Razorbakfan Posted November 27, 2012 #1 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hey gang. Live from the Liberty, Eastern Caribbean cruise and we were notified yesterday that due to propulsion issues we had to skip today's port St Thomas. Tomorrows Puerto Rico trip has been modified to a 5 hour stop tonight from 5-11:30pm. We have no idea about the rest of ports but I suspect we may miss Turks as well. We are operating on one engine. If you sail on the Liberty in coming weeks you may want to contact Carnival to see if your trip will be effected. This is our 16th cruise and the first with mechanical issues. We did have to cancel one cruise when we found out the ship had issues and had dropped several ports. Thankfully I found out here and was able to get a full refund days before we were set to depart I will keep updating as we go, or as long as I have left with my Internet package! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamboozel Posted November 27, 2012 #2 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Wow!!!! St. Thomas...my favorite port! What are they doing for you guys in terms of credit????? I guess these things happen...:confused::confused: Enjoy your cruise anyways...better than work...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovestocruise19 Posted November 27, 2012 #3 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I hope she is in tip top shape for my cruise in April! I'm most looking forward to St. Thomas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookcreator Posted November 27, 2012 #4 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hey gang. Live from the Liberty, Eastern Caribbean cruise and we were notified yesterday that due to propulsion issues we had to skip today's port St Thomas. Tomorrows Puerto Rico trip has been modified to a 5 hour stop tonight from 5-11:30pm. We have no idea about the rest of ports but I suspect we may miss Turks as well. We are operating on one engine. If you sail on the Liberty in coming weeks you may want to contact Carnival to see if your trip will be effected. This is our 16th cruise and the first with mechanical issues. We did have to cancel one cruise when we found out the ship had issues and had dropped several ports. Thankfully I found out here and was able to get a full refund days before we were set to depart I will keep updating as we go, or as long as I have left with my Internet package! Funny, we were on the Liberty 3/3/12 sailing and we had cabin 2470 which is on deck two in the back on the corner, it is an oceanview room. At 10:45 pm the night before the last sea day and docking the next day, a huge bang literally made us sit up in bed. That was followed by a loud banging and vibration for about 40 minutes. (It actually was so bad, the TV hit the wall and banged for 45 min) Anything on the desk vibrated off. We slowed in the water but didn't actually stop. I recorded the banging with my camera, and even then the next more the "employees" denied anything was wrong but everyone in the cabins around us felt it too. Guest services also denied any problems....until noon when the Captain came on and told us of "propulsion problems" - we were 6 hours late getting back to port (many missed their flights) Right after that, we stopped to airlift an "injured crew member" - no info on that of course due to privacy. We were sure it would impact the next cruises but it didn't. They must have bandaid fixed it because, it went right back out as scheduled. It will be like the Destiny that they never fix, just patch up and propulsion problems become chronic and rear it ugly head from time to time. The depend on quick fixes in ports to keep the ships going on schedule, so I am sure there will be more problems from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momonthego17 Posted November 27, 2012 #5 Share Posted November 27, 2012 We just got off the Liberty this last Saturday. As far as I know, there was no mention of propulsion issues but I have to say that when we were moving from one port to another, the ship rocked more than I was used to. Sorry to hear about you missing ports. I hope you have a great cruise regardless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topo Gigio Posted November 27, 2012 #6 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Did they tell your guys that the ship was operating on 1 engine? I'm not an engineer but I highly doubt it that only 1 engine can do the job for a ship the size of Liberty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razorbakfan Posted November 27, 2012 Author #7 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Did they tell your guys that the ship was operating on 1 engine? I'm not an engineer but I highly doubt it that only 1 engine can do the job for a ship the size of Liberty. No they didn't and to clarify when looking out the back of the ship you can tell only one screw seems to be turning. We are currently going 13 knots. They have issued no credit nor stated anything about that other than a refund of missed excursions. It is a bit of a bummer as we were really looking forward to the ports. Information is being kept close to the vest but I know they know the plan for the rest of the trip, I just wish they would be transparent and fill us in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookcreator Posted November 27, 2012 #8 Share Posted November 27, 2012 No they didn't and to clarify when looking out the back of the ship you can tell only one screw seems to be turning. We are currently going 13 knots. They have issued no credit nor stated anything about that other than a refund of missed excursions. It is a bit of a bummer as we were really looking forward to the ports. Information is being kept close to the vest but I know they know the plan for the rest of the trip, I just wish they would be transparent and fill us in. LOL - I do believe they hold off as long as possible on telling the passengers of problems before they know what the impact will actually be as far as getting back to port and the next cruise. If they did fill the passengers in, someone would put it on CC immediately and they end up with a PR nightmare involving this cruise and possibly the next one. If it is something that can be fixed in an hour in port, they certainly do not want 2000 calls to Carnival because someone started a panic on CC. With the internet, information is now withheld from the passengers so that it does not show up prematurely on CC and start the rumor mill from causing a lot of people grief. I am NOT implying you should not post this, it is helpful, but I think that is the reason so much info is withheld on the ship. This is probably already 3 comments down on JH's facebook page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambulr46 Posted November 27, 2012 #9 Share Posted November 27, 2012 We are to leave Saturday December 8th on the Liberty. Thanks for posting and please keep us updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SexyK Posted November 27, 2012 #10 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Keep us informed. I leave next week. Hopefully all goes well and its just a minor problem. Enjoy the rest of your cruise. On the bright side you have an excuse to book another cruise so you can get to St Thomas.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPete Posted November 27, 2012 #11 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Ugh. We had that once when they launched the Miracle. Our wake was missing one "line". We did make all our stops though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topo Gigio Posted November 27, 2012 #12 Share Posted November 27, 2012 No they didn't and to clarify when looking out the back of the ship you can tell only one screw seems to be turning. We are currently going 13 knots. They have issued no credit nor stated anything about that other than a refund of missed excursions. It is a bit of a bummer as we were really looking forward to the ports. Information is being kept close to the vest but I know they know the plan for the rest of the trip, I just wish they would be transparent and fill us in. It takes a couple of engines to turn one of those screws.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
girlscruise2011 Posted November 27, 2012 #13 Share Posted November 27, 2012 We just got off the Liberty this last Saturday. As far as I know, there was no mention of propulsion issues but I have to say that when we were moving from one port to another, the ship rocked more than I was used to. Sorry to hear about you missing ports. I hope you have a great cruise regardless! I thought the ship was rocking too but I blamed it on the wind and the choppy seas. To me, it didn't seem like it was a malfunction of the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccersharon Posted November 27, 2012 #14 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Funny, we were on the Liberty 3/3/12 sailing and we had cabin 2470 which is on deck two in the back on the corner, it is an oceanview room. At 10:45 pm the night before the last sea day and docking the next day, a huge bang literally made us sit up in bed. That was followed by a loud banging and vibration for about 40 minutes. (It actually was so bad, the TV hit the wall and banged for 45 min) Anything on the desk vibrated off. We slowed in the water but didn't actually stop. I recorded the banging with my camera, and even then the next more the "employees" denied anything was wrong but everyone in the cabins around us felt it too. Guest services also denied any problems....until noon when the Captain came on and told us of "propulsion problems" - we were 6 hours late getting back to port (many missed their flights) Right after that, we stopped to airlift an "injured crew member" - no info on that of course due to privacy. We were sure it would impact the next cruises but it didn't. They must have bandaid fixed it because, it went right back out as scheduled. It will be like the Destiny that they never fix, just patch up and propulsion problems become chronic and rear it ugly head from time to time. The depend on quick fixes in ports to keep the ships going on schedule, so I am sure there will be more problems from time to time. We were on the same cruise, Rita :) and revisting the Liberty in 18 days. Yes, the Liberty ran on 1 engine, and was doing about 9 knots (if I remember correctly). We finally pulled into Miami at about 11:30 am. Many folks were upset, as they were missing their flights. I know Carnival did offer some compensation, but since I was uneffected (we spend an extra night in Miami), we never did enquire. I sincerely hope they correct the Liberty propulsion issues - so more folks are not disappointed. Would be a shame to miss ports due to a known issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mulege Posted November 27, 2012 #15 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I hope she is in tip top shape for my cruise in April! I'm most looking forward to St. Thomas! Loved your last review. Hope you will do another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKIA Posted November 27, 2012 #16 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hey gang. Live from the Liberty, Eastern Caribbean cruise and we were notified yesterday that due to propulsion issues we had to skip today's port St Thomas. Tomorrows Puerto Rico trip has been modified to a 5 hour stop tonight from 5-11:30pm. We have no idea about the rest of ports but I suspect we may miss Turks as well. We are operating on one engine. If you sail on the Liberty in coming weeks you may want to contact Carnival to see if your trip will be effected. This is our 16th cruise and the first with mechanical issues. We did have to cancel one cruise when we found out the ship had issues and had dropped several ports. Thankfully I found out here and was able to get a full refund days before we were set to depart I will keep updating as we go, or as long as I have left with my Internet package! Interesting. We were on the Liberty in March and we got back late to port because of propulsion problems. Hope it doesn't affect too much more of your trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PittsburghGirlee Posted November 27, 2012 #17 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hope everything works out for you and is fixed by January 5th;)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasvar Posted November 27, 2012 #18 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Doesn't really sound like an engine problem as much as a failed electric motor or busted shaft that turns one of the screws based on the description. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaniceB Posted November 27, 2012 #19 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Sounds like they are trying to get you back to home port on time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loubetti Posted November 27, 2012 #20 Share Posted November 27, 2012 The Liberty is a Diesel-electric ship. This means you typically have several Diesel engine powered generators that provide electricity to an electric motor, one for each propeller. They also provide electrical power to the ship as a whole. I have yet to find out how many Diesels they have, but as an example, QE2 has nine of them, each the size of a double-decker bus. I'm quite sure that Liberty has less than that number. If a screw (propeller) is not turning, you likely either have an electric motor issue, a shaft issue, or a propeller issue. When I hear reports of vibration and banging, it could be possible that a propeller blade was lost, but this is so uncommon these days. While old ships such as Titanic had only three propeller blades per shaft, Queen Mary, 4, you'll typically see 5 to 6 blades per shaft now. However, loss of a blade will imbalance the shaft, and things will get messy after that! Here's a photo of propeller blades as artwork on the deck of QM2: However, these are actually spare blades for use on the azipods, not just objets d'art. Here's a photo of the props on Carnival Dream- six blades. Note the stern thrusters in the hull, forward of the propellers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razorbakfan Posted November 27, 2012 Author #21 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Update. They are flying in a technician to PR. If it can be fixed by 11pm we stay the night and tomorrow in PR. If not, we leave at 11 at travel to Turks and then presumably back to Miami. Will keep you all posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doodlefan Posted November 27, 2012 #22 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Update. They are flying in a technician to PR. If it can be fixed by 11pm we stay the night and tomorrow in PR. If not, we leave at 11 at travel to Turks and then presumably back to Miami. Will keep you all posted. Please update when you can. We sail on Saturday and I really hope our itinerary is not affected. We tried to take this itinerary on the Dream last year and that itinerary was changed to the East itinerary with only 2 1/2 days in port, it sucked. We'd really like to just make it to the itinerary we picked the second time around. Thanks for the updates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleyunf Posted November 27, 2012 #23 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Update. They are flying in a technician to PR. If it can be fixed by 11pm we stay the night and tomorrow in PR. If not, we leave at 11 at travel to Turks and then presumably back to Miami. Will keep you all posted. I will be following this thread like a hawk...I leave on the Liberty Saturday, and will be getting married on board before embarkation... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyancho Posted November 27, 2012 #24 Share Posted November 27, 2012 This is why you are supposed to bring duct tape when cruising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razorbakfan Posted November 27, 2012 Author #25 Share Posted November 27, 2012 This is why you are supposed to bring duct tape when cruising. I LOL'd and spilt my beer. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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