Wasn't our best RCCL trip

Item: Liberty of the Seas
Rating: 3
Author: RCCLfans

Liberty of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

RCCLfans

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 57

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 03, 2016

Ship: Liberty of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8368

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

As loyal RCCL cruisers, we are used to a high level of quality on our ships. It is the ONLY cruise line we use. This trip was sorely lacking. The Liberty was going into dry dock for renovations. It was low on supplies (like wine varieties, certain foods and other items) and the closer we got to the end the less service we got as staff was starting to pack things away. This also meant that many of the glasses and bowls were not available for use. (On departure morning, there were not enough cereal bowls. We were given small side dish bowls and had to make several trips.) Lesson learned... no trips on the last cruise before a ship goes into dry dock for renovation.

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

1 out of 5

The Texas alcohol police are at the port asking for their $$$ like vultures. Just tell them you bought nothing.

Thumbs Up 4

Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5

Belize City, Belize

3 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

32 Comments

jj1125 8 years ago

This will be my 3rd cruise on RCCL, so we thought we'd save money on airfare and try going out of Galveston. I'll be taking Bonine until we're out of the Gulf though. 😄

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Safetystefani 8 years ago

Haha jj I know the feeling living in Crosby but growing up in Kemah area

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

jj1125 8 years ago

I'm from the Houston area so I don't have to worry about distance to airports. I just worry about the seas getting out of the Gulf.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

meghad23 8 years ago

We cruised on it in April 2015 and enjoyed it, sad we missed the slides, but the Galveston reviews are scaring me from any cruises from the port. The duty on booze, the ground transportation issues, distance to the airport....It just does not seem worth it.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

jdgreene 8 years ago

So sorry about the lack of cereal bowls. That would have devastated my cruise experience with Royal.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

cadreamin 8 years ago

Whew! Thanks for posting. Makes me feel much better.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

ale1 8 years ago

The slides were running by day 3 except for the new cyclone thing. My kids (13 & 19) both enjoyed the slides, flo riders and rock climbing wall. Yes, food was somewhat mediocre. Portion sizes were small in mdr, but our waiter encouraged us to order several items so we had plenty and were able to try different things. The crew were from different countries and all very pleasant (except bartenders). I think as Americans we tend to be overly demanding. So many staff members said the ship was a complete construction site the day before we got on, pallets everywhere, welding going on, etc. so I think they really worked hard to get it all put back together and get it going for us.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

cadreamin 8 years ago

Great. The boys (ages 10 to 13) were especially looking forward to the new slides.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

dalesimms 8 years ago

we just got off Liberty! The slides don't work, the food in the mdr sucks, and the quantity of food in the mdr makes me wonder if they have us all on a diet! we ate evening meals 3 nights in the windjammer just because of the slow service in the mdr. The entertainment was top notch. DO NOT MISS THE ICE SHOW!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

cadreamin 8 years ago

Will do. Traveling with family so we have a lot of people to 'test the waters', so to speak.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

jj1125 8 years ago

Be sure to let us know how it all was when you get back. Mine isn't till August, but I cannot wait!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

cadreamin 8 years ago

We leave today on Liberty -- our first RC cruise. Have sailed on other lines so it will be interesting to see how they differ/compare. Was happy to hear it's recently out of dry dock so get to see all the new features first-hand.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

cruisesince73 8 years ago

We have been finding RCI cutting service on every cruise. For instance we purchased the sauna/steam package for the week and in the last night my wife and I went to go one more time before the cruise was over only to find the spa closed at 8pm. Supposedly this is to ready the ship for the next cruise. I know to turn around day is difficult on the crew and there is a lot of work to be done but stll

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Safetystefani 8 years ago

Me , hubby and our 3 year old are also going 8/21 this will be our second cruise. And first on royal. Our first was carnival magic and was horrible:/ we will be celebrating our 3 but will be 4 year old bday (8/18) and mine on 8/24 :)

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

ErikaJoshLong 8 years ago

We are also going 8/21!! Can't Wait! Hope it is great!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

jj1125 8 years ago

We leave out on 8/21 and praying for no hurricanes - this is our third cruise on RCCL. And we've loved each one so fsr⚓️⚓️

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

pollyrivera 8 years ago

we have a group of 9 going. 1- 10 yr old, the rest are adults. 3 cabins are in a row...with 2 birthdays in May.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Beachbum31 8 years ago

Pollyrivera may 22 also with DTaylor my 50th birthday cruise a long with a friend who just turned 50 also. There will be one more that has a birthday on the trip.. We are so ready. My husband just had knee surgery 3weeks ago. And the snow ugh it needs to go bye bye

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

DTaylor80268567 8 years ago

Pollyrivera, rhuttig and several of our friends sail 5/22 also.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

dansylvs 8 years ago

April 10th but first time out of Galveston.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

pollyrivera 8 years ago

rhuttig..whrn are you sailing? We leave May 22nd.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

dansylvs 8 years ago

I've only been on RC...6x.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Beachbum31 8 years ago

I sure hope it's everything I am needing in May!!!!! RC is better then carnival

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

dansylvs 8 years ago

That's great. We're leaving on 4/10. They'll have time to season the crew and ship.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

dalesimms 8 years ago

the first cruise leaves Galveston Feb 7 2016

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

platzanniversary2016 8 years ago

How long does it stay in dry dock?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Deejay43 8 years ago

Ship is in Freeport, the Bahamas now. We took a 13 day transatlantic cruise prior to refit in 2012. That RCCL ship was in terrible shape and the service levels declined as the days passed but the price was heavily discounted ($449 for a midship ocean view cabin) and the duty free prices on the last 2 days were incredible. Two 1.5 litre bottles of Bailey's Irish Cream were selling for $20.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

andyterrie37 8 years ago

We're actually on the Feb 7th cruise! Enjoy your trip.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

platzanniversary2016 8 years ago

When did you get back?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

dansylvs 8 years ago

Great, thanks. We're departing on 4/10.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

andyterrie37 8 years ago

First cruise out after dry dock renovations is Feb7th!!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

dansylvs 8 years ago

Hello, when is it expected to go in for renovations and put back into service?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Boat needs a refurbishment badly