Porthole....

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
The new Carnival Freedom improves on the classic Conquest-class concept

When a vessel is the fifth in a long line of a popular class of cruise ships, its sometimes hard to be innovative. However, if anyone can pull it off, Joe Farcus, Carnival Cruise Line’s well-known ship interior architect, who worked his magic on the new Carnival Freedom. The ship boasts several enhanced and new offerings while keeping everything that made the Conquest class such a success for the line. If cruise travel is all about freedom of choice, then Carnival Freedom is cruising's newest declaration of independence.

Farcus obviously learns from what works (and what doesn’t) on preceding ships, and altough the general feel and deck plans of Carnival Freedom will be quite familiar to anyone who has sailed on a Conquest-class ship, many surprises await veteran and new passengers alike.

Enhancements aboard Carnival Freedom include the new Carnival Comfort Bed system, in-cabin flat-screen TVs, a 70s-style disco; a sushi bar with added complimentary appetizer, an expanded cigar bar offering; and an excellent version of Carnival’s popular supper club concept.

The interior design theme of the ship is evident throughout, taking passengers on a journey through the centuries by showcasing certain decades. “For each Carnival ship, I try to come up with a unique design that is tied to a central idea, like the plot of a book," says Farcus.  "This places guests in an interesting and enjoyable environment they couldn’t find elsewhere. Carnival Freedom--with its focus on prominent design features over past decades and centuries--certainly is in tune with that philosophy.”

Passengers will notice a 1990s design theme in the forward and aft main restaurants, 1950s sports memorabilia in the Player’s Sports Bar, London’s 1880s West End theaters for the Victoriana show lounge, 1000 B.C. for the Babylon Casino, and much more.

The result is a large ship that has some interesting smaller pockets typically only found on smaller ships. The spacious areas around the outdoor pools, hot tubs, and bars, are typically boisterous and lively, but it’s easy to find quieter and less-crowded spaces and experiences throughout the ship.

Behind Closed Doors
We loved the comfy new oversized cotton terry cloth bathrobes and constantly found excuses to wear them in our stateroom. Each stateroom also features Carnival’s successful bedding system, including eight-inch mattresses, high-quality cotton blend sheets and pillowcases, luxurious duvets, and a choice of two pillow styles (we preferred the hard). The new (and larger) flat-screen TVs are also an excellent addition to all staterooms.

Best Bite
Everyone should make at least one reservation in the ship’s Sun King supper club. We’ve long thought Carnival’s alternative dining was underrated and Sun King provides further evidence. Our experienced menu orders: trio of escargot,  classic Caesar salad, and the huge 24-ounce classic porterhouse steak (with a side of Yukon mash with wasabi horseradish). The wide-ranging cheese plate is an ideal way to end the evening amidst an 18th century ode to Louis XIV, the Sun King. We also can’t go more than two nights in the main dining rooms--there are two--without ordering the warm chocolate melting cake for dessert (with vanilla ice cream, of course).

Must-See
The shows aboard Carnival Freedom are some of the best afloat. Our favorite was “Ticket to Ride,” a Beatles tribute that has theater-goers standing in the aisles waving glow sticks during the finale. John Heald, one of our favorite cruise directors at sea, takes particular pride in the ship’s showcase entertainment--and it shows.

Meet You There
The always-bustling Millennium atrium (Deck 3) is the perfect place to meet--especially when classical music is frequently on the schedule. There’s a lively bar and lots of seating. This is one of two venues to find draft beer (the other is the Player’s Sports Bar, just off the casino), allowing those in your group their drink of choice. Farcus designed the nine-deck atrium as a whimsical 2010s prediction, with wood veneer that’s dyed to look like tiger skin, lots of polished copper, and stunning curved railings done in blue glass.

Great Escape
We found two possibilities--one inside and one out on deck--to make your great escape. The Drawing Room is located right outside the upper entrance of the Chic Dining Room and features couches and lounge chairs, a faux fireplace, and very few people (except when cruise director-extraordinaire John Heald is filming his popular Morning Show). The other possibility is Deck 3’s covered “promenade,” which generally has lots of empty deck chairs; most passengers choose the sunny pool and hot tub areas on higher decks. Both of these spots are great places to curl up with a book or take a nap away from the crowds.

After Dark
Farcus likes cigars, judging by the Habana Bar, which depicts smoky Havana in the 1940s. Tables and bar stools feature remarkable cigar band reproductions that have to be seen to be appreciated. Along with a selection of cigars and after-dinner drinks, there’s often late-night jazz. Good ventilation keeps this popular evening hangout from getting too smoky, so even those turned off by tobacco are turned on to this venue.

Best-Kept Secret
Pre-dinner appetizers at the Meishi Sushi Bar aren’t typically discovered by most passengers until late in the cruise. The options range from sushi on several nights to themed offerings, such as tapas in Barcelona. It also takes most passengers many days to discover the fish & chips station on Deck 10, with it's freshly fried fish, calamari, oysters, bouillabaisse, ahi tuna, and more on the lunch menu.

The 411

*Entered Service: March 2007

*Tonnage: 110,000 GRT

*Passenger Capacity: 2,974 passengers (double occupancy)

*Staterooms: 1,487 (10 Penthouse Suites, 42 Suites, 504 ocean view staterooms with balcony, 343 ocean view staterooms, 18 ocean view staterooms with glass wall, 570 inside
staterooms); 28 staterooms, including suites, are wheelchair accessible.

*Passenger decks: 13

*Pools: Two mid-ship pools (one of which features a 214-foot slide), a more secluded adults-only pool aft, a children‘s wading pool, and seven outdoor whirlpools (the two at the aforementioned aft pool are also adults-only.

*On-deck activities: Carnival’s Seaside Theatre, a pool-side 270 square-foot LED movie screen featuring movies, concerts and other programming; shuffleboard; jogging track; volleyball court; miniature golf; basketball court; seven whirlpools.

*Dining: Two traditional main dining rooms, featuring two early seatings and two late seatings; Sun King Supper Club, with open seating and flexible hours (reservations required, $30 per person supplemental fee); three meals per day casual dining at the Freedom Restaurant; 24-hour pizza; and room service.

*Nightlife: 22 bars & lounges; Babylon Club Casino.

*Fitness and Spa: State-of-the-art gym features Life Fitness cardiovascular and weight training exercise equipment, free weights, a variety of fitness classes (aerobics, yoga, Pilates, kickboxing and spinning), steam rooms, saunas, and a unisex whirlpool. Spa Carnival is a full-service spa and salon with treatments including full-body massage, body wraps, age-defying facials, aroma stone therapy, mudpacks, teeth whitening, full barber service for men and hair styling, manicures and pedicures for women. Spa Carnival also offers a youth spa program for kids 12-14 and their parents to enjoy together on port days.

*Children’s programs: Camp Carnival features a movie room, arts-and-crafts center, ‘soft’ play area with padded play equipment for the under-two set, a gaming room with Playstation consoles, and children’s library. The 1,800 square-foot teen club, Club O2 (ages 15-17) features a dance floor, DJ, state-of-the-art sound and light system, a lounge serving non-alcoholic specialty drinks, and a video game room and arcade.

*Show venues: The three-deck Victoriana Show Lounge for the evening production shows, concerts, and comedy; International Lounge for live music and dancing.

*Onboard shopping: The Fun Shops of Carnival feature a wide selection of brand-name jewelry and clothing and specialty logo items and souvenirs.

*Communications: 10-terminal internet café, bow-to-stern wireless, and advanced roaming cell phone service, through an agreement with Wireless Maritime Services, that will work with more than 340 carriers worldwide.

*Itineraries: 12-day “Grand Mediterranean” and “Mediterranean & Greek Isles” cruises round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) through October 16, 2007. A 14-day transatlantic voyage (October 28) from Rome to Miami, which positions the vessel for a winter schedule of seven-day Caribbean voyages from Miami beginning November 17.