We(myself my husband and my 10 yr old daughter) just got off the Freedom 6/20 cruise to the eastern carribbean.. I had checked reviews prior and they were mixed one of the big issues was the decor on the ship which some people thought was hidiaus(including the professional review) Not at all we LOVED it.,. It was so vibrant and fun I enjoyed walking around the ship admiring..We were in an inside cabin 1405 on the rivera deck our steward was Norman. (Awesome) he kept that room spic and span.. we were almost mid ship good location.. I was a little worried at first cause for the 3 of us we packed way too much.. but there was adaquate space and all was put away with space left over.Another issue I read was the food.. well unless you have 6 star taste then you would not enjoy the food but we dont and I will say the food from the dining rooms to the lido deck to the sushi was yummy!!! I would give it a 3.5 star LOL By the way we ate in the Chic dining late seating table 106 our waiter (Kitruit) was wonderful busyboy was great too.. I will say 815 is too late for us but we were waitlisted for early but did not get it.. I didnt even try on the ship but I heard people did and they got what they wanted.. Also there are 2 dining rooms the posh being the other in my opinion the poah was nicer in design.... As far as the food up in the lido area by the buffett you had the regular buffett but you also had a deli ,mexican they had someone stir frying veggies.. hamburgers hot dogs etc.. 24 hour pizza and upstairs on the buffet you had fish and ships.. They also had a section for indian food outside.. My favorite of all of those was the DELI and of course the ice cream and yogurt stations on both sides of the lido deck. By the way one side of lido is smoking(not a large side by the outside buffet) There is a girl that does the tempoary tatoos on the lido deck too... It was easy getting thru the ship go on deck 5 (promenade) and you can find your way the casino ..sushi(which is open 5-815 (I think one day on ths cruise it wasnt opened) shops disco speciality coffee game room teen room and an assortment of bars and entertainment. deck 4 was pictures(we bought lots) People were having problems finding the specialty restaruant but it was mid ship deck 10 you go to the lido deck 9 and walk up one or take the elevator . The regular restaraunts are on deck 3 and 4 ours(chic was mid ship) I LOVED the big HUGE screen TV on the lido deck... I would go up everynight get a lounge chair and a blanket they supplied and watch featured flim and eat my ice creamI used the gym 2x LOL I was going to do more but never got around to it I did not use spa services but I heard they were awesome!!The drinks were not very expensive on average $6.95 plus tip for specialy a hint though if you buy the signature drinks of the day and u keep you receipt you show it to the cashiers in the casino and they give you a $5 chip( that saved us a bit) A regular drink(like rum and coke) was $5.50 plus tip.. Soda card for my daughter was $38 for the 9 days Beer was $4 but if you got the bucket it was cheaper... Mimonsa and bloody Marys 3.95 in the morningAlso Loved Todd the cruise director but that was his last cruise on the Freedom he is taking a vacation and then heading to the Dream in December Lindsey Davis is the shopping expert super sweet girlService all around was A++++ no complaints at all...The entertainment was amazing the new orleans and the beatles were my favorites.. We never made it up to see late shows(I think the longest we stayed away was till 1145 LOL)As you can see by my reviews of the islands.. we are Beach people that is what we enjoyMy daughter went to camp carnival she was in the 9-11 group she really enjoyed it Loved her counsler Nellie Great time all around met wonderful people.. ate... drank and we were merry!! :)
We were on the rivera deck (1) inside cabin 1405 quiet.. almost midship .. small but we had enough room for all out suitcases.. we took way too much stuff and all fit fine... When we booked we booked a inside guarantee and got what we paid for In the bathroom you had razors toothpast acid reflux stuff and in the shower shower gel and shampoo and of course soap