Our Carnival Liberty Experience 3/29-4/5/14

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

You had me hooked with the disclaimer!! Great review so far, and really looking to reading more!

 

LOL-thanks for reading along, more to come!

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

Ok, I believe I left off in Puerto Rico, beach stop- this area was located in the area known as Condado, San Juan. The beach stop was also an opportunity to shop at a little gift shop that had restrooms. We did purchase some items here (very reasonably priced tank tops for the boys).

 

 

And off we went for more sightseeing

 

 

I think this is there capital building (they had a health fair going on)

 

Patron Saint

 

Cemetery next to El Morro

 

 

 

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

At this stop (El Morro) we had the opportunity to stay behind if we wanted to go inside and take the free trolley back to the ship, we opted to just take photos and have him take us to the shopping district instead.

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time to head off again. We learned that Puerto Rico is known for the Three B’s- Baseball, Basketball & Boxing. Also that Carmelo Anthony, who plays for the NBA (NY Knicks) has built a basketball court for the kids of San Juan to play on (his father is from PR).

 

 

More pictures from our tour:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

 

 

Here is where we were dropped off at for shopping. This gentleman was feeding the pigeons on the stairs (they were actually sitting on him).

 

 

 

 

 

They had a craft bazaar going on with handmade items for sale at the Christopher Columbus Plaza.

 

 

I actually purchased earrings for some coworkers here.

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

Very narrow streets but great shopping to be had:

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome architecture:

 

 

Time for some fun and no, I didn’t let them put them on me-LOL!

 

 

 

 

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

Carnival Liberty at the dock in OSJ:

 

 

 

Pictures from the dock – the white building in the background is the convention center:

 

 

After walking over to the CVS for a newspaper (DS14 needed it for extra credit for Spanish class) & shopping at Duty Free for Don Q rum it was time to head back on the ship. I never got my Mofungo but the kids did get pastillos from a street vendor near the CVS and once in the cruise terminal they did give out small samples of daiquiris, mojitos and rum punch (very tasty).

 

FYI-this Duty Free does give the free alcohol “bumper bags” for packing your bottles in your luggage but only if your purchase was with them.

Edited April 10, 2014 by Buffalofirsttimer4

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

Pictures from our balcony:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wouldn’t mind living here:

 

 

 

Lunch: yes I had a Guys burger (no pics). We then decided to go back to our balcony to take pictures as we left port.

 

 

Edited April 10, 2014 by Buffalofirsttimer4

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

We had a group of jetskiers screaming and waving as the ship rolled out (at first I thought they were trying to play chicken with us-not so smart since they would not win).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Perfect Stranger]

Very nice pictures!

[KPfromCT]

Awwww! First off, let me say, you have a beautiful family!!!

Secondly, I am LOVING your review!!! Pics are great!:D

Sorry you missed HMC. It is the most beautiful island I have been to.

In St. Thomas we spent the day at Magens Bay, but the weather did not want to cooperate:mad::mad: We never made it up the hill for the Banana daiquiris, but I heard they are DELISH!!!!!

Cannot wait to read more.....

 

Congratulations on your graduation and degree!!! Incredible accomplishment!!!!:D

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

Very nice pictures!

 

Thank you!

 

Awwww! First off, let me say, you have a beautiful family!!!

Secondly, I am LOVING your review!!! Pics are great!:D

Sorry you missed HMC. It is the most beautiful island I have been to.

In St. Thomas we spent the day at Magens Bay, but the weather did not want to cooperate:mad::mad: We never made it up the hill for the Banana daiquiris, but I heard they are DELISH!!!!!

Cannot wait to read more.....

Congratulations on your graduation and degree!!! Incredible accomplishment!!!!:D

 

Thank you for taking the time to read along and yes the banana daiquiris is on point! Trying to finish up San Juan today so I can move on to Grand Turk :D

[kmr444]

I am thoroughly enjoying your trip report! Congrats on your graduation!! You have a beautiful family!!!

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

I am really trying to finish San Juan today so I can move onto Grand Turk and our post-cruise excursion with Carnival.

 

Dinner: OK dinner, singing time & cake-YEAH. I’ll do pictures of food first, then our impressions.

 

 

Appetizer from Port of Call: Masitas de Puerco Fristas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marinated pork-tasty but a little dry, second piece tasted better than the first and the fried plantain on top was awesome.

 

 

Main also from the Port of Call: Pescado Asada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red snapper with sofrito (red based not green)-it was OK. I didn’t like the potato-polenta mixture under the fish but the fish was good. It didn't have a taste to it (no seasonings and very mushy).

 

 

 

Mains: Chicken Milanese

 

 

Sides: Double Baked Potato; Green Beans

 

 

 

 

 

 

BFF had these thought all tasted good, just enough flavor to get her to finish her plate!

 

 

 

 

Mains: Chateaubriand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to DS BFF Mom (that is a mouthful) this was very tender and good. She wished it had of been on the menu every night.

 

 

 

Boys ordered Cesar salads with flat iron steaks almost every night. If they didn’t order that they ordered from the Kids menu-pizza, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, etc.

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

Now it is time to sing!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK, now I need to apologize (again) because I didn’t taste the cake-the kids actually took it back to their cabin to share with their friends later.

 

 

 

Tonight instead I got ice cream with pie or Pie a La Mode as the new menu calls it. It was supposed to be rhubarb pie -nope didn’t even come close to tasting like it. The crust was tasty but the filling not so much. I ate the crust & ice cream though-see you never go hungry. Others at our table had WMC & Cheesecake (didn't taste very good per DS BFF mother).

 

After dinner we head up a flight to check out pictures and hear music from the Lobby. If you have a chance to listen to Tom (smooth Guitar Tunes) listen-he has a very nice voice and sang some tunes I had never heard but sounded great.

 

 

 

Pictures while sitting there listening to him:

 

 

Now it is time to head to the Love & Marriage Show. OK, we all know that the oldest married couple is always the funniest-they have LOTS of history between them and this show did not disappoint.

 

 

 

Now of course, we need to head the Lido deck for the Blue Iguana Latin Fiesta (this is were my boys headed up the line dancing on the Wobble). Lots of dancing and having fun. OK, I am adding a few more notes. They do have a nacho bar set up-no tacos, no burritos, just chips and salsa, sour cream, cheese-just want to make you aware of it.

 

So you know after you work out on the dance floor you need Pizza or a hot dog right, so off we went to get a snack.

 

Then it's off to bed because tomorrow we are headed to Jack's Shack in Grand Turk.

 

This little guy was waiting in our cabin when we returned.

 

Edited April 10, 2014 by Buffalofirsttimer4

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

I am thoroughly enjoying your trip report! Congrats on your graduation!! You have a beautiful family!!!

 

Thank you for reading along and the compliments, more to come on my report!

[tmt218]

Loving your review! I was surprised how much more humid and hot it was in SJ than in St. Thomas. The pics of your boys with the iguanas are hilarious! I also love the pic of the **** in port at St. Thomas. My mom and I did this tour in 2004. Love it! This time we went over to St. John.

[miss tea]

Great review. I like the big letters. Can't wait to hear about Grand Turk

[alreadypacked]

Being Elegant Night we go back to the cabin a little early since I need to flat iron my hair (which is a chore). I use a spray in product to get it straight (or at least to resemble straight for a little while). Takes about 30-45 minutes to part each piece and flatten it out. Prior to the cruise I knew we would do a family pic (although it’s not complete since I am missing one of my DS this trip) and yes I preplanned our outfits to coordinate- LOL!

 

 

 

I have to say we clean up well (if I do say so myself):

 

 

 

 

 

 

DS17; DS15; DS14:

 

 

 

 

 

DH with DSs:

 

 

 

Nice family photos! DH and I took time (this last cruise) to pose for formal night photos on our recent cruise since we have no really nice portraits of us (except wedding photos) and sadly didn't like a single one. The cruise photographers had us always in awkward poses. I suspect the problem is our height difference!

 

Anyway--love your family photos and review!

[SoCalKJ]

 

Patron Saint

 

 

What is he doing? From this angle, it looks like it's a middle finger, or a "rock on!!" stance or he's smelling his pit?! :confused::D:)

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

What is he doing? From this angle, it looks like it's a middle finger, or a "rock on!!" stance or he's smelling his pit?! :confused::D:)

 

Actually his index finger is pointing to the sky, like he is lecturing those he is speaking to.

 

We also got to see the Holocaust memorial (near the convention center) but sadly my photos were to blurred to post.

 

Kindle Fire using Taptalk app

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

Nice family photos! DH and I took time (this last cruise) to pose for formal night photos on our recent cruise since we have no really nice portraits of us (except wedding photos) and sadly didn't like a single one. The cruise photographers had us always in awkward poses. I suspect the problem is our height difference!

 

Anyway--love your family photos and review!

 

 

Thank you, when DH & I cruise alone we never like the photos either and the pictures we took of just the two of us this time we did not purchase

 

so I totally understand.

 

 

Great review. I like the big letters. Can't wait to hear about Grand Turk

 

 

Thank you for reading along, more to come.

 

 

 

 

Loving your review! I was surprised how much more humid and hot it was in SJ than in St. Thomas. The pics of your boys with the iguanas are hilarious! I also love the pic of the **** in port at St. Thomas. My mom and I did this tour in 2004. Love it! This time we went over to St. John.

 

 

Yes, we had heard SJ would be more humid, we have friends from PR who warned us but I thought I could handle it because the Dominican Republic is also humid. Once I got use to it I was fine, my blood must have been too thick when we first got there (due to our horrible winter), LOL.

 

 

Kindle Fire using Taptalk app

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

GRAND TURK, TURKS & CAICOS 11am -5:30pm & SECOND ELEGENT NIGHT

(Thursday April 3)

 

 

DH had a plan for this day. This would be our third trip back to Grand Turk and we always go and stay at Jack’s Shack for the day. The atmosphere is what he likes and he can snorkel off the beach- some like it, some don’t -to each his own, DH LOVES IT. So with free rum shot coupons in hand we will get down there…..here is the issue we have never taken the kids with us to Grand Turk…so best laid plans—right. Margaritaville has a vibe that I know our boys are going to want to experience plus they have girls and a pool, we are traveling with 5 teenage boys remember.

 

Breakfast: you think you already know………. fruit, bacon, toast and coffee only-fooled you, no omelet for me (the line was just too long, people had finally found Elmer).

 

DH is excited we are going back to Jack’s. With coupons in my beach bag and everyone ready to get off we head out. Weather is awesome. Now just so you know, this is our third trip to Jack’s so DH & I are used to the walk, the others-not so much. I heard "are we there yet?", almost as much from the other adults, as I did from the kids. We did offer to let the kids stay at Margaritaville but they decided they wanted to stay with us.

 

 

Yes the chairs cost, yes the umbrella costs but we had two ships in port and the cruise port free chairs are on top of each other, so I will pay to have some room to spread out. We had the beach blanket again for the boys with an umbrella over it, then four loungers with an umbrella between them.

 

 

This was my view:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can see in this picture the floats now available. Cost is supposed to be $10 per Adult/$6 per child but everything on the islands is negotiable. I have to tell you- you really need to be a strong swimmer and have upper body strength to be able to swim; then climb up. A few of the boys did attempt it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The boys had purchased a football at Coki Beach, they used it here as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a nice relaxing day on the beach-yes I got my Wobble on with another lady also on the Liberty and a plate of jerk chicken with a rum punch (wait was a little longer than normal for our food but all was good). We ordered bottles of water to walk back with. Did a little shopping in the Dizzy Donkey- on our last two trips here we have bought a gift for DH assistant from here so we picked up another necklace & earring set.

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

After we get back on the ship, the boys went their way and we headed to the balcony to take pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK, I have to tell you there are several new bars between the cruise port & Jack’s now, as well as a casino (not sure if this was open but the signage stated it was a casino-The Pirate ship in this picture).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DH thinks this ship got stuck after the last storm because it wasn’t there in 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

I really would like to take a trip and just stay on Grand Turk but I think once the ships leave, it might be a little dead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner: We all get to sit at a table together-YEAH (I think). The boys are silly tonight and have finally learned they ALL can order non-alcoholic drinks with their sign & sail cards (not everyone was aware they had charging privileges-LOL).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YEAH tonight is the second night the waiters danced (they only danced twice this cruise). I took video just not sure how to upload that, so here is a (bad quality) pic.

 

 

 

 

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

App: Lobster Bisque

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Missing lobster/seafood…..large breadcrumb/crouton on top-hard didn’t even try to eat as I like my teeth. The flavor was missing in the soup…not sure exactly what it was but it wasn’t my favorite dish tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

App: It was some sort of tenderloin dish, cannot remember the exact name nor can I find it in my notes (sorry).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BFF ordered it and didn’t like it, it was a cold app & very red (rare), she didn’t realize this when she ordered it. So the waiter brought her out a Cesar salad (this salad was a blessing in a pinch).

 

FYI the Pizza Pirate (24 hr) also serves cesar salad (doesn’t taste exactly like the dining room but it’s there if you want some).

 

 

 

I knew I had to have a picture of the kids food somewhere and finally today I do:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This pizza is not like the 24 hr pizza, this has crust and is not charred like the other, according to my DS15.