The Carnival 'Freedom' in Venice. This picture was taken on 3 July 2007. Thank you for viewing and commenting on my previous upload. I noted a lot of different comments, both pro and con. Statistics: Inaugural: 5 March 2007 Gross Tonnage: 110,000 Length: 952-ft. Width: 116-ft. Max Draft: 27-ft. Guest Capacity: 2,974 Crew Size: 1,160 Guest Decks: 13 Elevators: 18 Staterooms: 1,487 There are also penthouse suites, suites with and without balcony etc. Numerous bars, restaurants, a casino etc. Here are the reasons I took this trip: I was talked into taken this trip by friends, avid cruisers. Cost: $7000+, round trip flight from Phoenix, Az to Rome, Italy and excursions included. This was not cheap, but my reasoning was that if I wanted to see the sites offered on this trip it would probably have taken several trips which would most likely have cost more. The majority of passengers were American with a good mix of Europeans and others. They included many retired couples, families with children, young couples and singles. While at sea it seemed that many people were content to lay in the sun (see previous upload) and drink and eat. There were several swimming pools, all too small for serious swimming. A gym was nicely equipped, but not really designed for serious workouts. There were stationary exercise bicycles, which I used. Dinners were at set times, early and late with formal dress. The food was excellent, the service outstanding and entertainment superb with several broadway shows etc. Here are the reasons I would not take another trip like this: I do not need nearly 3,000 other passenger to enjoy myself. There were a lot of gimmicks I did not care for, for example the casino and bars. Formal dining at a set time interfered several times with the departure during sunsets. The excursion were overall a good deal, except I hate the feeling that I am one in a herd of many. During our Pisa/Florence excursion (one of several choices) the 50 euro fee to the top of the Leaning Tower was included, definitely a good deal.