This was our 2nd cruise on Carnival, 9th cruise overall. Sailed on RC, Holland America and Celebrity. I have to say, originally I told myself I wouldn't sail on Carnival, as I've heard some bad reviews with too many kids, too many drunk idiots. This is now the 2nd cruise on Carnival and The Freedom has changed my mind! The average age I would guess is 40 and up, very few children, but it all depends on time of year. The wait staff was outstanding, especially our waiters DD & Endra. Our room attendant Nengah kept our ice buckets full all the time and room spotless! There was a delay from the prior ship coming in on Saturday of 4 hours, but Carnival did try and reach everyone possible via text, phone calls or emails. We got on 4 hour later but were so impressed on how fast they turned the ship around, getting 4,000 people off and then reboarding another 4000! Outstanding! Our luggage was to our room extremely fast too! The buffet food was fairly standard nothing fancy but served the purpose for quick and easy meal. I tried the deli this time around and it was great!! Pizza Pirate always good, my husband loves Blue Iguana and Guys Burgers. The shows including comedy acts and theatre shows were more fun and less stuffy that other cruise, 80's rock, beach party, etc There's a reason they call them the fun ships! All around best value for the money, cleanliness, fun and good times!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Main dining room food was excellent, just wish they would have escargot as daily appetizer and lobster on formal nights. Love having the ability to order Steakhouse selections in main dining room. Steakhouse was outstanding though when we visited! Buffet is so/so serves the purpose with a few good items. The deli and omelette stations are highlights. Pizza Pirate always good 24 hours a day. Sea day brunches all great. Wait staff outstanding, fun personable and made our cruise. Husband LOVES Blue Iguana and had lunch there multiple times along with Guys Burgers.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
We hung out mostly by the adults only pool. It's always hard to find chairs on nice sunny day at the main pool. They do enforce adults only at the back pool and hot tubs which is much appreciated. Our other sea days were too cold to spend outside so we were in casino, shopping, playing bingo or relaxing in our room.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The main theatre shows we went to were the 80's Rock and Beach Party - Get Away Island which was in 3D too. The singers weren't really great but the dancing and music was fun and upbeat always. We hate the stuffy Broadway shows, this was just more fun. We went to 2 different comedy shows and suggest the late night shows. We were bummedwhen they had back to back shows with different comics, that we couldn't stay in the theatre but had to exit and re-enter to allow others a chance to come in but understood reason. We also played in the casino a fair amount which the slot machines were extremely tight, but again as expected on every cruise we've been on. The smoke gets to you a lot too, as everyone can smoke anywhere in the casino. We also did a movie under the stars out by the main pool. They give you little plush blankets and popcorn which was cool. It was a little windy but it's a cool setting. We played Bingo once too which was fun but we've never won, just fun to do.
Children's Programs
N/A. We want away from kids on our cruises and there weren't that many aboard that we saw
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Our dining room staff Dede and Endra were outstanding and so much fun every night! We did anytime dining but after the first night we requested their section every time we came in! They would remember our preferences and always greeted us by name and just plain fun to have! Our room attendance Nengah kept our room spotless. We requested ice all the time, he brought us 2 ice buckets and they were kept full all the time. We didn't see much of him, but he did a great job! We didn't think the wait staff for drinks were very attentive and we're not big drinkers! Not as friendly with drink staff either.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Staff is constantly cleaning and providing general upkeep. One night I came back into room after midnight and found we had no water. I didn't realize they shut it off (except to toilet) after a certain time. But when I called down, they immediately turned it back on for showers, etc to our room. The design is easy to get around and is laid our fairly well. There were a few bathroom stalls that needed service periodically throughout the cruise but that's expected with a larger ship. It should be noted that the fridges in the cabins are NOT refridgerators and barely kept anything cold. We've seen this on other ships and would really like this changed so if you bring back dessert, have water or pop on your own you could keep a couple cans cold.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Basic balcony cabin, king size bed that was extremely comfortable - we both slept soundly on it! Room has couch/table that could pull out to another bed which we didn't use. Bathroom is standard shower, a lot of storage area with shampoo and body wash prefilled containers. Balcony had 2 chairs and small table in between, nice view all around, middle of the ship, close to elevators. LOTS of storage - 3 closets, desk with drawers, open corner shelves plus another shelves with doors which I didn't have stuff to even put on! There is a cooler (not fridge which would be nice). There's only one plug in every cabin by the desk which makes it a little hard to plug in a fan or your phones for charging. We brought extension cords and multiple plugs to help. Remember that all the walls (except inside bathroom) are all metal so you can bring magnetic hooks to stick to wall during your stay to help hang items.
Ship tip
All cruises are what you make them. If you want to have fun, you will! There will always be things that happen that could be a slight bump or a major issue, depending on how you view it and work with it. These are lower priced cruises but NOT lower value or quality.
Didn't realize this was winter time for Galveston and they are known for having heavy fog. Because we like to cruise in January or February and get out of the cold in Michigan, we won't sail from here again as we want all of our vacation time to have as much sun and warmth as possible. Given that, Galveston has a lot to offer, but we'd prefer to see it in the warmer months. The pier port is right next to the oil refineries, not a pretty site to be next to when sailing away.
We've done a lot of outstanding excursions here from swimming with the manatees and dolphins, riding underwater scooters, helmet dives underwater, etc. The shopping is also great! We never get tired of this stop as there's so much to do.
Absolutely beautiful stop! We have went twice now to Little French Key which is a private island, have to book directly with them. It's paradise!! If you ever get a chance, GO!
Several times we've stopped here but haven't taken any excursions outside of the port. The port has a few shopping but it's all repetitive, nothing unique. So we shop a little then get back on the ship. Not much else to see at the port.
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