Carnival Liberty B2B Eastern then Western Review

[PaulMedik]

Cruisers for the first week (Eastern) were myself, DW Karen, and our three sons; Bryson 13, Spencer 11, and Britt 7. We enjoyed ourselves and found new things to love about cruising as well as a favorite port; Half Moon Cay. We've never had a favorite port before so now we have a bit of a puzzle to figure out.....We're already booked on our next two cruises and neither of them includes Half Moon Cay. To remedy that we're planning to book Carnival Pride out of Baltimore for July 18, 2010, but that's over two years away so we'll see how that goes.

 

We had 20 friends and family members join us for the second week and they all had a good time and all plan to sail with us again on Carnival Pride in 2010.

 

Our cruise began on Friday evening the day before sail away with about an hour and a half drive to Huntington's TriState Airport where we boarded Allegiant Air for the ~2 hour flight to Fort Lauderdale. Upon arriving in Fort Lauderdale we gathered up our luggage (9 bags) and hailed a cab to take us to Sheraton Yankee Clipper in Fort Lauderdale.

 

We arrived at our hotel rather late so the bell boys were off hiding some place so we grabbed a luggage cart and drafted our boys for porter duty;

 

 

Everyone but Britt and I were tired from traveling so we ventured out to check out the ocean. Our room was across the street from the main hotel so we made our way onto the beach from the side of the hotel. The beach was FULL of volleyball nets and scantily clad somethings....not sure what they were and I kept my camera in my pocket. Anyhow, as you can see, Britt was ready and rarin to go check out the beach;

 

 

Britt usually has a lot to say about women that he thinks are 'hot,' but like me he seemed bewidered as to what the critters were we saw so he didn't say anything other than it was windy.

 

Britt and I returned to our room after checking out the ocean and wondering about all the volleyball nets and had a good nights' sleep. When we woke up the next morning, this was the view that welcomes us to Fort Lauderdale;

 

 

Karen, Spencer, and I ventured out in search of a place to eat Breakfast and happend upon the Blues Brothers;

 

 

We ordered for everyone and while Karen went back to get the other boys, Spencer and I stayed and guarded the food. We had a very scenic view of the bay;

 

 

After consuming the copious amounts of waffles with syrup we were all ready for a nap and the Blues Brothers were accomodating;

 

[DGP1111]

Welcome back, Paul (and crew) - - glad to read that you had a great time on the Carnival Liberty b2b.

Will look forward to reading the rest of what is certain to be a great photo review of your cruises. I'm doing my first trip to Half Moon Cay later this year. Based on what several said (like yourself), I've booked additional sailings that include HMC, even before going and deciding for myself if it's that great. Your comments tend to make me think I've not made an error.

 

Thanks again for this upcoming review!!! :) :)

[PaulMedik]

We had arranged for a Limo from Larry's Limo and we requested Victor who was our driver in April. Victor was at a wedding so we were told by Bob, our driver. As expected, our Limo was waiting right on time at 9:00AM;

 

 

I know that 9:00AM is a bit early for most folks to travel the short distance from Fort Lauderdale to Port of Miami, but we like to arrive early so......

 

We let Bob figure out how to fit nine suit cases in a six suit case trunk; Bob wouldn't let us help so we complied;

 

 

We arrived at the Port of Miami as the previous week's passengers were still milling around trying to figure out where they needed to go. Bob had to rattle a few cages to get the traffic folks to allow us in to the arrivals area, but he did well and parked us right in front of the terminal;

 

 

As Bob unloaded our luggage a porter came over and began assisting him and gathering everything together. While that was going on I began asking other porters and port employees where I could find porter 150. The same words were uttered by each person I asked; 'Why? What did he do?' Kind of an odd response and even more odd that everyone responded the exact same way. (As some of you may recall, I don't care for porter 150 and hoped to have a few words with him.)

 

After failing to locate porter 150, I asked the porter who was taking care of our luggage where he was and got the same answer again. He then added that we shouldn't worry at all, that our luggage will be fine. This gentleman was porter 149. I asked him how porter 149 couldn't know where porter 150 was and he just laughed and said he had no clue. We then had some small talk about where we were from etc. After speaking with porter 149 for a while, I realized that he was a different breed completely from porter 150. I explained to him that I had several pictures of him, but would like one last picture of him with my family and he complied;

 

 

Porter 149 is a man that the Port of Miami would do well to model their employees after. He was engaging, informative, likeable, and a great ambassador for his city. Porter 149 earned his tip and most importantly he did his job well. All of our luggage arrived clean, timely (before 2:30), and all together.

 

For those who were looking out for Porter 150, I would recommend that you look for Porter 149. I think Porter 150 is still there and I have some pics that I think are him that I'll post later.....

 

After a quick run through security in the terminal we checked in and we assigned Zone 7. As early as we arrived, there were still six zones of people there before us!

 

We sat and waited patiently for boarding to begin and apparently Customs & Immigration were having multiple coffee breaks because boarding didn't begin until after noon. We made it on board at ~ 12:30 and had to wait a bit for our S & S pictures to be taken as we entered the ship on deck three;

 

 

While we were waiting we had our first of many family photos taken;

 

[PaulMedik]

Don,

 

You'll love Half Moon Cay. If not, I'll take over all additional bookings you make that calls on Half Moon Cay so you won't have to suffer through the visit. Seriously, it's a great day in port. We'd be happy to go out to sea each nice and come back there each day!

 

 

While we were waiting in line to enter, we had a fellow cruiser take a pic of us too;

 

 

 

After we entered the Atrium I noticed that the shore excursion's desk was open. We had planned to be there at 1:30 to reserve a cabana on Half Moon Cay, but they were open early so we headed straight over and thanks to the young lady in this pic, we got a great cabana location;

 

 

The gentleman I was speaking with at the excursions desk was clueless, and the young lady could tell that he wasn't providing any info that we needed so she piped up and saved the day. I have pics that I'll post later of the gentleman as he used a bull horn to speak to people right in front of him at Half Moon Cay. He was quite amusing.

 

After securing our Half Moon Cay Cabana, we headed up to Lido and the boys had to stop and check out the lobby below;

 

 

After walking out on Lido, we had to run up the steps to Panorama and get a pic at our customary site for first pics;

 

 

Anyone wanna guess where we headed next? Yep, the Lido buffet;

 

 

 

 

After getting a little bit of everything they had, we were visited by a bar waiter and since we knew we'd be seeing him a lot, we got a pic with him too;

 

[orientpiscesgirl88]

Love the pictures! Keep it coming! I'll keep an eye out for Porter 149 next time I'm leaving out of Miami lol

[PaulMedik]

Can you imagine that it is possible to get tired of eating? Right now my mouth is watering as I remember the tastes of the food, but believe it or not we were tired of eating after two weeks;

 

 

 

After we finished eating it was 1:30 so we headed down to deck six to check out our room and the balcony. We had the same type of room in April so we knew what to expect, but it was still awesome to walk into the room and out on the deck;

 

 

 

 

Bryson and Spencer had the L shaped cabin (6481) on the starboard side of our cabin and I took a panorama shot of it that turned out OK (yes, they are in the picture three times);

 

 

This pic shows all that the panorama shot missed;

 

 

For those that are wondering, yes 6481 also has a VHS / DVD player just like the suites and the 9As. Here's a closeup of the one in the 9A (the one in the boys room was the same);

 

[Catrin]

Paul,

 

Once again looking forward to your wonderful reviews.....

 

Being a mom of a 13 and 9 year old boys, always enjoy reading about your boys.

 

Thanks for sharing and keep it coming!

Catrin

[snc421]

Welcome Back, Paul! I'm liking the review so far, and am happy to know I'll have a few days of reading enjoyment coming with this review! (It took me a few days, and I only had 11 days to cover, you have more!) Great pics too!

 

How cool you can fly Allegiant Air! I flew Allegiant back and forth to Florida last year and this year. My airport dropped Ft. Lauderdale, but kept Orlando/Sanford and St. Pete/Clearwater. Awesome prices on my flights, how were your prices?

 

I see you're up for the Legend next, will you be flying into PIE? My one and only cruise was on the Legend in May. (My TR with pics and pic album are linked.) I loved it! Have you been to Roatan yet? DH said he thinks Roatan is more beautiful than St. Thomas [was on his land vaca 18 years ago!] Your Dream trip, is that east or west?

[snc421]

Awesome room!

[PaulMedik]

After taking a decent panorama of the boys room I decided to try for one of our room. One wasn't enough and they aren't the best, but I did get a good likeness of our room in two panoramas;

 

 

 

 

Maybe 'good likeness' is too kind. I guess if you've seen one, you'd be able to tell what our room looks like, but if you haven't, then these pics might not help. The 9As are odd shaped and odd sized. I got pics of the 9A above ours later in the week and didn't even realize initially that I was in the 9A.

 

Here's a normal pic that may be more clear as to how the room is laid out;

 

 

 

Just like the 'secret doors' at the front of the ship, we had a port hole door to our rooms;

 

 

After we settled in to our rooms and got rested up a bit, our stewardess Eka came by and introduced herself. After introductions and signing her form for acknowledging we met her, we enlisted her assistance in opening the balcony divider;

 

 

After opening the divider she secured it to the wall of the ship;

 

 

Eka was a great stewardess. She's been with Carnival for five years and formerly worked for Royal Caribbean. She has twin five year old daughters at home where her husband takes care of them and runs their business. She said that she loved working for Carnival and that her job at Carnival provided more for her family than they could ever hope to earn in their country. (Indonesia)

 

We all got to know and respect Eka over the two weeks, and now that we are home we REALLY miss having her around to pick up after us.

[PaulMedik]

orientpiscesgirl88,

 

Thank you.

 

 

Paul,

 

Once again looking forward to your wonderful reviews.....

 

Being a mom of a 13 and 9 year old boys, always enjoy reading about your boys.

 

Thanks for sharing and keep it coming!

Catrin

 

 

Catrin,

 

Thank you.

 

Welcome Back, Paul! I'm liking the review so far, and am happy to know I'll have a few days of reading enjoyment coming with this review! (It took me a few days, and I only had 11 days to cover, you have more!) Great pics too!

 

How cool you can fly Allegiant Air! I flew Allegiant back and forth to Florida last year and this year. My airport dropped Ft. Lauderdale, but kept Orlando/Sanford and St. Pete/Clearwater. Awesome prices on my flights, how were your prices?

 

I see you're up for the Legend next, will you be flying into PIE? My one and only cruise was on the Legend in May. (My TR with pics and pic album are linked.) I loved it! Have you been to Roatan yet? DH said he thinks Roatan is more beautiful than St. Thomas [was on his land vaca 18 years ago!] Your Dream trip, is that east or west?

 

Awesome room!

 

 

snc421,

 

Our flights were $49 per person each way! They have the cheapest airfare we've ever had to Florida and with prices sky rocketing we are very thankful for Allegiant.

 

Our flights for Tampa will depend on the days they fly. We may fly into Orlando or out of Orlando depending on how they're booking then. We'll definately be flying Allegiant Air if they're still in business......

 

Our cruise on Dream is Western Caribbean: Port Canaveral; Cozumel, Mexico ; Roatan Island, Honduras ; Belize ; Costa Maya, Mexico ; Port Canaveral. We have been to all but Honduras and will be there on Legend before Dream so we're not sure yet what we'll be doing there. Belize will be zip line and cave tubing through CaveTubing.com, Cozumel will most likely be Paradise Beach, Costa Maya will be Chac Chi then Majuhaul if it's built back.

 

 

 

After getting our balcony divider opened up and situated for a lazy aftgernoon on the deck, it rain so hard that we couldn't see one of the worlds largest cruise ships docked behind us (the picture isn't blurry, it was raining that hard!);

 

 

 

 

At 3:50PM the CD, Steve Knicely, began announcing details of our upcoming Muster drill. By 4:00PM he had announced that we all should now either be at our Muster stations or on our way there. We went just a little after the time he announced that we should be there;

 

 

After 12 minutes TOTAL from start to finish, our Muster was complete and we headed back up to our room;

 

 

The couple you see following our boys up the steps are CC members who were also at our Muster station;

 

 

 

 

Our Muster station was two decks down the crew steps just outside the boys' door so it was quick to get to and quick to get back. Twelve minutes for Muster is perfect. Steve Knicely is all business on the PA system and only talks about inportant info that we all may need some time. No sales pitch and no useless fluff.

 

After the Muster drill we watched Liberty of the Seas push away from port and begin to head out of port;

 

[PaulMedik]

After watching LOS ease into position in the middle of the channel, we headed up to Lido Deck forward over the bridge for sailaway and to watch her pass. Carnival should open their crew areas in the front for sailaway;

 

 

 

I definately like Carnival's Aft decks better than LOS;

 

 

 

But wouldn't it be nice to be standing down there in front of or even in those hot tubs?'

 

 

We do enjoy the view from deck nine though;

 

 

[snc421]

Wow that was some rain! How long did it last like that? Crazy! Still great pics, and thanks!

 

You got some incredible airfare there! The lowest we ever booked was $69 pp each way, but I hawk that site constantly, dreaming of course, and occasionally I have seen one way at $19! For me, flying into PIE was great both years. Last year for our return we flew out of Sanford, this year we flew out of PIE. I don't know if you know this, but the Sanford airport is like 20 miles the other side of Orlando, so that puts it well over 100 miles to the Tampa port. For that, I hope it works you can fly into PIE.

 

Your Dream itinery is my Dream itinery, if I could choose the perfect one! **Jealous** I was crushed when Dean took out Costa Maya, and it happened on my birthday! I was really looking forward to that stop. Roatan's beauty somewhat took away the pain; I am happy I went there. But not instead of CM... so for now I will Dream of that cruise, as I am ambivalent to Cayman now!

[PaulMedik]

I always enjoy the view down South Beach;

 

 

 

Our sailaway was hazy and I'm sure sweltering with humidity in Miami, but on the front of Liberty the breeze was cool and the skies were clear ahead;

 

 

After sailaway we headed back to the room to clean up for Dinner. We had the 6:00 seating in the Golden Dinning room at table 202 upper level. Our waitress was Nirmala and you'll be seeing many pics of her and reading a lot about her later on.

 

Here's what I had (Can anyone identify them?);

 

 

Here's a shot of our table as we were leaving. Anyone want to venture a guess as to what we had for dessert?:

 

 

After a great first evening meal we spent the evening walking around the ship and refamiliarizing ourself with her. I made a generous donation to the Black Jack tables and had a great time in the process. I was up by several hundred dollars, but didn't quit in time.

[snc421]

Great first day!

 

Hmmmm... that was chocolate melting cake! :D

 

I'd love to sail out of Miami, but DH has no desire... :mad:

[PaulMedik]

Wow that was some rain! How long did it last like that? Crazy! Still great pics, and thanks!

 

You got some incredible airfare there! The lowest we ever booked was $69 pp each way, but I hawk that site constantly, dreaming of course, and occasionally I have seen one way at $19! For me, flying into PIE was great both years. Last year for our return we flew out of Sanford, this year we flew out of PIE. I don't know if you know this, but the Sanford airport is like 20 miles the other side of Orlando, so that puts it well over 100 miles to the Tampa port. For that, I hope it works you can fly into PIE.

 

Your Dream itinery is my Dream itinery, if I could choose the perfect one! **Jealous** I was crushed when Dean took out Costa Maya, and it happened on my birthday! I was really looking forward to that stop. Roatan's beauty somewhat took away the pain; I am happy I went there. But not instead of CM... so for now I will Dream of that cruise, as I am ambivalent to Cayman now!

 

 

snc421,

 

It rained for about an hour and a half. The hard rain lasted for about twenty minutes.

 

Our flights this past April were $69 each way to FLL.

 

We flew into Sanford last year for our Glory cruise. As I recall we also paid under $100 each way, but I don't recall exactly. I think it's a lot like FLL in that it's quick to get out of.

 

Karen is talking about making a stop at Disney on Friday then staying either in the Orlando area or closer to the port for the night before the cruise. Personally, I'd prefer to fly into PIE and stay the night before at Clearwater beach. I love the sand at Clearwater Beach!

 

Costa Maya was definately a huge loss for many people. We really enjoyed that port and hopefully they'll be able to recover their previous charm. We thought Grand Turk was a lot like Costa Maya with the Margarittaville pool and the beach right at the port. Grand Turk was nice and I can't wait to go back, but I'd choose Costa Maya in a heart beat if it is like it was before.

 

 

 

 

Our first night on board was very relaxing and we all enjoyed our turned down beds, mints on the bed and reading the capers for the next day which was Half Moon Cay. I have a lot of pics of Half Moon Cay to share, but I have to hit the hay now or I'll be back on night shift before I have to go back to work Monday. :eek:

 

I'll pause for tonight with one last pic of Miami in the distance;

 

[PaulMedik]

Great first day!

 

Hmmmm... that was chocolate melting cake! :D

 

I'd love to sail out of Miami, but DH has no desire... :mad:

 

 

snc421,

 

Thank you and you're correct! It was an awesome dessert......I'm paying for it now though. :D

 

Tell your DH that Miami is NOTHING like it used to be for boarding. We've been through the new boarding area three times now and it's very quick and actually comfortable. Getting off the ship is also MUCH easier now than it used to be. And of course South Beach has it's own attractions your DH might like. ;)

[Molly BPOE]

great review so far! I will be on her in 22 days!!!!! The pics of the food are great Keep 'em coming! Any chance you got menus to share?

[snc421]

snc421,

 

It rained for about an hour and a half. The hard rain lasted for about twenty minutes.

 

Our flights this past April were $69 each way to FLL.

 

We flew into Sanford last year for our Glory cruise. As I recall we also paid under $100 each way, but I don't recall exactly. I think it's a lot like FLL in that it's quick to get out of.

 

Karen is talking about making a stop at Disney on Friday then staying either in the Orlando area or closer to the port for the night before the cruise. Personally, I'd prefer to fly into PIE and stay the night before at Clearwater beach. I love the sand at Clearwater Beach!

 

Costa Maya was definately a huge loss for many people. We really enjoyed that port and hopefully they'll be able to recover their previous charm. We thought Grand Turk was a lot like Costa Maya with the Margarittaville pool and the beach right at the port. Grand Turk was nice and I can't wait to go back, but I'd choose Costa Maya in a heart beat if it is like it was before.

 

 

 

 

Our first night on board was very relaxing and we all enjoyed our turned down beds, mints on the bed and reading the capers for the next day which was Half Moon Cay......

Yes, Sanford was an easy airport. If you've never used PIE, it's every bit as easy, IMO perhaps easier than Sanford!

 

Disney would be nice, but hard to have only one day there, even if you've been there before. DH and I did a week there the last two years, this year we did the Legend instead as it was our honeymoon... so now I have the cruise bug and the Disney bug!

 

Yes, I too would prefer a night or two on the beaches in the TB area, even over Disney for reason stated above. The last two years and this year we did a long weekend on the beaches there before Disney/Legend. The first year, we stayed on Clearwater Beach. We found Fort DeSoto Park and fell in love with it, so last year we found a great deal at the Dolphin Beach Resort on St. Pete Beach to be closer to it instead of driving the Strip all the way down. I LOVED Clearwater Beach, don't get me wrong. The DBR was much cheaper for equal accomodations, and the beach there was great! It's just north from the Don CeSar just to give you a reference if you know the area. We stayed at the same place this year for 4 nights before the Legend, returned our car to PIE and got a taxi to the Port. Have fun making your definate plans!

 

DH and I also enjoyed reading the Capers for the next day on our balcony as we retired each evening!

 

I'm excited to see Half Moon Cay, if only through your pics! I haven't seen any pics of it before, so it's new to me... and you've already spoken so highly of it! 'See' ya tomorrow!

[seafun]

Paul, you've developed a style of review we can all aspire to. It leaves me grinning from ear to ear! :D

As I told you once before, your previous review (with words and pictures) is what inspired me to try so hard on my Egypt trip review. Obviously I didn't have the patience to splice in all the appropriate pictures, and just posted them on a seperate site. Maybe next trip I'll do better...;)

But seeing it all put together so nicely -- seemingly effortlessly (although I know better :rolleyes: ) sure makes for a great read for ALL of us!

Thanks again for taking us all along on the ride! :)

[dfishner]

Paul, been reading your adventures over the last couple of weeks, am going on the Liberty at the end of November after a 10 year absence from CCL. So bring it on I have enjoyed everything I've read and looking forward to more.

[pe4all]

Welcome back - love the "not live" review as much as the "live" one! HMC was also one of our new "surprise" favorite ports. I would definitely go out of my way to hit that on another itinerary. What a great day there - we did the horseback ride by beach/sea, and had a blast. Loved the water trampolines - I'm sure your boys loved them also. Can't wait to read the rest...

[Luanne21]

I am loving your review, and can't wait for the rest.

[boundingmaynard]

great review so far! I will be on her in 22 days!!!!! The pics of the food are great Keep 'em coming! Any chance you got menus to share?

 

I 2nd all of the above!!:D

[Kiera99]

Thank you Paul for all the wonderful pics. I'll be on that ship in less than 50 days. :)

I'm trying to learn all about the ship. We'll have boys about your son's ages with us. What were their favorite things to do on the Liberty? Thanks again.