Review of Liberty OTS 12/17-12/22

[LVinTennessee]

This was our second cruise (first one on Radiance).

 

We stayed at Hampton Inn the night before which provided free airport pick up and free shuttle to the cruise port. We could not take a shuttle any time we wanted though. We were assigned 12:30.

 

Since we had done the online registration and since our shuttle driver dropped us in a good spot, we quickly checked our lugguge and got in a short line to get our Sea Passes. I would say we were on board by 1:00 having lunch in the Windjammer.

 

We went to our rooms to drop off our duffle bags. This was the first time we had a room with a balcony. We REALLY liked it - a little extra space and a way to get some air. We were on deck 8 and were next door to family. Our room steward unlocked the door between our balconies which was a really nice feature. We could come and go and socialize easily.

 

We walked around various decks, orienting ourselves to the layout.

 

Here is the only negative of the whole trip - we went to register our children at Adventure Ocean. This was our second cruise and the other couple's first. What we needed to do when we got to AO was not organized very well. There was only one person there with no posted instructions. Overall, it didn't end up taking long, but it was confusing and not a good example for the first time cruisers.

 

However, a big plus is how improved it is getting your kids to AO after dinner. We had first dinner seating at 6 pm. As long as you tell your waiter, the kids get their meals quickly (even if ordering from the adult menu) and then you walk your kids to the front of the main dining room on deck 4 at 6:40 to meet AO staff who will then take the kids up to AO. It didn't work this way a few years ago, and I thought it was a big improvement. Then you can go back to your table and finish your meal, have dessert/coffee, etc. I really liked the way this worked for us every night. On formal night, I just sent a bag of casual clothes for my daughter to change into when she got to AO.

 

We were traveling with a couple who went to bed fairly early so we didn't do any evening shows, but we still had a good time!!!

 

Compared to Radiance, we enjoyed the Promenade and the extra shops it has. We never ate at Sorrento's, but we did get snacks at the Cafe several times - free - you can get sandwiches, cookies, brownies, flavored water, coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate (and soda, free, if you have a soda pass). I think the snacks here are offered free all day and well into the night.

 

The H2O zone was way too cold for me, the water temp that is. I hung out in a crowded hot tub stuffed with kids while watching our kids scamper in the H2O zone for a little while. Like me, they preferred the hot tub though.

 

I have never got to go to the Solarium....maybe someday. Something to look forward to!

 

I won $130 in Bingo the first day at sea! Super Cash Sara is fun!

 

Our first port was Labadee, Haiti. We had never been there. The husbands did the Dragon Zipline. The moms took the kids to our cabana on Nellie's Beach. This was a big hit. Nellie's Beach is basically located inside the gated Gold member area. A cabana attendent escorted us to our place and was very attentive the whole time. A bonus - there were 3 beach towels already in the cabana (one family brought some, but one family could not get any before getting off the ship b/c they were out at the pool so having some towels at the cabana was a big plus for us). I don't know how to describe the location of our cabana. We were fairly close to the beach area - we were not way up the hillside. We had a walkway down to the water and metal steps down into the water. The cabana attendent brought us as many floating mats as we needed (6 in our case). Our cabana couch was comfy and the cabana itself was plenty big enough for 6. There were also two lounge chairs. And we had a cooler of ice with bottled water. The attendent came and got us for lunch and had put flowers on our table - a nice touch, he was the only attendent who had done so. He suggested the Labadoozy as a drink we had to try. It was great! We got some without alcohol for the kids, and they loved them too. Took the kids over to the aqua park for an hour. Fun, but you will be tired - there is a lot of climbing up on the inflatable toys. The aqua park is not right on the beach where parents can easily watch from the sidelines - just so you know. We had to be back on the ship at 3 so we left at 2:30. Our attendent arranged for us to get a golf cart ride back to the main area of Labadee. We tipped him well. All in all it was a very relaxing, fun day. The weather was beautiful, the water just a little cool, the scenery very nice. We loved Labadee!

 

I will try to finish the review tomorrow.

 

Sidenote - hope this doesn't alarm anyone or make them avoid the ocean. At one point in the day, I thought I had stepped on a sharp piece of shell or coral while in the ocean in Labadee. Later, back on the ship, I looked at a sore spot on my big toe and saw a swollen area with what looked like two splinters in my toe. I went to the medical clinic and told the lady what had happened. She looked at it and said I had probably stepped on a sea urchin. She told me to leave it alone, not to pick at it so it wouldn't get infected, and that the spines would work their way out. It is 12/25 - they are still in there, but you can tell they will come out eventually. They don't hurt or bother me at all. It didn't even hurt much when it happened.

[tomko2]

Enjoying your review. We were on the same cruise. Have been on the Liberty a few times and it is currently our favourite ship. The Captain did a great job of making up the 4 hour departure delay.

We ate at Portofino's twice and enjoyed dinner in the Windjammer mid-cruise so much we have decided to make this a new pattern for future cruises.

Once we got into the water at Labadee we swam for a long time before heading back to our lounge chairs to dry off and enjoy the sun.

Stayed onboard at Falmouth and spend several hours enjoying the hot- tub and lounge chairs in the Solarium.

Since we are Grandparents we enjoy children enjoy their cruises and this one offered lots of smiling faces and generally very well-behaved children.

Do hope you joined the Crown and Anchor Society before this cruise and if not, really recommend you do so now.

Our first cruise was on the Splendour in 1999 and we viewed it as a one time thing. LOL. We now cruise two - three times a year and reached Diamond + with all the lovely perks that go along with it.

Merry Christmas and Happy Cruising.

Kathy:)

P.S. I hope those spines work out of your foot soon and it feels better fast.

[LVinTennessee]

Attempt to finish review - in a haphazard manner:

 

Like I said, we didn't do much of the evening entertainment/headliner shows. We did not go to the ice show or Saturday Night Fever or the comedian's show or Quest. My husband and I did go out one night and watched the Love & Marriage Show - quite funny.

 

My sister-in-law and I watched the World's Sexiest Man competition poolside on our last day at sea, and it was quite entertaining.

 

The soft serve ice cream available poolside is quite tasty.

 

The Mango Lava Flow cocktail is my favorite!

 

I should note that we did not book any excusions ahead of the trip. We did our booking on the ship. I was thankful that there were a couple of areas to get info and do the bookings on ship (at Guest Services and Poolside). The crew managing this task were quite helpful. However, I never could get the interactive TV to work to view our bill or to book an excursion.

 

On our Jamaica port day, we went on the River Tubing Safari. While the tubing ride down the river was quite enjoyable and relaxing, two bus rides are needed to get to the river (one bus takes you to a little excursion area where lockers, bathroom, store, and bar/restaurant is located - plus I believe the ATV, 4 wheeler adventures start off in the location) and one truck takes you to the river itself. The first bus ride is mostly a smooth ride with the driver playing a few games with the passengers (teaching some Jamaican lingo, telling stories, etc). The second truck ride to the Martha Brae river is quite jolty and bumpy. If you have back or neck problems, it could be a painful ride. Once we got to the river, the people handling the tubing adventure were quite knowledgeable and helpful. Our tubes were tied together, we all wore life jackets, and the tubes have a sturdy plastic bottom attached so that rough rocks can't hit your bottom. Our river guide made a big show of doing a flip into the water then getting out, launching his canoe, making a run for it, and jumping feet first into his canoe. Quite a feat! We all clapped. He took the lead and paddled us down the river. The water seemed quite clear and clean, but I am no expert. He told us stories and pointed out lots of flora and fauna along the way. I only saw one bug, and it didn't bother me. HOWEVER, I strongly ADVISE using bug spray (more on that later). Our guide told us stories while we gently floated down the river. There were a few class 1 rapids (very mild). As soon as the tubing was over, we were escorted back to the locker areas where we had left our belongings. Right about then, both my ankles started itching fiercely. I rubbed my ankles with a towel off and on until we got back to Falmouth. The itching was bothering me quite a bit, and out of the 6 of us, I seemed to be the only one with a problem. I couldn't wait until we got back to the ship so I bought a $12 tube of Benedryl ointment (which was expired) from a street vendor. I liberally applied the ointment to my ankles about 3 times on the walk back to the ship where I quickly took a shower then applied another coating of ointment. The itching never bothered me again. During that time, I could not discern any reason for the itching - never saw a bug near my ankles, never felt anything, didn't walk thru any weeds, never saw any markings on my skin. Fast forward several days, and I have about 100 red dots on one ankle and foot and about 50 red dots on the other. They do not itch or bother me in anyway (other than the first day). My husband researched it and thinks I got bit by no see'ums or sand fleas. REALLY WISH I HAD APPLIED BUG SPRAY. :eek: Backtracking a little, once the tubing ride was over, there was time to have a pina coloda, a beer, some Jamaican chicken and hush puppies at the little village before we were driven back to Falmouth.

 

Although we took all of our pool towels back before the last day, we were billed for one and some was other family members were also billed. We went to guest services during disembarkation, and they removed the charge with no hassle.

 

We really liked our MDR waiters - Sydney, Jilmer and Head Waiter Orhan. We forgot to take our extra tipping envelopes to dinner on the last night. I wish there was some reminder to do this. I falsely assumed I could just leave all the envelopes in the room, and the envelopes would be distributed to them. I know, I know. That was a naive and foolish thought. I asked Sydney, and he sadly informed me that he didn't think he would get it. Two of us went back to our rooms and brought back the envelopes and personally handed them out to each person, thanked them for their exceptional service, shook hands, and wished them a Merry Christmas. We used the envelopes for extra tipping in cash. We had also prepaid our tips for the cruise. Is everyone SURE that prepaying the tips actually gets to the people who are supposed to get them?

[Russ Lomas]

At one point in the day, I thought I had stepped on a sharp piece of shell or coral while in the ocean in Labadee. Later, back on the ship, I looked at a sore spot on my big toe and saw a swollen area with what looked like two splinters in my toe. I went to the medical clinic and told the lady what had happened. She looked at it and said I had probably stepped on a sea urchin.

 

I saw those urchins too when we were in Labadee. I always carry a mask and snorkel with me to check out the water before my family heads in. I did see about 20 or 30, but not an incredible amount like I have seen elsewhere. Also, they were rather small (4"-5" diameter) as opposed to some of the huge 12" ones I have seen elsewhere. They almost always hang out in holes in the rocks, so be careful around the rocks. You would be amazed at how many there are on the rock steps leading into the ocean at many places (Eden Rock in Grand Cayman right beside the pier is one place I always saw tons of them). Amazing to look at, but nothing you want to be touching.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the review.

[kymbakitty]

.....We had also prepaid our tips for the cruise. Is everyone SURE that prepaying the tips actually gets to the people who are supposed to get them?

 

Many cruise lines don't even have this option any more. It either gets added to your folio every day or you simply prepay.

 

We have not had to hand out envelopes with cash in them for over a decade. I thought I would miss it--but turns out, it is one less thing to think about while we are on cruise. Now we just carry cash for room service tips, extra for specialty service restaurants, and extra to cabin steward (rarely extra to MDR staff as we rarely dine there (3 lunches only from TA cruise, 0 dinners, 0 breakfasts--14 day cruise).

 

But you kind of just have to trust that the cruise line will disseminate the tips as stated.

 

I feel this way about my monthly tithing to my church (thank you Joyce Meyer!). You tithe and don't concern yourself or worry about things you cannot control. If the church secretary is stealing my monthly tithe, it has nothing to do with me. I tithed--the rest is beyond my control.

 

:)