Met Our Expectations
Carnival Freedom Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 55
7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)
Sail date: January 27, 2018
Ship: Carnival Freedom
Cabin type: Suite
Cabin number: 7242
Traveled as: Family (young children)
Reviewed: 6 years ago
Review summary
I started by saying met our expectations. I believe anything can be made better by managing your expectations. This was a birthday gift for my daughter, she chose this date and cruise for the 5 or us (gram, paw paw, mom, dad and 5 year old) the price worked for me so I booked it. I had done the research and knew that Carnival was not going to be a Princess cruise. I wasn't paying for that. I knew what to expect, managed my expectations, and we had a wonderful time. It's all about the moments that turn into the memories...your choice good or bad. I had shied away from Carnival because I had heard it labeled the "Walmart" or "Dollar General" of cruises....only if you buy a flank steak and expect to eat filet mignon! My expectations were met and then some. I may even consider going with them again...just manage your expectations, and you'll have a great cruise. It's all up to you!Embarkation
Even though the ships return to port was delayed by fog, and they asked everyone to delay arrival by one hour...most didn't. I understand if you are flying in or arriving from out of town, you have nowhere to go, actually it's kind of silly for the cruise line to think you can just come an hour later when you flew in, have a shuttle to the dock, or left home at 3AM to drive 8 hours to meet your cruise ship...where do you go hang for an extra hour? All that being said, there was come delay in boarding, but Carnival did well to manage the people. Our party was booked in suites, so we had priority boarding, which did not create any delay at all. We had waited an extra hour to leave home, since we live within 30 min of Galveston. The worst is parking and shuttles. We dropped our luggage and part of the group while one went to park...this may have added time, but we did get a porter right away who took all of our luggage, then we just had to wait for our one last passenger to board. All in all....considering everything...it was a simple and speedy process.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Ship food is ship food...over a number of cruises, Norwegian, Princess, Cunard, and now Carnival...I rate them all about the same. Rave about your favs if you want, but I think "ship food is ship food". The meals at the MDR were served at the correct temperature, serving sizes were ample ( you can always ask for another plate) the choices were suitable. The Buffet had so many choices it was hard to figure out where to go. Different than others, they have a number of different buffets with different food. The Mongolian Wok was dependable, as was the Deli, Guy's Burgers, and most of all the Pizza. If you couldn't find something on the buffet, the deli and pizza place had quick options. Best of Buffet....the soft serve "ice cream"! The steak house had a good selection as well. We ate there one night. The service was attentive, but so was our experience in the MDR. The steaks were cooked perfectly (kudos on that) and very tender and tasty. This could change on the next trip...you just never know with mobile dining, however, we had a great experience in the upscale add on steak house. Just not sure it's worth 35.00...have had others just as good, that only charge 20 - 25 . Second favorite...milkshakes at the coffee bar. We had the drink package...order the chocolate shake with Bailey's....'nuff said!
Steakhouse
Great service, good selection, but would like to see Prime Rib...it's a fav and just think it should be on the menu. Our stakes were all cooked as ordered, served hot and were tender with good flavor. Not sure about 35.00 add on...maybe 25.00 would be more worth it. Service was good, for the most part.
Blue Iguana Cantina
Breakfast Tacos....grab early for in room excursion day breakfast. !!! Made to order, wrapped and transportable. They are huge!
Onboard Activities
It was cool and overcast for quite a bit of our cruise (sea days), but we did venture around the pools, which were mostly empty! Just not your sunbathing weather! We did take our 5 year old grand daughter to play on the putt putt course, it was fine for ship top, fun for kids. The Serenity area is great for quiet time. Did spend an afternoon there when the sun made an appearance. Also visited the spa for a facial. Staff was nice and the facial was great. Not a lot of pressure to buy products. I, however, am a sucker for face creams, and did purchase one of their products. 3 weeks later...using it and like it...
Our 5 year old grand daughter loved the Ocean Club ( and the arcade, but we didn't hang there too much..but it's fun) She never wanted to leave when mom and dad came to pick her up. They really do a great job on this, very safe and secure.
Entertainment
We only caught a couple of shows. They didn't seem as grand as other's we have seen on other lines. Someone used the term high school play...I wouldn't go that far, but just not a lot of pazazz in the ones we saw. Some of the "entertainment" lead by the cruise director in the Atrium was entertaining and fun, but a small area so not the best for seating. When you are trying to please 3000 people of varying ages, gender, and backgrounds, it's not an easy task. Ship entertainment... it is what it is.
Children's Programs
Club Ocean was a hit with my daughter's 5 year old! She loved it and especially the build a bare events they had. My daughter is very cautious of leaving her daughter anywhere...if she approved, I have to think it would be great for any one. The system appears to be very safe, with "phones" to reach parents if needed. Sign in and Sign Out, ID all required. They do so many things with the kids, Harper had a great time sharing with us, all the adventures. She never wanted to leave when they came to get her. They didn't use it that much, just a couple of hours a day, but we all thought it was an excellent program.
Service and Staff
I have to say that everyone we came in contact with was extremely considerate and welcoming. That being said, I sometimes think that the level of room you are in can have an affect on the service staffs demeanor.
It shouldn't be but based on the reviews I've read (and I research a cruise to death) it always seems that the interior or view cabins have "the worst" service. Our Steward Ivan was amazing! He was there, but we rarely saw him...no awkward going to the door half dressed or in a towel. We chose to have the room tended once a day (we don't need the turn down service...and I always bring chocolates for my husband...something he favors), he mysteriously took care of our room when we went to breakfast. We had room service a couple of mornings and when we went out to roam he swept into our cabin and made it all nice again. He was always asking if everything was ok, or if we needed more water or towels or whatever when we would see him in the hall. Just a really nice guy...good at his job! My daughter and husband were down the hall in a Grand Suite ( we had a smaller Ocean Suite) and their guy was not so good...that blows my theory
Ship Quality
Overall everything was fine. The design is crazy ...some decks do not connect so you have to go up or down one to get from forward to aft, but I think all ships have a little of this. Things appeared to be in good repair, but you can see the wear from the continual use. Think about it...3000 people, 365 days a year. People spilling in carpeted areas, running scooters and wheel chairs into walls and other structures, children putting their feet on the furnishings, food in non food areas creating grease stains and other stains. It has got to be hard to keep a ship in AAA condition. I'm not that picky as long as it looks good on general inspection....don't look too close...that's fine. I might feel the same about your house, and you the same about mine.
Cabin / Stateroom
This is an Ocean Suite class. Based on other cruise lines, I would say it may be more like a balcony room. Not real sure as we have only cruised in suites on other lines. The room was plenty big for the two of us. Just not as roomy as others, and no perks for booking a suite except priority boarding and disembarkation. But...you get what you pay for. This was a 7 day cruise and in the range of 2900.00 for two for the cabin with $50 OBC. Another 7 day (different itinerary on different line) ran 5500.00 but with many perks and $400 OBC. This suite is well stocked, but no special toiletries. Good quality towels, plenty for the two of us, and a double sink in the bathroom, a nice feature. There was a full jetted tub (never use public jetted tubs...just don't trust it) with shower. Water pressure was good in this cabin and we experienced no toilet issues that I have read of in other reviews. The balcony is small by comparison to some but ok with two chairs, table, and a chase. Sofa and chairs are functional, as is the desk area. Bonus plenty of closet space - 2 closets with tons of shelves and drawers. There are only 2 (really 3) 110 volt plugs in the room. One at the dressing room vanity and one at the desk. (we found a third behind the TV difficult to get to but worked in a pinch) My kids had a Grand Suite...it was significantly higher priced around 3900.00 with quite a bit more space and a good layout for them (7312) allowing their daughter a full regular bed. It has a little larger balcony but still very narrow. The Grand Suite also has a larger dressing room area. As you can see from the picture, while nice, it is barely wide enough for two people to pass and one has to step out to open the bathroom door so the other can pass and go in. Good for getting ready, but not for traffic.
Our cabins cooling worked just fine, the Grand Suite had some issues that were unable to be corrected. Just wouldn't cool right. We were running heat when they were running AC on coolest temp! Again, if you don't look to deep, everything appears to be in good repair, everything worked as it should, and the room was clean enough. Bath was clean as well. The beds were great....slept well...but that's never a problem for me. I can sleep anywhere, any pillow, as long as the room and linens are clean. No bedspreads please, prefer a duvet cover that I know has been washed. Our steward did a great job of making and freshening the room.
Ship tip
My favorite thing is to find the secret space for that special view. On 7 if you go all the way forward, there is a door onto the deck just below the bridge, port side. You get a spectacular view from there great for photos. The Buffet has not nearly enough seating. Since we were a group of 5 it posed a problem until we learned to peg our table first, some would go first...no rules about waiting for everyone seated to eat. I hate that about buffets you get your food and then walk around looking for tables while your food gets cold. Can't be helped, grab a table then split up and go get the food. Guy's burgers...if you are into burgers...must do! For a change try the Blue Iguana and Deli, if you hit it right there isn't a line. If you have a drink plan...be sure to take advantage of all the drink options...the coffee bars, especially! My favorite....chocolate milk shake with Bailey's Irish Cream!
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
We live in Houston...not much to say. But if you are from out of town...check out the Strand..stay there is you can. Willie G's Guido's or our favorite hole in the wall Benno's on the Beach for the Best Shrimp In Galveston!
We did the Hop on Hop Off Old Town Tour...it's not so much Hop On...actually there was a three block line for the trolley! We walked to where we were going to have lunch (Blue Heaven)...don't miss the key line pie!!!
We caught the trolley a few blocks away about stop 5. The problem ( at least with 5 in a group) there have to be 5 seats so you can "hop" on. If not you have to wait for the next car and hope there are 5 on it...could be endless! We finished the tour, good information, but didn't think we would make it by staying on back to the SMP marker so we baled. We happened to catch a golf cart taxi ( not really for hire, but he took us) back to the Southern Most Point, waited for us, then took us back to the port (no charge...just a tip 50.00 worth it) Expect a line for photos at the marker...don't know why I didn't just didn't think there would be one. All in all it was a fun day with the kids, just hanging out.
Didn't plan anything for here...just visited the shops in the port (watch out they are not all honest business men) and took advantage of an empty ship.
Originally we had planned to do Atlantis full day with lunch. This is an expensive excursion and when the weather predicted 60*, cloudy, chance of rain...we cancelled. We are southerners...water has to be at least 80* before we will go in and we don't swim in the cold rain...lol. Atlantis would have been a great excursion but...another time. What we did find...totally impromptu ...was a glass bottom boat tour. Picked this up just off the boat, ended up being just the 5 of us. The weather had turned out to be sunny breezy and maybe in the 70's it was chilly on the water, but still a nice day. The "guide" (a guy with a boat?) charged 45.00 adults only, kids free and they had food for the fish we were going to see. Such a good salesman! We were away for about 2 hours, enjoyed the trip...some of the best days happen by accident!
Disembarkation
Easy Peazy ! Again, it may have been because we had priority, but it was all very orderly and customs was a breeze, one of the best I've experienced! No problems here, and our shuttle bus to parking was just pulling up and we were there first on, because we were 5...he just took us...off the ship and home by 10:30!
Traveler Photos
4 Comments
mason2x 6 years ago
Smart people shop Walmart and Dollar General. Why spend more when you don't have too? We cruise Carnival exclusively and love it. I know people who cruise other lines and spend double just to go to the same places. And it's much more stuffy as far as atmosphere. I prefer laid back and fun. Carnival delivers just that.