Carnival Freedom Makes First Call at Valletta After Drydock
During the Marseille refurbishment, Carnival Freedom received a replacement whale tail funnel after lightning damaged its original in March 2024, along with accessibility improvements.
Carnival Freedom made its first visit to Valletta Cruise Port in Malta on Oct. 15, 2026, during an eight-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona. The arrival made it the fifth Carnival Cruise Line ship to call at the port.
The visit came during the vessel’s only Mediterranean cruise following a 35-day drydock in Marseille, ahead of its return to Florida. The 110,000-gross-ton ship, which accommodates 2,980 guests at double occupancy, had paused its regular Bahamas operations for the maintenance period.
Local authorities and port officials joined the ship’s team for an onboard welcome ceremony, exchanging plaques and gifts to commemorate the inaugural visit.
“The call showcased Malta's enduring appeal as a Mediterranean cruise destination,” Valletta Cruise Port said in a social media update.
Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Pride and Carnival Legend had previously visited Malta. Freedom’s itinerary also included Marseille in France and the Italian ports of Livorno, Civitavecchia and Naples.
New funnel and onboard changes after drydock
Freedom entered Chantier Naval de Marseille in early September for scheduled maintenance. Work included a replacement whale tail funnel, which Carnival said would allow the vessel to access additional ports. Its original funnel had been damaged by a lightning strike in March 2024.
The refurbishment also brought a redesigned casino with more than 100 additional gaming machines, changes to the video arcade and retail areas, and accessibility improvements. The ship returned to passenger service in early October.
Freedom also received Carnival’s “From Sea to Shining Sea” bow crest, introduced for the United States’ 250th anniversary. Carnival Radiance and Carnival Legend had received the design previously.
Back to Port Canaveral, then Norfolk
Following the Mediterranean sailing, Freedom is scheduled to operate a 13-day Carnival Journeys transatlantic voyage, arriving at Port Canaveral on Oct. 30. Its regular four- and five-night Bahamas cruises resume in early November, with itineraries visiting Nassau and Carnival’s private destinations, Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
The ship will remain based at Port Canaveral through May 2027 before repositioning to Norfolk, Virginia. Reservations are also open for its 2028-29 Norfolk season, with six- to eight-day departures scheduled through April 2029 to the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Eastern Caribbean and Canada.
See current Carnival Freedom fares and itineraries on Cruise Lookup.
