All Things LIBERTY of the Seas

[Chawoobie]

Let me tackle a few of these. First, recognize that many folks will have different opinions. Must dos for me may not mean a hill of beans to the next guy. This is a very nice ship. Keep in mind that it is a very large ship. that means lots of people. Don't be alarmed if you have to wait a few minutes around meal times to catch the elevator.

 

Must do: Ice show, eat at Portofinos, Flowrider (especially for the teen), see the parade in the promenade.

Skip: Art show, ship photographers (IMHO)

Drinks: Our preference was relaxing in the Viking Crowne Lounge over looking the pools.

Food: Did I mention Portofinos yet?

Entertainment: Varies, just see the shows that you can. But be sure to see the ice show and Quest.

Sunset and/or sunrise: Balcony with a beverage

Teens: Yes, we traveled in November and there were lots of teens. Teenager should like the rock wall and the Flowrider. There are many other teen activities.

Room for three: Plenty of room for sleeping, but you will have to use every inch of storage space.

English pub: Small. There were a few small events there like trivia. This was not the highlight of the cruise for me.

 

Have a great time!

 

Mike

 

I'll add a bit. Haven't been on Liberty yet (January 17th 2009), but was on Freedom Sept 07.

Sunset good from anywhere. My favorite spots - the heliport and the top deck forward (Observation Deck). We also like the promenade deck. Most people seem to hang out in the Casino or at the pools, so we can sit by the railing, relax, enjoy the air and the sound of the wavers with almost no one else around.

 

Ice Skating would be great for 15 yo son, as well as the Flowrider. I plan to do the Flowrider in January. Rock climbing wall, miniature golf.

 

Food is also great: My favorites, Garlic Soup, Roast Turkey Dinner and NY Strip dinner on last night (I usually order both) and _ I hope they have it on Liberty (we just had it for first time on Mariner in Sept 08 - Nasi Goreng, and Indonesian Fried Rice dish. It was terrific!!

 

Actually, anywhere on the ship is better than being anywhere on land - I don't care if we ever stop.

 

Labadee (did that in Sept 08) was nice, but it was raining. It has nice, sandy beaches, lots of water activities, and they cook lunch on the shore.

 

Anchors aweigh!!!;)

[travel_lover]

Here's our pictures from our 10/18 on the Liberty.

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/Hazeleyes1128/RCCLLibertyOfTheSeasOctober182008

[raytownlady]

Thanks for posting the pictures, it looks like you had a great cruise.

[CaribbeanCrush]

Yes. If I remember correctly, they were usually in the Schooner Bar.

 

Thanks!

[travel_lover]

Thanks for posting the pictures, it looks like you had a great cruise.

 

No problem, we did Liberty is amazing!

[RMLERL]

For anyone recently back, does anybody remember who was singing in Hoof & Claw? We had a great singer last November, I cant' remember her name but she was a lot of fun. Was hoping she might still be there.

[sweet angel]

For anyone recently back, does anybody remember who was singing in Hoof & Claw? We had a great singer last November, I cant' remember her name but she was a lot of fun. Was hoping she might still be there.

 

It was a man. I want to say Jimmy Blakemore, but I just pulled that name out of the air.

[drise]

For anyone recently back, does anybody remember who was singing in Hoof & Claw? We had a great singer last November, I cant' remember her name but she was a lot of fun. Was hoping she might still be there.

 

 

I just got back 11/15, it was Jimmy Blakemore most nights, he was very good. My Compass says Pedro Dela Llama for one night, I didn't hear him/them?

[sweet angel]

I just got back 11/15, it was Jimmy Blakemore most nights, he was very good. My Compass says Pedro Dela Llama for one night, I didn't hear him/them?

 

I saw Pedro one night at Schooner Bar. He was good. I think he also played 2 nights in the dining room and was amazing!

[ChristieNJ]

It was a man. I want to say Jimmy Blakemore, but I just pulled that name out of the air.

 

So what did you think, Angel???? :D I couldn't remember if you were the week before or after me. We had an AWESOME time!!!! It was one of the best cruises, ever! :)

 

I saw Pedro one night at Schooner Bar. He was good. I think he also played 2 nights in the dining room and was amazing!

 

Was he the guitarist? I heard him a couple nights and he was great!

[lbibeachman86]

Whose leaving in abiut 15 hours? Me! Woot Woot!

[ChristieNJ]

Whose leaving in abiut 15 hours? Me! Woot Woot!

 

 

*JEALOUS!!!!!!* :D :D :D Have a great time!!! :)

[jillybabes]

Whose leaving in abiut 15 hours? Me! Woot Woot!

Enjoy, have an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie for me (from Cafe Promenade) and a mudslide cookie for my DH:p

[sweet angel]

So what did you think, Angel???? :D I couldn't remember if you were the week before or after me. We had an AWESOME time!!!! It was one of the best cruises, ever! :)

 

 

 

Was he the guitarist? I heard him a couple nights and he was great!

 

Yes, he was the guitarist. In the dining room (assuming it was him...we were on the 4th level, so couldn't see) he played Hotel California, and instrumental versions of other rock-type songs. It was REALLY good.

 

Christie, to be honest, I loved the ship. We were the week before you, so we had fairly crappy weather -- it was a torrential downpour in Grand Cayman, and pretty gray and rainy in Jamaica. My son sliced his toe in Labadee (I waited 4 cruises to FINALLY get there and he sliced his toe within 10 minutes -- note to other cruisers Dragonsbreath beach is VERY rough and the sand in the water is full of sharp shells, rocks, etc.).

 

I thought the food in the dining room was great, I've always loved Promenade Cafe, loved being able to get pizza at Sorrentos whenever I wanted, but I thought Windjammer fell short with their morning selections. By probably Wednesday, the only fruit they had out in the morning was honeydew. It was like they ran out. I was really tired of scrambled eggs too. I thought on my other cruises, they had scrambled eggs with ham, or bacon or something other than just plain old scrambled eggs. Yes, I could've stood in line for an omelet or fried egg, but I didn't.

 

I thought the addition of "table spotters" in the morning at Windjammer was a FANTASTIC change. Made it much less of a chore to find a table.

 

Mind you, I am NOT complaining. I'd go back on Liberty in a heartbeat!

[ChristieNJ]

note to other cruisers Dragonsbreath beach is VERY rough and the sand in the water is full of sharp shells, rocks, etc.).

 

Glad you hear you had such a great time!!!!! Sorry about your son, though. :( And yes, I learned about those sharp rocks the hard way too. The first time we were at Labadee, that's where we went and didn't have water shoes on. *OUCH!* :o Now we opt for Barefoot or Hideaway Beach. :D I like the view of the ship, anyway. :)

[MiaCruzer]

I had to say it. Having been on about a dozen cruises previously, serveral on Royal Carib.. i have to say.. cruising just isn't what it used to be.

 

No blanket turndown at night

No mints/chocolates on the pillows (this was everyone, not just our room)

I never saw the room steward except once when I passed him in the hall and someone else told me that's who it was.

Same menu EVERy day pretty much at every dinner and definitely at the Windjammer

Food quality seems to have dramatically decreased, along with dinner portions - of course you don't NEED all that much food, but dinner used to be quite a deal, at least 5 courses, entertainment, music, theme nights and coordinating meals.... not anymore. Dinner was quiet, boring and not worth bothering as far as I was concerned.

Birthday/anniversary cakes to celebrate used to be free when served at dinner for the event - now they cost to (too much) to bring a cake and sing.

Drink prices - ridiculous. Take your rum runners, they worked perfectly. Also bought booze in Cozumel, of course they took the bottles when I got on ship, but I also had a three bottles of corona that the guy looked at and I said "it's only three bottles of beer" so he just nodded his head and let me take them on board.

 

Bingo - puhleese - used to be about $20 bucks and you could win at least a few hundred.. I went to ONE session. You had your choice of a $31 paper pack (6 squares) or an electronic pack (18 squares) for $62. I bought the $62 figuring if I won at least it would be a decent amount. Wrong.. all that money and they only played FOUR little games, first two winners only got $69, highest game was only $232. Hardly worth bothering for the price you have to pay to play.

 

But the thing I really dislike the most is the shortened length of the port calls. Used to be we'd get to a port like 9 in the morning and not leave till 10 - had all the time in the world - not now. Most ports were like 10:30-3:00 or so. By time you get to and from the ship, you're very limited in what you can do. Very disappointing.

 

I need an address to write to RC where they'll "hear" me. I also never got an invite to the cocktail party for past RC cruisers - I've been invited before and went and was looking forward to it.. didn't get an invite this time.

 

Any questions, ask away. The sun, sand and surf are all still excellent as well as the $1 ice cold Coronas when you get off the ship in Cozumel.

[MiaCruzer]

Yes, that's another thing.. there's no direction any more. At Labadee, the main spot where they let you off is a VERy rock, VERY sharp and rough beach, but they don't tell you that just a short walk away is one of the most awesome calm, smooth sand beaches you'll ever see. It was wonderful, but we had to find it first to be able to enjoy it. I felt so bad for all the people trying to make the best of it at the main rocky rough beach. Yuck. And the food from the ship that they bring for lunch was disgusting. Really.. boiled hot dogs. give me a break.

 

 

Yes, he was the guitarist. In the dining room (assuming it was him...we were on the 4th level, so couldn't see) he played Hotel California, and instrumental versions of other rock-type songs. It was REALLY good.

 

Christie, to be honest, I loved the ship. We were the week before you, so we had fairly crappy weather -- it was a torrential downpour in Grand Cayman, and pretty gray and rainy in Jamaica. My son sliced his toe in Labadee (I waited 4 cruises to FINALLY get there and he sliced his toe within 10 minutes -- note to other cruisers Dragonsbreath beach is VERY rough and the sand in the water is full of sharp shells, rocks, etc.).

 

I thought the food in the dining room was great, I've always loved Promenade Cafe, loved being able to get pizza at Sorrentos whenever I wanted, but I thought Windjammer fell short with their morning selections. By probably Wednesday, the only fruit they had out in the morning was honeydew. It was like they ran out. I was really tired of scrambled eggs too. I thought on my other cruises, they had scrambled eggs with ham, or bacon or something other than just plain old scrambled eggs. Yes, I could've stood in line for an omelet or fried egg, but I didn't.

 

I thought the addition of "table spotters" in the morning at Windjammer was a FANTASTIC change. Made it much less of a chore to find a table.

 

Mind you, I am NOT complaining. I'd go back on Liberty in a heartbeat!

[LErin26]

Aside from Liberty, when was the last cruise you went on? Sounds like it was back in 1996. Yes, cruising has changed, but it's not just limited to Liberty or RCI.

Edited December 9, 2008 by LErin26

[sab490]

I had to say it. Having been on about a dozen cruises previously, serveral on Royal Carib.. i have to say.. cruising just isn't what it used to be.

 

No blanket turndown at night

No mints/chocolates on the pillows (this was everyone, not just our room)

I never saw the room steward except once when I passed him in the hall and someone else told me that's who it was.

Same menu EVERy day pretty much at every dinner and definitely at the Windjammer

Food quality seems to have dramatically decreased, along with dinner portions - of course you don't NEED all that much food, but dinner used to be quite a deal, at least 5 courses, entertainment, music, theme nights and coordinating meals.... not anymore. Dinner was quiet, boring and not worth bothering as far as I was concerned.

Birthday/anniversary cakes to celebrate used to be free when served at dinner for the event - now they cost to (too much) to bring a cake and sing.

Drink prices - ridiculous. Take your rum runners, they worked perfectly. Also bought booze in Cozumel, of course they took the bottles when I got on ship, but I also had a three bottles of corona that the guy looked at and I said "it's only three bottles of beer" so he just nodded his head and let me take them on board.

 

Bingo - puhleese - used to be about $20 bucks and you could win at least a few hundred.. I went to ONE session. You had your choice of a $31 paper pack (6 squares) or an electronic pack (18 squares) for $62. I bought the $62 figuring if I won at least it would be a decent amount. Wrong.. all that money and they only played FOUR little games, first two winners only got $69, highest game was only $232. Hardly worth bothering for the price you have to pay to play.

 

But the thing I really dislike the most is the shortened length of the port calls. Used to be we'd get to a port like 9 in the morning and not leave till 10 - had all the time in the world - not now. Most ports were like 10:30-3:00 or so. By time you get to and from the ship, you're very limited in what you can do. Very disappointing.

 

I need an address to write to RC where they'll "hear" me. I also never got an invite to the cocktail party for past RC cruisers - I've been invited before and went and was looking forward to it.. didn't get an invite this time.

 

Any questions, ask away. The sun, sand and surf are all still excellent as well as the $1 ice cold Coronas when you get off the ship in Cozumel.

 

Same ship...totally different opinion. While we got no chocolates, another poster on our cruise (last week) did every night. Maybe they were in a suite? We saw our cabin steward several times every day. She was great. The menu is different every night in the dining room, though there are three selections that are available every night (caesar salad, steak and chicken). We thought the food quality was excellent as was the service. Though the starters are all listed together you can still get your five courses...appetizer, soup, salad, entree, dessert...if you so choose. You can still get a birthday/anniversary song for free along with a candle in the dessert you ordered. Just have to ask your waiter.

 

I agree that they should warn you about the rocky beach. We knew from reading previous posts here, but most people don't. We sat next to the first aid station and saw several people come in to have cuts attended to.

 

I avoided the Labadee hot dogs and opted for the burgers which were fire grilled. They were actually very good...much better than the ones on the ship. In the Windjammer, the hot dogs at the back station are on those roller things, and are very good. The burgers...not so good.

 

We also loved the addition of Sorrento's with the different types of pizza.

 

One of the things I love about these forums is that you can see a ship or cruise from different points of view with different results. There is no right or wrong....just different.

[MiaCruzer]

Yes, I'd say the last cruise I was on was about 5 yrs ago and even then I noticed the change.. nothing like the cruises in the 80s and 90s. Such a shame... but you're right also that I've heard it's not just RC or this ship.. it's all of them.

 

Next time it's a land based vacation for me :(

 

Aside from Liberty, when was the last cruise you went on? Sounds like it was back in 1996. Yes, cruising has changed, but it's not just limited to Liberty or RCI.

[ChristieNJ]

I had to say it. Having been on about a dozen cruises previously, serveral on Royal Carib.. i have to say.. cruising just isn't what it used to be.

 

No blanket turndown at night

No mints/chocolates on the pillows (this was everyone, not just our room)

I never saw the room steward except once when I passed him in the hall and someone else told me that's who it was.

Same menu EVERy day pretty much at every dinner and definitely at the Windjammer

Food quality seems to have dramatically decreased, along with dinner portions - of course you don't NEED all that much food, but dinner used to be quite a deal, at least 5 courses, entertainment, music, theme nights and coordinating meals.... not anymore. Dinner was quiet, boring and not worth bothering as far as I was concerned.

Birthday/anniversary cakes to celebrate used to be free when served at dinner for the event - now they cost to (too much) to bring a cake and sing.

Drink prices - ridiculous. Take your rum runners, they worked perfectly. Also bought booze in Cozumel, of course they took the bottles when I got on ship, but I also had a three bottles of corona that the guy looked at and I said "it's only three bottles of beer" so he just nodded his head and let me take them on board.

 

Bingo - puhleese - used to be about $20 bucks and you could win at least a few hundred.. I went to ONE session. You had your choice of a $31 paper pack (6 squares) or an electronic pack (18 squares) for $62. I bought the $62 figuring if I won at least it would be a decent amount. Wrong.. all that money and they only played FOUR little games, first two winners only got $69, highest game was only $232. Hardly worth bothering for the price you have to pay to play.

 

But the thing I really dislike the most is the shortened length of the port calls. Used to be we'd get to a port like 9 in the morning and not leave till 10 - had all the time in the world - not now. Most ports were like 10:30-3:00 or so. By time you get to and from the ship, you're very limited in what you can do. Very disappointing.

 

I need an address to write to RC where they'll "hear" me. I also never got an invite to the cocktail party for past RC cruisers - I've been invited before and went and was looking forward to it.. didn't get an invite this time.

 

Any questions, ask away. The sun, sand and surf are all still excellent as well as the $1 ice cold Coronas when you get off the ship in Cozumel.

 

Mia - That stinks that you didn't have a good time. :( It sounds to me like your room steward wasn't all that he or she could have been. We were in a regular room (promenade room), and we got our beds turned down every night, a chocolate on our pillow, and towel animals every single night. It is probably the fault of your room steward also that you didn't get your Welcome Back party information. I think a room steward should always make an effort to at least introduce themselves to you, and it's a shame yours didn't. :(

Every type of business is trying to conserve costs here & there, and RCI is probably no different. Let's face it, NOTHING is what it used to be anymore, unfortunately. Combine that with your not-so-great experience, and unfortunately it could be a pretty big turn-off.

[sweet angel]

We had turndown, chocolates and towel animals each night when we sailed 11/1/08. Saw and spoke with the room steward numerous times.

 

We didn't go to Dragonsbreath on our own thinking...I had asked our waiter for a "less busy beach". I guess that was my mistake!

 

One thing I did miss was the Gala Buffet, unless I just didn't see it listed.

[ChristieNJ]

We had turndown, chocolates and towel animals each night when we sailed 11/1/08. Saw and spoke with the room steward numerous times.

 

We didn't go to Dragonsbreath on our own thinking...I had asked our waiter for a "less busy beach". I guess that was my mistake!

 

One thing I did miss was the Gala Buffet, unless I just didn't see it listed.

We didn't have the Gala either, Angel. But did you notice they now have a "Food Festival" in the promenade during lunchtime, and it pretty much looked just like the Gala used to look, but on a smaller scale? lol They had cool food things and desserts, but just not nearly as much as was during the Gala Buffet.

[sweet angel]

We didn't have the Gala either, Angel. But did you notice they now have a "Food Festival" in the promenade during lunchtime, and it pretty much looked just like the Gala used to look, but on a smaller scale? lol They had cool food things and desserts, but just not nearly as much as was during the Gala Buffet.

I saw some sort of food, but it looked more like pairings or something. Could be that I missed that too.

[Host Jacquelyn]

While we got no chocolates, another poster on our cruise (last week) did every night. Maybe they were in a suite?

 

That was me... 2 chocolates every night (we were 4 people) and we were in a D1 stateroom.

 

Interestingly, we also only saw the stateroom attendant only once! I had to leave her a note in order to request that the ice bucket and glasses be removed from our room, as we never saw her.