We (wife & husband) have nothing to compare as this is first time on a cruise. Arrived Ft Lauderdale and stayed overnight at the Hyatt Place FLL Airport & Cruise at Dania Beach, FL. Hotel is a good pre-cruise hotel. Many guest are pre/post cruise so the hotel is geared for that as well as the other clientele they serve. A shopping mall is just a few blocks away. At the mall you are able to buy the last minute items you may need as well as soda, water and wine. A fair amount of restaurants in the area. Right at the intersection where the hotel is located are four fast food restaurants. Food inside hotel good but expensive

We took a taxi from the hotel. This was a bit more expensive than the hotel shuttle service. If the timing is right for you we recommend the hotel shuttle service to the Cruise Terminal. We arrived at around 140 PM to long lines at pre-security check in and security and then check in. Everyone had received a message not to arrive until 130PM due to Govt Inspection. Although the lines where long we where onboard in our room by 220PM. So it went rather smooth. At check in the customer service people where very informative and friendly . We opted to bring all our luggage onboard (2 airplane carry on size and one slightly larger than carry on size all on wheels) rather than check the bags to the ship. This worked out great for as soon as we left the check in we went immediatley aboard, our room was ready and we had our luggage.

Much has be written about the decor of the Freedom. We liked it. It was funky. It was fun. We thought it added to the whole fun experience that Carvinal is going for. First impression was that this is great. Did not even unpback right away. Went right to the balcony and started enjoying that immediately. Having the balcony was the best experience for us. Our room was great. All the space we needed for us and storage. Very comfortable. Read more