Hollybelle Posted June 12, 2009 Author #226 Share Posted June 12, 2009 [B]Day 8, Saturday, May 9: Debarkation[/B] We woke up early on debarkation day and headed out to watch the Liberty dock in Miami before breakfast. There were hardly any people out there, other than the crew working diligently to scrub everything down and flip the ship for the next cruisers. Oh… so sad. We were all such sorry blobs of woe that morning. I wasn’t kidding when I said debarkation day should really be called “It’s All Over but the Crying Day:” [IMG]http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u339/holly1422/Cruise%20May%202009/DSC01167.jpg?t=1244813409[/IMG] [IMG]http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u339/holly1422/Cruise%20May%202009/DSC01164copy.jpg?t=1244813442[/IMG] And of course we took some last minute pictures of the ship. [IMG]http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u339/holly1422/Cruise%20May%202009/DSC01171.jpg?t=1244813479[/IMG] [IMG]http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u339/holly1422/Cruise%20May%202009/DSC01170.jpg?t=1244813510[/IMG] [IMG]http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u339/holly1422/Cruise%20May%202009/DSC01175.jpg?t=1244813545[/IMG] [IMG]http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u339/holly1422/Cruise%20May%202009/P5090435.jpg?t=1244813577[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollybelle Posted June 12, 2009 Author #227 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Our flight was scheduled for 1:10 pm out of Ft. Lauderdale so we decided to self-debark. We were told if we needed to get off the ship due to an early flight (and were self-debarking) we could make our way down to the Venetian Palace sometime before 7:15 am. We only had one suitcase and small carry-on apiece, so we didn’t expect it to be too difficult. And considering we’d been hauling our butts up and down the stairwells to and from deck 10 all week… an elevator ride with some suitcases surely had nothing on us! View of the empty lobby area from the Panorama Deck (taken early on debarkation day): [IMG]http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u339/holly1422/Cruise%20May%202009/DSC01178.jpg?t=1244814011[/IMG] We got down to the Venetian Palace right at 7:15 am and they had already emptied the lounge, so we filed our way through the lobby and right off the ship. It took about 15-20 minutes to get through customs, where the officer looked askance at me; he had troubled believing that I, a female passenger, had only purchased two items in port :eek:[FONT=Verdana]. What can I say? I much prefer spending my money on experiences![/FONT] Once through customs we called Steve with SAS Transportation and he was there to pick us up within 10 minutes. I would definitely recommend his shuttle service from FLL to the port of Miami. It was only $15 pp and he was extremely courteous and efficient. Waiting for our shuttle: [IMG]http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u339/holly1422/Cruise%20May%202009/DSC01187.jpg?t=1244814058[/IMG] [IMG]http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u339/holly1422/Cruise%20May%202009/DSC01188.jpg?t=1244814089[/IMG] We were in the airport before 9 am! So, all told, it took us about 1 ½ hours to get from our cabin on Deck 10 to the airport in Ft. Lauderdale using self-debarkation. It was an extremely smooth transition. Unfortunately though, because I have no return trip airport drama to share, I can’t stretch this review out any longer :([FONT=Verdana]! Although I must say, writing it has certainly helped with those post-cruise blues. [/FONT] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollybelle Posted June 12, 2009 Author #228 Share Posted June 12, 2009 [B]Reflections:[/B] After my first cruise, I’m definitely hooked. Having my parents there to introduce us to the cruising lifestyle was really helpful, as well, and I can’t wait to cruise with them again. I really enjoyed all the opportunities a cruise has to offer; they really take the best of all these different worlds and roll it up into one vacation… LOVE IT! Also, I was impressed with Carnival right from the beginning. The crew was amazing and everyone we encountered was friendly and helpful. I found that I enjoyed port days more so than sea days, although this isn’t a shock because Brett and I are the type of people who like to get out and do things. For our next 7-day cruise I’ll be looking for an itinerary that offers 4 ports of call and 2 sea days because I think that would be the perfect balance. Speaking of our next cruise… my mom and I are already trying to nab one for later this summer if we can find a good deal!! One thing that works out nicely for us is our location. We can easily drive to many of the ports (Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, Mobile), so if we find a good last minute deal we might just jump right on another ship!! Lastly, I knew I was going to write a journal/trip report for this cruise but I hesitated on whether or not to post it online because I couldn’t post on my usual forum. I’m so glad I decided to join cruisecritic and post it here. Best idea, ever!! Everyone has given me such a warm welcome and I want to thank you for all the positive responses (and patience) as I got this monster of a review posted! Hopefully, I’ll be back with another one before the year is up!!! Next step is to start working on my digital scrapbook pages... wonder how long that will take :rolleyes:? And because no post is complete without at least one picture... let's all say goodbye to Panchito Beakman: [IMG]http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u339/holly1422/Cruise%20May%202009/P5060291copy.jpg?t=1244814510[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dpeeps Posted June 12, 2009 #229 Share Posted June 12, 2009 WOW!! What a great review!! I just read the whole thing and enjoyed it so much! It got my attention because I was looking to cruise somewhere next year for our 20th anniversary....but have never cruised on Carnnial....so I wanted to read your review! We have only cruised RCCL....but was checking out some for next year....aren't taking the kids along....and the prices seem better for the number of days you get...may have to try Carnival!! Is the Liberty one of Carnival's bigger ships? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amerikaner83 Posted June 12, 2009 #230 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Wow... Once again a great review... You should have made some airport drama yourself so this could last longer!! Lol you guys are lucky being relatively close to those ports you can just drive a few hours to get there... Grr... Happy cruising in the future! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recyclelady Posted June 12, 2009 #231 Share Posted June 12, 2009 It's been great getting to know about you and your family thru your review and photos! I'll think of you folks when we board the Liberty in February! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseyjjs Posted June 12, 2009 #232 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Very nice review!!! I was just on the Liberty 5/30-6/6. Your pics gave me a very recent memory collage. Looks as if you enjoyed your trip as much as we did. Let us know if you all find another summer cruise. We've been scouring the websites ourselves.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug910 Posted June 12, 2009 #233 Share Posted June 12, 2009 [quote name='Hollybelle'][B]Reflections:[/B] After my first cruise, I’m definitely hooked. [/QUOTE] ...Absolutely brilliant review. Your mix of personal commentary along with interesting facts and photos gave this review a life of its own. It's absolutely fantastic to read a review through the eyes of a first time Carnival cruiser! But... watch out! ...Do you know what you're in for?? You've just found out that cruising is truly an addiction! Even after as many cruises as our family has been on, I still get the exact same feeling boarding the ship and standing in the atruim. Looking up through the atrium, witnessing the sunlight beaming through the glass ceiling, it's hard not to think to yourself "Ah, I've made it. How lucky we really are to be able to experience this." ...Again, super review! Best of luck handling your new addiction! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie388 Posted June 12, 2009 #234 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Hollybelle, Even though I have been on 8 Carnival cruises you have made reading this and seeing all the pics very exciting. A nice precursor for our cruise in Sept on the Liberty. My girlfriend who has never been on a cruise has loved your review and she is addicted to your pics, you have made her feel like a cruiser already. Thanks again! Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recyclelady Posted June 12, 2009 #235 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Hollybelle, I wanted to add that I liked your unhappy-because-the-cruise-is-over photos! We always take similar photos when we are in the airport waiting for our flight to board! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charotarguy Posted June 12, 2009 #236 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Holly, Great review, one of the best reviews of cruising I have read, and this is one of the few I have followed till the end. Keep up the good work. Charotarguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmk171 Posted June 12, 2009 #237 Share Posted June 12, 2009 I so enjoyed this review. I am embarking on my first cruise in November and couldn't be more excited. Thanks for sharing the great pics and details with us. I used vacationstogo dot com to book my cruise - it's such a great site - shows 90-day departure discounts and is easy to use. Because you're in a position to leave from many ports in Florida, this is a good option because you don't have to worry about last minute airfare. Thanks again :) Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idjaffe Posted June 12, 2009 #238 Share Posted June 12, 2009 [quote name='Hollybelle']Say hello to CruiseCheers... aka Kim or Mom!![/QUOTE] Hi Mom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosweet Posted June 12, 2009 #239 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Hi Holly, thanks for that great review! I am really ready to go now and I can't wait. Please let me know if you ever need help finding last minute deals because I'm a TA and this is my favorite thing to do is cruise :D. I'll be on my 10th cruise with Carnival on our upcoming sailing. I'm looking forward to another review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happylady Posted June 13, 2009 #240 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Hollybelle -- thanks for the great review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OV8 Posted June 13, 2009 #241 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Thanks for letting us be part of your family. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OV8 Posted June 13, 2009 #242 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Holly - do u have any pics of the main dining room on the Liberty? I've heard Carnival's are very flamboyant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise_Q Posted June 13, 2009 #243 Share Posted June 13, 2009 What a wonderful review... if there is such a thing as 1st place in reviewing...you get it...:D put that in your siggy... You have really been a source of information and excitement... love LOVE this review!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin G-Mom Posted June 13, 2009 #244 Share Posted June 13, 2009 OMG your pictures are awesome!!!:eek: I am suposed to be working and I had to stop and look at the pictures and comments. Thank you This is my first time being in the message board and I just love it. OMG!!! Great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin G-Mom Posted June 13, 2009 #245 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Is that a KC Royals hat I see!!!! I live in KC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderfullife Posted June 13, 2009 #246 Share Posted June 13, 2009 This was a fantastic review. Thank you so much for posting. We will be on the Liberty in August and have been on that ship once before. Seeing your pictures was like seeing it with new eyes. Question about Jamaica for you. We have not been there in several years so I can't remember a lot about it. Where was the Marguaritaville located? Is there anything that is right at the port so that we can get off the ship but not go far? We took excurisons the other times we have been there and it has been a while. Things change so fast. Thanks again. Aleece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefyo Posted June 14, 2009 #247 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Thank you once again for this great review and for sending me the capers!!! I cant wait for our cruise! Your review has made me and my family so much more excited!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniwheat Posted June 14, 2009 #248 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Thank you so much for letting us live threw you and your family, it was great.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J2K66 Posted June 15, 2009 #249 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Question about Jamaica for you. We have not been there in several years so I can't remember a lot about it. Where was the Marguaritaville located? Is there anything that is right at the port so that we can get off the ship but not go far? We took excurisons the other times we have been there and it has been a while. Things change so fast. Thanks again. Aleece The Margaritaville is right in the port area, along with 2 different shopping villages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollybelle Posted June 15, 2009 Author #250 Share Posted June 15, 2009 WOW!! What a great review!! I just read the whole thing and enjoyed it so much! It got my attention because I was looking to cruise somewhere next year for our 20th anniversary....but have never cruised on Carnnial....so I wanted to read your review! We have only cruised RCCL....but was checking out some for next year....aren't taking the kids along....and the prices seem better for the number of days you get...may have to try Carnival!! Is the Liberty one of Carnival's bigger ships? Thanks, Dpeeps!! My parents have cruised Carnival for all 4 of their sailings and while we aren't opposed to other lines and look into them when booking, they've always found that Carnival provides the best value. And they've yet to have a bad experience, so I would definitely recommend it. As for the size of the Liberty, I think it is in one of the larger class of ships. Maybe one of the experts around here can be of more assistance with the ship info :D. Wow... Once again a great review... You should have made some airport drama yourself so this could last longer!! Lol you guys are lucky being relatively close to those ports you can just drive a few hours to get there... Grr... Happy cruising in the future! Thanks, Amerikaner. And you're right, we're very lucky to be within driving distance of many of the ports. Regarding the airport drama... I've definitely had my fill :rolleyes:. Very nice review!!! I was just on the Liberty 5/30-6/6. Your pics gave me a very recent memory collage. Looks as if you enjoyed your trip as much as we did. Let us know if you all find another summer cruise. We've been scouring the websites ourselves.:D Thanks, jerseyjjs. We're still looking for a great summer deal, however, we've started talking about maybe going over Christmas instead. This way we'll have a little more time to plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.