"LIVE" from the Liberty of the Seas/ 1-05-08

[Shanafan]

www.cruisejunkie.com

 

Click on "Events at Sea".

 

It's the posting for December 31.

Thanks for asking about this. I was wondering myself since I haven't seen anything since posting it several days ago. I was just starting to go back to see what I missed of Radios live posts to see if I missed it.

[jeh4554]

Hey Radio,

I love reading your posts! We will be on Liberty the last week of March and I can't wait after seeing your pics. You would be one Awesome Cruise travel agent, Radio! I hope you enjoyed your day at Divi. It is our favorite beach on St. Maarten.

I have a question. It seems from the deck plans that I viewed that there is a Cafe Promenade and a Pizza shop (Sorrento's, I think). Can you give us an idea of the menu selections in these two cafes? And, are they both "free" (included in the price of the cruise)?

Thanks for sharing with all of us!

[DPurcell58]

Went went to Little Divi on our last two trips on the Explorer, once on ship excursion and last summer on our own. We had a wonderful time, so relaxing. Hope you enjoyed it Radio!!!!

[LauraS]

Last I posted was on Sunday night….since then we have been really enjoying the ship – especially Flowrider. Well, to be exact, my SON is enjoying surfing; I’m just a spectator Mom w/ camera J Anyway, we learned they have semi-private flowrider surf sessions. The maximum number of participants is 8 (which may sound like a lot but have you seen these lines). For $60 pp per hour, they schedule a session where you can either surf if you already know how OR get lessons/tips from two RCCL flowrider staffers. The minimum number required for the session to be held is 4. My son signed up for yesterday’s private session – there were a total of 7 participants. He had a great time…something to consider if you find you REALLY love surfing flowrider. (I saw someone asked about height requirements: 52 inches for boarding, 58 for surfing on the sign right next to flowrider)

 

We did not get off the ship in San Juan. I do love pulling into ports; we arrived to find Radiance of the Seas already docked; we were quickly followed into port by the Costa Mediterranea, a Carnival Ship and later that evening, Disney Magic (around 7pm) She left before we did (10pm) what a short call at a port.

 

We arrived on time this am into Philipsburg, St. Maarten to find HAL Maasdam, the Sea Princess and Disney Magic already docked. We backed in…right behind Disney Magic. Funny – some crewmembers on Magic were pretending to shield themselves from the huge ship backing into theirs –guess you had to be there.

 

It’s a gorgeous sunny Caribbean day today – the sky is so blue it almost hurts to look at it -- and we’re enjoying the emptiness of the ship. There is nothing (I mean NOTHING) like an empty ship J Pool area is just perfect….quiet and inviting (the solarium area/pools are closed today). So, leaving you with that image (I’m sure Radio will snap a photo of the ship today) – I’m off to bake in the sun

 

Laura

[jillybabes]

Hey Radio,

I love reading your posts! We will be on Liberty the last week of March and I can't wait after seeing your pics. You would be one Awesome Cruise travel agent, Radio! I hope you enjoyed your day at Divi. It is our favorite beach on St. Maarten.

I have a question. It seems from the deck plans that I viewed that there is a Cafe Promenade and a Pizza shop (Sorrento's, I think). Can you give us an idea of the menu selections in these two cafes? And, are they both "free" (included in the price of the cruise)?

Thanks for sharing with all of us!

 

 

The cafe promenade has little sandwiches all day and night & the best cookies...In the AM there are muffins and donuts...Sorrento's has pizza...Later, Jill:cool:

[LLindaC]

Sorrento's also has many excellent appetizers such as fresh mozzarella (caprese) salad, bruschetta, pasta salad, etc. We noticed many more selections on the Freedom than they had at Cafe Promenade on the Mariner, Voyager, etc.

[jillyfish]

Hi Radio,

I had to look up Divi Little Bay Beach in my travel guide after all of the oohs and ahhs in the above threads.

I see there is a casino there at the resort................did you make it to the beach? ha ha !! :)

 

 

Anyway, it looks like a short distance from port, how was the drive? Do you have any idea what the cab fare would be to get there? Since there is a resort there, I am assuming getting a cab back would not be a problem (I always worry about getting back !! :o )

 

 

Is Divi Little Bay Beach actually all resort beach or is part resort, part public?

 

Is there a charge to get on the beach?

 

Lastly, is this the beach that the airplanes skim over on their way down to the airport runway?

 

Sorry to batter you with all of the questions :o

I hope you will have some pictures of your day at the beach!! :cool: (if you made it past the casino:p )

[abridalmaven]

Last I posted was on Sunday night….since then we have been really enjoying the ship – especially Flowrider. Well, to be exact, my SON is enjoying surfing; I’m just a spectator Mom w/ camera J

Laura

Now considering how old I am and not a small person by any stretch of the imagination, it was easier than you think. I did not get hurt. Of course it was only after I had done the wine tasting did I get up enough nerve on the last day. But it was so much fun, I was mad at myself for waiting so long to try. SO, I think you should consider giving it a try at least once.:rolleyes:

[TPKeller]

Is Divi Little Bay Beach actually all resort beach or is part resort, part public?

 

Lastly, is this the beach that the airplanes skim over on their way down to the airport runway?

I can answer this part of the question. The beach by the airport is Maho Bay. If you look at my St. Martin cruise map, you can see that it is right next to the end of the runway. I need to add more of these popular beaches to my map though, I don't have many on there yet!

 

Theron

[jjtt]

As the others have said, "Thank you" so much for taking all of us with you. :D You photos are awesome!!!

We were at St. Maartin (Eastern Caribbean) in August and had an excursion called "Beach Rendezvous". Had a great time at the beach and in the water. Awwww to be there now......

Anyway back to reality :o Enjoy the rest of your cruise Radio.

[jeh4554]

Jillyfish,

We took a cab to Divi. I can't remember exactly how much it cost but it wasn't expensive. Divi is a private resort, but they welcome anyone to use the beach. There is no fee. Chairs and umbrellas are available for a small rental fee. There are bathroom facilities, a beach bar, and several options for dining. Water sports are also available including jet skis, snorkeling etc. It was just beautiful there. When you are done enjoying the beach, you will find there are several cabs waiting at the entrance to the resort to take you back to the ship. It is not the airplane beach.

[jillyfish]

Jillyfish,

We took a cab to Divi. I can't remember exactly how much it cost but it wasn't expensive. Divi is a private resort, but they welcome anyone to use the beach. There is no fee. Chairs and umbrellas are available for a small rental fee. There are bathroom facilities, a beach bar, and several options for dining. Water sports are also available including jet skis, snorkeling etc. It was just beautiful there. When you are done enjoying the beach, you will find there are several cabs waiting at the entrance to the resort to take you back to the ship. It is not the airplane beach.

Thanks for the info. Do you recall how long the cab ride was. Sometimes those places don't look far but bumper to bumper traffic combined with a curvey road sure do add to the travel time on those little islands.

Have you ever gone to the beach just to the left of the water taxi drop off? If so, is Divi much better. The reason I ask is we have been quite happy with that little beach that is just off the water taxi drop off, just wondering if it is worth the cab ride to Divi

Thanks again!! :)

[Melba1024]

I have been to both beaches. Divi Little Bay Beach is well worth the trip. Its alot more peaceful and there are not as many people as on the beach right by the water taxi. People are definitely not on top of you at Divi Little Bay as they are at the other beach. (At least this was true when I was there!) The ride is not far either... I went with a ship excurstion which we all took cabs that kinda followed one another, but even then I dont remember it being a very long ride.

[Melba1024]

Dreaded double post...

[reallyitsmema]

Thanks for the info. Do you recall how long the cab ride was. Sometimes those places don't look far but bumper to bumper traffic combined with a curvey road sure do add to the travel time on those little islands.

 

Have you ever gone to the beach just to the left of the water taxi drop off? If so, is Divi much better. The reason I ask is we have been quite happy with that little beach that is just off the water taxi drop off, just wondering if it is worth the cab ride to Divi

 

Thanks again!! :)

Did you find their website? http://www.divilittlebay.com/DiviLittleBay/ We were going there this past June but had a change of plans and went somewhere else. At that time, a taxi ride was $4pp and a 5-10 minute drive depending on traffic. There was a lot of information in the port of call forum from lots who had gone and all said go on your own, not with the ship's excursion. Hope this helps:)

[Marla07860]

loving the report

 

I'm looking into cruising on RCCL one day. I've only been on DCL with two more booked the magic is my home away from home and so is the wonder. And people did get off the magic, I read on the disboards

[jillyfish]

Did you find their website? http://www.divilittlebay.com/DiviLittleBay/ We were going there this past June but had a change of plans and went somewhere else. At that time, a taxi ride was $4pp and a 5-10 minute drive depending on traffic. There was a lot of information in the port of call forum from lots who had gone and all said go on your own, not with the ship's excursion. Hope this helps:)

Thanks for the website!! I'll check it out.

Yea, I checked the excursions through RCCL it would cost over $100 :eek: for the three of us for this as an excursion !!!

[SherriZ366]

Radio -- 112 -- Diamonds and 12 D+ -- was the Diamond lounge crowded during Happy Hour or was it a good fit?

[jillyfish]

I have been to both beaches. Divi Little Bay Beach is well worth the trip. Its alot more peaceful and there are not as many people as on the beach right by the water taxi. People are definitely not on top of you at Divi Little Bay as they are at the other beach. (At least this was true when I was there!) The ride is not far either... I went with a ship excurstion which we all took cabs that kinda followed one another, but even then I dont remember it being a very long ride.

Is the sand the same as just off the water taxi? This is one of the things we like on that beach, along with the beautiful blue water!!

We have been to so many other beaches that are suppose to be "the most beautiful" ect. only to be disappointed because the sand is like dirt not sand.

Maybe I should of had Radio scoop up a cup full and send it to me :p

[SlimBeau]

:cool: Hello, everyone, Just found this thread...We are going on the LOS on April 26..Can't wait to hear your review..I usually do a review for all the cruise I have been on...So I will be interested to hear your's...:D Still have a few months to go..Have a great cruise...We are going the Eastern too.:D

[Radio]

Hello everyone! Today was a very beautiful day. . . . St Maarten is just like I remembered. The scenery seems more beautiful, at every turn. St Maarten must be considered as one of the best Islands in the Caribbean. Every view seems like a postcard !

I started off by renting a car, near the port facility. I made my way through Phillipsburg, and visited Great Bay, Little Bay, and the Little Divi Bay Resort.

It was great over there. You can get a chair and umbrella for the day, for $10. They have changing rooms, and restroom facilities, a couple of bars, and restaurants. There were many Cruise Ship passengers over there. I drove around a bit, and went to the Front Street shopping area in Phillipsburg, where I met a couple of Casinos. I didn’t make out bad, but not great either. . .

I then went over to Point Blanche, near the port for some photos from way up on the hill for some pics of Liberty. I never made it over to Maho Beach, but I am sure I will return to St Maarten again !

The shops at the port were crazy busy, and I guess that should be expected when there are 5 ships in port.

I made it back to the ship, and kind of took a nap. . . Wow, the hot sun, and beach can really wear you out !

Tonight is the Crown and Anchor Party, and the Ice Show is also tonight. Tonight is also the love and Marriage Game show. That is always very funny .

Tomorrow should be a relaxing day at sea, and on Thursday we should be a beautiful Labadee, Haiti. I am looking forward to Labadee!

I will try again tomorrow for the Flow Rider, and Rock Wall, if possible.

I was able to find out something about the incident last week with the passenger being asked to leave while in Labadee. The Crew member did not want to discuss it, and really did not give me any details. He did however, agree that someone was removed, and said that all passengers have a choice of cooperating with the Passenger code of Conduct. It seems that it did happen, and there is not much discussion on board about it.

Here are some photos from today. I will try to get more photos uploaded to my site, so can post them here for all to view.

Thanks for all of the nice comments. Thanks for tuning in !

Radio

Great Bay, looking over at Phillipsburg

Little Divi Bay Resort

Calm Water, and Cool Breezes

Heading over to the Front Street Shopping Area

Liberty of the Seas fromPort Blanche

 

.

[Radio]

As requested. . . I did find out that they do allow small babies to use one of the pools in the H20 zone, The picture is posted below ! It is a very shallow pool that is separate from the main pool in the H20 Zone.The maximum depth is only 1 inch.

 

I forgot to mention that the time to Little Divi Bay Resort was about 10-15min. . . It is very quick.

 

 

Here are a few more pics until tomorrow. . .

 

 

Thanks for tuning in !

 

Radio

 

 

More beautiful Water

 

 

 

Nice Welcome Home banner for the Disney Magic

 

 

 

 

Security

 

 

 

 

A view of the FWD Spa Balconies

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Splash pool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[carmelninetysix]

Wow lucky you just recently back from Explorer which also was a beautiful ship and a wonderful cruise and now your on the brand new Liberty! Lucky you that is great! I just recently posted a question about trying the Freedom or Liberty in 2009 for my 40th birthdy! Hubby (Carl) and I will be Diamond members after only 1 more cruise! we did not know for certain if we would like the Freedom Class but after looking at your pictures and reading your comments I am so ready to sail on her right now and Hubby will look forward to it as well but we have a long wait ahead of us until 2009! We our planning on sailing the 5 night Navigator in Dec. 08 and possibly the 4 night Majesty in either May or June of 08! Thanks for taking time to post for all of us here at CC we really do enjoy and aprreciate it very much!!! I hope I have the pleasure of seeing you on another cruise!!! Happy Sailings Radio and Bon Voyage!!! Melissa

[Merion_Mom]

Hi Radio

 

I had to look up Divi Little Bay Beach in my travel guide after all of the oohs and ahhs in the above threads.

 

I see there is a casino there at the resort................did you make it to the beach? ha ha !! :)

 

 

Anyway, it looks like a short distance from port, how was the drive? Do you have any idea what the cab fare would be to get there? Since there is a resort there, I am assuming getting a cab back would not be a problem (I always worry about getting back !! :o )

 

 

Is Divi Little Bay Beach actually all resort beach or is part resort, part public?

 

Is there a charge to get on the beach?

 

Lastly, is this the beach that the airplanes skim over on their way down to the airport runway?

 

Sorry to batter you with all of the questions :o

 

I hope you will have some pictures of your day at the beach!! :cool: (if you made it past the casino:p )

Jillyfish, I highly recommend the spa at Divi Little Bay Resort.

 

Here's what I wrote this summer:

 

Next up, St. Maarten. My daughter, known far and wide as Moped Leg Girl, could neither lie out on a beach nor walk on a beach, and couldn't get the leg wet, so all watersports were out of the question.

 

Here is my St. Maarten advice for anyone who doesn't know the place. If you actively enjoy shopping, go ahead into Phillipsburg. I detested it this time. It is now SO crowded and ugly and nothing but shop after shop after shop after shop.........YUCK. The watersports and beaches are FABULOUS on this island, but as I said, we couldn't do those.

 

We took the advice of someone on CC and booked a day at the Indulgence By The Sea Spa at the Divi Little Bay Resort.

 

We walked from the cruise pier into Phillipsburg - I was looking for one specific thing, and we had time to kill before our appointments. Then we jumped in a cab and asked the nice driver to take us to the resort.

 

We went UP UP UP. Nice narrow, winding roads, but our driver knew where he was going! It was $12 before tip.

 

We had no trouble finding the spa, and it was FANTASTIC.

 

First, they brought out three shallow pottery basins of rose petal-infused warm water. We soaked our feet in those for about fifteen minutes while we filled out questionnaires about our preferences and physical condition.

 

Then each of us was led off into a private room with our therapist for the treatments I had pre-booked.

 

I had a hydrating body scrub. YUM YUM YUM. She carefully unwrapped/uncovered each segment of my body in turn and scrubbed and moisturized and massaged thoroughly, before moving on to the next area. It felt wonderful!

 

The treatment room overlooked the sea, and I could look out across the beautiful sand to the cerulean water. Of course, that ended as soon as I closed my eyes and lost myself in the experience. My therapist reassured me that the floor-to-ceiling wall of windows had one-way tinting, so others couldn't look in.

 

Then I had the BEST pedicure I have ever had in my life. Beat the one I got on the Liberty all to heck!!!!!

 

My daughter had a seaweed wrap treatment, and her therapist carefully worked around the Moped Leg. She gave her some extra treatments on the rest of her body to "compensate" my baby for not getting her leg done! Then she had a fabulous manicure.

 

My son had been rather resistant to the idea of going to a spa. He had one long body treatment including a "gentleman's facial". He practically FLOATED out of there. He couldn't stop smiling beatifically!

 

Taxi back to the ship - same $12.

 

We were there for three hours, start to finish. That's three hours of assorted treatments for three adults. Total cost (before tip): $420.

 

Incredible bargain - compare it to ship spa prices!!!!!! (I remember a massage for 50 minutes for $150 on the Explorer!)

[Merion_Mom]

I was able to find out something about the incident last week with the passenger being asked to leave while in Labadee. The Crew member did not want to discuss it, and really did not give me any details. He did however, agree that someone was removed, and said that all passengers have a choice of cooperating with the Passenger code of Conduct. It seems that it did happen, and there is not much discussion on board about it.

Radio, you just have to find a more talkative crew member! They are around...........keep snooping! ;)