Give me liberty or give me...a review of her!

[OKCcruiser8]

SUITE BOARDING - JS do get priority boarding BUT they do not get access to Chops for embarkation lunch or breakfast. THAT is for GS or above - basically gold cards. JS will have silver cards. They should let all of your party board together as long as someone is in a suite.

 

Yes Olympia Grill is in the same building as Harbour House. It is good but a bit pricey.

 

JaniceB - Club Royale is indeed based on your play. I believe tables are $25 average bet and you have to hit around 3000 points for slot play. If you plan on gambling steadily and "heavily", my suggestion is to introduce yourself to the casino host and ask for him to keep an eye on your play - that you would like to get rated. Can't hurt.

 

Thank you so much for answering! I actually looked at Gaido's website & think we may try this one instead. It looks like they actually take reservations now.

[Toodang]

Can any one please tell me what happened to the suite guests private sundeck on The Liberty? Did they move it or is it completely gone?

[wolfganghowell]

The suite sundeck is ABOVE the skybar all by itself.

[Toodang]

Okay thank you. Bummer! That's one of the greatest suite perks that I will miss! It's way too hot up there!

Edited June 9, 2016 by Toodang

[awhfy]

Ok this review was like sitting at the Pool Bar on Navigator with you!

[Mickeygrl71]

LOL! Coralc FYI I found out that Gaidos takes reservations via Open Table now. I think they only upload the schedule for a month out at a time. So, it's too early to reserve tables for September. :-)

 

Kim

Edited June 9, 2016 by Mickeygrl71

[wolfganghowell]

Les & Melody - :D :D :D Almost but not quite right? :) There were no Pool Bar regulars this week - too hot I think.

 

One more item of note - It did seem like the serious drinkers had their drink packages. And as so many of us say, If you plan on averaging 5 adult beverages per day that are NOT beer, it is a deal.

 

That's great news about Gaidos! I recommend the red snapper!

Edited June 9, 2016 by wolfganghowell

[awhfy]

Loved the snapper at Gaidos. When do you head out on Liberty again? I'm trying to get Laura & Mike on another one. If we go with them we need to have a pkg...

[wolfganghowell]

Don't know - we booked 11/26/17 but want to go before that in the spring. All the GS are sold out - ridiculous!!!!

[tradeshowgirl]

Have you been on Allure as well? Just curious what the pros/cons are between sailing the top (besides size of course!) we just sailed Allure with our kids and hope they won't be disappointed on liberty now that they were spiked the with Allures awesomeness!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[cruisinlife]

Thanks for the review and as others have stated, nice writing style !!

My question is, Does Royal do the valet luggage service out of Galveston ? I have been looking at many Cruise Compasses and cannot find any info on it. I'm guessing that means "NO", but thought I would ask just in case.

Thanks in Advance.

[Coralc]

LOL! Coralc FYI I found out that Gaidos takes reservations via Open Table now. I think they only upload the schedule for a month out at a time. So, it's too early to reserve tables for September. :-)

 

Kim

 

Gaidos sounds good. Dinner and drinks! :D ~Patti

[Cel_cruise]

Thank you for your review! We will be on Liberty 4/16/2017 (Easter Sunday) and can't wait!!

[JaniceB]

SUITE BOARDING - JS do get priority boarding BUT they do not get access to Chops for embarkation lunch or breakfast. THAT is for GS or above - basically gold cards. JS will have silver cards. They should let all of your party board together as long as someone is in a suite.

 

Yes Olympia Grill is in the same building as Harbour House. It is good but a bit pricey.

 

JaniceB - Club Royale is indeed based on your play. I believe tables are $25 average bet and you have to hit around 3000 points for slot play. If you plan on gambling steadily and "heavily", my suggestion is to introduce yourself to the casino host and ask for him to keep an eye on your play - that you would like to get rated. Can't hurt.

 

Thank you for the tip, I will look for the host. Do you give you card to the dealer when you get your chips?

[George C]

Don't know - we booked 11/26/17 but want to go before that in the spring. All the GS are sold out - ridiculous!!!!

 

GS are going fast, love sailing week after Thanksgiving, we booked GS on Navigator that week 2 extra days and cheaper than Liberty in GS ( much prefer pool seating for GS on that ship)

[wolfganghowell]

George - agreed, that is our fave week to sail. Done it many times. We'll just have to sneak another cruise in somehow before then!

 

Janice - yes give them your seapass card and you play with your seapass card in the slot machines. Don't leave it - it's your room key! :)

 

cruisinlife - don't know about luggage valet in Galveston. I confess to not paying attention since we drive. I tend to doubt it since the airports are pretty far away.

 

tradeshow - fear not, there is plenty to do. We've been on Oasis and I prefer Voyager and Freedom class ships. Sure, there aren't as many places to eat but I think the pools and Solarium are much better.

 

cel cruise - note that you may have a little delay boarding on Easter. Often they are shorthanded with port personnel - holiday flu. ;) Also - the week before is a very popular sailing week for Mexican citizens since they have more time off for Easter. It will take longer to clear the ship at immigration.

[39august]

There is no luggage valet in Galveston.

[JaniceB]

Thanks Wolfganghowell. Do they have lanyards any where for your sea pass so you don't leave your card?

[wolfganghowell]

Oh yeah they sell lanyards on board. :)

[Pinkcruzr]

Thank you Mrs. W for all your great input so far (I haven't finished reading all of what you have posted) As far as the drink package goes, If you are not D or D+ and just a Suite guest would your suggestion be to purchase the drink package? We will be celebrating a 50th bday on board.

Thank you!

[wolfganghowell]

Pink- Suite happy hour is 4:30-8. That's the only time you get the free drinks - and you are supposed to drink them in the lounge. It's randomly enforced - I see people take them out all the time.

 

If you guys will be drinking ON AVERAGE, 5 or more adult beverages per day, it's worth the package. I'm talking wine, mixed drinks, frozens, martinis etc. We've done the package twice - one time it was worth it, the second time we probably broke even.

 

I hit that birthday fairly recently - it takes awhile to get used to those dang AARP mailings. :D :D Happy b day in advance!

[Blizzard54]

Pink- Suite happy hour is 4:30-8. That's the only time you get the free drinks - and you are supposed to drink them in the lounge. It's randomly enforced - I see people take them out all the time.

 

If you guys will be drinking ON AVERAGE, 5 or more adult beverages per day, it's worth the package. I'm talking wine, mixed drinks, frozens, martinis etc. We've done the package twice - one time it was worth it, the second time we probably broke even.

 

I hit that birthday fairly recently - it takes awhile to get used to those dang AARP mailings. :D :D Happy b day in advance!

 

Those AARP mailings can lead to some nice discounts.

 

Thank you for your review. I am looking forward to sailing on the LOTS this fall. Glad to hear that they called you up at the Top Tier for your 280 block. We were on Rhapsody for ours and felt lucky to even get it. Twice it did not show up in our cabin when it was suppose to. We are due to get our 350 on the Liberty.

[Pinkcruzr]

Pink- Suite happy hour is 4:30-8. That's the only time you get the free drinks - and you are supposed to drink them in the lounge. It's randomly enforced - I see people take them out all the time.

 

If you guys will be drinking ON AVERAGE, 5 or more adult beverages per day, it's worth the package. I'm talking wine, mixed drinks, frozens, martinis etc. We've done the package twice - one time it was worth it, the second time we probably broke even.

 

I hit that birthday fairly recently - it takes awhile to get used to those dang AARP mailings. :D :D Happy b day in advance!

 

I think it will be worth the packages for us if for no other reason so we pay it up front instead of getting a crazy bill at the end of the cruise!:D

This will be our first cruise with RC and we are both really looking forward to it and the GS perks are a huge bonus!:o Anything we shouldn't miss?

Thank you for your great info!

[wolfganghowell]

I didn't mention the ice show because we've seen a few before. But they are always worth seeing - amazing what they can do on a small rink. The cappuccino machine in the suite lounge saves me since I can make a latte - the ship's coffee is way too strong for me. Since you are used to Celebrity, I caution you to hedge your expectations on the food. X has Royal beat. You won't starve but the presentation on X is so much more sophisticated where Royal is definitely simpler.

[MrSnarkyPants]

Janice B - lots of great choices in Galveston. The Original Mexican is a good choice for Tex Mex. The Spot - same venue as Rum Shack has great burgers. Olympia Grill at Harbor House - wonderful Greek and Med choices.

 

Add Harborside Mercantile to your list. It's new on The Strand and has fantastic food.

 

BLVD Seafood on Seawall doesn't look like much from the outside but is great, too.

 

Casual: Shrimp & Stuff, Benno's or Nick's (if you take the patio)

 

Breakfast: Sunflower Bakery & Cafe

 

And no complaints from me about Gaido's. It's consistently good.

Edited June 16, 2016 by MrSnarkyPants