Just returned from a fabulous 6 day cruise aboard the Carnival Freedom. We loved most everything about the ship, the staff, and the itinerary itself. Some highlights of the trip: The Sun King Steakhouse: Pay the extra 30 bucks and go! Category 11 Balcony Suite: If you are offered an upgrade, take it. Past Guest Party, Fun Farewell Party, Liquor Tasting: If you sense an opportunity for "free" adult beverages, go to it. Now's the time to get back what you've overspent. Miniature Golf around the funnel: So cool. Great views too. Habana: Awesome band, great atmosphere. Music Motion band - played outside the casino bar several nights. Really entertaining. Meiji Sushi and the Fish and Chips area: Best kept secrets on the boat.

Disappointments: Twister Water Slide: hardly ever open - OK - we had some "lousy" weather this past week, but whomever devised the "acceptable" conditions for opening the water slide has obviously never visited an outdoor water park in June in Northern Indiana. Don't care if it's raining, we're wet anyways,let me use the slide. Don't care if the wind is blowing; we have battled much stronger, much colder wind whipping off Lake Michigan as we are clenching to the safety rails while our teeth are chattering hard enough to chip each other. Photographers: please gather these stalkers up and return them to the minimum security facility you found them at. Stop trying to take my picture! Move! You are blocking my path! It's a nice service; offer it, don't cram it down my throat. I could go on with the cynicism, but then it would sound really negative so I'm going to stop with those. This was seriously the best vacation we ever had. We met some great people, had a wonderful experience with our suite and our dining room staff, and were never bored. There was always something going on, and if there wasn't, we simply hung out on our balcony. Well trained, friendly, courteous staff. Everyone remembered our names, which was awesome and kind of creepy at the same time! I'd highly recommend this boat to anyone. We hope to return sometime soon.