Grand Turk - Beach access and chairs (both free !) only about one minute walk from where the ship docks. No shopping to brag about, just typical island souvenirs and tee-shirts. Another option is to walk about five minute further (no cab needed) to Margaritaville. It's a mini-resort, only open when ships are in port, and has a restaurant, gift shop, multiple bars including a swim-up bar, DJ playing island music, but best of all, a massive fresh-water pool to hang out in. No cover to get in and no drink or food minimums. We spent all day there, so sorry, I can't comment on any available excursions, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a more relaxing environment at Grand Turk than lounging in the huge pool at Margaritaville !

Grand Turk

First was La Romana, Dominican Republic. Two options here - either stay on the boat or have a pre-scheduled excursion. it's not a well developed area and there's literally nothing to see, within walking distance of the pier. Some people said they took a cab into the local town, and were bombarded with pushy vendors, to the point they felt unsafe and left within 30-45 minutes, returning to the ship. We pre-scheduled a tour through Seavis on-line, that I would highly recommend. Very reasonably priced and fun excursion. Took 20 minute cab ride from pier to small fishing village, Bayhibe, then speed boat out to small island for about three hour stay. Seavis provided snorkeling gear, beach chairs, delicious lunch of chicken, pork chops, rice & pasta, and fresh fruit, and unlimited beer and rum drinks all day. Stopped for about 45 minutes on the way back at this beautiful sand bar a mile off shore, but in only 3-4 feet deep water, and the guides found tons of starfish for us to handle. All for only $45 p/p, a great value !

Curacao - Weird timing in port, with boat docking at 1:00 PM and leaving at 11:00 PM. Lots of shopping, and sight seeing within walking distance of ship. The name brand stores are all right by the pier, while just over the moving pontoon bridge (I know, it sounds strange - you have to see it to fully comprehend it) are all the local shops, 10-15 minutes walking from the boat, (don't need a cab). to your right, just over this bridge is a little public square, which is a great place to negotiate excursions with local vendors, at far better prices than offered by the cruise lines. We got a two hour tour in an open-air bus, driving all over the island, including stops at a beach, the Curacao liquor factory (free samples !) , and a beautiful scenic over look probably 200 feet above the ocean, all for $15 p/p ! Great deal, and if you can't tell by now, my wife is a very shrewd negotiator !

Aruba - Last port of call, and our favorite. Beaches were way better than any of the other three stops, with perfect sand and no rocks. We took a 15 minute cab ride ($15 total each way for up to four passengers) from the pier to Palm Beach, where all the high rise resorts are located (Hyatt, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, etc.) Some people knock this area of Aruba as being overly-commercialized (it looks like Miami Beach) but who cares ? It's definitely not a nature preserve area, but there are a million things to do right on the beach. We negotiated an excursion with a local vendor, Dolphin Water Sports: three hour catamaran cruise, with two snorkeling stops (one a huge sunken German WW II U-boat and second a traditional coral reef in 6-10 feet of water), and a third stop on a sandbar to hunt for starfish. We got unlimited rum drinks all day a lunch of sandwiches and fresh fruit, all for $45 p/p. Great time, great customer services, and great value !

We had 6th floor standard size balcony, which was perfect level, only one flight of stairs down to casino, shops, bars and theatre on level five, and only three flight of stairs up to pool and buffet on nine. Not much to say about accommodations - Carnival has some of the biggest standard sized cabins around, with plenty of storage space, far more that two people need for a week. Balcony was small, with just two chairs and a table, but perfect for sitting out and surveying your kingdom, as the ship sails along !

They cater to the pre-cruise crowd, and have the system down to a science, providing really good value: For $99 total for two, we got Saturday airport shuttle to hotel with quick stop at local grocery to purchase pop & wine, Saturday night room, Sunday AM breakfast, Sunday shuttle to cruise port, and post-cruise shuttle back to airport.We negotiated an excursion with a local vendor, Dolphin Water Sports: three hour catamaran cruise, with two snorkeling stops (one a huge sunken German WW II U-boat and second a traditional coral reef in 6-10 feet of water), and a third stop on a sandbar to hunt for starfish.

Carnival Freedom Review

Great Cruise on the Carnival Freedom !

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