Liberty of the Seas Staff

[dmlm1995]

We just returned from our trip on the Liberty of the Seas and have to say that the cruise was fantastic. This was not our first trip on Royal Caribbean but we have to say that the experience was different than some of the recent vacations. It was different in a very good way.

 

We wanted to challenge ourselves as to why we felt this way. Was it the ship? Was it the itinerary? Was it the weather?

 

What we found was the staff was spot on. The Captain (James), Cruise Director (Jeff), the activity staff (too many to name), Waiter (Hitesh), Asst. Waiter (Soccoro), Cabin Steward (Edna), Concierge (Carlos), and the Teen Activity Staff were all very good. They genuinely wanted everyone to have a great experience and had a wonderful attitude. Usually we find that there are a few that are good, some that try as they were instructed, but we hit the jackpot as it seemed sincere. In fact, my kids (early teens) indicated this was among the best times they have had and it was significantly better than the experience on Oasis just last year.

 

Have you ever had everyone just be exceptional?

[MsLMG]

We had the same experience aboard the Rhapsody when it was cruising Alaska several years ago.... We had always loved RCI but that crew was the best we had ever experienced. We are looking forward to sailing Liberty in October [emoji4]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Clarea]

...

Have you ever had everyone just be exceptional?

Yes, our last few cruises on Vision have been outstanding.

[39august]

Yes, we feel the same about LB staff as well. And it's always a treat when various crew members remember you, especially when it was from another cruise ship. We felt the same about the NV crew when she was in Galveston.

Edited July 25, 2016 by 39august

[iconions]

What we found was the staff was spot on. The Captain (James), Cruise Director (Jeff), the activity staff (too many to name), Waiter (Hitesh), Asst. Waiter (Soccoro), Cabin Steward (Edna), Concierge (Carlos), and the Teen Activity Staff were all very good. They genuinely wanted everyone to have a great experience and had a wonderful attitude. Usually we find that there are a few that are good, some that try as they were instructed, but we hit the jackpot as it seemed sincere. In fact, my kids (early teens) indicated this was among the best times they have had and it was significantly better than the experience on Oasis just last year.

 

Thanks so much for posting this. My DW and I are going to be on Liberty in October for our first cruise and seeing reviews about the crew like this makes the decision to cruise this year easier. We are looking forward to a week of frou-frou drinks, exotic locales, and just some good old-fashioned fun! It sounds like that the crew of Liberty will be on point for that! :)

[kernow]

We experienced it last year on Splendour and also a few years ago on Navigator when it was sailing out of Rome.

 

We mentioned the great feeling to several staff members and the general opinion seemed to be that it came from the top down. The crew felt well treated by the Captain and Hotel director and were happy in their jobs and the feeling came through to the passengers.

 

It certainly makes for a cruise to remember,

 

Julie

[BlueCollarCruiser]

Liberty otS had the most amazing MDR wait staff I've ever had. I already emailed Royal and asked to be seated with them again next month (they said they can't do that) but I figured it was worth a shot.

 

Our stateroom attendant was also amazing. We tipped them all in cash on top of the auto grats when we left and left glowing post-cruise reviews.

[George C]

Staff on Liberty and most RCCL ships is excellent, we did have a issue with one person not knowing what they were doing at future cruise desk

[rhuntington3]

That's good to hear!

[wolfganghowell]

Agree on Carlos. Very pleasant and always ready to help. Hope he will be in the SL when we are back this November. We too were very happy with the staff - only found one bartender that needed a personality injection.

[39august]

Back when LB first came to Galveston, there were so many negative comments about Carlos. Once we all got to know him and he, us, all the comments turned to positive. He is a fine concierge and the SL on LB is outstanding.

[dmlm1995]

We experienced it last year on Splendour and also a few years ago on Navigator when it was sailing out of Rome.

 

We mentioned the great feeling to several staff members and the general opinion seemed to be that it came from the top down. The crew felt well treated by the Captain and Hotel director and were happy in their jobs and the feeling came through to the passengers.

 

It certainly makes for a cruise to remember,

 

Julie

I agree with that statement. We saw the Captain walking about the ship and interacting on several occasions. It seemed that while he ran a very tight ship, it appeared the feeling between him and the crew was one of respect and very much relaxed. I did not see the crew run away or become nervous when he was around.

[dmlm1995]

Thanks so much for posting this. My DW and I are going to be on Liberty in October for our first cruise and seeing reviews about the crew like this makes the decision to cruise this year easier. We are looking forward to a week of frou-frou drinks, exotic locales, and just some good old-fashioned fun! It sounds like that the crew of Liberty will be on point for that! :)

iconions-I hope you enjoy your first cruise. I also believe a lot of the experience has to do with the right mindset. I can tell you that the parking and the port experience was not the greatest in Galveston. I knew going into the cruise that I should expect that so I let the inconvenience roll off my back which enabled the right mindset for that first drink (A Texas Tea)! Enjoy!

[dmlm1995]

We had the same experience aboard the Rhapsody when it was cruising Alaska several years ago.... We had always loved RCI but that crew was the best we had ever experienced. We are looking forward to sailing Liberty in October [emoji4]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

MsLMG-I hope your trip in October is as good as ours was. I'm jealous as I have to wait until next year!

[dmlm1995]

Back when LB first came to Galveston, there were so many negative comments about Carlos. Once we all got to know him and he, us, all the comments turned to positive. He is a fine concierge and the SL on LB is outstanding.

39august-I can see how people might have given Carlos some poor reviews as he is not as "bubbly" as others might be. However, I found that he always knew who we were, tried to provide helpful hints, always listened to our questions, and was available. I think you are right about getting to know him and agree the lounge is nice.

[iconions]

iconions-I hope you enjoy your first cruise. I also believe a lot of the experience has to do with the right mindset. I can tell you that the parking and the port experience was not the greatest in Galveston. I knew going into the cruise that I should expect that so I let the inconvenience roll off my back which enabled the right mindset for that first drink (A Texas Tea)! Enjoy!

 

Thanks for the info - luckily, I'm pretty experienced in land travel and I don't let too many things affect me. We're driving down from Kansas City and taking our time to get to Galveston. We have a place on the other side of the island to stay on Saturday night and I have my parking situation already taken care of for the week. We're gonna go get a nice Tex-Mex breakfast Sunday morning, go park the pick-'em-up truck, take the shuttle to the port, and get through the embarkation process. I'll then go get my non-alcoholic frou-frou drink (stupid migraines) and wait for the ship to leave the dock. I think I've got this! (Maybe?) LOL!!! :)

[George C]

Agree on Carlos. Very pleasant and always ready to help. Hope he will be in the SL when we are back this November. We too were very happy with the staff - only found one bartender that needed a personality injection.

 

Carlos did a great job for us also, mentioned that our dvd player had no remote and next thing we know he was knocking on our door with a remote. Love that suite lounge also , hope he is still there next year when we sail on her again

[Isaboo]

We went on Liberty in June and enjoyed it so much that we booked the same itinerary for next summer! My husband said it was the best cruise we had ever been on.

[JBSteelerfan]

I agree with that statement. We saw the Captain walking about the ship and interacting on several occasions. It seemed that while he ran a very tight ship, it appeared the feeling between him and the crew was one of respect and very much relaxed. I did not see the crew run away or become nervous when he was around.

 

AGREED!! On LOS earlier this month, a crowd was gathering in the promenade for a July 4th cake cutting ceremony, and a couple of asst. waiters were speaking highly of Capt. James when he showed up. They said how all the crew really enjoyed when he was on board and how well he cares about and takes care of his crew! Very nice to hear!

[ramja96]

I am so glad to hear this. On our last cruise (Explorer Nov. 2014), we noticed a severe decline in the staff/service. I was trying to explain it away to myself by reasoning that the crew was reaching the end of their contracts since the ship was getting ready to go into dry dock for refurbishment, and perhaps they were all getting antsy to see their families. Perhaps I was right after all. Glad to hear that overall, RCI still strives to provide that WOW experience .... unless your a past Carnival cruiser (sarcasm - it seems there's NO pleasing them). :rolleyes: :p

Edited July 26, 2016 by ramja96

[LovesCruising]

Loved Carlos - sailed with him several times on Explorer - hopefully someday on Liberty :)

[JaniceB]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us, I hope I find it the same in October.