![[freedom_keywest.jpg]](http://cruisediva.net/freedom_keywest.jpg)
by
Linda Coffman
When
you stop and think about it, it can be difficult to pin down what Freedom
truly means to us as individuals. However, in the hands of
Carnival Cruise Lines' ship architect Joe Farcus, Freedom is a
celebration of the past with an eye to the future.
The newest Conquest-class member of Carnival's fleet
offers a sparkling journey through the centuries by decade. From ancient
Babylon to a glimpse of 2010, Carnival Freedom commemorates
specific periods in time. "I thought it would be interesting to
go back in time to find inspiration for the various public
rooms," says Farcus. His extensive use of brushed copper tones
and white, black, and peach-hued marble creates a soothing backdrop
for interiors that are vibrant overall, yet subdued and quite
beautiful individually.
Dining
Carnival Freedom's array of traditional and alternative
dining choices are as expansive as my waistline felt at the end of
my short introductory cruise.
The variety of casual dining choices include
made-to-order omelets for breakfast and a wide variety of buffet
items for lunch, as well as meat-carving and pasta stations and a
Mongolian stir-fry buffet in the casual Freedom Restaurant.
In addition to the usual selections, there are Oriental
dishes, a daily taste-of-nations specialty, coffee bar, a Pizza
bar, outdoor Grill areas serving fresh burgers and grilled
favorites, the Deli for just-made sandwiches, and a second
level offering Fish & Chips (including Bouillabaisse
cooked on the spot and calamari with Maui onion fritters). Several
serving stations near the swimming pools dispense ice cream treats.
Try the Meiji Sushi Bar on Promenade Deck for freshly
prepared sushi before dinner. Also on Promenade Deck, the
Viennese Café serves specialty coffees and pastry treats for a
nominal charge.
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Sun
King Supper Club
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The Chic Dining Room and Posh Dining Room
are the formal restaurants where diners are seated amid polished
marbles and wood veneer laminated in a python skin pattern. Look for
the "Signature Selections" on the menu, dishes created by
French Master Chef Georges Blanc. Don't be in a rush to leave or
you'll miss the inventive and talented wait staff performing musical
numbers just as energetically as they served dinner.
Sun King, Carnival Freedom's supper club is a
golden 18th century setting. Named for Louis XIV, design features
include sparkling chandeliers, antique mirrors, and intricately
woven tapestries. Naturally, a statue of Louis himself greets diners
at the entrance. A combo plays for couples who want to take a spin
around the dance floor between courses. For the $30 per person cover
charge, it's one of the best restaurants—and dining bargains—at
sea. Not only is the food exceptional (escargot, New England crab cakes,
Russian caviar, lobster bisque, grilled lamp chops, prime rib, Dover sole meuniere,
free range chicken, veal chops, lobster, and several cuts of beef
from 9 to 24 ounces), but the presentation is sophisticated and the
atmosphere decidedly upscale. It's a fine dining experience you
won't want to miss.
For parents who want to share a romantic dinner for
two, the Camp Carnival program and group evening babysitting takes
the hassle out of child care. In addition to the many choices,
Carnival Freedom offers the flexibility of dining whenever you are
hungry—around the clock. Room service never closes and, while the
choices are somewhat limited, a picnic on your private balcony is
always a treat.
Staterooms
With so many categories, category selection might seem
daunting. In reality, there are only five cabin configurations, but
every passenger is assured of standard accommodations that are, on
average, 50% larger than those on most cruise ships. On Carnival Freedom,
they range from standard Interior and Oceanview staterooms to
Oceanview staterooms with private balconies and Suites and Penthouse
Suites with large private balconies. More than 60% of all staterooms
are outside and, of those, 60% have balconies.
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Oceanview
Stateroom with Balcony
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Staterooms feature light wood cabinetry, pastel
decor, mirrored accents, small refrigerator, personal safe for
valuables, a sitting area with sofa, chair and table, and a
hairdryer in a vanity/desk drawer. A convenience is an open shelving
unit next to the refrigerator that is not found on all earlier
Conquest-class ships. Terrycloth bathrobes are provided for
passengers' use during the cruise in all oceanview accommodations.
Nothing can ruin a vacation faster than a lumpy,
bumpy bed with scratchy sheets and pancake thin pillow. To insure
sweet dreams, Carnival provides more than a chocolate treat on your
pillow. The exclusive "Carnival Comfort Bed" systems are
simply heavenly. They start with plush mattresses and add soft and
comfy duvets, upgraded pillows, and linens for a good night's sleep.
Bathroom amenities include shampoo and bath gel in
shower mounted dispensers and an array of sample toiletries. The
shower itself is roomy and has a pull-out clothesline for drying
bathing suits or hand laundry. A real convenience is the two-sided
(regular and magnifying) bathroom shaving/make up mirror. Closet and
drawer/shelf storage, as well as bathroom shelves, are more than
adequate. My one 'problem' observation—the center closet isn't
quite long enough for long evening dresses to hang freely. Shelves
below the hanging area, while ideal for storing shoes, cause my
dresses to 'pool' at the bottom.
For families, the sitting area sofa converts to an
additional sleeping area at night and connecting cabins are
available. Passengers with physical challenges haven't been
overlooked—staterooms have been designed that take their special
needs into consideration.
Continued --> Carnival
Freedom (Part 2)
Highlights from the
Carnival Freedom Caribbean Inaugural cruise:
Take a Carnival
Freedom Photo Tour
