Just back from Liberty of the Seas New Year's Cruise

[ckmommy]

Hi Friends,

 

Just got home from our family cruise. So much has happened on this cruise--some really really awesome, cool stuff, some not so good and some being the worst possible experiences/treatment ever. I have tons of photos and a video I can share if anyone is interested. Mostly food pictures though!

 

Going to switch out the wash loads and start a quick report with pictures if I can relearn how to do that.

[matj2000]

You should just do a quick review and outline the good/bad things.

 

Don't bother with photo's, it's already been done over & over.

 

Especially the food..

[Sohealthy]

You should just do a quick review and outline the good/bad things.

 

Don't bother with photo's, it's already been done over & over.

 

Especially the food..

 

Speak for yourself. I for one would be highly interested in seeing the food pics.

[Shekim]

Speak for yourself. I for one would be highly interested in seeing the food pics.

 

I agree; I love pictures...even food pictures

[matj2000]

Speak for yourself. I for one would be highly interested in seeing the food pics.

 

Do a search on this site of "food pictures".

 

It will bring up hundreds of ongoing threads on that very subject.

 

All of the ships have the same menus.........

[maggieq]

I agree; I love pictures...even food pictures

 

I love reading all reviews and looking at all pictures too

Edited January 2, 2017 by maggieq

[maryjaden]

Agree. I like reviews with photos, then I don't have to do other searches for reviews with photos. This way it is all in one place.

[Sohealthy]

Do a search on this site of "food pictures".

 

It will bring up hundreds of ongoing threads on that very subject.

 

All of the ships have the same menus.........

 

I still like to see the new pics, especially as menus are starting to change on some ships. To each his/her own. Those of us who enjoy those pics can do so and those who don't can simply scroll past them.

[Ladysilver]

Looking forward to reading your review and seeing your pics! :D

[ckmommy]

Quick review:

 

Positives:

--Clean ship

 

--No Noro breakout!! That has happened on our previous family cruises

 

--Ship sold out--but did not feel like it. Lots of space on board and the lines were minimal

 

--Had 2 Grand Suites and an inside for our families--the GS renovation was beautiful. Had 5 people in each GS and still had enough room to move around and plenty of storage. The Bathroom was huge!! You almost needed a step to get into the tub.

 

--Suite lounge was great--Never had a problem finding seats.

IMG_2075 by ckmommy4, on Flickr[/img]

 

--All the chairs were being replaced

IMG_1946 by ckmommy4, on Flickr[/img]

There were several nights that nothing looked all that great--on the whole menu. The windjammer was consistent. It was good but the same daily.

 

--Our concierge Anis--was OK but not memorable at all.

 

--Suite lounge food--OK--way better on our last cruise.

 

--Photo sittings--we tried to get our picture taken a lot. Felt rushed many times and a few sittings with the whole family one one photo was taken. With 14--including 8 kids--many more than 1 photo needed to be taken.

 

--Offerings from the Cafe--no cookies to be found except coconut macaroons. Tried 3x with no luck

 

The Bad

--No way blaming RCCL on this--FOG!! Delayed in boarding--which caused huge lines and mad people being RUDE!!!!!! Swearing, cutting in line, lying to TSA about their documents being checked, computer system going down--all of this made for a very long day. Did not board ship until 4:30--set sail the next day at 2 pm. The crew looked stressed! Totally get it, but at least put a fake smile on and say hello.

 

--VOOM internet--I think when I had dial up I had better speeds. I can't believe that we paid for this!! RCCL you need to do better!

 

--just a word of warning--the dead bolt will be unlocked when a key is inserted. My boys walked in on me changing in the inside room. Let me tell you there is nowhere to hide when that happens. Use the do not disturb sign!!

 

--Our table situation in the main dining room--we were supposed to have a table for 14 at the 8 pm seating. When we checked in our family was split into 3 dining times and 3 dining rooms. Went to Anis, the concierge, to get this fixed a few hours after we boarded. He assured us this would be fixed. We went to Chops to avoid this. Dinner the 2nd night--we had 2 tables. Not happy. Day 3 2 tables--the head waiter promised to fix this the next day. But, day 4 came and now we had 2 super angry waiters-- because of the way the tables were originally set up , we had 2 waiters. Now that the tables were put together, they would have to work together. Well, that was for sure a problem and were were told that! Nothing like feeling like you've done something wrong while you are eating dinner. Talk about uncomfortable!

 

The worst thing that happened was in Giovanni's for breakfast (the first morning but day 2). As suite guests, we are able to eat here everyday for breakfast. No crowds and searching for a table in the windjammer. Well, we went to check in, and Marcella (or something like that) asked what we wanted? Uhh to sit down for breakfast. Well, there are too many of you. No, we have 2 suites. So, she needed to see everyone's cards. No problem--except it was a problem because the way our room reservations were one of my kids looked like he was supposed to be in the inside room. The night before, we tried to get him a gold key printed by Anis, but the printer was not working. Well, that was a big no, no for this lady. She made it well known that we should not be there and that we would have to pay $15 for all the people that did not have a gold card. I explained that I knew this policy, but we were all in suites! She rolled her eyes, continued telling us that we'd have to pay and that we should be eating in the Windjammer. So, we finally sit down--no one else is in the restaurant. NO ONE! We got menus and ordered (we did the menu ordering on our last cruise--in Chops though--and it was so nice). It took 1 hour---- 1 hour ---for us to get 4 scrambled egg plates, and 2 eggs benedict. Not toast, no fruit, no bacon--which should have come with the eggs. We ate quickly and headed out. Marcella refused to even look at us as we left. Well, that set my mom off--and the crying started and she could not stop! Being embarrassed like that and the poor service for a very expensive New Year's eve cruise was deplorable! With my mom in tears, I headed back inside to have a few words with Marcella! I asked for her name and told her how very rude she was. I did not realize that the manager was standing right there and heard everything I said. Her apologized and came out and talk with my mom. At that point there was little that could be done to calm the tears down. We were told that this would be corrected and sent on our way. We did get a call 2 days later inviting us to come back, but we never did go back.

 

 

All in all, we had an amazing time! The ports were great. The kids all met some new friends that they are texting as I type this. I would love to do another New Year's cruise again one day! You can for sure see a difference in the cost cutting happening with RCCL. It is too bad. They have the most pretty ships, but long time cruisers are going notice the differences. First time cruisers may or may not notice, but they will certainly not be coming back for the food!

 

We are going a a quick Carnival cruise in a month. We have never sailed with them. I have always thought of Carnival as a little lower call than Royal. It will be interesting to do a side by side comparison when I get home!

Edited January 3, 2017 by ckmommy

[MaiseyM]

Good rundown. Thank you. This helps b/c I just booked Liberty for next year. I have recently taken my family on two Oasis class ships and was going to try something different. Happy the rooms are great and you like all the updates, new sun chairs... but the food and internet worries me. I know some may say to not worry about internet (you're on vacation!), but my kids/teens are snap chatting and we use our FaceTime audio to stay in touch. Good internet makes our cruising easier. I'm curious if the food is any different from Harmony/Oasis. I know it's so subjective, but that foamy gelatinous desert you showed made me wonder. My boys were fans of ordering a few deserts on Harmony. I thought the food on Oasis ships were good/not great. Good enough though.

 

Huge bummer about the fog and the stress it brought on everyone. Marcella should have calmed down though. What's up with that?! Thanks for the review. I'll keep reading more liberty reviews to keep me informed if I want to stay on Liberty or go to another Oasis ship.

 

Oh~ and congrats on a Noro Free cruise. We celebrated this recently, as our previous one had a Noro in the family. We were a little more paranoid this time and washing nonstop.

Edited January 3, 2017 by MaiseyM

[fdthird]

Sorry you had issues with breakfast, but dont you think they hear the same story from folks who are trying to get something for nothing a lot?

[gkbiiii]

Sorry you had issues with breakfast, but dont you think they hear the same story from folks who are trying to get something for nothing a lot?

 

Seriously, I think this is total BS: how much do you suppose, this family with two Grand Suites paid for this New Year's cruise??? I will give you a hint, the highest price of the year. Yet, the employees still treat these high paying VIP guests like Dog Poop, while giving them pathetic food quality/service for a New Years cruise.

 

I mean, for the rates charged, this is the absolute best, Royal Caribbean can do? I have considered spending the money on a holiday cruise, I will skip it with Royal, and save the $$$$$!!

Edited January 3, 2017 by gkbiiii

[spookwife]

Seriously, I think this is total BS: how much do you suppose, this family with two Grand Suites paid for this New Year's cruise??? I will give you a hint, the highest price of the year. Yet, the employees still treat these high paying VIP guests like Dog Poop, while giving them pathetic food quality/service for a New Years cruise.

 

I mean, for the rates charged, this is the absolute best, Royal Caribbean can do? I have considered spending the money on a holiday cruise, I will skip it with Royal, and save the $$$$$!!

 

 

Nobody gives a flying leap how much was spent.

 

The People / kids booked into the inside were NOT authorized to eat in Chops as they were not gold card holders. Notice I say BOOKED. Nobody cares that you switched sleeping arrangements on board.

 

If they wanted to eat as a family then by policy the ones not in the suite had to pay the 15 bucks.

 

Now maybe the staff wasn't nice about it, but neither were they obligated to waive the fees or even allow the non suite guests in at all

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[George C]

There is a big sign saying gold card only for breakfast if you do not have card you pay. Looking forward to our breakfast's in April. ( hate when we over sleep and miss it)

[ckmommy]

I do have to add--when we booked RCCL said (in an email) that the kids (Minors)--all 12 and under would have the same privileges as the adults with suite perks. And, Anis did say that the Gold card for the minor children would not be needed for Giovanni's the next day (the only perk the kids would use) since the machine to make the card was broken--the kids were under the adults anyhow. The whole thing should have been a non issue.

[39august]

Guess I just don't understand why you think those booked in inside rooms should have gold cards issued. Or why you think that the "gold cards only" sign for breakfast should be ignored. We've done the "gold card" breakfast many times on LB and always had great service and great food.

[ckmommy]

Horrible staff and service in Giovanni's on this cruise. And, I do feel the kids should be able to come when RCCL and the Suite Concierge said this is policy for them. We were not trying to get away with anything.

 

This did not ruin our cruise or stay by any means. But it should be noted as to what happened in Giovanni's for others cruising with small kids and given the policy RCCL has for them when in a different room than parents in suites.

[easyboy]

Thank you for your objective review.

[BettyPC]

We sail both Royal and Carnival - just back from Royal & go on Carnival in 1 month! I too am looking forward to seeing how they compare- Its usually 6 months or so between cruises.