Liberty “Funship-Two-Point-'WHOA'!” Review; Eastern Caribbean; 31 March 2012; Pics

[mmento]

wow totally loving this, sailing on the new SUNSHINE in 0ct 13 thanks for all the highlights! Keep them coming!

[FL Naturelover]

This is the Fort Willoughby Garrison House on Hassel Island. Fairly interesting history to this island.

 

What camera are you using?

 

 

Can you visit it (Hassel Island) while in St Thomas? We were just in St Thomas a couple weeks ago and I could see this from my balcony. Looked interesting. I am always looking for something different and out of the ordinary to do since we don't scuba or snorkle.

[17andacruiseaddict]

Loving the review. Excited for more :)

[SCarlow]

Beautiful picture. That is a keeper. You could submit this one into a photo contest.

[silvercrikhix]

I have been really enjoying your review. Thank you for all the time and consideration you have put into it! Looking forward to the rest!

[CeleBrat]

 

Looking forward as we follow the Eclipse out….

 

 

 

What an AMAZING picture! I love the officer standing in the bridge jut-out.

 

CeleBrat

[pacarolinagirl]

So loving your review & all of the pictures. We were on the Liberty last year before all the 2.0 upgrades. Can't wait to be on a ship with those. :)

Looking forward to the rest of your review.

 

PS: GO HEELS! :D

[HappyHappy1]

Your family is so handsome! Too bad your oldest DS couldn't join you for the cruise. They grow up way to fast.

 

We are loving your review and will be sailing on the liberty is just over two months. Thanks for taking the time to post!

[Keith7174]

Great review so far I've enjoyed reading it I can't wait to read the rest of it. My cruise on liberty is on 16 June so I appreciate all the pictures and some of the experiences that you have had on your trip :):)

[MisterMom]

Today is going to be a busy day! It’s our first trip to San Juan. I read how pedestrian-friendly and scenic the town is so I am really looking forward touring on our own. However, before that, we had to dock and do our long-awaited excursion!

 

A quick check of the maps. We’re almost there….

 

 

 

 

Harbor pilot escort….

 

[MisterMom]

Already, I see some cool ruins on the island on the starboard side of the ship….

 

 

 

 

The port’s dock taken through the Lido windows. I love the light this time of day in the Caribbean….

 

[MisterMom]

Another quick debark and we’re in the San Juan cruise terminal for our excursion – The La Marquesa Rain Forest Zip Line and Canopy Tour!

 

 

Since there is Sprint service here in San Juan, Freddy needs a second to check Facebook….

 

 

Bow shot as we made our way to the tour bus….

 

[MisterMom]

We boarded the air-conditioned tour bus and made our way through the San Juan streets and highways to the rain forest. There was narration as we went. San Juan felt very “American.” We were on the bus for about 30 minutes when we pulled off the road into an abandoned parking lot where another bus was waiting. I sensed uneasiness from my co-passengers and was a little worried myself. Why are we switching buses?

 

Well, it became pretty clear as the road leading to the Zip Line was very hilly and, to make it to the zip line entrance, the bus needed a much more powerful engine. This was basically a roller coaster ride through the jungle. We were scared but we made it safely.

 

After a bathroom break, we strap on our safety gear. Freddy is ready to go!

 

 

We take a hike through the jungle to get to the first platform….

 

 

Cam is ready and so is Derrell….

 

 

 

A generic jungle shot….

 

 

Peeking through the trees across the valley….

 

 

Side note: On both the Dream and the Oasis of the Seas, we had zip line tours booked. On the Dream, we got stuck in Roatan overnight due to high winds so missed Belize where we had the zip line tour booked. Drat. Last year on the Oasis, we booked the huge zip line on Royal’s private resort, Labadee. THAT one got cancelled due to high winds. Those winds just kept putting a damper on our zip line plans. THIS trip was going to be different!

[MisterMom]

I have to have a conversation with Freddy about slowing down on the trails….

 

 

Off they go!

 

 

[MisterMom]

Here's a video (I’m working more on my photography skills than videography talent). You’ll see them dropping Derrell off a high platform and then Cameron follow on the zip line….

 

 

There were probably 8 different routes of varying length and height. Friendly staff were between each line making the transition from one line to another safely. We boarded the two buses back to the Port and were safely back at the ship!

[17andacruiseaddict]

:) ...

[jjtimes6]

Love your review so far! It was nice to meet you for at least a few minutes. We may need to do the zip line next time we are in Puerto Rico!

[oncruisecontrol]

Once everyone boarded, the crew pumped up the volume and started pouring the rum punch and champagne. Yum!

 

 

They liquored us up before the “buy our t-shirt spiel.” Very entertaining. The women (and some of the men… lol) on board enjoyed the “strip tease” of the quite handsome first mate while he was demonstrating the various t-shirt sizes. I was pretty “fuzzy” so didn’t capture any photos except for the cat-calling women….

 

 

Freddy wanted to captain the boat for a bit.

 

 

Back at Compass Point, Cam poses for a pic with Val, one of our hosts.

 

 

Good times. After sufficiently tipping the crew, we boarded another bus to head back to the ship. It must’ve been rush hour because traffic was about as bad as it is here in Atlanta. It was nice seeing some familiar retail outlets…..

 

 

These are very nice photos here. We were on the Liberty back in September. And, our trip on the Liberty ranks up there among the best ever of our cruises. And, I've always enjoyed St. Thomas. Thanks for posting your review.

[trvlqueen]

One more question, I believe the drinking age is 18 in St. Thomas. DS is 19 and would like to try a beer or two, do you think that would be a problem? Also, how strong is the rum punch? I think that might not be the way to go. I don't want to have to carry him back to the ship. What time did your excursion start?

 

 

 

St Thomas is the United States - So is San Juan - some bars are serving 18 - others make you prove 21. I would guess Senor Frog's is not going to mind serving an 18yo. but you might not have the same experience if you stop over at Frenchman's Reef.

 

I would agree with you that the rum punch is NOT the way to go - they mix them VERY strong on most excursion boats - and they use the cheap rum, too - so not only do you get drunk pretty fast, you have a wicked hangover when you're done. If he wants to try a rum punch, do it somewhere other than the excursion boats - if he wants beer, try some of the local brews. There is a place in old san juan right across from the pier called the Old Harbor Brewery - that's a definite stop! Enjoy your trip!

[All4fun&fun4all]

Enjoying your review! I have been writing down some of your recommendations that will come in handy the next time we cruise...whenever that will be. :rolleyes:

[hayesktrm]

St Thomas is the United States - So is San Juan - some bars are serving 18 - others make you prove 21. I would guess Senor Frog's is not going to mind serving an 18yo. but you might not have the same experience if you stop over at Frenchman's Reef.

 

I would agree with you that the rum punch is NOT the way to go - they mix them VERY strong on most excursion boats - and they use the cheap rum, too - so not only do you get drunk pretty fast, you have a wicked hangover when you're done. If he wants to try a rum punch, do it somewhere other than the excursion boats - if he wants beer, try some of the local brews. There is a place in old san juan right across from the pier called the Old Harbor Brewery - that's a definite stop! Enjoy your trip!

 

I looked it up and St. Thomas and San Juan's drinking ages are 18. I wouldn't have allowed it if he wasn't old enough. Since he is, he needs to buy it himself, although I'm sure his dad will buy him a beer. Thanks for the idea on the Old Harbor Brewery. Sounds like something DH would like, and I'm sure DS would love to join him. I am so not liking the idea of my son being old enough to drink...hard for me to let him grow up :(. Oh well, I do have to admit, the kids are so much more interesting now than they were when they were younger. As for the punch, I think I'll just tell him he should only have one or stick to beer.

[kmc500]

Another tip I learnt on these boards is to keep your hotel room key cards. They both should be encoded the same therefore either card should be able to open the safe...and you can each carry your own!

We tried this on our last cruise in February for the very reason that we would both have a card. Disappointingly, the room keys from the hotel where we stayed in New Orleans did not operate the safe.

 

Has anyone else been able to use room keys? Sounds like a great solution, as you both get to have a card.

 

Kevin C

[trvlqueen]

I looked it up and St. Thomas and San Juan's drinking ages are 18. I wouldn't have allowed it if he wasn't old enough. Since he is, he needs to buy it himself, although I'm sure his dad will buy him a beer. Thanks for the idea on the Old Harbor Brewery. Sounds like something DH would like, and I'm sure DS would love to join him. I am so not liking the idea of my son being old enough to drink...hard for me to let him grow up :(. Oh well, I do have to admit, the kids are so much more interesting now than they were when they were younger. As for the punch, I think I'll just tell him he should only have one or stick to beer.

 

 

You are correct - technically the age is 18. But, I'm telling you, from personal experience, that not all bars will "play by that rule". Just as Carnival and most other major cruise lines choose to make 21 the drinking age even though it's lower throughout most of the Caribbean, some national resorts hold their own standard ... just a heads-up in case someone refuses to serve him. (which, imho, is pretty dumb considering the inflated drink prices at most resorts)

[MisterMom]

WARNING: Boring tourist pics to follow….

 

I had already forewarned D&C that we would be on foot for the rest of the afternoon as we had two forts to tour and lots of ground between the two. Our first trek was up the hill to find the Castillo San Cristóbal. First, we stop in a square surrounded by arts and crafts vendors. The statue of Christopher Columbus was in the middle.

 

 

I really want to capture a cool picture of the colorful San Juan buildings surrounding narrow streets, but really don’t get what I want. Here’s one of the better ones….

 

 

It was good to know that “home” was nearby…

 

 

Then, we make it to Fort Cristobal….

 

 

We pay for the tickets that gave us access to both forts (Cristobal and Morro). I’m sure if we are going to make it to Morro, but it is only a couple bucks extra per person. Plus, if we don’t make it, the extra funds support a good cause. Did I mention that one purpose of this vacation was for me to find the perfect desktop pic? I’m working on it….

 

 

Cameron hangs precariously near the edge of the thick-walled fort….

 

[MisterMom]

Something in this picture doesn’t fit with the age of the fort….

 

 

As it turns out, this fort, while begun in 1634, was also used in WWI. I think you can pick out what was built for WWI in the above pic.

 

As we go deeper into the fort innards, we reach….

 

 

Inside the dungeon are some well-preserved drawings of some apparent prisoners….

 

 

Further into the fort are some interpretive displays. Freddy thinks this dude had some of his “beverage” from Half Moon Cay….

 

 

The views from Cristobal to Fort Morro are stunning. Note the tiny grey lighthouse down the beach….