Michigan Takes the Liberty 03/31/12 (Eastern) Two Minute Review

[cclimoman]

My detailed review with lots of pics will follow, but here is the quick list for those going soon:

Ports: HMC: still paradise Cabana #8 was in a perfect place, St.Thomas: beautiful, Fury Charters Sail and Snorkel was fabulous, San Juan: Interesting, cultural and Olde World Charm, Grand Turk: not much to see outside of the Port Cruise center...Cruisett pretty much worthless for establishing port load

Ship Life: 2.0 upgrades were all worthwhile but left lido deck quite a bit more crowded, chair hogs out very early on sea days (I became one on second sea day, ya ya flame-away), waiters room stewards bar staff cruise directors were all excellent and very accommodating

Lido Life: DJ Electra was great for the 21- crowd, but really needs to mix up her mix for the rest of us (Party Rock and the Wobble song still ringing in my ears incessantly), pools crowded, water slide quick, very clean

Food: Guys burgers good to great, Blue Iguana Cantina was very good, Diamond Steakhouse awesome, Dining room noticeable quality reduction, Breakfast Buffet was not good except for Omlette station, Dinner Buffet was institutional at best....

Entertainment: Adult comedy was hit or miss....two were very good, two were ok, where did the Filipino rock bands go (miss Blood Power) casino 4 piece average, stage shows were same old, ventiloquist was very good, towel show was good, stage band and female singer were quite good. Alchemy bar looked great and well attended, Piano bar was good for a one-timer, Cruise directors Jaime(f) and Christian were good to great and not annoying

Ride/Weather: Substantial swells between San Juan and Grand Turk, cool thunderstorm on way to Miami at sea that we sailed right through, poured rain at embarkation, and HMC before tendering, but 80-87 and sunny in all of the ports (could not have hoped for better)

Embark/Debark: Seamless....at port at 10:30 and on board by 11:30....back at 7AM and off ship by 8:15

Luggage Express: Worked perfectly as it was intended, however, had I known that we had to meet and get off the ship at 8AM for a 1PM flight out of MIA I would have skipped the $20 per person and just did self assist as we had a 4 hour airport wait.

We will do Carnival again, but hope that they go back to adding some dining quality back into the core offerings. The addition of Guy's and Blue Iguana are welcome changes however I agree with many others that the main dining offerings have slipped in terms of flavor and quality.

Any quickfire questions...ask away....big review will follow soon...

[ejincali]

I'll be on the same cruise in a few weeks and loved the quick summary!

[boaterette]

Thanks. Looking forward to the long review.

[17andacruiseaddict]

I was on this sailing...Yeah, all of Michigan took this cruise apparently..

[navybaby1113]

Thanks! Looking forward to the longer review!

[mimxmom]

We are from Michigan as well and going on the Liberty for spring break 2013. Was wondering if you booked the St. Thomas excursion through the cruise line or on your own?

[MisterMom]

Looking forward to multiple perspectives of this sailing of the Liberty!

[vivavegas]

Thanks for the quick summary! Can't wait to see your pictures!

[cclimoman]

Originally Posted by mimxmom

We are from Michigan as well and going on the Liberty for spring break 2013. Was wondering if you booked the St. Thomas excursion through the cruise line or on your own?

direct with fury and capt. mike....just do a google search.....well worth it