Pre-Cruise blog and Review of the Liberty -- June 20-28

Day 7 -- Part 3

Grand Turk

If one was looking for a shady beach with bathrooms and bars, one would be very disappointed. There was nothing here but beach. That was fine with me.

A Princess ship in the distance coming into Grand Turk

Jeff is the white haired guy standing close to the ladder. He never left that spot. More on that later!

DW in the water with a man and his son we met. The father owns a prestigious design firm in Boca Raton. I looked up his website and wow!

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a581/billys5764/IMG_0300_zps4e1b38aa.jpg

It looks like we were close to the ship, but this was a zoom shot

Day 7 -- Part 4

Grand Turk

Linda and DW all huggy with the new friend.

Notice the cup of rum punch!

Jeff still at the boat

I took my IPhone back to the boat so I could get in the water. We floated around on noodles for about an hour and a half. It was so nice. We kept wondering where Jeff was. When they called us back to the boat, we found that Jeff had been guzzling rum punch. He said they kept refilling his cup -- sure! When we got back to the pier, it took two to help him walk!

Linda decided they should get back to their room and we went shopping. As far as Jeff goes, what happens in Grand Turk stays in Grand Turk!!!!!

The shopping area

We did some shopping. DW was looking for a tank top style shirt. Couldn't find anything she wanted, except for one at Margaritaville. But, I refused to pay $60 for a tank top.

By now, the Princess ship had docked and the shopping areas were filling up. We headed back to our ship.

Day 7 -- Part 5

Grand Turk

DW with the two ships

The beach area by the pier

I prefer a more deserted area away from the pier.

Ship Canyon

Day 7 -- Part 6

Grand Turk

More about the excursion. As I said, I would do this one again. I heartily recommend it to everyone. The crew was fantastic. They were very friendly and very helpful. They explained everything about snorkeling for those that were virgin snorkelers or apprehensive. On the boat, they had free snacks and free water and free sodas. After the snorkeling part, they had free rum punch. The rum punch was good. It was not overly strong, but it did pack a punch -- ask Jeff.

The place where they took us snorkeling was beautiful. The contrast of the water color from the shallow to the deep was amazing. Some of the crew got in the water and were feeding the fish (not chum) to attract them. The variety of fish and variety of vivid colors was something to see.

At the beach area, we just floated around in the water. I remember the last time we were at Grand Turk, we stayed at the beach area next to the pier. It was full of rocks. This place had no rocks. It was the softest sand I've ever felt.

On our last cruise here, I left thinking Grand Turk was my least favorite port. On this cruise, it was my favorite.

We got back on the ship and went up to Deck 9 for lunch. I had my 2nd Guy's burger of the trip. This time I got the one that had the BBQ sauce and the onion ring on it. It was very good. DW got the Pig Patty. She did not care for it. She said the bacon patty tasted like pork rinds.

We went up to deck 10 to sun. The view was magnificent.

Day 7 -- Part 7

Grand Turk

You can see how empty the ship is today.

Day 7 -- Part 8

Grand Turk

More Grand Turk

Painting the rails on Deck 11

Day 7 -- Part 9

Grand Turk

I'm in awe of the "blueness."

Deserted ship

Whale Tail

We laid out on deck 10 for a while. It did get pretty hot, especially since we were not moving. I went to the aft pool for the first time. It was very refreshing. The water could have been a few degrees cooler for my taste, but it was fine. It was not crowded. I went back up to deck 10. DW had moved into the shade and so did I. It was very nice. I took a nap. I hope I didn't snore! We woke up in time to watch the sailaway. We hated to leave Grand Turk.

Around 4:30 we went in. DW went to the cabin and I went to the spa to shower. After we got dressed, we went to the casino to get our free drink and took it to the restaurant. This was our second elegant night. DW, of course, dressed up nicely. I skipped the suit and just wore nice long pants and a dress shirt with no tie (scandal).

For dinner, I had the fried shrimp appetizer, spaghetti carbonara (what I make is better!), and Ceasar Salad. For the entrée I had the Beef Wellington. It was VERY good. DS had the same thing. DW had chilled cherry soup, and Beef Wellington. Linda had the asparagus soup and a salad. Her entrée was the moussaka. She liked it. Jeff got the chicken noodle soup (good choice for the day he had had!) and the moussaka. DSF had lobster bisque and beef wellington. Tonight was the bitter and blanc for dessert. DW, Jeff and Linda got that. DS and I got the melting cake while DSF had the pumpkin pie and bitter and blanc.

We went back to the room and took a nap for about an hour. I went to the casino where I lost money. Not a lot, but still it was a loss. I was sitting at the blackjack table where a lady was blowing smoke in my face the entire time. I understand people can smoke in the casino, but they could at least blow it away from my face.

Grand Turk looks stunning...I cant believe I will be there in a few days! Thanks for your review!

I just spent a rainy afternoon reading and enjoying your review. Our very good friends moved to Greensboro a few years ago. They live there in the summer and about 3 blocks from the port in Cocoa Beach in the winter so you were on their turf somewhere! :p Grand Turk is my absolute favorite port of call. We always stay at the beach and/or M'Ville at the pier tho. I have to read back and see what the casino rate you booked is all about! DH is also a member of the Players Club. Very nice of you to treat your DS'es friend to this cruise. Can't wait to read more and enjoy your Breeze countdown.

Grand Turk looks stunning...I cant believe I will be there in a few days! Thanks for your review!

You will LOVE it. Have a great time.

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I just spent a rainy afternoon reading and enjoying your review. Our very good friends moved to Greensboro a few years ago. They live there in the summer and about 3 blocks from the port in Cocoa Beach in the winter so you were on their turf somewhere! :p Grand Turk is my absolute favorite port of call. We always stay at the beach and/or M'Ville at the pier tho. I have to read back and see what the casino rate you booked is all about! DH is also a member of the Players Club. Very nice of you to treat your DS'es friend to this cruise. Can't wait to read more and enjoy your Breeze countdown.

Karen, we booked under the Premier Casino promotion. I received brochures in the mail and it showed up under "my offers" on the Carnival website.

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Karen, we booked under the Premier Casino promotion. I received brochures in the mail and it showed up under "my offers" on the Carnival website.

 

 

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Hello Billy, Premier Casino gives priority boarding also. When or what zone did you board? Before or after the F.T.T.F. ?

Hello Billy, Premier Casino gives priority boarding also. When or what zone did you board? Before or after the F.T.T.F. ?

We had FTTF also. We wanted to go straight to our rooms and also the other perks. After we checked in we walked right on the ship. We got to the port around 11:15.

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Thank you so much for doing this review. I love your pictures. We will be doing this same itinerary on the Liberty in March. I have never been on that ship before and so I am excited to see all your pictures ! Please keep it coming !!

Thank you so much for doing this review. I love your pictures. We will be doing this same itinerary on the Liberty in March. I have never been on that ship before and so I am excited to see all your pictures ! Please keep it coming !!

You're welcome! Doing this helps me relive the trip.

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Great review! Loved the tarheel hat, BTW (I teach there:-)

I have a question about your excursion in Grand Turk--did you book through Carnival or independently? If it was non-Carnival, which company did you use? The catamaran looks very nice. Last time we were there we rented a golf cart and drove around the island, hunted conch shells, and hung out at a nearby beach. It was a lot of fun but not worth repeating.

Thanks!

Great review! Loved the tarheel hat, BTW (I teach there:-)

 

 

 

I have a question about your excursion in Grand Turk--did you book through Carnival or independently? If it was non-Carnival, which company did you use? The catamaran looks very nice. Last time we were there we rented a golf cart and drove around the island, hunted conch shells, and hung out at a nearby beach. It was a lot of fun but not worth repeating.

 

 

 

Thanks!

Hi!

I teach at Elon. I did my undergrad at UNC. I'm there every football Saturday.

Our excursion was through Carnival. It cost $89 (I think) and was well worth it.

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I'm REALLY enjoying your trip report. You have a wonderful writing style.

I echo others in what a great gesture you made to include Elijah on the trip.

I'm sure you're quite busy now that college is back in and football season is starting. (Sorry Tarheel fan, Clemson is my team. :D)

I hope it's not too long before you're able to post the rest of the trip.

I'm on the Liberty 8 day Eastern next month. I'm glad to hear the chilled soups and creme brulee are back on the menu. I'm curious to see what is served in the MDR on the 8th night as I've only seen new menus posted for the 7 day cruises.

Just found this after joining cruise critic... we were on this sailing of The Liberty!!! First and best cruise ever!!!! Ports were amazing.  We did a catamaran snorkeling adventure in Aruba and still talk about it.... snorkeled in 2 spots and the rum punch was flowing on the way back!!! There must have been a sale on rum:) haha... In Curacao, we took a taxi to Mambo Beach.... beautiful beach... definitely made the right choice!!! Highly recommend:):).  We absolutely loved Grand Turk and spent the entire time at Margaritaville in the pool.... and of course, enjoying some amazing cocktails.... it was my birthday!!! Maybe the best birthday ever!!! We were a group of 7.... my hubby and I, daughter, son-in-law to be, and 3 sons.... we were all first time cruisers except for our daughter.  We could not have picked a better ship to experience our first cruise.... now, almost 5 years later we are all set to take our next cruise in May on the Carnival Magic... we will be spending 3 nights at Jensen Beach and then heading to Fort Lauderdale for a 6 night cruise.... we are a family of 9 now.... we have added our 1st grand baby and a daughter-in-law to be:):) Can't wait!!!