We negotiated a tour with a driver (Bernard's was the tour co).  The tour was good.  We ate at Jenn's Deli - good food - with affordable prices.  We aren't really shoppers so none of the jewelry places or high end shops appealed.  The little market was nice, the vendors were not too pushy or overwhelming. $25/head for 2.5 hours.  There was a push by taxi drivers, tour guides etc to go to Magnens Beach, but we had read here that there was a jellyfish issue and the beach was deserted.  We were glad we hadn't paid $100 for a taxi ride to a beach we couldn't use.  We stopped at Sapphire beach and it was very pretty.

St. Thomas

We negotiated a tour with a driver ($20/head) and the tour was nice.  This island was gorgeous.  We had a recommendation to go to Jolly Beach and that was awesome. I would highly recommend Jolly Bay/Beach.  The tour was 2 hours and we had the driver come back after 2.5 hours on the beach.  There was food, beer and trinkets available + jet skis, catamarans and other beach amenities available to rent. (Chairs & umbrellas) the beach was stunning, the water perfect and not too crowded.

Antigua

This port was why we chose this cruise itinerary.  We had been here in 2009.  We arranged for a taxi ride to Brewer's Bay ($16/head) and paid $10 each for snorkel equip from Nicoles.  The gear was worse for the wear but did okay.  The snorkeling was not as good as it was in 2009.  The coral was mostly dead and the fish were few & far between but it is still a great beach.  The surf shack - Nicoles has $3 Red Stripes and good burgers/fries.  They also rent chairs.  Very laid back.  Very nice people.  Beach is not huge and could fill up if you weren't there first thing. Little shopping area near the port was bad - bad selection, cramped and packed.

Tortola

We stayed on the ship (late docking 1pm) until about 3 and enjoyed having the whole ship to ourselves.  We only did some shopping right near the port.  We stopped and ate at a little shop called ChopStix and the food was reasonable and tasty.  We had no interest in the crazy overpriced excursions to Atlantis - from every review I read here it sounded like a rip-off.

Nassau

The layout of the ship was awkward - with the Posh & Chic dining rooms closing off 1/2 the ship - often you had to go up/down floors to get forward or aft.We even missed the "boarding photos" which was fine.

Carnival Freedom Review

Wouldn't sail Freedom again, but would sail Carnival again

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