Liberty 3-night on 8/16/18

[ZoeyVictoria]

My SO and I booked this cruise just six days in advance, to celebrate the end of major kitchen and laundry room renovations. We originally planned to go to a water park and spend the night in Tampa, but the price of the cruise was so reasonable that we upgraded this mini-vacation to a cruise. We are both in our sixties, retired, and live in Central Florida. This was his third cruise and my fifty-second.

 

We had an easy two-hour drive to the port, dropped off our luggage to a porter (who clearly stated that he expected a tip), drove into the parking garage, found a spot very close to the elevator, and headed into the terminal. We saw a sign as we left the garage that caused some confusion. Our interpretation was that the sign said to take our parking ticket with us and pay on the ship. I went back to the car for the ticket, later put it into the safe, and never heard/saw anything about paying for parking until we disembarked and returned to the garage. At that time we saw kiosks to pay for parking as we walked into the garage; there was an attendant standing there who seemed disinterested in actually providing any assistance, but it was a fairly quick and easy process to pay with cash or credit card. The receipt provided isn't enough to actually get released from the garage, though, as the attendant insisted on the original bar-coded ticket also (the one that we scanned to determine how much was owed).

 

Our check-in time was late (12:30 - 1:00) because we booked this cruise just a few days prior to sailing, but we arrived at 11:00 anyway. There were two signs pointing in the same direction, one for on-time and one for late/early arrivals. There was no line and nobody even looked at the check-in time on our boarding passes. We sailed through security and check-in and were seated with a boarding zone 11 ticket just as FTTF was being called. The doors to the hallways were opened promptly at 1:30 and we found our cards in the mailbox.

 

We had lunch at the BBQ place on deck 10, where there was just one other person when we arrived and approximately six when we left. The buffet did not seem to be nearly as chaotic as usual, though, a trend that continued throughout the cruise.

 

We were assigned to late dining because we booked the cruise so late, so I went to the specified area at the correct time to ask to be changed. I stated the medical reason that we needed to eat earlier, our cabin number was added to a hand-written list of about four other cabins, and we were told to report to the Silver Olympian dining room at 6:40 p.m. At that time, we would be assigned to a table where there were no-shows, and that would be our table for the length of the cruise. We arrived that night at 6:40, agreed to share a table and were shown to a table for four, where the other couple were halfway through their entrees. We explained why we were late, and they had no problem sitting with us to converse though our dinner. The lesson here is that before we skip the MDR on our first night on the Paradise next month to be on deck as we pass under the Skyway Bridge, we need to let them know that we will be there the next four nights so our table will not be given away forty minutes after we don't show up the first night.

 

Speaking of food... we found almost everything to be good or very good. There were some misses (bbq personnel had no smile or interest in our presence, some of the baked beans were still crunchy, temperatures of some things weren't quite right, sweet and sour fried shrimp for dinner and then fries at the sea day brunch were soggy and steak was tough, etc.), but overall we didn't dwell on the misses and it was still way better than hunting and gathering groceries, cooking, serving, and cleaning up dinner at home. My SO is allergic to shellfish, so I use cruises as a way to enjoy shrimp, clams, and crab cakes. On two nights I ordered one appetizer for my actual appetizer, then two more appetizers as my entree.

 

Lines were almost non-existent on the entire cruise. Buffet was busy at breakfast, but not even close to chaotic and we had no trouble finding a table. We caught just the last few minutes of the Welcome Aboard show (due to our late start at early dining), the juggler/comedian on night two, and America Rocks the last night with no problems at all in finding good seats. We were able to go to the comedy shows twice (one PG and one adult-only) and easily find seats; on our Liberty cruise in January, we managed to stand in line for a long time and then walk through the over-capacity lounge before giving up and leaving. I don't think the cruise was at capacity, based on the lack of lines and crowds. There were a few more children than I normally see because I don't cruise during spring or summer breaks, but not as many as expected for the middle of August. Twice we entered an elevator where all of the buttons had been pushed, but not much else in the way of bad behavior, with the exception of 3:15 a.m. on the last night, when our phone rang twice and then we heard an adult run past our cabin in both directions; I assume somebody was looking for a friend/relative/cabin mate.

 

Our table mates stated they would not be eating in the MDR on elegant night because they did not bring proper clothing; we told them to stand outside the MDR for a few minutes and observe what others were wearing because we expected others to be wearing shorts and they would fit it just fine. They did not come to the table, but we were watching other people arrive and noticed just one man wearing shorts (just to be clear, we absolutely don't care what others wear, we were just aware of it because of our table mate bringing it up).

 

This was my 25th visit to Nassau. I have done snorkeling tours, day passes at resorts, and spent time at Atlantis in the casino in the past, but this was my first time at Junkanoo Beach. We both enjoyed it. From his perspective (third cruise), my SO found it to be a beautiful beach. I wouldn't use the word beautiful (in comparison to Trunk Bay, Paradise Beach in Cozumel, or Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman, etc.) but I found it to be fun and enjoyable (it is just a matter of personal perspective). The water was absolutely wonderful. We intended to go to the Tiki Bikini Hut but apparently overshot it and wound up at the Water Sports area immediately next to it, so we rented chairs and an umbrella from them. The attendant asked for $35, I politely and respectfully negotiated, and we settled for $30. We had intended to eat there or at the Fish Fry, but it was so hot that neither of us felt like eating, so we just got a drink. In an ironic nod to our cruise being a celebration of the completion of major DIY home renovations, our attendant's name was Sherwin Williams :D

 

We had a great time and wouldn't hesitate to take this cruise again. I retired sixteen months ago and thought I would be taking only longer cruises from that point on, but three nights was perfect for us this time.

[serene56]

do you recall the movies on the big screen>

 

 

thanks for the review

[ZoeyVictoria]

do you recall the movies on the big screen>

 

 

thanks for the review

 

Thanks for reminding me of another “first” I experienced on this cruise. The first night was comedy night, with Coco at 7 p.m. and The Book Club at 9 p.m., or at least close to those times. We saw Book Club, our first time watching a movie on deck and it was really pleasant. Sorry, on the other nights shows interfered with movie times and I just don’t remember what the movies were.

[serene56]

Thanks for reminding me of another “first” I experienced on this cruise. The first night was comedy night, with Coco at 7 p.m. and The Book Club at 9 p.m., or at least close to those times. We saw Book Club, our first time watching a movie on deck and it was really pleasant. Sorry, on the other nights shows interfered with movie times and I just don’t remember what the movies were.

 

 

LOL all i cared about is a kids movie lol we wanted our littles to sit out there one night

[cruisewiththekids]

What time were you able to board in relation to when you mentioned they were calling FTTF?

 

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[ZoeyVictoria]

What time were you able to board in relation to when you mentioned they were calling FTTF?

 

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

We were walking away from the car at 10:56, so we must have been walking through the door just before 11:00. There was nobody in front of us at either Security or the check in desk, then we sat down and immediately heard the call for FTTF. I am certain it was ten minutes or less when they called Zone 11. We had finished a leisurely lunch by 11:50. We weren’t sitting there long enough to feel the need to check the time, sorry I don’t have a more precise answer.

[PhillyFan33579]

I was on the same cruise. We were seated at the atrium bar at 11:10 AM on embarkation day.

 

Michael Macy’s late comedy show on Friday night was by far the most crowded I have ever seen a lounge for a comedy show. There were literally people standing along every wall in the lounge. When Baby Jane, the Punchliner hostess started the show introduction, the first thing she said was “is everything else on the ship closed”. No doubt the crowd was due to Michael Macy. I have seen him on several cruises and he is one of the best comedians I have seen on Carnival.

 

To the OP, glad you got to see Dana Tison’s juggling show. Best show I have seen on Carnival in years.

[riclop]

Thanks for the report.

[DaisyGirl55]

Thanks for the review! My DH and I are sailing in November for a quickie birthday cruise. I love living in Florida and being able to drive to a port and then be on a ship for 3 or 4 days.

 

I am still working, but retirement is just around the corner. While I love the longer cruises, I also love just unplugging for the weekend and sitting out on the deck breathing in that salty air and watching the sun set. Ahhh...best way to relax ever!

 

Some folks tell me that these cruises are too short as they are over before they begin. With 47 cruises completed, I take these weekenders just for the R&R and stay on the ship the entire time. Living in Florida with 5 cruise ports does have its perks!

[beachbum6264]

Living in Florida with 5 cruise ports does have its perks!

 

Amen!!

[ZoeyVictoria]

Amen!!

 

Living in Florida with 5 cruise ports does have its perks!

 

I moved to Ocala last year after 17 years in Naples, so I am enjoying being closer to Tampa and Port Canaveral for short cruises. Also might try Jacksonville if something new and different comes up.

[Megan_Strick]

We live only 3 hours from PC so we do a lot of 3 day cruises. Its just a long weekend to us and perfect. 14 days and I will be on the Liberty again

[matt082600]

Thank you for your review. I'm glad you had a nice trip.

[grima625]

Thank you for the review. We will be on the Liberty next month, and are looking forward to the 4 days of relaxation. We live just outside of Tampa, so we enjoy being close to the ports.

[Jenn1974]

Thanks for this great review. My son and I leave on the 3 night one week from today and I Just booked it 2 weeks ago. I am pretty excited. It will be my second 3 night on the Liberty.

[Jenn1974]

I was on the same cruise. We were seated at the atrium bar at 11:10 AM on embarkation day.

 

Michael Macy’s late comedy show on Friday night was by far the most crowded I have ever seen a lounge for a comedy show. There were literally people standing along every wall in the lounge. When Baby Jane, the Punchliner hostess started the show introduction, the first thing she said was “is everything else on the ship closed”. No doubt the crowd was due to Michael Macy. I have seen him on several cruises and he is one of the best comedians I have seen on Carnival.

 

To the OP, glad you got to see Dana Tison’s juggling show. Best show I have seen on Carnival in years.

 

Wow that is an awesome time to be aboard on embarkation day. I am hoping son and I Have such luck next week. Did you have fttf?

[PhillyFan33579]

Wow that is an awesome time to be aboard on embarkation day. I am hoping son and I Have such luck next week. Did you have fttf?

 

My wife and I are Platinum so we get priority boarding; however passengers with FTTF were not far behind us.

[Jenn1974]

My wife and I are Platinum so we get priority boarding; however passengers with FTTF were not far behind us.

Awesome. Thanks. I hope to reach Platinum some day but with all the short cruises I take its gonna take a while. LOL

[ZoeyVictoria]

Wow that is an awesome time to be aboard on embarkation day. I am hoping son and I Have such luck next week. Did you have fttf?

 

The Liberty was the only ship in port that day. There were no other cars dropping off luggage while we were there at 10:50 and nobody else driving in the parking garage with us. I kept saying, “Where is everybody?”, then we walked into the waiting area and I saw where they were - they were ahead of us! Definitely a good cruise to arrive early for.

[ZoeyVictoria]

I forgot to mention the cabin and steward. The room we booked was in a great location to be available just six days in advance. My PVP said it must have been cancelled at the last minute and when we received a card that said, “ Happy Anniversary, Madison and Brandon!”, we knew for sure because we are not Madison and Brandon. Just by coincidence, it is two doors down from the cabin we booked on the Conquest in December. Now I know not to bother looking for a better location for that cruise, because the location was great.

 

For the first time, I never saw our steward until the last night of the cruise. Almost met him earlier, as I had just stepped out of the shower that morning when I heard a knock just before the cabin door was opened. Thank goodness the bathroom door was open and shielded me from view while we discussed when he should return. There were towel animals at night and in the morning, a total of four on a three night cruise. I thought it was odd that he and a helper were doing a pretty thorough cleaning on the last night. We arrived while they were working, stood in the hall for several minutes, and finally gave up waiting. There was vacuuming, bathroom cleaning, and extended fussing with the bed going on. I wondered if they were going to skip some of those activities between guests the next morning.

[ProgRockCruiser]

We live only 3 hours from PC so we do a lot of 3 day cruises. Its just a long weekend to us and perfect. 14 days and I will be on the Liberty again

We are about 50 min from PC, so that is by far our preferred Port. But we do have one booked out of Tampa next year - a cruise to Cuba. It seems like a nice change of pace from the other Caribbean ports we have or will hit on other cruises.

[ZoeyVictoria]

We are about 50 min from PC, so that is by far our preferred Port. But we do have one booked out of Tampa next year - a cruise to Cuba. It seems like a nice change of pace from the other Caribbean ports we have or will hit on other cruises.

 

At first I didn’t think I wanted to try Cuba, but have since changed my mind and hope to get there before it changes. Be sure to be out on the highest deck when the ship passes under the Skyway Bridge, about 1 hour 40 minutes after leaving port. I skip the MDR the first night out of Tampa for that. On one cruise I (accidentally) stayed up until 1:30 a.m. but still set the alarm for 4:30 to see it again on the way back in (then got up at 7:00 to leave the ship, and I am not a young woman anymore!). Probably 200 people on deck going out (great atmosphere), just two of us on the return. Very special in both directions.

[tandemcruzr]

Really enjoyed your review. Hope the America Rocks show is still there next February.

 

 

We are doing a 4day, 3 day, 4 day B2B2B. When in Nassau, we are Junkanoo fans primarily for the jerk wings cooked fresh by Mr. Richard. If he's not there we head to the Fish Fry area.

[RebaDogMom]

Do you happen to have any Fun Times that you could post?

[ProgRockCruiser]

At first I didn’t think I wanted to try Cuba, but have since changed my mind and hope to get there before it changes. Be sure to be out on the highest deck when the ship passes under the Skyway Bridge, about 1 hour 40 minutes after leaving port. I skip the MDR the first night out of Tampa for that. On one cruise I (accidentally) stayed up until 1:30 a.m. but still set the alarm for 4:30 to see it again on the way back in (then got up at 7:00 to leave the ship, and I am not a young woman anymore!). Probably 200 people on deck going out (great atmosphere), just two of us on the return. Very special in both directions.

Thanks for the tips on the Skyway Bridge! That would be a cool thing to catch right before dinner (we have always selected Early Dining), assuming we sail right at 4pm.