carnival cruise ships food

The Ultimate Menu Guide to Carnival’s Main Dining Room

Doug Parker

• March 12, 2019

The main dining rooms on Carnival Cruise Line’s ships are a staple for guests. They add to the overall cruise experience, as cruisers generally value food and service.

Carnival’s dining rooms consist of varied menus and experienced and attentive staff. Having dinner in the main dining room (otherwise known as MDR to the seasoned cruiser) is a three-course affair.

Should you choose not to eat in the main dining room, you’ll also have plenty of other options, free or for fee, around the ship, as various dining venues are available. In other words, you will not be hungry during your sea vacation.

This menu guide to Carnival’s Main Dining Room will provide insightful information about where to dine, what dishes to eat, and an overview of the cruise line’s main dining rooms!

Where it’s Located

Carnival offers both Set-Time Dining and Time Dining, which gives guests more flexibility, making it an excellent option for those who don’t necessarily want to be on a set schedule.

READ MORE: 31 Carnival Main Dining Room Tips

Most Carnival ships have two dining rooms, but although the Spirit-class ships ( Carnival Pride , Carnival Spirit , Carnival Legend , and Carnival Miracle ) have only one dining room, they still offer traditional Set-Time and Your Time Dining options.

Carnival’s signature “Sea Day Brunch” is also served in one of the main dining rooms. Because of its popularity, it’s typically served in the larger dining room, which is located in the aft (back).

What to Expect in the Main Dining Room

Now and then, Carnival tinkers with the menus. O ne thing’s for sure, though: any change, no matter how small, will surely be appreciated by guests.

Given that Carnival ensures that people have a great experience, they take the feedback they receive on changes very seriously.

Currently, the Carnival fleet offers two separate menus: the American Table menu and the American Feast menu.

• American Table : This is your typical main dining room menu with a selection of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. This is the rotating menu you’ll find each cruise night, except on formal nights.

• American Feast : This is the menu offered in the main dining room on formal nights, and it’s not all that different from the American Table menu. This menu will be provided once or twice per cruise, depending on the length of your sailing. Formal nights are also the only evenings in which tablecloths are used in the main dining rooms.

Menu Download

• Download a sample American Table menu here
• Download a sample American Feast menu here

The experience usually takes 90 or so minutes. If you are crunched for time, you should consider eating dinner at the Lido deck buffet or another venue offering a more casual experience.

Dining Times

Carnival offers two different dining programs, and you’ll generally select one when you book your cruise. Traditional Dining, which allows you to eat at the same table with the same people at the same time each night, is generally served at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Your Time dining lets you decide what time you’d like to eat. But be aware that because Your Time dining is in demand, you must request this option as soon as possible.

If it is unavailable on your sailing, recheck it once you’re on board to see if there are openings.

In 2020, Carnival moved on its HUB app to allow guests to check in for Your Time dining and receive an alert when the table is ready. This avoids the long lines at the entrance of the dining room.

• Pros and Cons of Traditional Dining vs. Your Time Dining

What should I wear?

Carnival breaks dinner up into two evenings: cruise casual and cruise elegant.

Carnival’s website says the main dining room does not permit cut-off jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, tee shirts, gym or basketball shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops, or bathing suit attire.

For men, they may wear khakis, collared shirts, and dress slacks suits in the main dining room. Tuxedos, a sports coat, and a tie are not required. However, cruise elegance is a great photo opportunity, and you can dress as fancy as you’d like.

Carnival also lists jeans forbidden for elegant evenings, but in our experience, they tend to look the other way as long as the jeans are excellent. You can read their dining room dress code policy here .

Summer dresses, blouses, casual dresses, pantsuits, and capris are all acceptable for casual cruise nights.

Carnival Main Dining Room Menu Explained

The menu in the main dining room is pretty straightforward, but it can be overwhelming, given all the options available.

Since we know a lot of people want to know at least the basics of what will be available, we thought it might be helpful to take a look at both the American Table and American Feast offerings and break down the menus.

Keep in mind that selections change periodically, so what you’ll find below is more an example of what you’ll discover than a written-in-stone guide.

If you’re the type of person who loves kicking things off with an appetizer (or three), Carnival’s menus have you covered. Generally speaking, you’ll find about 10 different options in Carnival, with the always-popular shrimp cocktail available every night.

Some of the other tasty treats they offer to start your meal include:

• Fried Calamari
• Chilled Vietnamese Roll
• Strawberry Bisque
• Smoked Chicken Quesadillas with salsa
• Smoked Poblano and Corn Soup
• A variety of salads

Dishes to Try

While this is one of our favorite menu sections, it’s not for everyone. However, what you’ll find here are items that, as the name suggests, aren’t exactly everyday fare.

Found just beneath the appetizers, you never know precisely what you’ll discover. But for folks who are open to trying something new, this is a tasty option.

Some items you will find on this menu are:

• Blood Sausage
• Escargot (snails)
• Alligator Tail
• BBQ Pulled Wild Boar
• Philadephia Pepper Pot (with Honeycomb Tripe)
• Braised Frog Legs

READ MORE: Carnival Cruise Food Reviews

Nightly Entree Menu

When it comes to entrees, you’ll find plenty of options from both land and sea. The portion sizes are generous, but don’t be shy if you want to order two entrees.

As with every menu section, you can order as much as you like. If there’s one department in which the menus might be lacking, it’s the vegetarian options.

Some of the entrees you’ll find on the menu include:

• Veal Parmesan
• Pan-Seared Tilapia
• Rosemary Lamb Shank
• Southern Fried Chicken
• Salmon Cakes
• Crisp Portobello Mushrooms
• A Featured Indian Vegetarian dish (lentils, basmati rice, papadam, and raita)

If you want prime rib and lobster, you’ll find them on the American Feast menu. So yes, you’ll have to dress up if you wish to have your lobster!

From the Grill Menu

If none of the regularly listed entrees appeal to you on any given night, give this section a look. It offers some great selections and a bit of variety with the two main items — the beef and fish selections — usually changing daily.

Like the other menu sections we’ve discussed, these are complimentary. People sometimes confuse these for the upcharge items, which we’ll discuss a little bit later on.

Here are some menu items you’ll find on the From The Grill menu:

• Salmon Filet: Citrus and pepper rubbed salmon served with broccoli, carrots, and red potatoes
• Flat Iron Steak: Cooked with herbs and peppers, served with broccoli and baked potato
• Chicken Breast: Roasted with garlic and herbs, served with peas and carrots with red potatoes
• Pork Chop: Cooked with caramelized onions and served with stewed apples and mashed potatoes

The beef dish comes with a selection of BBQ Sauce, Béarnaise, Peppercorn, or Wild Mushroom sauce.

Side Dishes

Every night, you’ll find six sides offered at the bottom of the main dining room menu. These are served in addition to whatever sides you have with your meal.

They’re individual-sized, not family-style. So, if you’re the kind of person who likes a whole lot of creamed spinach with your beef, make it a double order.

The selections can vary nightly, but they typically include items such as these:

• Baked Potato
• Broccoli, Carrots, and Onions
• Mac n’ Cheese with Bacon
• French Fries
• Ratatouille
• Creamed Spinach

Port of Call Menu

The port menus are unique to every destination. This can be found in the regular menu, which gives you information about the port of call. Some days, this section will feature a specific port, depending on your itinerary and sea days.

Sample Port of Call Menus 

• Download a sample St. Maarten Port of Call Menu 
• Download a sample Eastern Caribbean Port of Call Menu

Here’s an example of what you might find on the port of call menu.

Port: St. Maarten

The whole island is known for its excellent cuisine, partly due to its French influences. Creole, French, and West Indian cooking are particularly renowned. Many other nationalities have influenced the fare of St. Maarten because of its heavily diverse roots.

• Featured Drink:  Island Martini. A refreshing mix of Bacardi Limon, Pineapple, and Orange Juices, and a touch of Grenadine. $9.50
• Featured Appetizer:  Caribbean Bouillabaisse. Local Fish and Seafood in a Saffron Broth with Tomato, Fennel, and Sauce Rouille.
• Featured Entree:  Coq au vin. Chicken Marinated and Cooked in Red Burgundy Wine with Mushrooms, Silver Onions, and Bacon, Finished with some aged Brandy.

Steakhouse Selection

The Steakhouse Selection is available for a $20 upcharge and offers guests a chance to get a cut of beef served in the steakhouse while in the main dining room. The steakhouse selections are available across all of their cruise ships.

Featured items here generally include:

• Broiled Maine Lobster Tail served with drawn butter
• Surf & Turf, Maine Lobster Tail with Grilled Filet Mignon
• Filet Mignon, 9 oz premium aged beef
• New York Strip Loin Steak, 14-oz

Dessert Menu

The main dining room’s dessert menu consists of three selections rotating every night. One of the selections offered each night is usually a low-cal, no-sugar treat. There are also coffees and teas available to complement your dessert.

Sample dessert menu

• Download a sample dessert menu

Some examples of desserts you might find on the menu are:

• Boston Cream Cake
• Orange and Almond Baked Cake
• Chocolate and Cheese Brownie
• Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake
• Fresh Tropical Fruit Plate
• Cheese Plate
• Selection of Ice Creams

Not too long ago, Carnival brought Baked Alaska back to their ships. It’s typically served on the final night of the cruise. And if a banana split is more your speed, ask to see a kid’s menu.

For an added cost, you’ll find a selection of dessert drinks listed at the bottom of the menu, along with cappuccinos, lattes, espressos, and the “Art of Tea” selection.

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• Cruise Line Restaurant, Room Service, and Bar Menus / Food and Drink

Carnival Dinner Menus for 7 and 8 Night Cruises

by Prof. Cruise · Published July 18, 2023 · Updated February 25, 2024

Current (Updated) Dinner Menus for 7 and 8-Night Carnival Cruises

Here are the newest fleet-wide dinner menus on Carnival for a 7 or 8-night cruise (you can find the menus for 3-night cruises HERE , 4-night cruises HERE , 5-night cruises HERE , 6-night cruises HERE , and 14-night cruises HERE ). All ships have now received these new menus.

While this will almost always be the order of the menus, if you’re using these to plan for speciality nights, I highly recommend stopping by the MDR on embarkation day and double checking with the maître d,’ as occasionally on certain itineraries the order will be different.

*Important note about the 2nd elegant night and lobster. On 8-night cruises, the second elegant night serving complimentary lobster will take place on night 7. On 7-night cruises, the second elegant night (serving complimentary lobster) will take place on night 6.

INDEX (skip to): Carnival 7-night dinner menus Carnival 8-night dinner menus

Here are the new menus:

CARNIVAL 7-NIGHT DINNER MENUS

Carnival’s 7-night dinner menu, night 1.

Carnival’s 7-Night Dinner Menu, Night 2 (elegant night)

Carnival’s 7-Night Dinner Menu, Night 3

Carnival’s 7-Night Dinner Menu, Night 4

Carnival’s 7-Night Dinner Menu, Night 5

Carnival’s 7-Night Dinner Menu, Night 6 (2nd elegant night)

Carnival’s 7-Night Dinner Menu, Night 7

CARNIVAL 8-NIGHT DINNER MENUS

Carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 1, carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 2 (elegant night), carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 3, carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 4, carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 5.

Carnival’s 8-Night Dinner Menu, Night 6

Carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 7 (2nd elegant night), carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 8, looking for additional carnival menus.

Carnival Bar Menus and Drink Prices 2024

Carnival Menus 2024

And with that…

Class Dismissed!

Today’s Bonus Cruising Tip

I ALWAYS buy travel insurance (especially during these uncertain times) to cover my cruises, but I NEVER purchase it through Carnival . It costs more and usually covers less than policies you purchase on your own. I go through sites like  travelinsurance.com  to compare plans and prices and get the best deal for the coverage I want. Spend less on insurance and spend more on excursions, special onboard cruise experiences and…future cruises!

Princess 5 Day Dinner Menus

February 27, 2023

 by Prof. Cruise · Published February 27, 2023

Carnival 4 Night Dinner Menus

September 9, 2023

 by Prof. Cruise · Published September 9, 2023 · Last modified February 25, 2024

3 Ways To Score FREE LOBSTER On Your Carnival Cruise

November 5, 2022

 by Prof. Cruise · Published November 5, 2022 · Last modified July 31, 2023

13 Responses

• Pingbacks 5

too much chicken–where are the fish meals. why not have beer battered fish with chips.. get rid of pasta dishes tooo many.

I can’t find escargot on any of the dinners! Is it still served?

nope was what I was told but will wait and see

Do you have a kids menu?? Would love you see it please. My grandsons can be picky and to take care of it before we board!!!

https://profcruise.com/carnival-kids-menus/

Carnival’s VP of Food Richard told John Heald to announce the the beef strip loin would be taken off these new menus and replaced with the flat iron steak they used to serve every day in the MDR. These menus still show the strip loin steak. Also, some ships have not yet begun to serve the new menus.

What would the menu lineup look like for cruises shorter than 8 nights?

Emeril additions look good! I am confused as to which menus would be served on day 6 and 7 of a 7 day cruise. Would the day 8 elegant night menu shown above be served on day 6 and then day 7 would just be day 7 as shown? (And day 6 would only be used on and 8 day cruise?)

[…] You can see the new dinner menus for a 7-night cruise posted HERE: […]

[…] Since this post was originally written, Carnival has announced new fleet-wide dinner menus that will be rolled out to all ships by 2024. To see the new menus and which ships will be getting them first, go HERE. […]

[…] Carnival’s NEW Dinner Menus! […]

[…] ***UPDATE*** A FINAL VERSION OF THE NEW CARNIVAL DINNER MENUS HAS BEEN RELEASED. SEE THE FINAL FLEET-WIDE MENUS HERE*** […]

[…] NEW Carnival Fleet-Wide Dinner Menus for 7 and 8 night cruises […]

• Next story Ten Reasons You Should NOT Remain Loyal To A Single Cruise Line (And One Reason You SHOULD)
• Previous story Carnival Begins Rollout of New Fleet-Wide Dinner Menus

About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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Is Food Free on Carnival Cruise? (What’s Included)

Are you considering booking a Carnival Cruise and weighing up the costs and possible extras you might have to pay for food and beverages?

Carnival Cruise has one of the largest fleets of ships, so this is a common question for new cruisers to Carnival.

You’ll be pleased to know Carnival has lots of options for free food, covering all the main meals of the day as well as snacks whenever you want them.

Although not all food is free, there are some specialty restaurants and options you have to pay extra for.  

Neither are most of the drinks. For those, you might want to consider a Carnival drinks package.

As a general rule the food quality is similar across the fleet, from largest to the smallest Carnival ships .

Read on to find out what food is included.

Is Food Included on a Carnival Cruise?

Free food options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available on all Carnival cruises. However, there are specialty dining options for which you will have to pay an extra charge.  The main dining room and Lido Marketplace are the main options on all Carnival ships.

What Food is Included on Carnival Cruise?

The main places for complimentary food on all Carnival cruise ships are:

Main Dining Room

Lido marketplace.

In addition to 3 these options there are a number of other places to eat for free, however they are not available on every ship.

In the table below we have highlighted all the free food options for every Carnival Cruise ship.

In addition to the above:

Lucky Bowl on Carnival Sunrise – for Far Eastern lunch cuisine. Street Eats on Carnival Celebration and Carnival Mardi Gras.

The main dining room is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.   

For dinner, you will have to reserve a table for your 3-course meal.  Expect the menu to change each evening.   

On the menu, there may be some premium options for which you will have to pay extra for lobster or certain steak cuts.

You can see an example of the Carnival 2022 menu here .

The Lido Marketplace is a global cuisine help-yourself buffet.  A great opportunity to try foods from all over the world and perhaps choices you wouldn’t ordinarily try.

You’ll find Swirls on the Lido Deck, where you can get complimentary ice cream and frozen yogurts until midnight.

Other Free Food Options on Carnival

Depending on which ship you are on, there are other complimentary food options you can choose to eat at that are included.

Guys Burger Joint

Guys, Burger Joint is Carnival’s joint lunch time offering with Guy Fieri to offer you the best burgers at sea fresh off the grill.

Currently available on 23 ships in the fleet.

Blueiguana Cantina

Blueiguana Cantina is a Carnivals Mexican restaurant that is open for breakfast and lunch.

The ideal stop for your tacos, burritos, and homemade tortillas.

Currently available on 22 ships in the fleet.

The Carnival Deli

For those that prefer sandwiches or wraps for either lunch of dinner, the Carnival Deli offers a wide range of them to choose from.

Currently available on 22 ships.

Pizzeria Del Capitano

An all-day and night pizza offering from Carnival. 

As well as breakfast, lunch and dinner, Pizza del Capitano is open until 4 am if you fancy something to eat at the end of your evening.

Currently available on 12 ships.

Pizza Pirate

Pizza Pirate offers pizza throughout the day and evening, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Currently available on 11 ships.

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que

Another Carnival offering with Guy Fieri is available in the open air for lunch.  Serving BBQ offerings of Pork, Beef, Chicken, and sausages with Guy’s signature BBQ sauces.

Currently available on 10 Carnival cruise ships.

Mongolian Wok 

At Mongolian Wok you choose your selection of noodles and vegetables and watch it be cooked with the chefs adding sauces and meats of your choosing.   

What will you choose?

Currently available on 7 ships in the fleet.

The Captain’s Pasta Bar

Choose your favorite type of pasta and then choose from a selection of sauces and meats and have it cooked up straight away, your pasta dish exactly the way you like it.

Currently available on 6 ships.

Big Chicken

Big Chicken is the Shaquille O’Neal fast-food chicken restaurant on board several Carnival ships.  

If you didn’t know, Shaq is the Carnival “Chief Fun Officer,” and Big Chicken is his fast food chicken outlet which offers a range of chicken sandwiches, strips, and chicken basket options.

It’s open all day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Currently available on 3 ships in the fleet and planned for a 4th.

Carnival Room Service

Carnival cruise offers a 24/7 room service menu. 

 Split into Daytime Dining from 6 am to 10 pm and Nightime Dining from 10 pm to 6 am you can order from a selection of salads and sandwiches.

However, only the Daytime Dining menu has free options on it.  You have to pay extra for the rest of the menu and the Nighttime Dining menu, or as they state, “A Little $ alot of Yummy”.

You can view the Carnival Room Service menu here . 

Related Posts

• Is Food Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise (and Where) 2022
• What do Cruise Ships do with Food Waste?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do carnival cruises include meals.

Carnival Cruises include food in the price of the cruise.  There is a wide range of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options around the ships.  Also, free room service options from 6 am to 10 pm.

How Does The Food Work On A Carnival Cruise?

Carnival cruises include complimentary sit-down service meals in the Main Dining and help yourself buffet meals in the Lido Marketplace for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on every ship.  In addition, there is a range of other food outlets which vary per ship. 

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Carnival Freedom cruise ship review: Old-school glam meets celebratory good times

Editor's Note

If you appreciate a side of old-school glam with your pool time and parties, a sailing on Carnival Cruise Line 's Carnival Freedom might be your ideal cruise vacation.

At first glance, the ship's gilded-age-meets-Vegas decor can be overwhelming. Snakeskin-lined dining room banquettes, speakeasy-style red lighting in the atrium and carpets sporting giant roses and huge swirls create a dizzying effect that you immediately love or hate.

If you don't love the look, don't let first impressions fool you. Carnival Freedom's interiors are bold but unpretentious, which aligns well with a Carnival cruise experience.

The ship's atmosphere is thick with celebration, from organized onboard parties to cruisers gathering to mark special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries and family reunions. Crew members go above and beyond to provide an amazing time, the meals are delicious and you'll find a slew of activities to suit everyone in your group. It won't take long to see past the visual mishmash into what makes Carnival Freedom so special.

Like all Carnival ships, Carnival Freedom attracts travelers looking for an affordable, fun and lively cruise vacation. The ship's demographics span from families with young kids and multigenerational family groups to squads of friends and couples. No matter where you sail, one thing is consistent on every Carnival ship, including Carnival Freedom: Passengers are fully engaged and having a blast.

Want to learn more about what to expect during a sailing on one of Carnival's older vessels? Here's my review of Carnival Freedom, with everything you need to know.

Overview of Carnival Freedom

The 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom is 12 decks high and carries 3,754 passengers at double occupancy in 1,487 cabins.

Launched in 2007, Freedom underwent an extensive "Fun Ship 2.0" makeover in 2019 to bring it in line with newer Carnival ships. Improvements included the addition of the line's WaterWorks water park with a splash zone and the 203-foot AquaTunnel and 212-foot Twister slides. More shops, a designated group fitness studio in the ship's gym and a Bonsai Sushi Express venue were also added along with other ship enhancements.

During a short drydock in late 2023, a Heroes Tribute Bar was added, and a new funnel tail replaced the one damaged during a fire in 2022. Sadly, in March 2024, the funnel was damaged again due to another Carnival Freedom fire likely caused by lightning. The funnel is still missing its iconic whale tail.

Carnival Freedom currently sails four- and five-day itineraries to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida. Budget-minded travelers can score a short cruise vacation without breaking the bank. This particular four-night Bahamas sailing starts from $364 per person.

What I loved about Carnival Freedom

The food is consistently good

I've sailed with numerous mainstream cruise lines over the past 28 years as a travel editor, including eight Carnival sailings. Among them all, my meals on Carnival ships consistently rank at the top of my list of favorite dining experiences. The line offers an impressive variety of free-fare dining options like Guy's Burger Joint by Guy Fieri, BlueIguana Cantina for Mexican food and Pizza Pirate.

Every meal I had on Carnival Freedom was wonderful — from the ship's onboard buffet and included-in-your-fare venues to added-fee meals at Sun King Steakhouse and the Seafood Shack. I was sad to find the selection of specialty restaurants on Carnival Freedom was slim; Jiji Asian Kitchen and Cucina del Capitano are a couple of my favorite Carnival venues, but they weren't offered on this ship.

Unfettered access to some great spa features

While the Carnival Spa on Freedom is somewhat small and not quite as robust as Carnival's Cloud 9 Spas on other vessels, passengers have free use of a sauna, a steam room and huge showers in the locker room.

You don't need to book a time or check in — just show up and enjoy a free mini-spa experience. Separate men's and women's saunas and steam rooms are located across from each gender's locker room. (If you reach the door to the fitness center, you've gone too far.)

This free DIY cruise spa hack is the way to go. You won't get the heated chaise lounges, aromatic steam grottos and thalassotherapy pool you get with a thermal suite pass at a Cloud 9 Spa, but you also won't pay $40 per person, per day, for the extra pampering.

It's an easy way to level up your cruise experience. Also, if you don't like knocking your elbows against the shower wall and fighting the flimsy shower curtain in your own cabin, head to the locker rooms in the spa area for a spacious shower with a lockable shower door.

Towel animal takeover

Carnival leans into towel animal culture, and I love it. Towel animals are a long-standing cruise ship tradition: Room stewards fold hand and bath towels into animal shapes and leave them in your cabin during housekeeping service.

Some favorite animal shapes include a stingray, romantic swans, a monkey and an elephant. Often, your cabin steward will add some of your personal items to the display for a little flair (like a hat or sunglasses).

On Carnival Freedom (and on all Carnival ships), the towel animal fun extended beyond our cabin. The morning of one of our port calls, we discovered much of the pool decks were taken over by towel animals and other characters. Fluffy friends lined the edge of the pool and sat on many of the loungers. A couple of towel "crew members" even took a rest on the Lido Deck. It was fun to walk around the decks and see the variety of characters. The spectacle was a draw for lots of other passengers, too, especially the kids.

If you also fall in love with the adorable towel critters, you can learn to make your own towel animals at home during the Towel-Folding Fun activity held in the Victoriana Theater. Look for the activity on your daily schedule.

What I didn't love about Carnival Freedom

Lack of in-cabin electrical outlets.

I chided myself as soon as I entered my cabin and saw the sad, single outlet at the desk — because I knew better. I learned from my recent sailing on another older ship, Carnival Sunshine , that I should always bring a power strip when I sail because one outlet is not enough. (Shopper beware: You cannot bring a power strip with a surge protector, as they're banned on ships .)

The desk area only included one U.S.-style 110V plug and one European-style 220V plug, and the nightstands on each side of the bed did not include them at all. Also, our chargers did not want to stay connected to the outlets and kept falling out and disconnecting the charge. We solved the problem by slipping the TV remote control under the charger to keep it in place. It wasn't ideal, but it worked.

Photography sets were obtrusive

I understand cruise-ship photography is a necessary money-maker for cruise lines, and passengers will often shell out the extra cash for these visual mementos of their cruise vacation. However, the set-up of the photo backdrops, equipment and props oftentimes created a traffic jam along the Promenade thoroughfare from the Alchemy Bar to the casino on Deck 5.

Throughout the day and into the evening, a handful of photography stations took up about half of the width of the walkway, leaving little room for passengers trying to get from point A to point B. It didn't help that the popular JavaBlue Cafe was situated along that corridor. Passengers didn't seem to understand the concept of lining up along the side and not across the main walkway, adding to the congestion.

I do appreciate that Carnival seems to have moved away from roving photographers disrupting your evening meal, as is still the case with other cruise lines. We enjoyed a peaceful main dining experience on both nights of our Carnival Freedom sailing.

Carnival Freedom cabins and suites

Carnival Freedom offers a variety of cabins and suites to suit any price point, from windowless inside cabins to ocean-facing balcony rooms and suites. I stayed in a balcony cabin located near the back of the ship.

Overall, my cabin was fine, even though it sported Carnival's older decor and furnishings. The standard cabins on board do not continue the bold design choices throughout the ship. Instead, my minimalist room had beige walls and navy patterned carpeting.

I noticed a few nicks in the furniture and cabinets, and the finish had worn off a couple of drawer knobs. A permanent indention in the love seat cushion reflected its consistent use over the years, and the two storage drawers at the seat's base were tricky to open. (The drawers were a good size, though, and I appreciated the extra storage.)

Additionally, the lamp on the back of the love seat was broken — the shade was off the frame, and it was missing the lamp cap to hold the shade in place.

These minor niggles didn't bother me too much. More importantly, my room was cozy and clean, thanks to Wayan, our amiable and efficient room steward. Carnival reduced cabin cleaning service to just once a day from twice a day in 2022. However, Wayan was always close by for anything we needed.

My room, like all standard cabins on board, had a queen-size bed (that could be separated into two twins, if preferred). It was super comfortable, and I slept incredibly well every night. The bed was flanked by two one-drawer, one-shelf nightstands with a lamp on each. Beside the bed, the sitting area had a love seat, which you could pull out into a sofa bed. A small coffee table provided a good spot for a room service tray or my coffee cup.

Opposite the seating areas was a large wall unit with multiple drawers, cabinets and shelves. We had ample storage for all our belongings, including our extra electronics, cameras, cords and accessories.

The middle of the unit included a large desk and vanity with a lighted mirror and a small TV. The desk featured four drawers (one containing a small hair dryer for in-cabin use), a cabinet with a small safe and a minifridge. To lock or unlock the safe, you had to swipe a credit card or driver's license, which meant I had to keep one card outside the safe.

Three side-by-side closets were situated to the right of the desk, and one held extra bedding for the sofa bed. A motion-sensor light at the base of the closet made going to the bathroom in the middle of the night less of a tripping hazard.

Our small balcony held two chairs and a little table. It was nice, though we didn't spend much time there, as we spent the majority of our time exploring the ship.

The bathroom was basic but satisfactory. Three glass shelves on both sides of the mirror gave us plenty of toiletry storage, and an indentation on the vanity held a bar of soap. The shower was equipped with wall dispensers of shampoo and shower gel, as well as a retractable clothesline for drying swimwear. Plenty of towel racks held bath towels, hand towels and washcloths. Two hooks on the back of the door could hold wet bathing suits or towels you wish to reuse.

Most of Carnival Freedom's accommodations fall into one of three categories: windowless inside cabins, ocean-view cabins with a window that doesn't open and balcony cabins. The ship also offers around 194 connecting cabins for big families or groups who want to stay close during their cruise.

If you want extra space and more perks, book a suite on Carnival Freedom. You have 42 options across four categories — Junior Suites, Grand Suites, Captain's Suites and Ocean Suites — ranging from 275 square feet to 548 square feet. They come with full-size bathtubs and include other features like separate living spaces, bathrobes, walk-in closets, bathrooms with double sinks and private balconies (depending on which suite you choose).

Suite guests can enjoy varied perks, such as priority check-in and boarding and priority disembarkation on the final morning of their trip.

Carnival Freedom has 29 accessible cabins for guests using wheelchairs or with limited mobility. These cabins include features such as an accessible route from the door to the bed and clear floor space, as well as grab bars and shower seats in the bathrooms.

Related: The best cruise lines for wheelchair users and passengers with limited mobility

Carnival Freedom restaurants and bars

As mentioned above, Carnival consistently provides value to its customers through its quality food offerings. Complimentary dining abounds on Carnival Freedom, with a variety of cuisines. It's entirely possible to eat only food that's included in your cruise fare and not feel like you're missing out.

Restaurants

Carnival Freedom offers a solid selection of restaurants ranging from the included-in-your-fare Lido Marketplace buffet to the $90-per-person Chef's Table dining experience. I'm consistently impressed with the quality of food I've had on Carnival cruises, and this sailing was no exception. I did my best to sample as much as possible within my short four-night cruise.

Carnival Freedom has two sit-down main dining rooms: Posh Restaurant (on decks 3 and 4 at the back of the ship) and Chic Restaurant (on decks 3 and 4 midship). Posh is where those with fixed-time dining time will eat their meals, while Chic hosts passengers who've chosen Your Time Dining. Fixed-time seating options are 5:30 p.m. (early dining) or 7:45 p.m. (late dining).

We selected Your Time Dining, so we could dine any time between 5:15 and 9 p.m. When we were ready to eat, we checked in through Carnival's mobile app and received an alert when our table was ready. From check-in to being seated, we never waited more than 10 minutes on both evenings.

The menu featured a variety of international dishes like Asian chopped salad with chicken, enchiladas and frog legs Provencal. Carnival Freedom doesn't have a stand-alone Emeril's Bistro, the line's New Orleans-style restaurant spearheaded by famed chef Emeril Lagasse (currently on Carnival Celebration, Jubilee and Mardi Gras ). However, you can get a taste of Emeril's Bistro thanks to a couple of Emeril Selects items offered each night, including a fried tomatoes appetizer and coffee-glazed roast duck.

For an extra $30, you can also order a Bonsai Sushi ship and receive a large wooden boat topped with enough sushi to feed two people.

Both our main dining experiences were fantastic. One night, we kicked off dinner with bowls of Parched Pig Ale cheddar soup and minestrone. The cheddar soup was delicious. But then, I tasted the minestrone. Remember that scene in "Ratatouille" when the food critic takes a bite of the dish and is instantly transported back to his childhood? That's what it was like. I didn't have a nonna serving me a hot bowl of minestrone to cure my scraped knee, but that soup hit my soul.

We also noshed on expertly prepared herb-crusted salmon, pan-seared barramundi, prime rib and jerk spiced pork chops.

Whatever you order, make room for Carnival's signature warm chocolate melting cake . This chocolaty, gooey lava cake-type of dessert is a must-order. It's so good that the galley churns out around 1,400 of them a day per cruise.

Hot take: Our cruise director shared a popular Carnival passenger hack of ordering your chocolate lava cake with a side of peanut butter to mix in. Of course, I had to try it in the name of research. It was quite good, though I remain a lava cake purist and prefer it the original way.

In addition to top-notch meals, you can expect to be entertained. At some point during your meal, dining staff will trade in their trays for microphones and serenade the passengers. It's a Carnival cruise tradition. While the entertainers aren't professionals, you might be surprised by the hidden talents of your wait staff. We enjoyed an impressive version of "Sweet Caroline," and our maitre d' even took the lead the last evening with a heartfelt rendition of "Leaving on a Jet Plane."

A word of advice — do not miss a Sea Day Brunch on a Carnival cruise. This included-in-your-fare meal is served in the main dining room on sea days only (hence, the name). It's served from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Enjoy brunch dishes like eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, made-to-order omelets, chicken and waffles, French toast and hamburgers. For an additional cost, order a fresh pressed juice ($5) or one of the specialty dishes like lobster Benedict ($19) or Emeril's Bistro 1396 shrimp and grits ($6). The main dining room is also open from 7:30 to 9 a.m. for breakfast on port days. It was not open for lunch during our cruise.

Guy's Burger Joint doesn't hold the same appeal for me as it does my husband, as I don't eat beef and the veggie patty here isn't great. However, without fail, it's his first meal on every Carnival sailing, and it always hits the spot for him. You'll find it on Deck 9 by the pool.

Guy's Burger Joint offers a set menu of burgers, as well as build-your-own options and fries. My husband ordered his burger "Straight Up" style — American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles —and he rated it favorably.

BlueIguana is my go-to embarkation day meal. This walk-up venue is situated opposite Guy's Burger. Passengers can order burritos, tacos and burrito bowls with a choice of protein (chicken, beef, shrimp) and various toppings. I opted for a grilled shrimp burrito bowl, with cilantro rice, fajita-style peppers, cheese, guacamole and pico de gallo. It hit the spot. If you can't wait until lunch to get your burrito fix, BlueIguana is open for breakfast, too.

The Lido Buffet (also called Freedom Restaurant) on Deck 9 is the ship's popular buffet restaurant, offering a good selection of dishes from early morning through late night. Breakfast offerings included scrambled or boiled eggs, beans, potatoes, varied pastries, fresh fruit and hot or cold cereal. For lunch, you'll find made-to-order deli sandwiches, international dishes, hot sides and a salad station.

Passengers often lined up at Mongolian Wok for freshly made Asian stir-fry dishes and Pizza Pirate , with a good selection of pies. Specialty pizzas like teriyaki chicken and Korean barbecue pizzas are offered daily for $6. (On other Carnival ships, the pizza joint might be Pizzeria del Capitano, Miami Slice or Coastal Slice, but the menus and recipes are all similar.)

While Freedom lacks a Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse outpost, you can still get your 'cue on at Ol' Fashioned BBQ, offering pork, beef and chicken barbecue and sides like mac-n-cheese, homemade cole slaw and molasses baked beans. Ol' Fashioned BBQ is found at the back of the buffet restaurant one floor up (on Deck 10). Look for the Statue of Liberty on the back wall and follow the steps on either side.

Additionally, soft-serve ice cream is available from 11 a.m. to midnight at self-serve Swirls on Lido Deck 9.

One of my "treat yourself" cruise rituals is taking advantage of room service one morning during every sailing. I can savor a cup of coffee at a leisurely pace while I nibble through fresh fruit and flaky croissants and pastries. On Carnival Freedom, continental breakfast delivery from 6 to 10 a.m. is included in your fare.

The ship's all-day menu features a la carte dishes like salads, sandwiches, chicken tenders and wings and a handful of desserts. Prices range from $3 (for a giant cookie) to $9 (Caesar salad topped with pan-seared salmon).

Carnival Freedom lacks the variety of specialty dining options you'll find on other ships (such as Cucina del Capitano , JiJi Asian Kitchen and a sit-down Bonsai Sushi restaurant). Your choices on this ship are limited to Sun King Steakhouse, the Chef's Table and two casual walk-up venues, Bonsai Sushi Express and Seafood Shack.

We dined at Sun King Steakhouse on our first night. I loved the restaurant's decor. It gave an almost regal vibe with glittering chandeliers, ornate gold trim, rich woods, deep red carpet and blue ceilings with a fleur de lis pattern. I particularly loved the oversize three-candled sconces mounted on red velvet within a gilded frame. Even before I tasted my first bite, the elevated atmosphere made me feel like I was in for a truly special dining experience.

Both the food and service at Sun King Steakhouse were outstanding. Our servers were attentive and friendly without being intrusive. My Caesar salad was delicious. The dressing had a hint of anchovy flavor, which is something I look for as the hallmark of an authentic Caesar salad. My lobster tail was broiled to perfection, accompanied by steamed broccoli and Yukon gold mashed potatoes. My husband ordered the beef carpaccio, filet mignon and a young lettuce salad. I snagged a taste of his salad, and the shipmade ranch dressing was quite possibly the best I've ever had.

We concluded our meal with the decadent chocolate sphere dessert, with an entertaining presentation. The cocoa cream custard was deconstructed before our eyes when our server poured warm chocolate sauce over a hollow chocolate globe to reveal the custard.

Sun King Steakhouse costs $49 per person for adults. Kids ages 11 and younger eat for $15 per person.

We hit the Seafood Shack for dinner one night and ordered the fish and chips ($8). The fish was flaky, and the breading was light and crispy. I regret not ordering the crab legs, though. I saw several people enjoying them, and hard to argue with the $22 price tag for a pound of crab legs.

Other added-fee dining options I did not try include a Bonsai Sushi Express outpost (near the back of the Lido Buffet), serving a limited menu of sushi, sashimi and rolls like California or tempura rolls. Prices range from $1.50 (per piece of sushi or sashimi) to $7.50 (per roll).

The Chef's Table tasting experience takes place in a small dining room to the right as you enter the Chic Restaurant. It's an intimate multicourse meal hosted by the executive chef. Diners also enjoy a predinner galley tour and tasting. The cost is $90 per person.

Carnival Freedom is home to nine bars and lounges, from sunny poolside watering holes to cozy lounges. Drinks are priced individually unless you have a Cheers drink package that includes alcohol.

The Alchemy Bar is my favorite Carnival cruise ship bar. On Deck 5, this creative cocktail bar is designed to resemble an apothecary, offering botanical-forward "elixirs" and "remedies" like the Cucumber Sunrise, the Purple Sunset and Hearts of Fire.

Alchemy Bar mixologists are worth their weight in margarita salt, too. Want to go off-menu but not sure what you want? Tell the bartender which spirits and flavors you like, and they'll make you something special. When I asked about the vat of strawberry-infused vodka at the back of the bar, our bartender whipped me up a cocktail with it, adding a couple of my favorite cocktail elements, lavender and gin. It did not disappoint.

Across from the Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Pub was a chill spot to enjoy various rum drinks, beer and other beverages. On embarkation day, it was fairly empty, making it an ideal place to escape the Lido Deck frenzy. However, during the rest of the sailing, it came to life with live bands each night.

I'm a music nerd who's also a sucker for audience participation, and Scott's Piano Bar checked both boxes for me. Our singer/pianist was talented and hilarious, performing in a packed lounge every night. Zero-proof cocktails are also available here. I tried The Entertainer, and it was refreshing — I didn't miss the alcohol. (Alcohol-free cocktails weren't always listed separately on Freedom's bar menus. However, your bartender will always make you a zero-proof option if you ask.)

Other spots on Carnival Freedom to chill out with an adult beverage include Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, Centuries Bar (in the Babylon Casino), the Habana Bar and the Atrium Bar. On the Lido Deck, both the RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar also saw a lot of action during our four-night sailing. Additionally, a convenient pour-your-own-beer station is in the Lido buffet area. Use your Sail & Sign card to purchase a glass of the line's Parched Pig IPA.

If free standard coffee from the buffet isn't your jam, get your caffeine fix at JavaBlue Cafe. You'll find it on Deck 5 between RedFrog Pub and the casino. Choose among boozy coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, tea, blended frappes and milkshakes. Prices range from $1.95 (for brewed coffee) to $6.50 (for spiked options). If the line is too long at JavaBlue (which was often the case during our cruise), you can order the same coffee drinks at the casino bar (just a few steps away).

Carnival Freedom activities

Fun in the sun is a priority on Caribbean cruises, and Carnival Freedom's upper decks are the spot for that. Each sunny day lured loads of passengers to the Lido Deck pool and two hot tubs. It was a buzzy area but never seemed uncomfortably crowded with passengers. There was ample seating around the pool, above the two hot tubs, and beside the waterslide area. Loungers filled up pretty early in the morning, but I didn't notice many chair hogs holding a spot with a beach towel until they returned an hour later. You could find a bit of shade on either side of the main pool, but most people seemed to prefer the sunshine.

Passengers can splash and slide until their heart's content at the ship's WaterWorks water park, with two waterslides and a kiddie splash zone. The ship's poolside Dive-in Movies were popular during our sailing, too. Passengers often filled loungers to watch "Mean Girls," "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," "Wish" and other films.

Other outdoor activities can be found at the SportSquare area on Deck 11, which features basketball and pickleball courts, minigolf, ping-pong and foosball.

On decks 11 and 12, the ship's adults-only Serenity Deck area provided a quiet spot where passengers 21-plus could enjoy a plunge pool, hot tub, bar, loungers and cabanas. The pool was a popular spot during our sailing, but even with a fair amount of people there, it was a pretty chill atmosphere. Loungers were always available.

Active cruisers who need a break from the sun will find almost limitless indoor activities to occupy time on board Carnival Freedom. Free events like towel animal folding demonstrations, spa pampering parties and karaoke drew consistent crowds. Additionally, the Atrium constantly buzzed with trivia competitions and "guess the song" games.

I jumped into a Creativity at Sea craft session held in the Atrium. We received blank note cards with envelopes, Carnival-themed sticker sheets and stick-on gems. The activity came in clutch for me. I forgot to pack a thank you note for our cabin steward, so I made one for him. I included an additional gratuity and gave it to him on our last day.

For-fee activities like Build-A-Bear Workshop and $5,000 Jackpot Bingo are available. You can also test Lady Luck at the Babylon Casino (Deck 5), with table games like roulette, craps, poker and blackjack, as well as a good selection of slot machines. While I'm not a casino girl, I didn't mind walking through and checking it out. Unlike previous ship casinos, Carnival Freedom's casino wasn't overly smoke-filled. I couldn't determine if it was because fewer people were smoking or the ventilation was just especially effective. Either way, it was a nice change.

Additionally, the Behind the Fun Tour offers cruisers a guided tour of the kitchen galley, the ship's bridge, the backstage of Victoriana Theater, and crew areas like the mess hall and laundry. The cost is $130 per person. You can book it at the Shore Excursions desk. We got to experience a portion of the tour with a galley tasting and bridge tour, and both were fun. I'd be tempted to shell out the $130 for a full tour.

The '80s Rock-n-Glow Party is one of my favorite activities on board any Carnival cruise (and based on attendance, it's a favorite for many cruisers). This lively top-deck celebration features the best '80s tunes, costumed crew members (and passengers), glow sticks and lots of dancing. If you want to go all in, plan to pack your best neon duds and join the fun.

It's easy to make new friends at one of the ship's mixers, offered at various times throughout the cruise. Scheduled get-togethers for singles, LGBTQ+ cruisers, 18- to 20-year-olds and 40-plus passengers were well attended.

Karaoke took place in the Habana Bar (Deck 4) and drew a packed crowd each time. Other places to spend time on board include an arcade called The Warehouse (Deck 5), offering video games for a fee.

While shopping options aren't extensive on Carnival Freedom, you'll find a handful of places to spend your money. Among them are the Fun Shops for Carnival-branded souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, liquor and fragrances, and Cherry On Top, offering a solid range of sweet treats. The ship's art gallery is on Deck 3, but special art auctions were held in the '70s Nightclub (Deck 5),

Families can take advantage of included-in-your-fare childcare in Carnival's Camp Ocean program on Deck 12. Here, the youngest cruisers can participate in supervised activities, divided into age-based groups: Penguins (2 to 5 years), Stingrays (6 to 8 years) and Sharks (9 to 11 years). Engaging activities range from free Zumbini classes (for Penguins) to lively scavenger hunts (Sharks). The ship also features Bookville, a reading room and play space that hosts story hours and Seuss-themed crafts.

Added-fee drop-off programming is available for the youngest cruisers (Turtles, up to 1 year). It costs $7.50 per child, per hour, plus an 18% service charge. Parents can also make use of the onboard Night Owls childcare for children 6 months to 11 years. It's available each evening from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. and costs $8.85 per hour, per child, including an 18% service charge.

On Deck 4, tweens and teens have their own hangouts and designated activities. Circle C is for the 12-14 set, with events like group games, dance parties and outdoor movies. The Circle C space has a futuristic feel, with metal walls and a minimalist design.

Club O2 is for cruisers ages 15 to 17 and offers a chance for older teens to chill out together, play sports and games, and make new friends during group activities. The ship's modern atmosphere extends to Club 02 with its bold red tiled floor, sleek red chairs and metal accents.

Families sailing with younger kids shouldn't miss the Seuss-A-Palooza Parade and Story Time. On Carnival Freedom it kicked off at the International Lounge (Deck 5) with a lively parade led by the cruise director (Lizzie), Cat in the Hat, Sam I Am, Thing 1 and Thing 2. Parade-goers chanted and marched through the ship's main thoroughfare, eventually making their way to Victoriana Theater for the storytime. (Note that the parade route takes you down two staircases by the Atrium. If you have strollers, plan to pick them up or take an alternate route to the theater.)

Add to your Seuss experience at sea with the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast ($15 per adult and $10 per child aged 14 and under), held in one of the main dining rooms. You get to chow down on "green eggs and ham," pancakes, French toast, "Moose Juice" and other whimsical dishes inspired by Seuss' books. The characters hang out for meet-and-greets and photo ops.

Spa Carnival on Deck 11 is the place to go for vacation pampering. Here, passengers will find ample therapies and treatments — from stone and deep tissue massages to acupuncture and other traditional Chinese techniques. Additionally, the spa offers hair and nail services, facials and medispa treatments. On embarkation day, I booked a 75-minute deep tissue Swedish massage for one of the port days and received an extra 25 minutes for booking the first day.

I've enjoyed a good number of massages throughout the years, and this treatment landed firmly in my top five. As with all cruise ship spa treatments, you'll endure a post-massage sales pitch on products you need to buy to continue your health regimen. A firm but polite "no thank you" usually does the trick.

The cost for a 75-minute deep tissue massage is $229. It's $299 for 100 minutes unless you score the free extra minutes on embarkation day.

The fitness center had a variety of just about any exercise equipment you need to keep your workout routine while you cruise. It's free to use, but you can pay extra for instructor-led classes like Pilates, yoga or indoor cycling. If you're the outdoorsy fitness type, the jogging track is on the top deck (nine laps equals about one mile).

Accessibility considerations on board include accessible elevators at each elevator bank and a chair lift at the main pool. Carnival Freedom is also a certified "sensory inclusive" ship, with trained crew to assist passengers who have sensory and cognitive needs. Guests can obtain sensory bags from the guest services desk or at one of the youth program venues. Each bag contains items to help calm, relax and manage sensory overload — noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, a lanyard that helps the staff easily identify a guest and other items.

Carnival Freedom shows

The Victoriana Theater (decks 3, 4 and 5) was home to stage productions, comedy performances and game shows during our sailing. I'm a real show nerd and attending Carnival's Playlist Productions shows is always one of my top priorities when I cruise with the line. I'm consistently impressed with the level of talent the cast members possess, and Freedom's '80s Pop to the Max show was no exception.

The show featured a variety of popular tunes from the 1980s, with colorful lights and digital elements like a giant Max Headroom-type character filling the screen behind the performers. It was a fun, high-energy show, and the talented performers did an amazing job.

Married couples are the focus of the ship's "Love and Marriage" show, which is also held in Victoriana Theater. The contestants are three couples in various stages of wedded bliss. During our show, one couple had gotten married the day before, while another couple was celebrating 49 years together. The cruise director asked them a series of questions, and the goal of each couple was to match answers.

A note of warning: The couples' answers are impromptu and not always PG, so leave the kids in Club Ocean unless you want to have the "birds and bees" conversation during your cruise vacation.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how gorgeous the Victoriana Theater is. It had such a historic theater vibe, with deep red and gold decor, a grand chandelier and late-Renaissance style artwork. Small tables that lined the theater seating were painted with artwork that matched the art on the walls. It was lovely.

We took in a Punchliner Comedy show in the International Lounge on Deck 5 (additional comedy shows took place in the ship's main Victoriana Theater). The featured comedienne was an absolute hoot, and almost every seat in the lounge was filled. A couple of shows were offered each night — a 7:30 or 8:30 p.m. (PG) set for families and a 10 or 10:30 p.m. (R, 18-plus) show for adults.

Carnival Freedom also hosted a good amount of live music throughout various venues on the ship, including RedFrog Pub, the Atrium and the casino.

Carnival Freedom itineraries and pricing

Carnival Freedom sails four- and five-night voyages from Port Canaveral, Florida (near Orlando), to the Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean. Itineraries include such ports as Nassau and Bimini in the Bahamas; and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. The ship also visits exclusive destinations, including Princess Cays, sister line Princess Cruises' 40-acre private beach area on Eleuthera in the Bahamas, and Celebration Key, Carnival's 65-acre private destination on the south side of Grand Bahama (opening in July 2025).

At the time of publication, the least expensive price for a sailing was $369 per person for a four-night Bahamas cruise departing in either January or February 2025.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that begins and ends in a U.S. port, you must have a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. A passport card is also acceptable.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the last day of your cruise.

Important note: The name on your reservation must be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. We recommend you check Carnival's website before you sail for the most recent updates on requirements.

Carnival adds an automatic service gratuity of $14.50 to $16.50 per person, per day to final bills, depending on the cabin category. Children under the age of 2 are exempt.

If you are not satisfied with the service you received, you can adjust the amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills and the cover charge of the Chef's Table.

Related: 7 people you should always tip on a cruise

The Wi-Fi on Carnival Freedom worked well. I had no issues connecting from my laptop, FaceTiming my family or accessing social media. Pricing changes over time, but the fastest "premium" service on Carnival Freedom was recently priced at $21.25 per person, per day.

Other packages available for a Freedom sailing include the less expensive "social" plan that only allows access to key social networking sites (Facebook, X, Instagram, etc.) and messaging services such as WhatsApp for $15.30 a day. A slightly more expensive "value" plan, at $19.55 per day, adds access to email and most websites. If you pay for a plan prior to sailing, you'll receive a discount.

Related: Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi? A line-by-line guide to internet access at sea

Carry-on drinks policy

You can bring one bottle of wine or Champagne (per person) onto the ship at boarding and up to a dozen standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas.

Nonalcoholic drinks in glass or plastic bottles are not permitted. If you want to bring the wine or Champagne to an onboard restaurant or bar to drink, you'll incur a $15 corkage fee. Drinks brought on board must be carried in your carry-on luggage.

Smoking policy

On Carnival Freedom, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas and in the casino. Smoking is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

While cigarette smoking is allowed in the casino, according to Carnival's website, you must be seated and playing to smoke in the casino. Smoking is not permitted there when the casino is closed. Smoking is allowed in designated areas on Deck 3 (forward) and Deck 10 (starboard side, midship). Cigars and pipes are only permitted on Deck 10 (starboard side, midship).

Self-service launderettes are on three decks aboard Carnival Freedom: Deck 1 (across from cabin 1359), Deck 6 (across from cabin 6387) and Deck 8 (across from cabin 8351). Each launderette has washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. There's a $3.25-per-load charge to use a washer or dryer. The launderettes also have vending machines stocked with small boxes of detergent and fabric softener at $1.50 per box. If you just need a quick press, smaller ironing rooms are on Deck 2 (across from 2367), Deck 7 (across from 7339) and Deck 9 (across from 9270).

You can also opt for extra-charge valet laundry and dry-cleaning service, which your cabin steward will handle for you. Expect to pay per piece, with prices running from $2 (for an undergarment or pair of socks) to $15 (for a two-piece suit).

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Electrical outlets

As I already mentioned, Carnival Freedom cabins have one standard North American-style 110-volt outlet and one European-style 220-volt outlet. Bring a power strip if you need more than that.

The currency used on Carnival Freedom is the U.S. dollar. However, the ship operates on a "cashless system," so any onboard purchases you make will automatically post to your onboard account. You'll receive a Sail & Sign card that you can use to make charges. (This same card also functions as your ship I.D. and a keycard to get you into your cabin.) You'll need to provide a credit card (or put cash down) to cover your final charges.

Drinking age

Passengers must be 21 to drink alcohol on Carnival Freedom.

There is no specific dress code during the day on Freedom, so people dress casually. Beach attire is the norm for sea days, and if you plan to spend your day on the top deck, plan to dress in T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside).

Although there's an official dress code for the evenings, it's pretty laid-back. Most nights are designated "cruise casual," which includes khakis or jeans, polo shirts and sundresses. Super casual clothing like cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts aren't permitted.

On a four-night Bahamas itinerary on Carnival Freedom, you'll have one "cruise elegant" night where the suggested attire for men is dress slacks and a dress shirt; sports coats and suits are optional. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. If you don't want to dress up, you can choose a more casual dinner venue, but dress code enforcement in Carnival dining rooms tends to be lax.

Bottom line

The food was excellent, the activities and shows were fun, and the crew worked hard to ensure everyone on board was having the best time possible. The decor might have been over-the-top and moody, but it somehow still offered a budget-style opulence that was fun and interesting.

For those seeking a warm-weather cruise getaway that doesn't bust your budget on a fun and lively ship, Carnival Freedom should be on your list.

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5 - Day The Bahamas from Jacksonville, FL

Cruise itinerary.

Day 1: Jacksonville

Day 2: Fun Day at Sea

Day 3: celebration key, day 4: princess cays.

Day 5: Fun Day at Sea

Day 6: jacksonville.

Get to Know Carnival Elation

Carnival Elation was built to celebrate the muses who inspire the arts. Carnival guests like you can expect this ship to inspire you... to have tons of vacation fun. Not that Carnival Elation is going to have a hard time convincing you! As you head toward your destination, you'll find plenty of spots to visit for a tasty bite — options like the taco-'n-burrito goodness of BlueIguana Cantina ™ , the burgers-'n-fries combo of Guy's Burger Joint ™ , plus all the rotating goodness of Lido Restaurant. (Our suggestion: bring an appetite and try them all!) Carnival Elation also features places to enjoy a drink, from the mystical Alchemy Bar ® to the friendly poolside rivals RedFrog Rum Bar ® and BlueIguana Tequila Bar ™ ... and don’t forget everybody’s friend, the always-swinging Duke’s Piano Bar. If being a kid is more your thing, we have plenty of ideas for how to spend your time. Activities that are age-appropriate, supervised — and of course, fun! — are available for the actual kids at one of three youth spaces. Then there's the video arcade... oh, and did we mention the slidey, splashy, squirty Carnival WaterWorks ™ ? We didn't, but we should have, because both of these are fun for all — all ages, that is! Come cruise and we bet you’ll see, and feel, that this ship is ready to inspire everyone in new ways.

Onboard Activities

Onboard Dining

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