Carnival Freedom 2017 7-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 7 July 14, 2017 Day At Sea
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Day 7 July 14, 2017 Day At Sea
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Early Morning Walk Around The Ship:
Since it was our last full day of the cruise I wanted to maximize the day and see as much of the ship as possible. I got up early and walked down from Deck 6 to Deck 3. The atrium was quiet except for a few crew members cleaning and doing some basic maintenance. I noticed the sun was beginning to rise so I stepped outside since I was already on Deck 3.
Since it was our last full day of the cruise I wanted to maximize the day and see as much of the ship as possible. I got up early and walked down from Deck 6 to Deck 3. The atrium was quiet except for a few crew members cleaning and doing some basic maintenance. I noticed the sun was beginning to rise so I stepped outside since I was already on Deck 3.
There were some dark clouds in the distance, but it did not look like it was going to rain. After being outside a few minutes I went back inside the atrium lobby.
After coming back inside I walked up the atrium's stairs to Deck 4 and then walked up another flight of stairs to the Promenade Deck (5). The atrium has stairwells that go from Deck 3 to Deck 4 and Deck 4 to Deck 5.
The Promenade Deck was mostly empty too. A few crew members were cleaning and walking around, but I did not see any other guests during my walk through the Promenade Deck.
The Promenade Deck was mostly empty too. A few crew members were cleaning and walking around, but I did not see any other guests during my walk through the Promenade Deck.
Unfortunately, during this cruise I did not go to the Taste Bar. This was because I forgot about the Taste Bar and only remembered it when it was closed. Most of the time when the Taste Bar was open I was at dinner or watching a production show.
The Swingtime Jazz Club was setup for trivia and other activities for the day. Outside the entrance to the lounge was a sign that advertised "The Fun Squad". This is what the entertainment department calls their crew members that host the trivias and various activities.
Before leaving the Promenade Deck, I stepped into the International Lounge. On Day 6 I was unable to go into the International Lounge because several crew members were cleaning it.
After walking around the Promenade Deck (5) I went up to the Lido Deck (9). Instead of going into the buffet, I walked by the AFT pool. The pool was still closed for the morning, but it would later be open. At this time of the morning, the retractable roof was open. However, in about 30 minutes the retractable roof would be closed due to heavy rain.
The very back of the Lido Deck (9) behind the pool has several tables and chairs. These tables and chairs are covered regardless of whether or not the retractable roof is open. For those that want to eat outside this would be a nice area to do so.
The very back of the Lido Deck (9) behind the pool has several tables and chairs. These tables and chairs are covered regardless of whether or not the retractable roof is open. For those that want to eat outside this would be a nice area to do so.
I walked up one deck to the Panorama Deck (10). I did not stay on the Panorama Deck (10) for long since I took stairs up to Deck 11. The jogging track was being used by many cruisers. Most of these people were running or jogging. There were no people walking the track (like I do). I wanted to walk to the volleyball court & basketball court, which meant I had to walk along the edge of the jogging track to stay out the way of those exercising.
I also visited the mini golf course since I was already nearby. There were no people playing mini golf yet.
I walked down from the mini golf course and then walked down from Deck 11 to Deck 10. When I got to Deck 10 I cut across to the front of the ship.
When I reached the front area of Deck 10 I took the stairs up to Deck 14. While I was up on Deck 14 I saw a rainbow coming from a dark cloud. I took a picture of the rainbow and my camera managed to capture the scene.
Since I was hungry I headed down from Deck 14 to the Lido Deck (9). Breakfast was not yet open, but I was tired so I sat in the Freedom Restaurant for about 15 minutes.
While I was waiting for breakfast I began to notice one side of the ship had zero visibility. It looked like a heavy fog. The other side of the ship had clear looking weather. I walked outside at the back of the Lido Deck (9) and saw the retractable roof was being closed. The roof stayed closed for most, if not all, of the last sea day.
Breakfast:
For cruisers that wanted to eat at the Freedom Restaurant (lido buffet) , breakfast was scheduled to begin at 7:30am and end at 10:30am. Continental breakfast (pastries, juices, and fruits) opened at 6:30am. Late Risers Breakfast was scheduled for 10:30am - 12:00pm in the Freedom Restaurant. For cruisers that did not want to eat breakfast in Lido buffet, Sea Day Brunch was available in the Posh Restaurant (aft main dining room) from 8:30am - 1:00pm.
For cruisers that wanted to eat at the Freedom Restaurant (lido buffet) , breakfast was scheduled to begin at 7:30am and end at 10:30am. Continental breakfast (pastries, juices, and fruits) opened at 6:30am. Late Risers Breakfast was scheduled for 10:30am - 12:00pm in the Freedom Restaurant. For cruisers that did not want to eat breakfast in Lido buffet, Sea Day Brunch was available in the Posh Restaurant (aft main dining room) from 8:30am - 1:00pm.
After breakfast we walked down to Deck 3. The Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast was taking place in the Chic Dining Room. I do not have many details about this breakfast except for it costs extra.
Before heading to the Morning Show, we stopped to have a look outside on Deck 3. There were still some dark clouds in the distance, but it appeared we were sailing into some nicer weather. The rain had stopped while we were at breakfast.
Live Morning Show With Malcolm:
The Live Morning Show with our cruise director, Malcolm, was being held at 9:30am in the Victoriana Theater. Unlike the first sea day, the audience was very small for this day's Morning Show. The Morning Show lasted only about 30 minutes and contained information about debarkation, onboard sales, and the Groove For St. Jude event that would take place later in the day. Another segment of the Morning Show introduced the Lip Sync Battle contestants. |
Debarkation Presentation:
The Debarkation Presentation was being held at 10:15am in the Victoriana Theater. I stayed in the Victoriana Theater after the Morning Show ended to watch the Debarkation Presentation. The Debarkation Presentation essentially contained the same information as the Debarkation flyer that was delivered to everyone's staterooms. However, people are allowed to ask questions after the presentation, which is more convenient than waiting in line at guest services. Our cruise director, Malcolm, hosted this presentation and he made it fun and interesting. At the end, several crew members from various departments came on the stage. The presentation ended with the captain saying a few words and thanking us for choosing the Carnival Freedom. |
"Towel Folding Fun" - Towel Animal Folding Class:
At 11:00am the Towel Folding class was being held in the Victoriana Theater. I stayed in the Victoriana Theater after the Debarkation Presentation for this. On my last cruise, I was going to try to fold towel animals, but the housekeeping department did not have enough towels. However, for this cruise I was able to get some towels. The instructions on making the towel animals were clear, but I just could not fold the towels right. My towel animal elephant and snake did not turn out recognizable.
After the towel animal folding was the Towel Animal Theater. We did not stay for this.
At 11:00am the Towel Folding class was being held in the Victoriana Theater. I stayed in the Victoriana Theater after the Debarkation Presentation for this. On my last cruise, I was going to try to fold towel animals, but the housekeeping department did not have enough towels. However, for this cruise I was able to get some towels. The instructions on making the towel animals were clear, but I just could not fold the towels right. My towel animal elephant and snake did not turn out recognizable.
After the towel animal folding was the Towel Animal Theater. We did not stay for this.
Chocolate Extravaganza:
The Chocolate Extravaganza was being held from 12:00pm - 2:30pm in the Freedom Restaurant. I predicted the Chocolate Extravaganza would take place on this day of the cruise because typically this event is held on the last sea day of the cruise. Essentially, the Chocolate Extravaganza consists of a variety of different chocolate desserts. There is a chocolate fountain and several things available for dipping. A crew member will dip the things in the chocolate fountain from behind the buffet counter.
After eating lunch, I got an ice cream swan. Guests could choose from vannila, strawberry, or chocolate ice cream to put in the swan.
The Chocolate Extravaganza was being held from 12:00pm - 2:30pm in the Freedom Restaurant. I predicted the Chocolate Extravaganza would take place on this day of the cruise because typically this event is held on the last sea day of the cruise. Essentially, the Chocolate Extravaganza consists of a variety of different chocolate desserts. There is a chocolate fountain and several things available for dipping. A crew member will dip the things in the chocolate fountain from behind the buffet counter.
After eating lunch, I got an ice cream swan. Guests could choose from vannila, strawberry, or chocolate ice cream to put in the swan.
Last Lunch Onboard:
Today was our last lunch on the Carnival Freedom. It is hard to believe how fast time passed by. I got some pizza from the pizzeria and then got in line for the Chocolate Extravaganza. Here were today's lunch options:
Today was our last lunch on the Carnival Freedom. It is hard to believe how fast time passed by. I got some pizza from the pizzeria and then got in line for the Chocolate Extravaganza. Here were today's lunch options:
- Blue Iguana Cantina 12:00pm - 2:30pm
- Chocolate Extravaganza 12:00pm - 2:30pm
- American Food - Chef's Choice Line 12:00pm - 2:30pm
- Mongolian Wok 12:00pm - 2:30pm
- Ol' Fashioned BBQ 12:00pm - 2:30pm
- Seafood Shack (Costs Extra) 12:00pm - 5:00pm
- Sushi At Sea (Costs Extra) 12:00pm - 5:00pm
- Guy's Burger Joint 12:00pm - 6:00pm
After lunch I walked to the back of Deck 9 and went up to the stairs to Deck 10. I walked around and ended up going up to Deck 11 too. The weather was nice, the water was blue, and many people were outside enjoying the nice weather!
Some of the Carnival Freedom's decks have an outside front area that is open. Deck 6 (my deck) as well as Deck 7 have outside areas for cruisers to look out. Deck 8 does not have a front area because of the navigational bridge and Deck 9 does not have a front area because the front area got converted to balconies. Deck 10 has a front area for cruisers to walk out onto.
There is a front area on Deck 5 and Deck 4, but these front areas are not open to guests. Crew members are the only people allowed to use these areas of the ship. |
Tea Time:
On Day 6 I went to tea time for the first time ever. Once again, I went with some family members to the tea time that was taking place on this day of the cruise. I enjoyed this day's tea time more because the selection of desserts was better. Once again, I had a scone and it was good! I also had some strawberries, cake, and a piece of some dessert that I have no idea what it was. Tea Time was taking place from 3:00pm until 4:00pm in the Posh Dining Room (Deck 4 level). The Posh Dining Room is the dining room that is located at the very back of the ship.
On Day 6 I went to tea time for the first time ever. Once again, I went with some family members to the tea time that was taking place on this day of the cruise. I enjoyed this day's tea time more because the selection of desserts was better. Once again, I had a scone and it was good! I also had some strawberries, cake, and a piece of some dessert that I have no idea what it was. Tea Time was taking place from 3:00pm until 4:00pm in the Posh Dining Room (Deck 4 level). The Posh Dining Room is the dining room that is located at the very back of the ship.
VIFP Appreciation Drink:
On the very first day of the cruise we had a coupon delivered to our stateroom that was good for 1 drink (up to a certain cost) for free. This drink was free because we are Gold Members of Carnival's VIFP Club. Our coupon was only valid for the last sea day past 5:00pm. Around 5pm we went to the casino bar to redeem our coupons. I got a strawberry smoothie and it was extremely good! |
Last Night's Dinner In The Chic Dining Room:
The doors for dinner opened around 5:45pm for Your-Time Dining cruisers. We were seated at the same table as the previous few nights and had the same waitstaff. Once again the food was good and the service was great!
The doors for dinner opened around 5:45pm for Your-Time Dining cruisers. We were seated at the same table as the previous few nights and had the same waitstaff. Once again the food was good and the service was great!
Lip Sync Battle - Nightly Entertainment:
The entertainment for the night was a Lip Sync Battle. This was based on a TV program. It appeared Carnival was trying as hard as possible to make this show just like the TV show. The contestants for this were selected earlier in the cruise and made a few appearances at different events. The contestants did a great job and it looked like they were really singing instead of lip syncing. This show was held at 7:30pm in the Victoriana Theater. Since our dinner took a long time, we barely made it to the show and had to get seats that were in the back. |
After the show, we went up to Deck 6 to look outside at the front and then we headed to Deck 11 for the jogging track.
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