LuCruise

Both great ships, but Allure is "Wow". Entertainment is better and although no waterslides if you are going this Christmas, it has a fun splash area and donut pool for little ones. Allure was the first ship we took our kids on. At the time they had DreamWorks characters all around, which was so much fun but unfortunately they aren't around anymore. Unless slides are a priority (which may be too big for the kids ages) I'd go for Allure. However, you can't go wrong on either one. P.S. I don't remember if Liberty has the younger slide area as well.

Thank you! That is what I was hoping about uber.

Doing early research (as our cruise isn't until Dec 2025)....but am concerned about getting from airport to the port/hotel. We would be coming from IAH, which is the airport we have to fly into for a direct flight. Is this still true? If so, where does Uber drop you off or pick you up? Also, we would be arriving the day before. Would they drop off at a hotel instead of the port (not sure if the hotel would be half way between IAH and the port, or near Galveston port)?

Longer cruise...in a basic room. The fanciest suite we have ever booked has been a Junior Suite, and that was only because the price dropped low (on Adventure). We could book a fancier one (Star or other class) but to us, we don't want to spend that money on a room. Also, when coming with out kids, we'll book 2 connecting interiors over a single balcony. And I have to say for these days with cruise prices, we've even decided to go down to one room for four of us. It's that or no cruise as the prices are getting crazy but we love to cruise and it's family time we spend together when on vacation so we'll make it work. Note that we have done the 4 day cruises too and they are fun too, as it just means 4 full days of activities and food. But a 7 night is even better.

Yeah...it's both beautiful, and yet a bit eerie. Definitely don't miss the view.

We still got great photos of the statue, plus the NY shore view. Recommend going to the top deck at sail away as it's exciting when you go under the bridge.

We saw Saturday Night Fever in June on Liberty. Not my favorite musical, but the cast was amazing so really enjoyed it. Don't miss it. We really enjoyed Liberty. Great ship. We did the All Access Tour, which was quite interesting.

We kept this tour and enjoyed it quite a bit. There is a bus taking you from one place to the next. The first stop is the fort/water and you just walk in the area (small area). There is some history and the last stop is in the city streets where you walk but it's not far. It was busy but an easy walk.

We've been on Anthem and Odyssey. I'd probably pick Oasis class over Quantum class....but I do love both. My favorite spot is the 270....amazing room with the huge windows (and then very neat how it turns into a theatre, etc). And the 270 Cafe also has great food offerings. Odyssey too is very modern (and Anthem has great musical). Some complain about the Esplanade being crowded and bad layout but I really didn't have an issue with it. SeaPlex was lots of fun for our kids as was iFly. North Star is neat with the views. Only complaint is Anthem's dining room, but that was built when they were doing dynamic dining, and they fixed it with the open dining room on Odyssey (not sure about Quantum or Spectrum). Also, the rooms on both Anthem and Odyssey are nice and long with great extra storage. So yes, I'm a fan of Quantum class as well.

Correct. There is a bar but no restaurant like Oasis or Quantum class.

There was no Laser Tag on our 4 night when we were on Liberty early June.

For activities, Wonder has Laser Tag. You can't sign up for it beforehand, but when you board the ship on the app. Spots go quick. (For us, the bookings didn't appear right away at boarding, but later in the day so keep checking if you want to play). You need closed shoes for it. Similar with ice skating...you need to go at sign up day (in person) if you want to ice skate.

Not sure. We booked with Cleve's tour with another family and the first stop was the place you could hold the sloth (best pictures!), go in the cage with the monkeys (didn't like that as they are violent) and go in the cage with the birds. I don't remember much else there though.

Thanks. It actually was one of the highlights of the cruise. Fun experience.

Anyone booked this excursion through Royal? If so, any feedback? We booked it for now at a good price but also looking at other options. We've been to Roatan 3x and trying to figure out what to do for our next cruise. Coming with a 19 and 16 year old. We're pretty low key and our older one doesn't love beaches. In the past we've done the following: 1. Private tour. It did stop at the Sloth and Monkey park, which also had birds. I assume this is not the same place (as it didn't have much else, unless we just didn't venture further)? 2. Xocolati Tour (Royal excursion). This was a chocolate making tour which was good but not a repeat item. 3. Maya Key Private Island (Royal excursion). It was ok. The beach we stopped at our first time was much nicer. Not sure a repeat thing (our older one wasn't with us) Any other suggestions? Both tours had someone explaining the history and culture of Roatan. Note that for excursions, we are more comfortable booking one with Royal.

We tried Wonderland on Wonder and really enjoyed it. The theming / decorations were imaginative, the appetizers were hit and miss - but most a hit (our waiter brought us many to try that fit out dietary restrictions and likes - not sure if that is the norm) but the rest was excellent, the Mad Hatter was in character and fun, and our waiter was fantastic. Would we go again? Not sure tbh, but we were happy we booked it and thought it was great.

Just to clarify on my post about Liberty...There were photographers around the ship taking pictures during the cruise. But they didn't have someone right as you are boarding with the background (and prints the ship)

We just went on Liberty out of New Jersey and no photos. We did however, have them on the previous two on Wonder out of Port Canaveral and Odyssey out of Fort Lauderdale.

Would rather watch the Broadway shows multiple times (Grease, Hairspray, Mamma Mia, etc) than Effectors....am I have seen my favorites many times. Effectors was fine, and I get why Royal produced such a show as it can appeal to kids and adults, but definitely prefer a real Broadway show. Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You are my personal favorites currently playing on Royal ships.

Good to hear a review on Liberty as there aren't many. We just got off a 4 night on Liberty and had a great time. Lots of activities, shows good for non-Oasis class (excellent cast for Saturday Night Fever). We did the All Access Tour, which I recommend. And the pool movie screen is fixed, which was a big complaint for a long time. I was fine with the flow, although I do like to walk laps on deck 4 and it's a pain having to walk up to deck 5 to complete the circle (and then once we got upstairs, the front was closed for maitenance) My only complaints 1. Maybe we are spoiled with other Royal ships but our options for lunch or breakfast seemed slim....MDR or Windjammer (and Sorrentos if you wanted just pizza) 2. With the one a day room cleaning, we had a day where our room attendant missed us and we had no cleaning. We had to call for clean towels and this was at 10:30pm at night. I don't blame him, but Royal with reducing each room to once, I'm sure they lose track of what they did and didn't do. Other than than, we loved our liberty cruise. Enjoy , and happy birthday!

Really love this thread and appreciate all the hard work of the poster. I look forward to each thread update. Just a note though...just got back from Liberty of the Seas and the drinks may not be ship-wide. I tried to order/ask about the specialty coffees at Giovanni's Table and they had no idea to what I was referring. They accommodated and brought me a menu from Chops across the hall (which had two coffees on it), but not the great selection shown about the Giovanni's Table section.

Thanks all. OP here and returning from our cruise. Since my post, they extended their talks to Wednesday with our Halifax stop Thursday so still wasn't sure if we would be impacted. Then it got extended to Friday. Phew , our port stop not impacted....but we are from Toronto so wasn't sure the impact returning at the airport. Luckily it seems ok now and won't be delays returning. Glad others are not impacted too

I think it depends on the waiters (or what they've been told). One of our earlier cruises post the menu change on Oasis, I wanted to order both the lobster and the tortellini (as that is one of my favorites and both were on the same night and the pasta would work as a side). The waiter said I could have the tortellini but only after I finished the lobster. Thus, I think he was avoiding this scenario, or just in general two entrees. (He ended up bringing both anyways as he didn't want to disappoint). On our Odyssey xmas cruise this past December, our kids didn't want lobster. When they ordered something else, the waiter asked DH and I if we wanted him to bring us theirs so we could have two lobsters. So in this case, it was even his suggestion.

I think Allure used to have Chicago? Either way, it seems even if they do change, it's very rare and to expect the ships show to be the one that is showing for many years to come unless hear otherwise.

Would love to hear your suggestions. Thanks. 🙂