Categories: Cruise News

Carnival Freedom gets new waterslides and expanded dining options in refit

A new waterpark, revamped mini-golf course and expanded dining options are a few of the many changes that were made to Carnival Freedom during a recent multimillion-dollar refurbishment.

The refit and refurbishment was conducted over three weeks at Freeport in the Bahamas as part of Carnival Cruise Line’s US $2-billion Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement program that will see new on-board innovations, amenities and activities added across the fleet.

The new WaterWorks aqua park is a centrepiece of the refurbishment

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The new WaterWorks aqua park is sure to be the main attraction on Carnival Freedom’s open decks.

It features a 203-foot-long AquaTunnel slide and Carnival’s signature 212-foot-long Twister slide along with a 75-gallon PowerDrencher tipping bucket and SplashZone area for kids.

Bonsai Sushi Express was added to Carnival Freedom during the refurbishment

New dining options were also introduced to the ship, such as Bonsai Express, a casual sushi eatery based on the full-service Bonsai Sushi iteration found elsewhere in the Carnival fleet, and an expanded Deli on Deck 9, offering a tantalizing menu of piled-high sandwiches, paninis and traditional sides.

These new dining options complement the wide array of eateries and nightlife spots already on board Carnival Freedom, including Guy’s Burger Joint created by Food Network star Guy Fieri, the poolside BlueIguana Tequila Bar, and BlueIguana Cantina.

Other Carnival line favourites include the classic American steakhouse, the Punchliner Comedy Club, the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, and the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub.

The relocated nine-hole miniature golf course aboard Carnival Freedom

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Family-friendly options include Seuss at Sea operated exclusively with Dr. Seuss Enterprises that includes the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in The Hat and Friends and an all-ages reading venue called Dr. Seuss Bookville, along with fun supervised programming for kids ages 2-17.

Other changes during the refurbishment saw Carnival Freedom’s nine-hole miniature golf course been relocated to Deck 11, providing a fun and relaxing pastime for families to enjoy in the fresh sea air, while her retail spaces were also expanded.

A mall-style shopping area lined with retail outlets offering fine jewellery, watches, fragrances, and more along with the line’s own branded spaces including the all-new Carnival Adventures shop has been created.

The new shop offers everything guests need to maximise their fun on board and ashore, from snorkel gear and swim fins to sunscreen and waterproof backpacks.

Following the dry dock, Carnival Freedom resumed its year-round schedule of six- and seven-day Caribbean cruises from Galveston that visit top destinations in Jamaica, Mexico, Belize and Grand Cayman.

Shaun Ebelthite

Founder and editor of Cruise Arabia & Africa. I try to create the best news and information specifically for cruise passengers taking cruises to and from Dubai (where I live) and South Africa (where I was born). You can contact me at shaun(at)cruisearabiaonline.com.

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