Liberty of the Seas Cruise Reviews - Tips

Large slides and flowRider have strict hight and weight restrictions. Some kids were very disappointed to find they could not ride. Be sure to check the restrictions and prepare them. The kids slide, however, is better than the large slides...just a bit shorter.

Buy your drink pkg ahead of time. Plan your excursions before you leave for your trip.

Bring magnetic chip clips! The walls are magnetic and you can hang up your Cruise Compasses and receipts and stuff out of the way.

Drink packages, dining packages and internet packages are well worth the investment.

Board your cruise early for a free lunch! The Royal Promenade has a cafe and a pizza parlor. Both offer free (included in the price of the cruise) food. Hit up these wonderful little restaurants and people watch instead of heading to the crowded buffet.

Advance planning for excursions is recommended. The best activities get booked up fast. I also recommend the deluxe drink package if you plan to have at least 4-5 drinks per day. This drink package includes specialty coffees on the Promenade as well!

Prepare to spend extra money for at least one meal per day at a restaurant

Don't drink the coffee. (Yes, I said it multiple times in my review.)

Have fun, relax and trust the crew. That's how to enjoy a vacation.

Don't travel when there is a hurricane predicted.

Purchase all packages before embarkation

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR YOU. BRING ENOUGH EXTRA MONEY FOR THEM TO TIP THEM EXTRA. THEY WORK SO HARD AND GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO BE A BLESSING TO YOU. THEY ARE AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES FOR A LONG TIME.

Pack lighter than you think you need.

Our cabin was about as far forward as you can get and our dining room was way at the back of the ship. We found to go to dinner it was way easier to take the elevator down to the 4th deck, go outside on either side and walk down the deck to the end and then come in to the dining room.

If you're going to book excursions, book them as early as possible. They tend to fill up quickly for the more popular excursions, so don't wait until the last minute!

The cantilevered adult hot tubs can be pretty full during the day, but if you go while most of the people on board are at dinner (usually around 7:00-9:00) they will typically be fairly empty. Also, if you go to deck 4 and take a walk outside, you can get to the very front of the ship and stand right at the prow! If you are a fan of the movie Titanic, you can easily recreate that famous scene where Rose is "flying".

Choose Carnival, $900 less, for the same itinerary and MUCH BETTER service, overall experience, comfort and cleanliness.

Keep a close eye on charges and added gratuities. Don't rely on guest services to remedy or follow up on issues.

This was our first cruise and overall it was positive, however we were bothered by a few things. Areas of the ship were very crowded, with some unruly children. Also, it felt like there were so many additional charges for things, that the bargain trip we thought we were taking turned out to be more than other trips we usually take to specific destinations. First-time cruisers should know about additional charges for upgraded restaurants, drinks, phone/internet services, bingo, Starbucks coffee, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, exercise group classes, cooking classes, ship tours, etc. while some of these are advertised, their costs are high and can add a hefty amount to the cost of your trip.

Leave all your cares behind. I find a calmness to being on the ocean. It has the deepest blue waters I have ever seen. You can stand on the very front of the ship and see nothing but the ocean vista! Once you're out there take a deep breath of unpolluted air and relax...