Liberty of the Seas - LIVE 11 Apr 09

[mchin]

We are sailing LOS the end of May. Looks like a very similar plan as we are flying into Fort Lauderdale and staying at the Holiday Inn, Port of Miami. Would love to know your thoughts on the hotel. If you haven't been to Bayside before, you should check out Bubba Gump's Shrimp -it's an awesome restaurant for dinner.

 

Look forward to your live reports. :D

[Annefran]

Hello from the Liberty of the seas. It's been a gorgeous day at sea, just one brief shower that past over soon. Yesterday we got to the pier about 11am and checked in very quicky. We are Diamond members so we had priority check in and were given cards in the waiting area to board first. We boarded about noon time and were one of the first on board. This is our first time on the Freedom class and we were overjoyed by the pool area, H2O, and how big the ship truly is. We went to Spa first so DD could make her massage appt, then went to the Windjammer for a quick lunch. We set up an informal M&M near the pool area but got rained out....we met anyway. It was nice to put names to faces. We have E1 balcony cabin, small but very nice. Beds are very comfortable and love the flat screen TV. Our luggage came about 4pm. We have early seating at 6pm but dinner didn't start until 6:15. We are at a table for 4 near the windows. Not sure I'm liking our waiter right now, he didn't do the usual meet and greet with us....asking us our names etc. Assistant waiter is very nice and attentive. There was a show but didn't get there in time because dinner ran over. I heard it was a comedian and a juggler. Will find out the names as they are giving shows later. Matt Yee is on the ship, he's very funny guy and we saw him on the Explorer last year. Tonight is formal night, Captain's welcome party and a production show. The had the sexy legs contest for the men at the pool today and I was a judge, tons of fun. We also had our M&M today at 10:15am in the Olive & Twist Lounge. We love the Diamond lounge better than the Concierge. DD tried the flo rider and had a great time. Tomorrow is San Juan at 3pm. Will stop by tomorrow. Please send any questions. Happy Cruising!

[ExploreroftheSeas92]

Thanks for sharing. Glad your having a good time!

[Cthy651]

Have a wonderful trip, will look forward to reading all about it.

[cinnamon]

Thanks for posting, I love to read 'Live from' threads.

[mollymoo]

Hi we are going on the independece (our first on a freedom class) and just wondered if you could tell me a bit more about the squeeze bar - what they do and prices etc,

 

hope you have agreat time !!:)

[medfordgirl]

Hi ANNEFRAN, I envy you....we just got off Liberty of the seas on April 4, same itinerary. We loved the diamond lounge too. SOOO much better than the concierge lounge for suite guests. You will love Pretty and Constantine, Darwin was also there but I think he went on vacation when we got back. Don't know who replaced him. You have to play in the sound proof booths at the "on the air" It is at the entrance to the skating rink. I had a blast and if you like the music video that you made you can purchase it for just $20. I didn't find it until our last day so not enought time to practice, get it right, and then buy it. But we will be on the freedom in january, plan on having my cousin and niece with me so we can do the "dancing queen" by abba.

I would love to hear about orient beach. We intend to go there in january. costs of chairs umbrellas etc. did you book thru the cruise or take a taxi on your own? Where is the best spot? my niece wants to go to the "clothing optional" side as she wants to go home without tan lines, but I think my brother may kill me if I let her. I hope you enjoy your meals. We had great food on our trip. I couldn't believe it because we never had food that good in the dining room every nite.

The flowrider was great fun to watch, didn't have the nerve to try it. But I am sure my son and niece will be there. I have liberty blues.

[Annefran]

Morning from the Liberty of the Seas!

 

We are really speeding toward San Juan right now. It's a another gorgeous day. Opted to sleep in today and not sit in the sun, got a bit too much yesterday :rolleyes:. Yes Pretty in the Diamond Lounge is wonderful. Last night was formal night, a sea of black dresses mostly. Everyone always looks so great dressed up. Dinner wasn't anything fancy for Easter Sunday, the usual fare and menu choices. I went to the theater production of "Ever After" but only stayed for half the show. I usually love all the shows but really didn't care for this production. The theater is large, seats are comfortable and there really isn't a "bad" seat in the house to see the stage. I stopped by to see Matt Yee and as always, he put on a great show and had the audience hoping. If he's ever on your cruise, stop to see at least one of his shows you will be hooked. I went to the casino and made my deposit in the slot machines. Didn't win this time. Maybe I'll have better luck at bingo, lol.

Today we are meeting friends that live in Puerto Rico for the day. We are shopping around Old San Juan and then having dinner with them. I've been to PR several vacations and have seen the entire island. We are docked from 3-10pm today. Tomorrow is St Maarten and our excursion to Orient Beach. Yes we did book through the ship and this will be our second time there. It's a great beach for relaxing. The excursion supplies transportation, fee to go on the beach, lounge chairs, (I think an umbrella) and lunch. We have a small group going from our M&M so it should be fun. YES it's right next to the clothing optional beach, haha....once you get past seeing them walk around, it's OK. There's a few small shops along the beach that sell flip flops, bathing suits and "banana hammocks" ;). DD is buying a couple for her male friends at school as joke gifts. After the excursion, the bus will either drop you off at the shopping area or back at the pier.

Last night was the first of the ice skating shows. We are going to go later in the week. Will write more about that later. I believe tonight is another production show, not sure of the name. I promise to bring my compass tonight to write more about it. I haven't seen the squeeze bar yet, will have to venture out to see where it is and what the prices are for you. A small group of our M&M (Chris) is organizing an hour of the flowrider for our group. It's $300 for the group. DD may do it. Have a great day whether you are. Happy Cruising!

[Annefran]

Greetings from the Liberty of the Seas!

 

Yesterday was a great day in Old San Juan. We met some friends that live in Puerto Rico and spent the day with them. We docked about 3pm and were off the ship about 3:30pm. There was two other ships besides the Liberty (Carnival & Holland I believe). OSJ was extremely crowded. We later found out that Johnny Depp was in town filming and they had a few local streets blocked off. We didn't get to the see the filming or Johnny but had some friends that did. We shopped in OSJ, Coach, and some local jewelry stores. We chose to eat dinner in town and didn't get back on the ship until 8pm. It was a beautiful night for sailaway too.

 

Today we docked in St Maarten about 9am and were off the ship by 9:30am to meet our excursion. We went over to Orient Beach for the day. It was sunny slightly windy and absolutely gorgeous. We stopped in town for some shopping and were back on the ship by 4:45. Just enough time to shower and go to our early dinner. It was casual tonight with Caribbean fare. Tonight was the second day for the "Encore" ice skating show. I was supposed to meet a friend in front of Studio B at 8:30 for the 9pm show but she didn't show up and then I couldn't get a seat. It was packed. We do have one more day to see the show this Friday at 5pm. Hopefully will make that show. Tonight is the Love & Marriage. Quest is Thursday evening. Today the photography shop ran a deal for Crown & Anchor members, 25% off all photos you purchased. Also, tomorrow night is the party of Platinum, Diamond & Diamond + members. Haven't received out gift as yet in our room....will let you know that is.

 

Tomorrow is a sea day and we are in Labadee on Thursday followed by the last sea day on Friday. So far the weather has been great and in our favor. I'm still exploring the different spaces on the Liberty. Haven't found everything as yet. Going to have my froo-froo drink now and then off to the Love & Marriage show. Happy Cruising!

[Jacquelyn11]

We are on the Western route but still love to hear about all the fun things to do on LOS!

 

Let us know about the "coaster" ride they are working on/have opened(?) on Labadee!

 

Have a great rest of cruise!

 

Jacquelyn :D

[Annefran]

Hi all,

 

It's day 5, sea day on the Liberty. It was an extremely HOT bright sunny day. No breeze whatsoever on deck today. I must have been in the pool or got wet in the shower about 20 times today. You could not sit in the sun for any length of time. They had the belly flop and ladies bicep contests pool side today, always lots of fun. The Love & Marriage show was great last night. Tonight is the Diamond & Diamond + cocktail hour. Meeting friends at 8pm for Name that tune and then off to the show at 9pm. No production show tonight, it's a singing group. Sorry forgot their names but will follow up tomorrow :rolleyes:>

 

A little about the ship, the pool area is very big and split in half. The H2O zone for kids on one side and the other has two pools and four hot tubs. The solarium pool is actually much colder than the regular pool which felt great today with the heat. The beds are very comfy, sort of an egg carton type thing on top of the mattress. The food is good. They are very good about keeping everything clean and organized. Our waitstaff is better than the first night. Our cabin steward, Jimbo is wonderful and very accommodating. They had a Make a Wish walkathon today on deck 12. You donated at least $10 toward a t-shirt and you were supposed to walk four laps around the track. All moneys will be donated to Make a Wish foundation. I thought that was a great event.

 

Tomorrow is Labadee, we will be off the ship early. We have our ziplining scheduled for 10:30am and they told us to allow 45 minutes for tendering in. Haven't been to Labadee since 2006, anxious to see what changes have been made. We are skipping the dinningroom tomorrow night and eating in Johnny Rockets (we have a C&A coupon to use). Plus we can take our time getting back on board and showering after dinner. Keep your fingers crossed I survive the zipline, lol. More tomorrow, happy cruising!

[cathy1227]

Annefran - My DH & I are taking our first cruise April 25 on LOS, same itinerary as the one you're on. (This is actually my first post to Cruisecritic, so I am a newbie here, too!) I've been reading all the wonderful posts for over a month now and was so excited to read your day-by-day description. I guess I should post my miscellaneous questions under the "first time cruisers" forum, but I did wonder about the St Maarten excursion you took. Was it the "St Martin Beach Rendezvous," 4 1/2 hour excursion? That's the one we were thinking of doing. Thanks! I'm looking forward to your next post :D

[Perki]

Annefran - My DH & I are taking our first cruise April 25 on LOS, same itinerary as the one you're on. (This is actually my first post to Cruisecritic, so I am a newbie here, too!) I've been reading all the wonderful posts for over a month now and was so excited to read your day-by-day description. I guess I should post my miscellaneous questions under the "first time cruisers" forum, but I did wonder about the St Maarten excursion you took. Was it the "St Martin Beach Rendezvous," 4 1/2 hour excursion? That's the one we were thinking of doing. Thanks! I'm looking forward to your next post :D

 

There is a board for Meet & Greets and there are many of us on the same cruise you are going to be on already chatting over there. If you haven't done so already please go over and say hi!

 

As for St. Martin if all you want to do is go to Orient Beach it is very easy to take a taxi van there and cheaper and not as crowded as a ship tour. We have done this on our own at least 6 different times on St. Martin (our favorite island and beach!). Just go through the small shopping area at the pier and go towards your right you will see the covered taxi area and there are people there to get you on the right van and MANY other cruisers going to the same place as you so you won't feel alone or that you will be left behind by any means! Then when you get off the taxi you discuss the time you want to return to the ship, we always shoot for about an hour and a half to two hours before the boat is to leave, and there they are or another van, waiting where they dropped you off ready to take you back. They have it down to a science because they make so much money from the tourists they don't want to mess up. Again welcome! :D

[Winegirl58]

 

Tomorrow is Labadee, we will be off the ship early. We have our ziplining scheduled for 10:30am and they told us to allow 45 minutes for tendering in. Haven't been to Labadee since 2006, anxious to see what changes have been made. We are skipping the dinningroom tomorrow night and eating in Johnny Rockets (we have a C&A coupon to use). Plus we can take our time getting back on board and showering after dinner. Keep your fingers crossed I survive the zipline, lol. More tomorrow, happy cruising!

 

I can't wait to hear about the Zipline! We are going at the end of May and we have that one booked, also the 10:30 time slot. Was it easy to make? And please let me know how the landing is. I had knee surgery and I want to make sure it is an "easy" landing, ie no jarring to the knee. Thanks alot! And thanks for this review post!

[maggieq]

Hi Anne,

 

We are due to go on the Liberty again this September....

 

are you keeping the compasses? I love to read those and see what times everything is at and what entertainers they have....

 

Can you do me a favor and ask who the CD will be September 5th? I can't seem to get answer past current.

 

Thanks.

[ewt715]

Hi Anne

Would it be possible to post the cruise compass. It would be helpfull for our planning.

Thanks

[kittylover55]

We will be sailing 5/23/2009, I really enjoying posts from the ship. Two questions, what is the charge for WiFi and is there a charge for exercise classes. We were on RCC two years ago, but didn't have a laptop.

[RJL58]

Hi Anne & Julie, so glad you are enjoying Liby, it will be my 4th sailing on her on 2nd May.

Please say Hi to Pretty S, she is great and was in DiaL last May and we look forward to seeing her again.

Is Capt Charles still on board, and will he be on OUR sailing, he is the BEST.....

KEEP enjoying you cruise, love the posts:).

 

RICH......................

[Candy]

We are sailing on the Liberty in May. I was wondering who the headliner is. I don't know if it would be the same for our cruise or not. But, it would be interesting to know what the night time shows are like. Thanks.

 

Hey, Sunshine-lady! I don't see your name on our CruiseCritic Roll Call... please join us at

 

Liberty 5/16/09 Roll Call

[flacruiser]

Hi all,

 

It's day 5, sea day on the Liberty. It was an extremely HOT bright sunny day. No breeze whatsoever on deck today. I must have been in the pool or got wet in the shower about 20 times today. You could not sit in the sun for any length of time. They had the belly flop and ladies bicep contests pool side today, always lots of fun. The Love & Marriage show was great last night. Tonight is the Diamond & Diamond + cocktail hour. Meeting friends at 8pm for Name that tune and then off to the show at 9pm. No production show tonight, it's a singing group. Sorry forgot their names but will follow up tomorrow :rolleyes:>

 

A little about the ship, the pool area is very big and split in half. The H2O zone for kids on one side and the other has two pools and four hot tubs. The solarium pool is actually much colder than the regular pool which felt great today with the heat. The beds are very comfy, sort of an egg carton type thing on top of the mattress. The food is good. They are very good about keeping everything clean and organized. Our waitstaff is better than the first night. Our cabin steward, Jimbo is wonderful and very accommodating. They had a Make a Wish walkathon today on deck 12. You donated at least $10 toward a t-shirt and you were supposed to walk four laps around the track. All moneys will be donated to Make a Wish foundation. I thought that was a great event.

 

Tomorrow is Labadee, we will be off the ship early. We have our ziplining scheduled for 10:30am and they told us to allow 45 minutes for tendering in. Haven't been to Labadee since 2006, anxious to see what changes have been made. We are skipping the dinningroom tomorrow night and eating in Johnny Rockets (we have a C&A coupon to use). Plus we can take our time getting back on board and showering after dinner. Keep your fingers crossed I survive the zipline, lol. More tomorrow, happy cruising!

Hi there, we are sailing on LOS on July 4. Which nights would you recommend us skipping the dining room and head for Chops and Portofino. I'm thinking Caribbean night, and one other. Thanks. Can't wait to sail.

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip

[Annefran]

Hi all,

 

wow lots of questions. I will try to answer as many I can. Yes zipling was great today and very easy to do. I have issues with my left hip & knee (arthritis) and I had NO trouble doing it. It's a bit of a walk to the zipline area but other than that, it was lots of fun. You have to sign in 15 minutes before your designated time slot. They give you a harness based on how much you weigh. They actually weigh you when you sign in, haha. You have to sign a waver also. You can rent a locker for your belongings ($4) or they have cubbies too at no charge. It's a bit of a short climb to the first zipline area. They want to make sure you"re comfortable with the first area before you head up to Dragon's Breath. You take a sport utility vehicle up a hill and then walk up a ramp to the tower. Each zipline is based upon a weight class and the whole thing last about a minute +. They will show you how to prepare to stop and it's NOT hard on your knees or any other part of your body.

 

We skipped two dinners, San Juan port and tonight (Caribbean night). I would definitely recommend making your Portofino or Chops reservations online if possible or as soon as you get on the ship.

 

Sorry we haven't been saving the Compasses. There is a charge for both Wifi and the exercise classes. I know they have Yoga definitely.

 

We love the St Maarten Beach Rendozvous, this is the second time we've done it. It includes transportation, a guided tour going up and back, lounge chairs in a private area, lunch and a drink. I don't think you can get a better deal.

 

We didn't stay on Labadee after ziplining, just way to hot. It was in the 90s no breeze again. We went back to the ship and had lunch at Johnny Rockets. We used our coupons. I sat near the solarium for the afternoon and you had to stay wet to keep cool. Just my opinion, but the production shows weren't very good this cruise at all. I was very disappointed because I always go to the shows. Tonight was the second night I left before it was over. I'm on my way to the Quest now. I hope I answered everyone's questions for now. Will post once more tomorrow if I can get online. It's been a little difficult lately. Happy Cruising!

[Annefran]

Evening all,

 

This will be my last LIVE post from the Liberty of the Seas. Today was a sea day, sort of mix bag of weather in the morning but it go very sunny and warm about noon time. I spent the day on deck 12 getting my last bits of sunshine. They had a pool volleyball competition this afternoon. Lots of last minute sales in the Promenade (of course). I forgot to mention the musical group "Mosaic" that performed Wednesday night. They are a group of 6 young men that sing acoustically, no instruments at all. If you closed your eyes you would never know that they didn't have instruments. Well worth seeing if they on your ship. They are performing tonight at 8:15pm on the Promenade bridge area. Last night was the Quest, always, always good for laughs and fun. My DD's team won.

 

Tonight is the final production show with the showing of the Video in review first. It will be an early night for me since we have to have our bags out our door before midnight. Final symposis of the ship, it's absolutely gorgeous, fine crew and lots of fun. Would we sail it again, yes most likely. I think they need to upgrade their production shows, they just weren't up to par. Our first love is the Voyage ships and we will probably stick to them until the Oasis has been sailing for over a year+. Hope you enjoyed my postings. IF you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to post here or you can email me at AnneR40@yahoo.com

 

As always, Happy Cruising!!!

[PH8]

If its not too late, will you say hello to Priscilla(bartender in the Schooner Bar)......she's a friend of ours(Kathy and Dennis) for several years now..........just love her and miss her

 

Enjoy your last few hours.........

[HB Cruiser]

We will be sailing 5/23/2009, I really enjoying posts from the ship. Two questions, what is the charge for WiFi and is there a charge for exercise classes. We were on RCC two years ago, but didn't have a laptop.

 

Hey Kittylover

 

Come over to the meet and mingle section, oh heck just click on this link

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=851254

 

Come and join us!!!

 

You will be glad you did.

 

Tim

[NavigatorBride]

If its not too late, will you say hello to Priscilla(bartender in the Schooner Bar)......she's a friend of ours(Kathy and Dennis) for several years now..........just love her and miss her

 

Enjoy your last few hours.........

 

Hey PH, I'll be sure to say hello to Priscilla in two weeks for you guys. Matt Yee is onboard so I think we'll visit the Schooner Bar a few times. :D