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Live from the LIBERTY of the SEAS 3/26/17 sailing

sldispatcher
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sldispatcher

sldispatcher

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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

 

 

 

Let’s just get a few things out of the way.

 

 

1. In spite of room service menu being put out the night before, it never came.

 

2. As with any Caribbean cruise that I’ve experienced of 7 days duration, there is an “ick” factor that permeates created by the combination of suntan lotion, messed up hair, and the pool lice that leave their droppings on deck chairs and expect no one to get near them. These are traits not specific to RCCL.

 

3. I have never seen rushed dining room service, but they did today. The made to order salad bar, albeit a nice touch, couldn’t get done in enough time before the soups were being slung down on the table and the entrees right behind them within 5 minutes.

 

4. In different parts of the ship, it looks like gasoline has been poured on an ant bed. People just boil out from different areas. The Windjammer is such a place. The pool area is another. I was at the Windjammer at 745 and had not much trouble getting what I needed and tables were ample. By the time the rest of the ants had awakened and were stirring, this was not the case. You have been warned.

 

5. The Flow Rider is popular as would be expected but the lines for the slides and the Tidal Wave have not been bad at all. However, the slides were designed by Snail & Co as there is barely enough grade to keep small kids moving much less grown kids. Perhaps one less 360 and more slope would have solved that.

 

6. I have a feeling that when the Tidal Wave gets deployed on other ships, it will have some improvements based on the experience here. It has been shut down for a couple of hours because of “movement of the ship”. Really? What movement?? This Big Bertha isn't hardly noticing the higher winds.

 

7. Hot tubs should be relabeled “cold” tubs. They must have left the hot water in Galveston.

 

8. The pool water is even cool.

 

 

My experience so far has been that of a seismograph. Rapid ups and downs. There was a very good quality and experience in the MDR for lunch today in terms of the food. RCCL gets thumbs up for that. Our family had a great time enjoying every moment of spending time together. Kids ordered things they would never dream of before (a common cruise phenomenon I have witnessed). There was laughter and even a second round of desserts!

 

 

 

The elevators are lacking for sure. The younger demographic skews towards loud noises from shrieking teenagers. Yes,the stairs are there but that is not always an option for everyone.The ship continues to be what it is. The plethora of low cost inside cabins certainly provides an opportunity for many to have a fun filled vacation at alower price point.

 

 

 

There is no need for LOS or RCCL to apologize foranything or pretend to be something it isn’t.That would make for an unpleasant experience for those promised one thing but delivered something else. LOS never promised a “premium” experience in terms of what I consider being at that level. With that being said, my nephews think it is far more premium experience than their Celebrity Solstice cruise.

 

So the lesson is always the same. Depending on whatever cruise you are on you will always find the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly if you look close enough.

 

Where will your gaze fall when you sail aboard the LOS?

Edited by sldispatcher
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BecciBoo Great Review Rare

BecciBoo

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When I'm cruising, I seriously try to ignore anything negative. And it doesn't take much to please me on a cruise:hearteyes: The only thing that bothers me is...total rudeness. I loath line cutters!

 

I'm pretty chill most times but "I can't abide rudeness in a man" as Cpt. Call used to say! But you find that kind of thing anywhere not just on ships.

 

I loved Solstice last September though.

 

I still love Liberty, even though I'm not a fan of the slides. I liked her before they came in. In fact, we probably won't even venture past the Solarium on the pool deck (didnt last April) ....can't do those tall stairs too well.

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Wisteria101958

Wisteria101958

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Thanks so much for the details of your family adventure. I have sailed with the Celebrity Equinox many times, love the crew, the vibe of the Celebrity product.

Still, a cruise (and life) is what you make of it. We will have a fabulous time because we are together, are not boarding with a misguided sense of entitlement nor inflated expectation.

Our May 7th sailing still shows about 100 plus cabins available, so perhaps will not sell out. How challenging is it to find a respite in the adult pool section?

 

Enjoy!

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Cel_cruise

Cel_cruise

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I am loving your review - but most importantly - your attitude! I wish everyone had the luxury to approach a cruise vacation with the same attitude you have! People would come back much more refreshed and happy from their vacations if they could see the good and bad and not let it dampen their day!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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cpage0513

cpage0513

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We will be joining you. My husband, my 11 yr old daughter and 13 year old niece. This will be our second time on the LOS, and just CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

Awesome! We have an 11 year old daughter too but she's staying home this time around.

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sldispatcher

sldispatcher

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Under the Watch of the Critical Eye - Day at Sea

 

Let's talk about the multitude of positives in no particular order. It worries me that the critical thinking part of me may mislead some into thinking that there are so many negatives in my reporting that there are few positives. The truth is that I find most cruisers have their brand favorites and there is not much you can do to change their minds. Instead of trying to sway folks, I'd rather just tell you what I see.

 

Tonight, we had a wonderful experience in the MDR. Even though it claims to be "my time", you can pretty much set a time for the week. Tonight, we even went so far as to request the same table. Some would not like a table so close to the front where the masses walk by, but we LOVED the waiter. Naville was super accommodating and went beyond every step of the way. His assistant did the same. On top of that, the food, which always is shocking to me in such a large setting, was actually quite good. I really enjoyed the duck as it was both thigh and leg with a very crispy skin, nice sauce, sweet sugar snap peas cooked perfectly and purple cabbage that had been glazed and seasoned just right.

 

Shrimp cocktails came flying out in multiples for each person who had ordered one. Desserts had desserts for the dessert. We had the requisite "one for the table" dish with the shrimp ravioli arriving as a trio of plates to go with everyone's main dish.

 

The Promenade continues to be a highlight on this ship for me in terms of design and wow factor. It does indeed invoke what it I should in terms of transporting you away from the reality of being on a ship. There is an energy here that is not noisy and a freshness that doesn't bore.

 

Our first exposure to the Platinum showroom was an impressionist/singer/comedian that played to a full house.

 

The casino is huge, but RCCL has yet to adopt a no smoking policy there like the more hip sister line of Celebrity. However, they need to be able to distinguish themselves.

 

The family has been in full celebratory mode with laughter and talking. It is a sheer joy to see teens and tweens go to a new level when they ask their uncle "which one is the salad fork" or try something named "consommé" for the first time and realize they like it. I've seen cruising mature and expand young kids minds and palates each time. For me, the only thing a cruise has expanded lately is my belt line.

 

For the most part, in spite of the sometimes crowded spaces, almost all of the fellow cruisers are nice and polite. You really can't fault a 13 year old's exuberance for the burger line at the Windjammer.

 

The seas have been that beautiful blue color that is so common to this part of the world with only the slightest oscillation here on the back of the ship. There is not much air stirring back here so the balconies do get hot. One design "flaw" as it were is the lack of the ability to open balcony doors between staterooms. I miss that big back porch feeling.

 

Our room has been the hub for the kids on the trip (and none of them belong to us...as it is always nice to be the "hip" uncle and aunt.) as well as other interlopers wandering about from the group.

 

There was a little drama today over one really wanting to get a camo' watch seen in the Promenade area. It was one of those $10 deals that truly draw in especially newer cruisers and quickly separate people from their money. The issue at hand really centered on how quickly he could get the watch as he was unable to procure the item due to his lapse in judgment of leaving his room card behind in a cabin where his dad was sleeping. Fortunately, the crisis abated eventually when he happened upon his mother and was able to get his most treasured possession. At least he won't shoot his eye out.

 

So what is it about so many cruising reports (mine included) that lead us to find the negatives and ignore the positives? For us, the build up to the cruise has been almost as much fun as being here. Looking through these younger eyes traveling with us, everything is indeed perfect with LOS and RCCL.

 

The reflection from today comes from that very thing that seems so simple but is hard to grasp the older and more jaded we become. You and I know that watch is not "perfect" by any stretch, but the young cruiser waited in great anticipation to obtain that very time piece.

 

The difference is his eye is not nearly as critical as mine...and look how much more fun he was having.

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BecciBoo Great Review Rare

BecciBoo

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Under the Watch of the Critical Eye - Day at Sea

 

One design "flaw" as it were is the lack of the ability to open balcony doors between staterooms. I miss that big back porch feeling.

 

 

Oh but you can! Just ask your steward.....unless they have changed the policy since last April!

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BecciBoo Great Review Rare

BecciBoo

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If anyone cares to, one could look back at all my reviews and never find any negatives. Cruising is like a woman having a baby, most women forget all the pain and angst within hours, it just become inconsequential. The result is too indescribably pleasant.

 

Same with cruising, there are little things that bother, but on a whole you are having such a ball that you forget them, mostly.

 

That's why I like the old adage "Never a bad cruise, just a different one" and "A bad day on a cruise is better than a good day at work";) We have had 3 fog cruises including one where Navigator had to wait out in the open for several hours and we had to wait in Pharohs ball room until the fog lifted. Of course not RCCL's fault, but there is always something to appreciate even in a bad situation. We had a bottle wine we did not consume and were bringing back with us and we all had that with chocolates while we waited, a grand time!

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LBumb

LBumb

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Thanks so much for the details of your family adventure. I have sailed with the Celebrity Equinox many times, love the crew, the vibe of the Celebrity product.

Still, a cruise (and life) is what you make of it. We will have a fabulous time because we are together, are not boarding with a misguided sense of entitlement nor inflated expectation.

Our May 7th sailing still shows about 100 plus cabins available, so perhaps will not sell out. How challenging is it to find a respite in the adult pool section?

 

Enjoy!

great review

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CruisePrincess51

CruisePrincess51

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I love your writing style! Your review so far is great and I am taking this all in and can't wait for our cruise on LOS at the end of May. For us it will be a first to cruise out of Galveston, we usually leave out of FL. Keep the review coming and I hope you and your family enjoy your cruise!

 

Kathy

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Skippy

Skippy

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What are the clothing requirements for the rock wall? How chilly is the skating rink? Is it as cold as a standard ice rink?

What about interior temperature on the ship in general? On our last cruise the dining room and theater were on the need a sweater category. Just wondering what to expect.

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molsonschooner

molsonschooner

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What are the clothing requirements for the rock wall? How chilly is the skating rink? Is it as cold as a standard ice rink?

What about interior temperature on the ship in general? On our last cruise the dining room and theater were on the need a sweater category. Just wondering what to expect.

I can only give my own opinion of the rink temp. I have only ever worn a t-shirt and jeans while skating. While watching the ice show , t-shirt and shorts(maybe a Canadian thing, I don't find it that cool))

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