Royal Mess...
Liberty of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 4
Helpful Votes: 130
7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)
Sail date: January 07, 2018
Ship: Liberty of the Seas
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 6598
Traveled as: Family (older children)
Reviewed: 6 years ago
Review summary
Ship of Dreams… …but not Realities. This was the mantra we cheerily sung to ourselves to slap a smiley face on the horrendous debacle of cruising aboard Royal Caribbean’s, Liberty of the Seas, this past January. Our small family of three (including myself, my twenty-eight-year-old daughter and twenty-year-old son) have vacationed with many cruise lines in the past two decades, including Royal Caribbean, whose dedication to providing a relaxing and entertaining vacation experience seems to have plummeted into the abyss since we last voyaged with them. Since that time, we mostly had occasion to cruise with Carnival, who managed to deliver a decent package so far as we had experienced, but from our understanding had a more pedestrian reputation than the more acclaimed Royal Caribbean. I decided to switch back for our most recent trip to reward my children for all their hard work in the past year with the expectation of a higher quality cruising experience. Yet, for far greater expense, of $900 for the same voyage, the ship, Liberty of the Seas, limped to the barn with far inferior quality accommodations, amenities and overall service than we had enjoyed on the less prestigious Carnival. I pen this scathing review to save anyone else the disappointment, frustration, consternation, stress and hard-earned dollars our family spent on this floating tub of empty promises. To begin with: The Liberty of the Seas trumpeted a host of new refurbishments and upgrades in 2016 since its first launch in 2007. But when we arrived in our stateroom, our road-weary eyes were greeted with obscenely outdated furnishings that showed visible signs of age, wear and tear, all aside from being completely filthy. From carpets layered with dust to a bathroom covered in grime and pubic hairs (we have the photos to prove it), my exhausted children had to begin their vacation cleaning out the room before the staff arrived. We spent the rest of the first day of our vacation waiting in line at the guest services desk attempting to address our grievances. After the first hour of waiting as they typed nondescript minutiae into a computer (stalling), they only tried to placate us with a flimsy apology note and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries. By the time we finished ironing things out, we were utterly exhausted. The only forms of refreshment available were ice-water, iced-tea and lemonade (the latter two being significantly watered down) obtained from the cafés on the promenade, several floors up in the buffet (with obtusely scheduled opening hours and dose monitoring by staff), or from our “complimentary” room-service (with a $8 “ service fee” ) that served it in tiny glasses that held less liquid than a shot glass. This is all of course barring the exorbitantly priced soft-drink cards or liquor packages placed conveniently in the oasis at the end of this strategically designed gauntlet of cut corners. We resorted to periodically squirreling away items of food and drink from the buffet to guarantee a source of refreshment that didn’t bleed us dry in other ways. After a day of marching around the ship, it was clear that it was only “refurbished” into a glorified strip mall on the seas. At the cost of any attention to accommodations, the ships promenade was lavished with stores peddling the usual cruise-ship fare of snacks, knick-knacks and tacky jewelry. The ship’s shameless monetization bled into the retinue of activities as well. Whatever event didn’t charge out of pocket to attend (even towel folding lessons!), was a seminar designed to sell us exercise equipment, homeopathic snake-oil, or more tacky jewelry! It may be possible that some of these changes were unique to the Liberty of the Seas rather than Royal Caribbean as a whole, but the nature of these changes seems indicative of this cruise-line’s current priorities and business ethic. The food was mediocre at best. The serving staff in the Buffet was truly “Stingy” with any items included in our fare. Drinks were poured in advance and ice left to melt making the beverage watered down and tasteless. We dined in the Dining Room to avoid the “TROUGH MENTALITY”. All of this only just covers our impressions of the first day, and the first night provided no respite from our continuing ordeal. The “bed” required several comforters of padding supplied by the staff to be called remotely comfortable enough for two people. Our third party-member (my son) was supplied a precariously perched overhanging shelf bed (rather than the usual fold-out sofa) that strained and groaned under his weight. Fearing we would be crushed beneath it, my son instead opted to sleep on the (more comfortable) sofa despite it being 5 inches shorter than he is. After all of this we couldn’t even begrudgingly begin to sleep as our “closets” (panels attached to the walls with ill-fitting hinges) spent all night creaking and groaning with the motions of the moving ship. We could go on listing every inconvenience, road-block, aggravation or full-on outrage we encountered in the following week, but likely wouldn’t finish before page ten. Suffice it to say that we were shocked that a company with such an exemplary reputation would have the audacity to pass off such sub-par performance as a vacation getaway. Liberty of the Seas has been, hands down, the worst ship we ever sailed on. I can only imagine with great difficulty that Royal Caribbean still manages to attract business because its clientele has/is: A) No experience of other cruise-lines. B) Content to celebrate its mediocrity. C) Not felt impelled to publicly decry it. D) Had more money than sense. I, for one, will not let them get away with only a slap on the wrist. To anyone reading this I say only; book elsewhere. P.S: None of the prior commentary was in any way meant to reflect poorly on the attendants or waiting staff, all of whom displayed a work ethic and devotion that belied the cruise-line’s overall slovenly performance. One attendant of note went by the name of Halsted, our room attendant and deserves special distinction for jumping through hoops to keep us happy and satisfied, as much of a Herculean task that presented given the circumstances. Mikola and Eldy in the Michelangelo Dining Room were staff members that provided outstanding service as well. Ross Clark, a musician provided outstanding entertainment. Nick, the assistant excursion director gracefully handled a pre-paid tour that was cancelled without our knowledge. Olie, was also helpful and accommodating in the ice-skating rink.Embarkation
See Review Summary Below
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
See Review Summary Below
Onboard Activities
See Review Summary Below
Entertainment
See Review Summary Below
Ship tip
Choose Carnival, $900 less, for the same itinerary and MUCH BETTER service, overall experience, comfort and cleanliness.
Thumbs up
1
Ports of call
Traveler Photos
25 Comments
DebDoesCruises1 6 years ago
I have sailed on most all of the cruiselines over the past 25 years...from my experience they all have their ups and downs and I can honestly say quite frankly they all operate the same and are all in it to make $$$.
Please refrain from putting any down. Let everyone experience it on their own. I appreciate loyalty but it seems anymore...those you are loyal to , do not provide the same loyalty in return. If you're lucky enough to go on a cruise, you're lucky enough. Please don't bash others choices or characterize people based on who they cruise with....let's just continue to give tips and cruise on 💕💕💕
CruiseGirl4Life 6 years ago
WOW! This is a case of "when it rains it pours". Unfortunate that you and yours weren't able to enjoy what sounds like a well deserved cruise vacation. Although I've never met a cruise that I didn't like; then again there was that one time I thought we boarded the same cruise ship that was in an episode of 'The Twilight Zone'. You know the one where the guy who served drinks on the Lido deck was also their cabin steward and was there to serve them in the MDR too. That cruise was just creepy. Thank you for sharing your experience. Here's to hoping that your next cruise is befitting of the traditional good wishes before an adventure ... Bon Voyage!
clsm929 6 years ago
To Navychaps: there are two other reviews posted from the same sailing,
both very positive. I am impressed that a good number of people who are extremely pleased with Carnival tend to cite that Carnival is much less expensive than X cruise line. My response is that this is a good thing for them, and hope they are happy with next Carnival cruise. These folks, including this reviewer, don’t leave helpful data, they suggest that others should never waste their money on whatever non Carnival cruise that they suffered through. I am pleased with my past cruises but do not rule out other lines nor do I tell others to avoid an entire company when less than pleasant things happen.
Navychaps1 6 years ago
People are a loyal bunch and really don't like it when someone tells them they don't like their particular choice or there is something wrong with their choice. All Cruise lines have their ups and downs. I prefer NCL but there are tons of people who write horrible things about them. I personally have never experienced what most have said. Does not mean it did or did not happen. I note it and watch out for those issues. This review will not change my ever going on an RC cruise, just makes me a little aware. Let's not make this personal, it is what it is.
Bernie65 6 years ago
I have cruised with Royal about 10 times. Never have I had any problems. If there is a problem, a phone call or a word to a staff member will have someone fixing what needs to be fixed. Just a reminder, being polite and respectful to the crew will get better results than showing an attitude. Just as in real life.
clsm929 6 years ago
I have noticed and noted on more than one occasion that those who most prefer to sail on Carnival tend to have difficulty with RC cruises. I think that there may be something about the type of person who chooses each and why. It may be in your best interest to stick with Carnival and I will stay with preferred RC and Celebrity. Fair winds and following seas.
Nota1stxcruiser 6 years ago
We've been on 16 cruises, with Carnival, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean and our favorite is Royal. Our first cruise ever was Carnival and we were hooked to cruising, then we did a Princess cruise and said NEVER again, Norwegian was so-so, but we love Royal. It is sad to see that your room was filthy and you did great to complain about it- but it's all about how you do it.....you should have waited for the line to die down a little. We've had issues - with All the Cruise lines, but complained about them when there wasn't a crazy line-up. Now I'm not saying that you complained like a crazy person, but it helps to remain calm and get your message across in an non-demeaning way.... and if you speak as eloquent as you write, that might have been an issue. Maybe that is why you only got strawberries. Going to guest services when they are CRAZY busy probably resulted in them not caring about your complaint. We once went to guest services and there was hardly anyone there, simply to "let them know" there was a public bathroom that had paper on the floor, unclean sinks and counters not wiped down and that that it wasn't the first time we noticed a decline in the cleanliness of the public bathrooms on that particular cruise. They offered us a meal at one of the specialty restaurant - we told them it wasn't necessary but they insisted.... AGAIN, it's too bad you had a horrible experience - and I'm not being sarcastic, but the manner in which the complaint is done can have an impact on how they settle the situation. I strongly recommend you "voice" your complaint on Twitter (in as few words as possible) @royalcaribbean
Cruisers4Lyfe 6 years ago
Wasn't too happy with Carnival Valor at all. In fact it was the worst ship that I've ever cruise on. Ship was not maintain well at all. My cabin bathroom was sooooo dirty it look as though the toilet was never ever clean. The staff looked like they didn't want to be there and my cabin smelled like sewer. Although it was my worst cruise ever I still made the best of it. That's why I switched back with Royal Caribbean. I hope RC will not disappoint me.
stanner82 6 years ago
I haven’t laughed this hard in years, your prose is something to be proud of. Especially notable is that you do your best to insult Royal Caribbean, but fans of the cruise line as well. Unfortunately, your credibility is washed away when you first complain about the “slovnly” appearance of your cabin but then go on to praise your cabin steward whose sole responsibility is to remedy this mess which so upset you.
Having sailed on a couple of cruise lines over the years, it has been my experience that each cruise line has its strong and weak points. I think you’re right, though, you should most certainly stick to Carnival - your embittered attitude towards Royal Caribbean is irreparable.
Again, thank you for the laugh x I’m a big fan of hyperbole f sarcasm and employ both regularly.