Here is what I think of the Liberty of the Seas

[Yo Eleven]

I had to laugh on Day 4 - I didn't like the menu. The first words out of the waiters mouth were "I can't recommend anything from the menu tonight" and he was talking to the table next to us. The wait staff was excellant but something really does need to be done about the food in the MDR.

 

This was a terrible cruise for "Friends of Yo".

I heard people actually lost weight on this cruise. Were you one of them?

[mjm1204]

I was on this cruise and I think I know who you are...

 

I was the one with the crazy wife and loud baby in front of you at the shows... (this would only apply if you're the person I'm thinking of)...

 

Unfortunately, because of the little one I didn't spend as much time in the casino as I wanted.

 

The dealers were just poorly trained... I had to correct the dealers several times at the blackjack table for mishaps... the table managers aren't any better either...

 

You should have asked to speak with Lee the casino host, she was fabulous. She took better care of us than the concierge on the suite level.

 

The food was HORRIBLE with exception to Chops. The lunch buffet had a lot of the same items every day which was boring. Also the lunch buffet consisted of items leftover from the MDR the night before. The steak from Chops you can get in the MDR is a mass produced piece of crap.. don't waste your money. Dining at Chops was delicious and definitely on par with Ruth's Chris or Mortons... I actually liked Chops better than Ruth's Chris.

 

Let me know if I'm even close

[Yo Eleven]

I was on this cruise and I think I know who you are...

 

I was the one with the crazy wife and loud baby in front of you at the shows... (this would only apply if you're the person I'm thinking of)...

 

Unfortunately, because of the little one I didn't spend as much time in the casino as I wanted.

 

The dealers were just poorly trained... I had to correct the dealers several times at the blackjack table for mishaps... the table managers aren't any better either...

 

You should have asked to speak with Lee the casino host, she was fabulous. She took better care of us than the concierge on the suite level.

 

The food was HORRIBLE with exception to Chops. The lunch buffet had a lot of the same items every day which was boring. Also the lunch buffet consisted of items leftover from the MDR the night before. The steak from Chops you can get in the MDR is a mass produced piece of crap.. don't waste your money. Dining at Chops was delicious and definitely on par with Ruth's Chris or Mortons... I actually liked Chops better than Ruth's Chris.

 

Let me know if I'm even close

My guess is that you got the right person. I remember the crazy wife. HAHAHAHAHA! :D

 

Are you saying I was a victim of bait and switch in the MDR regarding the Chops's steak I got there? :confused:

 

Anyway! Thank goodness someone came here to support my disdain for the casino. Is Lee the blonde hair lady? She tried to get me to come back to the craps table after I told one of the dealer's there to pretty much shove it where the sun doesn't shine. It was the last night and I was pretty much done with their crap and had enough. I was ready to go home at that point. But, yeah I saw several errors. I didn't know K-Mart had a casino school there. :p

[mjm1204]

My guess is that you got the right person. I remember the crazy wife. HAHAHAHAHA! :D

 

LOL! Yea, my wife and kid can be pretty bad at times!

 

Are you saying I was a victim of bait and switch in the MDR regarding the Chops's steak I got there? :confused:

 

Yes, that steak is just another mass produced piece of crap. I don't care what they say. I had the filet in the MDR and at the restaurant... THEY ARE NOT THE SAME. We didn't have Chops until Thursday nt and it was the turning point of the cruise...

 

Anyway! Thank goodness someone came here to support my disdain for the casino. Is Lee the blonde hair lady? She tried to get me to come back to the craps table after I told one of the dealer's there to pretty much shove it where the sun doesn't shine. It was the last night and I was pretty much done with their crap and had enough. I was ready to go home at that point. But, yeah I saw several errors. I didn't know K-Mart had a casino school there. :p

 

Yes, she was one of them. There were two of them. She is the main one though.

 

She was great. She handled all of our spa and dining reservations for the cruise.

 

She will be the only reason I decide to go on another RCI cruise and I don't definitely won't get a suite because their "perks" were a joke.

 

Why didn't you use your SeaPass for another $2,000 a day? They would have also cashed a check for you.

 

It was pretty much a horrible cruise experience for us two. We only enjoyed the last two days of the vacation and that was after I complained to the Guest Relations Manager (who did a great job of turning the situation around).

 

I thought 95% of the cruise staff was rude and lacking of common sense.

[TuxedoMan]

We sailed in Spring 2008 and had the best casino experience of all our cruises...so sorry to hear about the change. (we are low rollers)

[Yo Eleven]

Why didn't you use your SeaPass for another $2,000 a day? They would have also cashed a check for you.

 

It was pretty much a horrible cruise experience for us two. We only enjoyed the last two days of the vacation and that was after I complained to the Guest Relations Manager (who did a great job of turning the situation around).

 

I thought 95% of the cruise staff was rude and lacking of common sense.

Because 3% of $2000=$60. Do you like throwing cash down into the ship's toilet? They should have ran a credit check on me prior to the cruise when I asked them to but they refused. I wanted to open a line of credit and they said I have to have a land line of credit at a casino. That is total BS. But then you say they will cash a check for me? Then if you use your sea pass they take their 3% rake at the front end then I get rear ended for cash advance finance charges from my credit card company. What is wrong with that picture?

 

Wow! You described your cruise experience as HORRIBLE. I am glad this thread is bringing out people to state FACTS and are not afraid to speak their mind. As I said the cruise was about a 6 out of 10 when it comes to us casino players I guess. You are on the mark for the percentage of staff that were rude. There were many.

 

I wrote them a nice love letter that someone will read in the guest satisfaction survey. Will it change anything? HA!

[Yo Eleven]

We sailed in Spring 2008 and had the best casino experience of all our cruises...so sorry to hear about the change. (we are low rollers)

The best? Must have been an off night for them. :p

[critterchick]

Thank you for your fair and balanced review! Fox News could take a lesson from you, LOL!

 

I know it's not the answer :(but thats why I have come to use the specialties as main dining.

 

We did that on Mariner a couple of weeks ago to see how we liked it, and I highly recommend it, if you can fit it into your budget. The food and service are light years ahead of the MDR of any RCI ship I've been on. And it's not that the waitstaff isn't excellent, but they have more tables to serve and more chores to perform than they did several years ago, so they just don't have time to do anything but take orders and fling food and drink at you.

[kycruiser72]

Hello everyone!

 

I have to agree with YO. I thought the food was a little lower quality than in the past. However, that did not stop me from eating it. We gave up on the MDR as we have two young-uns. It was just SO much easier for us to zip in and zip out of the Windjammer. The kids liked it much better than sitting there for an hour plus too.

 

I can't say anything about the casino. The boss (wife) won't let me gamble. :)

 

No rude staff that I can remember.

 

YO, were you up on the basketball court during the Powerwheels grand prix? It was on the first formal night.

[Miss Vickie]

I appreciate and respect your opinion. I don't agree or disagree, having never sailed Liberty. However, I'm responding to this thread because of an experience we had earlier this year. We took our first cruise on X, after many RCL cruises. We didn't like it. We posted a review on the X boards, stating both our likes and dislikes, and got positively trashed for any negative comments we had. Not everyone has an absolutely great, wonderful, rave-about experience on every cruise, and all experiences provides valuable insight to people considering a cruise on that ship.

 

Again, thanks for your posting.

[Yo Eleven]

Hello everyone!

 

I have to agree with YO. I thought the food was a little lower quality than in the past. However, that did not stop me from eating it. We gave up on the MDR as we have two young-uns. It was just SO much easier for us to zip in and zip out of the Windjammer. The kids liked it much better than sitting there for an hour plus too.

 

I can't say anything about the casino. The boss (wife) won't let me gamble. :)

 

No rude staff that I can remember.

 

YO, were you up on the basketball court during the Powerwheels grand prix? It was on the first formal night.

I was there on BOTH nights! (they had it twice) My little guy was in charge of driving the fire truck! Where were you at the Meet and Mingle? We should have teamed up on St Maarten and we could have got sick together after lunch. LOL! That is another story for another day. HAHAHAHA!

[Yo Eleven]

I appreciate and respect your opinion. I don't agree or disagree, having never sailed Liberty. However, I'm responding to this thread because of an experience we had earlier this year. We took our first cruise on X, after many RCL cruises. We didn't like it. We posted a review on the X boards, stating both our likes and dislikes, and got positively trashed for any negative comments we had. Not everyone has an absolutely great, wonderful, rave-about experience on every cruise, and all experiences provides valuable insight to people considering a cruise on that ship.

 

Again, thanks for your posting.

I pulled a Castro and took control of my own thread. HAHAHAHA! All comments welcome, even if you like to discuss X because it is the same company. Attack the message not the messenger. That is the guideline here. Sounds like X is par for the course since it is owned by RCCL. So So food and more. :D

[Yo Eleven]

Thank you for your fair and balanced review! Fox News could take a lesson from you, LOL!

 

 

 

We did that on Mariner a couple of weeks ago to see how we liked it, and I highly recommend it, if you can fit it into your budget. The food and service are light years ahead of the MDR of any RCI ship I've been on. And it's not that the waitstaff isn't excellent, but they have more tables to serve and more chores to perform than they did several years ago, so they just don't have time to do anything but take orders and fling food and drink at you.

Never been on Mariner but would check into it. Thanks for the recommendation. I would probably sail RCCL again. I mean I didn't give my entire RCCL experience a ZERO. Heck I stayed in a motel 6 before and would stay in it again. Why not sail RCCL? A six is better than a five. LOL!

[mjm1204]

Because 3% of $2000=$60. Do you like throwing cash down into the ship's toilet? They should have ran a credit check on me prior to the cruise when I asked them to but they refused. I wanted to open a line of credit and they said I have to have a land line of credit at a casino. That is total BS. But then you say they will cash a check for me? Then if you use your sea pass they take their 3% rake at the front end then I get rear ended for cash advance finance charges from my credit card company. What is wrong with that picture?

 

Wow! You described your cruise experience as HORRIBLE. I am glad this thread is bringing out people to state FACTS and are not afraid to speak their mind. As I said the cruise was about a 6 out of 10 when it comes to us casino players I guess. You are on the mark for the percentage of staff that were rude. There were many.

 

I wrote them a nice love letter that someone will read in the guest satisfaction survey. Will it change anything? HA!

 

 

That's crazy. They will waive the 3% for 'casino players'. I know because my mother did it every day and I was the one who paid the bill every day.

 

It's not considered a cash advance... it's just an actual charge. I paid my sea pass account in cash so I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have been charged. It's a total SeaPass bill and the cash advances weren't separated on the account.

 

I had a line of credit set up. I did it a week before sailing. They did verify through central credit (the casino credit bureau) that I had other lines of credit and paid them satisfactorily. Also they verify your checking account.

 

I really wished I could have introduced you to Lee... I feel she would have addressed a lot of your concerns.

 

Not too much you can do about the dealers... their supervisors weren't any better. They have no idea how to rate players... I requested my wife be rated with me and it didn't happen. I always verify time and average bet when I leave a table... their numbers were always wrong. I even had a hard time getting drink coupons from them.

 

The story from some of the staff regarding the food is that their food budget was slashed in half so the quality has suffered. I agree.

 

I have mixed feelings about having to pay to dine at a specialty restaurant. Portofino's menu didn't appeal to me so I didn't try it. I had Chops 2 nights and it was excellent both times, but couldn't imagine eating it more than 3 nights.

 

A lot of people I met on the ship had reports of poor customer service all around. We weren't the only ones.

[Yo Eleven]

That's crazy. They will waive the 3% for 'casino players'. I know because my mother did it every day and I was the one who paid the bill every day.

 

It's not considered a cash advance... it's just an actual charge. I paid my sea pass account in cash so I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have been charged. It's a total SeaPass bill and the cash advances weren't separated on the account.

 

I had a line of credit set up. I did it a week before sailing. They did verify through central credit (the casino credit bureau) that I had other lines of credit and paid them satisfactorily. Also they verify your checking account.

 

I really wished I could have introduced you to Lee... I feel she would have addressed a lot of your concerns.

 

Not too much you can do about the dealers... their supervisors weren't any better. They have no idea how to rate players... I requested my wife be rated with me and it didn't happen. I always verify time and average bet when I leave a table... their numbers were always wrong. I even had a hard time getting drink coupons from them.

 

The story from some of the staff regarding the food is that their food budget was slashed in half so the quality has suffered. I agree.

 

I have mixed feelings about having to pay to dine at a specialty restaurant. Portofino's menu didn't appeal to me so I didn't try it. I had Chops 2 nights and it was excellent both times, but couldn't imaging eating it more than 3 nights.

 

A lot of people I met on the ship had reports of poor customer service all around. We weren't the only ones.

Well that is not what I was told. I am fishing for the emails now to show you. Here is a couple I found. Furthermore they told me about the 3% garbage fee. I am not surprised not everyone who works there is on the same page in their casino operations. They told me you have to have credit in a land based casino or you will be rejected. Do you know how much it is to wire 10K? PFFFFFT!!!!!!!!

 

FIRST email....

 

Attached please find the line of credit application. There is no fee for opening a line of credit, however, you must have credit history with a land based casino and the minimum request is $5,000. The requested amount must be paid at the end of the cruise.

 

Regards,

 

Club Royale, Casino Operations

Phone: 888.561.2234

Email: clubroyale@rccl.com

SECOND email

Our lines of credit are approved based on the information used on a system called Central Credit. Central Credit reviews all check cashing priveledges on land-based casinos. Unfortunately, if you do not have credit history your application will be rejected. The other option is to wire transfer money to the us for your use onboard. Any monies not used will be wired back to your account. Let me know if you would like to proceed with the wire transfer?

 

Regards,

 

Club Royale, Casino Operations

Phone: 888.561.2234

Email: clubroyale@rccl.com

 

[mjm1204]

Yea, people definitely aren't on the same page anywhere on that ship. I was told several different things by staff with most of them being untrue.

 

I booked through a casino travel agency so I didn't deal with anyone from RCCL before the cruise.

 

LOL @ unused money not being transferred back...

 

Do you know if you were rated?

 

I just got back home today... we made a side trip to Disney World... I will dig up the host manager's information whenever I quit being lazy.

 

They can review your play even after the fact by checking the cameras.

 

Hopefully you won money so you get the last laugh...

[Yo Eleven]

Yea, people definitely aren't on the same page anywhere on that ship. I was told several different things by staff with most of them being untrue.

 

I booked through a casino travel agency so I didn't deal with anyone from RCCL before the cruise.

 

LOL @ unused money not being transferred back...

 

Do you know if you were rated?

 

I just got back home today... we made a side trip to Disney World... I will dig up the host manager's information whenever I quit being lazy.

 

They can review your play even after the fact by checking the cameras.

 

Hopefully you won money so you get the last laugh...

No, I don't know if I was rated or not, nor do I care actually. If they want me in their Mickey Mouse club then they can crown me.

[kycruiser72]

We sat down by the windows at the M&M. I thought your little guy and my little guy shared a jeep at one point.

[Yo Eleven]

We sat down by the windows at the M&M. I thought your little guy and my little guy shared a jeep at one point.

It is possible. I didn't stay the entire time there. I remember leaving him there with momma so I can be abused by the casino staff. I felt more at home there. HA! :p

[Yo Eleven]

Oh getting back to so more of my review.

 

If you plan on slugging down several Pina Coladas I have good news and I have bad news.

 

Here is the bad news.

 

They are $8.95 each. Make certain to bring your checkbook with ya. It is gonna cost ya.

 

Now for the good news.

 

They are one of the greatest tasting pina coladas I have ever had. They are not cheap with the rum either. They are LOADED big time. You need about 3 to really get a good buzz starting. After 5of them you will begin to act stupid. LOL!

 

Drink 7 of them-you will be passed out on the pool deck with a towel over your face.

 

So that comes to $62.65 (similar price to your gratuties you will pay) to get totally xxxxfaced. Pretty expensive but your tastebuds will LOVE the ride there. I hope this information is helpful. :D

 

 

HICCUP! :p

[rwdnj]

Yo,

Like other posters said, take away the casino and the cruise would have ranked an 8-10. About the same rating I would give it after crusing Liberty & Freedom. Always had a good time. Not much of a gambler so that part doesn't phase me. I do agree with MDR food that it's nothing to get all dressed up for. After the second night we just didn't go anymore. I'm not sure if I'll even go to the MDR on my upcoming cruises. We either went to the Windjammer, Chops, (which I thought was excellent) or Cafe Promanade for those tasty little sandwiches. (they are the best) But one thing I did notice is that you also sailed the Brittanis. What were your thoughts on that ship. As far as I'm concered, that was a horrible ship to be on for my first cruise!!! Painted metal walls, a bathroom that was about as big as an out house, and all those vibrations from the engines. And talk about bad food!! :eek: Everything was deep fried, even the Meatloaf. YUK!!! When we docked in Curacao we stumpled upon a McDonalds and man, did we pigg out. It never tasted sooooo good. LOL. It took another 22 yrs to convince me to go on a cruise again. I'm much happier now!!:D

[Yo Eleven]

Yo,

Like other posters said, take away the casino and the cruise would have ranked an 8-10. About the same rating I would give it after crusing Liberty & Freedom. Always had a good time. Not much of a gambler so that part doesn't phase me. I do agree with MDR food that it's nothing to get all dressed up for. After the second night we just didn't go anymore. I'm not sure if I'll even go to the MDR on my upcoming cruises. We either went to the Windjammer, Chops, (which I thought was excellent) or Cafe Promanade for those tasty little sandwiches. (they are the best) But one thing I did notice is that you also sailed the Brittanis. What were your thoughts on that ship. As far as I'm concered, that was a horrible ship to be on for my first cruise!!! Painted metal walls, a bathroom that was about as big as an out house, and all those vibrations from the engines. And talk about bad food!! :eek: Everything was deep fried, even the Meatloaf. YUK!!! When we docked in Curacao we stumpled upon a McDonalds and man, did we pigg out. It never tasted sooooo good. LOL. It took another 22 yrs to convince me to go on a cruise again. I'm much happier now!!:D

You are using my review perfectly. Glad to see it.

 

As for the SS Britanis. I was wondering who would be the first to tell me they sailed her. You should feel honored that you sailed on a major piece of cruise ship history despite the conditions you describe. How about you take a trip down memory lane and tell me what you think now? Cheers!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJKFzmnRT4c

 

:D

[roxannex]

We sailed on the Mariner a few years ago and the food in the MDR was terrible. But other than that, we really loved the cruise. We are going on the Freedom in December and have booked the specialty restaurants for 4 out of the 7 nights. We just factored it into the cost.

[bcorrigan]

When I go on Liberty in November I don't even plan on going into the Casino ( Except maybe to take a short cut, if it's anything like Marnier of the seas) so your review on the Casino doesn't apply to me. The other area's of your review DO apply to me and I found them very helpful.

I think I will enjoy this cruise and I would be aiming for 8 out of 10 at the least. Since I won't be going to the casino, and based on your review, 8 out of 10 seems doable. :)

 

If you are making the comparison to Mariner you will be very upset at your cruise. I have been on mariner 3 times, and took my fiance on her first last year. Liberty pales in comparison to Mariner. I was on the ship with YO, and i give it a slightly better mark, but the casino was not a major factor in my score. Miami is by far the most god forsaken port i have ever been to. between the bums begging for cash and the slow departure from the ship, i wanted to blow my brains out. my luggage tag said i would be called between 8-8:30am i finally got off the ship at 10am. The platinum diamond lounge closed at 8am the bridge broke down to get off the ship, after customs closed the line twice. As for comparisons to Mariner, the food was a 9 of 10 on Mariner, Liberty 7 of 10, and i am being generous on that. the balconys are larger on liberty, however the ship looks old becase they have not put one coat of varnish on the stateroom railings, unlike mariner, where that was weekly thing. the specialty restaraunts are good as always. If you need to go to the pursers desk on Liberty, expect a long line, 9 times out of 10 there was a minimum of 5 people in line at the pursers desk. The ship is a floating UN, and unfortunately it is full of the rudest people from all the nations. Brush up on you languages, because english is rarely if ever used. I wish everyone the best of luck on the ship, i know that i will not be going on Liberty of the seas ever again. My honeymoon is soon going to be on Freedom of the Seas, hopefully the port that a great ship like Mariner left out of will help change the experience.

[Yo Eleven]

If you are making the comparison to Mariner you will be very upset at your cruise. I have been on mariner 3 times, and took my fiance on her first last year. Liberty pales in comparison to Mariner. I was on the ship with YO, and i give it a slightly better mark, but the casino was not a major factor in my score. Miami is by far the most god forsaken port i have ever been to. between the bums begging for cash and the slow departure from the ship, i wanted to blow my brains out. my luggage tag said i would be called between 8-8:30am i finally got off the ship at 10am. The platinum diamond lounge closed at 8am the bridge broke down to get off the ship, after customs closed the line twice. As for comparisons to Mariner, the food was a 9 of 10 on Mariner, Liberty 7 of 10, and i am being generous on that. the balconys are larger on liberty, however the ship looks old becase they have not put one coat of varnish on the stateroom railings, unlike mariner, where that was weekly thing. the specialty restaraunts are good as always. If you need to go to the pursers desk on Liberty, expect a long line, 9 times out of 10 there was a minimum of 5 people in line at the pursers desk. The ship is a floating UN, and unfortunately it is full of the rudest people from all the nations. Brush up on you languages, because english is rarely if ever used. I wish everyone the best of luck on the ship, i know that i will not be going on Liberty of the seas ever again. My honeymoon is soon going to be on Freedom of the Seas, hopefully the port that a great ship like Mariner left out of will help change the experience.

Sounds like a 6 out of 10 to me! :D