A First-timers Review: Carnival Liberty 5-2-2009 (with photos and capers)!

[Hollybelle]

Prior to leaving for our cruise the only shore excursion that really piqued my interest was Stingray City. I figured with so many great reviews, it couldn’t all be hype. My parents and Brett didn’t seem as interested so I didn’t make reservations beforehand. After my bringing up the stingrays various times, Brett caved… especially when he heard there might be an opportunity to snorkel. My parents still didn’t seem sold so we parted ways for the day. They tendered over later than we did and took a cab to Seven Mile Beach, where they enjoyed a relaxing day of sun and sand.

 

Below are some pictures from their day.

 

View of Pirate ship and Grand Cayman from the tender:

 

 

 

For anyone interested in the price, my mom said the cab ride was $4 per person and vans were lined up right outside the port gates to take people to Seven Mile Beach. Once they were in the cab the driver made another offer: if anyone wanted to go a little further past the first drop off to a less crowded area it would be $5 AND each person would get a coupon for a free beer. Uhh… no brainer, right?!? Apparently not, because a handful of people got out at the first stop. But the deal was good and my parents received two free beers and a less crowded beach for $2. Steal!!

 

They were dropped off here at the Gecko Bar to redeem their coupons with no problem:

 

 

Seven Mile Beach:

 

 

 

[Hollybelle]

So back to Brett and I… we headed down to the Venetian Lounge (I think around 7:45 am) and were the last two “non Carnival shore excursion” folks to be given stickers for Tender Group 1. The process was seamless and we were on shore by 8:20 am or so. But not before passing the Disney boat!! Brett and I were so excited to see it in person. Being the huge Disney dorks we are, we can’t wait to get on that thing.

 

Grand Cayman Tenders:

 

 

 

I love these angles of the Liberty; she’s a beauty:

 

 

 

And voila, the Disney Magic:

 

 

 

The Magic was like a beacon of light for Brett and I... we felt so drawn to her because of our Disney love! I'm sure we'll get on her one day, but the price tag is so dang high!

[Hollybelle]

I had done a little bit of research and for whatever reason, the one tour group that stuck out in my mind was Moby Dick. So as soon as we were off the ship and amid the various excursion tents, we began looking for them. They were easy enough to find and encouraged us to sign up for the 11:10 tour because the sandbar would be much less crowded at that time. We paid ($40pp), got our receipt and were told to meet back at that very spot at 11 am.

 

We’re not big shoppers, but wandered around the shopping areas anyway trying to decide what to do with ourselves until 11 am. That’s when Margaritaville began calling our names! So we headed that way to cash in on our free 9 oz. margaritas; all we had to do was turn in the wristbands given to us at the restaurant the day before.

 

Stingray Statue:

 

 

Margaritaville Grand Cayman:

 

 

 

Mmm... nothing tastes better than a free margarita:

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed some cay brew and delicious calamari, which definitely delivered on the quality that we found lacking in Ocho Rios. I love that we dined on the same meal we would be feeding our new friends later. Mmm... Squid!! We got some beers for the road and headed back to the port area to await our stingray excursion.

 

 

I should get the pictures from the water camera back tonight, so hopefully I'll have our stingray adventure posted tomorrow sometime!!

[toolgrl919]

I LOVE! your review so far!!! I'm crusing on the Liberty in October, same ports, just backwards. I've been super excited for the cruise, but after reading your posts I'm ecstatic! :D

[idjaffe]

book your excusrion before you go....then you can either get the early trip to the sandbar, or hang out on the ship longer.....

[luv2cruise777l]

Very nice review! Love the pictures!

 

Anxiously waiting for the rest!:)

[happylady]

Love your review! ...also being a fellow Mickey freak:rolleyes: I'm always looking for more Disney messages boards..so thanks. I thought disboards.com was the only one out there. If you ever have the chance and extra $ you just have to try DCL. It was our first cruise and seeing your pics of the Magic bought back some great memories. Can't wait to read the rest.

[jnv412]

How far is Seven Mile Beach from the cruise port? We have a snorkeling excursion at 12:30, and I would like to be able to spend some time at this beach before the excursion if it was possible.

[blondieJen]

Can't wait to see the rest! Thanks for the great review!

[cincicruisers]

cant wait for the rest of the review

[brown_eyedgal]

I don't know if this has been asked before as I was just skimming through the photos...what kind of camera do you use?

[miniwheat]

Oh man, I think I may have to book a warm cruise. :) We keep going back to Alaska.:D

[Hollybelle]

Great review! Loving the pictures, I am doing the same cruise and it's 60 days away, but the pics get me excited to go tomorrow!

 

Ack! I'm sorry I somehow missed your post last time (the multi-quote post limit is killing me). Thanks for the compliments, you are going to have so much fun!!

[Hollybelle]

I LOVE! your review so far!!! I'm crusing on the Liberty in October, same ports, just backwards. I've been super excited for the cruise, but after reading your posts I'm ecstatic! :D

 

Thanks! I hope to see a review when you return.

 

book your excusrion before you go....then you can either get the early trip to the sandbar, or hang out on the ship longer.....

 

Absolutely! We will definitely do this next time... and I think we'll also be sure to do excursions everywhere we go, especially if they are new ports for us.

 

Love your review! ...also being a fellow Mickey freak:rolleyes: I'm always looking for more Disney messages boards..so thanks. I thought disboards.com was the only one out there. If you ever have the chance and extra $ you just have to try DCL. It was our first cruise and seeing your pics of the Magic bought back some great memories. Can't wait to read the rest.

 

Thanks! I love wdwmagic; it's a much much smaller community than dis, but that is one of the things I like most about it. I will admit, I do lurk on the dis every now and then ;). And I'm glad those pictures brought back great memories for you!!

[Hollybelle]

How far is Seven Mile Beach from the cruise port? We have a snorkeling excursion at 12:30, and I would like to be able to spend some time at this beach before the excursion if it was possible.

 

I'm guessing it's no more than 7-10 minutes by car. We didn't go, but we did pass by it on our way out to a stingray excursion. One thing you might want to do is talk to the people you booked your excursion with. They might be willing to pick you up there. I say this because we stopped at Seven Mile Beach to pick up 3-4 folks on our way; this was with Moby Dick. It's certainly worth asking the tour group ahead of time!

 

I don't know if this has been asked before as I was just skimming through the photos...what kind of camera do you use?

 

I use an Olympus Stylus 800, which I'm guestimating is 5-6 years old now. In my opinion, the trick is making sure your taking pictures on one of your cameras highest quality settings. It takes more memory, but delivers much better results. Then I do a little editing in photoshop ;).

 

Oh man, I think I may have to book a warm cruise. :) We keep going back to Alaska.:D

 

Oooh... I bet those Alaska cruises are so beautiful. But I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I couldn't lay out in the sun at least a little bit. I bet it's a totally different ambience.

[Hollybelle]

Very nice review! Love the pictures!

 

Anxiously waiting for the rest!:)

 

Can't wait to see the rest! Thanks for the great review!

 

cant wait for the rest of the review

 

Thanks everyone! I'm just about to post the rest of Day 4.

[blondieJen]

Thanks everyone! I'm just about to post the rest of Day 4.

 

 

Oooooo.. I can't wait. I've been refreshing this page since yesterday waiting for the rest! I need to refrain in the future from reading reviews before they are completely written because I become so anxious, like a little kid!:o

[Hollybelle]

Over time it had become a running joke that Brett didn’t want to partake in the stingray adventure because he was afraid they would dine on him for lunch.

 

Here he fears his demise (orchestrated by yours truly):

 

 

When it was time to go we boarded a school bus along with about 40 other people. With the exception of it being purple, it was exactly like those I rode in elementary school!

 

 

On our way to the drop off point (I call it this, because it was a parking lot right by the water, there wasn’t even a dock) we stopped in front of Seven Mile Beach to pick up a few others. Our tour of the island afforded us the opportunity to see Burger King, Texaco and Wendy’s among some other familiar sights. Hmmm… cultural? I think not.

 

I was a little concerned when I saw our boat pulling up because it looked like a sardine can there were so many people on it from the early excursion. Luckily, our group was somewhat smaller and we fit nicely on the boat. There were 40-50 of us, along with three guides.

 

View from parking lot drop off point:

 

 

 

As we sailed out to the sandbar, we were given a mini history lesson on the anatomy of a stingray, along with visual aids. We learned about the rays size, wingspan, texture, and overall affection for human touch. I found the “show and tell” tutorial to be amusing and informative. Our captain also regaled us with stories of what we should NOT do while swimming with the rays, the most entertaining of which was that men should refrain from putting squid in their pockets... that is if they want to keep all their parts. Insert your “cheap thrill” jokes here!

 

Stingray Tutorial:

 

 

[Hollybelle]

Instead of heading straight to the sandbar we made a pitstop at a reef nearby to do some snorkeling. Our guides said it was so there would be fewer boats at Stingray City when we got there, but I’m pretty sure they save the stingrays for last because, well, they’re the main event! Fine with us!

 

This was our second time snorkeling. The first was with Sebago in Key West, who I would highly recommend for those planning excursions at the southernmost point. Our experience with them is a hard act to follow considering we were with a group of 15-20 people on a catamaran built for 80-100. And it turned out to be the kind of snorkeling weather they get only a few times a year according to one of the Sebago guides, even they were giddy about the weather conditions. And all the complimentary beer and wine on the return trip was a nice plus!!

 

That being said, the snorkeling here was good, but there weren’t nearly as many fish. It was a calm day and the water was so clear it was like swimming in a big pool. Now, I get a little freaked out initially when snorkeling. I think it has something to do with breathing and the mouthpiece; plus I’m not that great of a swimmer. But I settled into it and had a good time. We spent some time tracking a blue tang surgeonfish… for my Disney/Pixar fans out there, they're now better known as Dorys!!

 

Brett loves it; he’s just another fish in the water.

 

 

 

Back on the boat and ready to meet some stingray friends:

 

 

I took this next picture as we headed over to the sandbar. And, without a doubt, this is my absolute favorite picture from the entire trip. I mean seriously, can a day get any more perfect? LOVE IT!!

 

[Hollybelle]

We pulled up to the sandbar and one of the guides dove in, taking some squid with him. In a matter of seconds we were surrounded. The term feeding frenzy would certainly be appropriate! However, this guy was a little late for the party:

 

 

I don’t think the sensation of being surrounded by these amazing creatures can really be explained. As I was shuffling around in the water, making sure not to step on any low-lying rays, the larger female rays were skimming the surface and flipping up their “wings” to rub any human they could find. They were everywhere and there’s no doubt they seek affection. There were squeals all around and I think Brett might have even screamed like a little girl when a stingray sucked the squid out of his hand!! It was the strangest feeling, one I wasn’t quite comfortable with.

 

Everyone gathering around the food bucket:

 

 

Unfortunately, the food went fast and once it was gone the rays took to lying low. And this was at about the point I was feeling really comfortable with them. Brett and I did get a chance to hold a few rays. One of the guides likened it to dancing because you constantly have to sway with them and remain relaxed.

 

May I have this dance?

 

 

 

 

[Hollybelle]

The throaway camera really doesn't do the stingrays justice; they were beautiful:

 

 

At one point I ended up nearby an attractive lady and one of the guides. They were making small talk and it somehow came up that she was NOT a cruise passenger and was actually on the island for a girl’s getaway. Boy, oh boy, it was getting better and better. I could almost hear the thoughts circulating through his mind as he upped his game, “Stingrays, schmingrays… here’s a hot chick… in town for only a few days… on a single girls trip… looking for a good time…. SCORE!!!”

 

This all would have been quite entertaining if I hadn’t have needed his help in wrangling a stingray to kiss. No worries though, I eventually snagged a ray, and judging by his macking skills I’d say he did well for himself that night. Later Brett commented that this guy must get a girl every day of the week with stingrays as his wingmen!

 

I might have had to wait for this kiss, but I wasn’t leaving without seven year’s good luck. Pucker up, buttercup:

 

 

 

A note about the pictures… I’ve already decided a digital underwater camera is at the top of my “must have” list before our next cruise. Actually, I’ve been doing some research and hope to have one before our upcoming Disney trip in July. So next time… I promise there’ll be better pictures!!

 

After about 30 minutes we were on the boat and headed back to shore. One thing I will say about the boat ride back is it was LONG. They seemed to go so much slower on the return trip. We got back to the parking lot and boarded the big purple bus, which returned us to the port.

 

For anyone considering this excursion, you should definitely do it. It was a really cool experience and something I would certainly do again on a return trip to Grand Cayman. My parents even decided they’ll have to try it next time. If I were doing it over again though, I would do one of two things differently. I would either go on one of the early outings so that we could stop at Seven Mile Beach on the way back, or I would book the trip with a tour group that includes Rum Point in the excursion.

[Hollybelle]

Back in the port area we got in line for the tender and were moving right along at first. They filled a tender and cut off the line just in front of us. No big deal, we'd be on the next one. Only problem was… the next one didn’t show up for 30-45 minutes!!! Eeeek! We watched at the Disney Magic loaded 3-4 tenders while we waited for ours. It was frustrating to say the least.

 

View from the tender:

 

 

 

Love this shot of the Valor as we made our way to the Liberty:

 

 

Another tender unloading:

 

 

 

Once off the tender we breezed through security and up to our room. Oh and FYI, there was a couple in front of us going through security and after the girl’s bag passed through the scanner the guard told her to check her booze at the table. Well, the table was not in sight of the security point. So the couple simply walked around the corner to the elevator bank (across from said table) and went on up to their room… easy as pie!

 

It was now about 3:45 and we were starving, especially after the tender process taking over an hour, so we grabbed some burgers, not worrying too much about whether or not we were ruining our dinner. We ran into my parents who were enjoying an adult beverage on Lido, swapped stories and took a little time to relax before getting ready for dinner.

 

Buh-bye Grand Cayman, hope to see you again soon:

 

[Hollybelle]

Before getting on this cruise, my mom raved to me about all the fresh fruit available all day long, and I was really looking forward to stuffing myself with pineapple every single day. Well… we hadn’t seen any pineapple, except for a few chunks in the fruit salad here and there. Mom mentioned my love of pineapple to Kamsi and he delivered!! I had fresh pineapple every night at dinner for the rest of the week. He told me he went to his garden and picked it himself, just for me…talk about service!!

 

Mmmm… a little heaven on my plate:

 

 

Also on the menu, was pork:

 

 

A seafood pasta:

 

 

Cheesecake:

 

 

And diet lemon cake, which was surprisingly yummy:

 

 

After dinner we decided to take our chances with the evening performance of “Just Rock.” Fully prepared to snark our way through this one, too, we were pleasantly surprised. It was a medley of rock/pop songs through the decades and the performers were really engaging. These couldn’t possibly be the same dancers that were on the stage the first night, could they!? They were much more into it, which made a big difference. I was a bit distracted when they segued into “What a Feeling” and the Jennifer Beals look-a-like had a punk rocker wig on. C’mon, everybody knows her 80’s mop of curls is the reason they won an Oscar! 25 years later she’s still rocking that hairstyle as Bette Porter on the L Word and I must say she pulls it off well.

 

Best part of the show: the orchestra. From our seats in the balcony we could see right into the orchestra pit and once we noticed them, it became a whole new show! When they weren’t playing, they were goofing off and miming the words to each song. The sax player and another guy serenaded one another, which was hilarious!! And it was good to see them enjoying themselves. Two thumbs up to Jimmy Boore and the Liberty Orchestra!

 

There might have been a pit stop in the casino before we headed back to our room; I can't recall. When we got to the room though, we found this lounging feline. It is a cat, right?!?:

 

 

Next up: our second fun day at sea! Hopefully it'll appear sometime over the weekend.

[Hollybelle]

Oooooo.. I can't wait. I've been refreshing this page since yesterday waiting for the rest! I need to refrain in the future from reading reviews before they are completely written because I become so anxious, like a little kid!:o

 

I totally know what you mean, blondieJen!! I'm the same way when reading trip reports and cruise reviews. I've contemplated writing whole trip reports/reviews before posting, because it would be so much better for the reader. But then I get all excited and end up posting way before it's finished!

 

So, thanks for sticking with me!

[Elaine515]

Ok, now you've gone and done it!!! We weren't going to do the stringrays AGAIN (for like the 4th time!!) but after seeing your pictures, and reading your version of the tour, I'm going home tonite to have another talk with the family!!!

 

You are truly an amazing writer... thanx again soooooooo much...