Long overdue LIBERTY review by a solo fashionista

[Mariketa]

What a great review! I LOVED seeing all of your clothes and your shoes, I love shoes, on me, on other people, whatever, high heels are my hobby, lol. It sounds like you had so much fun, false eyelashes and a bikini at 2 a.m., not many can claim to have done that!

[sharonlacey]

Thanks for the great trip report! Are you traveling alone this trip also?

[cruzisme]

Enjoyed reading about your solo cruise and your photos too.

Have fun on your next cruise--let us know how it was!

[lara_lox]

Thank you for everyone's nice comments :)

 

Yes my next trip is also solo. I've been on a beach hol since with a friend, which was good, but I must say I am looking forward to doing it my way again on the next cruise haha!

 

To those of you who were interested in the clothes part - just imagine how hard it's going to be for me to pack for a Freestyle cruise (ie informal) that leaves Europe in the Winter, argghhhh! :eek:

[relaxatsea]

Thanks for the great review and wonderful photos! Having been on many cruises by myself, I think you could be a "poster girl" for women cruising solo. It is really the best of both worlds, you can do whatever you want to and you can also make new friends and have fun!

Barbara

[bmwoods72]

I love your review especially the fashion parts! Good for you, travelling on your own.

[TallahasseeLassie83]

Thanks for the review with photos. I also really enjoyed that you included what you wore. You are the ONLY review I have seen so far to do this and it is so helpful especially since we are close in age. I'm leaving on the Liberty on Saturday and trying to pack has been a challenge. I never get to dress up and wanted to dress up every night...not as quite as dressy as the formal night but not casual either. It was nice to see that you wore similar things as to what I'm packing so I feel much more confident in my choices.

 

I would love to be of help as to what you could wear on your next cruise but I have NO idea. Let us know...

[The Big Booper]

Enjoyed your review but.......no bikini photos?

[mamasue]

Excellent review and wonderful pics.

Are you a journalist or writer by profession?? If not, you should be.... you'd make a great travel writer!!:)

[Phillies14]

Day 8 – Home time

 

I set my alarm early to make sure I had plenty of time to get myself sorted. For the first time I went to the MDR for breakfast. Although I had wanted to try this sooner, I can’t eat early in the morning so the MDR had always finished serving by the time I was ready. But today was different, I needed to set myself up for the day. I sat on a large table (though no-one on it even acknowledged me!) and had fruit followed by a salmon and mushroom omelette. It was good even though I wasn’t particularly hungry. I grabbed a last coffee to go from Café Promenade and thanked the lovely staff who had served me all week. Then I headed to the Platinum Theatre where my departure group had to meet. One of my friends was also in this group so I chatted to her and we boarded the transfer coach. Everything was very smooth and easy, no issues at all. We arrived at Barcelona airport at 9.30 where I left my friend. The problem here was that check-in didn’t open for another hour. So everyone just stood about in a long time waiting, rather frustrating. Luckily I was next to a couple I had seen on the plane coming so they watched by bag whilst I nipped to the loo. Another problem with travelling solo!

 

Eventually I was checked in and waiting to board the plan. Barcelona airport is not the best, I had a vile sandwich and wished I hadn’t bothered! Then they kept changing the gate we had to board from but I kept checking the screens so realised this. Not everyone did though, so remember to always have a look just in case. We ended up having to get a shuttle bus to the plane but eventually boarded and managed the flight with no issues.

 

So I guess that’s it! Hopefully this has been vaguely interesting and/or entertaining for you all. I can’t believe I’ve written it all in one day. Thank you for reading!

 

All in all, I had a fantastic cruise. I’m so glad I bit the bullet and went on my own – you can be completely selfish and do whatever you want when you want without having to consider anyone else. At times it was a bit daunting but totally worth it. Looking back I probably didn’t make the most of the facilities and activities that the ship had to offer for a number of reasons. I didn't use the surf simulator or rock climbing wall - I would have enjoyed it but think you need to do these sort of things in a group of people.

 

But I enjoyed it enough to have just booked my second solo, this time on the Norwegian Jade round the Canaries in January. I know this will be a totally different experience but am looking forward to it and will let you all know how it went when I return :D

Loved the review, loved the pics! Glad you had a great time and a great cruise!....K.O. near Philly:)

[Verfai]

Day 7 – At Sea

 

I then met my new friends in Vintages followed by a brief dabble on the penny drops and fruit machines in the casino. We all needed an early night ready for tomorrow so it was time to say goodbye. I actually felt really emotional because although I had only met these people a week ago, they made my cruise special. I’ve made some friends for life and have already been over to Belgium to visit two of them.

 

:’( Even I wept a sad tear when we turned our backs, indeed emotional.

Friends for life!!! :)

 

Well written “Lara” :D!!!

 

And no I don’t mind that you used pictures with us in...I did hold my breath on which ones you were going to use, thank god I’m -10kg now :p lol

Feel free to shock “the big booper” with the picture whit our 3 faces in the hot tub, you can cut away the skin ;) lol

 

Kx

Edited November 24, 2011 by Verfai

[Cshgrand]

I'm so glad! I purposely included that even though some people will probably hate it, because I spent hours planning what to take and I love to know what other people wear :)

 

I'm so with you there. My favourite part of formal nights is getting ready at least half hr early and sitting for a drink watching everyone come down is their finery. Especially love the fact that cruising from the us to the Caribbean (more than my limited Europe experience) you seem to get more dress uniforms and culturally influenced dress which is beautiful to look at.

[browneyes7]

Thanks for writing the review, Lara! I'm so glad you had a wonderful time! :)

[arhillbilly]

Loved your review...I have been solo on 3 out of 4 cruises and LOVE it....always meeting new people. My next cruise leaves SUN!!! Was going to be another solo, but my girlfriend (whom I have traveled with several times) decided that she also wants to go. I will be dressing up also every night because I never get the chance. I'll do a review when I get back and will try to include pictures. Thanks

 

Kathy

[The Big Booper]

We tend to take longer cruises now so my wife spends hours figuring out what she will be wearing on the cruise. Many outfits and accessories to pack.

[lady_mac]

Loved your review and pictures!

[davekathy]

Thanks for taking us along on your Cruise. We sailed on the Liberty March/April 2011 on a B2B to the Caribbean. It was nice to see familiar pictures of the ship.

[Sharon Sails]

Love your review - it's especially fun for me as I'm an older American who enjoys the way Brits speak/write. "A lie down." Normal for you, unusual and fun for me to read.

 

You are absolutely adorable and you write with grace, never making foolish grammar or spelling errors. As an old English major, I appreciate that as well.

And your photos are spot on! There is nothing wrong with them at all. I am truly enjoying your review. Thanks for sharing :)

 

Sharon in Florida

[gelo7]

Lovely review.

[IBookHePays]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a wonderful review. It is very much appreciated!:)

[karcruiser]

Lara, thank you so very much for your EXCELLENT review - you did a wonderful job! I am Canadian but my Mum was born and raised in Manchester (Dad is from Stockport) so I really enjoyed your style of writing!! So glad you enjoyed a great trip - hope your next one is even better.

[Virtopia]

It was nice to see a review from a solo female! My next cruise is a solo adventure as well and I'm looking forward to it. Also, all of your fashion choices were great!

[gapearl]

Great review! Aren't you glad you decided to go? I've cruised solo 3 times and love it. We'd get along great- I dress up every night too. :) Have fun on your next cruise and bring back another awesome review!

[Darkwolfe]

A most excellent review Lara, thank you for sharing. :)

[madra2112]

Excellent review Lara, having done my first one recently, I know the amount of work it takes. Congratulations on going solo too, glad it worked out!