We opted to take the Carnival Freedom for just one reason: Ports of call: Antigua, Tortola and St. Thomas were the main motivation + our first Balcony room. We've cruised with Royal Caribbean and Carnival before, and decided to go with the Carnival Freedom instead of Royal Caribbean Freedom of the seas this year... big mistake!

Carnival Freedom sailed from Ft. Lauderdale. It was our first time leaving from this port. We got to Ft. Lauderdale around 11:00am and we thought the embarkation process was longer than Port. Canaveral and Miami. Once the agent gave us our sail and sign cards we followed to get our picture taken, then, all the way to the atrium of the ship (12:15pm)

The first impression we got of the Freedom was 'blah'. After sailing on the Mariner of the seas, our "Wow factor" was no longer there. For the first timers, I'm sure the Freedom was a beauty, but for us, it felt like all the other Carnival we've taken, no difference, in fact, worse. I had heard about the dEcor issue on this ship, but both being in our mid 20's and having a 'cool' 77 year old grandpa sailing with us, we thought decoration won't be a big deal... wrong! Read more