derksta

Great review! Will be aboard the liberty in 15 days and can't wait! :)

Me too!!!

We loved that location! No problems at all, and it's right outside the atrium, where it's easy access to the LIDO activities (aft) and the Lobby Atrium elevators right outside. No noise complaints that I can think of...even though guest laundry services were right across the room.

 

And it's just down the hall a little way to the "secret" doors leading to the front ;)

GREAT Review! We're stayin in this room (and 9270) in a little under 3 weeks and would love to see pics of the room if you have them. Thanks again for posting the review.

Great review and awesome pics! I can really appreciate good picture taking and you take great pics. I was on the Liberty, a couple weeks after you, so it's interesting to get your take on it. One comment - we stayed on Lido, as well - I have no idea the name of our steward because he never introduced himself, but we only saw him on the first day and the last night. So, it's interesting that you only saw your steward once. I wonder if it has something to do with the supervisor on Lido, maybe he's to blame and not the actual steward. Our cabin was adequate, but I have had such better cabin service on Carnival, in the past - and I'm not one who ever complains- but the cabin was a little off on this cruise. We even had an incident, on the last evening - I'm not going to go into it, but it was very strange and my husband has contacted Carnival (since we've been home) about it. Anyway, can't wait to read the rest of your review.

I'm staying in a Lido Deck balcony in 19 days...both of your comments about not seeing your cabin steward are quite interesting to me...also, what was your "incident" if you don't mind. I'm going to have my 3 kids with me so I'd like to be aware of any potential issues.

Thanks,

Derek

DS came home earlier today from his steel drum lesson (his grandfather ended up taking him) with homework / practice music. The song? "Margaritaville"! How perfect! He also got the "in the jungle" song from the Lion King. So I'll have some fun steel drum music to listen to' date=' at least!

 

I realized I forgot to tell you about our autistic moment on Grand Cayman day. We made it through this whole week without having any significant incidents (which is a miracle!), but while we were on the tender from the port in Grand Cayman to the ship, it happened. I should have expected it, because I knew DS was overwhelmed by the excitement of trying two new things (dolphin encounter and swimming with stingrays) combined with so much anxiety-inducing wait time in between activities (especially with the uncertainty involved in them). Plus, he was hungry (wouldn't eat at Margaritaville and had only had a bag of chips for lunch) and it was hot. The tender was crowded, and we ended up on the bottom level again, which unloads last. He was also upset with me because when we got off the ship in Grand Cayman, he was worried we would miss the last tender and get left behind. I had told him that we would be on a tender at least an hour before the ship left. He interpreted this to mean that we would catch a tender at least an hour before the last tender. When he found out that we were leaving Margaritaville just in time to catch the "last tender" he panicked and got upset with me for "lying" to him. In his mind, there was at least some chance that, even though we were on a tender, the ship would leave without us, leaving him "lost" and hungry in Grand Cayman.

 

As soon as we got on the tender, he was showing signs that he was stressed and about to react, and I tried to help him calm down. He was fine until we got back to the ship and it took a really long time to unload (not so bad for most passengers, too much for him, an eternity for a mom trying to talk a kid with Aspergers through it). He started wringing his hands (first sign that he is no longer in control) and rocking from one foot to another. Then he complained loudly and whined about wanting to get off the tender NOW! After a few minutes of unsuccessfully calming himself, he started tearing up, and I knew I needed to help him. So, I left DD with DH, got mine and DS's sign and sail cards and helped him inch along the edge moving in front of others to get to the door. We made a deal that if I could get him to the door, he would check in and go to our room to wait for us. I would wait for DD and DH to catch up at the door.

 

People were not happy with us, and I get it. It looks like two selfish people trying to jump in front of everybody who really wants to get off the tender too. We didn't push anybody or move too quickly....we just moved along the edge and took advantage of opening spaces. I still felt terrible. I said "excuse me" a few times, but it seemed to just bring on more eye rolls or disgusted looks, like I was acting more important than everyone else. I didn't know what else to do but announce that my DS has an Autism spectrum disorder, but I couldn't do that to him, so we just went on. We finally got to the door and DS, after seeing that I was physically on the ship and therefore would not be left behind, went through security and on his way while I waited for the rest of my family to catch up.[/quote']

 

I too am humbled by your patience and wisdom! You remind me of my wife...she too show's me how to deal with life with grace and tact on a daily basis (I'm not always the best student but I do learn from her). I'm glad you and your beautiful family had fun on your trip and thanks for taking the time to write this great review. You're making me REALLY long for my Oct. 20th Liberty Cruise. We're taking our 3 kids (DS16, DD12, and DS6) on there first cruise and my moms going as well. Can't wait...thanks again.