All my points = Free 7 Days with the family

Carnival Freedom Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

TexasFamily4

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 59

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 20, 2017

Ship: Carnival Freedom

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 6434

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

Taking a cruise is something I have never really considered. I definitely appreciate "genuine" experiences more than heavily produced and scheduled ones. I have always considered a cruise the epitome of not having any control and being spoon fed (lots and lots of feeding) the experience.

Overall, It was a positive experience.

I have a 2 and a 5 year old, if you were to ask them- this was the best vacation in the world. If you look at it from that perspective, it was a total success. The kids club is great, the people are nice, the kids do high quality crafts and activities. It's really A+.

From a parent perspective, it was tough. My little guy wakes up at 5:00 and they don't really serve a hot breakfast until 7:00 (but you can order room service continental stuff) Chasing 2 kids around a ship is exhausting. I will leave it there.

As for us. We were able to have some quality time, but not nearly enough. The schedule made sure that there was always something to be doing, but sometimes, that's not what you need.

I probably wouldn't cruise again, but this was a good experience. Definitely worth doing once and particularly if you have enough United Mileage Plus points to do it for free.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Food was B+ but the staff was A++

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Tommy Drake and Cowboy Bill were fantastic. Great clean and blue comedy and positive messages.

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Our dining staff Danny was awesome and always had the table set with the kids things they had left behind, the wine cold, and tried his best to keep the kids happy.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ida and Ramon our room staff were literally amazing. They knew my whole families name by the end of the first day. They went over and above at every turn to make our cabin tidy (I like tidy in cramped conditions) and they just generally made our cabin area feel like "home" as they were always around the area and checking on the boys who were always excited to see them. They were stars and they deserve to be recognized. I have extremely high service standards and they surpassed them. Way to go Ida and Ramon!

Ship tip

There is a bathroom by the Habana Bar that is never, ever in use.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

3 out of 5

Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5

Belize City, Belize

3 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

4 Comments

Dutch3901 7 years ago

I think you are right TexasFamily4. Cruising may not be for you. You had a set viewpoint of cruising before you came, and brought your children (BTW, my wife and I absolutely love seeing children on cruises- we get a kick out of them) but your experience seemed to have hindered your fun with scheduling considerations. I'm not judging, just saying that people enjoy different vacations and this just didn't seem to be the one for you... at least at this point in life... good luck!

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

DottieDiehl 7 years ago

My girlfriend paid for & brought her 16 yr. old niece & she paid her a few $$ to watch the kids at night so they could go out. Worked out great. The niece had time to herself when the kids went to kids club or did things with the parents

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

missy959 7 years ago

I agree with Texasmom22. We have taken our kids on a cruise, and it's fun, but definitely not relaxing. Hope you go again without the little ones and have a more relaxing, adult vacation. ð

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Texasmom22 7 years ago

Hope you can try it again sometime without small children! My husband and I do very little of the planned activities, and have plenty of quality time -- pure relaxation, enjoying the views and the breezes. Best wishes!

Thumbs Up 5

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Fun and relaxation

Carnival Freedom

1st cruise