I usually don't cruise in December but when Hurricane Harvey messed up my camping plans at Port Aransas I decided I needed something to do. The cost for the Freedom at that time was very good, so I signed up. (I usually cruise alone.)

That was my first time going through Carnival's new boarding procedure. It was great how fast I went through TSA and then right to my cabin. Platinum and Diamond members can go directly to their cabins while the others have to wait until 1:30 PM. My room key was in the mailbox next to my cabin door and it worked as expected. I did meet a few cruisers whose room key card didn't work or there was a wrong name on the card which caused them to wait in line at Guest Services which is NEVER fun!

I'd never been to Ocho Rios and I was anxious to get off the ship and walk around. I didn't wonder too far from the dock area but I did go a few blocks down the street. The shopping center right off the dock was a pleasant surprise as it felt more like a mall than a group of shops. There also was a small FREE beach at Margaritaville that many people too advantage of. I'd been to the Grand Cayman stop and Cozumel stop many, many times so I didn't get off teh ship. Read more