b-sizzle

The Compass won't show you what menu or items will be served. You only know if it's a formal, smart casual or casual night. Each day on the ship the master dining room will have what it is serving on TV screens outside the dining room. I believe this is what you're asking

Thanks for the reply! The Compass for my last cruise (Oasis) showed which menu would be served each night, so I thought they always listed it for our reference. No big deal...I was just curious. Thanks again!!

This is awesome, thanks for posting!

Maybe I'm just missing it, but I don't see where it says which menu is being served each night for dinner. Does anybody else see where that could be listed?

Here is how we did the sailor's cup...

 

When we got started I realized that there was not an assortment of color balls, no scorecards, and no pencils. Never fear, I thrive on a challenge. I announced that everyone plays through each hole...no waiting for the next person to make their first put...just continue hitting your ball until it goes into the hole and move on. That dealt with everyone having the same color balls. As for the lack of scorecards, I told everyone that we were on the honor system and to remember their score. What I would have done differently is told everyone how to do the scoring. Half of us were counting strokes and the other half were scoring off of par (one over, birdie, par). It all worked out since I went back and figured out how many strokes equaled par. I did bring along a prize for the winner and had a 2nd prize just in case there was a tie. Since the area of the country I am from makes handmade corn brooms, I brought two mini brooms...because the winner swept the competition. :D

 

Lisa

Oh wow, talk about having to scramble! I assumed there would be score cards and pencils available, so I'll make sure we've got something planned to track scores! I like that you called the event the Sailor's Cup, maybe I'll do a Royal Caribbean cup from the gift shop as the prize :-) And good idea to bring two prizes in case of a tie...

Thanks for your help!!

Thanks for the great review Lisa, I loved your pictures!

I have to admit that I stole your idea for a mini-golf tournament and suggested it on my own roll call for Feb. 7…mostly because I'm sailing solo and I wanted someone to play golf with :-)

We have about 21 people signed up for the golf tournament and I wanted to check with you and see if you have any advice on how to organize it or anything you would do differently if you did it again. Anything you can suggest would be great!! Thanks!!! (and sorry to hijack your thread)

Last April I sailed in cabin 9638, two decks above 7638.

The location was great with it being so close to the elevator. Super easy to find and quick to get to. I never heard noise from the elevator vestibule, so I don't imagine you would have any issues with that.

Being on the hump was amazing, especially being on the front end of it. You'll have great views from your balcony!

Anything else you'd like to know? I do realize the two rooms are in different categories, but I'd be happy to try to answer anything else you may have questions on.

Here's my input for a different point of view...

1. How is the food? (best/worst place to eat)

I thought the food was good, but everyone's opinion could be different on this. I ate in the MDR every night and always found something to choose even though I'm vegetarian. I didn't have a bad meal on the whole trip.

2. What are the best times to try the flowrider? (least crowded times...I will probably be so nervous with everyone watching me fall down haha)

I'm not sure about least crowded times but have heard to sign up for group lessons instead of private lessons. People tend to not show up and you could possibly end up with a one-on-one for the cost of a group lesson.

3. Best events/shows on the cruise

My favorite show was "In the Air". I thought "Saturday Night Fever" was good but a little too slow. The entire entertainment cast is extremely talented.

4. How is the Spa/Gym? (I heard they had extra showers?)

Sorry, can't comment on the spa or gym.

5. What items should I bring for my room? (exp: alarm clock, power strip, earplugs, extra hangers?)

I've seen it recommended many times, but an over the door shoe organizer is a great way to keep track of your toiletries in the bathroom.

6. Will there be a "White Night?"

There is a white night, although I didn't see a huge number of people dressed in white. It's not advertised very well.

7. Can I bring water bottles/sodas onboard?

I didn't try personally, but I've heard it's hit or miss.

8. If I already paid pre-gratuities, do I still need to tip the staff with cash for their services?

It's a nice touch to tip an extra $1 for drinks if you appreciate the service you've been given. I also gave my room steward an extra tip ($25) on the last night along with my waiter and assistant waiter ($20 & $10). It's obviously a personal choice and everyone is different. The extra $55 didn't break the bank for me and I'd like to think it made them feel appreciated.

B sizzle,

 

I like the way you think. I'm 8 points from diamond plus and was trying to figure out the easiest and cheapest way to get those 8 before my Oasis cruise next December. Jan 9th on the enchantment, single supplement, in a js is about 900. That seems worth it to get the triple credit, 9 points and the d plus status. I want that status before my next Oasis cruise. I'm not sure what the diamond discount is on a 3 night js but that would come off the total price as well.

 

The next time you sail solo in a js out of pt Canaveral, you should call me first. It sounds like you love cruising as much as I do, if you're willing to go solo :).

I do love cruising enough to go solo :-) I got hooked in April when I went with a group of friends and have booked two solo cruises since then. It's a fun (although expensive as a single) way to see the world and meet new people! I'll be halfway to Diamond in three cruises (15 pts, 12 pts, and then 14 pts)…all in less than a year!

Good luck with your Diamond Plus and enjoy the Enchantment if you do go for it! Let me know how it goes :-)

Personally, I've gotten lucky with price drops after final payment is due. It's a fun challenge for me to watch the prices constantly until they drop enough for me to upgrade. Currently playing that game for my 7-night Oasis cruise, although not too sure I'll get lucky this time :-)

For my 5-night on Liberty I didn't even have to pay extra to switch from a balcony to a hump JS, which probably means I was paying too much for the balcony!

On the 4-night Enchantment I paid a little extra, but having sailed in a JS before I knew it was worth it! The aft JS was amazing!

I did the same thing on a 4-night on the Enchantment and did receive triple points. It's a great way to gain points quickly, although you'll love sailing single in the JS so much you won't want to share in the future :-)

I was on Liberty in April for a 5-night Western Caribbean itinerary and we did have a white party.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Great review and wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait until I get to see everything in person in two months! :-)

Thanks for the quick review and notes! I'll be boarding Enchantment on Monday and I can't wait to see everything!

Boarding Enchantment on Monday! Looking forward to reading your review when I get back :-)

Congrats on losing weight prior to the cruise, it's a struggle many of us face.

I was able to maintain my weight without losing or gaining. I ate pretty much whatever I wanted but didn't go out of my way to overindulge. I also had the drink package and had many fruity frozen drinks which were probably loaded with calories. Without those I may have lost weight!

Like a lot of people have already said...taking the stairs as much as possible is a really great way to keep the weight off. If you do gain weight it could possibly be water weight from all the extra sodium in the soups and sauces you'll be eating. Try drinking a ton of water on the cruise and also once you get home. Lemon in the water will also help you shed extra water weight.

Good luck!

Liberty was the first ship I sailed on and the only one I've been on so far, so I don't have anything to compare her to. But from my limited experience she was an amazing ship to be on. There were a ton of activities to keep us busy and I never felt like public areas were over crowded, even on sea days.

Any other specific questions I can answer? I sailed solo in a JS and purchased the Ultimate Beverage Package, so I've got some insight into those aspects of Liberty as well.

I sailed solo on Liberty in April. I was told that I could add a person up until the day before the sailing. I didn't end up doing that, but my understanding was that the pricing would not change other than paying the port fees as someone else already stated.

I agree with everyone else who is saying $500 is too much to pay for the upgrade. The Junior Suites on Liberty are amazing, but unless you plan on spending a lot of time in your cabin the money won't be worth it. Keep checking the price though, I got lucky and didn't pay anything extra for my switch from a balcony to a JS this past April...which probably means I was paying too much to begin with :-)

Hope this helps!

Thank you for writing this amazing review! Like others have said, I read the entire review even though I'm only doing one of the two itineraries you wrote about. You have a great writing style and kept me enthralled the entire time!

Also, you and your wife sound like some of the nicest people :-) It's inspiring to think about how many relationships you were able to form with crew members when some people simply walk past them and forget they are actually human beings with their own thoughts and feelings. I'm going to do my best to follow in your footsteps and make an effort at being extra kind and caring to every crew member I meet!

I've emailed you directly with a request for the PDF. I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures that go along with your review!

I've recently been considering an upcoming cruise on Allure or Oasis, so this review is coming at a great time for me personally. Great job so far!!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thank you for the honest review and great pictures! I have definitely added the Allure to my list of potential next ships to sail on!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I'm enjoying your review and pictures. Looking forward to the rest!! Thanks for taking the time to share :-)

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Glad to hear I'm in good company! My first cruise is less than a month away and I spend hours on Cruise Critic every day! I've decided the best way to handle this obsession is to book another cruise so that I have something to look forward to once this one is over :-)

Sent from my iPad using Forums