Liberty - Review, 21 January Sailing

[CM2J2R2S]

Just a few notes on our 8 day sailing on Liberty last week with our eight kids....

 

EMBARKATION - Line ups from noon on were long outside the terminal, inside the first area and then through the second area of waiting. Waited more than ninety minutes at the desk, very slow and very difficult for check in ladies as there were many of us in our party but not all in the same room. Since we were there so long, we did notice that at 2pm, the line ups were considerably shorter than around noon.

 

COSTA MAYA - We did some geocaching near the pier to wait out the incredible downpour of rain. Never did stop so we headed out to get a cab to town. Didn't want to pay the three dollars per person as there were five of us and we thought we would be tired later in the day. We headed out on foot toward town. Once we passed the Drinking Donkey, a cab came by and said now that we had passed this establishment they could drive us for $2/person, so we accepted. I know it's only $5 difference - but it was nice of them to stop and we were pretty soaking wet. We were the only people in town. Everyone wanted us to come and shop so we browsed a lot and talked to many shopkeepers. One guy even asked us to come in - 99% off he said! Very cute... bought our vanilla from him at $15 for a large bottle. It was $25-$30 at the pier. We stayed in town for a few hours and then went back to swim at the pier and enjoy the entertainment, still in the rain. We're Canadian - so as long as it was warm, we didn't care!

 

LIMON, COSTA RICA - We did a private group tour to Almonds and Corals. Nice day, great staff, superb food, very nice beach. Half of my family went zip lining and half stayed on the beach. Due to some issues with a Carnival group showing up, we ended up getting bumped back for ziplining and thus our buses back to the ship were quite late. We arrived at the dock five minutes before departure and due to the "politicalness" of the situation, the owner of the resort came with us to ensure that we were safely onboard. A nice day, would highly recommend.

 

COLON, PANAMA - Cannot recommend highly enough - see Panama boards - we went with My Friend Mario. Excellent, excellent, excellent. The guide, Ivan, was fabulous. We did the Indian Village, Locks, Swimming in Waterfalls - appealed to all in the group. The private trip meant that we were one of 14 as opposed to one of 100. Good snacks, nice lunch in the village and very friendly people. Swimming under the falls was lovely. The locks were amazing. Watched three ships go through.

 

SEA DAYS - Rough seas, but you have to expect that from time to time, right? Shows were pretty good. We didn't much like two of them but liked all the rest. One was rescheduled due to rough sea - glad they did that, it was a great show. CD, Brent Mitchell, was okay on stage - not John Heald... but he did do an awesome job of taking care of some nasty problems with the teen social host.

 

DEBARKATION - Very efficient. We did not do self assist. No problems, no line ups. Very smooth.

 

Thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Hope you do, too.

[disneylynn]

Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for taking time to post.

I am glad to hear that you had a great time with Mario. I heard mixed reviews

and I am worried about making it back to the ship on time.

What time did you meet up with him and what time did you get back to the port? Also on the rough sea days was it so bad that people were getting sick?

Thanks again

Lynn

[CM2J2R2S]

We met up with Mario's Dad right near the shops at the far side of the pier. We were among the first off the ship as we wanted to ensure that all eleven of us would be on the same bus. No problem there at all. We were supposed to back at the port at 3.30 and were there at 3.35 exactly. The line up was very long at the gangway, so we did a little shopping while we waited.

We loved Mario's tour. My 12yob loved the Indian Village (topless women probably helped that) and the girls loved the crafts. My mom was intrigued by their lifestyle and my older group just loved the whole day. It was the favourite of most. The oldest three like ziplining in Costa Rica best - but rate this tour of a very, very close second to that. The other eight rate this as number one and Costa Rica as number two.

 

The rough sea days didn't bother any of my family at all. It just made us all walk funny. I saw a lot of people with ear patches but didn't hear of anyone getting sick.

 

We had excellent service onboard. Found the staff extremely friendly. Noticed a lot of cleaning... spot cleaning of hallway carpets one day and full steam cleaning another day. We even saw them cleaning through the grates and shining the pillars!

 

Chocolate buffet was great.

 

We watched a movie (Harry Potter) and half (Nemo) on the videotron before the shows with our youngest girls.

 

Melissa

[disneylynn]

Thank you for answering my questions

[CM2J2R2S]

No problem. Are you still booked for 70 with Mario?

[PaulMedik]

 

Thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Hope you do, too.

 

 

CM2J2R2s:

 

 

Thank you for the review.

'

We've got just under ten weeks to go and waiting is, as I'm sure you know, agonizing. :(

 

Was there any talk of the ship going to an alternate port instead of Costa Maya?

[dromMOM]

Just a few notes on our 8 day sailing on Liberty last week with our eight kids....

 

EMBARKATION - Line ups from noon on were long outside the terminal, inside the first area and then through the second area of waiting. Waited more than ninety minutes at the desk, very slow and very difficult for check in ladies as there were many of us in our party but not all in the same room. Since we were there so long, we did notice that at 2pm, the line ups were considerably shorter than around noon.

 

COSTA MAYA - We did some geocaching near the pier to wait out the incredible downpour of rain. Never did stop so we headed out to get a cab to town. Didn't want to pay the three dollars per person as there were five of us and we thought we would be tired later in the day. We headed out on foot toward town. Once we passed the Drinking Donkey, a cab came by and said now that we had passed this establishment they could drive us for $2/person, so we accepted. I know it's only $5 difference - but it was nice of them to stop and we were pretty soaking wet. We were the only people in town. Everyone wanted us to come and shop so we browsed a lot and talked to many shopkeepers. One guy even asked us to come in - 99% off he said! Very cute... bought our vanilla from him at $15 for a large bottle. It was $25-$30 at the pier. We stayed in town for a few hours and then went back to swim at the pier and enjoy the entertainment, still in the rain. We're Canadian - so as long as it was warm, we didn't care!

 

LIMON, COSTA RICA - We did a private group tour to Almonds and Corals. Nice day, great staff, superb food, very nice beach. Half of my family went zip lining and half stayed on the beach. Due to some issues with a Carnival group showing up, we ended up getting bumped back for ziplining and thus our buses back to the ship were quite late. We arrived at the dock five minutes before departure and due to the "politicalness" of the situation, the owner of the resort came with us to ensure that we were safely onboard. A nice day, would highly recommend.

 

COLON, PANAMA - Cannot recommend highly enough - see Panama boards - we went with My Friend Mario. Excellent, excellent, excellent. The guide, Ivan, was fabulous. We did the Indian Village, Locks, Swimming in Waterfalls - appealed to all in the group. The private trip meant that we were one of 14 as opposed to one of 100. Good snacks, nice lunch in the village and very friendly people. Swimming under the falls was lovely. The locks were amazing. Watched three ships go through.

 

SEA DAYS - Rough seas, but you have to expect that from time to time, right? Shows were pretty good. We didn't much like two of them but liked all the rest. One was rescheduled due to rough sea - glad they did that, it was a great show. CD, Brent Mitchell, was okay on stage - not John Heald... but he did do an awesome job of taking care of some nasty problems with the teen social host.

 

DEBARKATION - Very efficient. We did not do self assist. No problems, no line ups. Very smooth.

 

Thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Hope you do, too.

 

Melissa what was the problem with the Teen Host??

[fla gang]

I just returned from the 6 day Liberty, and this is the first time I must say the evening buffet was terrible. I have been on 4 other carnival ships and this was the first to only have one buffet station in the evening with a very limited selection. Ship was very clean, shows were very good, dining room food was good. I had late seating and from the time we ordered, until we were finished was always at least 2hrs. Very slow service. Casino was good and bad. Some days I did great , others were terrible. Thats why it's called gambling. Hopefully Mr D will resolve the Liberty issues.

 

 

Barry

[dromMOM]

I just returned from the 6 day Liberty, and this is the first time I must say the evening buffet was terrible. I have been on 4 other carnival ships and this was the first to only have one buffet station in the evening with a very limited selection. Ship was very clean, shows were very good, dining room food was good. I had late seating and from the time we ordered, until we were finished was always at least 2hrs. Very slow service. Casino was good and bad. Some days I did great , others were terrible. Thats why it's called gambling. Hopefully Mr D will resolve the Liberty issues.

 

 

Barry

 

Barry did you also have the midnight mexican buffet besides the main midnight buffet?? did you think both were bad

We just took pics of the manin buffet..didnt eat there..did have the mexican.. it was interesting..

[4me-itstheC]

Melissa what was the problem with the Teen Host??

 

Ok you have peaked my curiousity as well- What was the problem w/the teen social host? Enquiring minds wanna know!!:D

 

Carmel

[NancAngel]

Hi 2 quick questions which night are the formal nights and when is the chocolate buffet..i missed it last year on the Valor :(

[dromMOM]

Ok you have peaked my curiousity as well- What was the problem w/the teen social host? Enquiring minds wanna know!!:D

 

Carmel

My Opinion....

I had a lovely chat with her. Her background is impressive. She is a graduate from Northwestern University and she finished in 3 years! Had a career and decided she was young and wanted to experience things before focusing on her final career.

 

During her Northwestern years she worked weekends for a popular DJ in the area and perfomed at the area schools and Bar Mitzvah parties.. She knows all the hot dances and does them well as we have seen her perfom in our area.

 

She knows how to keep the party going.

I would be very curious what she did that was a problem.

 

She told me dealing with kids 15 to 17 is a difficult age. She can't stop them from drinking.. smoking etc.. She is not their parent.. she tries to give them a starting point for activities.. and keep things under control.

Teens then tend to go off on her own. My 15yr old enjoyed many of the activities she initiated. He said of course there were older sibllings buying drinks for younger ones.. who would bring it in the disco in a plastic ship drink bottle that would be used by the pool. When she would catch the person she did ask them to leave. The activites have a basis of structure but it is only to get the teens to mix and mingle for an hour or so to hook up and then go off on their own. There were multiple opportunities like this throughout the cruise for those that were interested.

[dromMOM]

Hi 2 quick questions which night are the formal nights and when is the chocolate buffet..i missed it last year on the Valor :(

 

Heads up on the Chocolate buffet it is in the afternoon. Everything is in the capers..

 

Formal on the 6 day or 8day?

[smithblat]

Was the Teen Director Abra??

I was on the 1/15 sailing and I found her very rude, and condescending. She ran one of the social games (for adults) and she was treating us like we were teenagers. We saw her most nights in the disco dancing with her officer boyfriend.

[NancAngel]

Heads up on the Chocolate buffet it is in the afternoon. Everything is in the capers..

 

Formal on the 6 day or 8day?

8 day

[disneylynn]

Hey Nancy

The formal nights are on sunday and friday night

Lynn

[NancAngel]

Thaks Lynn, I thought that when they were but wanted to double check with someone who had been on an 8 day.. most of the cruises on the Liberty have been 6 days..lol or the med cruises

[dromMOM]

Was the Teen Director Abra??

I was on the 1/15 sailing and I found her very rude, and condescending. She ran one of the social games (for adults) and she was treating us like we were teenagers. We saw her most nights in the disco dancing with her officer boyfriend.

 

 

Well I guess she is spending too much time in "Without Batteries"!

She has spent so many years working with Teens...

When I taught I sometimes caught my self using my TEACHER VOICE to adults!

 

Its a shame she was rude to you. That is really unacceptable. I have had that happen once on the Valor. I didn't let the person get away with it. I immediatly let them know that I found their response rude.

Again the teacher in me...talking. They appologized and bent over backwards the rest of the cruise.

 

But I have seen plenty of adults acting like teenagers, when they have consumed a bit of alcohol and it might help influence her behavior. I have seen other program directors behave the same way. Especially at sailaway after half the ship has had a few too many FOOFOO drinks in their system.

 

 

She does love to dance...and I would assume they had the ships persmission to dance together or her cruising life will certainly be cut short:eek: