We were excited about the 8-day itinerary having three sea days since our cruise before was a 12-day Mediterranean cruise on Carnival Magic that left us thrilled but exhausted. Our goal was a lazy sea-filled holiday with no internet or cell phone bother. Freedom's itinerary delivered that wonderfully.

Freedom is clean and well-maintained. While it isn't fair to say she is worn around the edges, her decor is a bit dated. Maybe frumpy is the word I should use. Our cabin was clean and well kept by our Steward. I think I heard the Cruise Director mention that she was due in dry dock for a refurb before long.

The crew were up to Carnival's usual standards of efficiency and politeness, but there was a distinct lack of enthusiasm or friendliness beyond the letter of Carnival's expectations for employees. That is not to say the crew were unfriendly. Our room steward was quite friendly and polite, for example, but the bar staff, the entertainment crew, and the dining room staff did not go "the extra step" that we have come to expect from Carnival crew members. I can't exactly put the words to the feeling, but it came from a crew motivation issue that is the director of the hotel's shortcoming. Read more