Crew nice, ship old, entertainment below expectations

Item: Carnival Freedom
Rating: 2
Author: SonyaLenihan

Carnival Freedom Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

SonyaLenihan

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 29

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 27, 2016

Ship: Carnival Freedom

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8346

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

First, we were disappointed to be re-routed because of tropical storm, but tried to enjoy anyway. Immediately noticed that the ship was old, balcony cabin was not great. Bed had dips in mattress, furniture was dated, one drawer was not working. The wait staff in dining hall was very attentive, but the entertainment (dancers/singers) was below par. One "show" looked as if it was thrown together in a hurry; and singers sounded off key at times. I don't think we would've noticed except that we've cruised other lines with outstanding shows, so our "bar" was set high. We spent hours at home researching excursions so that we would not have to use Carnival; with the change of ports, we had to go with their overpriced and crowded excursions. We felt like sheep being corralled at each port. One excursion advertised being transported on a catamaran, but it was actually a "tender", disappointed again.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Wait staff was great. Some food was great, some was not so great. Breakfast buffet had little variety. Individual dining areas like pizza and burgers were better cuz these were freshly made.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

"Shows" were below expectations.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Very clean. Very dated design, old ship.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Our queen size bed was 2 twins, with dips in the center of each bed. Furniture was dated. There was not a vent in bathroom, and A/C was not working well, therefore entire cabin would get warm after each shower.

Ship tip

Check on the age of the ship before you book. Freedom is older, but the cost is not cheaper. If entertainment is important, book another cruise line.

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Ports of call

Key West, Florida Did not visit port

We were re-routed

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Freeport, Grand Bahama Island Did not visit port

We were re-routed

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Nassau, Bahamas Did not visit port

We were re-routed

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27 Comments

sherried 8 years ago

Txcruiser254, I get where you're coming from and you are entitled to your opinion. I would be disappointed as well and maybe even a little grossed out with an overly worn mattress and broken furniture. Under no circumstances should you be expected to be ok with that. That is not what you paid for. Too many people get upset when a bad review is made and take it personally when it's nothing to do with them. You don't need to defend your feelings to anybody.

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texasd 8 years ago

For all of you complsining about getting rerouted Do Not Book During Hurricane Season. The captains of the ships (on all cruise lines) try to keep the itenaries as planned up until the last minute they have to switch. This entails having to get available docking at ports they have not intended to stop at, changing times, and not to mention the excursion desk having to cancel all the excursions and refunding your money. They have a ton of work to do to ensure YOUR safety and do not intend to screw up your vacation just to tick you off. Please keep in mind that there is a lot of detail that goes into canceling scheduled ports due to weather.

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dada369 8 years ago

Twice we have not been able to stop at a scheduled port. Once on the princess lines due to rough seas and once on the Magic due to leaving late because of fog. It could happen on any cruise line and you can't let it ruin your vacation.

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ajont 8 years ago

Awesome!

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txcruiser254 8 years ago

Ajont, I got it! That wasn't directed at you. I totally understand all that and you are correct! All our OTHER cruises have been spectacular!

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ajont 8 years ago

If you expect to go on a perfect vacation, with absolutely no problems, keep dreaming!

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ajont 8 years ago

I don't have to be inebriated to have a good time. My Point is issues happen, and the way you respond to them makes or brakes a vacation. Like I said, when I was on the Freedom last year, I had no problems my cabin was cleaned everyday. And no I wasn't drunk the whole time. I'm sure it wasn't Carnivals intention for the toilet to get backed up!

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txcruiser254 8 years ago

Thank you. I get the whole "shit happens", believe me, I do and guess if you plan on staying inebriated the entire time, those things don't matter, but they do to me. Just trying to give an honest opinion/review, that's all. Happy sailing guys!

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missny 8 years ago

I agree txcruiser254 when you pay for your vacation cleanliness and good customer service is expected. I cruised Freedom in 2013 and did not have any issues except we did not visit Curacao, but that was due to weather.

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txcruiser254 8 years ago

👌🏼👍🏼

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ajont 8 years ago

I was on the Freedom last year, and loved it. Things happen, that's life!

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txcruiser254 8 years ago

Paying thousands of $, you usually expect better. The tone of this conversation was shared by other platinum members that we talked to. We've been on many cruises, I would not recommend the Freedom. Looking forward to our next trip on the Breeze!

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loriwardjones 8 years ago

The freedom was a blast. If you are going to scrutinize everything on the ship the you are not there to have fun.

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ladynred130 8 years ago

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sherridunsworth 8 years ago

Would not bother me. I would rather be cruising than at work.

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txcruiser254 8 years ago

There was no line of communication up until the day of the cruise. They need to have better policies in place when it comes to informing people about what could happen in regards to re-routing etc ahead of the actual sail date. A complimentary email would have sufficed. They were more worried about sending crap about zika prevention, they knew what was going to happen with the weather.

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ladynred130 8 years ago

Could happen on any ship, I alway watch the weather and book excursions if needed in the other direction. If other ships diverted plan ahead, do your research

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txcruiser254 8 years ago

I thought it was pretty crappy that they waited until the ship was leaving port to tell us. My thinking was that they might divert around Cuba and go to the Bahamas first.. But obviously not. We made the most of it, but will not sail on the Freedom again.

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ladynred130 8 years ago

Only see one cruise. , ?mmmm

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txcruiser254 8 years ago

Was on the same cruise! Was extremely disappointed! We took the same exact cruise last year on the Magic, which had a much better lay out and entertainment. Wasn't too impressed with the freedom at all. I'm right with you on the excursion part, we had also planned way ahead, booked the best reviewed excursions.

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wlondrie782 8 years ago

Sailing my 13th and first Platinum Carnival cruise on Saturday! I've never had a problem! A messed up drawer, dingy mattress or off-key wait staff isn't going to ruin my vacation! That makes it more fun! Haha! Happy cruising! :)

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missny 8 years ago

Sonya Lenihan try another Carnival ship. I also suggest going at different time of year.

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mel54321 8 years ago

I agree ajont

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kmt12 8 years ago

I would rather be re routed than stuck in a storm and risk sinking. I will deal with the change in plans, as a new adventure.. 10 more days till I am sailing away!!!

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ajont 8 years ago

Seriously people, it's about having fun. If you're upset, because a drawer won't open and dips in a mattress, I'm afraid nothing will satisfy you. Your best bet, is to stick with Royal Caribbean and those other boring ships that fit your standards!

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mel54321 8 years ago

Witch cruise line are yall talking about because I never Ben on a carnivl ship i did Norwegian and MSC

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davenjen 8 years ago

They all seem to be doing the same Sonya its all about profit over customer service customers will start voting with their feet soon and all go to thomsons

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