Incidents
On 26 May 2022, Carnival Freedom suffered a large fire in her funnel while she was docked in Grand Turk. The fire was extinguished with no injuries reported. Significant damage was sustained to part of the funnel, on the starboard side.[15] Guests and crew members were allowed to go ashore, as originally planned in Grand Turk.[16] It was announced in the evening of 26 May 2022, by Carnival through a letter to guests that the Carnival Freedom would remain in Grand Turk with passengers on board. Carnival Conquest was scheduled to embark passengers from Carnival Freedom as the ship would not be returning to Port Canaveral. Following the incident, Carnival Freedom underwent an emergency drydock in Grand Bahama for repairs, which included the removal of the funnel's damaged wings.[17] As for compensation, Carnival gave a $100 per stateroom onboard credit and a 50 percent off future cruise credit. Any additional parking fees at the Port Canaveral parking garage were waived, and Carnival would cover fees related to changed flights up to $200 per person.[18] The ship resumed normal service on 11 June 2022, with the altered funnel.
From 4 to 22 October 2023, the ship entered its 16-day dry dock at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. Once again sporting a winged funnel, Carnival Freedom sailed from Barcelona, Spain for a 14-day transatlantic voyage to its homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida. The ship underwent an extensive refurbishment that included the installation of the new funnel, the addition of the signature Carnival red, white and blue hull livery and other enhancements, including a Heroes Tribute Bar, like other ships in the Carnival fleet, which honors both military veterans and active-duty service members. Carnival Freedom also features a Dreams Studio. Some of the other work included an expansion to the ship's casino, and renovations and upgrades across the ship's staterooms and public areas.[19]
On 23 March 2024, Carnival Freedom was sailing through severe weather when passengers reported an extremely loud thunder clap and lightning. Shortly after, a fire was reported in the port side exhaust.[20] This led to the next two cruises being cancelled for repairs to be carried out.[21][22] The funnel wings were removed at Freeport, Bahamas and the exhausts re-routed, leaving it with a more conventional appearance.[23]
