Cattle Herd, fights, long lines, hot overcrowded muster stations, staff yelling like military during muster drill. Never doing this again

Carnival Liberty Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 26

Overall rating:

2.8 out of 5
Carnival Liberty

3 Night Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 05, 2018

Ship: Carnival Liberty

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Too many people. Too many low class arguments, drunks, party people. No relaxing, no room to get in a pool. Food was low quality like on a cafeteria. Sodas were impossible to get for the kids, since you had to wait at the bar. Bars were overcrowded, 10-20 minutes to get your drink order in. Muster station drill was an hour, hot shoulder to shoulder, staff yelling like military. Herding htousands of people down a flight of stairs too often for a 3 day trip. Too much waiting, too many lines. Only got 5 hours in Bahama after the waiting room to get off the boat to get to our excursion. Too long at sea on the way back, could have used that time in the Bahamas. Because of this trip, I won't go on any more cruises.

Embarkation

2 out of 5
Luggage staff person was quick to ask for a donation while writing the wrong cabin number on our luggage tags. He was pushy for his tip and took no time to care about the quality of service he was providing. He had a harsh tone making us feel we were not allowed to leave until we paid him.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5
Buffet was low quality and long lines. The unsweet ice tea tasted like pure concentrate and burned the throat. Difficult to get a soda. Children had to wait at the bar to order along with adults trying to get their drinks. No need for Stakehouse reservation, they always had open tables. The entire ship seemed to be at the free buffet, expect long lines or pay top dollar at the steakhouse without people herding around you.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5
Kids activities were boring. Kids had a small arcade, very narrow to get through with one door in and out. Kids easily spent money in the arcade to pass the time from the lack of fun. Pools were small and always full, never got in one. People were shoulder to shoulder in the hot tubs, didn't look relaxing.

Entertainment

2 out of 5
Didn't notice anything worth watching, ended up watching tv in the cabin but only 4-5 channels to choose from. Venetian palace was too loud, hard to stay in there.

Children's Programs

2 out of 5
Basketball court and mini golf closed at 5pm. We never got a chance to try. Arcade was expensive and only place the kids cared about compared to the other options. Pools were too full, couldn't get in one.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Nice staff once you got a chance to talk to one. Many lines just for guest services desk. Room steward named Sam was fantastic. He was the only one who took great care of us.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5
Pretty room, nice balcony and bathroom, but poor tv quality, no movies, only a few static channels. Can hear everyone in the hallway, drunks and people yelling throughout the night. Not peaceful for a family.

Ship tip

Print your own luggage tag at home if possible. Luggage staff work too fast and gave poor service for luggage but are stern and forceful to make sure you tip them.

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

3 out of 5
Waiting in lines to get on

Nassau, Bahamas

3 out of 5
Waiting in lines to get off Excursion VIP dolphin swim was great but too short for the money (15-20 min)

Disembarkation

2 out of 5
Always having to gather in a room to wait (sometimes an hour or more) just to be herded down steps at the same time to get out of one door. I felt like cattle or a prisoner.
Was this review helpful? 26

14 Comments

parnellmo    6 years ago

Maybe Martha's Vineyard will be a better vacation destination for you and your family.

mikeflowers    6 years ago

Some people can never be made happy. Liberty is a great ship and a great staff.

Catopalooza    6 years ago

Wonder how bad the crowds will be on Liberty at the end of May?

nearthebeach    6 years ago

We will be sailing on the Liberty again next March. Enjoyed it last time and expect the same again it will be our 24th cruise.

AugCruiser    6 years ago

I'm not a parry person. Actually go with the kids and we have a blast every year.

MrandMrsL44    6 years ago

Try going in the off season, and on a longer cruise. 3 day is always party and crowds. I took a Sept cruise on the liberty late year and had very few lines must quicker than expected.

Niyokkii2    6 years ago

I thought the ship was great last year and I’m not a party person. We never ate the buffet except for breakfast. We ate dinner in the main dinning room. The food is much better

mypreciousfamily    6 years ago

No matter the length of the cruise. Carnival is a party boat. That’s what i love.

brian709    6 years ago

A great ship !!!!

Kandamonk    6 years ago

I recommend trying a different cruise line. We will never do Carnival because of the party atmosphere. We prefer quieter cruises. We are loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers.

sopha    6 years ago

That's why we won't do anymore cruises less than 7 days long

sailorrose    6 years ago

Please reconsider taking another cruise, Carnival short cruise are known for being a party cruise. Try Royal Caribbean on a 7 day and you will see the difference.

SirKnutt    6 years ago

That's unfortunate that you will allow one bad experience to have you make a permanent decision on such an awesome way to vacation.

jstubblefield    6 years ago

I didn't like the liberty either. And that was when it was new 10 years ago. I refer to it as the stand in line ship.

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