Liberty of the Seas 31 DEC cruise review

[GRANT2702]

Family of 16 on NYE cruise to Cozumel, Roatan, and Costa Maya. We live about 3 hours from Galveston and drove in on Sunday a.m. Arrived at terminal at 11:15, dropped off family and luggage and parked at EZ Cruise across street for $50.00 for the week. Walk is about 5 minutes back to the terminal. We boarded and were on the ship before noon, smooth and easy. All bags were at room about 1300, with exception of one that arrived around 1700. Room steward was Ros (male) very nice and did his job. The other half of the family had Wendell, highly recommended on here, now I know why. The guy never stops working and is always smiling and pleasant to all guests. I don't think I walked down that hallway more than 10 times on the entire trip w/o seeing him working, impressive.

 

ROOM;

 

Deluxe balcony rooms for all of us. Our room had a problem with the AC. The first two nights due to cool weather was not a problem, the third night it was very hot. We had to call maintenance and they came down and said it was b/c we opened the balcony door too much. Well all of the family had balconies and had their doors open more than ours w/o a problem. The 4th night it was so bad we all had to sleep with nearly nothing on on top of the covers. Called guest services and they sent maintenance. Again said nothing was wrong, however the tech worked on the unit outside of our cabin for a hour or so and the problem was resolved. Cabin is a little tight with the sleeper sofa out but plenty of room for the four of us. Shower was sufficient for us but I can see bigger people having a problem.

 

FOOD;

 

Windjammer on embarkation day had plenty of selections, nothing outstanding, but OK. The paella was pretty good though, didn't try any of the Indian dishes. Hamburgers and hot dogs were bland and the pizza, well if you want to call it that, was just awful. I have been on RCI three previous times and don't recall the pizza being that terrible. I haven't eaten a frozen pizza as poor as Sorrento's pizza on RCI. Even the kids had enough of it after the second day. Their last trip was on Carnival and they loved the pizza. There really is no excuse for RCI to serve this stuff. The MDR, our server was Marilynn, and she was outstanding. We ate there every night and almost every lunch and breakfast. The food was consistent, cooked to order, and always came out hot. I had lamb three times and it was great each time. Also had salmon, cod, and two other whitefish, all cooked perfectly and tasted great. I even tried my son's steak, and I'm a snob about steak, it too was cooked perfectly and surprisingly the cut was not bad. Lobster was served only on night one, first formal night, and only a couple bothered to get it. Typical warm water lobster, not bad but nothing special. I didn't try bread the entire cruise. Not many of us did and the ones that did didn't seem to eat an entire roll, didn't look to appealing. I not big on desserts and didn't have any either, rather eat another entree so I can't comment there. The family ate them each night and enjoyed them. Didn't hear any complaints about dessert. The younger kids had ice cream and said it tasted like Borden's not Blue Bell, true ice cream connoisseurs ! We also ate most breakfasts in the MDR. The food was cooked to order and better quality than the buffet. Especially the the bacon, very crispy, and they offered turkey sausage which they did not in the Windjammer. Service was great each time. We also ate lunch in the MDR on sea days. Again, great service and things cooked to order. The pumpkin soup was outstanding, I was not expecting that, don't miss it if you get the chance. When we did Windjammer for breakfast they had large variety and it did well enough for a quick bite. It does get a bit crowded but the staff cleaned up quickly and came around w/ drinks the entire time.

 

PORTS;

 

Cozumel, we have been numerous times and the majority chose Mr. Sancho's. We have been before and it is OK but I would have chosen Paradise Beach, Chankanaab, or Nachi Cocom. Anyway, Sancho's service is always good and everyone had a good time. If you do end up there be sure to order the whole fried red snapper. Two of those and you'll get your monies worth out of the deal. Sit in Edwin or Jose's section they are the best and have been w/ them for a while.

 

Roatan; we did they snorkel and kayak the kay tour thru RCI (we got discounted offer days before trip). 30 minute bus ride thru the island to the other side and a 5 minute water taxi to Big French Key. After snorkeling for 40 minutes or so it was time for a 40 minute kayak ride around the island. Beach break followed for an hour or so. We ate at the restaurant there that has a buffet and a la carte. Not a big menu but everyone was satisfied and the staff care for you. The fish fingers, WOW, fresh battered red snapper, not your typical fish stick. The other son had the chicken nachos and loved them said they were the best he has ever eaten. The buffet has traditional rice cooked in coconut milk, black bean, cole slaw, grilled fish, and fried plantains for $15. We had a good time and returned to the port after another 30 minute ride back. The port area of course is expensive for food/H20/tshirts, but what do you expect.

 

Costa Maya; first time to this port and I have to say it is my favorite of the Western route w/ the exception of Grand Cayman. The port area is built up nicely. Of course the family didn't read CC and know how to navigate to get out of the port area to the taxi stand. Instead of taking the advice here they got caught by the excursion vendors in the port!!!!!! They wanted to go ziplining and to the beach. Well they played games and got taken for about $69 per person for the day for ziplining and AI beach break. Some went to the water park / zip line park and other went directly to the beach. The guys selling the beach break did not tell the truth about the beach they were going to. I'll be damned if they didn't take them to Blue Kay for an AI for $58. Well I wasn't having any of it so one of my sons and I walked out of the port past the taxi stand and within 5 minutes were to the water park / zip line park. We got a deal nearly half the price the other did. When we left we walked back to the taxi stand and asked where were they taking them for the beach break and one of the driver's said to Blue Kay. I asked him how much he said $4 PP, told him CC said it was $2PP, he said OK Amigos and took us there. I gave him $10, he said he will be back to pick us up just tell him the time. I told him 1530 and he was waiting for us. We got in for $5 a piece and bought a couple drinks and a bite to eat a la carte. Great beach and staff. The family that had AI said the alcoholic drinks were 10 X as good as Mr. Sancho's. Everyone agreed that Costa Maya is so laid back and friendly and can't wait to come back to this port. We had N winds and water was BLUE as could be and no seaweed or murky waters on this day, postcard material X 10.

 

Cafe Promenade; the coffee shop was great for those w/ DX drink package and the servers there were always nice. The pastries and cookies were so / so. Sorrento's sandwiches, well they weren't as bad as the pizza but they weren't any better than sandwiches from a gas station refrigerator. If you are hungry on this ship you better hope the dining room or Windjammer is open, otherwise hello $7 for room service.

 

Drink Package; wife and I had DX, bought on special 9 months prior. Our other in laws both had wives that didn't drink alcohol. They were not happy about the rule to purchase for all 21 and over in room. Well RCI was losing money from sharing, so they decided to bring their own in rum runners and purchased nothing from RCI. They 'refueled' at each port and shared their own drink package.

 

Most bar staff were nice about the package only a couple were kind of put off a bit and gave you that look. I do agree that if "you give a tip they don't give you a slip". We did tip a couple of our favorites along the way however.

 

SHOWS; I'm not one into being entertained by acrobatics and dancing so I only attended the comedy ones the fist two nights. The "Paris....l" something guy from Denver was really good. The two brothers the next night started off slow but finished off in style and were very good. That was the extent of my show review. I love music but there were no bands to see. The one we did go to was supposed to be country, they were AWFUL. Enough, I'll take a DJ. Never watched anyone in Schooner so I can't comment. We did do trivia many times there and won three of them.

 

Shops; OK but nothing you can't buy on land for the same price or a dime cheaper. One of the sellers had GShock watches that my son looked at. He picked it up and tag said $100. I told that guy they sell for $65 on Ebay. He said "GO BUY IT ON EBAY". Well another women was looking at one at the same time and he started trying to sell her. Since he was so cordial I pulled up the same watch on Ebay and what do you know, $62 buy it now ! I showed the woman and she asked him for 25% off, he said she would have to pay for shipping, told him no that was free too. She then offered to buy it for $85 and he said no. She walked away. Lesson, you aren't getting any deal on these boats you can't beat online. Same with the art, but everyone is free to do as they please.

 

UPSELL; we saw very little of this. There was a little set up at the entrance to the Windjammer but they were very pleasant and not pushy. A couple times they did walk around the Windjammer and asked people here and there but they were not pushy and very cordial. I was expecting Labadee, I got Grand Cayman. The upsell was not present on this sailing for us anyway.

 

CD; His name was Drew Devine. I don't think I ever saw the guy but on the TV ? I don't know if he really existed, and that doesn't matter to me one way or the other.

 

OUTDOOR AREAS; pools, we didn't use them and they were an ghost town the entire trip due to the cold and windy conditions on all of the sea days. I am a sun and fun guy and didn't get to enjoy it one bit due to the conditions. The slides were open on Cozumel day and the kids said they were OK but the Tidal Wave was great. It was only open a couple times due to high wind. They have all done rock wall before and weren't interested. Same w/ flow rider, it was cold most of the time and no one went outside much.

 

SHIP; looks its age of 10 yrs. Could use a different motif in the hallway areas too much like Miami Vice. Next to the Carnival Dream and the NCL Getaway it really seems old. I know try one of the new ships.

 

CASINO; not much of a gambler but since we we were inside so much we ventured into there often. I even won $95.00 total on .25 slots over the week !!!!

 

DISEMBARKATION; we chose self assist and took our bags down to 4th floor MDR at about 0735. We were off the boat and back to our vehicle before 0800. OUTSTANDING !!!

 

Overall; The staff was great and the MDR was a positive. The other food venues, other than specialties which we didn't use, were not too great. Sorrento's is awful and if you want something to eat when MDR and Windjammer are closed you'll have to pay $7 for room service. The ports were great, really loved Costa Maya and will return again. I would not cruise again in the winter from Galveston or NOLA. It was just too cold outside to enjoy it and pretty much 3 1/2 sea days were wasted. The kids were bored and ready to return home. For the price RCI charges I would go w/ Carnival on this port of embarkation the next time, and not in the winter.

[Clarea]

Surprised you didn't see Drew Devine at the first night's show. He usually introduces the performer.

 

Thanks for the report.

[Keith1010]

Excellent review. Very detailed and you covered a lot of ground.

 

I agree that sailing out of Galveston in the winter is not great particularly when it has been so cold as it has been this year.

 

Keith

[GRANT2702]

Surprised you didn't see Drew Devine at the first night's show. He usually introduces the performer.

 

Thanks for the report.

 

 

He may have Bob, I just don't recall who it was at the time. I didn't know who the CD was until I saw him on TV the next day, I guess that's when I was paying attention.