Freedom Review: 3/8/09 - 3/14/09 (Western Caribbean)

[SNL4]

Just got off a great week on board the Carnival Freedom and figured I'd post a little review for anyone interested. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to answer. Just to preface: I'm 23 and was on this cruise for Spring Break. This is my 18th cruise, 8th with Carnival, so I have a pretty good basis for comparison.

 

Overall, we had a great time. The ship was packed with spring breakers but there were plenty of families and couples as well. An interesting atmosphere when compared to other cruises -- plenty of drinking, packed nightclub and piano bar every night. The ship itself is beautiful, very bright and colorful. The atrium is full of colored changing lights, which are also found through the ship. Most of the action is on Deck 5 - casino, shops, lounges, bars. (Just something funny I happened to catch: check out the spelling of "Lounges" as you get off the atrium elevators on Deck 4 :))

 

I'll just give some general thoughts about the ship that may be helpful, in no particular order:

 

Embarkation: Quick and orderly. Arrived around 11:20a and was on the ship by noon. Wasn't able to go our stateroom until 1:30p so we just explored the ship and sat on Lido deck until then.

 

Ports of Call:

 

• Key West: We just walked around town. Went to the Southernmost point and then did our own version of a pub crawl. Stopped off at Fat Tuesday's, Margaritaville, Irish Kevin's, Sloppy Joes and Hogs Breath. Also got some Key Lime pie from Kermit's (delicious). Walk right off the ship and you're about 2 blocks from Duval St. so it's really easy to just explore.
  
• Grand Cayman: Got off the ship about 10:30a (need tender tickets prior to 10a, otherwise general boarding). Buffet line was empty when we went up to get food. Walked around a little bit, before heading to Senor Frogs and Margaritaville - essential spring break stops. Lots of fun. Went back to the pier at about 2:45 (with a 3:15 all aboard), and had to wait in line about 45 minutes to get back to the ship. We did sail away on time though at 4p.
  
• Ocho Rios, Jamaica: We did the River Tubing Safari through Carnival which was a lot of fun. Took a 45 minute bus ride up into the mountains, along a bumpy one lane road. Our tour guide, Michell, gave us some information and history along the way. Went tubing down a beautiful clear river for about an hour (3 miles), which was relaxing and fun. Three guides helped us along. Very great tour, highly recommended. Got back to the ship around 12:30, had lunch and then walked to the Margaritaville right next to the pier (seeing a theme here?).
  

Food/Bar: Food was pretty good overall. After 18 cruises, I know generally what to expect. Nothing really wowed me, but everything was great. We ate breakfast and lunch on Lido deck and dinner in the dining room every night. Buffet: Plenty of lunch options at the buffet - grand buffet, mexican station, deli, grill, tandoori, stir fry/mongolian grill, and taste of nations section. Lines were pretty quick except one breakfast (Key West) and the line at the Mongolian grill was generally about a 30 minute wait, but well worth it. Dining Room: Our dining room staff - Chanika and Romeo - were great. Friendly, prompt, entertaining. After the first night, they knew our preferences on bread, and how we wanted food cooked. Service was very quick, perhaps a little too quick, but this seemed to be at every table, not just ours. For instance, I often order a few appetizers, and more than one entree and as I finished one, the next would be there within a few seconds. Most dinners only took 60-75 minutes and we would be done before any of the singing and dancing - in fact, many people left before the dining room "showtime." We had 2 nights of dancing, and 3 of singing.

Bar service was okay. On Lido deck and in the casino there was never a problem getting a drink. International Lounge was also well staffed. The Piano bar however never had enough staff for the number of people and the main lounge never had staff on the balcony level so we had to go to the bar ourselves. We got a drink of the day card, which was good either for that day's drink, or any day's drink of the day (depending on who you spoke to) but nothing other than the daily drink special.

 

Entertainment: Entertainment Staff/Events: The cruise director, Todd Wittmer, was entertaining, however loved hearing his own voice. He talked forever, all the time. I was very surprised at how little I saw of the entertainment staff, especially on a Carnival ship. We basically only saw the CD at the main show. The other staff was rarely around as well from what I observed. We didn't have a sail away party (usually the staff is on Lido Deck dancing, etc. as the ship sails, but here we only had the band playing). The nightime deck party also left plenty of room for improvement. They said they were going to recreate New Years - and after just sailing on a New Years cruise, I can tell you it was nothing like it. Also, some events in the Capers were scheduled at certain times and then were either late, or never happened. Seemed a little disorganized. On one sea day, the slide was supposed to be open 10a-5p, and I had to call the guest service desk at 11a to tell them it wasn't yet open. Someone came up within 5 minutes of that. Strange.

Shows/Entertainers:The production shows and lounge entertainers were fantastic though. The Big Easy production shows is probably one of the best shows I've seen at sea. Ticket to Ride was pretty good as well. We also had a comedian, singer and ventriloquist (Jerry Goodspeed, who I've seen perform on a ship before - same act). One major complaint here - the late night adult comedy, was held in the back lounge (International Lounge) which was too small for the number of people attending. We would get seats 45-60 minutes before the show began to ensure we'd have seats. Not sure if this was b/c of spring break but these shows were packed.

The Piano Bar was always PACKED as well and Vince played great to the crowd. A lot of fun. Shout out to Teri Jo and Music Connection as well - giving plenty of entertainment. They move the lounge entertainers around to various spots on the ship on different nights which was kind of annoying.

 

So that was a lot longer than I anticipated. If you have any questions, let me know, I'm happy to answer! Like I said, I've sailed 18 times, and I would highly recommend the Freedom to anyone. Great ship, great times.

[Marco56]

Thanks for the review!!! I am taking this same voyage on May 17th. Nice to hear a positive review.

[luvpug]

Thank you for your review. I have a question for you. Is the "Drink of the Day Card" something new? I don't recall seeing one. How much was it, and how many drinks of the day can you have. Thanks.

[SNL4]

It allows you to get 5 drink of the days for $23. They punch a hole each time you get a drink (the first one comes in a souvenier glass). Some bartenders said you could only get the specific drink for that day when you ordered, while others allowed you to order any drink of the day from the length of the cruise.

[Payd]

We were on the Freedom in Jan - and had a great time too!

 

Thanks for your review.

[Cruisin'Trooper]

How many formal nights & were there a variety of photo stations to chose from? We are taking the whole family on the Freedom in May (some of which have never cruised before) and I am trying to get the as prepared and pumped as I can!

 

Thanks for the review!!

[SNL4]

How many formal nights & were there a variety of photo stations to chose from? We are taking the whole family on the Freedom in May (some of which have never cruised before) and I am trying to get the as prepared and pumped as I can!

 

Thanks for the review!!

 

 

There were 2 formal nights on the six day (day 3 - at sea; day 5 - ocho rios). PLENTY of photo stations. Seemed like they were lined up every 2 feet on deck 5 pretty much every night. Tons of backgrounds and options.

[sanmarcosman]

Do you have some photos to share? Thanks for the awesome review, good information and the river tubing sounds like a must do on my list!

[SNL4]

I can probably get some photos up later today. The river tubing was great. A hidden gem in Jamaica for sure. Clear, smooth flowing river. Not too fast but a few nice rapids. Very safe. Friendly guides. Not one bad thing about it except that I wish it had been longer!! :)

[newbieMom]

My family will be doing the same itinerary on the Freedom on May 3rd!!! Thanks so much for your review:) Did you by chance bring your Capers home? I'd love to see them ;) We're doing the tubing down the river too! So glad to hear it was such fun:)

[SNL4]

My family will be doing the same itinerary on the Freedom on May 3rd!!! Thanks so much for your review:) Did you by chance bring your Capers home? I'd love to see them ;) We're doing the tubing down the river too! So glad to hear it was such fun:)

 

You'll have a great time I'm sure!! I do have the capers but not an easy way to upload them. If I can figure out a way, I will do that. River tubing is a great alternative to Dunn's River. Great for a family and very relaxing!

[Cruisin'Trooper]

My family will be doing the same itinerary on the Freedom on May 3rd!!! Thanks so much for your review:) Did you by chance bring your Capers home? I'd love to see them ;) We're doing the tubing down the river too! So glad to hear it was such fun:)

 

We are on the same cruise as you - I think that there is a Roll Call already for it in that section. 48 days to go!!!!!

[twtudor]

How was the band on deck? Did they play the carribbean type music? seems lately they have been getting away from that.

[DGP1111]

Entertainment: Entertainment Staff/Events: The cruise director, Todd Wittmer, was entertaining, however loved hearing his own voice. He talked forever, all the time.

Kinda have to agree. Very talented (yet knows it), dedicated, and bit long-winded.

 

The Piano Bar was always PACKED as well and Vince played great to the crowd. A lot of fun. Shout out to Teri Jo and Music Connection as well - giving plenty of entertainment.

You were so lucky that it seems the piano bar now has a new resident pianist. Was on this same ship/itinerary last month, and Peter never ever had more than 6-8 people staying in the piano bar for more than a few minutes. He was quite dreadful. Glad you had fun with the better entertainer. Also, Teri Jo is a unique bird to say the least. But she gives it 100% and you have to love that.

 

Glad to read you had an enjoyable vacation. Welcome back!! :)

[cccer]

Thanks for the great review. We will be on the Freedom in seven days!

Can't wait.

[newbieMom]

Hey Trooper.... are you on the roll call yet? Come over and say hi:) We're the same age...do you have just one child, or more?

[cruisebie]

Great review! We'll be doing this same intinerary in June, so I love reading reviews. Keeps me going until its my turn.:)

 

Looking forward to seeing your pics!

[SNL4]

How was the band on deck? Did they play the carribbean type music? seems lately they have been getting away from that.

 

 

The band on deck was ok. Calypso 1 I think was their name. Nothing great. There was just two of them, neither on a steel drum which I thought was weird. I'm just used to that I guess. They played Caribbean-like music, when they played, which didn't seem like it was very often. One day it was the rock-type band (Music Connection) on Lido deck instead - but they were much more enjoyable so I didn't mind.

[SNL4]

Also, Teri Jo is a unique bird to say the least. But she gives it 100% and you have to love that.

 

Oh, Teri Jo. She made walks down the Promenade Deck so much more enjoyable. And playing the nearby slots. Although when she played a fast tune, I tended to lose my money quicker - trying to hit the buttons on the machine to keep beat. And the added bonus of the flute on certain songs. She was quite entertaining.

[Happy Sailing]

There were 2 formal nights on the six day (day 3 - at sea; day 5 - ocho rios). PLENTY of photo stations. Seemed like they were lined up every 2 feet on deck 5 pretty much every night. Tons of backgrounds and options.

 

Hi! You can read my full review on the Freedom (Happy Sailing) from our Feb. trip under Ship Reviews. We had 2 formal nights, one past guests night and one Captain's night (with the formal night). We had a ball during the whole trip.

I agree the show lounge at the back of the ship was 'much' too crowded and not nearly enough seats for the passengers for the second show. Especially the adult show later. They need to use the main showroom for that, I feel. Just my suggestion. We had to leave because of no seats.

Super ship - super time. Now on to the Dream CTN in Nov.

I have a Ship Review on the Splendor too. That was a wonderful cruise and ship.

Cheers,

Geri

 

I forgot to mention that there were also two High Teas served on board - top level of the Posh dining room (in the Capers newsletter) and they were fabulous.

[Mort13ers]

What night was the Deck Party, We are heading out on the Freedom in 21 days. Thanks for taking the time to do the review.

[SNL4]

What night was the Deck Party,

 

The deck party was on Grand Cayman night (night 4) for us.

[olivertexas]

 

 

 

Dining Room: Our dining room staff - Chanika and Romeo - were great. Friendly, prompt, entertaining.

 

 

Very good for you!

I was on the Freedom the week before you with this duo for my servers. They were wonderful and warm servers. I know you wonderful meals with them watching over you!