Carnival Freedom

Launched in 2007, Carnival Freedom is the last in a series of five Carnival Conquest-class cruise ships, together with Conquest, Glory, Valor and Liberty.

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is an US company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian). Carnival Cruise Lines has Corporation's largest fleet as both number of vessels and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities). CCL has over 1/5 of cruise industry's worldwide market.

The 110,320-ton, 2,974-passenger cruise ship Carnival Freedom was last refurbished in 2014 for a total of USD 70 million. Freedom's main architecture is a standard sandwich with most public rooms on Decks three through five; most fitness, spa and casual dining rooms on Deck 9 and above; and most cruisers cabins in among or below the public room decks. This main design has been a pattern for Carnival new-build construction since the introduction of Carnival Destiny in 1996.

There have been made few changes and enhancements in attributes and conveniences since the class was pushed in 2002, most especially, the addition of Seaside Theater (huge outdoor screen above swimming pool on Lido Deck). However, the Carnival ship Freedom suffers from the same cruisers-flow bugaboos as do the other vessels in this class. It is impossible to get from the Posh Dining Room (aft end of the liner) to the Victoriana Lounge (basic showroom) all the way forward without having to climb or descend 1 or 2 decks. And even then, one has to pass either go through the other dining room or the cigar bar.

Cruise itinerary program

Carnival Freedom itinerary program is based on departures from Galveston TX with 7-day roundtrip cruises to Eastern and Western Caribbean. Feature port destinations include Nassau, Key West, Cozumel, Belize, Roatan.

Cabins

Carnival Freedom has a total number of 1487 cabins (of which 52 Suites, 504 Balcony rooms) in 31 grades. Carnival Freedom has no family cabins, but offers several connecting rooms in a variety of categories. The ship offers 29 accessible cabins in all cabin categories. Most Carnival Conquest staterooms are 185-220-sq.foot insides (577), oceanview (340) and balcony (504, with verandas of 52-75 sq.feet). There are also a total of 52 suites, measuring between 275-500 sq.feet. The three types of suites are Captain's Suites, Grand Suites and Ocean Suites. Suite passengers receive priority embarkation and debarkation, VIP check-in, and a deluxe bathroom.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Two formal restaurants onboard Carnival Freedom serve open seating breakfast and lunch. Dinner is served in an open seating option or two assigned seatings. The casual Lido buffet offers a number of food stations with a variety of choices, including a salad bar, deli, dessert station, daily regional cuisines. The ship also boasts an upscale supper club which assesses a cover charge and requires reservations. You'll also find outdoor poolside grills, specialty coffee bar, complimentary sushi bar, pizzeria and 24-hour room service that provides a limited selection of items.

Onboard dining has remained mainly free of charge onboard Carnival Freedom. Apart from the main dining room and the buffet, there are burritos and burgers with enough toppings to experience something different every day of your voyage. Even the buffet themed counters seem like tiny, specialized eateries. 

Follows the complete list of Carnival Freedom restaurants and food bars.

• Chic Restaurant (744-seat forward Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings and “Your Time Dining”; offers “Seuss At Sea” themed breakfast for $5)
• The Posh Restaurant (1122-seat aft Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings and open seating for Breakfast and Lunch)
• Freedom Lido Buffet Restaurant (1396-seat, self service buffet restaurant with various food stations; operates as bistro in the evenings)
• Sun King Steakhouse (108-seat, reservations only specialty restaurant for steaks and seafood, with dance floor and live music)
• Meiji Sushi (sushi bar, complimentary)
• Bluelguana Cantina (complimentary fast food Mexican bar - burritos, tacos)
• Guy’s Burger Joint (complimentary fast food bar by Guy Fieri).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

In 2012 Conquest-class ships first received the newly branded Carnival bars and comedy club. Deck parties are a staple highlighted by new musical performances and poolside bars. Carnival Freedom boasts 22 bars and lounges, giant disco, as well as a piano bar, sports bar, wood paneled lounge with leather chairs and smoking section. The three-level theater is the special venue for Vegas-style productions accompanied by live orchestras.

Freedom is the first Carnival ship with Camp Ocean, which replaced Camp Carnival as children's program. Carnival Freedom is also the first ship to feature Bookville, a play space and reading room that anchors Seuss at Sea onboard experience. She's also the first ship to boast 4 full PlayList Productions shows at 30 minutes each, rotating throughout the cruise. A number of other Carnival branded experiences enhance onboard life. EA Sports Bar offers action on every wall with video games of sports games, sports games and sports memorabilia. "Hasbro, the Game Show" plays the board games everyone knows out on the stage together with members of the audience. Apart from the "commercial breaks" showcasing Hasbro advertisements, action is infectious.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Freedom lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Victoriana Theatre (1400-seat, 3-level show lounge for grand shows and musical productions; also used for daily trivia game shows, movies, bingo sessions).
• Freedom Atrium The Millennium Lobby (9-deck high open floor area with Millennium Lobby Bar for live performances)
• Chic Card Room; Art Room Gallery; The Dynasty Conference Room
• The Fun Shops (offer “Bon Voyage” items, duty-free liquor, jewelry, fashion boutiques, souvenirs, logo items)
• Cherry on Top (candy shop)
• Club O2 (teens' club lounge for video games, movies, karaoke and themed parties)
• Players’ Bar (55-seat sports bar); Nouveau Bar (30-seat wine bar); Alchemy Bar; Scott’s Bar (100-seat piano bar); Swingtime Bar (88-seat jazz bar); Habana Bar (147-seat cigar bar with live music and a faux fireplace)
• Babylon Casino (484-seat, served by Centuries Bar); Centuries Promenade Bar (23-seat)
• Viennese Cafe (specialty coffee bar)
• Video Games Arcade
• 70’s Disco and Nightclub (211-seat)
• International Lounge (425-seat, with dance floor; hosts Punchliner Comedy Club)
• Blue Iguana Tequla Bar (Mexican beer, tequila, margaritas)
• RedFrog Rum Bar (Caribbean rums selection, ThirstyFrog Red draught beer, burgers and fries)
• Spa Carnival complex (with steam rooms, saunas, massage room, Spa Pool, Beauty Salon and Gymnasium)
• Sports Deck (multi sports court, Tennis Tables, Shuffleboard); 9-hole Mini Golf Course; Jogging Track.
• Circle C (kids' club lounge, complimentary)
• Internet Cafe (24-hour Internet computers room)
• Timeless Pool area (with 2 Timeless Bars, 2 Grille Bars and 2 Whirlpools).
• Endless Pool area (with Sky Dome glass roof; two Whirlpools are served by Endless Bar, Grille and Pizzeria; )
• Aqua Park (connected to Twister Waterslide, with one Whirlpool and splash pools)
• Carnival Seaside Theatre (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• Serenity (adults only area with Serenity Bar, two Whirlpools, padded lounges)
• Camp Carnival (kids' club lounge area, complimentary programmes, supervised activities, with outdoor Kids Pool area).

• Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade in 2014
• Freedom is the first Carnival ship with a reservations-only alternative restaurant.
• Freedom is of the line's last Conquest-class vessels. Her sisters are the Carnival ships Conquest, Glory, Liberty, Valor. The maiden voyage was on March 5, 2007 (Mediterranean cruise departing from Rome/Civitavecchia).
• Fun fact: Freedom was the first Carnival ship ever to feature the adults-only "Serenity" resort area.