Liberty of the Seas--1st timer on RCCL--Questions

[lovetotraveltx]

Although we are avid cruisers, this is our first time on Royal Caribbean. We are 4 adults late 50's to early 60's.

 

Read through some of the facts and just want to clarify, each stateroom can bring 12 water bottles on board and 2 bottles of wine? Do these items need to be carried on?

 

Any tricks, if you are not buying the beverage package?

 

Is the coffee card worth buying and how does the pricing actually work?

 

First time are main dining rooms good or should we think about buying the Chops Grille plus one before we board?

 

Do they offer any beverage package specials after we board, or only in advance?

 

Where is the best place to do lunch when we board?

 

What does Royal usually do on New Year's Eve?

 

Does Royal let you book shows in advance?  For 4 of us, should we book ahead for some nights on Anytime dining?

 

Anything else a newbie on RCCL should know about embarkation day and beyond?  Anything not to miss do/eat/see.

 

Thank you!

 

 

[Clarea]

You need to carry on the wine bottles and other beverages.

 

They may or may not offer beverage package deals onboard.

 

Complimentary lunch options on boarding day: Windjammer (buffet), Cafe Promenade, Sorrento's.

 

No pre-cruise entertainment reservations on Liberty.

[bighairtexan]

9 minutes ago, lovetotraveltx said:

Although we are avid cruisers, this is our first time on Royal Caribbean. We are 4 adults late 50's to early 60's.

 

Read through some of the facts and just want to clarify, each stateroom can bring 12 water bottles on board and 2 bottles of wine? Do these items need to be carried on? 

Yes to all and it should be carried on.  As you mentioned it is per stateroom rather than per person.

 

Any tricks, if you are not buying the beverage package? Gamble enough in the casino and they'll track you, rate you and comp you.  Or book a true suite and you can have drinks in the Suite Lounge.  

 

Is the coffee card worth buying and how does the pricing actually work? Sorry but I always tend to get the drink package.

 

First time are main dining rooms good or should we think about buying the Chops Grille plus one before we board?  I usually cruise on Celebrity but I think the MDR is actually USUALLY very good. My Liberty cruise a few months ago was a pleasant surprise.  But whether you do Chops plus one is up to you. Chops is quite nice.

 

Do they offer any beverage package specials after we board, or only in advance? They do often offer a % off on the drink packages but USUALLY it's cheaper to wait for a sale (check frequently) and buy it before hand.

 

Where is the best place to do lunch when we board? I don't like buffets in general so sometimes I head to the Cafe or Sorrentos for pizza or small sandwiches when I board. It's usually a lot less crowded. Unless I have the UDP or when in a suite there's an area in a specialty restaurant where you CAN go to the buffet and bring it in there for a quieter experience.

 

What does Royal usually do on New Year's Eve? I can't speak to this.

 

Does Royal let you book shows in advance?  For 4 of us, should we book ahead for some nights on Anytime dining? No booking shows in advance on Liberty.  You can book anytime reservations also when you get on the ship and determine if you like a certain wait staff or table or time. 

 

Anything else a newbie on RCCL should know about embarkation day and beyond?  Anything not to miss do/eat/see.  ONE THING out of Texas. Your alcoholic beverages will be very limited until the ship sails. While in "Texas Waters" you're limited to Texas stamped alcohol.  

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

Edited July 25, 2019 by bighairtexan

[George C]

If you want drink package I would prebuy if it is on sale , normally on sale for around 45 per day plus 18 percent.

Chops is a bargain for lunch about half the cost 

do not miss the ice show it is great, can be very crowded but it is repeated several times , play Saturday night fever is also good. 

[HBE4]

28 minutes ago, bighairtexan said:

Any tricks, if you are not buying the beverage package?

 

Legal or illegal? 😉

 

Legally, Sometimes a 10-drink card is sold for $79 or $89 (price seems to vary) but it's not a guarantee.  And if it is sold, it won't be until the 1/2 way point of the cruise, usually day 4.   As the average price of the drink will be $8.90, it's a great way to save when getting a $10+ drink but a waste on the $8 beers.

 

28 minutes ago, bighairtexan said:

Anything else a newbie on RCCL should know about embarkation day and beyond?  Anything not to miss do/eat/see.  ONE THING out of Texas. Your alcoholic beverages will be very limited until the ship sails. While in "Texas Waters" you're limited to Texas stamped alcohol.  

 

If you are a fan of Shiner Bock beer, it's only available on day 1. Once outside Texas waters, it goes back into the basement until the next cruise.

 

[HBE4]

44 minutes ago, lovetotraveltx said:

Anything else a newbie on RCCL should know about embarkation day and beyond?

 

The 70's dance party in the Royal Promenade is always a good time. There is also a 80's dance party the next night.

 

Stop by and have a drink or three at the Schooner Bar. The piano player is (usually) pretty good. Same for the guitarist at the English Pub.

 

Deck 4 outside wraps around the entire ship. Great for a stroll, get away from the crowds and get some shade on a sunny day.....or watch the wake on a moon-lit night. There is a small stair-case leading up to the bow.

 

Cantilevered whirlpools!

[Rogueperson]

No one answered the question on NYE.  I was on the Grandeur for New Years Eve 4 years ago.  They had a party on the Centrum (which they will probably use in the Promenade on the Liberty).  There was a balloon drop at midnight.  In addition to that, I think there were 4 concurrent parties going on, one in the Solarium, one in the Viking Crown Lounge, one in the Solarium, a rocking party in the Piano Bar and another party in the rear lounge.  Each of those parties was in full attendance, which was something I've never seen on a ship before.  Also they were giving out free champagne, but it was only okay.

[George C]

Agree on piano player in schooner bar and guitar player in pub both are normally very entertaining, on drink package if you buy it keep checking price , I have seen it go down at different times , if price goes down you can call and get new price.

[rhuntington3]

8 minutes ago, Rogueperson said:

No one answered the question on NYE.  I was on the Grandeur for New Years Eve 4 years ago.  They had a party on the Centrum (which they will probably use in the Promenade on the Liberty).  There was a balloon drop at midnight.  In addition to that, I think there were 4 concurrent parties going on, one in the Solarium, one in the Viking Crown Lounge, one in the Solarium, a rocking party in the Piano Bar and another party in the rear lounge.  Each of those parties was in full attendance, which was something I've never seen on a ship before.  Also they were giving out free champagne, but it was only okay.

 

Wrong thread perhaps?  I don't see a previous post from you in this thread asking a question.

[Rogueperson]

2 minutes ago, rhuntington3 said:

 

Wrong thread perhaps?  I don't see a previous post from you in this thread asking a question.

OP in one of his questions, "What does RC usually do on New Years Eve".  I noticed no one said anything about that, so i chimed in.

[rhuntington3]

1 minute ago, Rogueperson said:

OP in one of his questions, "What does RC usually do on New Years Eve".  I noticed no one said anything about that, so i chimed in.

 

Ah, gotcha.  Sorry.  I missed that.  Never cruised on NYE.

[anewell28]

Liberty was our first RCCL cruise. Loved the ship! It is a great introduction to the Royal fleet. We usually get on board and head to Sorrentos for pizza and grab a drink from the English Pub on the Promenade deck. Once we get our luggage to our room, we explore and head to the pool deck or to the Viking Crowne Lounge for a great view in the A/C! I know some ships have removed the Viking Crowne Lounges but if Liberty still has it, you must have a drink there!

 

The main dining room is delicious and a great experience. We tend to avoid the buffets and stick to cafe promenade and sorentos for lunch. Make sure to try a Lava Flow (or Miami Vice) and a Kiss on the Lips! Both great tropical beverages for sail away. 

Enjoy!

[dude_hdt]

I’ve done 2 NYE with RC on their bigger ships with a Royal Promenade. Nice party and balloon drop. Probably sardines like NYC Time Square kind of crowd.  Great venue for NYE, don’t have to worry about getting back to room drunk...just a short elevator ride away. 

[HBE4]

16 hours ago, anewell28 said:

I know some ships have removed the Viking Crowne Lounges but if Liberty still has it, you must have a drink there!

 

Yes, Liberty still does have the Viking Crown Lounge. I believe it's divided into 3 sections: Diamond Lounge (Diamond members only), Suite Lounge, I think, and then the largest section is Olive or Twist which is open to the general public. 

 

It is also a nice, quiet indoor getaway during the day with fantastic views of the ship and ocean.  At night, it turns into a night club. Early part of the night, the music varies but as it gets later, it becomes whatever the current dance hits are.

 

I also believe there is a dedicated country band in the Star lounge each night.

 

As George C mentioned, the ICE show and Sat Night fever are really good.  Most of the production shows are top-notch. Last cruise on Liberty, we had 2 different comedians. One was great, one wasn't but I guess that's subjective.

 

Games: Quest, which an adult scavenger hunt, is enjoyable even if you are just watching. Love and Marriage show never gets boring.

[HBE4]

19 hours ago, lovetotraveltx said:

First time are main dining rooms good or should we think about buying the Chops Grille plus one before we board?

 

Food is always a subjective subject and some have passionate opinions about it. I'm not a foodie and generally will eat anything that I don't have to make.  Having said that,  of the hundreds of meals at sea, there have been a handful of subpar meals, but most have been pretty good and a few exceptional.

 

I've been on Liberty 4 times over the years, the last in Nov 2018. Never had a bad meal in the MDR.  I only did one specialty restaurant - Giovanni's - and the meal and service was outstanding.  I had the Ossobuco.  I've done Chops several times over the years and on past Liberty cruises, it was also exceptional but I've has some not-so-good meals in Chops on others ships. If you can get the "Chops+1" at a good sale price, go for it and use the +1 at Giovanni's. The MDR will have a several Chops entrees available each night for an up-charge of $16.95. It's not the full Chops menu/experience but at least you get a better cut of steak for less than $42 PP.

 

Windjammer (buffet) is typical buffet. Sometimes really good, other times not. Except for the burgers, the burgers are never good. And I'm a burger lover.

 

MDR is open for lunch on sea days. It's a nice, relaxed alternative to the hectic Windjammer. MDR has a pretty good burger.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Edited July 26, 2019 by HBE4

[rede2go6464]

46 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

I also believe there is a dedicated country band in the Star lounge each night.

 

 

That would be great! Is the Star Lounge a place where they do country dancing, or more of a bar where they just play country music? 

[Clarea]

2 minutes ago, rede2go6464 said:

 

That would be great! Is the Star Lounge a place where they do country dancing, or more of a bar where they just play country music? 

 

It's a mid-size lounge where they have a variety of activities, including dancing.

[vickiw0318]

Sabor was really good the last time I was on the Liberty.  Looking forward to eating there again when I go back in February.

 

Watch the drink of the day specials for a lower cost option.

 

[LilBlackDress]

 

19 hours ago, lovetotraveltx said:

Is the coffee card worth buying and how does the pricing actually work?

I am not a fan of their regular blend... We typically get the refreshment package that includes everything but alcohol, which includes the specialty coffees. If I was not getting a package, I would get the coffee card. It is 10 coffees, which you can share. There have been reports that some ships and/or bartenders punch it 2x for a large or an extra shot of espresso 
 

[Jimnbigd]

Check your daily newsletter for events. RCI has more live music that other ships, IMO -- usually over 20 musicians, including the 9-piece ship's band, a 4-piece pool band (which also plays in other indoor lounges sometimes), a 3 -piece latin band (usually in Boleros deck 4 which has a small dance floor) , a 4-piece dance band (probably country, usually the deck 5 forward lounge, but sometimes in Boleros), the schooner bar pianist (deck 4), the pub guitarist (deck 5 -- gosh, I really miss Derek Lewis who used to regularly play on the Galveston sailings), and maybe another classical-style guitarist or pianist. They used to have a 3-piece classical group, but sadly no more. The 9-piece band will likely play a dance set in the deck 5 forward lounge -- oddly on my last cruise this was at 5:30pm the last night (Saturday), when the most likely crowed (older people) eat dinner.

 

New Years Eve will be all over the ship, but the main event is in the Royal Promenade (deck 5). The dining room will have hats and party favors that you can take with you, and possibly lobster that night (we did, but really they switched formal nights 1 and 2 menus for our cruise because New Years Eve was Monday).

 

My "don't miss list":

• Ice Show (Studio B, deck 3) -- should be 4 identical shows; shows 3 and 4 are Wednesday night and are not as crowded
• "In the Air" theater show (probably Thursday night) .
• Love and Marriage game show (probably late Wednesday night in the theater unless this is New Years Eve).
• Quest game show (probably late Friday night in Studio B, again unless this is New Years Eve).
• Schooner Bar (I like Phil Anderson but he is not always there, and he is country which some do not like).

Other tips:

• Best free coffee: Cafe Promenade (deck 5) -- try adding a pack of hot chocolate for a free mocha; Cafe Promenade is open just about 24 hours, closed maybe around 4am for cleaning.
• Free orange juice is much better in the dining room (mornings) -- buffet is watered down from ice.
• Free champagne at Captain's party (Monday evening, Royal Promenade deck 5).
• Might be free champagne also for New Years Eve in the Royal Promenade.

Youtube has videos of activities including New Years Eve.

 

Edited July 29, 2019 by Jimnbigd

[jeanneful]

deleted

Edited July 29, 2019 by jeanneful