Every cruise is certain to return with points you loved, however you may additionally encounter sure components of the cruise you disliked or want you probably did in another way.
I lately returned from a 4-night cruise on Liberty of the Seas. This was my first time crusing on this ship, however as a result of I had sailed on different Freedom Class ships earlier than, I believed I had a fairly good thought of what to anticipate.
Every cruise comes with surprises, although, and I encountered each constructive and unfavourable surprises onboard Liberty of the Seas. From the waterslides to leisure and meals, here’s what I favored and disliked about my Liberty of the Seas cruise.
What I favored
Washy Washy girls
Walking into the Windjammer buffet on any Royal Caribbean ship is certain to be met with the phrases “Washy Washy” because the Windjammer employees encourage company to clean their palms earlier than getting into.
While Liberty of the Seas doesn’t but have hand washing amenities within the Windjammer, there’s 0% likelihood any visitor will enter the buffet with out clear palms.
The cause? The “Washy Washy” girls, also called the happiest, most colourful, and funniest crew members you’ll discover onboard.
Related: Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Windjammer Cafe buffet
As quickly as you arrive on the Windjammer, you’ll discover considered one of these crew members wearing a dressing up (which modified every day) and holding a bottle of hand sanitizer. While this will sound like a boring job, these ladies danced, sang, laughed, and had enormous smiles when everybody handed by the Windjammer’s doorways.
They had probably the most vitality I’ve ever seen from any crew member (or perhaps any individual ever). We regarded ahead to our meals within the Windjammer each day not just for the meals, however for the assured leisure we might encounter when needing to sanitize our palms.
Tidal Wave waterslide
I don’t often use the waterslides on a Royal Caribbean cruise, particularly those which are totally enclosed, as they make me really feel a little too claustrophobic. Liberty of the Seas, nevertheless, has one of many fleet’s most original waterslides: the Tidal Wave.
The Tidal Wave waterslide is a raft slide, and two company can slide down collectively earlier than “boomeranging” off a big wall. While the trip is absolutely quick, it was far more enjoyable than I initially anticipated.
We went on the slide again and again and couldn’t get sufficient!
Saturday Night Fever
Something that makes Liberty of the Seas distinctive is that she has a Broadway present accessible onboard: Saturday Night Fever. I knew nothing about this present earlier than I entered the theater, however was past impressed by the performing and dancing of the forged members.
This present follows the story of a Brooklynite, Tony Manero, who spends his weekends at a neighborhood disco dancing and discovering love whereas additionally distracting himself from life’s struggles. The present options dancing with songs from the Bees Gees, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Tavares.
Related: Broadway exhibits on Royal Caribbean: Everything you have to know
My favourite a part of Saturday Night Fever had been the performances from the crew members enjoying the Puerto Rican dancers within the story. If I might give one cause to see this present, it could be to look at this dance couple cha cha, merengue, and salsa their method across the stage.
While I wouldn’t say it was my favourite Broadway present on a Royal Caribbean ship (that goes to We Will Rock You on Anthem of the Seas), I’d undoubtedly see the present once more subsequent time I’m onboard.
Freedom Class options
Freedom Class cruise ships are a few of my favourite ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. Just like on Independence and Freedom of the Seas, I loved the options of a Freedom Class ship on my Liberty of the Seas cruise.
I like gaining access to the ship’s helicopter pad, taking walks on the scenic outside Promenade deck, and hanging out on the outside Diamond lounge deck.
Related: All about Freedom Class cruise ships
I discover the dimensions of a Freedom Class ship to be excellent, too, because it isn’t too large nor too small. Plus, the shorter Caribbean itineraries provided on Freedom Class ships means they at all times have the next “party” ambiance in comparison with longer cruises or itineraries visiting locations like Alaska.
I spent quite a lot of time open air on Liberty of the Seas, whether or not enjoyable on the helicopter pad or suntanning on the outside Solarium, and I’ve no complaints in regards to the Freedom Class-specific options and facilities.
Classical guitar at Vintages
During my Liberty of the Seas cruise, a classical guitar participant carried out outdoors of Vintages wine bar every night.
I don’t often spend an excessive amount of time at Vintages whereas on a Royal Caribbean cruise, however sipping a glass of wine with stay guitar music created the proper ambiance that I saved coming again to each day.
What I disliked
No Izumi
I discovered it fairly odd that there was no Izumi restaurant on Liberty of the Seas, as Royal Caribbean’s Japanese specialty restaurant may be discovered on practically each ship within the fleet. Even 3 out of the 4 smallest ships, the Vision Class, have an Izumi location!
Instead of Izumi, Liberty of the Seas provides specialty eating at Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Sabor, and Chef’s Table. While I like all of those choices, I felt one thing was lacking with out Izumi onboard.
Part of the Windjammer buffet is known as “Jade” and supposedly this was a specialty sushi counter the place company might buy sushi at an additional price. This didn’t look like provided on my Liberty of the Seas cruise.
Perfect Storm waterslides
Speaking of how a lot I cherished the Tidal Wave slide on Liberty of the Seas, the other may be mentioned for the Perfect Storm waterslides.
Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Storm waterslides are discovered on a number of ships within the fleet. These racing slides twist and switch a number of occasions as company make their method downhill.
Related: Which Royal Caribbean ships have waterslides?
I’ve gone on these slides on different ships and located them thrilling, however I used to be upset with the slides on Liberty of the Seas. The water stress was extraordinarily mild and the slides had such a low slope that I needed to push myself down.
The water stress would possibly be sturdy sufficient to get children down the slide shortly, but it surely took us adults some time to succeed in the underside!
Long traces
I’m unsure if that is one thing particular to Liberty of the Seas, however I encountered worse traces on this ship than some other within the fleet to this point.
Whether grabbing an ice cream cone on the pool deck, a slice of pizza at Sorrento’s, or boarding the ship after our port day, the traces appeared to be longer and slower than normal.
The Italian-themed dinner within the Windjammer, in truth, had traces so lengthy we did not even dare await pasta.
I’ll have simply gotten to those locations on the incorrect time, and an additional 5 minutes of ready right here and there was wonderful, however this was one factor I didn’t get pleasure from about my Liberty of the Seas cruise.
Game present
My cousin and I had been on the lookout for a method to move the time one night and got here throughout an exercise I had by no means seen earlier than: Game Show: Rock the Room.
This present gave the impression to be a dancing competitors between totally different sides of the room the place each the sport present’s individuals and viewers stood up and danced.
If I ever wished to point out a brand new cruiser that cruising may be fashionable and stylish, this could completely not be the way in which to do it. This present was like a stereotypical cruise ship exercise you’d see on a comedy skit poking enjoyable at cruises, and I couldn’t consider a greater method to describe the present than “cringeworthy”.
We dipped out nearly instantly after the present started. Two minutes later, I noticed an enormous hoard of different company leaving the Star Lounge. One visitor talked about it was a “mass exodus”, so I wasn’t the one one which didn’t like this exercise!
Final ideas
While there have been some points of my Liberty of the Seas cruise I did not get pleasure from as a lot as others, I nonetheless had an exquisite expertise onboard. As a matter of reality, my cruise on Liberty of the Seas was one of the vital enjoyable cruises I’ve skilled but. From the constructive vibes of the crew members to celebration ambiance onboard this quick crusing, there was by no means a boring second.
I’m already wanting ahead to returning to Liberty of the Seas this January to find extra of what this ship has to supply!