Just off Liberty 11/28 sailing.. Questions?

[poison7fl]

Well, a cruise is what you make of it. We are going on Liberty this week. We have a great group going along so we will be able to have a variety of opinions and will be able to report back about the entire experience. I have been on cruises that had a lot of motion and some that were almost motionless. I have enjoyed them all because I went with an open mind. I have missed ports due to high seas and wind. I have had so so service and exceptional service. But I was not home working, cooking & cleaning and that is why I have never had a terrible cruise.

 

This is true.. However, there is still a certain level of expectation that you deserve for your money from them. Otherwise, you might as well hop a container cargo ship to the islands.

Edited December 9, 2014 by poison7fl

[PathfinderEss]

Sorry your cruise was not everything you wanted.

[poison7fl]

Sorry your cruise was not everything you wanted.

 

 

It's OK, I have another coming up in April to look forward to. ;)

[katiel53]

What a difference in your cruise on Liberty and ours in September. We were on deck 8 and across from the steward's pantry and under the Lido deck so we heard noise at night and in the morning, but it was tolerable. We had no vibration, but we had the a/c problems instead.

 

We loved the band in the casino even though at that time, we thought the casino was smoky and I am sure it is worse now with the changes in the smoking areas. The casino is really small and there was smoking everywhere. The non-smoking machines were near or next to the smoking ones and the smokers smoked one after another after another.

 

We loved the ship and were sad to hear that it is going to San Juan, but maybe that isn't all bad. Perhaps Valor with the lack of 2.0 upgrades will have fewer passengers sailing and less smoky interiors. One thing I wish Carnival would do on all their ships is improve the ventilation systems so that the smoke would dissipate. Other lines can do it so it's not impossible.

 

Other than the smoke, we totally enjoyed our cruise. We had the best bartenders, wait staff and although our cabin steward was ok, nothing special, it was a great cruise.

[jdockery5]

I was on the same cruise. I had an amazing time on this cruise, this being my 10th cruise all on Carnival. I do get seasick, this cruise was not that bad, yes you felt the movement but nothing as bad as some are saying. If you have the Liberty booked, don't worry about anything, you will have a good time.

[Crusin Karen]

I was on the same cruise. I had an amazing time on this cruise, this being my 10th cruise all on Carnival. I do get seasick, this cruise was not that bad, yes you felt the movement but nothing as bad as some are saying. If you have the Liberty booked, don't worry about anything, you will have a good time.

Thanks for the good thoughts and glad you had a good time! Do you (or anyone) know what the Platinum gift is now?

[jdockery5]

Thanks for the good thoughts and glad you had a good time! Do you (or anyone) know what the Platinum gift is now?

 

Sorry, I can't help you with the Platinum gift.

[poison7fl]

Thanks for the good thoughts and glad you had a good time! Do you (or anyone) know what the Platinum gift is now?

 

We got a blue coffee mug with VIFP and Carnival printed on it. Looks nice, but pretty junky quality.

Edited December 9, 2014 by poison7fl

[Crusin Karen]

We got a blue coffee mug with VIFP and Carnival printed on it. Looks nice, but pretty junky quality.

We got them in May on the Splendor too. This is the lst time we have had to fly to a cruise, so I'm trying to figure out baggage room. Nice they give you things, but I wish they would give you a choice!

[cosmo cruiser]

and found many of the same issues to be true. This was cruise #25 so we have plenty to compare it to. It was very shaky quite a bit of the time. Some rough seas but certainly not the worst we have seen over the years. We would rank this in the low #'s as far as cruises go. It was still good to be at sea and not at work or home in the cold but on a scale of 1-10 this one was a 3 at best. We hated the new American Feast Menus in the main dining room. We missed all of the old standbys that we look forward to. The service was super slow and our wait team just didn't have their act together at all. We always dine in the dining room at night and this trip we gave up on night four and ate on the Lido for the rest of the week. It was food, but not much more than that. Guy's burgers were great as usual, but after a few meals you want something new. The fish tacos were terrible, greasy & cold both times we tired them. Breakfast in the dining room was just ok, not wonderful like normal. The only positive is I normally gain weight on a cruise and this time I didn't gain an ounce. :)

 

We did not notice any smoke smell at all in the main areas or lobby at any time. The casino did have smokers in it but there are so few places that they can go now what do you expect. The non-smokers brought this on themselves by gripping so much that about 5% of the ship even welcomes them any more.

 

The band in the casino area was really good and we enjoyed listening to them. We didn't go to any shows this time or book any excursions thru the ship. The ports were all great and we loved the sunshine and beaches.

 

We did see a poor man knocked to the ground during debartation. It was like a cattle call with people pushing and shoving like little children. Sad to see. If people would just follow the rules and go when they are supposed to I think it would work quite well, but some people have to be "first" no matter what. You can't fix stupid, so ya just have to laugh at them I guess.

 

Overall we were disappointed in the Liberty this time. It is our second time to sail this ship and it wasn't near as good the second time around. We sail the Splendor next so hopefully it will be more up to the standards we know Carnival is capable of providing.

 

Looking forward to sailing again as soon as we get thru the holidays.

[cruiser fanatic]

Thanks poisonfl7 for the support of the Promenade deck being DECK FIVE not three and being smokey. Critics: check your deck plans before you comment.

 

I LOVE walking on the outside promenade deck but this isn't a ship that really is designed for that. I don't like direct sunlight because of migraines and really missed my walking routine. That is a big problem for me; maybe not for others. The workout room was warm the first day I tried it so that didn't help the nausea.

 

I have been on transatlantics and in Alaska three times and never experienced the vibrations like I did on the Liberty. I didn't think the seas were all that rough, but the ship's stabalizers didn't agree with my observation. I really was surprised at the number of people complaining on how rough the seas were. There were too many negative comments to discount their opinions. Frequent Carnival cruisers did not seem impressed with this sailing.

 

Plan on having options to make your own fun. I am just surprised since Carnival markets itself as the Fun Ships, but they did little to help unless you like trivia or shopping talks.

 

Am I missing something?? Where was anyone critical??

[Davey Wavey]

Thanks Steve! OP never mentioned that the seas were rough and that may contribute to vibrations from stabilizers doing their job to keep the ship on an even keel.

 

Our trip on the Splendor had plenty of vibrations also. It only happened during rough seas near Belize and Roatan. Our cabin was Lido 9241 near the front and we felt plenty of vibration, but nothing compared to the rear dining room at breakfast. It was enough to froth my milk.

[caribnsnrklr]

Hello all...Just wanted to pipe in about the vibrations problem. I was fortunate enough to sail the Liberty twice this year. In May there were no vibration problems but on my November 15 sailing I noticed it right away. When we boarded the ship we went straight to buffet for lunch and sat up by the fish n chips. As soon as I sat down it was very noticeable. Being my Moms first cruise she just looked at me and said what is that? I said I don't know you don't usually feel that. It was quite annoying at first but after a few days I didn't notice it as much. So I am thinking there is some problem since it was like that before we even left Port Canaveral. It didn't ruin my cruise but I imagine it could be bothersome to more sensitive people. Also not a fan of the American Feast and felt the activities were lacking on this cruise. Liberty is a great ship and hope the problem gets fixed soon.

[BeachLoverstoo]

Who were your waitstaff at your time dining? I love the concept but in the past had to change a few times until we found a great staff. We are going Sat and look forward to a wonderful cruise! We are also under guest services on the main deck and it will be interesting to see if the vibrations are still there. We usually are aft watching the wake and feeling vibrations from the engines.

Luka was the headwaiter, with Bohan and Rinalyn as his assistants. Rinalyn was still being trained, but it was amazing to see just how she progressed during our cruise. We alternated between Silvio and Zoron (sp). Preferred Silvio. Tell them Richard and Mary miss them!

Joyce, Verica, and Carina were wonderful hostesses. Every night an apology as they handed us a pager.

[hartsnvt]

Luka was the headwaiter, with Bohan and Rinalyn as his assistants. Rinalyn was still being trained, but it was amazing to see just how she progressed during our cruise. We alternated between Silvio and Zoron (sp). Preferred Silvio. Tell them Richard and Mary miss them!

Joyce, Verica, and Carina were wonderful hostesses. Every night an apology as they handed us a pager.

 

Thanks! So we should ask for Luka? Or Silvio? I got confused when you added Silvio and Zoron, lol

[BeachLoverstoo]

[quote name='FLAllison']Thanks! So we should ask for Luka? Or Silvio? I got confused when you added Silvio and Zoron, lol[/quote]
Sorry, I added them and forgot to say they were bar service.
Ask for Luka, efficient, funny, cute and, maybe if you are over 18, he will share his R-rated joke.

[hartsnvt]

[quote name='BeachLoverstoo']Sorry, I added them and forgot to say they were bar service.
Ask for Luka, efficient, funny, cute and, maybe if you are over 18, he will share his R-rated joke.[/QUOTE]
Thanks so much!

[loanshark]

Was on the 11/28 sailing as well.... 11th cruise overall. We had a balcony cabin on the lido deck forward. Did not notice the vibration in the cabin but did notice it during brunch on deck 3 in the rear dining room. Dinner was in the mid ship dining room most nights and we did not notice the vibration there. There were no air conditioner problems this cruise.

I thought the seas were pretty rough... probably 3rd roughest of the 11 cruises that I have been on. I normally do not notice the waves on this class of ship but did this time.

I agree that it was a much older crowd than what one normally sees on a Carnival cruise, also, the entertainment left a little to be desired. There was plenty of trivia everyday, but not a large amount of other forms of entertainment. Karoke was available on most days for at least one session, however, it was during times when most people would rather do something else (like lounge at the pool or serenity area at 2 in the afternoon.) Live music could be found on this ship which was a plus compared to other ships.

I agree with other posts that it seems to be they pushed shopping or casino action as some of the entertainment. A first time cruiser wouldnt have known any better, although I felt the entertainment was a little lacking. The comedians were ok... there were 2 before our stop in st thomas and 2 after our last stop in st martin. I think they were supposed to switch out in grand turk and we ended up with no comedian for 3 nights (every port day) because of the missed port.

Platinum gift was the coffee mug. Embarking was easy as a platinum cruiser. Arrived at 1045 and on ship with platinum and diamonds around 1115. Leaving the ship for us wasnt too bad either. We had #2 luggage tags, and were still on lido finishing breakfast when they called self assist and #1. Was walking down promenade to get to lobby area when they called our #2 tags and was off the ship approximately 10 min later, but not to the baggage claim carousel until approximately 15 minutes after getting off the ship.

This cruise was just me and the misses without kids, so we were wanting a relaxing cruise without the kids, and that is exactly what we got.

For the excursions we had the following:
Grand Turk-power snorkeling (cancelled and refunded due to missed port/rough seas).

St Thomas-taxi to Coral World and Coki Beach on our own. On the way back, we took a taxi back to tutu mall then the bus system to downtown for shopping in port. Was thinking about going to Mountaintop but ran out of time and took a bus back to an area within walking distance of havensight area.

San Juan-Walking tour and also used the trolleys on our own. Explored one of the forts, the original jail outside of the wall, the remaining city gate that is part of the wall, the govenor's mansion (outside only) and the Catholic church. Also ate mogungo at a local restaurant and stopped for a drink at sr frogs on the way back to the ship.

St Martin - Bernard's tours #1. Had lunch at Sarafinas in Marigot. Also got some nice pics of the planes at Maho Beach.

[MCC retired]

Just off of the Liberty today.
Was concerned about the recent reports of vibration even when in port?
Experienced no unusual vibration at all.
Some at the aft end of the dining room but no more than any other ship
and certainly none when docked.

The smoke creeping out of the Casino into the Atrium is a major concern to
many including myself .

Comedy Club had a great variety of comedians .

As a prefer My Time Dining type venues on PCL RCI I thought that I would try it on CCL ,
CCL failed .
Long lines just to get a beeper . Never again My Time on CCL .



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[jimbo5544]

[quote name='poison7fl']It was rough, but that is not what was causing the vibration in the ship.

Bad shaft or prop will cause vibrations, but not speed, rough seas, or that combination.

The vibrations were noticeable while transiting the ports and milder while idling in port...[/QUOTE]


I am confused how a ship at anchor could have vibrations from props. Stabilizers also cause vibrations also in rough seas.


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[flahagan]

Our neighbors went on the Liberty Dec. 6 and the first thing they mentioned when we saw them afterwards was the vibrations. In fact, they had to be moved to another cabin (had been aft), new one was under the casino, which they didn't mind, but said they still felt the vibrations, just not as bad. They felt like something must be wrong with the ship.

[poison7fl]

[quote name='jimbo5544']I am confused how a ship at anchor could have vibrations from props. Stabilizers also cause vibrations also in rough seas.


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Never said anchored, but in port at pierside, ships have to run the screws in port prior to departure and after arrival for a little while. Not the whole in port time, but at arrival and departure times.

Ships are not tugged out and pushed off, they leave on their own power. Edited December 21, 2014 by poison7fl

[fla_momuv3]

We were on Liberty in July & noticed it was extremely light on activities. Mostly trivia games, every day. Normally, we can't decide between 2 or 3 different activities to participate in. We still enjoyed it...it was just a more low key vibe.


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[shibby sails]

I sailed on the Liberty twice this past summer and it was great. I just sailed again on December 6th and I was schocked at the difference. I think they changed a lot of the crew and even the captain in the middle of the cruise. it was Ok but nothing to write home about. MDR service was slow, entertainment was different and not as good as the summer and the CD was different that also made a difference. I was on the Freedom in November and that was a great cruise and ship. I guess i had the same expectations for this cruise and it was not even close.