Review of our Spring Break '12 Cruise on Carnival Liberty

[PaulMedik]

I wish we'd spend all day @ Roatan because there's a lot of benches spread all over and it would be nice to try them all out and having a funnel in the background is all the more enticing;

 

 

 

I switched from my trusty Nike Shox that had served me well thru so many cruises to Under Armour Assert. I'm sure they won't last as long as the Nike Shox, but they sure are comfy;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we crossed the water to the beach via the Magic Chair we were too close to get the entire ship in a landscape so I had to angle. Looks kinda odd, but I like it;

 

 

 

The old Roatan port was occupied by a RCCL ship;

 

Edited May 25, 2012 by PaulMedik

[PaulMedik]

The Carnival photogs got pics of our landing approach;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And pics after landing;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pics of the Photogs getting pics;

 

 

 

We had to stop by the equipment shack for our cabana keys;

 

Edited May 25, 2012 by PaulMedik

[PaulMedik]

It's hard to imagine that within a very few hours all of these chairs will be occupied (mostly by sunbathers vs hog droppings);

 

 

 

 

Checking out the cabana;

 

 

 

 

The first cabana has the first set of beach chairs and the attendant is placing our cushions on our chairs;

 

 

 

Our fellow passengers were starting to arrive and populate the beach;

 

 

 

Wake up Britt;

 

 

 

 

Bryson and Spencer announced that they planned to spend the whole day here;

 

Edited May 25, 2012 by PaulMedik

[PaulMedik]

 

 

View from the mid entry to the cabana courtyard;

 

 

 

Restrooms are located just across from the mid entry;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Backside of cabanas;

 

 

 

 

[soccersharon]

Hi Paul,

 

Am re-reading your review with more interest! Just booked the Liberty Western for December. We can hardly wait to be "home" again.

 

Looking forward to more!

[familycruzinnewbie]

Great review. I'm wondering cost of things at Roatan - Cabana VS beach chair rental. What is the cost of magic chair. It looks like you can walk to the beach without the Magic Chair, or am I missing something. Thanks

[JamaicaDreamz]

Very nice review! Our first Carnival cruise will be a western on the Liberty in July. I've been having a hard time making a final decision on what to do in Belize and Roatan. We are going to Nachi beach in Cozumel and Discover scuba in Grand Cayman. Have you done the ruins in Belize? If so, which did you enjoy more, the ruins or cave tubing? It will just be my boyfriend and I.

[Lejardin]

Fantastic review with pictures :) I am living vicariously through your cruise. (65 days ... to.... go....)

 

:D

[jobell]

Loving the review so far and can't wait to read more. Will be sailing the Liberty in January and am very much looking forward to it. It'll be our first experience with 2.0. :D

 

- joelle

[ibcnusoon]

Enjoying your review and detailed pictures!!

[PaulMedik]

Thank you all for your kind comments. Hopefully I'll get finished with the review soon. Work, ballgames, and boating are getting in the way!

 

 

Hi Paul,

 

Am re-reading your review with more interest! Just booked the Liberty Western for December. We can hardly wait to be "home" again.

 

Looking forward to more!

 

 

soccersharon,

 

Thank you.

 

They used to have a 'welcome home' wooden sign over one of the gangway entrances back in 2006. I haven't seen the sign since, but we've considered her to be our home since then. :)

 

Great review. I'm wondering cost of things at Roatan - Cabana VS beach chair rental. What is the cost of magic chair. It looks like you can walk to the beach without the Magic Chair, or am I missing something. Thanks

 

familycruizinnewbie,

 

Thank you.

 

Cabana was $229 for four people. The excursion desk nor the rental shack on the beach knew how to add people because we had six people. They all said just to tell those without wrist bracelets that they were with us. :rolleyes: Beach chairs are free.

 

The magic chairs used to be $4 then $7 I think. I'm not sure what they cost this time because they're included with a Cabana rental. You can easily walk to the beach and it's actually faster to walk than to ride the chairs. We would not have opted to pay to ride the chairs if not included since we've ridden them in the past.

 

Very nice review! Our first Carnival cruise will be a western on the Liberty in July. I've been having a hard time making a final decision on what to do in Belize and Roatan. We are going to Nachi beach in Cozumel and Discover scuba in Grand Cayman. Have you done the ruins in Belize? If so, which did you enjoy more, the ruins or cave tubing? It will just be my boyfriend and I.

 

JamaicaDreamz,

 

Thank you.

 

We have not done a ruins excursion while on a cruise simply because most involve a very long ride each way and very little time at the ruins. Cave tubing is much more enjoyable as an excursion. There is a ruins excursion offered in Belize that involves a river boat ride then bus that sounds appealing, but mainly for the break from riding both ways in a bus the entire way. There's still little time at the ruins.

 

Roatan is perfect for zip lining, beach, and four wheeling. All three are within VERY easy walking distance of the port and hopefully I'll get pics and details up soon.

[cruisebarbie]

Cabana was $229 for four people. The excursion desk nor the rental shack on the beach knew how to add people because we had six people. They all said just to tell those without wrist bracelets that they were with us. :rolleyes: Beach chairs are free.

 

The magic chairs used to be $4 then $7 I think. I'm not sure what they cost this time because they're included with a Cabana rental. You can easily walk to the beach and it's actually faster to walk than to ride the chairs. We would not have opted to pay to ride the chairs if not included since we've ridden them in the past.

 

Question about the price of cabana. After looking at your pictures we are thinking of booking a cabana for our upcoming cruise to Roatan. But, when I look at the excursion, it says it is $199.95 per person. For our family of four that would be about $800. Am I supposed to just book it under my name and that would include the family? Thanks for the info! Looking forward to the rest of the review since we will be doing the same itenerary on the same ship next march.

 

Vicki

[Chicopee]

 

After the Meet & Greet we stopped by the casino and played some more BlackJack for about an hour. We then returned to our cabin and found Britt sound asleep;

 

 

 

So cute and Thanks for a great review. We are looking to book for next year. In this pic it looks like Britt is sleeping on the floor? Is that the way a third person is handled in a cabin? Do they charged the full rate? It seems a shame to make someone sleep on the floor for a whole week.

[Crazy4Koko]

The magic chairs used to be $4 then $7 I think. I'm not sure what they cost this time because they're included with a Cabana rental. You can easily walk to the beach and it's actually faster to walk than to ride the chairs. We would not have opted to pay to ride the chairs if not included since we've ridden them in the past.

 

Question about the price of cabana. After looking at your pictures we are thinking of booking a cabana for our upcoming cruise to Roatan. But, when I look at the excursion, it says it is $199.95 per person. For our family of four that would be about $800. Am I supposed to just book it under my name and that would include the family? Thanks for the info! Looking forward to the rest of the review since we will be doing the same itenerary on the same ship next march.

 

Vicki

 

 

If I look at the pictures, I see a price list that indicates that the 'magical flying beach chair' is TWELVE DOLLARS?? WOW..thanks.. I'll walk!!!

 

 

We are going in October, and as of a few days ago, there were only a couple of cabanas left.. booking early is a good idea..

 

 

The 219 is for 4 people.. not per person. I wish Carnival would fix this..sure would eliminate lots of confusion! There is a coupon code floating around for 10% off I think...

 

 

 

 

Paul, Loving the review and the photos.. You're really helping to keep my excitement level at 10+!!

Edited May 27, 2012 by Crazy4Koko

[amcjeep4life]

So cute and Thanks for a great review. We are looking to book for next year. In this pic it looks like Britt is sleeping on the floor? Is that the way a third person is handled in a cabin? Do they charged the full rate? It seems a shame to make someone sleep on the floor for a whole week.

 

I can take this one real quick. There is a couch that turns into a bed in any room that sleeps 3. I can't find a picture of one, but it flattens out to a twin bed. And the 3rd and 4th passengers are at a discounted rate normally.

Edited May 27, 2012 by amcjeep4life

[PaulMedik]

So cute and Thanks for a great review. We are looking to book for next year. In this pic it looks like Britt is sleeping on the floor? Is that the way a third person is handled in a cabin? Do they charged the full rate? It seems a shame to make someone sleep on the floor for a whole week.

 

 

Chicoopee,

 

Thank you.

 

Britt's 'bed' was created by Ketut. He used a folded comforter for the mattress then flat sheet and comforter for bedding along with a couple of pillows. Britt prefers to sleep in the same room with us and with no couch the bed created by Ketut was his only option. He also had a create a bed on the floor last year on deck eight aft wrap. I tried it out for comfort and it's quite comfy.

 

Third persons are not an option for our cabin.

 

I can take this one real quick. There is a couch that turns into a bed in any room that sleeps 3. I can't find a picture of one, but it flattens out to a twin bed. And the 3rd and 4th passengers are at a discounted rate normally.

 

amcjeep4life,

 

You nailed it for normal bookings; Britt was actually the second passenger in our cabin. Karen was booked in the interior with Janet. We didn't have any '3rd' or '4th' passengers. With three cabins for six people we were all first and second and all paid full fare. We had booked Karen as a solo, but given that solo is 200% we opted to add Janet as the second person for no extra charge other than port fees / taxes. We swapped Britt and Karen's booking once on board, but Britt opted to sleep in our room instead of Janet's which is odd because he stays with her all the time at home. :rolleyes:

[PaulMedik]

If I look at the pictures, I see a price list that indicates that the 'magical flying beach chair' is TWELVE DOLLARS?? WOW..thanks.. I'll walk!!!

 

 

We are going in October, and as of a few days ago, there were only a couple of cabanas left.. booking early is a good idea..

 

 

The 219 is for 4 people.. not per person. I wish Carnival would fix this..sure would eliminate lots of confusion! There is a coupon code floating around for 10% off I think...

 

 

 

 

Paul, Loving the review and the photos.. You're really helping to keep my excitement level at 10+!!

 

 

 

Crazy4Koko,

 

Thank you.

 

The flying chairs are $12 each now? Wow! That's crazy. I'm glad we paid for them back when they were reasonable because we won't ever pay for them again. We'll definately always opt for a cabana though so as long as they're included we may use them. It would not surprise me if they weren't included for much longer the way they are slashing benefits.

[PathfinderEss]

Great pictures, thanks for taking the time to post them.

[TrqoisWtrs]

hi Paul - Great review!

 

Question - I usually stay at the Holiday Inn Port of Miami for a precruise night. Its easy to walk to Bayside, etc. I'm sailing solo again in November and was checking out the two hotels you stayed at. The Savoy was booked solid, but the Ocean Five had availability. I would assume there would be places to shop and eat within walking distance? Would also like to walk over like you did and watch the ships depart - is that doable from that hotel? How about beach access? Like the Bayside area, but looking for something new to try. Any tips you give would be great. :)

 

Also love the pics and the fisheye lens. I recently got a new Olympus camera that has a fisheye lens built in, along with some other neat settings. Its really fun taking pictures with them.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1634775

[PaulMedik]

Great pictures, thanks for taking the time to post them.

 

 

PathfinderEss,

 

Thank you; my pleasure.

 

 

 

hi Paul - Great review!

 

Question - I usually stay at the Holiday Inn Port of Miami for a precruise night. Its easy to walk to Bayside, etc. I'm sailing solo again in November and was checking out the two hotels you stayed at. The Savoy was booked solid, but the Ocean Five had availability. I would assume there would be places to shop and eat within walking distance? Would also like to walk over like you did and watch the ships depart - is that doable from that hotel? How about beach access? Like the Bayside area, but looking for something new to try. Any tips you give would be great. :)

 

Also love the pics and the fisheye lens. I recently got a new Olympus camera that has a fisheye lens built in, along with some other neat settings. Its really fun taking pictures with them.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1634775

 

cruisin*tigger,

 

Thank you. Great pics too by the way! I especially liked the miniature pic you took. I meant to try a miniature, but never remembered...next time I shall.

 

Ocean Five is straight across the street from The Savoy. Beach access for Ocean Five is just South of The Savoy and also North of Savoy. The Southern access would be less crowded because North is for Lumus Park;

 

 

 

I'm not sure if beach chairs are included with Ocean Five or not; we gave Janet a Savoy key and she used our chairs with us with no questions asked. ;)

 

TGIF is nearby and there's a ton of SOBE eateries on the next block up. Many of the side streets have small shops and there's a WalGreens around the corner from Ocean Five on Fifth Street and Collins Avenue.

 

The stroll to Government Cut where the ships leave POM is four blocks and they aren't long blocks either. You can easily walk it in less than ten minutes.

 

There's a deli on the corner of 5th and Ocean Drive that has some awesome looking sandwiches.....Karen and I ate there back in 2009 and we haven't been there since nor do we plan to return. I'm not much on knocking food, but I never thought I'd find a ham and cheese that I couldn't eat. They also have a weird ordering system involving pencils and scrap paper; apparently locals know how to order and they don't like to explain things. Just don't go there. ;)

[TrqoisWtrs]

Excellent Paul. Thanks! About how far to the port for cabbin' it? And figure its okay to walk around as a single female during the day; how about at night? And yes, will be using the usual common sense. ;)

 

Have you ever seen any celebrities? Figure'd I'd ask since South Beach is supposed to be all that. :D

[PaulMedik]

Excellent Paul. Thanks! About how far to the port for cabbin' it? And figure its okay to walk around as a single female during the day; how about at night? And yes, will be using the usual common sense. ;)

 

Have you ever seen any celebrities? Figure'd I'd ask since South Beach is supposed to be all that. :D

 

 

cruisin*tigger,

 

It's about a ten - fifteen minute cab ride, but the scenery along the way will make you wish it was longer.

 

During the day SOBE is very safe and heavily patrolled by police both day and night. Night time is a bit more rowdy, but even then you should be safe at least along Ocean Drive. SOBE is the one place that I know of that a single female could don a thong and T Shirt and walk the street and not even draw too much attention; you will see this attire all along ocean drive. I do mean street, not beach. On the beach the T Shirts are off. ;)

 

You are guaranteed to see a few people you will recognize and know their names and even more that look familiar that you'll have to research to know who you saw. You will also see some who look infamous; some of the most odd looking people on the face of the planet will walk along SOBE and very few if any heads will turn. The paparazzi will pop out of the shadows and begin continuous shutter snapping. I always paid more attention to their equipment than what they were taking pictures of so I missed a lot. If you ask them they may or may not tell you who they were taking pictures of. They'll be gone as quick as they appear so ask quick if you plan to. I take a lot of pictures of just about everything, but the way they snap away at people is not something I would enjoy doing. You will also likely see people who seem to want to be photographed; they'll even start posing for you when they see a camera.

 

SOBE isn't the nicest beach in Florida, but the people who frequent the area and the overall laid back attitude is what I like about it. If you removed all the unique people and replaced them with average normal folks it just wouldn't be the same.

[TrqoisWtrs]

Excellent info - thanks!

[rajones007]

There's a deli on the corner of 5th and Ocean Drive that has some awesome looking sandwiches.....Karen and I ate there back in 2009 and we haven't been there since nor do we plan to return. I'm not much on knocking food, but I never thought I'd find a ham and cheese that I couldn't eat. They also have a weird ordering system involving pencils and scrap paper; apparently locals know how to order and they don't like to explain things. Just don't go there. ;)

Ahhhhh, it's sort of like the Soup N azi. ;)

 

Order it wrong = NO SANDWICH FOR YOU!

Edited June 1, 2012 by rajones007

[TrqoisWtrs]

Ahhhhh, it's sort of like the Soup N azi. ;) Order it wrong = NO SANDWICH FOR YOU!

 

lol :D