realtrip

Hello Real Trip, Thank you for the review. We will be on the Liberty in just a few weeks.

 

Wondering what kind of safes did they have in the cabins, the ones that use a magnetic stip card, or the kind you type in a code?

The magnetic strip. We used an expired Costco card. But, OMG, one day the safe would not open. I was freaked out. Finally my hubby took a chance and tried his sail and sign card and it worked. He had accidentally locked the safe with his card. Sheesh, every time we got on and off the ship after that they had to punch in his room number. The s&s card still worked on the cabin door so we didn't bother to get a new card. When I was done freaking out, it was really quite funny.:D

Thanks for doing the review. I liked that it was short and to the point! Did you have a good time???

An excellent time, thank you.

We did the same thing January 5th, 2014.

They guys had the beer us girls had the 3 daiquiris for 20$.

Beautiful view.

Water shoes would be useful here.

hi

free loungers. They have plenty in the shade. They don't take sign and sail card for purchases.

Clam shell not really needed.

Pool area doesn't have any sand so easy access with a cane.

Thanks for the review. She's our favorite ship! We'll be sailing her soon.

 

:)

Very soon I see! Have a great trip.

:D

Glad to hear another good review of the Liberty, makes me even more excited to sail her in May. I'm glad you had a good cruise with your family.

Thanks.

Enjoy, we left her nice and tidy for you.:D

Thanks for the review! We are going on Liberty next month and I'm thinking about Secret Harbor also. Where did you catch the taxi from? Was it very crowded there when you went? Thanks

Hi

we started to get the taxi right off the ship after the chain link fence but they were charging ten bucks per person each way so we said no and walked away. A few steps later, a lady taxi driver offered to take us for 8 $. Bet we should have kept walking all the way to the end of the shops; we probably would have paid even less. Regardless, we really liked our driver; she was full of info about her home.

Secret Harbor was not full. Beware though that if you want a sun lounger these are set up at a not so great section of the beach. We ended up laying out on our towels to get a nicer view and less people. Secret Harbor is actually a resort so they keep their chairs for their guests and would not allow us to rent those prime seats. The bar and restaurant had reasonable rates and the restrooms were clean.

We were told by an American woman who was staying nearby that the sand fleas come out in droves at around 3:30. We left at 3:00 and never saw any.

Next time, I think I will go back to Coki beach which I did like a bit more.

Welcome back. Can you tell me what your platinum gift was? Thanks!! :)

Hi

It was the cooler bag.

I think so. On deck 4 near the aft dining room. But not 100% sure people smoked cigars in there or not.

Hi everyone,

We were on the Liberty , Jan 4 to 11.

My family: me (46, hubby, 49, DD 17)

My mom

My sister's family ( sister 42, hubby 50, DS 7)

Pre cruise: January 1 and 2 stayed in Fort Lauderdale at the Embassy suites. Great stay. beautiful pool, nightly manager's cocktail, excellent free breakfast.

January 3rd, met up with my sister's family at the airport we shuttled to the airport with Jiffy Jeff shuttle and then headed to comfort inn and suites Miami airport. Jiffy Jeff was great, quick, efficient. The hotel was so-so. Ok for 1 night but yucky neighbourhood. In the morning we took the free airport shuttle back to the Miami airport and got a taxi to the port ( 24$ flat rate). The hotel did offer a shuttle but at 10$ a person and starting too late for us.

I am Platinum , sis and mom purchased FTTF ( they did not need it though, wish we had known... they were told to board with us because we are a group traveling together (3 rooms- separate bookings)), never thought that would work, so 100$ wasted. Oh, well.

We were on board , rooms ready , and eating at the Wok station by 12.

We were on deck 7 Aft, 2 insides, 1 balcony. Quiet all week. We slept really soundly.

Ports of call

Nassau we went to Tiki Bikini beach bar. Got to swim a bit ( water shoes would have been useful, very rocky, shelly bottom), the gyus had the three beers, 3 shots for 10$ deal, the girls got the three Miami vices for 20$ deal. Delicious!

St Thomas: we went to secret harbour beach. it was beautiful. Our destination was originally sapphire beach but all the facilities were closed. Taxi cost 8$ per person each way, free for young child. Beach was free, had a margarita for 7$. Chairs were 10.

Grand Turk was another beach day. Lovely set up with very soft sand at the beach, and a huge pool and pool bar. We didn't get anything as the ship was literally right in front of us. We reboarded for a late lunch and hopped back off for some late afternoon shopping.

Puerto Rico: we were going to do the Segway with Segway tours PR but I don't think the guide was very motivated to give us a tour as there were only 3 of us.

He kept telling us how dangerous Segways are and how we can be terribly injured. I chickened out and he refused to do the tour for just my daughter and hubby.

We ended taking the free trolleys around, went to the castle and fort ( 5$ per person for both) and did a bit of shopping.

The ship was very quiet overall. I usually travel in high season, this was very different.

We saw the comedy shows. Lots of fun but surprisingly not crowded.

We never went to piano bar, when we walked by there were few people there.

We attended the shows in the theater. We liked the Rock show and ventriloquist. Didn't go to welcome aboard or the final show as we were too tired.

The past guest party was nice. Danced a bit, got free drinks ; we tipped a buck each round and got plenty of Champagne for me and red wine for hubby.

The main dining room was the old menu. We had dinner at 6. The food was terrific but the service was really slow. I wonder if our team was new as their section was always the last to leave the dining room. No matter, we always made it just in time for the comedy shows at 7:45, only had to skip dessert once. We meant to get some after the comedy at the buffet but we forgot. Goes to show we REALLY didn't need dessert, lol!

Let me know if I can answer any questions.

This is the tote I got on Sensation last month. The bottom portion is insulated for snacks, drinks, etc. It's a nice bag!

 

I got the same on Liberty week of January 4, 2014.

They also have Clinique products.

We did this on January 3rd, 2014.

We got Jiffy Jeff ( he has a web site) shuttle from FLL to our hotel in Miami airport area. He got us from airport at 8 pm ( our flight was delayed and he kept track of us). He dropped us off at comfort inn and suites in Miami just before 9 pm. Very friendly and efficient. We booked him online on the 31 of December and confirmed by phone on the 2nd. Cost was 15 per person. Clean, nice van ( Mercedes). There were 7 of us.

I would say "A" because I would actually get some sleep the night before the cruise. If it were me and I tried to do the "B" option I would just lay in bed thinking about everything and telling myself "you need to go to sleep" and still be awake when the alarm went off. Then I would be really tired and miserable that first day. Have a great trip.

OMG!!!!!

You are so right!

You'd worry about every possible thing that could wrong. Definitely go for option A.

Great questions. I'm hoping for answers to. I'll just tag along on your thread with you:D

Our flight into Orlando is at 8:00 the night before our cruise in March. I couldn't find any shuttles that ran that late. They all stopped around 6:00. We are staying at the Cocoa Beach Comfort Inn & Suites because of that. They have a package that includes the transportation from the airport to the hotel and back to the airport after the cruise. They also include the shuttle to the port. The hotel said they use Travelynx for the airport shuttle. I called Travelynx to get a quote. They said that because I had a "late" flight arrival, they would have to charge $100 for the two of us. DH didn't want to rent a car, so I chose to stay at the Comfort Inn and use the package price. Renting a car may be the cheaper option for you, especially if you are traveling with others back to the airport after the cruise.

We did this last year ( the comfort inn suites package). The hotel is kind of run down but it will be fine for 1 night. The shuttle worked fantastically. Right on time. Easy to find from port back to airport.

Shops right across the street if you need to pick up some wine for the cruise.

They have three levels of wine package. Each package has several wines to choose from ( red-white- rosé-bubbly). Once you purchase the package they will give you 5 tickets to use to exchange for any bottle from the level you purchased.

You can use the tickets to get a bottle of wine for the cabin for a pre dinner drink or you can get a bottle for dinner, it's up to you.

We usually get the package because it's easy. You can exchange your ticket at almost any bar on the ship.

We also like the atrium for pre dinner drinks. Nice music, great spot to people watch.

Have a great cruise!

I ordered this yesterday and got an email confirmation.

I also gave my email for the gift recipient so my sister wouldn't know before I gave it to her.

I'll wrap the confirmation and give that to her Christmas day.

Belize go for cave tubing. Our girls were in their early teens and they loved it.

Cozumel we love Paradise beach. beautiful. lots of water toys. super easy to get to by taxi. Inexpensive.

Costa Maya great beach day for the kids. Fabulous beach massage for mom ( 25$)! The Tropicana is owned by an American ex pat. He lets you use phone and internet for free.

Paradise beach and tropicana have web sites you can check out.

Considering that most cruise ships have two dining rooms, perhaps it's time that the cruise lines consider making one dining room for formal dining for those that like to dress up, and one for casual dining, where the dress code would be less restrictive. However, for those that want to only dress like they're going to a beachfront grille, they would still have the option of the buffet. Maybe if the cruise lines did this, people would stop worrying about what someone else is wearing to dinner. :cool:

Oh, what a great idea! I love to dress up so I'd get to go to the fancy dining room without paying for the steak house.

I can't speak for other parts of the US, but I live in the Southeast and "family style" dining is quite nice. A wide range of side dishes and appetizers that everyone can pick from and share. I think this is good and offers more variety at one seating instead of picking only one or two appetizers a night. I'm sure there will still be the usual starters for those who aren't into "family style" dining or just don't like the appetizers offered. An interesting development to say the least.

 

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Agree! They say they will try it on the Liberty in January. Fingers crossed, we sail on the 4th. I'll report back asap.

Hi

the 5 bottle wine package is on sale on the first day when you get onboard. You can't miss it. Usually by the main pool. They also sell unlimited soda and juice packages ( I think 7 or 8$ a day) but you have to buy for the week not by the day.

Husband and I would like a drink or 2 or 3 everyday...can you buy a bottle on board and just keep in the room? or any package that includes a few drinks aday? Hello to a fellow Canadian, There is a wine package you can get. 5 bottles for about 100 bucks.You can bring on a bottle of wine or champers per adult at departure port (make sure it's in your carry-on). If you go on Carnival bon voyage, you can buy a bottle of rhum, vodka... for about 70$ for a liter. Then you can make your own cocktails.

 

any tips on saving on booze welcome. Go to wine -food pairing

 

Also regarding food any 24 hour snack bar? Dinner any alternative to the sit down formal dining? Free room service, few bucks tip, free pizza, ceasr sald at pizza bar 24 hrs a day.

 

Also 1 last question? is Atlantis doable ? our ship stops at Nassau (Departing March 9th)

 

FInal question - 1st time cruising - do I budget for any other expense besides graturites and excursion? any hidden fees?

Thanks every one. Fantastic advice!

Thanks everyone for all the insight on the Legend!