Pre-Cruise blog and Review of the Liberty -- June 20-28

[PathfinderEss]

Enjoying your live report, thanks for taking us along with you.

[billys5764]

Enjoying your live report, thanks for taking us along with you.

 

Thanks. I wish I was there now!

[wantocruisemore]

We really enjoyed Liberty this past May. So glad they added the strawberry soup back, it was missing in May.

 

Looking forward to your review!!!!

[billys5764]

They had several of the chilled soups back on the menu -- strawberry, cherry, mango.

[billys5764]

They had several of the chilled soups back on the menu -- strawberry, cherry, mango.

 

And crème brulée was back!

[billys5764]

Day 2 -- Part 1

 

Finally I get to do some work on the review. I'm more busy now than during the school year!

 

We rose at our usual time of about 6:15 am. We love to get up early on cruises. I'm not a morning person except on cruises. We threw on some clothes and I went to the Lido deck for croissants and coffee. DW had to wait until 7 am for the Jardin Café to open so she could get "real" coffee. She brings her mug and they fill it for her. I think the cost is around $2.75. I'm not as much of a coffee snob as she is. The Lido coffee was better this year. It was very drinkable. It's still not as good as the coffee in the restaurants on board.

 

I went up to deck 11 where the walking track is. They were just putting the chairs out. I love Deck 11 because of the railing. On deck 10 the rails are solid on the bottom. So, when you sit in your chair you are eye level with a white wall. On Deck 11 the rails are open and the view is lovely!

 

The view from Deck 10

 

 

The view from Deck 11

 

See why I like Deck 11 better?

 

Here are other pics from that morning

 

Calm seas

 

Whale Tail

 

The aft pool early in the morning after the roof had been moved back.

 

The jogging track on Deck 11

[Lovefuninthesun]

Enjoying your review!

[TxStacey]

Come back!! Loving your review!:)

[billys5764]

I will! I've been terribly busy. DS is going off to college ;-(

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[csradave]

Thanks for a wonderful blog. Going on the Liberty in September.

[Silc]

43 days to go until it's my turn! More please!

 

Silc

[billys5764]

Day 2 -- Part 2

 

We stayed on Deck 11 and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and breeze until about 8:30 am. We went back to the cabin (reluctantly) to change for brunch. We had agreed to meet our friends at 9 am. It was just the 4 of us as DS and DSF slept in (they were out until 5 am).

 

At brunch, I had the steak and eggs. It came with fries (I don't think I ordered them), a grilled tomato (yuk) and was served on a bed of thinly sliced potatoes. I also got OJ (fresh sqeezed or at least was not the watery kind on the Lido deck) and coffee. The dining room coffee is better than the Lido deck coffee. By the end of brunch I had had at least 6 cups of coffee -- I was wired and ready to go!

 

DW and friends all got an omelet. Overall, it was very good.

 

After brunch, DW and I went back to the room to get ready for our day of sunning on Deck 11. We suncreened and she went up to get our chairs. I went to the casino for the Snowball Raffle. Today they were raffling off $200. If the person's name called was not there, that money rolled over to tomorrow's drawing. They called the name and it wasn't mine. But the person they called was not there (why?) so tomorrow's drawing will be worth $500.

 

So I went on up to Deck 11. Jeff and Linda were up there, too. We all lounged around until about noon. Jeff and Linda went inside and DW and I stayed until around 1.

 

DW and I went to the Lido Restaurant for lunch. DW had a salad and pot roast. She said the roast was good. I was still full from brunch so I just had my daily dose of seasick medicine -- ice cream! You know, it is a proven medical fact that at least one cone of ice cream daily on a cruise will prevent seasickness!

 

After that we went back up to Deck 11. I didn't want to stay too long in the restaurant to lose our chair or be called a "chog."

 

Neither DW nor I participate in much of the ship events on sea days. We just love to chill out, sun, read, nap, etc. in the Caribbean sun and look at the gorgeous water. It is so peaceful!

 

Around 3:30 DW went back to the room to begin the process of dressing for dinner. We have early seating so we have to start early. (I prefer late seating, myself).

 

Now, I hate the bathrooms in the cabin. The shower curtain always blows into the shower and sticks to me and it is so small only one person can be in the bathroom at a time. So, I always use the spa showers. On the Liberty, there are 4-5 showers that are quite roomy. The handicapped stall has a bench and a detachable shower head that is quite nice.

 

I lounged around in the steam room and sauna for a while, trying to sweat off some of the fluid I've already started to retain! The area was not crowded at all. It was almost like having my own personal spa.

 

I showered and shaved and then went back to our cabin to dress. Guys, if you have never shaved your face after sitting in the steam room for a while, you must try it. It is so easy and you get the best shave ever. Your face feels like a baby's bottom!

 

We got dressed -- it was Elegant night. DW wore a lovely dress (same as last year) and I wore a suit (no tux this year). Sadly, I did not take any pictures that night.

 

DW at elegant night (last year)

 

We left the cabin and went searching for the Captain's meet and greet. We thought it was in the main theatre. We went there and it was empty. Got that wrong! By the time we searched for it, it was time for dinner. So the Captain did not have the honor of meeting us this year!

 

We went to dinner. I had shrimp cocktail, Ceasar Salad, Prime Rib AND Lobster. The lobster was the best I've had on a Carnival ship. It was not tough and rubbery as it usually is. DW had Spinach Salad, Prime Rib and Lobster, DS had shrimp cocktail, Ceasar Salad, Prime Rib and Lobster. DSF had shrimp cocktail, mushroom soup, and lobster. He loved the mushroom soup. He tried something new each night.

 

A word about DSF. Elijah comes from a single parent home. His dad died when he as a baby. He also has 2 younger sisters. His mom works very hard, but they have very little. He and DS met in the 6th grade and have been best friends ever since. We paid for him to go on the cruise with DS as his graduation present. It was so neat watching him experience new things for him. We sometimes take things for granted, like dressing for dinner, eating prime rib and lobster, being waited on hand and foot, etc. He thought he had died and gone to heaven! He was very grateful and we were thrilled to be able to do this for him.

 

The service was excellent. Our wait staff was very attentive and had wonderful personalities.

 

For dessert I had crème brulée AND the hazelnut chocolate cake. The crème brulée was excellent. The cake was good too, but I was so full I couldn't enjoy it very much. DS had two chocolate melting cakes with 4 ice creams. DSF had crème brulée, 3 chocolate melting cakes with 6 ice creams (He was not going to be outdone by DS!).

 

After dinner, I went back to the cabin to change into my casino clothes. This is not for luck but because I don't want to have my good clothes smelling like smoke.

 

DW went to the shops and bought an ankle bracelet. It only cost $8. I went to the casino where I broke even for the night.

 

DW, Jeff and Linda went to the Rock and Roll show. They said it was very good. DW said the dancing was better than the singing. She should know -- she was a music theatre major in college. I usually don't go to the shows on cruise ships. I teach music and music theatre at a university, so I hear this all the time. It's a nice break for me NOT to hear music!

 

At 11pm I went back to the casino for the drawing. The prizes were several money prizes $25-$200, spa treatments, Chef's table, etc. I didn't win anything:mad:

 

I went back to the room and sat on the balcony for a while before going to bed.

 

I love sleeping on a cruise ship!

[JennN]

Great review!!!!

[csradave]

Pick up 2 sets of these magnets at Radio Shack, http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103429

 

use them on the bottom of the shower curtain they will stick to each other placing them on each side of the curtain about a foot apart. The weight holds the curtain down.

 

Keep them in your cruising bag for the next cruise, just don't forget to take them the morning you leave.

[billys5764]

Day 2 -- Part 3

 

I forget to include this in Day 1. When we got onboard the first day, we found our Gold Pin waiting for us. We turned gold on this cruise. We also got a free drink at brunch! Here is the paper welcoming us. Our pin was attached to it.

 

 

Since this was a Premier Casino cruise for us, we were showered with gifts nearly everyday! Today was the chocolate covered strawberries and truffles plate.

 

 

 

We also received card everyday letting us know what was going on with the Premier events. This was what was going on today.

 

 

This card (DW got one also) contained a playing card. At the drawing this evening they would draw a card from the deck. If it was the card you received, you got to come up and select a prize. I had the 8 of Diamonds and DW had the 9 of Diamonds. We didn't get selected.

[billys5764]

Day 2 -- Part 4

 

Here is the Fun Times for the day

 

 

 

 

 

 

[billys5764]

Day 3 -- Part 1

 

We got up at the usual time around 6:15. I threw on some clothes and went to the Lido deck for coffee and croissants. I had to go to deck 10 today as the crew had not put out the chairs on deck 11. DW went to the Jardin Café to get her coffee at 7 and then she joined me. We stayed there until around 8:30. It was pretty cloudy this morning and a bit windy, but not as bad as it would be on other days.

 

We met Jeff and Linda in the dining room for brunch at 9. Today, I had the eggs benedict, hash browns, and sausage. It was very good. DW had fruit and an omelet. Jeff had regular French toast (not the kind with cereal crusted on the outside). Linda had scrambled eggs, sausage, and cheese grits. They really don't know how to make cheese grits on the ship. They just give a bowl of grits with a piece of cheese on top. Real cheese grits has the cheese stirred into it! Linda was not crazy about her eggs. She said they tasted like liquid eggs they cooked up. The waiter told her next time ask for fresh eggs and it would be correct.

 

After brunch, I went to the casino for the snowball raffle. Today it was for $500. They called the person's name and they weren't there. So tomorrow the raffle will be fore $900. Linda and I stayed and played roulette. I quickly lost $100. Linda lost $40. I always tell myself never play anything but blackjack. I should have heeded my own advice!

 

I went to the cabin and got dressed to lie out in the sun. When I got up there, it was still cloudy, but not bad. The clouds were the high thin kind (I'm sure there is a name). It was quite windy by now. It was hard to keep the towel on the chair long enough to lie down.

 

So far, we've had 2 sea days and things have not seemed crowded. There were always chairs available. Even around the main Lido pool it was not super crowded. I don't think we were sailing with a full ship.

 

DW went to the buffet for lunch. They were carving pork at the carving station. She got that and said it was very good. I was still full from brunch so I skipped lunch which went against what I said I was going to do. I was so thrilled that Guys was on this ship that I had said I would get a burger every day. So far I've only had one and that was embarkation day.

 

Later that afternoon, DW went to the cabin to get ready for dinner and I went to the spa to clean up.

 

Dinner tonight was not the greatest, option-wise. I had spring rolls, Ceasar salad, flat bread with apple, cheese and bacon. It was OK. I had the flat iron steak and it was good, but not great. For dessert I just had ice cream since nothing on the menu really appealed to me. DW had the roasted broccoli salad and flat iron steak. We got the lime coconut (no sugar) cake to share with everyone. It was bland. She got the peach pie a la mode for her dessert. DS had flat bread, Ceasar salad, shrimp cocktail, veal parmesean and ice cream for dessert. Jeff got the salmon and flan. Linda ordered the Greek salad, chicken breast, and the peach pie. Elijah got the lamb (first time ever). He said it was good.

 

After dinner, I changed into my casino clothes to win some money back. I won $200 tonight. If I hadn't foolishly played roulette, I would be even for the trip. Of course, I've only been playing with Carnival's money, which is nice!

 

After I quit playing, I put my cash in the safe in my cabin and went up to deck 10 to sit under the stars for a while. It was very windy. Deck 11 was closed off to everyone because of the wind.

 

I went back to the casino for the drawing for the "deal or no deal" game tonight. Alas, my name was never called. I went back to the cabin. DW was already sound asleep so I sat on the balcony for a while. It was perfectly clear. I hope that means tomorrow will be nice!

 

Again, sorry to bore anyone with this review. Like I said, we don't participate in the games and other things on the ship. DW does like to listen to the Asian band near the casino. They are quite good. We do like to get a drink and sit in the atrium before dinner. There is usually a soloists or small group singing music we like. We also like to people watch.

 

Tomorrow is ARUBA!

[TxStacey]

Thanks for coming back:) It is so wonderful that you and your wife paid for DS friend to go! I'm sure he will be forever grateful for your kind gesture!

Cant wait to read the rest!

[momonthego17]

Great review and I'm looking forward to Aruba!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[CRUISE2062]

More please!

:D

[Bobkat26]

Love this review, I can't wait to read more!

 

Kathy

[gizmo911]

Really enjoying your review. Can't wait to hear more....

[uffdafla]

April 17

 

Today I received in the mail my certificate for $300 Casino Cash for the cruise! I present it at the cashiers cage. Does anyone know if I get cash or if it is applied to my S&S card?

 

I also receive special boarding and embarkation. Of course, I've already purchased FTTF. I wonder if that is now wasted money?

 

I also get a Welcome Aboard cocktail party where we receive info about the special casino events, free drinks in the casino, Commemorative Players Club gift (SOAS?), and free tournaments.

 

Can't wait!!!!!!!!

Tell us more about this CASH , perks ,

[billys5764]

Tell us more about this CASH , perks ,

 

We booked under the Premier Casino offer. We got $300 in casino cash. The first night in the casino, I took my certificate to the cashier's cage, they looked up my name, checked it off, and gave me three 100 dollar bills! I could have just pocketed that money, but it was fun gambling with Carnival's money!

 

We got priority boarding also. I had purchased FTTF just so we could get in our cabin when we boarded. So I'm not sure if we got on so fast because of FTTF or the priority boarding.

 

We (both DW and I) received free drinks cards for the casino. It could only be used in the casino, literally, not even at the casino bar. So, we would go into the casino find a waiter, order our drink, and then take wherever we wanted. We did this every night before dinner and when we wanted a drink (except when the casino was closed).

 

There were all kinds of drawings throughout the cruise. The first one was right after sail away. That was in the Victoria lounge with free drinks and appetizers. I won $250 in that game. Each day there were drawings for games at night and the snowball raffle each morning.

 

We did receive a gift every evening in our cabin -- chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, champagne, beach towel, etc.

 

All of this plus winning the blackjack tournament I came out over $1000 ahead.

[billys5764]

Day 4 -- Part 1

 

ARUBA

 

All of the activity must have gotten to us -- we didn't get up until 7am!!!! We jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes and began our day. DW went straight to Jardin for her coffee and I went to the Lido deck for my usual coffee, 2 croissants, and 2 packs of frozen butter. I walked up to deck 10 and went outside. As soon as I got away from the door, the wind blew both croissants and butters onto the deck about 10 feet from me. Coffee also went flying all over my hand, feet, shirt, etc. Hot coffee! This was the strongest wind we had had on the cruise.

 

I invoked the 5 second rule and scooped up the croissants and butter. The coffee (what was left in the cup) had gotten cold by this point, so I didn't drink that. The water was quite choppy today. In fact, it was last night also. Last night was probably the roughest ride I've had on a ship in quite some time, at least since the new ones came out with the stabilizers. Still, I loved it!

 

DW came up with her coffee -- she has hers put in her travel mug with a lid, so she didn't lose any of hers! We wanted to go up to Deck 11, our usual spot, but it was closed because of the high winds. We sat in our chaises and watched the white caps. It was a bit overcast.

 

Rough seas

 

 

At 9:30 I went to the casino for the Snowball Raffle. Today it was $900. The name was drawn, but that person was not there (why?) so it rolls over to tomorrow.

 

We met Jeff and Linda in the dining room for breakfast. Since today is a port day, it is breakfast instead of brunch. Nevertheless, I had the same thing -- Eggs Benedict, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and orange juice -- the juice was very good today! DW, Jeff and Linda got the baked apple (not available for brunch). DW got an omelet, Jeff got pancakes, and Linda got scrambled eggs made from fresh eggs, not the liquid stuff.

 

After breakfast, we went back to the cabin to get ready for the day and then went back up to Deck 10 to watch us come in to Aruba.

 

Coming in to Aruba

 

Hazy day