Just off Liberty - mini review

[MomtoCCC]

Hi all!

 

My 10 yo dd and I sailed on Liberty 5-night cruise to Belize and Cozumel. We had a great time with excellent weather. The ship was great and it was our first time in a Junior Suite (upgraded 2 days before sailing with excellent deal)

 

The shows were well done. Really enjoyed the Headliner Act (Savannah Jack) which was a band from Nashville TN which sang County, Motown, and other genres and they were excellent. The Saturday NIght Fever show was very good also.

 

We ate in the dining room every night. Had very good service. The food was mostly good, some dishes better than others, but nothing horrible. We enjoyed our table-mates - 2 nice families.

 

Our room steward was fine - nothiing exceptional, but did a fine job. Did have to ask a few times to get a bucket of ice so I could chill my white wine that I brought on board.

 

My dd enjoyed Adventure Ocean, swam at the pool non-stop, climbed the rock wall, ice skated. I will say that on the last sea day, we were down at the pool around 9:15-9:30 and there were towels on every chair and no one around. The pool deck patrol went around and picked up ALL the towels that people were using to save chairs so we were able to get chairs right by the pool. The people did come back at 11am wondering where there stuff was. I was glad to see the deck patrol not allowing the chair saving that early. She was keeping track because later that morning she pulled some other stuff off some chairs that were nearby after they had been unoccupied for awhile.

 

We did self-disembark because we had an early flight (10:30am). We were down in On-Air club around 6:45 and there was already a line. However, they started walking us off at 7:05am and we were in a cab by 7:35am. No problems at all.

 

I'm still swaying today and missing the 85 degree warm weather! Now counting down until my next cruise!

[Ourusualbeach]

Thanks for posting. We are sailing in just over 2 weeks.

 

Glad to see that they are removing towels.

 

Did you have the loungers on your Balcony?

Edited February 21, 2014 by Ourusualbeach

[Cruzn Fool]

Thanks for the review. I think we talked a bit on a previous Liberty thread because I remember you taking your DD on this cruise as I am taking my DS next month. I think you were concerned about getting to the airport to catch the early flight so I am glad to see it all worked out without having to change flights or anything like that. So it wasn't an issue carrying your bags off?

 

Did you get upgraded or were you just checking prices right before the cruise and called RCCL directly to updgrade?

 

I'm also glad to hear you had good service and food in the MDR. I have heard many things recently about the lack of service but I don't think I have ever found that to be the case on any of my cruises. I am sure it's just a matter or perspective.

 

Thanks for the updates, looking forward to getting on board in another 3 weeks.

[dd0yl3]

We'll be on the Liberty next week for our first cruise. Can't wait !

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MomtoCCC]

We did have 2 loungers plus 2 chairs and table on our balcony

 

I paid under $200 to upgrade to a Jr Suite by checking prices the Wed before we sailed (on Saturday). They had 2 Jr Suites left at that time and I grabbed one of them.

 

Self-Disembark - we took elevators down to deck 3 with our suitcases. When they walked us off, we did have to carry the suitcases down 2 flights of stairs (to Deck 1). DD carried one and 1 carried two. It was a bit of a walk to the customs check-out but we have 4 wheeled bags which makes it a little easier. I would definitely do it again.

[Ourusualbeach]

Great deal on the JS. Thanks for the info on the loungers.

[FLCruiser2013]

Thanks for your review.

 

We will be on Liberty in 2 1/2 weeks and I love reading past guest reviews.

[ryansmith18]

Thrilled to hear that RCI is not allowing people to "reserve" the prime loungers on the lido deck. That drove me nuts on my first two cruises with Carnival. But that brings up a couple other questions that I hadn't thought about before. Maybe somebody here would be more familiar with these scenarios than me?

 

1) OP states that RCI went around and collected all the towels that were reserving seats. Assuming these are the towels provided in cabin, I don't imagine RCI has anyway of keeping track of who's towel they just picked up on the lido deck. How is this sorted out? Would RCI be forced to charge the stateroom for a missing towel at the end of the cruise (seems extreme)? Or do they simply trust that people are telling the truth when they say "Hey I left my towel there an hour ago and now it's gone, can I have it back?" (seems like a poor way to handle things, easily abused).

 

2) On Carnival we were permitted to take the towels provided in cabin off the ship at our various destinations. If it was not in the cabin at the end of the cruise then we were simply charged the outrageous price for a replacement. I assume this to be cruise industry standard, but wanted to check with y'all before I do something stupid.

 

3) Seems perfectly reasonable to reserve lounge chairs for short periods of time for the sake of getting a refill, using the restroom, etc. Does RCI have a typical timeframe for how long things go unattended before they pick stuff up? Or is this left up to the worker's discretion?

[CamaCama]

Thrilled to hear that RCI is not allowing people to "reserve" the prime loungers on the lido deck. That drove me nuts on my first two cruises with Carnival. But that brings up a couple other questions that I hadn't thought about before. Maybe somebody here would be more familiar with these scenarios than me?

 

1) OP states that RCI went around and collected all the towels that were reserving seats. Assuming these are the towels provided in cabin, I don't imagine RCI has anyway of keeping track of who's towel they just picked up on the lido deck. How is this sorted out? Would RCI be forced to charge the stateroom for a missing towel at the end of the cruise (seems extreme)? Or do they simply trust that people are telling the truth when they say "Hey I left my towel there an hour ago and now it's gone, can I have it back?" (seems like a poor way to handle things, easily abused).

 

2) On Carnival we were permitted to take the towels provided in cabin off the ship at our various destinations. If it was not in the cabin at the end of the cruise then we were simply charged the outrageous price for a replacement. I assume this to be cruise industry standard, but wanted to check with y'all before I do something stupid.

 

3) Seems perfectly reasonable to reserve lounge chairs for short periods of time for the sake of getting a refill, using the restroom, etc. Does RCI have a typical timeframe for how long things go unattended before they pick stuff up? Or is this left up to the worker's discretion?

 

I think they wait 30 minutes? I was just on liberty last month and the towels at the pool deck they just give you, you don't need to sign in/out or show your seapass card to take one. So, no problem removing towels. I like that they are doing that!!

[researchfreak90]

Thrilled to hear that RCI is not allowing people to "reserve" the prime loungers on the lido deck. That drove me nuts on my first two cruises with Carnival. But that brings up a couple other questions that I hadn't thought about before. Maybe somebody here would be more familiar with these scenarios than me?

 

1) OP states that RCI went around and collected all the towels that were reserving seats. Assuming these are the towels provided in cabin, I don't imagine RCI has anyway of keeping track of who's towel they just picked up on the lido deck. How is this sorted out? Would RCI be forced to charge the stateroom for a missing towel at the end of the cruise (seems extreme)? Or do they simply trust that people are telling the truth when they say "Hey I left my towel there an hour ago and now it's gone, can I have it back?" (seems like a poor way to handle things, easily abused).

 

2) On Carnival we were permitted to take the towels provided in cabin off the ship at our various destinations. If it was not in the cabin at the end of the cruise then we were simply charged the outrageous price for a replacement. I assume this to be cruise industry standard, but wanted to check with y'all before I do something stupid.

 

3) Seems perfectly reasonable to reserve lounge chairs for short periods of time for the sake of getting a refill, using the restroom, etc. Does RCI have a typical timeframe for how long things go unattended before they pick stuff up? Or is this left up to the worker's discretion?

 

There are towels for your cabin, which are white, and there are towels for beach/pool use that can come on and off the ship. RCL reccently lifted the policy that they would charge you if you did not return your beach/pool towel so when they take the towels off chairs, nobody gets charged they just go get a new towel from the stand.

[cruiser43]

I am sailing on liberty Monday getting in on Saturday to ft lauderdale. I have a 10:05 flight and just taking carry ons. Ship is scheduled in at 7:00. What time did you get in? Thanks!

[ryansmith18]

Ah, cool. Thank you both!

[Fetzer_94]

Thank you so much for your review! We are cruising Liberty in April with our 8 year old dd. I'm glad to hear your dd liked Adventure Ocean! Did you find it to be very crowded? Also, did your dd watch the Disco show? If so, was it age appropriate/keep her attention?

 

Thanks!

[LetsGetWet!]

Since you spent a lot of time in/around the pools, were they heated to a comfortable temperature for swimming?

[MomtoCCC]

Pools: They were a little chilly for me.. kids don't seem to care. Since it was warm outside, by mid-afternoon, people were getting in to cool off.

 

Adventure Ocean: I don't think it was that crowded, might be worse in April for Spring Break. They did keep the 9-11 separate from 6-8 because there were enough kids to keep both groups busy.

 

Saturday NIght Fever was on the last night and was shown at 7pm or 9:30. Since we had main dinner seating (6pm), we had to go to the 9:30 show. DD watched part of it then slept through it (she was tired from so much swimming). I'm not sure how much an 8yo would understand. There is pregancy mentioned and one character falls off the bridge. It is a very condensed version of the movie. The singing and dancing were very good.

 

We arrived at port around 6:45-7:00. I was surprised we were walking off at 7:05am. If you want to be early off the ship, you can get down to Deck 3 before 6:30am. We got to the airport before 8am.. but any given week can be different.

 

I think the pool towel question was answered. I think the folks next to me were gone more than 30 minutes before their stuff was picked up. I made sure to tell the people around me that I was going to restroom or getting a drink when I walked off for 5 minutes or so.

Edited February 21, 2014 by MomtoCCC

[MomtoCCC]

I am sailing on liberty Monday getting in on Saturday to ft lauderdale. I have a 10:05 flight and just taking carry ons. Ship is scheduled in at 7:00. What time did you get in? Thanks!

 

I answered your question but wanted to mention that we got in on a Thursday and there was only 1 other ship in port that morning. Saturdays are much busier (there were 6 or 7 ships in port when we left on Saturday). Traffic was backed up trying to get into port at 10:30am. So.. if you are trying to catch a 10am flight, I would make sure I was down on deck 3 very early.

[jm904]

We will be taking our children in April. Did they have theme nights? Do you remember the order of the menu? Thanks in advance

[clean1owner]

Thrilled to hear that RCI is not allowing people to "reserve" the prime loungers on the lido deck. That drove me nuts on my first two cruises with Carnival. But that brings up a couple other questions that I hadn't thought about before. Maybe somebody here would be more familiar with these scenarios than me?

 

1) OP states that RCI went around and collected all the towels that were reserving seats. Assuming these are the towels provided in cabin, I don't imagine RCI has anyway of keeping track of who's towel they just picked up on the lido deck. How is this sorted out? Would RCI be forced to charge the stateroom for a missing towel at the end of the cruise (seems extreme)? Or do they simply trust that people are telling the truth when they say "Hey I left my towel there an hour ago and now it's gone, can I have it back?" (seems like a poor way to handle things, easily abused).

 

2) On Carnival we were permitted to take the towels provided in cabin off the ship at our various destinations. If it was not in the cabin at the end of the cruise then we were simply charged the outrageous price for a replacement. I assume this to be cruise industry standard, but wanted to check with y'all before I do something stupid.

 

3) Seems perfectly reasonable to reserve lounge chairs for short periods of time for the sake of getting a refill, using the restroom, etc. Does RCI have a typical timeframe for how long things go unattended before they pick stuff up? Or is this left up to the worker's discretion?

 

 

Glad to hear they were actually enforcing the policy. That was definitely NOT the case when we were on the Liberty in January.

 

 

 

 

 

This is the sign posted where you pick up the towels. While no specific timeframe is shown, I believe they give 30 minutes.

[Merion_Mom]

I was on this cruise also, although not fortunate enough to meet MomtoCCC. :)

 

MY JS also had two loungers, two upright chairs and one higher table.

 

The "allowed" time for leaving a lounger unattended at the pool is 30 minutes: Plenty of time to do "legitimate" things: go to the bathroom, spend some time in the pool, grab a quick bite to eat or bring something back to your chair.

 

You no longer have to swipe out towels. You still have to obtain them at the towel stations on the pool deck, however - they are not in the staterooms. You may take them off the ship in port.

 

I decided that I was not going to carry my large suitcase down two flights of stairs (necessary for self-assist disembarkation). I had a large suitcase because I was on for 10 nights, not just 5. I could have done 5 with less stuff. :D

 

I had #2 luggage tags, the lowest number after self-assist. As MomtoCCC noted, the port was NOT jammed, so there were lots of taxis and we were able to exit and get to the airport quickly.

 

I was in the airport at 9:05.

 

The week before, turnaround day between my two cruises, was an immense mess. People were still waiting to disembark at 11:30. I guess that many many many people missed flights home that day.

 

The bottom line of all that information: It wasn't bad, but it's not like disembarkation from Oasis and Allure, where people were making 8:30 - 9:00 flights.

[Merion_Mom]

We will be taking our children in April. Did they have theme nights? Do you remember the order of the menu? Thanks in advance

 

No theme nights as I think you mean.

 

There is a White Party on (I think) night #4. Poolside buffet and dance party.

 

I don't remember all of the menus, but Night 4 was Jasmine and Night 5 was Pimiento.

 

Jasmine is the menu with Fisherman's Platter. (lobster tail and tiger shrimp)

 

Pimiento is the standard "last night" menu. It has the turkey dinner. :p I don't like any of the entrees, so I just get all starters: scallops and chorizo, Spanish tapas, a salad.

 

:)

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[MomtoCCC]

I think Merion_Mom answered the rest of the questions - sorry we didn't meet!

 

I can't remember the menu order either. We did not have the menu with MoJo pork chops. I know I had Chicken Marsala one night (it was only ok) and beef tenderloin another night (it was pretty good)

 

Have a fun cruise!

[cindytx3092]

Am I understanding you both, that if you want to walk off with your luggage, you have to walk down 2 flights of stairs? Are the stairs on the ship or in the terminal that you have to walk down?

[dpscmiller]

We will be on the Liberty march 1-Only a few more days to go!!!![

Deck 10 this is only our 2nd cruise so we are still learning. Have Suite 1334. So excited!

 

 

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DPSCMiller

[Merion_Mom]

Am I understanding you both, that if you want to walk off with your luggage, you have to walk down 2 flights of stairs? Are the stairs on the ship or in the terminal that you have to walk down?

 

Gathering point for self-assist is Studio B on deck 3. Then you are escorted off...........and the exit point is the gangway on deck 1.

 

So, yes, you have to walk down two flights of stairs.

 

I had to walk down them, but I didn't have my big suitcase, since I didn't do self-assist. My suitcase was waiting for me in the terminal. But I still had to walk down to deck 1's gangway.

 

From the gangway, you have a long walk into the terminal, but it is flat and hard, so suitcases with wheels are no problem at that point.

Edited February 24, 2014 by Merion_Mom