Carnival Liberty? Hype me up please.

[NauticalNeophyte]

Long story short, our family vacation for 14 people (ages 60, 41, 40, 38, 38, 23, 21, 20, 20,18, 17, 16, 9, & 7) got changed due to my niece’s school schedule (college freshman) which caused some of the other kids to not want to go.  I mean what’s the point in taking a family vacation if the whole family can’t go?  We are changing from a 5-day on the Sunshine in March sailing to Amber Cove and Grand Turk to a 4-day on the Liberty on May 20th sailing to Nassau and Freeport.  Only 3 of us have sailed to Cancun, so not much experience in cruising.

 

I would rather have gone to Grand Turk as I’ve always wanted to go to T&C, I’d rather have five days, and I know the Sunshine has more amenities for the kids like the sportsquare, water park, etc. The one benefit is if they don’t like it, we have fewer days to entertain them.  But it is what it is and we plan to enjoy ourselves anyway.  My nephew says any vacation is a good vacation and I’m going to have a great time.

 

I said all that to say does anyone have any tips, tricks or positive vibes about the Liberty?  Did you enjoy her?  That itinerary? Anyone sailed her with family?  What’s done is done, but I just want to hear some good things about Liberty.  

 

[Aplmac]

Liberty is a lovely ship and you're going on a cruise!

 

You are sweating the small stuff, un-necessarily.

Relaaaax and enjoy yourselves.

How nice to be travelling in a large group!

That will take your mind off your mind.

 

We did Liberty, on a short cruise from San Juan PR to Barbados

- a quick four-day - and it was very nice.

 

Here are a few pics

[NauticalNeophyte]

Thanks @Aplmac! Did I mention the specialist we called changed us from 3 interiors to 3 balconies side by side?  And hopefully the May 20th cruise will be less crowded than the March 3rd (i.e. spring break). 

 

I guess I got myself so worked up over the Sunshine since it had more amenities than the Triumph, but I know we’ll still have a good time.  I just pray for good weather!

 

I’m feeling better already! Thanks again! 

[mnp75]

Liberty is a great ship, nothing to worry about. 4 day cruise is better than no days!

[ProgRockCruiser]

We sailed on Liberty twice in the last year-and-a-bit, (3 and 4 days to Bahamas) and a 7-day on Sunshine just last month.

 

Both ships are great, and I would go back on Liberty any time!  Slightly different in amenities, but kid-wise I think they are fairly equivalent.  

 

Adult-wise they both have, in terms of the "major bars": Red Frog Rum Bar, Blue Iguana Bar, and Alchemy Bar, and of course the Casino and Lobby bars, so you are only "missing" the Red Frog Pub from Sunshine.  Liberty also has the Cabinet bar - often quiet/empty but still staffed in the evenings, which might be a nice break.

 

EDIT: well, I suppose Sunshine has the Havana bar, which is nice too.  We spent some time in that area.

 

May will bring fewer kids compared to March, especially college kids, but the ship will fill up regardless.

 

I did not attend any comedy club things on Liberty, but it has to have a better layout than Sunshine...

 

Have fun!  You'll have a blast!

Edited January 7, 2019 by ProgRockCruiser
forgot about Havana bar

[NauticalNeophyte]

Yes I’ve heard some good things about the musicians on the Liberty.  It seems like a slightly larger version of the Triumph, so I should be able to navigate with ease.  I’m going to enjoy as much live music as possible and enjoy those burgers! 

[Kermarkim]

I've been on the Liberty twice and it is one of my favorite ships.  I've been on some of the newer and larger ships but in comparison, I believe I enjoyed the 4day/3 nt Liberty better than the 7 day Magic in its first year.  The Magic was larger and felt crowded all the time.  I did go during Thanksgiving week on the Magic so that might be why.  I went on the Liberty in March and then in June and it never felt crowded.

 

I enjoyed the Seafood Shack and the Steakhouse which is a must.  I probably wouldn't take the younger kids to the Steakhouse.  But for $35 pp, you can have an elegant dinner in a really fancy environment with impeccable service and food.  If you go on the first night, I believe they give you a free bottle of wine.

 

We loved the Comedy club each night and Karaoke.  The theatre shows were great as always.  My girlfriend spent a lot of time at the Sports Bar because it was during NCAA March Madness and she couldn't miss her games.  Don't skip out on the bean bag toss challenges or even the many Trivia games which are always a blast.  There really is something for everyone.  There was a Dr. Seuss Parade for the kids which I enjoyed.  Another highlight is always the deck parties.  There is a Ladies Night and Electric White Party you won't want to miss.

 

I could go on and on, but keep in mind, there is a reason why Carnival is known as the Fun Ship.  Just go and have "FUN".

[CoolOne56]

I was on the Liberty in 2010. ONE port day it was raining when we docked.  It cleared up for a while - we got off ship.  Started to rain again, back on ship. If it rains, make the best of it - like these folks did (yes, they're in the hot tub).  A rainy day on a cruise is better than being at work.

 

 

 

 

[MamatoJack]

Carnival Liberty was my first cruise (as an adult) with my son who was 5 at the time. It hooked us on cruising. He was too scared to try the water slide at the time, but we watched lots of people use it. He is willing to go back on it if that makes a difference (he's now 9 and has been on a number of other cruises/ships). I love cruising from Port Canaveral, and with a shorter cruise I usually add a day or two at Disney (could also do SeaWorld, Universal, Legoland, etc) Or just the beach. 

[PhillyFan33579]

Carnival Liberty is one of my favorite Carnival ships. We sailed on her three times last year and have three cruises booked on her again this year. I like the way it is decorated and enjoy the constantly changing light colors located in the atrium and on the promenade deck. The layout of Conquest class ships is excellent and they have the best atriums in my opinion.   Hopefully they will add the Red Frog Pub like they have done to a few other Conquest class ships during her next dry dock. 

[NauticalNeophyte]

Thanks again everyone! I’m getting more excited by the day.  

[tandemcruzr]

On 1/7/2019 at 1:18 PM, ProgRockCruiser said:

 

 Liberty also has the Cabinet bar - often quiet/empty but still staffed in the evenings, which might be a nice break.

Where/what is the Cabinet Bar? We are going on the Liberty next month.

[ProgRockCruiser]

1 hour ago, tandemcruzr said:

Where/what is the Cabinet Bar? We are going on the Liberty next month.

 

It is (was?) opposite the entrance to the aft dining room on Deck 4 - i.e. just forward of the aft elevators.  Also can be accessed by going aft from the mid-ship elevators, down a hallway on the starboard side.

 

Ah, fond memories of a nice Scotch or two in that bar - now I want to get on Liberty again!

[tandemcruzr]

2 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

 

It is (was?) opposite the entrance to the aft dining room on Deck 4 - i.e. just forward of the aft elevators.  Also can be accessed by going aft from the mid-ship elevators, down a hallway on the starboard side.

 

Ah, fond memories of a nice Scotch or two in that bar - now I want to get on Liberty again!

Got it. Thanks. We'll check it out.  🙂

 

[PhillyFan33579]

The Cabinet Bar is still located on deck 4 across from the aft dining room. I have sailed on Liberty several times and have walked by the bar many times, but I have never spent any time there.  I usually walk by it after eating at the aft MDR when going up a level to the Alchemy Bar. 

[serene56]

get that 16 and 17 year old to the club orientation that first night onboard-- make them stay for ice breakers

Its an hour of their time on the ship    its the least the can do.   BUT MUST STAY for ice breakers

 

Look at https://www.shoreexcursioneer.com/freeport/grand-lucayan-resort-day-pass.html?

its 25.00 plus 10 r/t cab fare for a beach day

 

or 89. plus 10R/t cab fare for an all inclusive day.    THe day was fabulous.  Not crowded.  

[NauticalNeophyte]

That 17 year old is going to be the hard sell, but I know if he goes he’ll like it. Maybe he’ll be open since his sidekick will be with him.  

 

Thanks for that excursion.  I think we have a winner!  I keep hearing that Freeport is boring or it’s a lousy port, so this might be what we’re looking for.