Carnival is so Much better than Royal Caribben

Liberty of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 30

Overall rating:

2 out of 5
Liberty of the Seas

7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 07, 2016

Ship: Liberty of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8678

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

I cruised with Disney twice. Carnival (long beach) twice but this was our first and last time we will ever cruise with Royal Caribbean. If anyone had told me that a cruise ship shuts down at 9pm. Have one show per evening and have their slides operating only 2-3 hours a day, I would have save my $$$ & enjoy myself more on Carnival. The foods was mediocre, even at formal dining. The desserts was gross and I have a sweet tooth. The staffs looked over worked and all looked grumpy until the 6th night when they were being extra nice to get more tips. I have never been so disappointed in any cruise experience as I have with our 7-day RC leaving out of Galveston, Texas. Thank goodness we booked amazing & fun excursions. Otherwise, our Summer vacation would have been a lost cause. I was in bed every night by 11 because they had one show showned at 2 different times. So once you see one show already, you're screwed. Nothing else to do. Even my 13th year old boy was bored to death Bc they had very limited activities for teens. My 15 year old daughter said the activities were so boring compared to Carnival & they set so many restrictions that it ruin their fun. They were being constantly harassed by the staffs. Don't jump in the pool. Don't be so loud. Don't run! Don't play in the pool!  Why don't u just tell the kids not to have fun!!! All the foods shut down at 9pm every night except for a pizza place that serves gross soggy pizzas that was so inconveniently located in the middle of the ship by their promenade mall. My lists of complaints is endless but I won't bore you with the details. Just know that you will be served very generic foods if you cruise w RC "Liberty of the Seas". Their new slide that was the highlight selling point either was open for 1 hours, then broke down for a few days. No staffs was ever around for the rock climbing. We were so bored, we walked 20 miles on the top deck throughout our 7 days because there was nothing to do. So save your $$$ and go on the Carnival instead!!! 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5
Mc Donald's would have been better. But their fries was good.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5
Worst activities or lame ones!!!

Entertainment

3 out of 5
One show per day with 2 different times 6:30 & 8:30pm

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Grumpy staffs

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Our balcony cabins were much smaller than the one we had with the Carnival. We didn't bother taking pictures Bc there was nothing to show off!!

Ship tip

Don't Go with Royal Caribbean "liberty of the Seas!" All their slides have 2-3 hours operations limitations or they are shut down completely. The entire 7 day, I didn't even see the rock climbing open even once. Save your $$$ and go with another Cruise ship!!

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5
Electric bike and snorkeling was awesome

George Town, Grand Cayman

5 out of 5

Falmouth, Jamaica

5 out of 5
River rafting was slow but fun, not wild at all.
Was this review helpful? 30

18 Comments

Wbutcher    8 years ago

Some of you guys that are comparing RC and carnival might consider princess as an option too. Probably closer to RC than carnival so if you're looking for partying then go carnival but if you like family entertainment you might check them out. We were surprised that RC had slipped in certain areas but on s whole we really liked it. Just depends on what you're looking for. I agree that the food was

Wavewatcher2    8 years ago

seriously what time do they shut the pools and stuff down I will be going on the ship on 9/11

Johngold    8 years ago

To each his own. Everyone will experience something in a different manner. Some will walk in a rainstorm and see the wonder of it, others will run away and hide from the sound.

Thanks for the review.

itschellbell    8 years ago

I have cruised on Carnival over the past 7 years. It has progressively gotten worse! They even took away the mints on your pillow. Maybe not such a big deal, but it's the little things. In speaking with our room attendant last year on Carnival, he explained that they had changed CEO's to a man who felt that they needed to cut corners to have money. This meant mints, some of the food that they used to have, several of the activities, and other small things that add up. He also said that there had been so many complaints since the changes, that they had gotten rid of that new CEO and were looking for another one. I know that it doesn't take long to drive a company into the ground, but it always takes much longer to build it back up again. For that reason, we have decided to go with RC and Norwegian for awhile in hopes that Carnival can eventually get back up to par again.

JusMe    8 years ago

Lyndawnn:  Thank you for a well thought out review that gave examples to back up your thoughts.  

 

I do not understand people that argue with reviews,   A review is the reviewers opinion,  it is not a conversation.  She did not like the cruise and stated why.   This is not bashing it is her opinion.   If you want to give your opinion,  then post your own review.

 

I do agree with her that service and food quality have dropped over the years on RCCL.  Over the last 5 years I have been on RCCL and Carnival.   In my opinion Carnival did have better MDR food.

lyndawynn    8 years ago

I am sharing my personal experience with the cruises that my family already tried. Maybe RC is suited for some, and Carivals for others. I don't think my reviews are biased or bashing, just truthful based on my own personal experiences. The entertainment was good but I wish they more than just 1. When we cruised on Carnival, we were told They were Walmart but we kept an open mind...‚ Walmart gave us 3+ shows, excellent comedians, dancing, plenty of choices of foods for my growing teens at midnight... etc. We didn't expect much fr Carnival at all but they exceeded our expectations. With RC, My son waited to try the rock climbing & I wanted to try their new slides that they advertised but neither was ever open when we went up deck & we tried for a few days & finally gave up:( 

Dining Crew tried their best to accommodate us and we appreciate them greatly so we left a generous tip but it wasn't their fault that foods were too salty & generic. if you are a meat lover, like my son & husband, they were pleased with their dinner. My daughter and I love seafoods but was offered if you paid the extra $$ in which we ‚ had to. My opinions are just that... Just opinions, not attacks‚ and I just want to share in case someone was considering cruising. Had I took my time to read the reviews about their shows alone, having one type per night or that their buffet restaurants shuts down at 9pm... I would have cruise somewhere else. So I hope my reviews will help. We are now looking into "Celebrity, Norweigian or Riviera" & always appreciates those who take their time to share their experiences, whether negative or positive with us:) We have an open mind & love cruising so we will continue our family adventure with our children while they still love spending time with us:) 

MrChocoholic    8 years ago

At least you present your opinion framed in your experience instead of basing it on previous conclusions. I thought your review is fair, covers the bases. I'm always comparing Royal, NCL and Carnival based on my direct experiences. While Carnival may be "Wal-Mart" (which isn't anymore--they upped their food game) in the culinary competition, Royal has sunk to Family Dollar. 

meghad23    8 years ago

Not sure what cruise you were on, but that was not what I experienced. 

askoleern    8 years ago

We enjoyed the Liberty of the Seas ,we were on for our 50th anniversary just loved it

aadiver00    8 years ago

My wife and I have cruised 11 times since our first in 2011 on Oasis - all of which have been on Royal Caribbean. We did cruise once on Carnival Magic and it was a dreadful experience. We are loyal to Royal and wouldn't consider any other line. We are headed to Galveston next week for our 12th cruse and it will be on Liberty of The Seas.

chantilly1984    8 years ago

I agree Carnival is Walmart of the sea

babynurse77    8 years ago

I am sorry you had a bad time. I am going in September and only have good memories from my last cruise with them. I understand that people have preferences for different companies that fit their personalities. I guess RCL just didn't fit yours.

thecruser    8 years ago

The pizza was inconveniently located.at mid ship? ??? Where should it have been in the front of the ship or the back ??? Only thing I might agree with is the food !!!!

dumbclown    8 years ago

With that attitude I wouldn't be nice to you either, lol. We were treated like royalty. Again we treated them very nicely also. I can't wait to go back. Of course I would not compare this to Disney Cruise. I did see pictures of Carnival Magic and ship looked so old and run down. Food looked gross.

fdlwisconsin    8 years ago

Carnival was aweful. Reason they cheap. Entertainment was nonexistent

peaceharmonync    8 years ago

RCCL has gone downhill over the past couple years...the food is packaged and microwaved as told to us by the wait staff...horrible desserts...service is bad...they used to be our #1 pick but Carnival has picked up their game so we cruise Carnival for now !!

cruisingurl    8 years ago

Every cruise line has followers and something for everyone. Don't bash Royal Caribbean because it didn't meet your needs. Cruise with the line that is best suited for you and your family.

fdlwisconsin    8 years ago

Hmm yup sure

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