Carnival Freedom

The 2007-built Carnival Freedom cruise ship is the 5th/last of Carnival's Conquest-class liners, with sisterships Conquest, Glory, Valor, Liberty.

The vessel (IMO number 9333149) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 371154000) and registered in Colon.

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian).

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

The 3000-passenger ship Carnival Freedom was refurbished in 2014 for USD 70 million. Vessel'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 CCL newbuild 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.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Freedom staterooms (1492 total, in 27 grades) include 52 Suites, 504 Balcony, 330 Oceanview and 587 Inside cabins, including 29 wheelchair-accessible (in all cabin categories). The ship has no "family cabins" but instead offers connecting rooms in various categories. Most cabins are sized 170-185 ft2 (16-17 m2). Cabin balconies are sized 35-75 ft2 (3-7 m2). The ship has 3 types of suites - Captain's, Grand, Ocean. The largest are Captain's Suites (500 ft2 / 46 m2 plus 150 ft2 / 14 m2 terrace).

The boat has 13 passenger decks, of which 8 are with cabins. Over 50% of all staterooms are outside, 60% of those are with balconies.

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 a bistro in the evenings)
• Sun King Steakhouse (108-seat, reservations only specialty restaurant for steaks and seafood, with dance floor and live music)
• Carnival Deli (complimentary) offers hot/cold sandwiches, side dishes, paninis, and has a draft beer dispenser (for ThirstyFrog Red and Bud Light).
• (refurb 2019) Bonsai Sushi Express (Deck 9 starboard) is a new outdoor food bar offering a variety of rolls, sushi, sashimi.
• 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, 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, the 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), Carnival Adventures Shop (refurb 2019)
• 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 Tequila 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 SkyDome glass roof; two Whirlpools are served by Endless Bar, Grille and Pizzeria)
• (refurb 2019) WaterWorks aqua park (Deck 10) features a 62-m / 203-ft long AquaTunnel (waterslide), Carnival’s signature 65-m / 212-ft long Twister slide, a 75-gallon / 285-liter PowerDrencher (tipping bucket) and the kids-only SplashZone.
• Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge
• Dreams Studio (photo sessions studio)
• Carnival Seaside Theatre (poolside LED screen / outdoor cinema)
• Serenity (adult-only sundeck with Serenity Bar, two Whirlpools, padded lounges)
• Camp Ocean (kids' club lounge hosting complementary programs with supervised activities, an outdoor playground). Camp Carnival's wading/paddling pool for kids is no longer available.

During drydock refurbishment in 2023 (October) were added the Heroes Tribute Bar (deck 5/replacing the Skybox Sports Bar) and the Dreams Studio (deck 3, in the Lobby), while the Babylon Casino was expanded.

CCL's Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge (forward-portside/adjacent to the Casino) is the first-at-sea venue dedicated to active and retired US military personnel. The bar lounge features a distinctive decor with the logos of the USA's 5 armed forces (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard), military memorabilia throughout, walls lined with photos and messages themed "America’s Heroes", "Welcome Home" and "Thank You for Your Service". Specialty cocktails are served in custom-made pint glasses. A portion of each beverage sale benefits Operation Homefront (nonprofit organization). The special glasses can also be purchased as souvenirs.

Itineraries

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.

Starting April 27, 2021, Carnival Freedom had planned cruises in Alaska leaving on roundtrips from homeport Seattle WA. The 7-day "Glacier Route" itinerary visits Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Victoria (BC Canada), Tracy Arm Fjord (scenic cruising). The ship also had an 8-day itinerary to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point/Hoonah, Victoria BC, Tracy Arm Fjord. Freedom's Seattle departures were on Tuesdays.

In 2021, in Alaska Carnival Freedom had to join Carnival Miracle (10-11-day roundtrips from San Francisco). After Alaska, Freedom was to be relocated from Seattle to homeport Fort Lauderdale Florida with a 17-day Panama Canal itinerary (September 22, 2021) for 6- and 8-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean roundtrips. However, due to the Coronavirus crisis and Canada's extended (through 2022) ban on cruise ships, CCL's entire Alaska 2021 program was canceled and CCL's Freedom ship restartded operations on October 9, 2021, out of Miami.

In 2023, to Carnival Freedom's schedule were added two Transatlantic crossings (RepositionCruises.com) between Florida USA and Europe. The special voyages were due to the drydock (in Cadiz Spain) scheduled for 2023 October (4-23). The first/eastbound Transatlantic voyage (Sept 21-Oct 4) is a 13-night itinerary from Port Canaveral to Barcelona. The second/westbound Transatlantic voyage (Oct 23-Nov 6) is a 14-night reverse itinerary from Barcelona to Port Canaveral.

Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade was done in 2014. Freedom is the first Carnival ship with a reservations-only/specialty restaurant (Sun King Steakhouse) and the adults-only "Serenity" (resort deck area). Freedom is also Carnival's last Conquest-class liner (Fincantieri Monfalcone-built), with sisterships Conquest, Glory, Liberty, Valor. The inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) started on March 5, 2007 (Mediterranean itinerary from Civitavecchia-Rome).

Carnival Freedom refurbishments review

Carnival Freedom's drydock refurbishment in 2024 (March 26-April 4) was at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport (Bahamas). The project was for routine maintenance, technical overhauls, classification works/safety inspections, and some steelworks (including on the funnel that was shorted).

Drydocking 2023 (October 6-21) was conducted at Navantia shipyard in Cadiz Spain. The drydocking project included the replacement of the funnel, superstructure and hull cleaning/repainting, exterior refurbishments (new decking installation, adding CCL's new red-white-blue hull livery), adding the Heroes Tribute Bar (deck 5), Dreams Studio (deck 3). The Casino was expanded, and all staterooms and public areas were renovated/upgraded. Curiously, the funnel was designed and manufactured by Navantia.

The ship's 2019 drydock refit and refurbishment (February 14 - March 8) was done at Grand Bahama Shipyard (Freeport) and resulted in the following deckplan changes:

WaterWorks Aqua Park (Deck 10) replaced the Stressless Pool area (with a waterslide). The new aquapark features a 62-m / 203-ft long AquaTunnel (waterslide), Carnival's signature 65-m / 212-ft long Twister slide, a 75-gallon / 285-liter PowerDrencher (tipping bucket) and the kids-only SplashZone.

Bonsai Sushi Express (Deck 9 starboard) is a new outdoor food bar offering a variety of rolls, sushi, sashimi.

The Deli (Deck 9 portside / outdoor food bar) now offers an expanded menu with sandwiches, traditional side dishes, paninis.

The 9-hole Mini-Golf Course was relocated from Deck 12 to Deck 11.

Retail shopping areas (Promenade Deck 5) were expanded and redesigned (as mall-style space) with outlets selling watches, perfumes, jewelry, Carnival-branded merchandise (including at the new Carnival Adventures Shop / next to the Internet Cafe / midship-starboard).

The ship was also drydocked in 2021 (January-February) for routine maintenance and classification works.