Could use improvements on Liberty Ship

Carnival Liberty Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 19

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Carnival Liberty

3 Night Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 09, 2017

Ship: Carnival Liberty

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 6255

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

This was my first cruise experience and so I picked a 3 day just in case I didn't like it.  I loved it!  However, I feel like some things could be improved or maybe it was just the ship Liberty.  

1.  Buffet line/food needs to be better - I think the stations should be setup

ala-carte so you can just get what you want and not wait in long buffet lines. The food was mediocre and could be improved as well as the menu.  Example would be the breakfast biscuits could be used as hockey pucks! 

2.  Smells - In the hallways you could smell sewer.  This needs drastic improvement if it can be fixed at all. 

3.  Entertainment - Needs to be more family entertainment for younger kids.  My daughter whose 9 didn't have anything to do after 8pm on the ship.  She did NOT like the kids club.  The arcade was expensive and needed better games. 

4.  Pools - Water was VERY cold and not enough pools on board to handle all the kiddos.  

5.  DRINKS! - Bartenders should NOT have to be pouring sodas!  Soda fountains should be throughout the ship and your customers given a refillable cup they can refill at any time.  At all the bar locations, it took over 20 minutes to get a soda or alcoholic beverage!  This took soooo much time out of your vacation time just waiting in long lines.   Also, the bartenders seemed to be tired and put out since I guess they were working those long lines all day.  

6.  Pictures - All the pictures that were taken by the crew were very good,  but way overpriced.  It would be nice if you offered a picture package deal or lowered the price per picture. Make it more affordable so families can have all the candid moments. 

 

Overall we had a wonderful time and we would definitely do another cruise! 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5
For adults it was great but not much for the younger kids 9-11.

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
I want to shout out to our waiter Guedi (I think that's how he spelt it) 6pm dinner. He was very kind, funny, entertaining and attentive. He danced with my daughter the last night of the cruise and she's still talking about it today.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
It was nice but wish the bathroom didn't smell like sewer.

Ship tip

Don't recommend taking small kids, Purchase the water online to be delivered to your room before you board, take advantage of all the picture backdrops, buy two drinks at a time, Bring formal clothes, Pack light, Don't do the snorkeling excursion at Nassau Bahamas - take a tour of the city.

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5

Nassau, Bahamas

5 out of 5

Traveler Photos

Dancing with Guedi
Was this review helpful? 19

10 Comments

ShenaZ    7 years ago

Everybody's first cruise is a learning experience but it helps to do research and if necessary find a good travel agent to talk to, especially if you're needs are very specific. I've been on the Liberty and we only had one meal at the "buffet" and that was because we really hadn't figured everything out yet. Any place there was a line it moved very quickly. But, there's SO many other places to eat! The Main Dining Room is fabulous and brunch in the Silver Dining Room is great. Guys Burgers and the Pizza place had a long line but they were quick. You can order canned pop to be delivered to your room for roughly the same price as buying at the bar. I'm not sure how you couldn't find family friendly things to do, because there are multiple things going on everywhere, or you could just sit on the deck and relax... But if I wanted to go on a cruise that catered to kids, I would spend the extra on a Disney Cruise. I do agree about the picture prices. We didn't like any of them enough to pay what they asked but now I wish we had purchased a couple of them.

ajont    7 years ago

first off, I don't think anything would satisfy you. I recommend you try another type of vacation or a different cruise line. I mean, this ship has over 2500 people on it, so lines are to be expected. Also, I have been on the Liberty, and I never smelled anything. Not saying you didn't, but things do happen!!

kchristian0428    7 years ago

Dine in the MDR for meals as the buffet is just that...a buffet..also Guys burgers are amazing. .. all of the cruise lines charge high fees for pix and other perks...it's how they make their money. You still get the best bang for your buck on a cruise and aren't required to spend the extra on perks :)

ItaVero    7 years ago

Great review - thanks! I just don't understand the outrageous prices for photos - they must discard kilos and kilos of un-bought prints at cruise end. If they priced them right - they'd sell all of them (at least all the good ones).

COCOATHICK    7 years ago

Try Royal Caribbean next time. This has soda machines and buffet is self serve and excellent food. Very good kids program. Research before you book to make your cruise fit your family needs. Hope your next cruise is more to your liking.

mikeflowers    7 years ago

Maybe cruising is not for you.

cougarsoccer9    7 years ago

We've never waited that long for a soft drink or cocktail (15 cruises). Buffets are like that, try and go "off" times. Pool water may be chilly, it is ocean water

lmmck    7 years ago

perhaps try a disney cruise. when you allow children to do things at adult times then the adults complain. we need our time too

ashiyanelson75    7 years ago

Everyone doesn't want their kids hopped on soda and juice. For those that do, you can purchase the bubbles package(very inexpensive), and a souvenir Carnival cup, so they can remain as sugared up as you allow. There will always be something to complain about, but when you spend SO much time doing so, you miss more of the good stuff! It's what you make it. 😁

lidomiddeck    7 years ago

and exactly what did you love, seem to have picked everything apart?

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