred

By Wennfred,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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winewanderer

winewanderer

Posted
Posted

Jayne315. No charge for Sushi on the Freedom.

 

Wennfred, question....how are the temps. on the ship in general? Was on the Freedom for the Tranatlantic in Oct. The ship was so warm. I was dying in the dining room and showroom in the evenings. I am generally always cold so for me to be too warm is highly unusual.

 

I read a review from a woman on the sailing before you and she said she is also always cold and was a little warm on the ship. I'm on the Trans. on April 26th.

 

Thanks so much for your postings.

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Wennfred

Wennfred

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Freedom Day 6 AT SEA

 

Last night we departed St. Marteen around 6pm, there were 2 people that was rushed onboard on a golf cart (port

time hoggers) and shortly we left.

 

The Show with Jerry Goodspeed and comedian Fat Kat was very good, Fat Kat is going to have a Rate R comedy show at

11:30pm tonight, they both had us laughing all night. Since we were toasty red burnt from St. Marteen we are tired

and just went up to Lido Deck for dinner. I had my favorite Grilled Tuna on white and they also had my tasty steak

fries.

 

At 10pm we got word via the Ships PA annoucement system that we had to make an emergency stop in St. Thomas to drop

off a person that was in very bad shape or very ill, thats all they said that their prayers were with them. For

Freedom to drop someone off it has to be a grave matter.

 

Something else happened in St. Thomas, I don't want to give out false info so please do a check and see if anything

comes up in St. Thomas or onboard Freedom on April 8th.

 

BALCONIE Separater Divider doors

On Freedom and probably this class, there is unlimited balcony separator divider doors that can be opened, On the

Spirit Class only 25 can be open.

 

BAGS INC.

 

The Purser doesn't know anything about Bags Inc, I like to know for those that sailed out of Miami if they had this

program or was it only on certain ships.

 

We had our VIP Platinum Galley tour this morning at 10:30am, only 18 people called and confirmed but 30 people

showed up, I took lots of very nice pictures and will start a thread about it when I return.

 

I also got to meet the Shot Caller chef, the main man, the head honcho of foods, this is the New Carnival Chef that

replaced George Blanc menus, they are intoducing many lovely menus each week onboard Freedom and will incorporate

them throughout the fleet very soon. He is onboard with us here on Freedom. After the Tour our 2 beauiful tour

guides took me back to his office and there I spoke to him and told him how much better the food was, totally 100%

better then George Blanc bland foods. He was happy to hear that from me. We took pictures together along with the

main Freedom Chef, both are from India. He was probably the one that also introduced the Mongolian Grill but I

forgot to ask him that question.

 

The new Chef that is revamping the fleets tasty foods is Andrew Desosa, I Hope I have his last name spelled

correctly, so for those traveling on freedom next you will see what I mean about the new dinner menus.

 

I also have a list of Food Facts that was given to us of foods consumed during an average week.

 

The reason for the VIP Platinum galley tour was that this is the only way to show off the galley while keeping the

crowed at a minumum, mainly to keep any type of virus from spreading throughout the ship. They will no longer have

the Public Galley tour for that reason. But I have all of the pictures for you and you can see it when I return.

 

Wendy and Cathy went back to the casino, on this trip I gave up on the casino on day 2.

 

Fred

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bp traveler

bp traveler

Posted
Posted

Fred - really enjoying reading your review!

 

I was the Freedom this past summer in Europe and loved her!

 

Who is currently in the piano bar?

 

I am really curious about the card you saw with unlimited drinks - that would sure be worth our money.

 

If anyone else has ever heard of this I would like to find out which cruises might offer it and get on one of them!

 

I have emailed my TA - but chances are he has never heard of such a card?

 

Thanks again!!!

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Wennfred

Wennfred

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Q & A'S

 

Jayne315,

Sushi is free onboard and their are 4 different types of Sushi served every evening. On our second day out, they served California Rolls in the dining room for LUnch, I had a plate and they were bigger then usual, make sure you

bring Chop sticks because they didnt have them down in the Dining room for lunch. The Sushi Bar is located on Deck 5 just past the Specialty cafe. From the Casino just head aft.

 

One other thing, Cabin 2462 is constructed differently, I think that with every newer ship they update things, for example in this cabin there is a 2 A/C exhausts, a speaker in the middle of the cabin and also under the sink, you no longer see the drainage pipes, they have a nice cabinet system that requires a special key to get into, there is a speaker under the sink as well facing the toilet. There are 2 water sprinker valves and one smoke detector in the middle of the cabin. The bed is 2 full size beds together but you can not feel the crack. I took a picture of that as well.Also thanks for posting about the Crown Princess, When we go on a Princess ship in the future, it will be on the Crown.

 

Rockwood84,

Thanks for posting the Stats, I knew that the Carribbean was much bigger as it towered over the Freedom. They even have a cool looking glass cat walk that takes you to the rear section of the ship, not sure what on top of the very back but it looks very nice. Like Paul stated, we were along side her and she looks way bigger then only 3000 more tons. She is what I call the Monster Ship LOL.

Also check this out, this was nice to see, out of the 6 decks with Balcony, the top 3 were flush and the bottom 3 came out more per deck, but as they came outward they didnt have any cover for the sun. Most of the last 2 bottom deck balconies had 4 chairs and a table in the middle, very beautiful design, it was nice to have her along side us across the pier.

 

Dianef,

Although Im sure you have been to St. Thomas and St. Marteen many times over, don't forget the SunBlock, you can get red there and very fast. You and Jerry will love the Valor, Try the Spring Ra nch Chicken sicillian style dish, its new and its good.

 

Rstamper,

Since you are interested in the Buffet, I will shoot some pictures for you later, Lido deck is very nice, just like the Valor, Conquest and large ships like that but with the new addition of the Mongolian grill, that added a nice touch to it.

 

Lido hours are:

Continental Breakfast from 6am - 6:30am

Breakfast Buffet from 7:30am - 10:30am

Lunch from noon - 2:30pm

The Deli opens from 11am - 11pm

The Grill opens until 6pm

Dinner at Lido from 6pm - 9:30pm

and Open 24 hours is the Pizzeria

There is no longer an Asian window on the side, its now Mexican, the Deli is located on the other side of the ship.

Those are the hours for today while at Sea, Lido hours do change depending on port days etc. so check your capers for those times.

 

PaulMedik,

 

I missed the Medevac, I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, I will talk to you later when we meet.

 

Winewanderer,

The ship remains nice and cool throughout, not too warm inside, its just right. We have table 357 in the Posh dining room which is aft and the temps there are great, it feels cooler then room temp and in the theater if you want to remain nice and cool stay under the balcony part, thats there the cold air comes from but if you sit on top, the second or 3rd levels its warmer up there. So anywhere on the bottom level under the balcony area is where the air vents are and it gets quite chilly there.

 

Over all the ships Temps have been like every other ship, nice and cool inside.

 

Fred

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Wennfred

Wennfred

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Bp Traveler,

The Drink card or the All Inclusive drink card had been talked about on Cruise Critic but currently the Search thingie is still down. From what I learned on here, everyone in the group must buy the drink card, but from what the lady here told me here, just contact a T/A that does groups and see if they have a group thats doing it, even thou you are not part of the group you can just pay their group rate and also join in on the Drink Card.

 

Its funny because I have ran into 2 couples on the elevator talking among themselves and the topic was drinkng and getting smashed because of having that unlimited drink card. Its so funny. The one guy said he had his share but not to the point of alcohal poisoning LOL.

 

Anyways, she stated, 100.00 pp.

 

We have the Gala Buffet tonight, with picture taking first at 11:30pm, Wendy will take Cathy to that, I will be at the Adult Comedy show.

Maybe Host Randy can look into the Drink Card for our Dream cruise, he can start a group cruise for the drinkers and Laura can start one for the Non-drinkers, that should work out well.

 

Fred

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nursenan

nursenan

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the wonderful reviews. I and my parents will be on the Freedom 1/31/09 for the 8nt cruise. I will be in a 1a cabin,hate paying the single rate, but need my space.Looking forward to pictures and the changes made in the dining room food. I hope they do not get rid of the Bitter & Blanc dessert. It is one of my favorites.

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poptart

poptart

Posted
Posted
Carnivals newest Chef of the fleet Andrew DeSosa on the left and Freedom's chef on the right.

 

2690355340103168941S600x600Q85.jpg

 

 

No wonder you've been raving about the food this week. Ya'll hit the jackpot--having the new fleetwide chef on board.

I'm looking forward to the coming changes.

 

I'm loving your review and look forward to all the pictures when you get home.

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Socref124

Socref124

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Carnivals newest Chef of the fleet Andrew DeSosa on the left and Freedom's chef on the right.

 

2690355340103168941S600x600Q85.jpg

Fred, Do you know if DeSosa was on the Glory three years ago? He looks familiar. Thanks for your updates, we are really enjoying them and getting excited.

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duck512

duck512

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How exciting to hear that they are changing menus this year. DH & I were just talking a couple of nights ago about how nice it would be to have different food choices on our Freedom cruise this year. Thanks, Fred, keep the news coming!!

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bemarshall

bemarshall

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I am really curious about the card you saw with unlimited drinks - that would sure be worth our money.

 

BP, not to dispute Fred's account of what he was told, but we looked into the all inclusive program that is offered to groups and it was more like $300+ per person, which would have been almost $700 a couple in my case. EVERYONE in our group would have had to pay that price, and we had people who didn't drink a drop, so it just wouldn't have worked. If we had known about it before booking our group, we could have worked it where we had the drinkers in a separate group from the non-drinkers ... maybe next time. :D

 

Fred, thanks for an awesome live report. You can definitely make those sitting at our computers feel like we are along for the ride with you. And cannot wait to see your pictures upon your return!

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Wennfred

Wennfred

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Freedom Day 6 AT SEA

 

We went to Lunch on Lido today, we had the Fish & Chips which was very good as always and also the Pizza, the Pizza

was very good as well. Wendy got a hotdog with onion rings and chicken tenders or strips.

 

I went down to the photo gallery to greet a colombian crew member that has worked in Carnivals Photo department for

years, she was with us on all 3 Spirit Cruises and now she is a Photo Manager onboard Freedom. She told me she is

going to remain on Freedom because of the European ports she has never seen. She totally deserves it after all of

these years on Carnival.

 

We got to go up to see Pauls very nice Cat.9a cabin it has a large wrap around balcony, its the same cabin style we

will have onboard Splendor next March/April. Then Paul and DW came down to see our Cat.1a cabin as they have a few

booked for friends on future trips. Paul really liked the Cat.1a with the 2 windows.

 

I went to the Casino to hand over $12.00 that I found in one of my pockets along with some lint. They also have a

Gift Shop sale in the Disco and its crowded in there as there are people jumping over everyone trying to get those

Carnival shirts and other gifts at a discount price.

 

Oh, Paul told me what happened last night and he also showed me the pictures, the Freedom docked in St. Thomas, 2

people were removed from the ship and their family also. Both passengers were sitting up on gurney, one was waving

at us as they took him into the first ambulance and later they came back for the other passenger, he or she was

also sitting up on the gurney before entering he back of the ambulance. They seem to be doing ok but who knows.

The whole thing took 1 hours, Freedom hit the dock at 11:28pm and departed around 12:38am

Paul also showed me some awesome pictures of the area he and his family went too, Club Orient Beach area on the

French side of St. Marteen, he also told me some crazy stories about the people there LOL. later they went to a

place called MOHO (sp) where you can stand right under an Airfield and have planes fly right over your head.

Last night a passenger said he was only 85 feet under a 747 Jetliner. There is even a danger sign on the fence

right next to the runway of a person being blown away from the thrust of the plane. When the planes take off, they

take off right towards the mountain side and they have to fly almost straight up or else.

 

We have been steaming at 21 - 22 knots since we left St. Thomas, the seas are very smooth today, hardly any

movement whats so ever. Everyone is having a great time outdoors all tanning by the pool and around the whole ship.

 

The Library is also open and there are a few families inside playing checkers and other games with their kids.

 

On Lido they have a trivia game on the Big Screen.

 

Last nights movies were The Golden Compass and The Champ

 

Todays movies are December Boys and Hairspray

 

Todays Seaside theater movies on Lido are "Evening" and a concert with Johnny Cash from Montreaux.

 

Tonight we have the Beatles show at 7pm, its Formal night, the Past Guest Party and the Gala Buffet at 11:30pm

 

Fred

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Wennfred

Wennfred

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Q & A's

 

Gumballz,

 

I don't know how long Chef DeSosa will remain onboard trying out his new dishes but I will ask Dino tonight.

 

 

Socref124,

 

I will also ask if he was just hired on or if he was a chef onboard prior to Freedom.

 

 

Brnsnbrws,

 

Not sure about the whole menus being changed, there is still alot of the same things on the Menu but as the weeks go he will add and change to the menus. I guess Freedom being the newest with its 8 Millon Dollar Galley which cost more then the Engines will make it easier for him to cook up his dishes correctly just like they are suppose to be.

 

Give it some time before you will start seeing new dishes fleet wide, If I had more experience as a jounalist I could of asked him those questions, but who knows maybe Carnival wants to keep this a secret because of the other cruiselines. The Spring Ranch Chicken Sicilian Style dish was the first ever here onboard Freedom this week and its already on the Menu.

 

During the Galley Tour I also asked about the Dining Room Times, that they went from 4 times to 2 time frames, the answer was that it was hard to accomidate everyone into 4 time frames, everyone pretty much said in the comment cards that the 5:45pm time frame was too soon and everyone felt rushed. So thats why its 6pm and 8:15pm now, I believe this is he first week on Freedom that they changed into the 2 dinner times. Its alot more work for the Galley because now they have to get all the food up at once. They said they double the Waiters due to that.

 

Deborahjo,

 

If you can see the Freedom's Webcam right now, you will see tons of people out in the HOT sun having a great old time, We all got red toasty burnt in St. Marteen, Paul got it the worst. Hop on a flight now!!! Save yourself from that blizzard, I can have a helo fly you over from San Juan :)

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Wennfred

Wennfred

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Fred,

 

Is that you posing between those two chefs? It's good to put a face with a name.

 

 

Yep, I was escorted into the galley alone to his office to talk to him, he came out of his office and we talked, then I asked him for a photo.

 

Thats me :D

 

 

 

Fred

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