Liberty of the Seas TA April 14, 2012 FLL-BCN

[Chicken_Lips]

Well folks, I've never been to the Carribean before. What should a first timer do in Nassau? The beach? Nassau sightseeing? Since I'm extending my trip in Spain after the cruise, the beach isn't a very big priority. I've heard that the Carribean isn't too gay friendly. Anything to fear in Nassau? Thanks.

[hotdog647]

Trivia Question: What is the most visited foreign cruise port in the world? Answer: Nassau. Nassau depends on money from cruise tourists, and therefore can't afford to be labelled as unsafe, unfriendly to any race or creed or group of people, or anything which could deter from getting this much needed source of income. Does that mean same sex open displays of affection, or hitting up on everly good looking man will be well received by the locals? Probably not. But its certainly not the same level of homophobia and hatred you find in Jamaica. You should have a fun day there whatever you choose to do. Doug

[091971Cruiser]

As for Nassau, I think we might not even get off the boat. Seems every time we go there it gets less appealing. Who knows what will happen the day we make port.

[sumorai]

Is the Atlantis resort worth while venturing into and how much would it cost?

[AFuncruiser]

Well folks, I've never been to the Carribean before. What should a first timer do in Nassau? The beach? Nassau sightseeing? Anything to fear in Nassau? Thanks.

 

Refering to fear, I would not walk around holding hands and you will be ok...

 

Nassau,

There are usually three or four ships in port and that means many people in town.. The hike from the ship to the port exit is perhaps 1/3 mile. Once out of the port area the main shopping street is one big block away. I usually walk off ship exit port walk up to the main street turn right walk a few blocks past typical tourist shops tee shirts, jewelry etc and about three blocks down the main street is what used to be a straw market and is now a new enclosed market area that was under construction last fall and should be done now. I walk through the enclosed market area and back to the shore and there is a Senor Frogs that I enjoy having a beer while overlooking the ships. Than back to the ship. With three or four block shopping area is a small local store to stock up on chips, nuts, coke, water etc for our crossing. If you like big flashy casinos and big aquariums a trip to Pleasure Island and Atlantis is about a $10.00 cab ride.

Dennis

475 days at sea

40 cruises

11 cruise lines

T/P, T/A, Hawaii, Central & South America, New Zealand & South Pacific, Rio/ Amazon

[tvlman]

;) Hello Everyone, Im Fabio from Miami, and Ive booked TransAtlantic on Liberty...this is my 2nd TransAtlantic. I cruised last year on Adventure of the Seas TransAtlantic from San Juan ..it was Great! Look forward to meeting everyone...

[AFuncruiser]

Welcome Fabio

[cruise pup]

Hi all. Sorry it took so long to post but I completely forget to check this board to see if there was a roll call too. I'd love to play bridge but it's been over 30 years since I last played. So if you don't mind having an extra dummy in the game, I'd like to at least try to play. I remember it's spades, hearts, diamond, clubs. Right?

 

As for dinner, I'm on late booking but enough people decide to sit together I'm sure there will be no problem changing my reservation if it's going to be early seating. But just keep in mind that we will be in port in Cadiz and Valencia past 6 pm.

 

Anyway, glad to be here.

 

Scooter

[lkushnerid]

Hi,

My partner and I just booked Liberty OTS for the transatlantic crossing with all of you on April 14th.

We are from South Florida,near Ft. Lauderdale.

Looking forward to chatting and meeting everyone.

Larry and David

[daviddfld]

Hi Guys,

 

I'm Larry's other half, and I look forward to spending 2 weeks with you all on Liberty. We just booked today after trying to decide on what east-bound TA to take. More difficult was finding return air from Barcelona to Miami at this late date but managed to find a non-stop flight on AA.

 

We have a balcony guarantee reservation, and selected 8:30 dining as we always do.

 

This will be transatlantic crossing #8 for us.

 

David

[cruise pup]

This will be transatlantic crossing #8 for us.

 

Well just continue doing them until you get it right!;)

 

I gather that all you seasoned cruisers are aware that RCCL doesn't publish the FOD meeting times in the Cruise Compass. They put them on the Community Bulletin Board near the Guest Relations desk.

[daviddfld]

We're not big Royal Caribbean cruisers ... we favor Celebrity, but we're trying to get to Diamond Plus on Royal for the amenities benefits.

 

Our favorite place on Celebrity ships is the Martini Bar every evening before dinner. Does anyone know if Liberty has a similar venue?

 

David

[hotdog647]

David & Larry: Doug from other CC board again. It's my first cruise on Liberty, but usually Royal has a champagne bar instead of martini bar. I hope they can give you diamond+ status as celebrity does for us. There is a diamond and above lounge that offers free wine, champagne, cocktails and snacks from around 5-830pm nightly. Plus several other events you might enjoy.

 

CruisePup Scooter: aFuncruiser Dennis is the man to contact about bridge. We have chatted online and he seems like a great guy to get to know better.

 

For all: My cabin mate Bob (bobcruise45) has made a spreadsheet for this sailing called 'The Libertines'. If you'd like to be added please email him directly at bob.egan@gmail.com. It lists cabins, names, other info you wish to share or not, dining time etc. We are linking reservations for a large table at early dining.

 

There will be more gay couples and singles sailing with us than you would think from reading this board. Looking forward to meeting you all. My email is

FL352@aol.com

 

Doug

[cruise pup]

We're not big Royal Caribbean cruisers ... we favor Celebrity, but we're trying to get to Diamond Plus on Royal for the amenities benefits.

 

Our favorite place on Celebrity ships is the Martini Bar every evening before dinner. Does anyone know if Liberty has a similar venue?

 

David

 

Olive or Twist in the Viking Crown Lounge is supposed to be the martini bar. There may also be a martini menu in the Champagne Bar.

[LJShore]

I couldn't find a thread either. This is my first crossing so I'm looking forward to it. I'd also like to find out if others are interested in shore excursions other than what RC offers. I especially want to go to Granada.

[cruise pup]

I couldn't find a thread either. This is my first crossing so I'm looking forward to it. I'd also like to find out if others are interested in shore excursions other than what RC offers. I especially want to go to Granada.

 

Is this what you mean by a thread?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1392399

[tvlman]

My cabin mate Bob made our reservation at the Hotel Platjador.

http://www.gaysitgesguide.com/hotels/hotel-platjador.html

Others have told me the Best Western is good but this one is all gay, has a sauna, is near night time activities, train and bus, and across the street from the beach. The gay beach is also within walking distance-the nude beach is further.

 

Barcelona is great place to visit. During the daytime Las Ramblas is crowded with tourists and later at night the locals come out. I was ill on our TA in Oct 11 and didn't make the night crawl, and some one in our group didn't make it back before dawn. Much great food, wonderful architecture, fabulous market and intriguing antique section. Looking forward to meeting you. Be sure to sign up for the meet and mingle on cruise critic, and tell others you know on the cruise to look for us. We will have a great time.

Doug

 

Hi Doug and Bob, thanks for the recommendation, I just booked a balcony room at the Platjador in Sitges for 2 nites following our T.A. crossing...I'm very exciting! :) Ive been to Sitges only 1 time before, and it was for the day, this will be my first time experiencing Sitges at night.

 

Btw, I'm also a Diamond Plus member, so I'm sure we'll meet in one of the lounges. I noticed that this ship has a Concierge Lounge on deck 10 and a Diamond Members Club on deck 14. Ive been on the Independence on this class of ship and I was not Diamond plus at the time. What is the difference in the two lounges? :confused: thanks Fabio

[tvlman]

My cabin mate Bob made our reservation at the Hotel Platjador.

http://www.gaysitgesguide.com/hotels/hotel-platjador.html

Others have told me the Best Western is good but this one is all gay, has a sauna, is near night time activities, train and bus, and across the street from the beach. The gay beach is also within walking distance-the nude beach is further.

 

Barcelona is great place to visit. During the daytime Las Ramblas is crowded with tourists and later at night the locals come out. I was ill on our TA in Oct 11 and didn't make the night crawl, and some one in our group didn't make it back before dawn. Much great food, wonderful architecture, fabulous market and intriguing antique section. Looking forward to meeting you. Be sure to sign up for the meet and mingle on cruise critic, and tell others you know on the cruise to look for us. We will have a great time.

Doug

 

 

Is there a separate website?

[tvlman]

Hi all. Sorry it took so long to post but I completely forget to check this board to see if there was a roll call too. I'd love to play bridge but it's been over 30 years since I last played. So if you don't mind having an extra dummy in the game, I'd like to at least try to play. I remember it's spades, hearts, diamond, clubs. Right?

 

As for dinner, I'm on late booking but enough people decide to sit together I'm sure there will be no problem changing my reservation if it's going to be early seating. But just keep in mind that we will be in port in Cadiz and Valencia past 6 pm.

 

Anyway, glad to be here.

 

Scooter

 

would be open to seating with some people from our group! ;)

[091971Cruiser]

For those with late seating and would like to get a table together of the FOD drop me a line at 2gacruise at gmail dot com

If we go ahead and request it now perhaps we can get one of the large tables.

 

This is my 3rd crossing on the Freedom class so here is a bit of what I know.

On the Liberty they take over the Sphinx lounge as the Diamond lounge each night. They have some finger food out and plenty of free drinks. If you tip the bar staff they will make you almost anything and if you tip them well they will not only remember your drink from day to day but make it nice and strong!

There is the Concierge lounge for those with access, but more people fit in the Diamond lounge and that is where the FOD seem to gather pre-dinner for the most part on our other cruises.

The small lounge in the Viking Crown is good for a continental breakfast and a quite place during the day but that is about it.

[tvlman]

For those with late seating and would like to get a table together of the FOD drop me a line at 2gacruise at gmail dot com

If we go ahead and request it now perhaps we can get one of the large tables.

 

This is my 3rd crossing on the Freedom class so here is a bit of what I know.

On the Liberty they take over the Sphinx lounge as the Diamond lounge each night. They have some finger food out and plenty of free drinks. If you tip the bar staff they will make you almost anything and if you tip them well they will not only remember your drink from day to day but make it nice and strong!

There is the Concierge lounge for those with access, but more people fit in the Diamond lounge and that is where the FOD seem to gather pre-dinner for the most part on our other cruises.

The small lounge in the Viking Crown is good for a continental breakfast and a quite place during the day but that is about it.

 

Im def. interested in large table FOD, ill email you now! thank you

Fabio

[AFuncruiser]

I believe this will be my sixth T/A and first cruise with RCCL. It Looks like this will be a fun group and hopefully a great cruise.

My plans are for two nights in Barcelona on the Las Ramblas and three nights in Sitges at the Best Western.

 

Dennis

Jacksonville, Fl

[daviddfld]

For those with late seating and would like to get a table together of the FOD drop me a line at 2gacruise at gmail dot com

If we go ahead and request it now perhaps we can get one of the large tables.

 

This is my 3rd crossing on the Freedom class so here is a bit of what I know.

On the Liberty they take over the Sphinx lounge as the Diamond lounge each night. They have some finger food out and plenty of free drinks. If you tip the bar staff they will make you almost anything and if you tip them well they will not only remember your drink from day to day but make it nice and strong!

There is the Concierge lounge for those with access, but more people fit in the Diamond lounge and that is where the FOD seem to gather pre-dinner for the most part on our other cruises.

The small lounge in the Viking Crown is good for a continental breakfast and a quite place during the day but that is about it.

 

I sent you an email ... Larry & I would like to join you for dinner.

 

On our recent Royal Caribbean experiences, things have changed for their loyalty program. Diamond members get free wine at the get togethers. Cocktails are available at discount pricing. Diamond+ members still get the full bar treatment but in a seperate lounge.

 

Since we are only Diamond members, we met in the Dungeon (4 or 6 of us each evening) for free wine. BORING! And there was no finger food!

 

David

[cruise pup]

I sent you an email ... Larry & I would like to join you for dinner.

 

On our recent Royal Caribbean experiences, things have changed for their loyalty program. Diamond members get free wine at the get togethers. Cocktails are available at discount pricing. Diamond+ members still get the full bar treatment but in a seperate lounge.

 

Since we are only Diamond members, we met in the Dungeon (4 or 6 of us each evening) for free wine. BORING! And there was no finger food!

 

David

What ship was that on? I know that on most ships it's limited to free wine and sometimes sodas (each ship is different). But supposedly on Allure, Oasis, Liberty, Independenc and Freedom (the ones with a dedicated Diamond Lounge) they provide a "full" bar and hors d'oeuvres. Do you mean those particular ships no longer offer it?

[cruise pup]

For those with late seating and would like to get a table together of the FOD drop me a line at 2gacruise at gmail dot com

If we go ahead and request it now perhaps we can get one of the large tables.

 

This is my 3rd crossing on the Freedom class so here is a bit of what I know.

On the Liberty they take over the Sphinx lounge as the Diamond lounge each night. They have some finger food out and plenty of free drinks. If you tip the bar staff they will make you almost anything and if you tip them well they will not only remember your drink from day to day but make it nice and strong!

There is the Concierge lounge for those with access, but more people fit in the Diamond lounge and that is where the FOD seem to gather pre-dinner for the most part on our other cruises.

The small lounge in the Viking Crown is good for a continental breakfast and a quite place during the day but that is about it.

 

Hi Vic,

 

Thanks for offering to set up the table. I just emailed you. I guess they must get a big crowd of Diamond members to have to move the evening event to the Sphinx Lounge. It's actually easier for me to get to than the Viking Crown Lounge. Last time I was on Liberty they just opened another room in the Viking Crown Lounge for the overflow. The only advantage I guess of the Viking Crown would be to watch the sunset.