April 26, 2014 Give Me Liberty Pre-, Live (?!) and Post Cruise Review

[MADflyer]

So sorry I missed it! We also have an aft JS on the vision! I think we are 8590 ... Right next door. :)

 

How did you like it?

 

 

 

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The aft JS's on Vision are fantastic. Fully refurbished with the re-fit in October. Have been back there on 3 sailings since the refurbishment. We had OS and GS on one sailing, but prefer aft location. Terraces larger on aft JS's and that secret staircase up to deck 9 next to inside 8579 make it the best location on Vision.

 

I actually like to be forward on Liberty due to location of Spa and Gym and large whirlpools along with Catacombs and Casino access. I had a forward ocean-view on last years TA and it was perfect for that April sailing.

[karmacats]

Hey! LOS reunion!

 

I've already had like three dreams about taking a cruise since I've been back... I need to go again!

 

 

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....and another addict is born. :)

 

Woohoo! I love that this trip report has become more of a roll call reunion. You guys are seriously awesome. Thanks for letting me know I'm not a CC outcast.

 

Not much interest in this itinerary I guess. Prob because lady liberty is on her way to Europe now.

 

Thanks for joining me on this trip down Liberty lane. :) :) :)

 

When is the cruise next April? If it's after the 15th' date=' we might be able to swing it. I think we should all go!!

 

 

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We did have a really great group this time around. I really enjoyed meeting everyone.

 

We're reserving 2016 for Oasis 3, and possibly a trip for my mom's 70th birthday (though that's in April, so who knows....). In the mean time, we're on Quantum Jan 3 and Anthem Dec 12, 2015, if anyone wants to tag along. ;)

[boaterette]

I enjoyed reading your review. Thanks for posting and congrats on winning the free cruise.

[PhoenixCruiser]

Congratulations on the slot pull! I took first in our round but it still wasn't enough to make it to the last competition.

 

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[Ramblin' Ma'am]

 

We did have a really great group this time around. I really enjoyed meeting everyone.

 

We're reserving 2016 for Oasis 3, and possibly a trip for my mom's 70th birthday (though that's in April, so who knows....). In the mean time, we're on Quantum Jan 3 and Anthem Dec 12, 2015, if anyone wants to tag along. ;)

 

Everyone was so friendly! It was great meeting everyone.

 

I can't plan anything for 2015 because of Jeopardy (unless it's in May or June, when they don't film). I could be called anytime until November 2015.

 

I will definitely plan something for 2016 but I would have to see the prices for Oasis 3.

[ksawyercruiser]

So it's time to get off the ship! Boo! Hiss!

 

For the first time, we were doing self service ... carrying our luggage off the ship ourselves. We normally linger as long as possible having breakfast in the MDR (always MUCH better than the Windjammer ... the WJ can get crazy crowded on get-the-hell-off-the-ship day).

 

But this time, we needed to take our daughter to school. She had already missed three days. Yeah, I know. We're horrible parents. ;)

 

We woke up at about 6:30, got ready, finished packing and headed to the Gold Crown waiting area around 7:20. So glad we did this. By 7:30, they were calling our group and exited the ship. Getting through the line and customs only took 30 minutes or so. And by 8:15, we were in a cab heading the 10 minutes to our house.

 

I heard from folks on our roll call that the passport scanners weren't working in customs. So everything had to be done by hand. The result? People were waiting three hours in line. Some missing their flights. And that by noon they still hadn't called all the groups. Horrible.

 

I'm guessing the next group had the same embarkation problem we had. Waiting in line for hours in the heat because there are no real waiting areas inside (at least that I saw).

 

I think we're sold on self carryout. It was smooth and prevented us from having to wait for our number to be called ... and then hoping customs goes smoothly.

 

All in all, this cruise was just what the doctor ordered. By husband was able to relax after a grueling tax season. My daughter was thoroughly entertained. And I got to do all the things I love about cruising.

 

So here's my final breakdown:

 

The good (and great!): Tom and I really enjoyed the pub in the Promenade. The bartenders were outstanding. While other bars and lounges could be crowded, there was always plenty of room. And I just love a strongbow cider on ice. The entertainer there was excellent.

 

Speaking of entertainment, it was awesome. The Up in the Air show, the juggler and Saturday Night Fever were all fabulous.

 

Our cabin steward was very friendly. Always a big smile on his face. He looked genuinely happy to see us and really interested in what we did that day. He also kept our cabin in shipshape.

 

Johnny Rockets was a great spot for lunch. Loved the outside tables.

 

Marissa loved the cupcake decorating class, the shows and the DreamWorks channel in our cabin.

 

The bad (or not really bad, just okay): The MDR food was fine. Nothing special. Service was fine. Nothing special.

 

Marissa felt the AO club was fine. Nothing special. But as I said, I think she's growing out of it.

 

The pools were very crowded on sea days. Just like on every other cruise.

 

The ship definitely felt crowded. Much more so than we were on the Allure. And there could be long waits for the elevator.

 

And the ugly (or really ugly): Embarkation was a zoo. I'm assuming this is a customs' issue. But RCI needs a back-up plan for a waiting area so everyone isn't standing outside waiting. It was warm in April. I don't know how they would handle in the summer.

 

Although we weren't affected, disembarkation was also a nightmare for many.

 

Last batch of photos, and I am done! Hope you enjoyed, and thank you so much for joining us on this voyage.

[ksawyercruiser]

 

These electronic menu boards were outside the MDR. Very helpful.

 

 

Love these little guys!

 

 

 

 

These pool pics were all taken from the Viking Lounge.

 

 

And I'll end with our favorite mascot from the ship. Marissa loved this pup!!

[ksawyercruiser]

Wow I didnt realize it was you who won congrats. Yianna still makes fun of me for how poorly I did at the tournament

 

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Thank you!!! I was very lucky this go-round! :D

[ksawyercruiser]

The aft JS's on Vision are fantastic. Fully refurbished with the re-fit in October. Have been back there on 3 sailings since the refurbishment. We had OS and GS on one sailing, but prefer aft location. Terraces larger on aft JS's and that secret staircase up to deck 9 next to inside 8579 make it the best location on Vision.

 

I actually like to be forward on Liberty due to location of Spa and Gym and large whirlpools along with Catacombs and Casino access. I had a forward ocean-view on last years TA and it was perfect for that April sailing.

 

Thanks for the great feedback! :)

[ksawyercruiser]

I enjoyed reading your review. Thanks for posting and congrats on winning the free cruise.

 

Thank you very much for checking out the review!!! Glad you enjoyed it. :D

 

Congratulations on the slot pull! I took first in our round but it still wasn't enough to make it to the last competition.

 

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Thank you! I got lucky that time! :D

[scooter90]

Congrats on winning the cruise! And thank you for taking the time to do the review. We will be sailing on the Liberty when she comes here to NJ in 2015. The info of Marissa's feelings are much apprecaited too as our granddaughter will be 10 at the time of the sailing and our grandson will be 7. While he may enjoy some of the AO activities, she may be growing out of them. Always good to have a Plan B just in case.

 

Thoroughly enjoyed your detail of the trip and the photos. Thank you!

[ksawyercruiser]

Congrats on winning the cruise! And thank you for taking the time to do the review. We will be sailing on the Liberty when she comes here to NJ in 2015. The info of Marissa's feelings are much apprecaited too as our granddaughter will be 10 at the time of the sailing and our grandson will be 7. While he may enjoy some of the AO activities, she may be growing out of them. Always good to have a Plan B just in case.

 

 

 

Thoroughly enjoyed your detail of the trip and the photos. Thank you!

 

 

Thank you so much for your kind words! Marissa really enjoyed herself this cruise. She absolutely loved the shows. She really liked the promenade area and all the food options. But as a tween, she isn't interested in decorating a bandana for a pirate party. She would be happier with movies or computer games. Breaks my heart my little one isn't so little anymore. But I will tell you she had a fantastic voyage on the Liberty.

 

Now I know why they allow kids to have check in/checkout privileges in the AO club at age 10. Although we declined that privilege. She's still our baby. :)

 

Thanks again!

 

 

 

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[mszmek]

Thank you for the review; it was great and I enjoyed your pictures!

 

Congratulations on winning the free cruise!

[ksawyercruiser]

Thank you for the review; it was great and I enjoyed your pictures!

 

Congratulations on winning the free cruise!

 

 

Thank you so much! I'm happy you enjoyed the review!! :)

 

 

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[Tamac100]

Thank you for a wonderful review, we are off on Liberty in August round the mediterranean. We have a little girl who is 7 - it looks like the Dreamworks experience will suit her down to the ground - especially all the movies, if she gets time to watch any.

 

Happy Cruising, you lucky folk in Fort Lauderdale. Perhaps I just need to move closer to a cruise port (currently based in central England!)

 

Trudy