Carnival does it again, liberty review w/pics

[SASA13]

Carnival does it again, they have met and exceeded my expectations on this cruise. DH and I are "go with the flow" type of people who take setbacks with a grain of salt ( preferably on the rim of a marguerita glass), and we look for fun in everything around us. All I want on vacation is a good time, good food, good service and a lot of fun, and Carnival always delivers. They are truly the Funship. We did the Eastern itinerary 09/03 thru 09/10.

 

Embarkation: We flew from Newark ( NJ ) to Miami the morning of the cruise. We took a taxi from the airport to the cruise terminal. The flat rate fee is $24.00. We asked the cab driver to stop at a Walgreens ( yes Walgreens in Florida sells wine and champagne, in NJ they do not). The cab driver was more than willing to make the stop for us and I picked up a bottle of each and off we went. We arrived at the cruise terminal about 11 am, used the Kiosk's to check in, got our sign and sail cards and we were given zone 11. While waiting for embarkation to begin, they had hoola hoops and a limbo contest going on . The entire place was buzzing with people anxious to start their vacation. You could feel the energy in the room, and this added to everyone's anticipation of setting foot ( and make sure you step on with your right foot) on the gangplank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Once inside the ship, the first thing I noticed was the beauty of the atrium. The ever changing lights are fantastic. We immediately went up to Lido for lunch. We had a few salads from the buffet and a few cookies, then went to see if our cabin was ready, which was also on Lido, my favorite deck to stay on. The room was ready and I started unpacking immediately. Having been on CCL before, I know exactly where to put all my things and I am unpacked in no-time. I love CCL's cabins as they are larger and have more storage space than other cruise lines we have been on. We stayed on the balcony for a bit watching the porters load the suitcases. We also saw other deliveries, I am assuming they were food . This is the first time we had the regular chair on the balcony, plus another chair which had an adjustable back. It reminded me of a sand chair. It was low to the ground, but you can adjust the back to recline a bit. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Normally there are a few sprinkles of rain in Miami, but not this time.

 

 

 

 

 

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There was a knock on the door and we were given a plate of chocolate covered strawberries from the Bon Voyage dept. Prior to the cruise, I had contacted the Ocean Players Club to see if we qualified for anything, and I was told DH qualified for the Deluxe Bon Voyage package. I was thrilled to death with the six strawberries, and they were delicious. I thought that was the Deluxe package, but there were to be more surprises given to us that night at the dining room.

It was then time for the lifeboat drill, and when it was over we went down to one of our favorite spots on any ship, the Casino. We had our sign and sail cards punched and were given a lanyard. We both got red ones this trip. We had a few coupons to redeem for casino cash, and after giving them to the girl at the desk, she asked us to come back after half an hour so she can verify them. That was fine by us, as we hit the slots until the half hour was over. They have Slingo slot machines which are a blast to play. During the cruise I hardly ever got a seat at Slingo, as they are very popular and people line up to wait and play them ( there are only 2 in the entire casino).

 

 

 

 

 

After playing in the casino, we went to change for dinner. We stopped by the free liquor tasting on the way, where they give you a shot of a liquor of their choice, and then they ask if you would like to try something else. They also had samples of Rum Cake. Everyone was lining up for the free tastes, and many were purchasing the liquor. A lot of people did not realize that they could not bring the bottles back to their cabins, and that they save them for you until the last evening. After our free taste, we headed to the Golden dining room. We had anytime dining, and showed up about 8:00 pm, and there was no wait. Once seated, the hostess came and presented us with the rest of our Deluxe Bon Voyage Package, which was 4 drink coupons, a $15 photo coupon and a bottle of champagne. We asked if we could save the champagne for the first formal night, and she said that would be fine. Our waiter that evening seemed as though he was not very happy with his job. He was not talkative, and was very slow. I made sure we did not get him the second evening.

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After dinner it was show time. The Welcome Aboard show was very good, and Cruise director Kirk was fantastic . He is very energetic and funny, and really knew how to work the crowd.

After the show, it was a quick stop on Lido for a cup of coffee, and then off to bed. We were exhausted.

Half Moon Cay:

We were in no rush to get off the boat, as we prefer to let the crowds die down for the tenders.

We had a leisurely breakfast and then made our way down to the waiting area about 11 pm . We were given a numbered sticker, and our number was called in less than 15 minutes. The tender ride over to the island was quick, and once on land it was not too difficult to find two empty chairs.

 

 

We took a quick dip in the water and it was off to the buffet lunch. They have hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, salads, fruit, cookies and cakes. They also have water or lemonade and if you would like something else to drink, you simply charge it on your sign & sail card. After lunch, it was back in the water. Half Moon Cay is one of our favorites. The water is crystal clear, and the Bar in the ship is a jumping place. They have great music playing and everyone is having a great time.

 

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We headed back to the ship about 4 pm, took a shower and a nap and then opened up a bottle of wine and enjoyed it on the balcony. We went to dinner about 8 pm again and asked not to be seated at the waiter's table that we had the night before. We were seated in another section and we hit on an excellent wait staff, which we requested every night afterwards. Armon and crew ( Ida and Ronald) were very talkative, pleasant, upbeat and you could tell they enjoyed their work ( or at least that is how it appreard ) They were quick, and remembered our preferences (extra lemon and hot sauce ). I don't remember what we ate that night, but I am sure it was good or I would have remembered. All the food we had in the Dining Room was very good. It always came out hot and I have no complaints whatsoever about any of the food. Their soups are absolutely delicious and we always pick at few appetizers to taste.

After dinner it was the usual show and casino. They have nightly music outside the Casino, by the Casino bar which was very good. Everyone was dancing and singing and just having a great time. I enjoy listening to the music while playing the slots. After the slots sucked up my money, I went up to the cabin to see what towel animal was waiting for me.

 

I then watched some TV and fell asleep. One of the many things I love about CCL is their television programming. Not that I spend much time watching TV, but I like to relax and fall asleep while watching TV at night. CCL has 3 channels that each show a movie all day. They also have CNN, TNT, ABC, CBS, and few ship channels and others. CCL has the most channels than any other cruise line I have been on.

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Sea Day :

Sea Days are my favorite days. I guess since we have been to most ports ( all on this trip) we have "been there and done that" and we just love being out at sea. We always bring insulated coffee mugs ,so as soon as I awake, it is off to the coffee station on Lido ( which is where our cabin was). Their coffee is not bad, and it stays hot in the mugs, and is much easier to carry back to the cabin where I enjoy it on the balcony. Once DH wakes , it is back to Lido for more coffee and a danish, pastry, or croissant and back to the balcony. The breakfast buffet has a nice variety of items including oatmeal, pancakes, french toast, eggs, an omelete station where they will make you an omelete, various pastry, danish, muffins, breads, bagels etc. They also had a carving station with ham, and they have sausage, bacon etc. etc. The juice they serve at breakfast is orange, apple, and a combo of orange and guava, which is absolutely delicious. Yes, there are lines at the buffet, but it never bothered me. We also bring insulated drink bottles with us, so if desired we can fill one up with juice at breakfast and keep it for later on in the day.

After breakfast, we went to the Casino, and the Slingo hogs were out in full force. Yes, there was a line on the slingo machine, so we found a few other machines to play. DH hit 1500 points on his casino card, which entitles you to free drinks in the casino, for the rest of the cruise. He took his card to the desk and they gave him another card to hang on the chain with his sign and sail card which said Drinks are on us. You have to sign a receipt when you get a drink, as I think they are keeping track of how many free drinks you are getting. I remember reading somewhere that the limit is 2 drinks per hour.

We left the casino, put on our bathing suits and hit Lido. There was never a problem finding chairs in the afternoon. The two piece band / DJ's were playing and the pool and sauna's were packed with people having a good time. The weather was beautiful and we hung out until 6 PM.

 

 

 

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Went back to the cabin, showered dressed and it was off to formal night. We stopped and had a few pictures taken. It is fun, and if you don't want to purchase them, after finding your face on the wall with thousands of other pics, you just toss them in the trash. Dinner was lobster tail and 3 shrimp. DH ordered two plates for himself. We asked for our champagne that night, and enjoyed every drop of it.

 

After dinner it was show time, then off to donate to the casino again. There was music playing all around us and the casino was packed. Let me mention that the casino now has a Smoking Section, and so does the casino bar. I must say that the smoking section seemed to have more people than the non-smoking section. Perhaps it only seemed that way because there are less Smoking machines than Non-Smoking. I did notice that after Midnight or so, people were walking around with cigarettes, and there was smoking going on at the Non-smoking machines. A problem that I noticed was that the smoking tables ( poker, etc) are limited, and there were non-smokers hogging up the seats, and a few patrons were getting upset and complaining to the casino host.

After a few Kiss on the Lips ( a mango drink that had peach schnapps and I have no clue what else in it, but they were delicious) and a bit of dancing , it was off to the cabin.

 

 

Next up: St. Thomas. Have to get ready to go to work. I will try to finish this up tonight.

[CrimsonQueen]

Loving your review so far...thanks for taking the time to share with us. We have this same itinerary in March 2012.....you are so whetting our appetite! :D

[gail811]

Great pictures and I am loving the review! Will sail the Liberty for the first time in March and loved the pictures of the atrium. Thanks!

[gelo7]

Loving your review so far, keep it coming.

[Lv2Camp&Cruise]

Loving your review. We sailed on the Liberty 5 years ago and would love to go back. Our cruise was postponed 2 days due to a Norovirus breakout when the Liberty did the transatlantic to the states. Not only did we miss 2 days but the crew just seemed worn out. Many had been sick and the others were working around the clock cleaning the ship. But she is a beauty and we hope to sail her again in the future.

[SASA13]

The Liberty was absolutely beautiful, and after she goes into Drydock in October, she will be better than ever. I was asking several crew members about the Drydock changes, and they all said there will be changes to the dining room, the adult pool and a few other things. I don't know if they didn't know specifics, or if they were not able to share them with the guests. One crewmember mentioned that he loves when a ship goes in Drydock, as the crew is allowed to use the pools and saunas after their work day is done 8 PM. I will get the rest of the review going shorty.

[okwriter]

Nice review and excellent pictures! :)

 

That really is a beautiful atrium! Hope I get to sail on that ship someday.

[smokenmadelia]

Great review so far can't wait for the rest. One question how do you contact the Ocean Players Club? That seemed very nice. Thank You:)

[mommiemudd]

Can't wait for the rest! Question for you, I have a ten yr old that willl live on the slide, where is a good spot to sit to view the slide area and tohang out for the day?

[ibcnusoon]

Thanks for the review! We are sailing on the Liberty in November but to the "exotic" western caribbean! Looking forward to reading about the rest of your week!

[posingcarrot]

I am loving this review! We are going on this itenerary in June 2012 and are so excited. Your pictures are great, can't wait to read the rest.

[mrpayroll]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. We will be leaving FREEZING Michigan in January to go on the same itinerary...:)

[Buckett]

Looking forward to the rest of your review, thanks for taking the time to post it. Also that one picture you took looking out of that crooked hole on the old ship on HMC was awesome! It almost didn't look real. Great shot. :)

[marshalltp]

Can't wait for the rest! Question for you, I have a ten yr old that willl live on the slide, where is a good spot to sit to view the slide area and tohang out for the day?

 

We like to sit in the deck alcove area overlooking the Lido and immediately beside the entrance to the water slide......that way we can get some sun, see all of the Lido activities, people gawk, and check in with our son every few minutes....

[SASA13]

Great review so far can't wait for the rest. One question how do you contact the Ocean Players Club? That seemed very nice. Thank You:)

 

I emailed them at: oceanplayersclub.com

I told them my name, the ship I was going to be sailing on, the date, my cabin number etc. and asked if I or DH had earned anything for the upcoming trip. They emailed me back the next day stating my husband was would receive the Deluxe Bon Voyage package. I printed the email and took it with me, just in case.

[SASA13]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. We will be leaving FREEZING Michigan in January to go on the same itinerary...:)

 

You will have a blast. It is funny, I asked our tour guide in St. Thomas ( did the St. John excursion) what was the temp in Dec/ Jan on the island. He told me it is "freezing" that time of year. It is 70 to 75 degrees. I had to laugh myself silly. That sounds like heaven to me :)

[mommiemudd]

We like to sit in the deck alcove area overlooking the Lido and immediately beside the entrance to the water slide......that way we can get some sun, see all of the Lido activities, people gawk, and check in with our son every few minutes....

 

 

 

Thanks!!

[ibcnusoon]

You will have a blast. It is funny, I asked our tour guide in St. Thomas ( did the St. John excursion) what was the temp in Dec/ Jan on the island. He told me it is "freezing" that time of year. It is 70 to 75 degrees. I had to laugh myself silly. That sounds like heaven to me :)

 

 

Reminds me of my mother-in-law! We usually visit them in South Florida over the Christmas holidays and every year she says "Bring warm clothes --- lots of sweats and long pants/shirts". Every year we come down and it's beautiful and in the upper 70s, in the meantime it's in the low 20s here at home, last year we had the blizzard!

[swimmom32]

Loving your Review so far and the pics...We sail on Liberty for thanksgiving....Maybe They will add a Water Works...lol

I will say when you mentioned the SLINGO machine well that is my Favorite...and when we were in atlantic city years ago I hit 2800 bucks on the slingo...:)

 

Cant wait for the rest of the Review, as we are doing the Western