My Wife and our two youngest boys (both 13) just got off the Carnival Freedom after a week of bliss. This was our third Carnival Cruise, plus one on Royal Caribbean and one on the Crown Princess two years ago (the last one we have done). In almost every respect, this was far superior to all other cruises we have done.
We flew to Ft. Lauderdale on Friday Evening and stayed at the Springhill Suites. It provided a hot breakfast and a shuttle to from the airport and to the Pier. In addition, for $8 per person we were able to book a transfer back to the airport. The transfers were as painless as possible. We left the Hotel about 10:45, were at the pier about 11:00 and were on the ship just before noon.
Despite the reviews that complain about the decor on the ship, it is not that outlandish. When we were on the Imagination and the Fantasy, the dEcor was much more garish. While we would not decorate our house the way the Carnival Freedom was done, it was not that bad. In certain places it was very nice.