LIVE From Liberty Pre-Inaugural - May 7 - 9

Greetings from the decks of the beautiful new Liberty of the Seas! We boarded about 2 1/2 hours ago with many other VERY excited cruisers as we get ready to sail on a two-day pre-inaugural cruise. We had a great lunch in the Windjammer (I love their honey-stung chicken :) -- Laura doesn't believe that's really the name of it but it is!!!!!) and are now just beginning to explore. Our first stop is here at the Internet Cafe on deck 8 and it appears to be working just fine....lots of people in here using all the computers.

We're off to our "unofficial" Meet & Mingle where we'll get to check in with all the other Cruise Critic members for an informal gathering. So far, every thing has been wonderful. Lots of smiling faces on both crew and passengers. Royal Caribbean's hospitality has been warm and inviting and I can already tell it will get even better from here.

We are feeling so fortunate to be sailing on a brand new vessel. We promise to keep it in great shape for all those who follow us in the coming weeks and months. We know you are going to love her!

Time to go explore the ship! We'll be back later.

How exciting!! Hope you all have a wonderful time :D

###

Have an AWESOME time, Anne!! I'm sooo jealous, I almost jumped in my car and headed up there today! But my mother's computer crashed and I promised to fix it...boooo! lol Oh well, only 7 more days anyway.

Can't wait to hear all your reports and see your pics! :) Tell all the other CC members & hosts we said "hi"!!!

Thanks for checking in Anne, will await more posts if you have time:p ...

Christie: Hope you're feeling better....See you in a week! Later, Jill:cool:

Christie: Hope you're feeling better....See you in a week! Later, Jill:cool:

Thanks, Jill, I definitely am! See you in T-minus 7 days!!! :D

I can't wait to hear all about your trip!!

What time is the Liberty due back in BDB on May 9th? When does it pull out again?

Greetings to all of you landlubbers!

The Liberty of the Seas is just an amazing vessel. The crew is every bit as warm and friendly as we all have come to know and love.

We got here around 12:20, and we parked, took the shuttle bus back to the terminal, checked in zip zip zip, then waited about ten minutes for our number to be called for the shuttle bus back to the ship. Yes, we parked right at the ship, so I guess when we disembark on Wednesday, we'll be able to walk straight to our car.

At check-in, we were joking with the VERY nice RC woman, and said that we'd settle for a nice JS. She said that she had already been promised drinks by everyone checking in who wanted a nice cabin!

You know how your invitation says "Ocean view cabin, sorry, no upgrades available"? I asked this nice lady, are cabins being assigned now, in the order we are checking in, or were they pre-assigned? She said, they are pre-assigned, your SeaPass cards are all printed out and ready to go.

Since I have never been on Freedom class, the numbers aren't as obvious to me. Our cabin is 7548.

So, the shuttle bus deposited us at the ship. Yes, she is gargantuan. The gangplank was into Deck 1, so we waited briefly for an elevator, and went up to Deck 7. I love the sound of that first *ding*!

Up we go to Deck 7, and down the loooooooooooooong corridor. We insert the key card, swing open the door, and I am just stunned! We are in a D cabin! It is (comparatively) HUGE. The balcony is a very nice size, and the cabin really is quite large. The closet is bigger and even better laid out than on Voyager class ships on which I have sailed.

The lifevests have a new feature, a sort of neck piece/collar, as part of the usual vest. NOT very comfortable, but c'est la vie. Oops, sorry, flagger, there I go, using French again. :rolleyes:

I called housekeeping (haven't met our cabin steward yet) and asked them to make up the beds as two twins, instead of the queen that we saw when we arrived. That was accomplished while we were at dinner.

I took Debbie on a tour around the ship. I had to keep reaching over and pushing her jaw closed - she was agape with amazement.

At 3:15 we went to the Champagne Bar for our Meet 'n' Mingle hosted by Laura, Anne and Karen. It was wonderful matching names and faces. Laura raffled off some nifty CC gifts. I didn't win any. :( I did get a nice CC lanyard, though. And RC gave us a nice neck pouch.

Muster drills was, well, muster drill. There were a LOT of stragglers, so we were out there for quite a while.

Deb and I were up on Deck 13 or 14 (who knows?) for sailaway, and it got very cold. We were the only idiots without jackets or sweaters. Oh well. We stayed there until we had only minutes to get ready for dinner - by the time we were dressing, there was a scolding announcement saying that the dining room was rather empty because so many main seating guests hadn't shown up, and they were going to close the doors! We hustled down (since we had decided that we really didn't want to eat dinner in the Windjammer, and it was a wonderful meal. It's open seating, and we were seated with a mother & daughter travel agent duo. Most of the passengers seem to be TAs - we're the odd ones. :)

Captain Zini went around the Statue of Liberty, so leaving Bayonne was a very lengthy process. We actually didn't stay up on deck to sail under the Verrazzano Bridge, because we would have missed dinner, by a LOT. We did see this from our balcony, just as we finished dressing. Not quite as impressive from Deck 7 as from Deck 13, but still cool.

So, dinner.

I had Insalata Caprese (greens with mozzarella and pesto drizzle), chilled strawberry soup, herb tiger shrimp and the cheese platter. They kept coming around and refilling our glasses with Mumm's champagne. I had a decaf Mocha Berry coffee with my dessert. Debbie had the antipasto platter and atlantic cod. We both enjoyed our dinners very much. Bread/rolls are still being served by the assistant waiters, and not left on the table.

The dining room is magnificent. The huge chandelier reminds me of the Phantom of the Opera. If you have seen a performance, you know what I mean.

After dinner, we rushed to the Ice Show. It was MARVELOUS. Then I got a pedicure. Nice. Then we rushed to the main show, Ever After. I liked it, and so did Debbie. We heard a little grumbling.

Then we went and made a donation at the Casino. I honestly didn't like any of the slot machines. I saw none of the machines that I have liked on other ships. I actually hit for $50, but was foolish enough to give it all back.

Have I mentioned that all drinks are free? There is definitely a LOT of over-serving going on!

Next we went to the Schooner Bar, and although the Compass said that Matt Yee would be playing until 1:30, we arrived just after 1, and he was not playing and did not play again. We saw him chatting, and then cleaning up, so he was apparently done for the night.

Adam Goldstein is on board, and is quite visible.

They came in and turned out the lights here in the Internet Cafe, and I am typing only by the light of the monitor screen. :D

Enough for tonight. Having a great time. Wish you were here. :D More tomorrow.

Post questions - internet use is FREE FREE FREE, so ask away.

Carol, a.k.a, Merion Mom

Hi Carol!

Wow! :D That sounds wonderful! And a big balcony cabin to boot! I can only keep my fingers crossed for that!

Have a wonderful time!:)

Glad everyone is having a great time.

My wife and I just got home from the 1 night pre-inaugural prior to your cruise and we had a great time, even for just a day.:)

The ship is gorgeous and wish we had time to see the whole ship.

They had the Presidential Suite and the Royal Suite open for public viewing and both rooms were beautiful.

The balcony of the Presidential Suite is a real eye opener with its huge size and the hot tub located on one end with a real large table set for 14 people right in the center of the balcony and a bar set up on the other end.

I will try to get some of the pics posted that I had taken of those rooms and around the ship.

RCCL was not stingy at all about passing out glasses of wine and asking you if they could get you anything at all from the bar.

Patricio and Adrienne were making some awesome Mojitos.

The best Mojitos that I have ever had.;)

Adrienne puts on a real good show mixing drinks for everyone. It is fun just sitting there watching him mix drinks for people.:cool:

The frozen drinks tasted better than they usually do also also out on the pool deck. I am not sure if it was because the drinks were free or what but, they were real good compared to our last 2 cruises.

The Honey Stung Chicken was excellent in the Windjammer.

All the food we had there was quite good.

The dining room was slow on our cruise also. We had main seating and there was not many people in the dining room at all. It was strange having dinner there with about a third of the dining room full.

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your cruise.;)

Bob:)

Greetings to all of you landlubbers!

 

The Liberty of the Seas is just an amazing vessel. The crew is every bit as warm and friendly as we all have come to know and love.

 

We got here around 12:20, and we parked, took the shuttle bus back to the terminal, checked in zip zip zip, then waited about ten minutes for our number to be called for the shuttle bus back to the ship. Yes, we parked right at the ship, so I guess when we disembark on Wednesday, we'll be able to walk straight to our car.

 

At check-in, we were joking with the VERY nice RC woman, and said that we'd settle for a nice JS. She said that she had already been promised drinks by everyone checking in who wanted a nice cabin!

 

You know how your invitation says "Ocean view cabin, sorry, no upgrades available"? I asked this nice lady, are cabins being assigned now, in the order we are checking in, or were they pre-assigned? She said, they are pre-assigned, your SeaPass cards are all printed out and ready to go.

 

Since I have never been on Freedom class, the numbers aren't as obvious to me. Our cabin is 7548.

 

So, the shuttle bus deposited us at the ship. Yes, she is gargantuan. The gangplank was into Deck 1, so we waited briefly for an elevator, and went up to Deck 7. I love the sound of that first *ding*!

 

Up we go to Deck 7, and down the loooooooooooooong corridor. We insert the key card, swing open the door, and I am just stunned! We are in a D cabin! It is (comparatively) HUGE. The balcony is a very nice size, and the cabin really is quite large. The closet is bigger and even better laid out than on Voyager class ships on which I have sailed.

 

The lifevests have a new feature, a sort of neck piece/collar, as part of the usual vest. NOT very comfortable, but c'est la vie. Oops, sorry, flagger, there I go, using French again. :rolleyes:

 

I called housekeeping (haven't met our cabin steward yet) and asked them to make up the beds as two twins, instead of the queen that we saw when we arrived. That was accomplished while we were at dinner.

 

I took Debbie on a tour around the ship. I had to keep reaching over and pushing her jaw closed - she was agape with amazement.

 

At 3:15 we went to the Champagne Bar for our Meet 'n' Mingle hosted by Laura, Anne and Karen. It was wonderful matching names and faces. Laura raffled off some nifty CC gifts. I didn't win any. :( I did get a nice CC lanyard, though. And RC gave us a nice neck pouch.

 

Muster drills was, well, muster drill. There were a LOT of stragglers, so we were out there for quite a while.

 

Deb and I were up on Deck 13 or 14 (who knows?) for sailaway, and it got very cold. We were the only idiots without jackets or sweaters. Oh well. We stayed there until we had only minutes to get ready for dinner - by the time we were dressing, there was a scolding announcement saying that the dining room was rather empty because so many main seating guests hadn't shown up, and they were going to close the doors! We hustled down (since we had decided that we really didn't want to eat dinner in the Windjammer, and it was a wonderful meal. It's open seating, and we were seated with a mother & daughter travel agent duo. Most of the passengers seem to be TAs - we're the odd ones. :)

 

Captain Zini went around the Statue of Liberty, so leaving Bayonne was a very lengthy process. We actually didn't stay up on deck to sail under the Verrazzano Bridge, because we would have missed dinner, by a LOT. We did see this from our balcony, just as we finished dressing. Not quite as impressive from Deck 7 as from Deck 13, but still cool.

 

So, dinner.

 

I had Insalata Caprese (greens with mozzarella and pesto drizzle), chilled strawberry soup, herb tiger shrimp and the cheese platter. They kept coming around and refilling our glasses with Mumm's champagne. I had a decaf Mocha Berry coffee with my dessert. Debbie had the antipasto platter and atlantic cod. We both enjoyed our dinners very much. Bread/rolls are still being served by the assistant waiters, and not left on the table.

 

The dining room is magnificent. The huge chandelier reminds me of the Phantom of the Opera. If you have seen a performance, you know what I mean.

 

After dinner, we rushed to the Ice Show. It was MARVELOUS. Then I got a pedicure. Nice. Then we rushed to the main show, Ever After. I liked it, and so did Debbie. We heard a little grumbling.

 

Then we went and made a donation at the Casino. I honestly didn't like any of the slot machines. I saw none of the machines that I have liked on other ships. I actually hit for $50, but was foolish enough to give it all back.

 

Have I mentioned that all drinks are free? There is definitely a LOT of over-serving going on!

 

Next we went to the Schooner Bar, and although the Compass said that Matt Yee would be playing until 1:30, we arrived just after 1, and he was not playing and did not play again. We saw him chatting, and then cleaning up, so he was apparently done for the night.

 

Adam Goldstein is on board, and is quite visible.

 

They came in and turned out the lights here in the Internet Cafe, and I am typing only by the light of the monitor screen. :D

 

Enough for tonight. Having a great time. Wish you were here. :D More tomorrow.

 

Post questions - internet use is FREE FREE FREE, so ask away.

 

Carol, a.k.a, Merion Mom

Hey Carol, thanks for posting. Everything sounds great. Sounds like you're having a great time. Is this the first cruise for Debbie?

Carol,

I love posts like yours. They make me feel caught up in the excitement. Great writing!

WE don't get to meet HER until November-but you sure have gotten me excited ! Thanks so much for posting . I have been waiting since last November. I know you'll have a fabulous time - and how about a glass of the bubbly for me!:D

Thanks Carol for keeping us update(see, told you to pack the parka:p )....anyway, nice cabin you got........

I feel like Im right there..........terrific descriptions....

Now how about what everyone wore?????

And did you see Francois??

Enjoy your day at sea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carol: Thanks for such a detailed post, I feel that I am right there with you and Deb...What a wonderful surprise to get a D category cabin...Can't wait til it is our turn next week:p ...Later, Jill:cool:

Carol...........thanks so much for such a wonderful post. You write so that we can live vicarously thru you on this cruise.

Can't wait to hear more from you!! This has to be so exciting!!

Rick

Wow you are really lucky to be on Her. I take the Staten Island Ferry to work and have been taking pictures of Her and she looks amazing from afar. Now that I have read your post she sounds great. Thanks for the post. Enjoy.:)

Wow you are really lucky to be on Her. I take the Staten Island Ferry to work and have been taking pictures of Her and she looks amazing from afar. Now that I have read your post she sounds great. Thanks for the post. Enjoy.:)

Can you post the pics so we can see them?? :D:D:D

I saw them leaving last night from the SI ferry too. Looked great going towards the Statue of Liberty. I've tried to link photos 3xs but I can't get them to link onto this site for some reason, I've done it before, don't know what's wrong. Christie, if I can give me your email somehow, I'll send them to you.

Thanks Carol for such a GREAT report! The excitement continues to build!

Ken and Pene

I saw them leaving last night from the SI ferry too. Looked great going towards the Statue of Liberty. I've tried to link photos 3xs but I can't get them to link onto this site for some reason, I've done it before, don't know what's wrong. Christie, if I can give me your email somehow, I'll send them to you.

I have her email(but of course,dont feel comfortable posting it),so can you email me the pics(I would love to see them too) and I'll send them on to Christie..........

just add 14@aol.com to my CC name

*****assuming you read this before she gets back to you..

I just sent you the link, I think I have another one too. By the way, my Mom lives in Ocala, in On Top of the World, she used to live in Oak Run.

I saw them leaving last night from the SI ferry too. Looked great going towards the Statue of Liberty. I've tried to link photos 3xs but I can't get them to link onto this site for some reason, I've done it before, don't know what's wrong. Christie, if I can give me your email somehow, I'll send them to you.

Thanks, I really appreciate it! :) I'll wait for the email, Kathy! Can't wait to see them!!! :)

Alright....the nerve of you New Jersey-area people onboard Liberty right this very second. We are all impatiently awaiting your next posts. Don't you know you are obligated to report back to the internet every 5-7 minutes with updates? Do you not have any sympathy or respect for those of us stuck on land? At the VERY least you should have brought your laptops & dragged them around with you along every inch of that ship and doing some non-stop typing to report to us every living detail. We're dying over here!!!

Some PEOPLE !!!

:D:D:D

;) :p

I just sent you the link, I think I have another one too. By the way, my Mom lives in Ocala, in On Top of the World, she used to live in Oak Run.

Thanks, I really appreciate it! :) I'll wait for the email, Kathy! Can't wait to see them!!! :)

Sent them to ya..........hope you got them......