Carnival Freedom poor, Trip was Great, Ports were Great

Carnival Freedom Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 49

Overall rating:

2 out of 5
Carnival Freedom

Western Caribbean

Sail date: October 29, 2016

Ship: Carnival Freedom

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 1361

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Comparing the Carnival Freedom to the Triumph  ( a sister ship) is a big difference. This trip on the Freedom had several bad experiences with Food at the buffet and in the main dinning room. Cold food in the buffet no matter what time you went. Even if it was shortly after it opened or after it had been open a while. Main dinning room has VERY Slow service and staff was borderline rude at times.  The Mongolian Wok and the Egg bar were great, Guy's Burgers and the Blue Iguana both were great.   We spoke to " Chubby " the SR Matre D one morning after 3 nights of bad service and food and at first were not going to go to the main dining. He talked into going back and trying, he must have done something because we had 2 wait staff that were on top of everything. so they at least tried.

Never have we had this bad of an experience on a cruise ship.  The ports themselves were great. Dolphinaris Cozumel was really good place, we paid for the lower end Dolphin experience and wish we would have paid a little more for the swim with. Great people and ALL the staff were great.  Roatan and Belize were both great but we didn't do anything spectacular there. Mainly shopping the main market and the beach by the port for Carnival at Roatan. 

 

Overall...... The Freedom needs a little help with service and food. You can tell there has been some Corporate level changes because of cut backs on housekeeping service not like it has been in the past and food not being that great. entertainment was not what the Magic or Triumph has been. 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5
Food service and quality was not that great on the Freedom.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Cabin was great for a ocean view. Location was Awesome..reason we picked it. The guest laundry was Right across the hall, One door away. ( we pack light and wash half way in trip to travel lighter) The cabin was right around the corner from a stairwell and elevators that came out at the Casino, Lido deck main pool, easy access to most all the things we needed. would pick again if do a ocean view.

Ship tip

Midship cabin. Dining staff could be better.

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5
Mr. Sanchos is a great place. Dolphinaris Cozumel is a great place.

Belize City, Belize

3 out of 5

Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 49

3 Comments

askeegan    8 years ago

It is an ever growing trend with Carnival, the food and the service are declining for sure, but at the end of the day, your vacation is what you make it.  Try to see the good in all situations.  Lemonade from lemons right?  :)

glomarrone    8 years ago

Sorry to read about your problems with the food and food service on board.  It always helps to speak up and give the staff a chance to correct the problem. 

CrusinTim    8 years ago

Dining onboard is a big thing. It's unfortunate that you didn't have the experience you experienced. But you did the right thing by bringing it to the Maitre'd's attention because that is the only way deficiencies can be corrected for future sailings. As for the buffet, we had a situation on a sailing with a different cruise line's buffet last year where the Chef decided to use a local "spice" in his preps. Well, it was TERRIBLE! We, on the 2nd day brought it to the buffets dining services manager and by the 3rd day, the Chef stopped using the "spice". Speaking up is the only way to better your cruise. Kudos!!

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