Sailing on Liberty to Nova Scotia and the New England States 09/26/24--- sail along with me

[rrraydon]

I'm still practicing on my live reviews. This will be my 3rd attempt, hopefully for those who follow along, my writing style is getting better!

 

We're sailing on this 9 night cruise on Liberty of the Seas out of NJ on a comp cruise I received from Royal's casino back in the beginning of the summer. I got the standard inside and I did not pay to upgrade at the time. We did put in a few bids to Royalup but have not heard anything as of yet.

 

The "we" is my best cruise GF, Debbie. She and I have cruised together many times through the years and I enjoy cruising with someone who doesn't require you to be by their side constantly throughout the entire cruise, she's fine with doing her own thing! She just reached Diamond so this is an exciting cruise for her, getting those 4 free drinks is always a plus! I don't worry about the drink package anymore. I get my 5 free drinks for D+ and Prime drinks in the casino. Plus, we each bring the standard 2 bottles of wine and my D+ amenity is the champagne so we can have mimosas in the morning with the OJ from room service.

 

I sailed on Liberty over the summer, in June, for a quick solo getaway to Halifax and had a fantastic time, I have sailed on her a few times as a matter fact. I'm booked on her 3 more times in the next year. I like the size of Liberty, not so big with all of the bells and whistles like all those amusement park style ships-- just a relaxing kinda ship with just enough things to do to keep everyone busy.

 

Ok, so back to this sailing. We have a pretty large group on the various platforms with a lot of events planned. This should be fun! I'll add some of the things I plan to attend.

 

Our itinerary :

 

Day 1-- sea day (M&G for drinks at the Solarium Bar at 3p, just before sail away-- wear your wildest sunglasses!)

Day 2-- Boston, Massachusetts-- 2:30p to 8:30p

Day 3--Portland, Maine--- 8:30a to 5:30p

Day 4--Sea day-- lots of events planned on this day. I plan to attend the first hour or so of the pub crawl at 2pm starting at the Hoof & Claw Pub. I'm hosting the gift exchange event at Olive or Twist at 3:30p. 

Day 5-- Sydney, Nova Scotia--8:30a to 4:30p

Day 6--Halifax, Nova Scotia-- 9:30a to 7:30p

Day 7-- Sea day

Day 8--Saint John, NB--11:30a to 10:30p

Day 9-- Sea day

 

As I mentioned, this cruise leaves out of NJ, we are about a 3.5 hr drive from the port so we'll drive it. Although I've sailed out of NJ numerous times, I can't remember off hand the parking fees---it's about $300 bucks or so--which we'll split the cost. Our boarding time is around 11a. I'll meet Deb and her husband Jeff at a local diner we love for breakfast and then we'll head on to Jersey. Luckily, I have a new vehicle this time. I just bought a Kia Carnival Prestige...awesome vehicle! My teenage grandkids love it because it has 2 large computer monitors on the back of the seats so they can be online and watch movies or they can hook up their game systems and play games. Also, the middle seats recline just like a recliner at home with the foot rests and everything.

 

The reason I mention the new vehicle is my last cruise out of Jersey, just as I was coming off the express way near the port, my clutch in my Honda went out. It would barely go 30mph because I could only use 1st and 2nd gear! What a nightmare. I did get it into the garage and I dealt with it when I got back from the cruise.

 

 

More info to follow......

[Another_Critic]

24 minutes ago, rrraydon said:

Plus, we each bring the standard 2 bottles of wine

 

Although I've sailed out of NJ numerous times, I can't remember off hand the parking fees---it's about $300 bucks or so--which we'll split the cost.

 

Wine allowance is one bottle per adult (21+)

 

Parking at Cape Liberty is $30/day, so $270 for your 9 night cruise.

 

Edited Tuesday at 04:47 AM by Another_Critic

[rrraydon]

I plan to post lots of pictures with this review, hopefully the ship internet works with me. I did not purchase the internet package. My thought process on this is as follows (it may change one onboard if it becomes inconvenient): I get 2 free days of internet with D+ and we will have 2 days of ports in US states. So, I should be good for the first 3 days. Day 4 & 5 I use my free internet days, Day 6, 7, & 8 I pay for. I'm thinking my internet total for the week is about $75.... if it works out for me, meaning I don't have any problems with getting internet on those days in the US ports AND/OR if not having internet on those evening nights while we're sailing doesn't annoy me. 😁

 

We didn't purchase any excursions ahead, we plan to wing it at the ports. In fact we didn't purchase anything ahead on this cruise. We usually get the UDP on most of our cruises but we decided a while back we weren't going to purchase the package on any cruise that does not have a variety of dining options (only Oasis class or even Quantum). I was thinking I'd ask her if she wants to use my BOGO D+ dinner at the Chops on the first night, we'll see. 

 

We stopped dressing up for formal nights years back. Some nights we do basic dresses in the MDR and some nights just slacks and a blouse. I was out school clothes shopping with my granddaughters a few months back and found 2 gowns I really like, so I bought them. I told Deb last week I was bringing them along and doing dress your best night on this sailing. She's like, "Are you freaking kidding me? Now I have to repack my suitcase"! 🤣I know I took pics of them to send to Deb. Let me see if I can find them and I'll post.

Edited Tuesday at 05:06 AM by rrraydon

[rrraydon]

2 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

 

Wine allowance is one bottle per adult (21+)

 

Parking at Cape Liberty is $30/day, so $270 for your 9 night cruise.

 

Shoot, that's what I meant. Not that we were each bringing a bottle but 2 total.

[rrraydon]

[rrraydon]

Back in June when I sailed to Halifax, I packed my standard cruise attire. Keep in mind, my standard sailings are in the Caribbean. Yeah, it was pretty chilly in my shorts and t-shirts in Canada! I had to buy warmer clothes on the ship and in Halifax. 

 

My suitcase looks a lot different inside this time!

 

I also packed for white night, my 70's outfit, my 80's outfit (luckily it came in the mail today), and my outfit for the Roper Romp planned one of the nights. I will definitely post pics of those nights!

[rrraydon]

I have 2 suitcases going right now. My larger one for this cruise and my smaller one for my cruise about 2 weeks after we get back.

 

Next month I'm taking one of my granddaughters on a quick 5 day on Carnival Conquest to the Bahamas. When my kids were younger, they preferred to sail Carnival. Turns out so do my grandkids. They say the kid's clubs are more fun on Carnival. 🤷‍♀️I'm ok with any line TBH.

 

This next year I'm sailing RC, Carnival, Celebrity and MSC. I'm currently looking at Holland America out of Vancouver for a 2026 Alaska cruise. I haven't sailed Holland before so if anyone has any feedback on Holland they'd like to offer I'd appreciate it.

Edited Tuesday at 05:26 AM by rrraydon

[rrraydon]

Funny story about mine and Deb's friendship....

 

There's about a 15 year age difference between Deb and I, I don't think you can tell...she's pretty active. Although she's retired, she's not. 🙃

 

About 7 or 8 years ago, the Carnival Pride did a 14 day repositioning cruise out of Baltimore. Just about a 3 hour drive for us. We had a VERY large roll call group here on CC. (I did a gift exchange event on that sailing and over a 150 showed up, including John Heald--more on that in a bit). Anyways, we all chatted for many months on this site prior to our sailing (remember those days on CC when the roll call groups were hundreds of people--great times!).We were all posting where we were from and Deb posted she was from the Bethany Beach area here in Delaware. I'm like no way, so am I! It turns out she lives a few miles down the road from me, who knew?! 🤷‍♀️

She and her husband had moved here from Jersey and bought a beautiful beach home here on the water to retire. We made arrangements to meet at the local VFW where she bartends part time. It is so beautiful, it sits right out on the water and there are wonderful windows looking right out on the bay. So, I guess you would call that semi-retired (she still works there!) We've been sailing together ever since. 😍

 

Back to the gift exchange event. There were so many of us on the roll call, people started messaging John Heald requesting he join us on the Pride repositioning sailing. He finally caved and got onboard in Nassau and sailed with us for a few days. We had so many people coming to the gift exchange event the powers that be on the ship asked us to have it in the large Butterflies Lounge instead of wherever we had originally planned. They opened the bars in there for our CC M&G, set up a microphone on stage and even served snacks. John Heald brought me a dozen or so Carnival donated gifts for door prizes. To date it has been the best gift exchange event I've held so far and I've held over 2 dozen of them! (Plus, I met Deb 😁)

Edited Tuesday at 05:56 AM by rrraydon

[LuCruise]

Looking forward to following along.  We were on the 4 night Liberty cruise in June that stopped in Halifax.  Maybe same cruise as I don't think there were many with that 4 night? Really enjoyed it and first time seeing that part of Canada (I'm in Ontario).  Would love to do this itinerary some day.   And so fun for you to cruise with a friend.  Have a wonderful cruise.

Edited Tuesday at 12:18 PM by LuCruise

[rrraydon]

2 hours ago, LuCruise said:

Looking forward to following along.  We were on the 4 night Liberty cruise in June that stopped in Halifax.  Maybe same cruise as I don't think there were many with that 4 night? Really enjoyed it and first time seeing that part of Canada (I'm in Ontario).  Would love to do this itinerary some day.   And so fun for you to cruise with a friend.  Have a wonderful cruise.

Small world! That cruise in June was a very nice getaway, and it was my first time in Halifax. I just stayed around the port and enjoyed the surrounding wharf area. I had lunch at "The Bicycle Thief", their lobster rolls were delicious! I'm definitely having lunch there again this time.

[rrraydon]

Today's agenda: do something with this hair!! lol

 

I'm heading over to my SIL salon to get my hair done. She's been my doing my hair since we were in HS. She sometimes sails with me also. We did a 7 day back in March on the Anthem. I love the Anthem. I'm scheduled in December for Odyssey out of NJ, also a Quantum class ship. This will be my first time on the Odyssey, the layout is the same as the Anthem so getting around won't be a problem. I'm taking my granddaughter with me on that sailing too. It should be fun for her, she likes the Sports Plex area on the Quantum class ships.

 

Also, I picked up a last minute, short shift at one of the local hospitals. My fulltime job is overnight weekends for the University of Maryland doing trauma Catscan (working just the weekends allows me to do various short cruises Mon thru Friday, monthly). Sometimes I pick up shifts at other local hospitals, like I did for tonight. So, this evening I'm going to cover a 5hour shift at a local hospital....and then that's it for working before we leave. 

 

So, I'm off to the salon!

 

 

More to come....

Edited Tuesday at 02:57 PM by rrraydon

[rrraydon]

10 hours ago, rrraydon said:

Back in June when I sailed to Halifax, I packed my standard cruise attire. Keep in mind, my standard sailings are in the Caribbean. Yeah, it was pretty chilly in my shorts and t-shirts in Canada! I had to buy warmer clothes on the ship and in Halifax. 

 

My suitcase looks a lot different inside this time!

 

I also packed for white night, my 70's outfit, my 80's outfit (luckily it came in the mail today), and my outfit for the Roper Romp planned one of the nights. I will definitely post pics of those nights!

Forget what I said about the Roper Romp, that's on my Odyssey cruise in December! lol

[EllieinNJ]

Hi.  Will be following you and mking to hear about your time on the Liberty.  I think we are sailing with you next September on the Symphony.

Edited Tuesday at 05:24 PM by EllieinNJ

[rrraydon]

1 hour ago, EllieinNJ said:

Hi.  Will be following you and mking to hear about your time on the Liberty.  I think we are sailing with you next September on the Symphony.

Yes, we're sailing together on that one. I'm looking forward to that cruise, I've not sailed on Symphony yet. I've sailed on Oasis quite a few times. In fact, my daughter and I sail on Oasis in November. I'm curious how the two compare.

 

I remember you mentioning you were on a sailing this month, right?  How was it?

[Another_Critic]

27 minutes ago, rrraydon said:

I've not sailed on Symphony yet. I've sailed on Oasis quite a few times. In fact, my daughter and I sail on Oasis in November. I'm curious how the two compare.

 

I sailed on Oasis in May (MIA to BCN TA) and Symphony earlier this month.  IMO, there's not much difference, although I do like the stateroom layout better on Symphony (similar to Anthem).

[rrraydon]

I'm back from the hair salon. I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up last minute items to take...mini shampoo and conditioner (I'm not a fan of the ships stuff), small hair spray for when I make my big hair for the 80's event 😍 and mini toothpaste with brush (I can't find my cruise one). After that stop, I filled the gas tank at BJ's...love the gas prices there in comparison to the other places around here. One thing I forgot that I was supposed to get was washer fluid for the car... darn it. I have to remember to get that tomorrow.

 

Tomorrow I'll head to the nail salon for my mani/pedi and that should do it. Most of my things are packed and ready. 

 

Deb hasn't started he packing yet. One thing about living at the beach, you always have company coming by. Her BIL and SIL came to visit on Friday. She wasn't sure how long they were staying...it was last minute. They're still there! She text me earlier and said she pulled her suitcase out and set out some of her cruise outfits and that's when the discussion came up that they're leaving tomorrow. I told her the other day she just needs to come right out and say, "when ya'll leaving?"... 😝 Anyway, she can get her packing done tomorrow. 

 

More to follow.....

[rrraydon]

2 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

 

I sailed on Oasis in May (MIA to BCN TA) and Symphony earlier this month.  IMO, there's not much difference, although I do like the stateroom layout better on Symphony (similar to Anthem).

Good to know, thanks.

 

How about the restaurants on Symphony, did you try any?

[Another_Critic]

1 minute ago, rrraydon said:

How about the restaurants on Symphony, did you try any?

 

I only tried Solarium Bistro for breakfast and lunch, WJ a few times for breakfast and lunch, Johnny Rockets for breakfast, MDR for dinner, and one night at 150 Central Park.  And of course, Sorrento's for pizza.

 

One other difference is the solarium on Symphony has a vey different layout than Oasis.

[rrraydon]

Just now, Another_Critic said:

 

I only tried Solarium Bistro for breakfast and lunch, WJ a few times for breakfast and lunch, Johnny Rockets for breakfast, MDR for dinner, and one night at 150 Central Park.  And of course, Sorrento's for pizza.

 

One other difference is the solarium on Symphony has a vey different layout than Oasis.

Mmmmm.... I love Solarium Bistro, their baklava is sooo good!

[rrraydon]

I decorate my door. Here’s pics of my door from last time on Liberty. Plus a new one I just got. 

I got Deb one of the drink magnets with her name on it for her birthday in August. We were on MSC Magnifica for less than 45 min before someone stole both of them off of the wall beside the door (the doors aren’t magnetic on Magnifica), I was sooo mad!!

So, I ordered us each another one and they came in a few weeks ago. 

Edited Tuesday at 08:15 PM by rrraydon

[Sunshine3601]

Remember to go to voom desk to get your 30% prime discount on internet after you make the purchase.   

I've heard it should happen automatically but if I have a lazy sea day I drop by to ask to apply.

[rrraydon]

39 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Remember to go to voom desk to get your 30% prime discount on internet after you make the purchase.   

I've heard it should happen automatically but if I have a lazy sea day I drop by to ask to apply.

Thank you, I had forgotten about that!

[rrraydon]

Newbie mistake. 

 

I always book early seating on my cruises. I am not an eat dinner at 8 o'clock kinda girl.

I just noticed the casino rep booked me for My Time Dining. I'm like, are you kidding me right now?

I go on the app and My Time Seating is from 6:30p to 8:30p..bummer. I figure I'll just suck it up and pick the 6:30p time. Nope, they're all taken. The only slots left are after 8p. That's not gonna work for me. Also, I do not know how this My Time Dining thing works as I've never run in to this problem before. Can you just show up at 6:30p and stand in line?

[rrraydon]

I mentioned previously I've been researching for a cruise to Alaska in 2026. I've pretty much decided on Holland American, although I've never sailed on Holland before. One of the things I'm most interested in is seeing whales, lots of whales!! I love whales. But, I've never seen a whale in the wild before. I know that the season for seeing a whale is at its tail end (no pun intended), but I am so hoping I will see a whale on this trip. It will surely make my cruise! 

 

I looked in to an excursion for whale watching but when I try to book, there are none offered for the date I'm going to be there. I'm sure that has a lot to do with whale season being over. I've been following a "live" here on CC from a couple who is doing a sailing over a month long on one of HA's ships and the writer is so good it feels as if you are actually on the ship with them in Alaska. She is so descriptive in her writing style. Reading her "LIVE" is what got me to looking in to finding a cruise through the inner passage and Denali area. 

 

Now, I know this cruise is no Alaskan cruise, but please...just let me see one whale!!! 😂

 

@Ken at the beach we need to talk about HA and Alaska when I get back from the cruise 😁

 

Edited Wednesday at 04:18 AM by rrraydon

[rrraydon]

Soon I will be ordering a room service wake up call with these yummy viddles. Of course not on a balcony this time as it’s looking like I didn’t win my Royalup bid and I’ll be in my inside cabin, and that’s ok. 

Edited Wednesday at 04:33 AM by rrraydon