This was our first time to cruise with Carnival. We typically sail Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line.

The rates for this cruise, at about 90 days prior to sailing, were just too good to pass up and the weather in Minnesota was promised to be just too darn cold to stick around all winter.

We selected any time dining. We had to pretty much insist on a table for two for each evening meal and specifically requested to be seated in Alan's wait staff area. Our polite insistence paid off and we regularly had a table for two and were able to sit in Alan's area for each evening meal. Alan and his team were exceptional. Very quick, very accommodating and very professional. We loved our dining experiences on the Freedom. In fact, granted this was prior to the new dining options that we understand will be coming out on Carnival, but we believe that we our dining experiences with Carnival compare very well with several of our previous 10 cruises on both Royal Caribbean and NCL. Read more