Liberty July 1-8, just back great trip!

[old man 1010]

Lots of great information thanks. On the Liberty in September. Two questions: Is there a reserve chair section by the pool for Suite guest? Is the Suite and Diamond lounge together?

[TEXASMUNK]

old man 1010....seating: Grand Suite and above, have reserved seating by the pool (up one deck).

CL and DL are not in the same area.

[bighairtexan]

CL is now labelled the Suite Lounge and is for Grand suites and above and Pinnacle.

Diamond Lounge is for Diamond and above.

2 different venues. But just a reminder that the CL on Liberty is no more. It's Suite Lounge I know I know... a rose by any other name. However the old CL allowed D+. The newly renamed SUITE lounge is no longer allowing D+.

[Clarea]

CL is now labelled the Suite Lounge and is for Grand suites and above and Pinnacle.

Diamond Lounge is for Diamond and above.

2 different venues. But just a reminder that the CL on Liberty is no more. It's Suite Lounge I know I know... a rose by any other name. However the old CL allowed D+. The newly renamed SUITE lounge is no longer allowing D+.

Just to be accurate, the CL was turned into staterooms and the SL was created new, out of the game and card rooms in Viking Crown. A bit more than a renaming.

[ssb]

Port is providing separate new ingress egress off Harborside around 33rd for terminal #1 .

 

Port is providing separate new ingress egress off Harborside around 24th/25th for terminal # 2 .

 

At that time , there will no longer be ingress and egress off Harborside to terminals at 22nd .

 

Terminal # 3 will have ingress egress around 11th or 16th directly off Harborside depending on where first next terminal is built .

[gigi65]

In Belize, we are looking at Starfish island.....how was the beach ? so they rent umbrellas for shade? snacks?

[MichaelCMTX]

Been reading this review thread to DW and getting fired up for our sailing on Liberty first week of October. Been a long freakin summer of no days off but the end is near.

 

The porters were mentioned. We'd started dropping off the luggage with them basically soon as we got to the port and usually hit the sweet spot between debarking and embarking. Then we have a few hours to kill on the Island without a full trunk. We figure that ship's not leaving for hours, and if we board as soon as possible... well... not like there's not the whole next week to eat and drink. We're gonna do it more relaxed this time and drive down Saturday, getting a Parking Package with Moody Gardens.

 

While the cruise experience has changed over the years, and some people complain, I would ask what hasn't? We also started sailing in the late 80's and heard the same comments from some of the passengers back then. Bottom line is if you don't like it anymore there are lots of other options for vacation. We still love and hope to see many more RCCL ships in our future. Again thanks for the review gets us ready for next month.

 

My folks first started cruising then and agree completely, even if they've pretty much passed the baton. When you compare the kind of cabin you got for equivalent money, maybe spending extra for specialty dining or something else that was free 'back in the day' is an acceptable trade off? We've had no complaints, though we went in figuring "we're gonna do this right" and have done GS (or the occasional OS if the deal cannot be passed up) each time.

 

CL and DL are not in the same area.

I think they are now, on opposite sides of the Viking Crown. The Deck 10 "bat cave" is now a card room.

[JBSteelerfan]

We LOVE Santosh! We first met him about 3 cruises ago when he was working the pool deck - and the service he provided was exactly as you stated. He made us feel like the biggest VIPs on board. The next cruise we took he was working the casino bar and he remembered us -- not just like familiar face - he remembered our drink preferences and our names! The last cruise we didn't see him at first but one day he walked up to my husband in the casino, hugged him and said hello, even asked where I was! Turns out that trip he was working the pub so we made a special trip just to see him. Absolutely THE BEST OF THE BEST! We are cruising again in November and you bet we will be looking for him. Not only do we provide an extra large tip for him at the end of a cruise, but we always leave an excellent review for him on the comment cards and I have emailed corporate RCI gushing about him as well. I'll say it again... we LOVE Santosh!

 

We are on Liberty one month after you, so please come back and let everyone know where Santosh was working while you are onboard. Not that it might not change, but at least a good place to start!

[BecciBoo]

In my opinion, the porters in Galveston provide good service. We drive to the entrance FIRST, to unload bags, and then drive over to Park & Cruise and walk back. They meet you at the car, take your bags and load them on to their carts. Some have even said, “Have a nice vacation.” Tip nicely, and you will almost always get a, “Thank you!”

 

Same experience and plan on all our cruises...no problemo!

[shellontheseas082369]

Thank you to all who post about their experiences! We leave on LOS in December 2018. Taking several family members and looking forward to it very much!! Got a question..we were told by some friends, who are seasoned cruisers, to go down a day early and stay the night at a hotel/motel..any recommendations of some that aren't too expensive and would let us park there as well as take us to the port?

[Got Out There]

We LOVE Santosh! We first met him about 3 cruises ago when he was working the pool deck - and the service he provided was exactly as you stated. He made us feel like the biggest VIPs on board. The next cruise we took he was working the casino bar and he remembered us -- not just like familiar face - he remembered our drink preferences and our names! The last cruise we didn't see him at first but one day he walked up to my husband in the casino, hugged him and said hello, even asked where I was! Turns out that trip he was working the pub so we made a special trip just to see him. Absolutely THE BEST OF THE BEST! We are cruising again in November and you bet we will be looking for him. Not only do we provide an extra large tip for him at the end of a cruise, but we always leave an excellent review for him on the comment cards and I have emailed corporate RCI gushing about him as well. I'll say it again... we LOVE Santosh!

 

Thanks for sharing....your comments about Santosh brought a big smile to my face.....he is incredible! I was thinking he mentioned he was getting off in September, but I would not count on my memory. Like I mentioned earlier he made our trip over the top, so much so that we looked at going again on Liberty either this month or September. Unfortunately, our schedules are not cooperating.

 

We too tipped him heavily throughout the week and again on the last night. I can honestly say that even if we had not tipped him as we did, I would venture to guess that he would have given us the same level of outstanding service.

[Got Out There]

In Belize, we are looking at Starfish island.....how was the beach ? so they rent umbrellas for shade? snacks?

 

Beach is nice. They have plenty of hammocks and most are shaded. I don't remember any umbrellas, but they had plenty of chairs available with shade under manmade structures. There is an open air restaurants that offers chicken/rice/beans plate along with some other items like hamburgers. They also have a large bar. Both are under large pavilions and take either cash or credit.

 

If you are interested in hitting a beach in Belize your choices are limited. Starfish island is a great choice and I would recommend it.

[50ish]

Reading this makes me excited for my trip...May 12, 2019! I can hardly wait!