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

[billys5764]

Day 4 -- Part 2

 

ARUBA

 

Coming in to Aruba

 

 

 

 

 

The Liberty stirring up the sand on the bottom

[billys5764]

Day 4 -- Part 3

 

More of Aruba approach

 

 

 

 

 

Perhaps I could afford to buy this island?

 

Pilot boat

[billys5764]

Day 4 -- Part 4

 

ARUBA

 

Before the casino closed, I played blackjack. I lost almost $200 before I made a huge comeback! When they announced the casino would be closing in 15 minutes, I was back to what I started with! So I quit while I was ahead, well at least not behind!

 

We docked in Aruba! We decided to wait 30 minutes after the all clear to disembark was announced before we went down to deck 0 to get off. We had almost no line when we got down. We met Jeff and Linda on the dock and proceeded to head into town.

 

DW and I spent our honeymoon in Aruba 24 years ago and saw much of the island. 2 years ago DW, DS, Jeff and Linda, and I went on the Valor (same ports as this cruise minus Dominican Republic). We rented a car and drove all over the island. This year we decided to skip any tours. We didn't arrive in Aruba until 1pm. That would give us very little time to do much like go to a beach and then get back for early seating. We decided this year to eat lunch at one of our favorite places and walk around town.

 

We headed straight for Iguana Joe's for lunch. It is a short walk from the dock. You can actually see it from the ship. Iguana Joe's is an open air bar/restaurant with specialty drinks and good food -- island and American.

 

DW was the only one to order a specialty drink. I forget the name of it, but it looked nasty. It was an unnatural shade of green. She said it was good, but not as good as the one she had last time.

 

DW and her drink

 

I ordered the grilled chicken club. It was huge and very good. DW got the jerk chicken on skewers (appetizer), and Jeff and Linda both got the chicken quesadilla (appetizer). Everyone liked what they ordered.

 

You can tell how close we were to the dock.

 

 

You will notice across the street, the bar/restaurant. It was full of people watching the World Cup. World Cup mania was everywhere in the islands. I think the Netherlands were playing that day (Aruba is Dutch). You can also see the motorcycles on the street. You could rent these. But, they were undoubtedly the LOUDEST bikes I have ever heard. The entire time we were at Iguana Joe's they kept revving up the engines. They made Harleys sound like kittens purring.

 

After lunch we looked in some shops. I bought 3 T shirts for $20 (nice ones with embroidery, not the glued on kind) and a Christmas ornament. DW bought a beach towel and Jeff and Linda bought a couple of trinkets. We walked back to the ship.

 

 

By now it was 4pm. DW and I went to the cabin. I went to the spa to shower -- nobody was there, I had it all to myself. We got to dinner at 6 and we were practically the only ones there! It was nice because we had our wait staff almost all to ourselves. No slow service tonight!

 

DS came alone tonight. Elijah decided to eat on shore with some friends from the Club O2. DS was too old to go to the Club O2 which didn't matter since he found someone special (I'll write about that later!). We later found out the drinking age in Aruba was 16 so Elijah discovered strawberry daquaris.

 

For dinner, I had the broccoli soup, Ceasar salad, beef tenderloin (which was fantastic -- 2 huge slabs of beef, never had to use a knife it was so tender!), baked potato. DW had the chilled peach soup and the kale Ceasar salad. Her entrée was the pork chop with broccoli and other veggies. DS had the cannelloni which he did not care for that much because it had peas in it. He sort of ate around those. But that was OK because he also had shrimp cocktail and Ceasar salad, and the tenderloin. Linda got the peach soup. They both had the salmon cake. Then came dessert!

 

We all (except Jeff) got the s'mores parfait. WOW. That was the best dessert on the entire cruise. If it is on your menu -- ORDER IT. Maybe even two. It is that good. Jeff got the blueberry pie a la mode. Linda also ordered the no sugar added mango cake for all of us to try. It was not bad.

 

After dinner, we went back to the cabin. We were in Aruba until 10pm, but did not want or need to get back off the ship. We turned on the TV and then proceeded to fall asleep! We woke up around 9:30 and went to Deck 10 to watch for any pier runners and the sail away. Only saw 2 runners. We stayed out on deck until about 10:30. It was beautiful. The wind had died down some and the skies were clear. It was quite peaceful (and romantic -- guys, you really should take your wife or GF up there!).

 

We went back to the cabin to rest up for tomorrow and Curacao.

[billys5764]

Day 4 -- Part 5

 

Aruba

 

When we got to our cabin this afternoon we were greeted with this letter on our bed.

 

I'm dreading what it will be like in our cabin when we return from our outing in Curacao.

 

Here is the price list for the mini bar in the cabin

 

We never used it. We did remove everything from the frig to keep our 2 bottles of wine in.

 

 

Our gift today was a bottle of Prosecco.

 

 

One of the many spa ads we received

 

 

An ad for future cruises. I can't plan that far ahead. I wish they would bring back the system where you paid $100 down on a future cruise (no specified date) and got the OBC.

 

[billys5764]

Day 4 -- Part 6

 

Here is the Fun Times for today

 

 

 

 

 

 

[billys5764]

Day 4 -- Part 7

 

Here is the paper given to us as we left the ship to go to Aruba.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ON TO CURACAO!!!!!

[billys5764]

Day 5 -- Part 1

 

CURACAO

 

DW and I woke up by 6:30 today. DW went to Jardin and I went to the Lido. When I went out on Deck 10 the winds were much calmer than yesterday. No croissants were lost today! It was a bit hazy, but not too bad.

 

 

Not the prettiest part of the island

 

 

 

We were docking earlier today than yesterday, so we met for breakfast in the dining room around 8:30. Nothing different today, as I had my usual eggs benedict and everyone else had their usual.

 

We went back to the room to dress for our day in Curacao. We got down to deck 0 and had no line to get off. We had waited around 45 minutes to disembark after they had announced we could.

 

The ship from the dock.

[billys5764]

Day 5 -- Part 2

 

Curacao

 

Other scenes from the dock

 

 

 

The waves were pretty choppy

 

DW in Curacao

 

DW, Jeff and Linda

 

The Liberty

[billys5764]

Day 5 -- Part 3

 

Curacao

 

When we were in Curacao two years ago, we just walked across the bridge into town and did some shopping. This year I did some research and found about the Blue Bay Resort. Blue Bay allows day guests. We took a taxi ($8 per person) there. When we got there is was also $8 per person. This included use of the beach, chairs, umbrellas, showers, and bathrooms (and free wifi!!!!). There is a bar and restaurant there where you can order food and drinks for a price.

 

We got there and found the place to be very beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can tell, this place is very beautiful. My only complaint was the rocks in the water. It was VERY rocky. The beach was smooth, but the water...

 

The World Cup was going on so there were a lot of people at the bar watching the game.

 

We spent about 4 hours here. We sunned and shaded and played in the rocky water. Oh yeah, we ate and drank, too!

[billys5764]

Day 5 -- Part 4

 

Curacao

 

After we had been there a little while, Linda casually pointed out the topless woman. Here is a PG picture (I have to admit there are others that are not quite so PG).

 

 

All in all there were two topless women at the beach. Listening to them, they were German or Dutch. It's not such a big deal to them as it is to us Americans!

 

More pictures at Blue Bay

 

 

Bathrooms in the background

 

[billys5764]

Day 5 -- Part 5

 

Curacao

 

There was plenty of shade if you wanted it.

 

Some of the condos at the resort

 

 

What a beautiful day!

 

 

[billys5764]

Day 5 -- Part 6

 

Curacao

 

Creatures at Blue Bay Resort

 

Perhaps this could be my winter home???

 

Last looks at Blue Bay Resort before leaving

 

 

Goodbye Mr. Iguana

 

It was a great day at Blue Bay. The water was beautiful and warm and calm. The cost for 2 of us was $40 for taxi (round trip and including tip) and $16 for the resort. Not bad for 4 hours at a beautiful beach.

 

Our taxi driver picked us up at the time we had pre-arranged. He drove us back to the dock.

 

Home Again!!!!

 

We walked around a bit in the shops at the dock. We did not cross the bridge this year to go into town. I bought a pair of sunglasses at Del Sol in Cozumel last year. They told me they would turn blue in the sun -- they did not. So I had kept them since last year (and worn them a lot) along with the metal container and certificate. Their exchange policy is very liberal. You can return/exchange for almost any reason. I found another pair that I liked better and took them outside to make sure they turned blue. They did and I exchanged them.

 

We walked back to the ship to watch for pier runners and the sail away.

[billys5764]

Day 5 -- Part 7

 

Curacao from Deck 10

 

 

 

An Olympic Training Pool?

 

Remember they had left us a note that the AC would be off all day in our cabin for repairs. We DREADED going to our cabin. When we got there, is was cool as a cucumber! We dodged that bullet.

 

We only saw 3 pier runners. Perhaps these were the 3 people that had their names announced over the intercom? We watched the sail away and then went to get ready for dinner. I stopped by the casino on the way to the spa for the Snowball Raffle. They drew a name and again, that person was not present! So tomorrow, the drawing will be for $2000.

 

DW and I stopped by the casino for a free drink to take to the table at dinner. For tonight, I had the shrimp cakes and Ceasar Salad and the flat iron steak (again). The entrée menu was not the greatest tonight, that's why I had the steak again. DS had the same thing. DW got the pumpkin soup and the red snapper. She said the fish was very good. Linda got the soup also and some seafood thing with various seafood in it. Jeff had the steak. DSF showed up late! He had 3 shrimp cakes and an entrée.

 

The boys took advantage of the 16 year old drinking age on the island. They had a couple of strawberry daquaris. I told them those were sissy drinks!

 

When we got back to the room, we found the Players Club had sent us a dozen cookies! They were great. We had chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, white chocolate macadamia nut, oatmeal chocolate chip. I love getting gifts!

 

I changed into my casino clothes and quickly lost $190. No comeback tonight. DW and Jeff and Linda went to the Big Band show with Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr imitators. They said it was very good. DW came back to the casino to have a free drink and listen to the Asian band by the casino. She really loves them.

 

Our daughter (22) is mildly autistic and insists she would not like a cruise, so she stayed home. I had one of my students come and stay with her at night. I left the emergency number for the sitter in case of emergency. Well, Amy thought that the AC going out upstairs at home was an emergency. She called the number and told them we were on the Liberty and they patched her through to Guest Services on the ship. They let us know she had called and that it was not an emergency, but if we wanted to call her back we could come to Guest Services and call her for free from there. I was concerned that her calling would cost us a fortune, but it cost us nothing. Thank you Carnival!

 

We went to bed being rocked by the gentle motion of the ship. Tomorrow is a Sea Day!

[billys5764]

Day 6 -- Part 1

 

Sea Day

 

We got up at 6:30, but really wanted to stay in bed and sleep! Nevertheless, we did our usual -- DW to Jardin, me to Lido for coffee and croissants. It was a bit windy again today. Deck 11 was closed off so we had to stay on Deck 10. It was a fairly pretty morning -- some clouds and haze -- but windy. The seas were choppy. We stayed out about an hour and a half and then went to brunch.

 

I had the steak and eggs, Jeff and Linda got the blueberry pancakes. They said they were very good.

 

After brunch, DW went to the gym (I should have) and I went to Deck 10 to get our chairs. I laid out until about 2:30. DW joined me after the gym. At 2:30 I went to the casino and entered the blackjack tournament. I won my preliminary round and was in 3rd place on the finals board. There were still more prelim rounds to go. I went back up to tell DW about my good fortune. I came back about 15 minutes later and I was down to number 5 on the finals board (they take the top 7).

 

The last prelim round was going on and several were doing quite well. I was worried I would get bumped off the leader board. After their chips were counted, I had been bumped to 7th place -- just good enough to get me in the finals!!!!!

 

I ran back up to deck 10 to tell DW. She was excited. Not enough to come watch, tough. I went back for the finals. We played 6 hands. We got to the 7th and last hand and they counted everyone's chips. I was in 4th place (one person had already busted out). 5th and 6th place only had about $100 in chips. I had $1300, 3rd place had $1600, 2nd place had $2400, and 1st place had $3000. 3rd place guy bet $1500, 2nd place bet all $2400, and 1st place bet all $3000. I bet $1100. If we all busted I would win with $200. I was surprised 1st and 2nd place bet it all.

 

The dealer dealt the cards. I GOT A BLACKJACK! In the tourney blackjack pays 2-1, so I had a total of $3500 -- 1st place for now. 1st place guy had an 18 and 2nd place guy had a 17, the dealer was showing a 6. 1st and 2nd place guys were confident they would beat the dealer so they both stood. The dealer turns over his card and has a 10 -- total of 16. I knew I was a goner. Then deal dealer drew a 4 total of 20. 1st and 2nd place guys busted. I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I won $500, a T shirt that was so small it would barely fit a small child, a soft cooler, and a seat in the $100,000 tournament on the Breeze in November! I filled out some paperwork, turned in my chips for cash and went back up to Deck 10. DW had moved to the shade. I tried to look forlorn. I showed her my cooler and said at least I got a nice gift out of it. I told her it was a really neat cooler and for her to look inside. She opened it up and saw the $500. I said, "Oh, yeah, I won the tournament too!"

 

So far, I've gotten $300 in casino cash, $250 in the first night drawing, and $500 in the tournament. Total of $1050 -- not bad!

 

We went to the cabin. I put the cash in the safe and went to the spa to shower. We went to the casino to get a free drink and then went to the atrium and listened to the soloist. He was pretty good -- easy listening type stuff and then went to dinner.

 

I had the crab cakes and Ceasar Salad and the filet mignon. All wonderful. I actually had 2 crab cakes they were so good. DW had the lobster bisque and a salad and the filet. DS had the same as I did. Jeff had the 4 season salad and grilled shrimp. Linda had the lobster bisque and grilled shrimp. Elijah had the crab cake(s) and salmon teriyaki. For dessert, most of us had either the amaretto cake or melting cake.

 

We went back to the cabin and found yet another gift from the casino. This time was a very nice beach towel -- not the regular blue kind, but a very nice, plush extra long beach towel. I changed into my casino clothes and went back to the casino to see if my luck was still holding out. I ended up winning $80. DW got a free glass of wine and went up on deck for a while and came back down and listed to the Asian band. She really likes them. After I quit, I got a drink and went up on Deck 10. I stayed out there for a while. I came back for the casino game drawing. It was some sort of poker game. My name was not called, so I went back to the cabin.

 

It was so nice on the balcony. There was a slight breeze, no clouds, ocean was calming down, and it was nice and warm. I hated to go to bed!

 

Tomorrow -- Grand Turk!

[TxStacey]

Loving this review! I had to laugh about the strawberry daiquiris! I will be on this itinerary in less than 2 weeks..Cant wait!!

[csradave]

With all this documentation did you have time to enjoy the cruise? Extremely well detailed.

[billys5764]

With all this documentation did you have time to enjoy the cruise? Extremely well detailed.

 

 

Every night when I would come in I would go on the balcony and talk into my voice recorder on my phone (speaking softly of course) to recap the day. Otherwise I would have forgotten the details by the next morning!

 

So, yes, I did enjoy the cruise!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[csradave]

I was wondering if you did something like that. Cool. Great job.

[billys5764]

Day 5 -- Part 8

 

CURACAO

 

I forgot to post the Fun Times for Curacao day. Sorry for the "out of order."

 

 

 

 

 

 

[billys5764]

I also did not scan the Fun Times for Day 3. I've completely lost it!

 

So, here is the Fun Times for Day 3, Sunday, June 22

 

 

 

 

 

 

[davehaj]

Did you happen to notice if they had Captain Morgan on the Liberty. Oh, by the way, great review.

[billys5764]

Did you happen to notice if they had Captain Morgan on the Liberty. Oh, by the way, great review.

 

Our captain had more of an Italian sounding name!;)

 

Sorry! I only drink wine and vodka, so I did not notice.

[billys5764]

Day 6 -- Part 2

 

OK. Back on schedule now. Here is the Fun Times for the Sea Day for Day 6.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow -- GRAND TURK!!!

[billys5764]

Day 7 -- Part 1

 

Grand Turk

 

The day began as usual -- up at 6:30 to go on deck. It was absolutely beautiful today. We could go up on Deck 11 this morning because of the light winds. I wish it could be like this all the time -- early morning, very few people, warm but not hot, light breeze. Oh well, life must go on!

 

Because we had a shore excursion today we ate in the Lido Deck restaurant at 7:30 (excursion was at 8:30). We had also dressed for the day -- bathing suit, t shirt, flip flops, etc., so we would not be late.

 

Breakfast was actually quite good. I had two fried eggs from the omelet station, there was practically no line, and bacon. The server gave me some bacon and I asked for more, so I had my full share.

 

We had no problem getting off the ship. There was no line. As an aside, this sailing was not full. I would wager the ship was only 2/3 or 3/4 full. It was nice!

 

We walked to our excursion meeting place. We booked the Catamaran snorkeling and beach trip. We stopped to take a few flower pictures along the way.

 

 

 

We LOVE bougainvillea. We can only grow it in the summer at our house.

 

The pier for the catamaran was just a short distance from the ship.

 

The water is SO beautiful

 

Another excursion leaving. Our catamaran is to the right.

[billys5764]

Day 7 -- Part 2

 

Grand Turk

 

The line waiting to get on our boat. I thought we will never get all these people on there. But, we did. And, it was not crowded.

 

 

A selfie on the boat. Since the hair has gotten thinner, I have to sunscreen my scalp. It gives me that spikey punk rocker look!

 

We sailed to another part of the island. They anchored at a spot very close to the drop off. They told us it went down over a mile! While on the way to the snorkeling place, they went over the rules and handed out equipment for everyone. DW has never been snorkeling and was very leery of doing it. When we got to the spot, you could jump off the side or go down the steps in the back. I jumped. The water temperature was absolutely perfect. DW decided after putting on her mask, she felt too claustrophobic and decided not to participate. I floated around for a bit. The fish were beautiful. There was one neon blue fish. I wish I knew what it was.

 

I swam back to the boat and told DW how beautiful it was. She decided to give it a try. They provided noodles for those that felt uncomfortable about sinking. She got one (I did too -- it really helped) and jumped in. She loved it!!!!!! When they called us back on board, she was one of the last ones to get on.

 

 

 

The crew was very nice and very helpful. This excursion was operated by Chukka Tours. We did book it through Carnival. We would do it again, even if the price went up.

 

After we raised anchor we sailed to a beach spot. The boat pulled right up to the shore. When we got out, the water was about waist high. It couldn't have been a nicer spot. The bottom was very soft and sandy. There were sand dollars buried everywhere. Jeff got one to take home, but they wouldn't let him keep it.