Liberty of the Seas - Not a wow.

[scottrn7]

Yes, I already have towels even before heading downstairs in my back pack. :)

 

You could get the towels on the pool deck and keep them for the excursion.

[BecciBoo]

I have to say our last RCCL cruise (Jewel last March) was the poorest we've had. Not complaining, just noticed a lot of things lacking compared to the past. Very little help in WindJammer, hardly any pool waiters, empty soda freestyle machines........etc. I think they've cut way back on staff. Ship was still beautiful and we have Adventure booked for 2016. But for 2015 we're trying Celebrity. We've only travelled RCCL for 9 years, but the last two cruises would seem to indicate a lot of cost cutting and cutbacks. We could care less about C&A freebies in the room and such, but the staff cutbacks do impact the vacation.:rolleyes:

 

Don't expect anything better from Celebrity. Just returned from our first on their highest rated ship Reflection. It was very similar to this. Do not know why these two companies and parent company have seen fit to downsize the workforce, but I am very disappointed. One of the things about cruising I have come to appreciate the most is fine service.....it was definitely missing last month on Reflection. I can say the food was absolutely excellent though.

 

We have Liberty on the list for April 2016...just hope those in the know read these reviews and things begin to get back to normal...Legend coming up to Hawaii, hoping for a good experience there as well.:o

 

We were on Liberty's pre-inaugural and later the same year for a 7 day and thoroughly enjoyed her....hope this next one will be ok

Edited December 5, 2014 by BecciBoo

[MattInFLL]

As to the questions about the towels - they tell you that you cannot take towels from the pool the day before to have in your stateroom and take off the boat. They say your stateroom attendant will collect them. Does that really happen? I could not tell you. I have always found it so convenient to just grab them on the way off the ship (except this time, of course) :)

 

And also sorry but I know nothing about Raisin Bran and Almond Milk. I would think that they have to have some sort of milk alternative for the lactose intolerant folks, but not sure what. I would be more certain about prune juice. They always have a selection of cereals and Raisin Bran strikes me as one of those iconic ones to have along with Cheerios and Wheaties. But hopefully someone else can answer these definitively.

[poncho1973]

Thanks for sharing. Glad you posted the good with the bad and sorry you had so much bad.

 

We didn't have anything close to this type of experience on her a couple of years ago. I hope they get this stuff straightened out and get her back to where she should be ASAP.

 

 

 

I have never had a problem with a cabin attendant. I certainly did this time. And I had tipped her at the beginning.

 

Impossible! I've read on CC that if you tip people before they serve you that the entire world is your oyster and nothing can ever, ever, ever, ever, ever go wrong. You are treated like kings/queens the entire trip for your extremely generous ways. People in ports will point and bow when you pass. The guests the following cruise get photos of you that say "Be like ____, be a hero!" The staff just falls all over you!

 

:) Hehehe

[sjb317]

 

I do have a quick question.... did anyone notice Raisin Bran, prune juice and almond milk available? (Again, for mom, not me ):/

 

I don't think I've ever seen prune juice or almond milk on a cruise, at least in WJ which is where we eat breakfast, but they usually have prunes and Raisin Bran available.

 

Sherri:)

[Paulette3028]

we were on the same cruise with our 4 children ages 11-14, my niece and her friend. We had a great time and loved our balcony rooms. So much to do on the cruise. We had the premium package and it was great, next time I would upgrade to ultimate to get coffees. The kids all had soda packages. Shows were great, we never made it to ice show, didn't want to leave pool & sun. We had My time, but had dinner reservations every night at 6. Our only complaint was our waiter forgot so many things at dinner, the first night was 3 appetizers and then every night after that was at least 1. The last few 3 nights at bedtime were very bumpy, had to give my son dramamine at bedtime. Looking to book Indy next Thanksgiving. Any questions ask away

 

So what did you do about the 'absent minded waiter'.....did you talk with the head waiter or Maitr D'?

[Paulette3028]

Well that is really disappointing that the quest is nowhere to be found. I have taken a 3 day on the Majesty and it had a quest so the lack of time on 4 day is curious.

 

Anyhow, I sail on the Liberty in 9 days. Do you happen to have your compasses?

 

 

Thanks in advance

 

The Cruise Director makes choices all the time as to what to do with the schedule of events -- Quest , Love and Marriage, Karoake and anything else.

 

It isn't 'carved in stone' from week to week and definitely not month to month or year to year. We just came off of Her Majesty for a short weekender....no Love and Marriage, not enough Karoake for us, we did have Quest (it was great).

 

A staple is the 70's Dance Party, which from my POV, could be changed already...but that is me. The Disco Dance Pool Party....fine...and gives me opportunity to dance off some of those eaten and drank calories.

 

But it is the CD that decides what will happen and every CD is different.

[Paulette3028]

Thanks for the report, hoping RC gets Liberty shaped up by the time it gets to Texas. We are booked for our anniversary cruise in Feb of 2016.

 

I have read all the different comments in this thread and usually take what most people say with a 'large grain of Kosher salt'. You bring up that you hope the ship 'shapes up' by the time it gets to Texas. From what people have told me, embarkation and disembarkation isn't very easy and not a good experience in Texas. Tough way to start and end a cruise, even if everything in between goes perfectly. Perfect only happens if you don't go out of your house (my experience at least).

[KatD1]

The Good :D: Corkage fee is gone so was able to get my wine opened for free in the MDR.

 

 

I read that we can bring on 2 bottles of wine per stateroom...I thought these were for consumption within the stateroom only. You are saying we can bring to the MDR w/out corkage fee??? That has made my day!

[KatD1]

No corkage fee in MDR??

 

I read that we could bring 2 bottles of wine onboard/stateroom but thought that was for consumption within the stateroom. We can bring to the MDR??? YAY!

 

(BTW - I may have posted this twice and not once where I am trying to. Newbie...)

[jackie101]

So what did you do about the 'absent minded waiter'.....did you talk with the head waiter or Maitr D'?

 

Nothing, we just dealt with it and had a good laugh:cool:. It was both the head and ass waiter

[Paulette3028]

The Good :D: Corkage fee is gone so was able to get my wine opened for free in the MDR.

 

 

I read that we can bring on 2 bottles of wine per stateroom...I thought these were for consumption within the stateroom only. You are saying we can bring to the MDR w/out corkage fee??? That has made my day!

 

Good to see you are easily made happy!

[poncho1973]

It was both the head and ass waiter

 

At least it was the same coming AND going...

[Cruisin' Again 86]

We were on the December 1st cruise, and as OP says checking in was a mess. Luggage and porters everywhere like it was their first day. At check-in everyone was in one line when we got there and it didn't matter what status you were.

 

Upon arrival to our cabin ( JS / Deck 9 ) nothing was in the cabin, we asked the attendant and he said, and we already knew the answer, that they would have to check with hotel director. Nothing like going to the room and just seeing a room, nothing to welcome us or even acknowledge that it was our cabin:mad:

 

Grades :

 

Check-In > F

Cabin Attendant > B

Dining Room / Staff > B

WJ / Staff > C

Chops > D ... overcooked steaks and low quality IMPO of food

Portofinos > A ... Yigit is an excellent waiter !

Shows > B

Cruise Director ( Luke ) > C

Bars > B

Casino Staff > A

Overall Cruise > B

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Just curious what time did you get to the port? It seems like I have been reading a lot of posts saying similar things aboard the liberty of the seas lately. I am a little worried we board on Saturday. I guess I should lower my expectations and hope for the best.:)

 

On December 1, we boarded Liberty at 11:15 and had approximately the same experience as the OP had when he boarded. We stood in line thirty-five minutes to check in. Once checked in, however, we were able to go right onto the ship. I was afraid we'd have to go sit in chairs and wait some more.

 

In over forty cruises, this was one of the more difficult boardings for us, even back when we were brand new to cruising.

[tinatark]

We were on a b2b starting on Thanksgiving, continuing on 12/1. I agree with many of the previous posters - things were "off"- past cruiser discounts not added to cards, indifferent staff, slow service...

 

I will say that many of the problems with embarkation on 12/1 are likely because the last person from the 11/27 sailing didn't leave the ship until around 11:30!!! Our check-out/check back in was delayed because of it! By the time the B2B'ers were getting turned around, other people were getting on the ship!

[jaspercat]

OP (Matt) -- good or bad it was your review I appreciated it. A little unnerving to read a lot more threads 'negative in some way' about the Liberty. I sail on her next Monday. Sailed on her Dec 2011 and totally enjoyed the cruise, cruise, venues, main dining etc. So crossing fingers. I totally agree with you and others, that pier is bad, ok , worse than bad.

 

I'd like to hope that it was because this was one of the earlier ones upon her return from overseas, but in reality that's no excuse.

 

Thank you OP (Matt) for your reviews.

 

[Paulette3028]

We were on the December 1st cruise' date=' and as OP says checking in was a mess. Luggage and porters everywhere like it was their first day. At check-in everyone was in one line when we got there and it didn't matter what status you were.

 

Upon arrival to our cabin ( JS / Deck 9 ) nothing was in the cabin, we asked the attendant and he said, and we already knew the answer, that they would have to check with hotel director. Nothing like going to the room and just seeing a room, nothing to welcome us or even acknowledge that it was our cabin:mad:

 

Grades :

 

Check-In > F

Cabin Attendant > B

Dining Room / Staff > B

WJ / Staff > C

Chops > D ... overcooked steaks and low quality IMPO of food

Portofinos > A ... Yigit is an excellent waiter !

Shows > B

Cruise Director ( Luke ) > C

Bars > B

Casino Staff > A

Overall Cruise > B[/quote']

 

I have never been on a cruise with Luke as the cruise director. What caused you to give him a Grade of C?

[Cruisin' Again 86]

C >> average ( at best ) on our cruise, Luke was just that average. We saw him 1 time around the ship, he was at shows, as he should be, but we really never saw him around. His staff did a decent job, just not a good to great job.

[Paulette3028]

C >> average ( at best ) on our cruise' date=' Luke was just that average. We saw him 1 time around the ship, he was at shows, as he should be, but we really never saw him around. His staff did a decent job, just not a good to great job.[/quote']

 

What would you have liked the staff to have done better, so it went from decent to at least good if not great job? In my view, I believe the CD should be visible around the ship, not just at shows or events they are being the MC at. I have had some great ones, and very good ones, I guess.

[Cruisin' Again 86]

What would you have liked the staff to have done better, so it went from decent to at least good if not great job? In my view, I believe the CD should be visible around the ship, not just at shows or events they are being the MC at. I have had some great ones, and very good ones, I guess.

 

I never said that, I said they did a decent job "just not good to great". Staff, I my opinion, and we have been on plenty of cruises, needed to do a better job on the rain days to change Compass and update. Maybe we are just spoiled from Allure and Oasis ( Ken / Jimmy / Allan etc ) but we were not impressed with Luke.

[Paulette3028]

I never said that' date=' I said they did a decent job "just not good to great". Staff, I my opinion, and we have been on plenty of cruises, needed to do a better job on the rain days to change Compass and update. Maybe we are just spoiled from Allure and Oasis ( Ken / Jimmy / Allan etc ) but we were not impressed with Luke.[/quote']

 

I understood that you said they did a decent job and just wanted to know what you felt they needed to do to get a better grade....and you have answered that. If they did not go a good job of changing the Compass and updating activities, I can surely understand.

 

I never had Ken but we did have Jimmy and Allan as CD's. Allan I thought was very good, Jimmy was not as much fun as Allan but still very good (my opinion) and since we never had Ken, we have no opinion. We have had other CD's like Mitch Merucci, who was very good as well. He does an outstanding Love and Marriage show.

[HouCplCruise]

Nice review Matt! We are booked on the LB in April next year.

[sjb317]

It's been interesting to read everyone's experiences. We did this year's westbound TA on Liberty as well as last year's. Both cruises were great, but, wow, disembarkation was a mess on both. My husband and I both agreed that embarking at that terminal would not be fun!

 

I liked the food on both cruises but thought it was better this year. We had wonderful steaks in Chops; however, I do miss the old menu. Neither one of us cared for the tater tot dish! Margaret was our waiter and she was excellent.

We did the wine dinner in Portofino, Yigit was our waiter also, he was very funny and an excellent waiter!

 

I ordered a steak one night in the MDR, figured I was probably making a mistake but was pleasantly surprised as it was almost as good as Chops! The only meal I had that I did not care for was lunch one day in the MDR, the gnocchi I had was dry & tasteless.

 

I would give the CD, Luke, a higher grade than C, probably a B+ or A-. :D He was the kind of CD I appreciate, lowkey, not over the top in your face crazy like some of them! Lots of activities scheduled for each sea day and his Love & Marriage show was quite funny. The Ice Show and Saturday Night Fever were both excellent!

 

I would love to go on Liberty again & have noticed some super low prices but I really want to avoid embarking from Ft. Lauderdale. :D

 

Sherri:)

[nivek82]

Sitting on board waiting to go through customs for our b2b and thought this cruise was as good as the others. I agree there are some cutbacks but nothing that ruined anything. They did have quest last night (but didn't attend.) service was great all over the ship but I did notice that there a lot of crew ending their contracts soon so there are folks ready to go. I don't normally pay attention to the CD but only saw him once the entire cruise at the end of the ice show. We didn't attend other shows so maybe that's why but didn't matter. Chops was great and had a server that got us in and out quick wich we like. Mdr was ok the lobsters were good last night. Wish they had the soda machines but maybe some other day.

 

Now if it would just warm up a bit today.