Liberty of the Seas, 5 night Western Med journal, review and photos, very long!

[peteukmcr]

Hey Peter

 

That was a great review and the pictures are awesome! I think that one of these days, Pam and I will have to go over the pond and do a cruise like that. We are now looking forward to our Allure cruise in October! I was recently looking at the video from our Freedom cruise in 2006 and it is remarkable to me how little you and Patrick have changed.

 

Take care

Hi Scott, great to see you on here. You need to get over here and sail the Med. Long way though and not sure how Pam would cope with baggage restrictions:D

 

I do hope you enjoy Allure, we need to hear all about before we get over next year for ours in Sept 2012.

 

Thanks for the compliments about not changing much, but close up I think we probably have!

[JustUs275]

Hi again, even though it was only a 5 night sailing with 3 ports days, we had plenty of time to enjoy the balcony. In the morning (breakfast enjoyed there one day), afternoon after a port visit, after dressing for dinner, and when returning after the evenings activities. If you have several sea days, then if you want to get away from the pool decks for some peace and quiet, then an aft balcony is a definite bonus.

 

We always book a balcony on every sailing, I think it would be hard not to have one as we enjoy getting out there and feeling the sea breeze.

 

Having aft cabin means you can enjoy nights like this, stargazing as you say.

 

 

To be honest, the walk from the aft centrum is not that long, it is a fair way yes, but over long IMHO and it must help to burn off some calories, not sure how many though!

 

Aaaaaahhhhhh - yes - that view is exactly what I'm looking forward to on our cruise!!! (well one of the things, anyway!) :D

[firstimer2009]

One other question. We will be on LOS leaving Barcelona in Sept, 2012 so I assume the weather will be similiar to your May sailing. What was the general dress code on board? Not for dining, but just doing things on the ship including the casino. I know the Europeans are dressier than us Americans, so was wondering. My DH loves to wear shorts any time of year, so I'm hoping that will be fine for walking around the ship. And NO he will not wear those to any dining venue.

 

Thank you again for a great review and pictures!! Your review actually had me change cruise plans to go into Villefrance instead of Cannes. We've always wanted to go to the Grand Casino and that looks easier to do from Villefrance taking the train, which we will do!

[peteukmcr]

One other question. We will be on LOS leaving Barcelona in Sept, 2012 so I assume the weather will be similiar to your May sailing. What was the general dress code on board? Not for dining, but just doing things on the ship including the casino. I know the Europeans are dressier than us Americans, so was wondering. My DH loves to wear shorts any time of year, so I'm hoping that will be fine for walking around the ship. And NO he will not wear those to any dining venue.

 

Thank you again for a great review and pictures!! Your review actually had me change cruise plans to go into Villefrance instead of Cannes. We've always wanted to go to the Grand Casino and that looks easier to do from Villefrance taking the train, which we will do!

Hi, I suspect the weather will be similar in Sept to that in May.

 

As for dress code during the day, very casual - t-shirt and shorts/jeans/chinos seemed to be the norm. Some could be seen wearing jackets as it was probably cooler than they are used to at this time of year when the ship was sailing. I suspect these were from the more southern Mediterranean areas where it would be warmer than Barcelona and the South of France.

 

When you refer to the Grand Casino, I presume you mean Monte Carlo? If so, then yes, it is really easy to get to from the SNCF train station in Villefranche. The station is easy to find from the tender dock (basically turn right and follow the road along the bay). You'll probably see the trains travelling along the shoreline from Liberty once you have anchored in the bay. The station staff speak English and are extremely helpful.

[firstimer2009]

"When you refer to the Grand Casino, I presume you mean Monte Carlo? "

 

Yes, I did mean Monte Carlo! It was over an hour train ride from Cannes, so it looks much easier from Villefranche. Your pictures of that area are so fantastic. I love France and would visit every year if I could.

 

Also loved your "Moonlight Over the Med" shot. We had an aft balcony on an Alaska cruise a few years ago and even though the location was great, I severely sprained my ankle 10 days before leaving and almost didn't make the trip. That was a very very long walk to the aft on one good leg, so for the Libery cruise we were able to snag a hump cabin port side. Can't wait!!!

[peteukmcr]

"When you refer to the Grand Casino, I presume you mean Monte Carlo? "

 

Yes, I did mean Monte Carlo! It was over an hour train ride from Cannes, so it looks much easier from Villefranche. Your pictures of that area are so fantastic. I love France and would visit every year if I could.

 

Also loved your "Moonlight Over the Med" shot. We had an aft balcony on an Alaska cruise a few years ago and even though the location was great, I severely sprained my ankle 10 days before leaving and almost didn't make the trip. That was a very very long walk to the aft on one good leg, so for the Libery cruise we were able to snag a hump cabin port side. Can't wait!!!

Yes, approximately 15 minutes and you're in Monaco. I can imagine a walk to the aft with an injury would be a problem. Must admit we used to pass the hump cabin we had port side on Freedom, which is obviously the same on Liberty, everytime we set off from the elevators to our aft, great location as far as I'm concerned.

[fas64]

Hi Peter

 

Its Michael from Scotland we sailed together on the Freedom Sept 09, we have done the Adventure twiced one in the southern caribbean from san juan and the other last june 5 days med, we are also booked on her doing 2 TA, later this year and back to europe april next year.

[argyle143]

firsttimer2009, I am also from the SF Bay Area and will be on the LOS leaving Barcelona on 9/15/2012. Is this the cruise you are on? We also have a hump cabin on the port side. I know its over a year away, but reading these reviews, especially Peter's, just makes me so excited. First cruise and first time to the med!!

[cw2go]

Fantastic review! :p

[peteukmcr]

Hi Peter

 

Its Michael from Scotland we sailed together on the Freedom Sept 09, we have done the Adventure twiced one in the southern caribbean from san juan and the other last june 5 days med, we are also booked on her doing 2 TA, later this year and back to europe april next year.

Hi Michael, good to hear from you. We did Adventure 12 months ago and as you can see are back on Liberty for her TA back to Fort Lauderdale in only 159 days now!

[sgk2000]

Great Review! What was the times for the nightly Diamond Event?

[peteukmcr]

Great Review! What was the times for the nightly Diamond Event?

Hi thanks, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres are served in the Diamond Lounge from 5 - 8:30 pm.

[firstimer2009]

firsttimer2009, I am also from the SF Bay Area and will be on the LOS leaving Barcelona on 9/15/2012. Is this the cruise you are on? We also have a hump cabin on the port side. I know its over a year away, but reading these reviews, especially Peter's, just makes me so excited. First cruise and first time to the med!!

Hi Argyle 143 -- I know, isn't Peter's review and pictures the best? I am sorry to say we are on the ship departing 9/29/2012 instead. We were going to take the 9/22/2012 cruise but it didn't work out.

 

BTW, are you staying in Barcelona on your return on 9/22? If so, you need to get a hotel room early! Barcelona will be right in the middle of a huge festival that happens every year around 9/24. It's called Festes de la Merce. Google it! When we were originally going on the 9/22 cruise someone on the RC board (thank you CC!) told me about it. They said it's fantastic but you need to get hotel rooms early because the town is packed. Fireworks, music everywhere, champagne and wine tasting along the wharf. What a wild thing to cruise back into Barcelona for!!

[argyle143]

Firstimer2009, thanks for the heads up on the Festes de la Merce. Yes, I think we were going to stay one more night in Barcelona before heading home. My Travel Agent said she would contact me in October/November 2011 to make plane and hotel reservations, so I'll email her to let her know about this festival. Too bad we're not on the same cruise. Have a GREAT time!!