Carnival Freedom Review
Pleasantly surprised...Especially for 'spring break'.
Rating by category
Additional details
I was pleasantly surprised by this cruise. I love Carnival and this was my 7th cruise with the line. Have always had a good time - some better, some less. Again, this trip was for my sons 18th B-day even though he wouldn't be 18 until a few days after we got back. I was terribly worried, with this being spring break that it would be nothing but drunken college kids - it wasn't. Now, there were a few, but there are always a few. The mix of people was pretty much like always. Some lovely people, some not so much.
We flew into FLL the day before and stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, Cruise/airport. It was pretty good for a budget hotel but I would probably book Embassy Suites (they were full) earlier next time as that is what we are used to. Don't know if it is closer or better restaurants close by but...The staff was great and they were very crowded. The 'free' shuttle was really of no use due to high volume. Caught cab to the cruise pier on Sunday around noon and since we had a suite, we walked right in. No line at all!! The VIP line in FLL is the easiest and best organized I have seen!!(out of 4 VIP trips)
On board we sat in the lobby and looked at the 'fun times' and just soaked it all in. First notice with the Freedom is that the lobby/atrium area is more closed in that some of the smaller ships we have been on and that was a negative. I had a cocktail, kid watched the girls walk by and off to the suite. We left the luggage with the porters and it was delivered around 4pm. Very impressed with the room. Loved the bathroom - more on that in other section.
Cabin Review
Although not the largest suite (in fact I am not even sure what level suite it was - got this due to a wonderful upgrade fairy!) 7233 on Empress deck 7, it was probably my favorite!! Had a larger than normal balcony with 3 chairs and table- one chair actually laid back. My most fav was the double sinks in the bathroom. Spacious bathroom - decent storage with a separate dressing area 'room'. Two closets, although one was close to a bed so you couldn't fully open the door. Tons of storage. The lights were hard to figure out though. Some you had to turn, some push, some push twice. Toward front of ship so fairly quiet except a neighbor a few doors down moved their balcony chairs A LOT all the time. We faced the port in Key West and Ocho Rios - great views.