Annabanana1234

I will say that I understand the concern with the balcony and having a 3 year old. My first cruise with my babies (3 year old triplets and 5 year old) was in a balcony stateroom. My parents booked the rooms and I was excited but nervous. Once I was in the room I noticed that it had a lock at the top of the door that had to be pulled down, not sure what ship has what. I also noted that the door was quite heavy and no way one of my babies could have opened the door. I also set clear expectations that they were not allowed outside without us since I had a 5 year old child as well. We had zero issues with the kids on the balcony, the railing was very high. Safety first, but just wanted to share our experience with you.

We booked in April of 2017 for a sail date of April 2018 on the Liberty of the Seas and at the time of booking our price was $3700 for the six of us. When the kids sail free promo started I had my price adjusted to $2900. I would recommend you book the room you want now and then when the sale comes along you can have your price adjusted. ;)

Affordable is relative, I’ve sailed on 4 cruises with my 4 kids. The cruise that’s coming up in april was $2900 for the 6 of us. This is the least I’ve ever paid. I booked it while on a cruise for $3700 and then when the kids sail free promo came out I called and had the price adjusted. I check the rates often since I can’t check the rates myself since we book a family stateroom since royal Caribbean has rooms that will hold 6 people. I recommend checking rates often on different lines. I’ve had the best prices on Norwegian and royal caribbean, we love Carnival but they are too expensive for my family since we would have to book two rooms. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing the update! Any chance you took a picture of the menu?

 

 

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I didn't :( I think their menu is online.

I think someone in this thread asked if paradise beach has lockers and it does. We just left yesterday, it was a great day. We took a taxi there was a long line for the taxi but it moved pretty quickly. It was $30 for the taxi and $21 to get in (basic entrance). We spent $52 including tip. It was a great day for the price. $133 for 7 people and we all ate, I brought my own water and my husband purchased 1 alcoholic beverage. We stayed in the pool the entire time, sad that our time in Cozumel is over.

As the Tide Turns

 

 

 

 

 

This could easily turn into a rant about Dolphinarius in Cozumel. After a great experience in Roatan at Anthony's Key Resort with a dolphin encounter, today was, a little lackluster even though we had gone full tilt with the dolphin trainer for a day program. I'll just say that there are better options, but this one fit our schedule and our group's desire, but we will not be back nor would I recommend it to anyone else.

 

 

 

Now back to the Liberty of the Seas after that brief commercial interruption.

 

 

 

We were joined dockside by a ship seeking it's Independence and another that considered itself a Fantasy. In the distance, was a Norse ship that must get everywhere at dawn and what I believe was an Italian wanderer whose name I did not catch.

 

 

 

The waters and pier area are very nice here and it always interesting disembarking and looking back at the ship. Overall, the LOS is in very good shape. A nitpicker might find a stain here or a bit of scraped paint there, but the general public areas are in great condition. The execution of the main dining room is well done and does not look like a set from a Star Trek movie which is where Celebrity and Holland have seemed to have gone with their newest builds. I'm not one of these people that are as carried away about a theme permeating every part of the ship as enjoy being transported to a different locale as I wander around. LOS does this well for me as the different areas of the ship really make different statements.

 

 

 

For those aft dwellers like myself, the Freedom class of vessels do have the structural anomaly that doesn't give the cruiser quite the wake experience that you might be familiar with on other ships, BUT I can also say that there is little to no vibration back here in our cabin experience. Even when docking or leaving port we did not have the serious cavitation phenomenon that one gets on other ships. There is still a slight wiggle in the jiggle back here compared to in the middle, but nothing that isn't somewhat akin to being rocked to sleep at night.

 

 

 

In the Air was the show tonight. It seems like a Cirque like show is becoming more common on the lines these days. I have no problem with that. The RCCL folks or their subcontractors did a really good job designing the show. Do those people ever get the credit they deserve? The performers did either really well or outstanding with what was given to them. There is some acrobatics, but this is mostly performance theater, set design and vocalists that do the heavy lifting for the duration of the program. Would I spend $50 to see it at a local theater? Probably not. But that's one of many wonderful aspects of cruising. Guilt free entertainment.

 

 

 

The family is really coming into their own in terms of doing just what a family vacation can do. The 12 year old girl tried the escargot. The 16 year old picky eater has eaten a Ceasar salad 3 nights in a row and tonight added a crab cake and chilled honeydew melon soup to the repertoire of dining experiences. The 13 year old had 3 desserts plus the steak, a crab cake and a Ceasar salad. I've been giving the 16 year old the nightly wait staff tip so he can learn to do that and how to do it.

 

 

 

Now back to the review of the LOS.

 

 

 

Here is the deal I can say right now. With the choice of ships and ports in the MidSouth Gulf Coast region, I can unashamedly recommend LOS for first time as well as veteran cruisers as long as they understand what they are getting into. For the first timers, the LOS is cruise overload that will entertain them, feed them, and relax them even though it looks a bit more like the first day of summer at Disney World. For veteran cruisers, it is good to get out of the rut of having your "favorite" cruise line. Sure it's mass market and is not ashamed of it. But we don't buy all of our groceries at Whole Foods, shop at Neiman Marcus for office gifts, or refuse to fly on any airplane that doesn't offer first class seating.

 

 

 

Is LOS, or even RCCL going to be MY first choice from now on? Nope.

 

 

 

If it was the only choice would I go. Yes.

 

 

 

Is it the best choice for some? Absolutely!

 

 

 

I realize that this is only 3 days into it to be making blanket statements, but if you have suffered from insomnia before and happened to be unlucky enough to read some of my other "live from" posts, you would realize that just because I have a critical eye does not mean it is a negative one. I'm also open minded enough to try some things twice. Had I judged Celebrity off of one less than stellar Caribbean cruise I would not be back on them. Had the Rotterdam Dutch Madness trip to the top of Norway been my only allowed attempt with them I would have missed out on a great summer trip. Critical thinking is required for objective reporting.

 

 

 

Now back to our LOS ship....

 

 

 

Tomorrow is Grand Cayman. The LOS is steaming away as I write this. Hopefully there are some excited folks back home who are starting to gather their items and pack the suitcases. Even if you are a bit hesitant, just drop the pretenses and let the vacation begin before you even get aboard.

 

 

 

The tide of opinion has slowly turned for me in regards to LOS because the prejudices I had formed are melted away by the family experiences and laughter. Like a TV soap opera drama, why wait till the end of the week to see what is going to happen?

 

 

 

Start your vacation now.

Nice reporting, I'm glad you're enjoying your time with your family!

Turns out after going through each person and reservation again it clicked and worked...allowing me to print passes for everyone. Thanks for everyone's help!

I could see having to print a separate set sail pass for the 2 kids under a separate reservation but the 2 kids listed with you and your husband should appear as long as all steps of the check in have been completed. I would give Royal a call, who knows what their IT dept has messed up this week.

Thanks, I'll call them in the morning!

Did you get 2 different reservation numbers. The last I heard was they could only put a maximum of 4 guests on one reservation.

Yes, my husband and myself and two children are on one, the other two on the other. All listed in the cruise check in...when I select to print my sail boarding pass I only have a print out for my husband and I.

Are you all in the same stateroom?

Yes a family stateroom that sleeps 6

Looking for some help....I printed my boarding pass and it only showed for my husband and I and not our 4 children, is this correct?

Wow that is scary and amazing all at the same time! I'm glad that you're all better!

It's been what feels like forever since we've heard anything from the op, I hope all is well!

We will be boarding her a week from tomorrow...are you too excited to sleep? Have an amazing time, enjoy all the ship has to offer!

Thinking of booking here for the night before our cruise from Galveston next February. Google maps says it is about 40 minutes to go terminal in Galveston. Is that accurate? Any other pros and cons to staying here?

 

Thanks

 

 

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I've stayed at that hotel when I cruised out of Houston terminal last April. The hotel is nice but I felt as though it was in the middle of nowhere. It was the closest hotel to the Houston port, when I cruise out of Galveston I like to stay in Webster Tx. They have lots of food choices and easy access to the interstate.

I feel so stupid when it comes to technology! I've always put my phone on airplane mode and turned off cellular (iPhone user). I'm very interested in using the wifi for calling (dog sitter). I'll have to try and figure out how to enable wifi calling since I purchased voom for my upcoming trip! Thanks for all the info!

I have great intentions to stay up late and get up early...but there is something about the sea air and rocking of the ship that makes me sleepy! I find that I'm ready for bed at 10 and sea days I can sleep in to about 10am!

Great review! I was on the fence about spending the money for specialty dining but now I'm giving it strong consideration. Ty.

We're booked on the Liberty coming up on April 2, and I booked a year out. I booked a family oceanview in the very front of the ship it kind of has two bedrooms. The room also has a large living space considering it's on a cruise ship! When I booked I think the rate for the six of us was around $4000. I paid very close attention to the sales that royal ran and called my travel agent when they offered the kids sail free which brought my price down to $3200!! You can go on a cruise for a large family and get a deal, but you must plan in advance. The biggest cost savings is when you cruise during the non peak times. When royal ran the kids sail free it was only available on non peak sail dates! Our family always cruises in the first two week of April each year. Good luck with your planning!

Does the Downy Wrinkle Release leave any type of residue on your clothing? I see it recommended quite often but was afraid try it. The few items that might wrinkle I use the old but good bathroom steam trick.

I use it all the time (not just for cruising) and I've never found it to leave a residue.

We found out that my oldest gets motion sickness three hours into our 24 HR dr to Disney world when he was 6. Apparently we never drove for more than 3 hours until that day, which must have been his cut off! He also got sea sick once on the carnival magic! The seas were rough and once the sickness comes on, you will be spending 5-6 hours in the room with your sick child. I would play it by ear if you don't have a child that already has know problems with motion sickness! Good luck and have fun!

No, the prints are extra, usually $100

 

 

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Thank you!

They are there. There is no question about it. But there are to be used only on the ship. If you are taking your kids to the beach in port, you will need your own. ")

That's precisely why I bring my own! We do shore excursions in each port at the beaches!

I'm on the LOS in April and it was $249. Does anyone know if you purchase the Zip drive if they will just give you the prints since they would throw them out anyway?