Carnival Liberty

rogue · April 6, 2010

Congrats on booking your 1st cruise. I always feel a twinge of jealousy for people going on their 1st cruise. There really is something magical about that cruise that you don't really get in the future. Don't get me wrong, all my other cruises were great, but there is still something about htat 1st time. :thumbup:

LynnS13 · April 7, 2010

A bucket of beer is 4 bottles of beer that come in a plastic bucket with ice in it...they are about $24 dollars....Alcoholic drinks run from about $6-10 because some are in souvenior glasses that u can keep. U also need to keep in mind that there is a 15 percent gratuity that gets tagged onto the price of ALL alcoholic beverages! These were prices on Royal, but I have sailed Carnival and they are all pretty much in the same ballpark. Enjoy ur cruise...:) Lynn

PatrickGranier · April 20, 2010

Hi Everyone,
My wife and I are going on our first cruise to the Western Carribean in April aboard teh Carnival Liberty. Any experienced cruisers out there who would like to share some good (or bad) happenings? Looking forward to our firts cruise and want it to be memoriable and great.

Thanks, Parabs

All I can tell you is that you will enjoy it immensly, and that after that you will be hooked on cruising....

First of all congratulations on your first cruise, and this will be really an outclass experience of your life when you will get acquainted with the new faces and the people onboard, with the different kinds of mindset but with mutual interests together. All the journey will be great and enjoyable and you will certainly take the pleasure of all the fresh ambiance and serenity, as well as the beautiful and unexplored hidden treasures of the sea as well.

Bon Voyage :)

DebbieandJerry · April 21, 2010

I am so excited for you. I remember seeing the ship the first time we cruised. I thought I died and went straight to heaven.

Many times you will find "drink specials". Every night there will be a Carnival paper on the bed. The paper outlines the ship activities for the next day as well as entertainment and "specials" (from spa, to casino, to bar)

As posted, there are also cheaper refills when you use the same glass. If you bring it to your stateroom, your stateroom attendent will rinse it out for you. It is a glass that you can pack and take home (we have many of varying sizes and from varying ships).

The ship also has "free" drinks during the art auction. More like champagne and/or wine. You might even find a wine tasting event where you pay a set fee and get to taste a certain number of bottles and purchase one.

At dinner, the wine steward will ask if you want to purchase wine. You can purchase it by the glass or by the bottle. Not to worry if you don't finish the bottle at the meal. They will cork it for you and bring it to you at the next dinner meal.

No cash exchanges hands while you are on the cruise ship. You sign for everything using your room key. We always keep a running total of our expenses. We use that total to balance our final statement as well as have an idea of how much we owe at the end of the vacation.

If you do intend to drink, definitely keep a running total. Not paying for these drinks quickly adds up. We've seen folks have fits on the last night simply insisting that there was no way they could run up a $750 bar bill.

If you purchase liquor at any of the ports, you will not be permitted to take it back to your room. The ship stores the liquor and you get it the last night. Remember that you will have to pack it in your luggage.

Of course you can eat and drink to your wallet's content at any port.

All food on the ship is free (except for specialty dining). Jerry and I do not go to speciality dining. We are very pleased with the meals served and feel that there is no reason to pay more to get a fancier cut of beef (we are not huge beef eaters).

Room service, buffets, all dining rooms, food by the pool and inside on some of the floors is all free. Don't forget afternoon tea. That's where you will see all the fancy desserts and little tea sandwiches. Oh, there is always ice cream (hard and soft) for free as well.

Soda cost extra on the ship. If you are a big soda drinker, then you might want to take advantage of the weekly soda special that the ship offers. You pay a set price and get to drink soda for free all week long. If not, expect to pay about $2.50 per can (if not more)

Have a wonderful time. Don't forget to come back and tell us all about your first cruise!