This is good cruise for someone going on a cruise for the first time. You have no expectations. We have gone on two Princess cruises and thought we would try Carnival for a change. You get what you pay for....no more than that. The ship, entertainment, activities, pool area and rooms were good. The service at the pool bars and dining were understaffed causing poor service and low quality. The food in the dining room (Posh) and buffet was average at best. The best meal we had in the dining room was breakfast. Our waiter for dinner was very nice but was overworked and could not keep up. Side dishes were brought out when dessert was, if we had the patience to stay that long. The food in the Guy Fieri burger joint, the cantina taco bar, the deli and the Mongolian BBQ was good. The food and service in the Sun King Steakhouse (cost is $35 per person) was well worth the money...it was Excellent!

The service at the two pool bars was poor. Long waits due to understaffing. It was not until the third day of the cruise there were waiters around the pool and even then the wait was up to 20 minutes, unless you tipped generously. Many people on the ship, who had cruised before, were disappointed in the Freedom for food and service.

The rooms were very nice with lots of storage space and two separate closets. There was no need to bring extra hangers from home. The entertainment was great...energetic and professional. Overall, the ship was very clean. Read more