Just returned from cruise around Med on Freedom. Agree com0letely with above report.There are laundry facilities on most decks ( washing machnes take US 25c pieces!-probably available from purser's desk.). Irons are free. Cabins have a hairdryer but it's hidden in a drawer.Tipping was automatically included on Sign and Sail- we were going to do our own but service was so good left it at is was. No problems getting a sun lounger at all on sea days unless you want to be around pool. Try the stern- it's quieter. Getting arouind ship is easy once you know which end is which and whether your cabin is odd or even numbered.My wife got lost for an hour and a half on Dawn Princess but no problems on Carnival. We flew from Bristol and a friend got charged extra for having excess baggage ( 1.5kg). On the return journey from Rome they didn't even look at the weight. ( Easyjet). Scheduled airlines are usually more lenient. Best advice -travel light. There are only two formal nights so only one suit needed.

just seen your question so i'll try to help. there is a self service laundry, hair dryer is in your cabin. There is a 15% tip included automatically on all drinks purchased, though you can ask for this to be removed, so alltips are made via sign and sail card. We tipped some of our favourite staff in cash also before we left. No problem with sun beds on days at sea despite the ship being full so good news there, and the layout of the ship is posted near every lift or stairwell so quite easy to find your way around after a day or so. We flew from Manchester via Paris to Rome with Air France, and they were strict on luggage checked in the hold, but not so with cabin bags. Finally, we did spend far to much time at the airport in Rome even after booking a final two hour sightseeing tour on route to the airport. hope this helps. I'm sure you will enjoy the ship.

thankyou for taking the time to reply I found your answer very helpful, can't wait to go.

I have cruised on the Carnival Sensation 6 years ago now and picked up the ship at Tampa Florida as we had a few days in Orlando either side of our cruise. I have to congratulate Carnival on their lovely ship, full of American holiday makers but we loved this and found it refreshing to be with Americans instead of all Brits!! Tips were added to your on board acount at the end of your holiday and we didnt find this excessive all cruises you are expected to tip its normal on all lines, some do pre paid tips other lines such as P & o who we cruised with this year you give tips at the end of your holiday yourself. The food was excellent snd plentiful in fact you can eat around the clock sometimes the Americans had 2 starters and 2 main courses!!! we chose to dine at second sitting which is 8.30 or there is a 6.30 option there is also freedom dining where you eat when and where you like but this can be awkward and busy at peak times I would recommend you choose timed dining, we shared our table with an American family from Ohio my husband and I had our 2 teen age children with us so we had a table of 9 as they had 3 children. The whole ship was beautiful with lots of space and lovely lounges and restaurants you were not aware there were about 4000 people on the ship including crew as ther are about 19 decks I think anyway it was massive, the shore excursions can seem a little expensive but it depends what you want in many cases ther are free shuttle buses laid on you needd to ask about this before you go if this is the option you want it is alot cheaper but you dont get a tour guide and you dont find out as much about where you are visiting solely using the free shuttle this just literally takes you to the centre and back again. Finding your way around the ship - you usually have asmall card showing you all the key places you need to go lounges bars restaurants etc and you soon get used to the ship, its usually quite logical.Baggage isnt an issue if you cruise direct you can take as much as you like but if using an airport too then yes the normal 25kg rule applies. The ships normally have self service laundry and paid laundry services available on board you have the choice. We did the Baltic cruise this year on the P & O Oriana the ship was a little old and dated compared to the Carnival however very stylish Art Deco interior which I loved it was also alot smaller, I actually prefer the larger more modern ships and have just booked to go on the P & O Ventura to the Med next July, we have only just got back from the Baltics, other things you may like to know they have casual, semi formal and formal nights on board ship and formal means dinner jacket or tux and bow tie and the ships follow the dress code very carefully and strictly which I think is a good thing as if standards slip it makes a mockery of having any dress code at all anyway its soooo nice to dress up like going to a wedding or the races etc!!! I love it! as does my husband. IOt will be our 25th Wedding Ann in 2010 and for that we are hoping to take our children with us on a transatlantic cruise on either the Ventura or the Queen Victoria!!!! so you can see my husband and I love cruising our children enjoyed it too and they were 14 and 12 at the time they didnt come with us this year but are looking forward to 2010!! There is something for everyone on a cruise providing you choose the right ship and if you are youngish like us I am 46 my husband is 49 choose one of the more modern larger liners. Thats my tip anyway having done both I preferred the more modern ship.

Thankyou for taking the time to reply to my questions, I can't wait to go, 62 days, not that I'am counting!Like you it will be our 25th wedding anniversary 2010 and we plan to do a special cruise, who knows might see you on board? happy cruising. scottie

We traveled on the carnival glory to the eastern Caribbean in may 08 and we thought the hospitality was fantastic. there are self service launderettes on carnival ships,hairdryers are also in the cabins.we traveled to USA but beware the baggage allowance on charter airlines is between 15 to 20 KG is is a bit more on scheduled airlines. We prepaid our tips before we left UK but there is a 15% tips added to all drinks.The food was plentiful and was changed every day.you can dine in the main restaurant or you can eat buffet style if you require,have a great time i am already looking to book for next year. Edd

Thankyou for answering my questions you've been really helpful, a girl needs to know about her hairdryer and laundry facilities, especially since the luggage allowance is pants! happy cruising. scottie