We had pre-arranged a shared ride with 2 other couples with whom we corresponded through Cruse Critic.Com, and our driver, Big Marco, with RomeCabs was right on time. After a scenic one-hour drive to Civitavecchia we were taken right to the dock. We dropped our bags with a porter and having pre-completed Carnival's Funpass on line, we received our sail and sign cards, had our picture taken, and were on the ship in well under 15 minutes. We had a balcony cabin on deck 10 just below the spa. The cabin was very spacious with lots of storage, comfortable bed, ample seating, and a reasonably sized bathroom. It was a very quiet deck with easy access to the spa and the pool deck. It was a bit of a walk, however, to the rear dining room requiring us to go to deck 5 to transverse the ship, then descend to deck 3 for the dining room. We found the Freedom to be a beautiful ship - some think it to be a little gaudy even by Carnival standards, but it makes the common areas bright, fun and energetic. Carnival's shows and entertainment were overall very enjoyable. The dance group was particularly enjoyable, and the evening tribute to the Beatles was OUTSTANDING. Bar music and entertainment was enjoyable and coupled with good bar service made evenings in the lounges very enjoyable as well. Brad's (piano bar) late-night adult show was hilarious, but may be a bit on the risqué' side for some. My wife indulged in several spa services and found the facilities and staff to also be outstanding (except that the ship's whirlpool is quite small - only 4 persons can fit at a time). Service on the ship, with the exception of our dining wait staff, was also particularly good. The ship was exceptionally clean, our room continually freshened and restocked, room service was prompt, bar service was great, and the (dis)embarkation processes were better than any ship's we've ever experienced.
Carnival Freedom Ports of Call
Naples. By all accounts Naples is a southern Italian city of extremes (crowded, temperamental, dirty), but is the jumping-off point for some awesome excursions. We took a 3-stop excursion, booked through Carnival, to the Isle of Capri, Sorrento and Pompeii. This was a full and tiring day, but was well worth the investment of time and money. After a jet boat ride to Capri, we had a short tour of the gardens then about an hour of time to explore on our own. Lunch was in Sorrento near the boat dock, but free time was insufficient at less than an hour. After a bus ride to Pompeii along the coast, which itself was spectacular, we enjoyed a nearly 3 hour tour through the ruins of Pompeii. I love the antiquities, so could have spent 3-days, but nonetheless we enjoyed a great overview of the art, architecture, and lifestyle of the Romans to the point of Mt. Vesuvius' explosion in 79 A.D.
Dubrovnik, Croatia. This was the sleeper port in that we didn't know what to expect, but had perhaps enjoyed one of the best days of the cruise. The city, totally encased in a medieval period wall, was beautiful. The narrow streets, small restaurants and bars, and incredibly friendly and gracious residents all blended to be a lovely day. A walk completely around the city on the wall takes a couple of hours, is perhaps 3 miles in length, but should NOT be missed. There are several resting points and concessions along the way not to mention picturesque points of view. A group of us spent the afternoon at a cliff-side bar just outside the city walls, enjoyed some cold refreshments, and jumped from the cliffs into the warm and inviting Adriatic Sea. Take the shuttle bus from port, don't book an excursion, just simply walk and embrace this beautiful place.
Venice. There isn't much that can be added to the guidebooks and pictures available and that one should review before going to this unique city. This must be one of, if not the single most, photogenic cities in Europe. We tried to follow a walking tour map, but the combination of streets, canals and bridges is frankly confusing. My best advice, walk and purposely get lost. Some of the most beautiful churches and quiet plazas we discovered were well off the familiar path of St. Mark's square. Try to be in the city at dark when it is cool, enchanting and much less crowded. Take lots of pictures. Drink Bellini (Venice's drink of peach juice and champagne). Hold hands with your lover.
Messina, Sicily. We ported at Messina and took a Carnival excursion to Taormina and Mt. Etna. Skip going to Mt. Etna as it's just a lava rock mountain. However, spend as much time in Taormina as you can. It is a beautiful and easily walkable city. Don't book a tour, but do visit the Greek Theater. Also, don't miss eating a cannoli (or two) as these might well be the best in all of Italy. Departing Messina in route to Barcelona, the ship sailed by the island of Stromboli. There is a small town on one side of the island, and the other side is a quite active volcano. Actually, the whole island is a volcano. We sailed by just past dusk and were wowed by 3 large explosions and glowing-red lava cascading from the top.
Barcelona. The lines at the hop-on/hop-off bus stops were terribly long, so we walked and walked, eventually to the Sagrada Familia. This church, still under construction, designed by the architect Gaudi is to say the least, well Gaudy. The design and statuary is not like any other church in Europe. We spent most of our time rambling Las Ramblas, a pedestrian causeway in the heart of the city. Be sure to visit the farmer's market just off Las Ramblas where fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses, flowers and spices fill your senses and perhaps a digital camera disc.
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