We’re down to our last port of call on this six-day cruise to the Bahamas on the Carnival Vista, and today we’re at the number one worst place to visit on any Bahamas or Caribbean cruise — Freeport.
This is not a port that Carnival usually calls on, and we’re only here because this itinerary has been adjusted due to ongoing propulsion issues with the ship. Having been on nearly 100 cruises, it’s hard to go through my list and find Freeport as a place I’ve visited recently. The last time I was here was back in 2014 on Carnival Liberty.
So, why is Freeport the worst port you could possibly have on your cruise itinerary?
Freeport is primarily an industrial port. When your cruise ship docks, you’re greeted by views of factories, shipping containers, fuel storage farms, cargo ships, and industrial buildings. This isn’t the picturesque tropical paradise many expect when they think of the Bahamas. The port area itself can feel drab and uninviting, which sets a poor first impression.
Unlike ports like neighboring Nassau, where you can step off the ship and immediately find shops, beaches, and restaurants, Freeport requires a bit of travel to get to any major attractions. Most of the popular spots, like Lucaya Beach or Port Lucaya Marketplace, are about a 20-30 minute drive from the port, meaning you’ll need to arrange transportation. For cruisers who prefer convenience, this can be a significant downside.
There isn’t much to do right at the port itself. While some ports offer local markets, entertainment, or beachfront bars and restaurants, Freeport’s cruise terminal has just a few ramshackle huts selling trinkets and one main dining option — Senor Frog’s (imagine that). This leaves passengers with few things to do unless they venture out.
Shore excursions in Freeport can be hit or miss. Some passengers report great experiences, while others complain about poorly organized tours, lackluster destinations, or unfriendly guides. This inconsistency can make visiting Freeport a gamble for those who enjoy excursions.
While the major lines shy away from Freeport for good reason, Margaritaville at Sea makes it a regular stop for their short getaway cruises that leave from the Port of Palm Beach, FL. This regular flow of guests coming into port every few days is probably the most economic impact the cruise industry brings to the area. We just happened to be sharing the port with one of their ships, the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, one of the oldest ships still on the water.
Margaritaville At Sea Paradise: The Grand Old Lady of Cruising
The majority of the passengers, myself included, treated today as if it were a sea day. Not many ventured off to do any type of exploring; however, I ventured out just for a few pictures of the sad-looking marketplace and the obligatory port stop selfie.
Throughout the day, freighters came and went, and a few passengers from both ships stumbled back at the end of the day after drinking all that swill they serve at the Frog’s.
Let’s talk for a moment about dining options onboard Carnival Vista. In addition to the buffet and ship’s main dining rooms, which offer both set seating times and anytime dining, there are a few additional places to grab a bite to eat.
The Carnival Deli is open throughout the day and into the late evening to serve up sandwiches and paninis, while Pizzeria del Capitano has pizza available almost 24 hours a day by the slice or by the pie.
If you’re looking for Mexican, Blue Iguana Cantina offers burritos and tacos for breakfast and lunch. If it’s a burger you crave, Guy’s Burger Joint is the place to go for burgers and fries, with some saying it’s the “best burger ever,” but in reality, it’s nothing special. However, for those suffering a serious hangover from hitting the 15-drink maximum the night before, a greasy Guy’s burger may be the cure.
Finally, Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que offers brisket, chicken, and pork BBQ for lunch but only on sea days. Don’t expect to get some on port days, as the smokers are off.
When it comes to specialty dining, there are only a few options on Carnival Vista. The line’s signature steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555, is $49 per person; Cucina del Capitano for Italian is $24 per person; and Ji Ji Asian Kitchen offers Asian cuisine for, you guessed it, $24 per person.
For a la carte seafood, you can visit the Seafood Shack outside on deck 10 for freshly steamed lobster, lobster rolls, clams, crab legs, shrimp, fish and chips, and more — all at market price.
If you’re a sushi fan, Bonsai Sushi is also an a la carte option that stays open for late-night munchies.
Of course, there’s always room service, self-service ice cream, coffee, and pastries to help with munchies throughout the day.
Before I get into dinner, let me talk a little bit about the condition of Carnival Vista. Rightfully so, many cruisers are reluctant to book a cruise on the ship after this latest bout of azipod issues, which have resulted in (vastly) adjusted itineraries and a canceled cruise. While the safety of the ship is in no way compromised, the vessel’s top speed is.
Carnival’s Vista-Class Troubles: Unraveling and Understanding Azipods
When both azipods are functioning, the Vista can plow through the water at 18 knots, or around 21 mph. With just one azipod, we’ve been running between 7 and 9 knots.
All other systems on the ship — electric, water, etc. — are functioning normally, and life has been going on as if it’s a normal cruise, just at a slightly different speed.
When the ship reaches Port Canaveral on Saturday morning, a team from the azipod’s manufacturer, ABB, along with Carnival’s own technical team, will board the ship and begin “wet dock” repairs. Then, around the 14th, she will head out off the coast for sea trials, and if all goes well, will set out on the next scheduled cruise on the 15th.
While the ship is out of service, crew members will be taking on other duties such as deep cleaning, ship watch, touch-up work, and more. They’ll be given extra shore leave and additional benefits, including being able to have dinner in each of the ship’s specialty restaurants (for the same price as a guest will pay). A few guest-only bars will be open for them to enjoy beer and wine (no spirits during wet dock), and they will get a few additional hours off per day.
Some are even looking forward to heading to Disney World for a day. However, immigration rules require them to be back on the ship each evening before sundown.
If you’re considering booking a cruise on the Vista, I won’t say not to, because maybe this round of repairs will finally fix the ongoing azipod issues. However, like any machine, things break. Any cruise can be canceled or modified at any time for any reason, which is clearly outlined in your cruise contract. So, you should always prepare for the unexpected!
It’s probably reactionary to purposefully avoid booking a cruise on the Vista, so unless you’re dead set on avoiding the ship, there are definitely others to choose from.
Dinner time!
Since tonight was the second and final elegant night of the cruise, the main dining room was serving lobster. That means the majority of passengers had dinner there. I still don’t get why people go absolutely bonkers over lobster night, but they do.
I threw on a sport coat and headed to the ship’s steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555, for one last round of beef for this cruise. After enjoying a G&T at the steakhouse’s bar, I settled into a table along the window overlooking the nearly empty Alchemy Bar (because of the previously mentioned lobster dinner) and the Promenade, which made for great people-watching.
Tonight was a first in the many, many times I’ve dined in the steakhouse on Carnival ships where the “compliments of the chef” wasn’t the mini cheeseburger. Tonight, it was… a potato something.
The mini cheeseburger was MUCH better.
I started out with the pork belly, three smoky pieces of everyone’s favorite piece of the pig. Fatty, but oh so good!
Next up, I decided to test my luck and ask for a baked potato. As I previously mentioned and wrote about, Carnival is rolling out a new steakhouse menu that takes away the side dishes and pairs each entree with a pre-determined side.
I politely asked, “Can I get a baked potato, please?”
My server laughed and said, “I can make that happen.” We then had a little back and forth about this new menu, and he said it’s a change that many repeat guests are complaining about.
My New York Strip with the special request baked potato was cooked medium-rare and was full of flavor, another great meal, but one which my arm was twisted into ordering “the best cheesecake ever.”
While certainly not the best, it wasn’t bad. But a very heavy dessert to end a heavy meal with.
A quick run through the casino before bed and I made a vow after being robbed by a couple of one-armed bandits that it would be my last visit. Lady Luck wasn’t on the side of many during this cruise, myself included. On the first night, someone won a $17k slot jackpot, but no talk of anyone winning big amounts or anyone saying they were lucky. In fact, the word being tossed around when talking about the casino all week has been… “tight.”
We have one more day left of this cruise, and it will be spent at sea as we sail home to Port Canaveral. In tomorrow’s report, the overall review of the cruise, so stay tuned and as always, thanks for following along.
Fun Times for Day 5:
The Fun Times for September 5, 2024 can also be downloaded as a PDF by clicking here.