Just back from Liberty cruise....random thoughts...

[popsec]

Here are some of my thoughts on the Liberty (in no particular order)....

 

Punchliner comedy club....nice setting and lots of seating

 

Steakhouse was amazing! This was the 1st time we ever tried it despite having been on Carnival 26 times before this. The food, service & presentation were excellent and we'll try to include this experience at least once on every sailing

 

Casino....we spent many hours there every day with our friends and the machines were extremely tight

 

Guy's burgers....great new addition! I tried to get one every day as they were that good! I just wished it stayed open later than 6 :(

 

Cherry on Top candy store.....not impressed enough to want to buy anything (tho' the mice were cute)

 

The "smoking" issue: since they've made the Lido deck completely smoke-free, there was no place to go and sit at a table to have a drink, snack or smoke. Deck 10 allows smoking but there were no ashtrays up there and the ones mounted to the rail were often smoldering. We actually went to the pursers desk to complain because they didn't bother putting most of the lounge chairs out on several of the days. There was no place to sit so people were just standing at the rail smoking.

 

Although I use an electronic cigarette now, our friends smoke still and it will be hard convincing them that Carnival is still a good line for them with all the smoking area cut-backs....there were alot of unhappy smokers on this cruise.

 

We had a great cruise, wonderful weather and awesome service. Loved Butch the cruise director

[Chef P]

Thanks of your thoughts

[Bilu444]

We had a great cruise, wonderful weather and awesome service. Loved Butch the cruise director

 

I thought Kirk was supposed to be the CD on Liberty.....according to the schedule on John's blog Butch was supposed to be on Dream????? So where's Kirk???

[ibcnusoon]

We actually went to the pursers desk to complain because they didn't bother putting most of the lounge chairs out on several of the days. There was no place to sit so people were just standing at the rail smoking.

 

I'm glad you mentioned that. One late afternoon on our cruise 2 weeks ago, we got back to the ship late and went up to get Guy burgers. We went up to the panorama deck to sit and eat, only 2 chairs and we needed 3. It' was 5:30, I looked over and saw 2 chairs with a towel on each so I went over to the chair and put one towel on the other chair and attempted to drag it over. A lady gets up from an area in front of the chairs and starts screaming at me that it was her son's chair! Sheesh. So I had to go all the way forward to find a chair with NOTHING on it (past all the chairs that were tied down) and drag an empty chair clear across the deck. I sat down ate my Guy burger, watched the sunset. Do you know that woman's son NEVER came back. At 6:00 she got up, picked up their towels and left. Anyway, sorry to rant, but if they had put out more chairs I wouldn't have had this altercation with this woman.

 

Yes, LOVED Butch, he is very entertaining to listen to!

[CrimsonQueen]

Here are some of my thoughts on the Liberty (in no particular order)....

 

Punchliner comedy club....nice setting and lots of seating

 

Steakhouse was amazing! This was the 1st time we ever tried it despite having been on Carnival 26 times before this. The food, service & presentation were excellent and we'll try to include this experience at least once on every sailing

 

Casino....we spent many hours there every day with our friends and the machines were extremely tight

 

Guy's burgers....great new addition! I tried to get one every day as they were that good! I just wished it stayed open later than 6 :(

 

Cherry on Top candy store.....not impressed enough to want to buy anything (tho' the mice were cute)

 

The "smoking" issue: since they've made the Lido deck completely smoke-free, there was no place to go and sit at a table to have a drink, snack or smoke. Deck 10 allows smoking but there were no ashtrays up there and the ones mounted to the rail were often smoldering. We actually went to the pursers desk to complain because they didn't bother putting most of the lounge chairs out on several of the days. There was no place to sit so people were just standing at the rail smoking.

 

Although I use an electronic cigarette now, our friends smoke still and it will be hard convincing them that Carnival is still a good line for them with all the smoking area cut-backs....there were alot of unhappy smokers on this cruise.

 

We had a great cruise, wonderful weather and awesome service. Loved Butch the cruise director

 

Thanks for sharing. We're on the Liberty in March next year, and with all the hype BEFORE the upgrades, people have certainly been tight-lipped after!:( Did you try the Red Frog or Blue Iguana??

[deborahjo]

I am actually happy to see a more restraint smoking policy. Carnival is finally joining the other cruise lines in this matter. Yet it does not help those who still do by placing less chairs out for your comfort by the smoking areas.

 

I hate chair hogs. Looking at this cruise for next summer to take son on. Good to see such good reviews on Guys Burgers Station. Thanks

[Kidsgoneletscruise]

I'm glad you mentioned that. One late afternoon on our cruise 2 weeks ago, we got back to the ship late and went up to get Guy burgers. We went up to the panorama deck to sit and eat, only 2 chairs and we needed 3. It' was 5:30, I looked over and saw 2 chairs with a towel on each so I went over to the chair and put one towel on the other chair and attempted to drag it over. A lady gets up from an area in front of the chairs and starts screaming at me that it was her son's chair! Sheesh. So I had to go all the way forward to find a chair with NOTHING on it (past all the chairs that were tied down) and drag an empty chair clear across the deck. I sat down ate my Guy burger, watched the sunset. Do you know that woman's son NEVER came back. At 6:00 she got up, picked up their towels and left. Anyway, sorry to rant, but if they had put out more chairs I wouldn't have had this altercation with this woman.

 

:eek::eek::eek: Horrible behavior on that woman's part!

[vacruizer]

I am actually happy to see a more restraint smoking policy. Carnival is finally joining the other cruise lines in this matter. Yet it does not help those who still do by placing less chairs out for your comfort by the smoking areas.

 

I hate chair hogs. Looking at this cruise for next summer to take son on. Good to see such good reviews on Guys Burgers Station. Thanks

 

I actually don't mind not smoking in the busy section of Lido. But I do think they need to find something other than up on deck 10. It's REALLY windy up there and the comment about smoldering ashtrays bothers me a lot. Sending smokers to a windy area with very little seating and only those small ashtrays mounted on the rail seems to be a recipe for a fire.

[deborahjo]

I actually don't mind not smoking in the busy section of Lido. But I do think they need to find something other than up on deck 10. It's REALLY windy up there and the comment about smoldering ashtrays bothers me a lot. Sending smokers to a windy area with very little seating and only those small ashtrays mounted on the rail seems to be a recipe for a fire.

 

Agree. I bet it will not be long and you will start finding Cigarrette buts all over the deck. I just want it a safe area.

[popsec]

Anyway, sorry to rant, but if they had put out more chairs I wouldn't have had this altercation with this woman.

 

 

The fellow at the pursers desk actually came up to deck 10 with us and spoke with the head "pool deck" person after he saw what we were talking about with the chairs. The next day they were washing those stacked chairs and putting them out.

 

I also spoke to a woman who said she and her mother were out on deck 10 late afternoon as they were stacking the chairs. They were the last 2 people up there sitting and the chair stackers actually told them to get up so they could stack their chairs. The mother was 88 yrs old :eek: and they made her get up!

[RuthlessBoss]

I don't know the layout of the Lido where Guy burgers are. Does anyone have pics to post? Why can't a smoking section start at X amount of distance from them instead of taking the whole Lido away, treating smokers like trash? I understand the problem started because of the placement of the toppings for the burgers. That area can't be that large! It seems like a simple fix to me.

[vacruizer]

I don't know the layout of the Lido where Guy burgers are. Does anyone have pics to post? Why can't a smoking section start at X amount of distance from them instead of taking the whole Lido away, treating smokers like trash? I understand the problem started because of the placement of the toppings for the burgers. That area can't be that large! It seems like a simple fix to me.

 

My thought was maybe the far aft of Lido? Not right up next to the pizza place, but far back behind the hot tubs back there. It's got an overhang so it's shaded, it's protected from the wind, tables and chairs, and it's not a main traffic area most non-smokers would be walking through. And they should clearly mark it - something like ropes and big signs "entering smoking area."

[Gypsywych]

My thought was maybe the far aft of Lido? Not right up next to the pizza place, but far back behind the hot tubs back there. It's got an overhang so it's shaded, it's protected from the wind, tables and chairs, and it's not a main traffic area most non-smokers would be walking through. And they should clearly mark it - something like ropes and big signs "entering smoking area."

 

This makes far too much sense for anyone at Carnival to go for it. ;)

[KenMo]

JH posted on 11/15 that he was to have a phone meeting with one of the beards the following day re: smoking on Lido.

 

JH said his proposal would be to keep it non-smoking while food was being served, then back to smoking after.

 

Seems like a good compromise to me, but he never posted back the results of the meeting. Unless I missed it somewhere.

[kyrisong1]

My thought was maybe the far aft of Lido? Not right up next to the pizza place, but far back behind the hot tubs back there. It's got an overhang so it's shaded, it's protected from the wind, tables and chairs, and it's not a main traffic area most non-smokers would be walking through. And they should clearly mark it - something like ropes and big signs "entering smoking area."

This is exactly how it's treated on the Constellation (Celebrity) they have a aft bar (no pool) with a bar, tables with sliding glass doors right off the buffet in the back so the smoke goes aft (with the breeze) they have a fully staffed bar and tables and chairs, ashtrays on one side so it's smoking on one side but not the other and they also allow cigar smoking out there.

It was a popular spot and we loved it out there, I don't smoke but my husband does, they provide a little entertainment and a really pretty spot for the smokers and nonsmokers alike, the people that want to enjoy a cigar can, and the bar was always well staffed, the tables were nice.

If they wouldn't have done away with smoking on balcony we would probably just opt for X since Carnival has restricted it so much.

What I will never understand (I am a nonsmoker with a very sensitive nose) I never smelled smoke except in the "cigar" bars and casino, the Lido deck never had a "smoke smell" if you walked past a smoker you may or may not smell it, but never attacked by smoke that could hurt you, just a slight smell. Many nonsmokers that really don't want to control others will also tell you the smoke was never agressive except in the casino, and there it could get very thick.

They are fixing something that isn't really broken, and they may lose customers because of it IMO.

And I totally agree those smoldering ashtrays are really a big concern, what a fire hazzard, I wish they "beards" gave more thought to new policies, and work out the kinks before they implement.

Carole

[floatingaway2525]

JH posted on 11/15 that he was to have a phone meeting with one of the beards the following day re: smoking on Lido.

 

JH said his proposal would be to keep it non-smoking while food was being served, then back to smoking after.

 

Seems like a good compromise to me, but he never posted back the results of the meeting. Unless I missed it somewhere.

 

Last we heard it was being called a "trial" on Liberty. I think the uproar about going too far has been sufficient to have them re-thinking...one can only hope as we sure won't be booking any ship that bans smoking outdoors on Lido entirely:eek::rolleyes: That 88 year old referred to up above, well I got a 77 year old Mama who is NOT about to climb stairs from one outdoor space to another one to smoke:rolleyes:

It is enough to split it in half, plenty of outdoor area for both to enjoy, I pray they see that and keep it the way it is on all the other ships now....

Thanks for that update Pop:), it certainly illustrates the issue!

[floatingaway2525]

This is exactly how it's treated on the Constellation (Celebrity) they have a aft bar (no pool) with a bar, tables with sliding glass doors right off the buffet in the back so the smoke goes aft (with the breeze) they have a fully staffed bar and tables and chairs, ashtrays on one side so it's smoking on one side but not the other and they also allow cigar smoking out there.

It was a popular spot and we loved it out there, I don't smoke but my husband does, they provide a little entertainment and a really pretty spot for the smokers and nonsmokers alike, the people that want to enjoy a cigar can, and the bar was always well staffed, the tables were nice.

If they wouldn't have done away with smoking on balcony we would probably just opt for X since Carnival has restricted it so much.

What I will never understand (I am a nonsmoker with a very sensitive nose) I never smelled smoke except in the "cigar" bars and casino, the Lido deck never had a "smoke smell" if you walked past a smoker you may or may not smell it, but never attacked by smoke that could hurt you, just a slight smell. Many nonsmokers that really don't want to control others will also tell you the smoke was never agressive except in the casino, and there it could get very thick.

They are fixing something that isn't really broken, and they may lose customers because of it IMO.

And I totally agree those smoldering ashtrays are really a big concern, what a fire hazzard, I wish they "beards" gave more thought to new policies, and work out the kinks before they implement.

Carole

 

Great post Carole, and that is a big part of it for us too, Lido mid-ship is where most of the fun is and where we spend most of our sea days hanging out....how ridiculous to finally make the Lido a destination day and night with 2.0 (brilliant idea!!!) and then ruin it so many of us can't enjoy it at all, when it's outdoors and a compromise of split outdoor space has always worked, even for non-smokers who are with smokers.

I can understand especially the smokers who bought a cruise and boarded to find the policy switched arbitrarily :eek::mad: I think we can all agree that is not cool!

[floatingaway2525]

Here are some of my thoughts on the Liberty (in no particular order)....

 

Punchliner comedy club....nice setting and lots of seating

 

Steakhouse was amazing! This was the 1st time we ever tried it despite having been on Carnival 26 times before this. The food, service & presentation were excellent and we'll try to include this experience at least once on every sailing

 

We had a great cruise, wonderful weather and awesome service. Loved Butch the cruise director

 

How did you find the MDR menu and quality?

We loved Butch too!!!:D

[noslen3333]

I just came off the Miracle that had no upgrades yet and we had issues with the smoking policy. The bars (indoor)that offered smoking were closed during the day and they had no ashtrays present. You couldn't go there to read a book or talk and enjoy smoking. I've always thought that smoking on one side of the Lido was a great compromise for all.

 

For the first time, I truly felt uncomfortable and did have a great cruise like I have had. I am platinum on Carnival and we enjoy cruising very much. When Royal Carribean (we are Diamond) changed their smoking policy we became exclusive Carnival.

 

We are sailing on Dream Dec. 3rd and I will be curious as to how I feel after that cruise. If I can't enjoy myself then I will look at other cruiselines.

 

It seems to me that Carnival is cutting off their nose to spite their face. Sad to me as I really don't want to go somewhere else.

[popsec]

How did you find the MDR menu and quality?

 

We loved Butch too!!!:D

 

The MDR food and service was fine. We'd already experienced the new menus on our recent cruises so it was no big deal one way or the other to us :)

 

As far as Butch goes, we'd never really noticed a CD before except for the ones with really annoying voices or mannerisms. Butch was really pleasant and great to talk with.

[Love_to_cruise83]

Hi there..

 

I'm going on the Liberty this Saturday..

 

Do you have the copy of the daily activites?

 

If you do I would be very greatful if you could post it.

 

Thank you so much...

 

What were the shows like?

 

:)

[daisy7113]

We were on this cruise as well. I will post my thoughts when I have more time. We loved it! I am wishing I were back at that martini bar right now instead of here at work. :(

[Froufie]

We were on this cruise as well. I will post my thoughts when I have more time. We loved it! I am wishing I were back at that martini bar right now instead of here at work. :(

 

Would love to hear more 'insights' into the New Liberty - espectially the Martini Bar - favorite flavor? (would also love to see your FunTimes Daisy if you happen to have kept yours?)

 

Thanks :)

[daisy7113]

Would love to hear more 'insights' into the New Liberty - espectially the Martini Bar - favorite flavor? (would also love to see your FunTimes Daisy if you happen to have kept yours?)

 

Thanks :)

 

Hi Froufie...Sorry, we didn't keep the Fun Times. Normally we do but we never look at them or refer back to them so we decided to just chuck them so we didn't have as much clutter.

 

The Alchemy Bar is the martini bar and it was wonderful. We had drinks there each night before dinner and sometimes after dinner. We took a martini mixology class there that was interesting. They give good snacks too...olives, swiss cheese and mixed nuts. Adri and Gabor are the bartenders and let me just say, we fell in love with Adri. She is a sweetheart from South Africa who can make a mean martini. If you are a martini drinker, this is a MUST for you.

 

In addition, I see you are saling in January, Adri should be back on by then. She'll be going home in 2 weeks for about a month.

[pe4all]

Glad you had a great cruise - sorry the slots were tight. Hope they loosen up for me in December!:p:D Enjoy the Valor in January. (I am soooo jealous!)