The ship was built as part of a four-ship deal with Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard and was launched in Venice, Italy on April 28, 2006.

She was floated out on April 28, 2006, delivered to Carnival on February 28, 2007, and formally named in Venice by American model, actress, author and entrepreneur Kathy Ireland on March 4, 2007.

[10] Carnival Freedom resumed port calls to Grand Bahama in November 2019 when Hurricane Dorian ravaged the country.

The passengers had disembarked in Galveston, Texas on March 14 – a day after Carnival Cruise Line suspended operations due to coronavirus.

Following the incident, Carnival Freedom underwent an emergency drydock in Grand Bahama for repairs, which included the removal of the funnel's damaged wings.

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.

[20] On March 23, 2024, Carnival Freedom was sailing through severe weather when passengers reported an extremely loud thunder clap and lightning.