Liberty 7/31 - 8/7

[Scootch]

Hi All~

Back from our 6th cruise w/ CCL. Our group consisted of me, DH, 16 yr old DD and 17 yr old DS.

 

Pre-Cruise: Stayed night before at InterContinental in Miami. I made reservations in March and specifically asked for connecting room and for the one room to have two double beds. I was told a note was put on the reservation. We arrived early and rooms weren't ready and we didn't have connecting rooms. It's vacation, do I get angry or just go w/ it? We headed over to Bayside Mkt for lunch. Came back to only one room ready. Went up changed into swimming suits, hung at pool then headed down at 4:15 to see if other room ready. I was told, "no." I questioned why because I was told at 3:00 that the room would be ready by 4:00. Front desk called House keeping...the room was ready.

 

The next moring I was in the kids room helping them get stuff together when we heard pounding on the door to the room next to the kids room. (The kids room had a connecting door to the room next door, but not our room. Why they didn't give my husband and I that room, I will never know.) Not sure what this woman did, but there was lots of yelling and they took her away kicking and screaming. I was now really annoyed upset that the accomodations weren't right. What if I needed to get to the kids quickly, I wouldn't have been able to

 

We stayed at the InterContinental before and I love the location, but I'm not sure I will stay there next cruise. I spoke w/ the Manager who gave me 30% off, but he just didn't get it. When a mother asked for a connecting room, she has reasons. It's not like we wanted to party w/ our friends in the next room. I am thinking about filing a complaint w/ the Corporate office.

 

Cruise review. Please note that this is my opinion and what we experienced this trip.

 

Cab ride over to POM: Taxi driver passed up the drop off for Liberty even though I specifically told him Carnival Liberty when I got in the cab. The fare was less than a $1 more for the drive around, but watch out for this.

 

Embarkment: Easy and quick

 

Ship: Beautiful, clean. Crew not shaking hands because CCL was having a trial to see if the Noro Virus is possibly spread via crew members to guests.

 

Muster Drill: Now done in 5 languages. I only remember 2 last time....but my old memory could be failing me.

 

Hospitality of crew: Wonderful. These folks are hard working!!!

 

Room Stuart, Roel: Amazing

 

Bar staff: Greatift

 

Gift Shop: Nice sales on costume jewlery, staff very helpful. Cosmetics sold in gift show were never restocked and a very limited selection.

 

Cruise Director: This was Butch's last cruise on Liberty.

 

Entertainment: Ok. We enjoyed the comedians more than the Liberty singers and dancers. We didn't see that a magic show or any other variety show was offered. games....all the same, year after year. I'd like to see them change things up a bit. We may have missed it, but did check each day to see what entertainment was offered.

 

Silver Dinning Room: Not so hot! We found that the only steaks available in the dinning room are flat iron steak. Looks like they are pushing folks to the steak houses. Wait staff showed up at table w/ a bottle of water and a bottle of sparkling water and asked us which we would like. We had never had this happen before and and it had been two years since we sailed CCL so maybe this is new. Quick $20 lesson learned. Next time say "no" and ask for the water in the pitcher which wasn't offered nor did we see.

 

Food: I see the quality and variety declining. And I say this very sadly because we love CCL and have seen better in past years.

 

Excursions: I'm getting to the point where I just want to stay on the ship, but understand that I love the ship..... and I think I prefer the E. Caribbean to the W. Caribbean.

 

Cozumel - beaches are rocky, but we had fun w/ beach activities.

 

Grand Caymen - we did snorkling w/ swim w/ stingrays. Wonderful experience, but you aren't allowed to feed them anymore. The excursion guys go down and bring the rays over for you to pet. It's like petting a giant portabella mushroom. It was crowded so you didn't get to really interact. The excursion guides were very nice and helpful with snorkling.

 

Jamaica - this was the second time for DH and me to climb Dunn's River Falls. The guides are wonderful, but I don't care for the pushy Jamaicans who hound you to buy their wood carvings and other trinkets. The video was $30 when we went 2 yrs ago and now it is $40. My son gave him $30 and told him that is all we had. I know that is pretty pricey, but I try to be fair knowing these folks have to make a living. We then went to a beach that I think was just a road side view of the ocean and someone cleared the trees, cleaned it up a bit and threw some cheap beach chairs down. The sand was shelly, the first few feet in the water was a sea weedy, moldy type of growth on the bottom. I think this excursion was the Dunn's River and Bamboo Deluxe Beach Break....I wasn't tickled w/ it. We bourgh shirts, bags, etc....outside of the ship on the peir. We met a woman who was so sweet and helpful that we gave her all of our business....we just loved her and were happy to help her make a living. Yes, there were kids hanging on the fence asking for money. I had never seen that before. I gave one boy a $1.

 

Sushi bar: We were only able to get 3 pieces each trip to the sushi bar, but found that the same sushi was offered on the lido buffet each night.

 

Casino: Staff wonderful and my husband did have good luck, twice; $800 and $1300. Casino staff sent two plates of choc overed strawberries to our room.

 

I hope my review was helpful and please know that I don't mean to beat up on CCL, but we have seen some changes. I'm going to check out reviews for the other cruise lines to see if folks are reporting the same w/ the other lines. :)

 

Hapy sailing!

[GayleR]

Did you book all your excursions through the ship or private?

[goofytoo]

I am wondering if that connecting room was slotted to be your room but the crazy woman refused to leave. That would explain why you did not get a connecting room and why your room wasn't ready.

[fuzzmane]

My family and I were on the same cruise with you. I agree with your review. Had a great time, but have seen a decline in the food selection in mdr and the avaliblity o the Lido deck, used to be that all food areas were open now you really have to look for them. I guess everybody is having to cut back. But I will still be cruising. We are trying NCL in March. will let you know if it is a different.

[Princessbride3]

We were on Liberty june 26-july3 and found that the food wasnt as good as it was 2 yrs ago when we sailed her.. Loved Butch, thought he was a great cd.

 

I am hoping that they are reading reviews and changing things accordingly. We had a great cruise, but had some things that we thought werent as good as our first Liberty sailing.

[Scootch]

Did you book all your excursions through the ship or private?

 

We always book via ship....I'm not brave enough to do via independent agencies.....guess I should start researching reliable ones. :)

[Scootch]

I am wondering if that connecting room was slotted to be your room but the crazy woman refused to leave. That would explain why you did not get a connecting room and why your room wasn't ready.

 

When I explained that I made my request in March the explaination back to me was that large parties make reservations a year in advance. Well, she wasn't with any of the large parties that we saw gathering in the lobby....in fact the kids said they saw her in the hall way very scantily dressed. :rolleyes: Well, I hope things worked out for her.

[Scootch]

We were on Liberty june 26-july3 and found that the food wasnt as good as it was 2 yrs ago when we sailed her.. Loved Butch, thought he was a great cd.

 

I am hoping that they are reading reviews and changing things accordingly. We had a great cruise, but had some things that we thought werent as good as our first Liberty sailing.

 

I was sent an online survey which I completed immediately. I too hope they are taking our comments seriously. It's a great cruise line and I hate to see the changes.

[med2cruise]

We were on the same cruise and agree with everything written. Had a great time, everything was clean, staff was great.

 

We did book all of our own excursions, we didn't book any through Carnival.

 

We are considering another cruise next year and are looking at the Canival Pride or RC Enchantment. Not sure which way to go, but we did buy the certificate while we were there so at some point it will be another Carnival cruise.

[golfadj]

Taking this cruise in October.

 

What did you think of Wally B in the piano bar?

[Scootch]

Taking this cruise in October.

 

What did you think of Wally B in the piano bar?

 

 

Sorry, never made it there.

 

I will say that the entertainment in the hall next to the casino was very good....loud, but good.

[Scootch]

We were on the same cruise and agree with everything written. Had a great time, everything was clean, staff was great.

 

We did book all of our own excursions, we didn't book any through Carnival.

 

We are considering another cruise next year and are looking at the Canival Pride or RC Enchantment. Not sure which way to go, but we did buy the certificate while we were there so at some point it will be another Carnival cruise.

 

Not sure if we will do a RCCL or Princess next. I would only do Princess if the kids don't go. We have sailed RCCL and it is very nice...more expensive, but nice. My husband feels the extra money is worth it if there is more variety for food and we did find that RCCL did have much more of a selection.

[sharecruises]

I was on this same cruise April 24

 

they had the Village Idiots one night (juggle/comedy) and had a hypnotist one night...I imagine they had them on your cruise?? They had the 2 production shows and also the Big Band show and the guy was great....

 

>>JMO, bottled water is NOT usually free...

BUT....they always had ice water for us in glasses, they would pour that as soon as we sat down, they also gave us lemons when asked and then just brought dishes of sliced lemons

 

Sushi?? 3 pieces per plate...BUT you could get 2 plates at a time (did they add sushi police now or ??)

 

I really enjoyed the ship and the ports (tho our watier was not the best, really odd guy )

 

Carnival is adding a "comedy club" to ALL the ships, was it on Liberty now?? I love the comedy club idea

 

Thanks for your review

[flgojo]

Interesting observation reference to the flat iron steak and the steakhouse. I think you may be right on that one.

[SMSACE6]

To the OP, I agree with many of your opinions here. While I did have a wonderful cruise on the Liberty last October, I did notice a lot of the same things as you did.

 

I also miss the striploin steak in the MDR. I didnt order the flatiron but have seen it, and it just doesnt appeal to me, as it is covered in gravy, and you are probably right that this might be their way of getting people into the Steakhouse.

 

Im glad you had a chance to complete that survey, as Carnival should get some feedback from customers. I wish I had gotten one of those. Thanks for your honest review.:)

[golfadj]

I was on this same cruise April 24

 

they had the Village Idiots one night (juggle/comedy) and had a hypnotist one night...I imagine they had them on your cruise?? They had the 2 production shows and also the Big Band show and the guy was great....

 

>>JMO, bottled water is NOT usually free...

BUT....they always had ice water for us in glasses, they would pour that as soon as we sat down, they also gave us lemons when asked and then just brought dishes of sliced lemons

 

Sushi?? 3 pieces per plate...BUT you could get 2 plates at a time (did they add sushi police now or ??)

 

I really enjoyed the ship and the ports (tho our watier was not the best, really odd guy )

 

Carnival is adding a "comedy club" to ALL the ships, was it on Liberty now?? I love the comedy club idea

 

Thanks for your review

 

I understand the Liberty has the comedy club now. Have seen the village idiots before and not impressed.

 

Going on the Liberty in Oct and looking forward to a great time.

[PoofyTheCat]

Did you book the hotel directly or through a 3rd party? (Hotwire, Priceline, Expedia?)

 

I would never book two rooms and actually expect to get connecting rooms, especially for only a one night stay. I know you'll come back to say that the 87 billion times you've stayed at various hotels they have always met your wishes, but it's still a request, not part of the contract.

 

Not every room in the hotel has a connecting door to another room, and I am sure they will grant a request to a guest staying 7 days rather than only 1.

 

Consider getting a two bedroom suite next time.

 

Also, I checked the website of the hotel and check in time clearly states 4pm. I don't understand why you were upset at lunch time that your rooms were not ready.

 

I'm glad you had a good cruise, but I'll take your complaints with a grain of salt.

[Julycruise09]

I am leaving for this cruise on Saturday and was wondering how the CD is?? Thanks for the info, we are doing other ports so I will try and follow up with a review when I get back!!

[Scootch]

Did you book the hotel directly or through a 3rd party? (Hotwire, Priceline, Expedia?)

 

I would never book two rooms and actually expect to get connecting rooms, especially for only a one night stay. I know you'll come back to say that the 87 billion times you've stayed at various hotels they have always met your wishes, but it's still a request, not part of the contract.

 

Not every room in the hotel has a connecting door to another room, and I am sure they will grant a request to a guest staying 7 days rather than only 1.

 

Consider getting a two bedroom suite next time.

 

Also, I checked the website of the hotel and check in time clearly states 4pm. I don't understand why you were upset at lunch time that your rooms were not ready.

 

I'm glad you had a good cruise, but I'll take your complaints with a grain of salt.

 

Hi PoofyCat-

I booked directly via tha hotel and was told a note was put on the account. Also, I was very familiar w/ the hotel check in time..have stayed her a few times. My frustration came when the room wasn't ready at 4:00.

I think we all take these posts w/ a grain of salt because we all have our own opions.

Have a good day!:)

[going to see the world]

We started our last cruise with a bad hotel experience too...lol. We were staying in Baltimore, Microtel Inn & Suites the night before our cruise. The staff was super nice, especially the shuttle driver. However, when it came to get back to our room and get to sleep since we CLEARLY had a big day coming up :-D we were unable to do so because our lovely neighbors were VERY engaged in having a, to leave it PG I'll say a "good time" haha. First the desk attendant called them and asked them to keep the noise down. The girl apologized that the "tv was too loud". They continued to do their thing so we were moved to a better room so it all worked out. :-D

[Jrabbit128]

Quick question about the hotel. I am staying at the intercontinental one night pre and post Liberty this week. Last time we were in Miami, the cab driver wanted to charge me 2 arms and a leg to go directly from the hotel to the port. To save some money, we took the hotel's free shuttle to the airport and then took a cab for $24 to the port. Do you remember how much the cab was from the hotel to port? Was there a specific cab company or did the hotel call it in for you?

[PoofyTheCat]

Hi PoofyCat-

I booked directly via tha hotel and was told a note was put on the account. Also, I was very familiar w/ the hotel check in time..have stayed her a few times. My frustration came when the room wasn't ready at 4:00.

I think we all take these posts w/ a grain of salt because we all have our own opions.

Have a good day!:)

 

Thank you for responding. You have yourself a good day as well. :)

[md10074]

We were on the same cruise as you. I forgot about the guy going around in the dining room asking if we wanted bottled water. $20? I'm glad I said that I just want regular water. My son had that flatiron steak a couple of times and although I didn't taste it, he loved it and it looked very tender because I had to cut his meat for him. We enjoyed the food, but sad to hear that it used to be better.

 

My husband fell asleep every night at the shows except for the Motown one, which he loved because the guy got the audience involved. The Legends show was good too. I thought the others were kind of boring, and the Village Idiots were truly idiotic. A couple of the comedians at Punchliners were great though.

 

The muster drill-yeah I thought that was never going to end with all the different languages, although I thought they only repeated it in Spanish and French. I must have zoned out and missed the others. If I have to listen to all that in a real emergency, we'll drown before they finish! Maybe they should have special stations for those who don't speak English so they can just give the instructions to them in their language instead of having to go through so many languages.

 

I didn't know that we weren't allowed to feed the stingrays. No wonder they didn't feed them when we went to Stingray City, and no wonder there weren't that many there. Yeah, they did feel like mushrooms. LOL

 

We did Dunn's River Falls too and paid the $40 for the vidoe and gave the guy a tip and the guide too. No wonder they treated us so nice! They deserved it though because they did treat everyone nice and really helped me up those rocks and when my daughter and I chickened out, the video guy tried to get me to come back in.

 

We enjoyed Cozumel, but we went to Nachi Cocum and didn't find the beaches rocky. It was beautiful!

 

I also bought a future cruise certificiate, but I think at some point we want to try the Oasis or another RC cruise. I think it would be good to compare them.

[JackieH]

Thanks for posting your reveiw. We will be on the same cruise in less then two weeks.

[Scootch]

I am leaving for this cruise on Saturday and was wondering how the CD is?? Thanks for the info, we are doing other ports so I will try and follow up with a review when I get back!!

 

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. If you like costume jewlery they were having great sales in the gift show. And I highly recommend the burrito bar.

 

Butch was the CD and his last voyage was the week we sailed. His Assist., was taking over....I think his name was Ryan. Unfortunately, I can't give you any info on him....only saw him for 5 min when I was watching the CD morning show on the TV.

 

Happy sailing!