Liberty notes - 8/23/08-8/30/08

[Merion_Mom]

Just back from the Liberty of the Seas. With the price of internet rising onboard, I decided not to do a "live" thread, but here are some thoughts and reports "after the fact."

 

Feel free to post questions and I shall respond to the best of my memory.

 

The Liberty of the Seas is a magnificent ship, and we had a fantastic week.

 

We took a friend for my son, and it was her very first cruise. Can you imagine the Liberty being the standard by which you judge all other cruises?!?!?!??!!?

 

The ports were great - I took the kids to the Mexican Culinary Experience in Cozumel. hee hee hee

 

My daughter is of legal age, but my son & friend are not, and they were just incensed that RC wouldn't let them drink on the ship. So I treated them to a day with Luis, Moises and Javier in Cozumel. WHOA! We were all very very very happy. If you haven't done this excursion, you must, you simply must. It was my second time. Now my daughter wants to go back there when we are on the Mariner in December!

 

We stayed ahead of Gustav the entire way. The only effect was that it started to get windy when we were on Labadee and they closed the zipline. (we really didn't notice any high winds down at beach level). And the last night you could hear the winds howling if you were outside or up on a high deck. (I was on Deck 14 at the time). I really didn't feel any motion, although I heard some newbies remarking on the movement of the ship. I *did* take the empty hangers off the rod and put them on the closet floor, because they were moving and making some clattering noise.

 

Jamaica was Montego Bay this time, and we just went straight to the Sunset Beach Resort - another great choice. Again, my two underage (but they are almost 21 and have been at college for two years where they drink to their heart's content) kids indulged themselves, without overindulging. It's a beautiful place, with almost a dozen pools, lots of beach front area, lazy river, waterslides, miniature golf, tennis courts, basketball courts, swim-up bars, etc. That's all included with your $40 price of admission, along with unlimited (ok) food. I learned to love a Dirty Banana! YUM!

 

In Grand Cayman, I took the kids on a private catamaran to do the stingrays and snorkeling near the reef. The boat holds more than 25, though the owner says that he limits it to 25 per trip so that everyone has plenty of space. We found out about it from some wonderful ladies on our Roll Call, THANK YOU, Sharon!

 

There were only five of us! It was FANTASTIC. My son and his friend were more than a little leery of the stingrays, but loved it anyway. They are just such cool creatures.

 

For $45 per person, it was an amazing value, as well. Four hours, private catamaran with its owner, pick-up and drop-off at tender pier, snorkel gear, fresh fruit (sodas and beer were a nominal charge). The guy's name is Chip, and it's stingraysailing dot com We all highly recommend him.

 

The sea days were great. Seven days is not enough. Four ports are nice, but that leaves you with just two sea days on this huge and beautiful ship. Next time, a back-to-back cruise would be just right.

 

Food is subjective and personal - we all have read and said this many times. I thought that the food in the Main Dining Room was excellent. We had one lunch here, and I had two lunches in the WJ. On the other days, we were off the ship. I had no breakfasts. (daughter used Room Service for breakfast all four port days)

 

Highlights: cold soups, as always. Lobster bisque, duck consommé.

Tenderloin, lobster tail, scallops, halibut, shrimp.

 

Café Promenade's sandwiches were yummy, muffins were good, too.

 

Sorrento's on the Liberty is amazing. Excellent pizza, especially the veggie pizza and florentine. Lovely antipasto "bar". Yummy key lime mousse.

 

The Windjammer had typical WJ fare. It was good and hot and we always found a table when we looked for one. I took a plate down to my sleeping daughter once, and the pasta was still hot when I got back to the cabin.

 

Room Service was excellent. In the morning, they were always on time, always called first, and made a follow-up call afterwards to ask how everything was!!!! Other times of day, the order arrived promptly, everything was correct, and the service was discreet. (we were not always fit to be seen in public :D) Pick up of dirty dishes was quick, too, if you called them. (that is what they ask you to do)

 

I love James Andrews, our CD. What a great host. His staff is wonderful, too. There was only one girl who irritated the HECK out of us - everyone else was great. Major kudos to James, Phill, Travis, Brandon, Jaimie and Cat.

 

Headliners.............feh. A juggler who was good, actually very good, but juggling is just not "my thing". A moderately funny comic the first night, who was very funny for late night comedy later. A final night comic who was funny, but definitely NOT everyone's sense of humor.

 

Production shows: There were three, and we went to two. Ever After is NOT for everyone. My oh-so-critical dancer son and my not-so-critical daughter HATED it. I thought that is was "ok" - decent in the beginning, not so good in the middle, with a VERY good last five or so minutes. In The Air was a very good show. My kids call it a "wannabe Cirque de Soleil", but I think that they were GREAT for NOT being Cirque. Only Cirque is Cirque. We missed Somewhere in Time.

 

The Ice Show was beyond fantastic. We all just adored it. Whatever you do, never miss the Ice Show.

 

Portofino - we ate there the night we had been in Cozumel. BIG mistake. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but turned out not to be. The food was good, but we weren't really ready to enjoy it. I was disappointed in two things:

 

1. I had asked the MDR to send my bottle of wine to Portofino. It didn't happen. (which was ok, because we really didn't want any more alcohol at that point)

 

2. My veal saltimbocca was tasty, but my first bite was all fat. Now, the cut of veal that should be used for this dish shouldn't have ANY fat, much less a big glob of it. The rest of it was good, but it was a bad way to begin eating.

 

We were way too full for dessert, but took tiramisu and flourless chocolate cake back to the cabin. Unfortunately, this was Night 6, and we never ended up eating it. :(

 

Service was excellent, as always. Our waiter was MacArthur "call me Mac" from the Philippines, and assistant was Chandra from India. I'll just say that we LOVED Chandra, and recommended on our Guest Survey that she be made a waiter. Cabin attendants Gilbet and Isbeth were great, always doing a good job, and always managing to do it when we weren't there, no matter how irregular our comings and goings.

 

Pretty Shamu is the Concierge in the Diamond Lounge, and she is wonderful. Dale and Alan are the quiet, efficient unobtrusive bartenders who always kept me supplied. :) The hors d'oeuvres were particularly good this cruise. It was also nice being able to use the computers up there in peace and quiet.

 

Elevators were not as much of a problem to use as many others have reported. Sure, sometimes you had to wait, but HEY, you're on a cruise - relax! You can also avoid the problem sometimes by using the forward elevators instead of the aft set. Less competition for those. :)

 

Even tender lines for Labadee moved fast, and I have never had such an easy time tendering to and from Grand Cayman. No crowds or chaos here as a result of Liberty's size.

 

Lots of trivia games at all different times of day, so we missed some but managed to get to others. This was the first cruise that I didn't win at least once! Boo hoo, poor me. No new RC crap, er, stuff. Wait, I did win the stupid slot machine keychain in the casino. :rolleyes:

 

'Nuff said about the casino, by the way.

 

The passenger mix was VERY eclectic. Many many many international passengers on board. We had lunch in the MDR with this WONDERFUL young couple from Brazil, and I got them to teach me some Portuguese. I kept running into them after that, and they always demanded that I try to speak to them in Portuguese! Such good practice for my upcoming South American cruise.

 

Embarkation was almost a breeze (we got an agent who was very new, maybe his first day, and he had to get help and there were several ongoing problems onboard that were a result of his errors), and disembarkation was the quickest and easiest I have ever had. Too quick and easy, actually, since we then had to wait for our van pick-up.

 

All in all, a great cruise, and it was wonderful, as always, that my kids still want to go on a vacation with Mom. That won't last too much longer............

 

So, ask away.

 

:)

[Jamielps]

Great Review!

You didn't seem to enthused about the Casino- Is that for any particular reason? Are you not into the casino in general or was there something unpleasant about it?

Thanks

[Merion_Mom]

Great Review!

You didn't seem to enthused about the Casino- Is that for any particular reason? Are you not into the casino in general or was there something unpleasant about it?

Thanks

 

Jamie: It's called "losing". :D ;)

[Cruising89143]

Hey Carol. Welcome home and thanks for the review. Glad to hear that all went well on the Liberty. She is a beautiful ship. :)

[2skikids]

Jamie: It's called "losing". :D ;)

 

Hi Carol,

 

Finally unpacked:( and doing laundry. We were lucky with the slot machines and came home with what we bought My gifts are paid for by RCL.

 

Had a a great time and agree with your review. Can't wait until next time when we are Diamond as we did not like the suite concierge.

 

Wish we did the catamaran tour. Sounded like fun. Maybe next time. We swam with sting rays and it was the highlight for my DD.

 

Enjoy your upcoming trips.I envy you

Kathy

[Merion_Mom]

Hi Carol,

 

Finally unpacked:( and doing laundry. We were lucky with the slot machines and came home with what we bought My gifts are paid for by RCL.

 

Had a a great time and agree with your review. Can't wait until next time when we are Diamond as we did not like the suite concierge.

 

Wish we did the catamaran tour. Sounded like fun. Maybe next time. We swam with sting rays and it was the highlight for my DD.

 

Enjoy your upcoming trips.I envy you

Kathy

 

Kathy, it was amazing. Sharon told us about it, we joined them, and it was just the five of us!

 

We promised Chip that we would tell everyone on Cruise Critic how wonderful he is!

 

stingraysailing dot com Tell 'em Sharon & Carol sent you! ;)

[njoyndride]

Kathy, it was amazing.

 

I think it was the company ;) !

[megnsamsgracie]

Oh gosh.. we LOVED James Andrew and the staff. One girl from the CD staff got off on our cruise (the week before you). Brandon hosted our M&M and was very nice throughout the cruise. We LOVED Travis. Did you go see the Liars Club? Our cruise was the very first time they did that show and it was awesome!

 

We too felt 7days was not enough so we are doing a B2B next September. Hubby didnt want to get off in the ports (Eastern) because he wanted to see ALL of the ship! We LOVED the Liberty!

[cruzfitter]

Any chance that you have the menus or Compasses?

[Radio]

Just back from the Liberty of the Seas. With the price of internet rising onboard, >SNIP<

Portofino -

2. My veal saltimbocca was tasty, but my first bite was all fat. Now, the cut of veal that should be used for this dish shouldn't have ANY fat, much less a big glob of it. The rest of it was good, but it was a bad way to begin eating.

 

We were way too full for dessert, but took tiramisu and flourless chocolate cake back to the cabin. Unfortunately, this was Night 6, and we never ended up eating it. >SNIP<

 

Thanks Carol, for the great review. . . .

 

I try to go to Portofino, and Chops during the first few nights :D . . .

 

It seems I am always to full to enjoy really good food near the end of a cruise ! ! :o

 

It sounds like you had a great time !

 

Thanks again. . .

 

 

Radio

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Merion_Mom]

Any chance that you have the menus or Compasses?

 

I have the compasses, but I forgot to take pictures of the menus. (I meant to, I really did, but CRS intervened. :D)

 

I'll try scanning them and adding them to the webshots album I am working on.

[luv2cruz08]

Just a quick question...how did you go about getting the tickets for the ice skating show. We have a group of 35 people going in October. I want to be sure we can all get tickets (not necessarily all together or anything). Any tips on that you have to share?

[Merion_Mom]

Thanks Carol, for the great review. . . .

 

I try to go to Portofino, and Chops during the first few nights :D . . .

 

It seems I am always to full to enjoy really good food near the end of a cruise ! ! :o

 

It sounds like you had a great time !

 

Thanks again. . .

 

 

Radio

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

It seemed like such a good idea at the time.

 

We were going to do the cooking class with Luis in Cozumel, (we = me, 22, 20 & 20), get totally sloshed, come back around 5, take a long nap (missing main seating) and go to dinner at Portofino at 8.

 

Alas, the best laid plans of mice and men..............

 

That was just not enough time to recover. :D

[jojodiamond]

Can't wait until next time when we are Diamond as we did not like the suite concierge.

 

FYI - I was there there last week too and the suite concierge last week is actually the Diamond concierge - he was filling in for the normal suite concierge as she is on vacation ;)

[jillybabes]

Hey Carol, Glad to hear you had such a good time...When we do Coz the next time I want to do the Mexican Culinary Experience...

We have 67 more days til it's our turn on the Liberty and can't wait...

Is Phil the same guy that was on the Mariner that did Bingo??? He is tall and thin with a great personality... Later, Jill:cool:

[2skikids]

FYI - I was there there last week too and the suite concierge last week is actually the Diamond concierge - he was filling in for the normal suite concierge as she is on vacation ;)

 

Maybe I'll cruise the Freedom instead;) Is there a was a way to find out who the concierge is prior to booking? Not that it would make me change a trip but it would be nice to have an engaging person to talk to.

[PH8]

The cooking class is the 2nd best excursion we have EVER done,,,,,,,,,,,,,doing it agian in Dec!!

[jojodiamond]

Maybe I'll cruise the Freedom instead;) Is there a was a way to find out who the concierge is prior to booking? Not that it would make me change a trip but it would be nice to have an engaging person to talk to.

 

You didn't like Mario? I thought he was great! Of course, Roshan makes very strong drinks so maybe my judgment was a bit skewed, hehe!

You can probably find out somehow, i would start with the regular customer service number. But either way, the employees are on 6-month contracts so by the time you book again, Mario might not be there anymore ;)

[megnsamsgracie]

Any chance that you have the menus or Compasses?

 

 

I dont have the menus but I have the compasses (we did Eastern)... I took out the preforated part but I can still scan in mine if you need them!

[Merion_Mom]

Just a quick question...how did you go about getting the tickets for the ice skating show. We have a group of 35 people going in October. I want to be sure we can all get tickets (not necessarily all together or anything). Any tips on that you have to share?

 

Tickets are merely for admission, NOT for specific seats. It's a free-for-all when the doors open half an hour before showtime.

 

The tickets are free and are distributed on Day 2, which is a Sea Day, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. (or they run out), in the On Air Club on Deck 3, which is right by Studio B, where the Ice Show is performed. You are allowed to pick up tickets for your entire party - though I don't know if there is any numerical limit to that.

[megnsamsgracie]

Hey Carol, Glad to hear you had such a good time...When we do Coz the next time I want to do the Mexican Culinary Experience...

We have 67 more days til it's our turn on the Liberty and can't wait...

Is Phil the same guy that was on the Mariner that did Bingo??? He is tall and thin with a great personality... Later, Jill:cool:

 

Yep... Phil was "Whos Your Daddy".. he was pretty funny... during our show of Liars Club, I actually think he ALMOST peed his pants... one of the words was Hawzole... we had to find the definition... he BY ACCIDENT said *sshole and was MORTIFIED! He was really good!

[Merion_Mom]

Hey Carol, Glad to hear you had such a good time...When we do Coz the next time I want to do the Mexican Culinary Experience...

We have 67 more days til it's our turn on the Liberty and can't wait...

Is Phil the same guy that was on the Mariner that did Bingo??? He is tall and thin with a great personality... Later, Jill:cool:

 

Yep, same guy. He is a lot of fun.

 

Karaoke almost got out of his control one night. There was a large group from, ahem, Brooklyn, and they grabbed the mike out of his hand and sort of made it rather difficult for him. He handled it very well, but the whole situation was one drink away from a rumble.

[rubrrick]

Welcome home Carol!! :)

 

As always.........great reading your material. Glad that you had a wonderful cruise.........and stayed out of the way of Gustav!! :) :D :)

 

Rick

[Merion_Mom]

The cooking class is the 2nd best excursion we have EVER done,,,,,,,,,,,,,doing it agian in Dec!!

 

Then I have to ask: What was the best?!?!?!?

[megnsamsgracie]

Welcome home Carol!! :)

 

As always.........great reading your material. Glad that you had a wonderful cruise.........and stayed out of the way of Gustav!! :) :D :)

 

Rick

 

Hey Rick, BTW, I owe you a HUGEEEEE thank you.. I never would have ended up on Liberty if it wasnt for you! We would have been leaving FLL with Fay sitting on the coast... AND DH is now hooked on the Freedom class! Not easy to convince a cheapskate :)