BethV114

I am really hoping that the OP finally made it to the cruise ship!

Have you done a web search or a search of this forum for info? When I was researching cabins for our upcoming cruise, I was able to find a wealth of information through those methods, as well as from the lovely cruisers who frequent these boards.

I booked my cruise through C.C., as I have done for years. I wanted to change my cabin the other day, so called and was transferred to “customer service.” It rang and rang before going to voicemail. I left a message and also emailed the agent I originally booked with. Then called back, went to voicemail again. And again. But finally called back and just as I thought it was about to go to voicemail again, someone answered and I was able to switch my cabin.

Moral of the story is, keep calling back and hopefully you will get an answer. And, like me, consider booking directly with Royal next time.

Once we (really I as the family travel planner) book, I check back periodically for price drops up until final payment. After that, I keep checking, but really just to see whether I can upgrade for low/no cost or change to a “better” cabin in the same category.

Yes, there is a chance that the price will drop after final payment and there will be those who get the same cabin for a better price. But there is also a good chance that if we wait too long, we’ll miss out on a good price or better cabin selection. I guess it all comes down to what is most important to you, pric, choice, or a combination of both, to determine when you book.

Well, I had to call back a few times in order to actually speak with a real person at our TA, but I was able to get us moved to 1700. I am so flipping excited!

Plus the balcony is much larger than a side view.....

 

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The videos and pics I have seen of these cabins look amazing. Would be so happy to have the extra cabin space, not to mention a balcony large enough for loungers at the price of a D1. That would be such a steal. Still waiting to hear back from my TA - I think I'll give them another call in a few. The extra space would be great for our itinerary, which has more sea days than we usually go with!

Grab 1400/1700 asap.....they won't be there tomorrow. As big as a JS but without the bathtub.

 

The floor is carpeted in the Windjammer above these Staterooms. No noise.

 

We will be in 1400 this month on Freedom.

 

Enjoy the "pole" room....

 

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Thanks so much for the quick response! I have a voicemail and email in to my TA. Fingers crossed that we're able to get one!!

Some deck 10 aft cabins on our upcoming Liberty sailing have opened up. Cabins 1700, 1404, and 1400, to be precise. From my research, it looks like 1700 and 1400 have larger interiors and balconies than standard D1s (which we are currently booked in). I'm thinking about calling and asking to be moved, but wanted to verify that noise is not an issue, as they are on deck 10, and appear to be under the Windjammer.

Thank you!

I agree with the other posts. Go for option 1. Save the money for excursions, things to do on the ship, etc. Your kids will just be happy to be on vacation, on a ship with lots of fun things for them to do. They are not going to waste time sitting around on the balcony.

Your wife is a lucky woman. Have fun!

Edited to add: I bet if you do some research on the ports of call boards, you can also get some ideas on lower cost options for excursions. Booking through Royal/the ship is certainly more convenient, but usually also more costly.

We are sailing Liberty in April and like to try to avoid the buffet on embarkation day, if possible. Is Chops open for lunch at embarkation? Are there other options for lunch (we are willing to pay)?

It has been 4 or 5 cruises since we have seen a bar waiter in the MDR. Even in the specialty restaurants they don't ask you about drinks before you order with any degree of regularity.

Just to clarify, can we order drinks (alcohol) while in the MDR, or will we need to bring those in with us (or alternatively run out to get them during the meal)? I have no problem walking up to the bar to order drinks in any of the bar/lounge/pool area venues, but I do like to be able to sit down and order my drinks, as well as dinner, when in the MDR.

Thanks for your review. I'm sorry about the low points, but glad you were able to enjoy yourselves despite them. We are from NY, flying to TX to visit family and then driving down to Galveston to fit a cruise in during our daughter's spring break. We have not sailed Royal in seven years, so I am reading as many reviews as I can to prepare.

Seems like a few less options, so that sucks...

 

As for seeing the whole meal, I actually like seeing dessert with the rest of the menu b/c sometimes I might want a dessert as an app or an app as a dessert, and now it will be a much easier order. Also, sometimes I like to know if I'm gonna love the dessert or hate it (b/c that might dictate my earlier order)...

Ditto. I hate it when I place my order thinking I'll save room for dessert, and then don't like anything on the dessert menu!

I have no words of wisdom to share. I will just say that I can understand why you are so frustrated, but hope you are able to enjoy your vacation, anyway!

We purchased deluxe beverage packages and hope to be able to use them from the time we board. I am wondering whether we are restricted to the specific drinks listed on the menu, or whether it is a restriction to certain brands of alcohol. For example, since rum is an ingredient in one or more of the drinks listed, could I get a rum and diet coke? I enjoy a pina colada when I board (it's not vacation until mommy gets a pina colada), but can only do so many of the sweet mixed drinks!

When we docked at Cozumel earlier this year on our MSC Divina cruise, we docked right in town. There were many shops, restaurants, etc. at the end of the pier. Additionally, since we docked in town, there was a large shopping center across the street that also had shops and restaurants.

In Grand Cayman, you will tender, and will be let off right in town. Plenty of shops and restaurants right there. You might also consider looking at booking a tour to the Turtle Farm, which is a good, low-key activity. We did this with our daughter when she was quite young.

In Jamaica, I believe Liberty docks in Falmouth, not Ocho Rios. I have not been to that port yet, but my understanding is that there are some shops and a Margaritaville with a pool right at the port.

Edited to add: You might also try checking out the port of call boards, many of which offer good information.

I know some will only drink bottled water and poo poo the tap water, but really, there is nothing wrong with the ships tap water. It is better than most municipal/city water supplies and better than some of the cheaper bottled waters I've had. Many bottled water companies simply fill their bottles with city water anyway. We have very good well water at home and have no problem with ship water except that it is not very cold.

 

dp

My first point won't be helpful to the OP, but it still makes me laugh, so I thought I'd share. On our first cruise, one of the couples we were seated with at dinner had light beers with them any time we saw them, no matter what time of day. When we asked them about it, they said that they had to drink the beer because you can't drink the water on the ship. They then went on to "explain" to us that the ships bring on water when they are in port, which will make you sick. I bought it for a bit, until DH and I talked about it and realized how little sense that made!

Second, we have not cruised with Royal in several years, but have gotten used to the drink package included in our last several cruises, so we ended up getting the deluxe package for DH and me, and the refreshment package for DD. With the sale, the refreshment package was $18/day plus gratuity. Knowing that DD will have at least one frozen mocktail a day, lots of bottled water, a few diet sodas, and loves good teas, hot chocolates, etc., we're fairly certain we'll break even, and at $18/day, we won't be too broken up about it if there is a day or two that we don't.

We actually picked our Liberty cruise in April based on dates. We have a specific time when we can go over our daughter's spring break, had already promised her a trip to Texas to visit family, and really can't afford to take two separate trips (one for family, one for fun). We ended up with Liberty because the dates worked and we knew that we did not want to do less than a 7 day cruise. The itinerary is not my favorite (Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Falmouth), but we know there are things to do in each port that we will enjoy, and we are all honestly looking forward to some additional sea days so that we can relax, rather than get up and off the ship early each day.

To make a good salad you will need to visit several different islands in the Windjammer.

I have found this to be true of the buffet of every cruise ship I have been on, Celebrity and MSC included. There is more to salad than just lettuce and tomatoes. I love using the different stations to get creative, and this is why I really enjoy the buffets for lunch and/or post-excursion refueling!

Liberty was the first cruise ship my husband and I ever sailed. We were hooked after that, and stuck with Royal for several cruises until Allure. That ship was just too big for us, and we didn't love how our daughter (15 months at the time) was treated, so we went over to Celebrity, and had many happy cruises with them. We just did an MSC cruise this spring that we also quite enjoyed. We are now returning to Royal and Liberty next year, combining a cruise with a trip to Texas to visit family. I really appreciated your balanced review, and while I know things have changed since our last Royal cruise, I think that we will still have a good time.

Out of curiosity, will it be an issue for my husband to take my card to the bar with him and get drinks for both of us (we both have the deluxe package)? That has not been an issue on other lines we have sailed with a drink package, but wanted to confirm since this is our first Royal cruise in over seven years.

When we cruise, my husband will often run up to a bar to bring post-dinner drinks back to the cabin while I am getting our daughter ready for bed, and he would do so by bringing my card with him to use in addition to his own. Hoping this would not be an issue on our upcoming Liberty cruise.

Can you get non-alcoholic frozen drinks with the package? Like a smoothie? I pulled the trigger and got the package yesterday, but could not tell if that was included

Non-alcoholic (virgin) frozen drinks are included. I believe that smoothies without protein powder/other additions are also included. We purchased our daughter the refreshment package on sale, and I told her she needs to get at least one frozen cocktail a day to make sure we break even! ;p

Isn't wine included in the drinks package ?

Yes. Wine by the glass up to $12 per glass (possibly $13 on some ships). Anything over that, you pay the difference plus service charge on the difference.

You can also bring two bottles of wine onboard, which may impact your decision as to whether a drink package is worth it for you.

We just purchased the deluxe package on sale $41 per day (plus service charge), and feel that is well worth it. We do not drink to get drunk, but we do like a mimosa with breakfast, a few cocktails/beer/wine during the day by the pool, drinks with dinner, etc. and we also drink a good amount of bottled water.

Anyone have Liberty Cozumel/GrandCayman/Falmouth Compasses?

We are sailing this route in April, and would also love to see the compasses, as well. We'd also like to get an idea of the menu order so we can decide which night to do specialty dining.

Do you recall what types of drinks were available on embarkation day? A Cruise Compass that I saw for Liberty indicated that drink selection is limited on embarkation due to Texas alcohol laws, so I'm trying to get an idea of what we can expect to be available the first day. We do not drink a ton, but we do enjoy a few cocktails by the pool and drinks with dinner.

Thank you!