Beware Liberty OTS Canada/New England Sailing

[jude8]

On flight home from this cruise. Did not have these problems at all. I will be posting my review later this week when I get sometime. It was a great cruise with a few minor hiccups but nothing to be upset about. Walked off and in a cab in less than 20 min.

[denatravels]

We were on a sold-out cruise on Liberty last week. We only had one issue with the elevators -- returning to the ship at the end of a shore day, when they were directing everyone to one elevator bank and one of the 4 elevators was out of order. Other than that, we didn't wait much - our room was on 10, so we just took the stairs to WJ/specialty restaurants and the pools. No issues getting into shows, either but maybe it was just a different crowd that wasn't as interested in them.

 

We did think that the hours for the MDR for lunch on sea days were too short, and would have preferred it if the MDR and Chops opened earlier for breakfast. We ate at WJ more than we expected to because of that. I can see how -- if the demographic is skewing a bit older -- you'd have more demand for the MDR lunch vs. Windjammer.

 

I wonder if some of the issues at the ports are because this is the first Canadian cruise of the season. Maybe everything isn't up and running as it should.

 

I was one of 13 people on both the most recent Bermuda cruise and 9 day Canada-- there were more elevator "issues" because it was an older crowd. There were boarding issues in Boston (I subsequently heard it was because we were at the wrong pier) and in Bar Harbor (the gangway broke and we waited on the tender for an hour). Both of these issues may be because it was the first cruise north and the largest ship this year up to Canada. I also felt that the headliner entertainment was better on the Bermuda leg.

BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS RUINED MY CRUISE!!!

I just got off today after 14 days of a fantastic time!! I was at guest services yesterday next to a woman complaining that this was the worst cruise ever and "all guests are miserable". Much to the delight of several guest services officers, I turned to her and said, "I'm not. I am having a great time!" Does not mean that there were not some issues-- there were. But I found several people who had a miserable time because Boston reboarding was delayed on DAY 3. Get serious!

[mollyeilis]

The guest service manager explained it to me that of the 3800 or so onboard about 60% are over the age of 65 and nearly half had some sort of special needs. All opinions are welcome but that's a decidedly different "activity level" than the cruising demographics of a Caribbean itinerary. It tends to gum up the works because of slower movement. That being said the officers were pretty candid that was a large root cause and EOS crews had the benefit of experience with this itinerary which this crew doesn't. The ship itself is great and all are having a good time it's just resulting in some unchartered territory onboard.

 

My issue would be any employee saying things like that.

 

half of 60% is, unless I've totally screwed up, 1140 guests. So 1/3 of the guests are causing such issues?

 

The other poster on your cruise said something different about the reasons, and said that those in wheelchairs etc are actually using a different gangway.

 

The 45 minutes is to actually get an elevator going your direction which has space combined with wait times for events.

 

Always just take ANY elevator. Eventually you'll hit the floor you want.

 

And unless you NEED an elevator, just take the stairs! If you need the elevator, then you're part of the group you're kinda slamming on this very thread.

 

 

 

Got run over a time or 2 in the elevator bays cuz scooter drivers would arrive last but expect to push thru the waiting passengers and drive right on. If those of us walking had yielded to all scooters, we'd have been forced to take the stairs all week.

 

From my experience, that isn't generally what is happening. It's entirely possible that they were there but just weren't being noticed. It's very very easy to not notice scooters and their users; we saw it nearly every time we were at an elevator. People just woldn't notice them and would push forward. We are staunch supporters of those with extra needs, and will help those on wheels get in when they've been waiting.

 

There ARE scooter users who do behave offensively; I'm not saying there aren't, but it's also possible that the offensive ones are doing that because they have been ignored so many times in the past.

 

Great thing to do is to greet people and sort of create a camaraderie while waiting for an elevator. You're all in it together, after all! Stick up for those who have been waiting longer and help other get on.

 

And always just take any old elevator. Go up to go down and vice versa.

 

(my husband has a tendency to injure himself just before vacations, making stairs very difficult, which is why I have elevator experience LOL)

[jaydog240011]

THIS IS WHY YOU DONT DO A FIRT SAIL TOO NEW PORT 4 A ship.

[denatravels]

THIS IS WHY YOU DONT DO A FIRT SAIL TOO NEW PORT 4 A ship.

 

 

Or you just go into it with a better attitude-- it's sad that people felt that these several things ruined their vacation. Maybe they need to stay home.

[Thetrail]

THIS IS WHY YOU DONT DO A FIRT SAIL TOO NEW PORT 4 A ship.

It's not the first sailing and it's not a new port....:rolleyes:

[Krin]

It's not the first sailing and it's not a new port....:rolleyes:

 

I was on this sailing and it was not Liberty's first sailing but it was the first time she sailed this itinerary. All of the ports were new to Liberty.

[nelblu]

When we sailed on the Quantum 11 nite Carib. out of Bayonne, one of the frustrating things that we saw was some so called disabled riding motorized scooters and some were almost the size of a Volks beetle. These folks were quite aggressive in their handling of this equipment, such as speeding all over the ship and a few times we were almost run over. One of these instances was in the casino one night without any apology. Another instance occurred in the elevator--elevator was 3/4 full and one of these individuals tried to squeeze in without regards to safety of passengers in elevators.

 

This was the first time sailing out of Bayonne and did not notice this kind of epidemic in my other cruises sailing out of FL, PR or Barcelona.

 

 

PS. Wonder why no special elevators are available for those Paxs riding these equipment.

[seeshore]

When we sailed on the Quantum 11 nite Carib. out of Bayonne, one of the frustrating things that we saw was some so called disabled riding motorized scooters and some were almost the size of a Volks beetle. These folks were quite aggressive in their handling of this equipment, such as speeding all over the ship and a few times we were almost run over. One of these instances was in the casino one night without any apology. Another instance occurred in the elevator--elevator was 3/4 full and one of these individuals tried to squeeze in without regards to safety of passengers in elevators.

 

 

 

This was the first time sailing out of Bayonne and did not notice this kind of epidemic in my other cruises sailing out of FL, PR or Barcelona.

 

 

 

 

 

PS. Wonder why no special elevators are available for those Paxs riding these equipment.

 

 

Can you please explain what "so called disabled" means?

[nelblu]

Can you please explain what "so called disabled" means?

 

Let's just say that some were not really disabled as we saw them park the equipment and walk about. Some were simply overweight and an in some cases lazy.

[denatravels]

Let's just say that some were not really disabled as we saw them park the equipment and walk about. Some were simply overweight and an in some cases lazy.

 

 

I don't use a scooter, but sometimes a cane-- should I be required to show you my x-Rays before I am allowed on the elevator? Your comment is ridiculous.

[red devil]

Wonder why no special elevators are available for those Paxs riding these equipment

If the able body and healthy would take the stairs there would be no problem.

The only people to complain seem to be those that can walk and use the stairs.

How about a SPECIAL ELEVATOR for those that don't need the equipment??

[Thetrail]

Wonder why no special elevators are available for those Paxs riding these equipment

 

If the able body and healthy would take the stairs there would be no problem.

The only people to complain seem to be those that can walk and use the stairs.

How about a SPECIAL ELEVATOR for those that don't need the equipment??

Why???? The ship has plenty of elevators and scooters are not a problem, period.

[fdthird]

Ok...now we're just getting stupid here. You have no idea why folks are on scooters, nor do we know if everyone you determine to be able bodied can climb stairs. Come on folks.

[Cindy]

If the able body and healthy would take the stairs there would be no problem.

The only people to complain seem to be those that can walk and use the stairs.

 

Any paying passenger who chooses has the right to use an elevator. Many of those who can do so use the stairs, but it's not for another passenger to judge who should and should not be on an elevator.

Edited September 6, 2015 by Cindy

[pearlie]

On a cruise a about 11 yrs ago, I was on an elevator with a very good friend. We went up one flight and heard a lot of crap from a couple of folks on the elevator. My friend, under her hat and wig was bald from chemo for breast cancer, I had a painful herniated disk.

 

We said nothing and I hoped my friend didn't hear it. She had enuf issues

 

I will never judge anybody's need to want to use the elevator. I hoped when her hat a wig went flying in the wind later in the cruise the *******es in the elevator could see how stupid and judgemenal they were.

[Cindy]

If the able body and healthy would take the stairs there would be no problem.

The only people to complain seem to be those that can walk and use the stairs.

 

Sorry, duplicate post.

 

I don't know what's wrong with me. After never doing this that I can recall in 15+ years, I've made 2 duplicate posts in the last week!:o

Edited September 6, 2015 by Cindy

[Merion_Mom]

Sorry, duplicate post.

 

I don't know what's wrong with me. After never doing this that I can recall in 15+ years, I've made 2 duplicate posts in the last week!:o

 

You are double trouble! ;)

[klepton]

Were the air conditioners able to keep up with all the hot air onboard?

 

Oddly enough my biggest complaint about the Liberty in June was that I was hot everywhere. Even with the AC blasting full power in my room, there wasn't anywhere on the ship I could go where I felt comfortable. They seemed to keep the ship at a balmy 75 all the time. :-D

[rucruisn2]

This thread is becoming very offensive. I do not require a scooter nor do I book a disabled cabin, but I am disabled. If you just looked at me you wouldn't know it, but watch me try to climb a stair or get out of a chair and it will hit you in the face. Since when are disabled people an undesirable demographic???? Since when are those over 65 an undesirable demographic? Grow up!

[Jimbo]

We do this all the time. You go Up to go Down or you go Down to go Up.:p

 

Keep that quiet !

 

 

Jimbo:)

[beachnative]

There have been a lot of times that we have gotten off an elevator so that someone in either a wheelchair, schooner, boot, etc. could get on.

 

It is seldom that we "have" to ride an elevator even though we generally do when going up several floors. (Down is easy.:D) If we can help someone in need, then why not?

 

Almost always we say to each other that we are very fortunate to be so healthy at 60+.

Edited September 6, 2015 by beachnative

[flowerlady]

Just got off this wonderful ship yesterday....we are a group of seniors who had a ball on liberty. We did quest, dancing with the stripes, played trivia,saw Saturday night fever, saw a wonderful ice skating show, danced to Latin music in boleros, went to the white party in the promenade, attended a seventies party, and saw all of the shows. There were 12 in our group....life is what you make it, but we all had a ball

[seeshore]

Its so nice to hear that you group had such a wonderful time!

[handwcruisers]

I have had severe fibromyalgia for over 11 years now. For those not aware of what this disease comes with, you hurt all the time all over, you have nerve pain that is effected by noise, it causes constant fatigue, you wake up feeling just as bad as when you went to sleep because you never get to a deep sleep. I also have a meniscus tear in my right knee and it buckles or locks without notice. I walk with a cane all the time because of the pain and sometimes instability. Most of the time just looking at me you can't tell how much pain I am in. I bring a wheelchair with me on a cruise just in case I need it, which I did a few years ago when leaving Bar Harbor. On the way to the bathroom before getting on the tender my knee twisted and buckled. I screamed in pain and a very nice young lady from the tender company came and helped me, got me a wheelchair and helped me to the bathroom. I was in horrible pain, when we got back to the ship the staff from the ship helped hold me up and one was behind me and said I'm here if you start to fall. My husband went to the room and got my wheelchair and I used it for all of the next day at sea and by the time we docked in Nova Scotia I was able to walk with the cane again. My point with all this is that sometimes you can look at someone and they look find but you don't know what pain they may be going thru. Also some of those people that you think might be causing all the trouble riding a scooter and then park it to get up and walk around like in WJ to get there food, maybe they need it because they can't walk enough to get around the whole ship but they can walk short distances. I know that a some people take advantage of the scooters and are rude but there are rude people in all sorts of life. So when you see someone like me who at times may look like I don't need that cane, you have no idea what other people are going thru and you need to be thanking God for the fact that you don't have to use a cane, walker, wheelchair or scooter and give the people who do some grace because you don't know how bad a day they might be having or how much pain they are going thru and they just want to enjoy their vacation just like you do. Thanks for letting me rant and I am sorry for the people who give some of us who have a disability a bad name.