My Liberty Med Cruise Review--10/12/2005-10/24/2005

[CruisefromNY]

Hi all,

Just arrived back last night. Finally got some sleep, my chores done and finally a chance to sit and write down my impressions both negative and postive of the my last two weeks.

All of our arrangements were made through Carnival. Not a glitch, very smooth.

We flew into Rome the Day of the cruise. We flew Delta from JFK to Rome. No delays and we actually arrive into Rome about 30 minutes early. Arrival about 8:30 AM. Customs a breeze and on the bus within 45 minutes. We arrived to the pier to one of the most organized embarkations I have ever experienced. My Embarkation picure has a clock in it and it reads 10:37AM!! Two hours from landing in Rome to Embarkation. We were not allowed to the Rooms until 12:30 but the Buffets were already open and serving.

 

The ship is Great. Though I know the layout of the Ship I still find myself going all the way to the third floor and realizing that you can't get there from here! This cruise was not as active in the evenings because alot of the excursusions left very early in the morning. We were up by six most mornings for tours.

 

The Ports were very nice. We did all our excursions through Carnival. Carnival had it all worked out and is very organized. Each excursion is given a color and as you arrive in the Venetian Lounge they give out sticker with the color and a number corresponding to a bus number. However, here is the area I find Carnival lacking. They really do not enforce the "please wait until you color and number are called" . Fellow Cruisers as the 12 days progressed became less and less cooperative when they realized that no one was really paying attention to the order in which we were called. As each day went by, those of us that waited to be called more often than not would arrived outside to an already filled bus. It was terrible to see the civility of people deteriorate. I actually had a man push my 81 year old mother and me out of the way on the gangway in Barcelona because we had the nerve to stop and get our debarkation photo taken. He was deternmined to get that front seat on the bus. Forget it if you were on a cane, crutches or in a wheelchair!

 

We did:

Sorrenti and the Amalfi Coast. We loved it

 

Best Of Dubrovnik. Loved it! This city definitely needs a further visit sometime in the future.

 

We did not do a tour until the second day in Venice. The trip into Venice on the Ship was incredible.

 

The second Day we did Murano, St Georges Island and the Gondala tour.

The stay in Murano was extremely short, We did not get to St Georges Island because we were running late and the Gondola tour was short and they really did not go anywhere and the ten gondolas stayed together so it was very crowded.

 

Messina City tour was short but very comprehensive.

 

Panoramic Barcelona was nice that was the day I encountered the man in a hurry on the gangway and that put a damper on the day.

 

Monaco and Monte Carlo was a very crowded tour. There were over 1000 people just from Carnival on that tour in addition to 7 other crusie ships in Port in Cannes that day!

It was not organized very well. Though we loved Monaco, we did not get enough time there and too much time in the Casino at Monte Carlo.

The Bus Pickup afterwards was terrible. People running all over the place, no crowd control and alot of impatient people trying to get out of the same place at the same time.

 

The highlight of the excusrsions was the Essence of Tuscany out of Livorno. Instead of 50 person coaches we ended up on 15 person minibuses. What a pleasure. No rush, no pushing, and what a beautiful place! The tour guide was delightful and the trip from start to finish was excellent.

 

All the horror stories you heard about Rome Airport are true. We were dropped at the airport at about 7:30 for a 12:10 Flight. There were five other cruise ships in Rome dropping there folks off. Though I found it had improved some from my visit last year, it was an adventure to say the least!

 

The food was great. We really enjoyed the pasta saute station set up on Lido for lunch. The desserts were terrific and often I was sorry I had not just eaten dessert first!

 

Our Room Stewards Parabowa and Monica were outstanding and our Waiters Ina and Fullton was too!

 

Our table mates were another Mother and Daughter (also another Cruise Critic member and just a coincidence that we were seated together)and two other women who had traveled extensively and were extremely interesting to speak with. Two other women left our table after the first night because they were disappointed there were no men at this table. We did not miss them! We had a great ime together and lot of laughs.

 

I am looking forward to another cruise aboard the Liberty in January and then again in April with Jeff.

 

I am happy to answer any questions if you have them.

 

Anna and her Mom

[luvz2run2000]

Thank you for a great review. Sounds like over all you had a positive experience. We are looking forward to our Liberty Med cruise next May. We've gathered so much helpful information from all the reviews this year.

We will be taking mostly private tours so hopefully we won't have to deal with bus problems that you had. I'm glad you didn't let that ruin your trip.

[Gale Gwinn]

We were on the Sept. 18 cruise and did Beautiful Tuscany. I couldn't decide between that one and Essence. I was wondering, did you eat lunch at the same farmhouse? What was Sienna like? Ours went to San Gimig and Volterra.

 

Everyone says the nightlife was subdued. I agree. I actually bought a pair of shoes I could dance in and only danced once!

 

Are you really going on the Liberty twice next year?!

[tbag124]

I'm glad to hear you liked the Liberty so much you're going twice in one year! That makes me extra excited for my cruise! I can't wait!

 

What type of cabin/location did you have?

 

Did you mostly have dinner in the dining room? Did you try out Harry's?

 

Thanks! Great review!! :)

[CruisefromNY]

I think my Room Steward is knocking on the door...

Nope, it's really a nightmare, I am home and I have to make my own bed and get my own dinner?

 

Anyway,

Yep, two cruises aboard Liberty planned for New Year's Day and the Liberty Castaways planned for April 1! Both of the Cabins are Wrap around on Empress Deck. We had 7440 on this trip and loved it! Quiet and the views especially leaving Venice were spectacular.

 

I forgot to mention that on the way, from Messina (?) We stopped at an active Volcano called Stromboli. Being from NY I thought a Stomboli was an Italian Delicacy bought at a Pizzeria. However, it is an active Volcano. We passed it at about 7:45 PM and did it put on a show. There is actually a small fishing village on the other side of this volcano. Something to see!

 

We ate every night in Golden Dining Room at 8PM. Harry's was not for my Mom. Maybe next cruise. Everyone who ate there said it was wonderful and worth the money.

 

The Web room was not too busy. I was able to get a computer each evening after Dinner around 9:30PM

The two Las Vegas Style shows were fantastic too. Those folks really put on a performance. Costuming and scenery, WOW!

Any more questions or comments?

 

Anna

[CTMak]

I'm glad to hear you liked the Liberty so much you're going twice in one year! That makes me extra excited for my cruise! I can't wait!

 

What type of cabin/location did you have?

 

Did you mostly have dinner in the dining room? Did you try out Harry's?

 

Thanks! Great review!! :)

 

 

We were on the Sept 6 cruise. Went to Harry's. Absolutely fantastic.... well worth the $30 pp. The chocolate dessert is to die for. The people at the next table actually took pictures of the dessert.

 

Figure out which day (we chose the Dubrovnik day because of the 5 PM sailing) and reserve early. You'll love it!

 

CTMak

[tbag124]

Any more questions or comments? Anna

 

Not yet! :) Thanks for all the info!!

 

We were on the Sept 6 cruise. Went to Harry's. Absolutely fantastic.... well worth the $30 pp. The chocolate dessert is to die for. The people at the next table actually took pictures of the dessert.

 

Figure out which day (we chose the Dubrovnik day because of the 5 PM sailing) and reserve early. You'll love it!

 

Thanks! We are doing the 6 day Western, so I've been trying to carefully plan which night in the dining room to skip to go to Harrys for my Bday dinner! :) We're thinking our 1st sea day, so I know we better reserve as soon as we get on the ship! Thanks!! :)

[Randy & Carmen]

OH anna...that's just not fair you get to sail on her twice before me!:D

[Randy & Carmen]

OH Anna...that's just not fair you get to sail on her twice before me!:D

[CruisefromNY]

I am bad, I know.......

[gelboydad]

.

We will be taking mostly private tours so hopefully we won't have to deal with bus problems that you had. I'm glad you didn't let that ruin your trip.[/quote

 

Also on same cruise.

Greatest cruise.

However on shore excursions. Don't go with Carnival excursions. go private. Get with a few critic people and schedule your own tours. You can't believe some of the stories we heard from people taking Carnival tours.

You have to do some work but the private tours are better and at half the cost.

The ship is typical. "Cant't get there from type" But it doesn't take long to figure out which way to go.

The port are the best. Your will need the 3 sea days to rest.

 

I recommend do a bunch of research. Get a few critic courner people and schedule your own tours.

[gelboydad]

.

We will be taking mostly private tours so hopefully we won't have to deal with bus problems that you had. I'm glad you didn't let that ruin your trip.[/quote

 

Also on same cruise.

Greatest cruise.

However on shore excursions. Don't go with Carnival excursions. go private. Get with a few critic people and schedule your own tours. You can't believe some of the stories we heard from people taking Carnival tours.

You have to do some work but the private tours are better and at half the cost.

The ship is typical. "Cant't get there from type" But it doesn't take long to figure out which way to go.

The port are the best. Your will need the 3 sea days to rest.

 

I recommend do a bunch of research. Get a few critic courner people and schedule your own tours.

[lv2cruz]

Can you please ( when you have time!) go into more detail of the Essence of Tuscany tour. I want to take a Tusacany tour of some sort but cant decide yet.

[blindone]

luvz2run2000--- We are also going on the May 19th cruise. There is a roll-call thread already up and running but not too active as yet. Come join us.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=190762

 

 

gelboydad-- Who are you using for private tours and how did you find them? On the Port of Call area? We have our flights all taken care of and our hotel. Going in a couple of days early and staying a couple of days after.

 

Thanks cruisefromNY for all the info. Sounds like you had a good time. This will be our first time on Carnival.

[nycruise]

Great Review! Glad you had a good time.

 

Was you cabin on Port or Starboard? Are there advantages to either?

 

Where did you dock in Venice?

 

Can Dubrovnik be done on your own, as many have said, or did you see advantages to taking the tour?

 

How was the weather this time of year, rain/sun, temps?:)

[CruisefromNY]

Well, home from work. Reality set in quickly!

 

Let's see if I can answer some questions.....

 

 

We had 7440 Port side aft wraparound. As it turns out, it was great. Venice was on the Port side leaving, so it was great! Stromboli was also on the Port side. Got to watch all the docking and undockings.

 

Weather in the 60's and 70's mostly. Rain one day in Cannes. Very warm and Humid in Barcelona.

 

Dubrovnik can definitely be done on your own. This city deserved much more time that I had. I plan on returning in the future.

 

AAAHH, the Essence of Tuscany tour. What a great tour. After the large coaches we had been using all week, we ended up in 15 person minbuses for this tour. I choose it because it traveled to the countryside into Tuscany. I love that part of Italy. We stopped in San Gimignano, a very ancient city. We stayed there for two hours. Lovely shops and great views. Price were really decent.

We stopped for lunch at a farmhouse that bottles it own wine. $3 a bottle. They grow there own olives for oil yum! and had a meal of Pasta Bolognese, prosuitto, mortadella and cheese.

We then went to Siena, for a long walking tour. The guide was wonderful. She did not hurry us and took into account the ages of the folks traveling with us. I was the youngest!!

 

Because I was traveling with my mother, I needed a structured schedule. That was the main reason I choose the Carnival excursions. I would have done more on my own if it were just Jeff and me.

 

 

That said, I definitely enjoyed the cruise. Carnival is still getting it sea legs in Europe and hopefully it was be better in the coming trips.

 

Anna

[luvz2run2000]

Blindone (and anyone else on our cruise) the link you gave is to an older/under-used roll call for our cruise. There is another one that is current and has a lot more people and activity on it.

We are organizing tours and talking about meeting places onboard already!

Come over and check it out. I don't know who we have to talk to about making the old one "poof" but let's all use the one with all the activitiy.

Here's the link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?threadid=186330

[CarlaMasterson]

My husband, and two daughters 15 and 8 will be on this cruise too. Can't wait. I haven't cruised in 12 years. This will be the first cruise for my girls. I wonder where we will go instead of Cozumel. Those poor people there. Doesn't look like there will be much let there to visit.

 

I think my Room Steward is knocking on the door...

Nope, it's really a nightmare, I am home and I have to make my own bed and get my own dinner?

 

Anyway,

Yep, two cruises aboard Liberty planned for New Year's Day and the Liberty Castaways planned for April 1! Both of the Cabins are Wrap around on Empress Deck. We had 7440 on this trip and loved it! Quiet and the views especially leaving Venice were spectacular.

 

I forgot to mention that on the way, from Messina (?) We stopped at an active Volcano called Stromboli. Being from NY I thought a Stomboli was an Italian Delicacy bought at a Pizzeria. However, it is an active Volcano. We passed it at about 7:45 PM and did it put on a show. There is actually a small fishing village on the other side of this volcano. Something to see!

 

We ate every night in Golden Dining Room at 8PM. Harry's was not for my Mom. Maybe next cruise. Everyone who ate there said it was wonderful and worth the money.

 

The Web room was not too busy. I was able to get a computer each evening after Dinner around 9:30PM

The two Las Vegas Style shows were fantastic too. Those folks really put on a performance. Costuming and scenery, WOW!

Any more questions or comments?

 

Anna

[LRene]

We were on the 9/30 sailing and did all private tours and transfers. There isn't enough GOOD I can say about this cruise. If you can take it...by ALL means do it.

 

In Naples, we had a great tour of the Amalfi Coast (including Pompeii, Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento and Ravello) from Salvatore with Drive Amalfi (*****). We had 3 8-passenger vans and covered a lot of ground. We had Salvatore hire an archaeological guide for us at Pompeii and it was well worth it. They took us to a great little family restaurant high on a hill in Ravello for lunch and it was wonderful. This was a GREAT tour.

 

Salvatore also arranged our tours (with other guides) in Messina and in Florence. In Messina, the weather was bad and we didn't make it up to Mt. Etna. In Florence, it was a great tour of Pisa and Florence. In Messina, we had a bus (had 40 people) but in Florence we were back in vans. In Florence, you DO NOT want to be in a bus. They have to park outside the city walls - same with getting close to the Leaning Tower in Pisa.

 

In Cannes, by all means do a private tour. We hired Alain with Dream Tours (infos@dream-tours.com). There are 3 drivers and we had 2 vans with Jeann Marc and Frederic as our guides. They were great and very accomodating to do whatever we wanted to do. For instance, we wanted to stay out of Nice and the traffic there so we did. My friends hired Revalation Tours in Cannes and were very happy with them as well.

 

Dubrovnik, Venice and Barcelona can easily be done on your own. That is, once you figure out the vaporettos in Venice and the Hop On/Hop Off bus in Barcelona.

 

We took a couple of Carnival transfers and they were crazy. There was a lot of complaining about their transfer from the pier to the vaporettos in Venice. I ran into some people that rode back to the ship with the captain who had also missed the last shuttle. At the end of the day, there were too many people trying to get on there. Save yourself a headache and pay the extra to take the vaporetto at the end of the pier instead of Piazzale Roma. I think it was 10 euro round trip but dropped us off right at the boat. We weren't so lucky the second day.

 

We also took the Carnival transfer into Dubrovnik which drops you right at the entrance to Old Town. In many cases, however, if there are 4 or more of you, a taxi is less expensive.

 

For transfers to and from the port or Rome, I'd recommend Stefano with Rome Cabs. All of these were accomplished and shared with Cruise Critic members so people....find your roll calls! We now have a great group of new friends and had so much fun together that we're back on the Liberty together on April 1!

 

If anyone wants more information, please email me at lezleerene@hotmail.com

 

Oh, and I almost forgot. Harrys - 5 star and great...well worth the money. I'm one of those that actually took a picture of that chocolate dessert! I still have to look at it from time to time after coming home and going on a diet!