Just Back: Carnival Liberty

[stevenr597]

We recently got back from the Carnival Liberty, crusing the Eastern Carribbean. Here is a brief review:

 

Embarkation: We are Plantinum level cruisers and had VIP boarding. We arrived at the terminal at ll:30 A.M. and parked our car in the new covered goverage and took a shuttle bus over to the new Carnival Terminal. Our boarding was expedited. Total time between arriving at the ship and eating lunch on te Lido Deck was less than 1 hour. Fantastic!!!

 

Room: We had a balcony cabin on the Empress Deck. Room was large with a separate sofa. Our Cabin Steward William introduced himself, he took the time to inform us as to the perks were were provied in that we were Plantinu cruises.

 

Ship: Whatcan one say. The Conquest class of Carnival ships are amoung the prettiest ships in the industry. Although the ship was "full", over three thousand people, it did not feel croweded. We never had a problem finding a seat in the Lido dining room, or a lounge chair on the deck (although Carnival's lounge chairs can definitely be improved)

 

Lido Food: Excellent. We have observed in the paston other cruises that te quality of the food has declined. The Liberty seems to have reversed the trend. One chef was cutting a beef roast. There was a separate line for Mongolian Barbaque. Another set of lines had the international dishes of the day and there were several stations for hamburgers, hot-dogs (which were quite good), onion rings, frech fries, and each check stripts (which were excellent). Again service was excellent, the lines were not long and the dining room was immaculate.

 

At breakfash you could have the omlette of your choice at a separate sttion. There was the usual French Toast, Pancases, and waffles. A large display of fruit and numerous breads. Again excellent quality and quantity.

 

Dining Rooms: We ate on the second floor of the Silver Olympian Room. Beautiful surroundings. Our waiter, Abadi and Co-Waiter, Alfredo, were excellent. Great service, and unlike several other boarts were were never rushed. The food was amoung the best we had, would compare in quality to both Princess and Celebrity. The Lobster Tail was large and delicious and without our asking, Abadi offered us a second. I had Espresso, at no charge, every night. The wine list was great, The only complaint I had was that there should be a greater variety of deserts (how many times can you have the chocolate melting cake?)

 

Atrium: Beautiful. There was a string quartert every night with beautiful music. Nice place to have a drink before dinner. One couple took advantage to do ballroom dancing almost every nightin the atrium, Very classy

 

Nightclub: Two story masterpiece. We had two broadway level shows. The perfomers, especially the dancers were fantastic. In fact my daughter met many of the dancers working outin the Spa during th day to keep in shape. We had not prlblem finding a seatwith an excellent view.

 

Other bars: Loved the cigar bar. My children (who are both adults) loved the Piano Bar. It seemed that a nice group of people formed there every night and it was a great place to be entertained. The Disco was also a great night spot.

 

Lido Deck: At 11:00 P.M. they opened for a "midnight snack" Despite all the good food there were peple, incluindg myself and my wife who did have snack there.

 

Breakfast in the dining room: We had one breakfast in the Golden Olympian Room. Service was excellent. Food was good. It is a nice chainge if you didn't want to wait on line at the Lido.

 

Activities duirng the day while at sea: My wife and I prefer a more quite place which we found at the stern with no problem. Plenty of the usual Carnival Activites (hairy chest contest) which many people love.

 

Surprisingly not to many announcesment during the days, and while present the waiters did not constantly ask you to buy a drink. The rear pool can be enclosed for inclement weather. Pools are small, but very nice.

 

Spa and gym: My daughter who is a particpates in Triathilons loved it. Great place to work out. The Conquest Ships have some of the nicest Spas at sea,

 

Cruise Directors: Steve, one of the best in the business. Was very friendly and approachable.

 

Have to go. Will provide another report in regards to iternary.

[tbone81]

I'll be on the Liberty in a month, thanks for the review! Looking forward to the itinerary review!

[phinfan63]

Looking forward to hearing about the ports.

[GlendaleCruiser]

Will be on the Liberty next May or September, depending on our choice now that the May Med was cancelled.

 

Appreciate the information and review.

[earlethepearl]

great review! I also am doing the Eastern coming up on Liberty. You wouldn't happen to have your capers you could post would you? thanks!

[bemarshall]

Thank you ... we leave on Saturday!!! I'm so glad to read such a wonderful review.

 

Did your children happen to mention if the piano player said he would be leaving the ship this week? From the thread on this board regarding the status of the piano players, it looks like he was scheduled to leave. I was just wondering if they knew if this was true and who might be replacing him.

 

So glad you had a great trip! I know we'll do the same. :D

 

Beth

[Redheadsmama]

Thanks so much, we will be doing this trip in November.

Looking forward to more reading on the ports.

[Guest Mary49]

Hi Stevenr597 - I know I keep asking people this question. But do you know if Music Boardwalk is still on Liberty by chance and did you get to see them??? They're from the Philippines and a great Rock and Roll group. Thanks Mary49

[kulekhatt]

Stevenr597, I am also trying to find out who the new piano entertainer is in the piano bar. I don't think they were to start until after your cruise , but maybe you heard who it was...thanks so much! Kim

[Guest Mary49]

Stevenr597, do you also happen to have any capers that you can send? Thanks Mary49

[DadOCarson]

Hi - Ditto to the message above. We leave this Saturday and would love to see the Capers if you can scan, email a copy. Thanks!

[4nlalaland]

Hi - Ditto to the message above. We leave this Saturday and would love to see the Capers if you can scan, email a copy. Thanks!

 

DadOCarson..... are you on the Liberty on 6/14??? haven't seen you on the roll call?? :)

 

Would also like to see the capers...THANKS...

[divetrash]

Stevenr597, I am also trying to find out who the new piano entertainer is in the piano bar. I don't think they were to start until after your cruise , but maybe you heard who it was...thanks so much! Kim

 

Kim,

 

The new Piano Bar entertainer is Wally B. He's been on Carnival before, but much more than that I can't tell you.

 

Happy Cruising,

 

Laura

[kulekhatt]

Kim,

 

The new Piano Bar entertainer is Wally B. He's been on Carnival before, but much more than that I can't tell you.

 

Happy Cruising,

 

Laura

 

Thanks Laura, I have been searching everywhere to find out about him...does anyone have a last name? Thanks! (I mean Wally B's...last name)

[bemarshall]

Thank you Laura ... you are amazing!!

[bemarshall]

Thanks Laura, I have been searching everywhere to find out about him...does anyone have a last name? Thanks! (I mean Wally B's...last name)

 

I found this from a review of another ship ... could Blake be his last name?

 

The Casino Bar (Deck 5, Mid Ship)

 

This was one of my favorites. The bar is separated from the casino into its own little area. There is a regular bar with stools and a lounge area made up of over stuffed sofas and comfortable chairs. There is a fireplace and the sounds of Wally Blake at the piano bar to relax to. It is an excellent place to meet for pre dinner cocktails and relaxation.

 

 

Edit: Just found this also ...

 

http://cdbaby.com/cd/wallyb and http://www.wallyb.net/

 

We are a group of 50 from the New Orleans area, so this could be real fun!! (Of course, if this is him! :D)

[kulekhatt]

Thanks bemarshall, We usually enjoy the piano bar, but have been around some that were not very entertaining! If this is the guy he seems to draw a crowd.

[divetrash]

Thanks Laura, I have been searching everywhere to find out about him...does anyone have a last name? Thanks! (I mean Wally B's...last name)

 

Thank Vince Strong. He made a point of finding out for me before he left the ship. He's been a big supporter of the list.

 

Bemarshall,

 

I found that website too wallyb.net. I believe it is him, I emailed him to see and I'm waiting for confirmation before I listed the site. But I'm 99% sure it is correct.

 

Last ship I had him listed on was the Pride I believe.

 

 

L.

[Handsome58]

Review.......I go on the Liberty in August. I just love the positive reviews.........it just shows a vacation is what you make it............Thanks again!!! :)

[LostSnowbird]

Stevenr597 is my father and at his urging I registered to answer some questions...

 

The piano bar entertainer to whom he is referring is Vince Strong. This was his last week on the Liberty and in three weeks, he'll be on the Carnival Imagination going out of New Orleans, I believe. After something like ten Carnival cruises I have no hesitations about calling him Carnival's greatest asset...he's fantastically talented and a great entertainer. When he didn't know my favorite song, he let me play it for him on his piano. When the production crew was free (Steve the cruise director and Simone, the featured singer, for example), they often joined him at the piano and sang a duet with him. Then they'd hang out with the guests, which was a really nice change from the usual aloofness of the crew on most ships.

 

This cruise was the first time I enjoyed an active night life that extended beyond the typical disco scene, which as you've probably experienced, can become monotonous and doesn't really facilitate meeting new people.

 

Even if Vince isn't performing, go to the Piano Bar if you want to sing along to something without the embarrassment of karaoke and meet new people.

 

And also, when you go there, be sure to get Anastasia as your waitress...she's a sweetheart and always remembers your favorite drink if you are kind to her.

[wildjazz68]

Thank you so much for posting.. I cruise Liberty on 8-30 and cannot wait.. =)

[sancarn]

Stevenr597, do you also happen to have any capers that you can send? Thanks Mary49

 

 

I still have the Capers from our cruise on the Liberty on April 26, 2008. I'm not sure if I can scan, but I can provide specific information from them if you need it.

[bemarshall]

Stevenr597 is my father and at his urging I registered to answer some questions...

 

The piano bar entertainer to whom he is referring is Vince Strong. This was his last week on the Liberty and in three weeks, he'll be on the Carnival Imagination going out of New Orleans, I believe. After something like ten Carnival cruises I have no hesitations about calling him Carnival's greatest asset...he's fantastically talented and a great entertainer. When he didn't know my favorite song, he let me play it for him on his piano. When the production crew was free (Steve the cruise director and Simone, the featured singer, for example), they often joined him at the piano and sang a duet with him. Then they'd hang out with the guests, which was a really nice change from the usual aloofness of the crew on most ships.

 

This cruise was the first time I enjoyed an active night life that extended beyond the typical disco scene, which as you've probably experienced, can become monotonous and doesn't really facilitate meeting new people.

 

Even if Vince isn't performing, go to the Piano Bar if you want to sing along to something without the embarrassment of karaoke and meet new people.

 

And also, when you go there, be sure to get Anastasia as your waitress...she's a sweetheart and always remembers your favorite drink if you are kind to her.

 

Thanks for your comments! I'm so glad you had a great time. We've been on one cruise where we had a great piano player and it made for such a great time. We didn't have quite the same luck with our other cruises and I was hoping that this time would be it. I'm sorry we'll miss Vince :(, but it seems like Wally B might be a good replacement ... guess we'll see in a few days. :D

 

Beth

[kulekhatt]

Thanks for your comments! I'm so glad you had a great time. We've been on one cruise where we had a great piano player and it made for such a great time. We didn't have quite the same luck with our other cruises and I was hoping that this time would be it. I'm sorry we'll miss Vince :(, but it seems like Wally B might be a good replacement ... guess we'll see in a few days. :D

 

Beth

 

Beth, Have a great cruise! Let me know what you think of Wally B. when you get back...Kim

[bemarshall]

Thanks bemarshall, We usually enjoy the piano bar, but have been around some that were not very entertaining! If this is the guy he seems to draw a crowd.

 

Kulekhatt, been there, done that! We've had some pretty bad ones and have only lucked out once. A friend pointed out to me that Wally B's telephone number on his web site looks like it is a number for a town not very far from ours and it looks like he has played the clubs in New Orleans ... we'll have a group of about 50 people from the NOLA area on this cruise. Hopefully he'll be well prepared to handle our crew :D

 

Beth