melmar02 Posted November 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2023 Last night, Jayson. Gave us out new Sea Pass cards and transit cards. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it was just a business card sized paper that said In Transit on it with some Royal branding. The suite breakfast didn't open until 7 this morning, and we were supposed to meet at 7:45 for our excursion. We decided that would be cutting it close and to just get the kids something quick from WJ. Not sure what we were thinking. What a madhouse! We were in the Star Lounge at 7:30am. There were two people at the front of the lounge checking in for the excursion. I asked what we needed to do to ensure we were brought back to the ship, and they both looked at me like I had three heads. I pulled up the excursion in the app and showed them where it said in the description that consecutive cruisers would be returned to the cruise terminal. The response was, "I guess we will let the tour guide know you are coming back" We were escorted off the ship around 8:30am. People got their luggage and went through customs where we were on our own to find the excursion bus as the RC guide was at the back of the herd for our group. The tour bus guide asked where our luggage was, and we told him we were on the next sailing. He said, great, we will get you back here so we felt better. We all waited on the bus until the RC guide showed up with the last couple families at 9:30. Apparently, RC left a cart of luggage dock side, and the bags were not unloaded in the terminal with the rest of the luggage. When we got to the Everglades Holiday Park, we asked the tour guide when he thought we would make it back to the terminal. He said after the tour, we were dropping off the people for FLL, then a family for MIA, then they would go back to the cruise terminal. Um no. We decided to get off at FLL and take a $12 Uber back to port. It was a fun excursion. A little alligator show followed by the airboat ride. If we were going to do it again, we would have scheduled it for the day we got off the ship instead of on turn around day. We were back on board by 1:30 and headed to Johnny Rockets. Ampurp85, JohnK6404, Jax and 6 others 7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted November 6, 2023 Report Share Posted November 6, 2023 I don't know why the fact that the one gator is letting the guy carry him is cracking me up. I think because the gator is so docile like "I guess you can carry me sir and I won't bite." FireFishII 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said: I don't know why the fact that the one gator is letting the guy carry him is cracking me up. I think because the gator is so docile like "I guess you can carry me sir and I won't bite." And he said he always picks the grumpy one to do the show. Like this one was hissing at him when he went into the enclosure. Ampurp85 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 Lunch was typical Johnny Rockets stuff fries - plain, chili cheese, and bacon cheese. DH and I both had smokehouse burgers with jalapenos added. Milkshakes, a malt, and a root beer float were enjoyed during the meal so we skipped dessert. Then we did the typical first day stuff. We resigned our waivers for AO and got DD's card punched for the teen club. Next we headed up to the flowrider to renew our waivers...and sign up for more surf lessons. We dropped the kids at the room with their respective electronic devices, and DH and I wandered into the Next Cruise office. We'll be back on Libery over Labor Day weekend for a New England and Canada cruise which may have partly been inspired by @Lovetocruise2002's recent cruise. Connecting balconies that time. We took our free bottle of champagne for booking the first day back to the room and went up to the suite lounge to celebrate the new booking. No one was really hungry after the late lunch, so we took the kids to WJ for dinner. Now they are in the kid's clubs and we are waiting for ballroom dance music to start in Olive or Twist. There is a 30 minute overlap with three family silent disco. I'm sure they are still working out the kinks of the new schedule. We did get a towel animal tonight, and we asked our cabin attendant to let us keep our zoo. He obliged. Robert M, asquared17, FireFishII and 8 others 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 I have no drama of my own to report really. DH saw security walking the cabin halls with pictures of a couple people. According to the FB group a guy was yelling at his wife/girlfriend on the dock at Cozumel and he started to get physical. Security stepped in. There were pictures on FB this morning of cop cars at the dock and someone being taken off in cuffs. We did have an ambulance and fire truck pull up shortly after docking. DH and I finally made it dancing. Skigoofy, JohnK6404, Robert M and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted November 7, 2023 Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 1 hour ago, melmar02 said: We'll be back on Libery over Labor Day weekend for a New England and Canada cruise which may have partly been inspired by @Lovetocruise2002's recent cruise I am actually thinking of booking this itinerary again for the summer of 2025, but just Hubby and I, if they offer it when new itineraries comes out. Also, they give you a full bottle of champagne for booking on the first day?! How did I not know this? If you do one of those open bookings, do you also get the free champagne? Sweety, Ampurp85 and PPPJJ-GCVAB 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 28 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Also, they give you a full bottle of champagne for booking on the first day?! How did I not know this? If you do one of those open bookings, do you also get the free champagne? It was in last week's Cruise Compass, and I was hoping it was in effect for this cruise too. We had it narrowed down to a cruise from LA or the New England and made the decision at the last second. I'm not 100%, but I think all bookings get it. We were also entered into some raffle for $100 obc for booking day one or two. Sweety, Lovetocruise2002 and FireFishII 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted November 7, 2023 Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 I am loving this blog. I was up this morning getting the 11:00am slot for my Christmas cruise. I am ready for them 2025-2026 class schedule. melmar02 and asquared17 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 @Lovetocruise2002 this is the bottle they gave us. I searched Total Wine and Goody Good Liquor online and neither carry this. Google didn't give me much more - it looks like this is maybe a $15 bottle at the most? I wonder if we would have received a different kind if we booked a suite, like getting better OBC for longer sailings/suites? Lovetocruise2002, JohnK6404 and FireFishII 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 Breakfast on the balcony. This is actually a first for us. In all our cruises, we have never taken advantage of combining food and the sunrise. I woke up to the ship traveling at 2.6 knots, and DH said it had been like that since he got up at 5am. There was no wake. While we were out on the balcony the engines restarted, and now we're going about 10 knots which is what we were doing last night. DH said there were some mechanical sounds between 5am and 6 when I got up - like they were trying to restart and couldn't get the engines to turn over. The map now has us pointing back toward FLL. Is this part of the normal zig zag toward CocoCay? I am sure we are just headed south because last night we went north, and today's a sea day so I know the captain has time to kill, but way to make us nervous! WAAAYTOOO, Lovetocruise2002, JohnK6404 and 4 others 2 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLH Posted November 7, 2023 Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 1 hour ago, melmar02 said: @Lovetocruise2002 this is the bottle they gave us. I searched Total Wine and Goody Good Liquor online and neither carry this. Google didn't give me much more - it looks like this is maybe a $15 bottle at the most? I wonder if we would have received a different kind if we booked a suite, like getting better OBC for longer sailings/suites? Vigne dei Conti Espumoso Extra Dry | Vivino US Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted November 7, 2023 Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 11 hours ago, melmar02 said: It was in last week's Cruise Compass, and I was hoping it was in effect for this cruise too. I am wondering if they give it for open bookings at NC on the first day. Because that is likely what I will do the next time I sail. Thanks for including the pic of what type of bottle. That would have been my next question lol melmar02 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 Flowrider lesson part deux. DD is really close to earning her blue band to stand up surf, and we were all able to drop the practice rope this time. I think my 44 year old body prefers boogie boarding for now. There was no Key session after our lesson so they shut off the pumps at 9. We had different instructors this time, and one of our instructors from last week came up right at the end of our lesson. They all agreed DD was on the verge so they turned it back on to give her the two chances self load. It was a no go, but good practice. They told us to come back at 10 and try again as they were all sure she could get it. So it's hot tubs and pool time until then. DS is probably too big for Splashaway Bay but that's where we are. This is his happy place - Splashaway Bay on Liberty. He's between slides and the hot tub, and DD and I are resting up for the next flowrider session to start. Skigoofy, PPPJJ-GCVAB, WAAAYTOOO and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 Is this new in the app, or have I just not paid attention? I found. Countdown clock in the manage your booking section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted November 7, 2023 Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 It is a new feature in the app. @Lovetocruise2002 Yes if you book with NC day 1-3, depending on length of cruise, you get champagne even if it is interiors and an opening booking. I got St. Michelle on Grandeur, so I think it depends on what the ship has in stock. melmar02 and Lovetocruise2002 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 We are headed back to Ft Lauderdale. I couldn't hear the reason, but I did hear it won't affect the schedule. WAAAYTOOO, Robert M and PPPJJ-GCVAB 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted November 7, 2023 Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 1 hour ago, melmar02 said: We are headed back to Ft Lauderdale. I couldn't hear the reason, but I did hear it won't affect the schedule. Someone from the Insiders group is on with you and he posted it was for some kind of emergency. Hope whoever it involves is ok. PPPJJ-GCVAB and asquared17 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 Yes, we backed into port and saw the ambulance and fire truck waiting for us. They just pulled away. PPPJJ-GCVAB and Lovetocruise2002 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 We are headed back out now. It didn't seem like we were running full speed back to port, but we didn't check the tv channel that shows our speed. Hopefully it is nothing too serious and the person recovers quickly. Robert M, Xaa and PPPJJ-GCVAB 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPPJJ-GCVAB Posted November 7, 2023 Report Share Posted November 7, 2023 49 minutes ago, melmar02 said: We are headed back out now. It didn't seem like we were running full speed back to port, but we didn't check the tv channel that shows our speed. Hopefully it is nothing too serious and the person recovers quickly. I just looked at the cruisemapper and it shows Liberty at 7N speed. I know cruisemapper typically runs a bit behind so maybe you’re moving a bit faster already! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2023 5 hours ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said: I just looked at the cruisemapper and it shows Liberty at 7N speed. I know cruisemapper typically runs a bit behind so maybe you’re moving a bit faster already! We're still running pretty slow, but CocoCay is close, so we shouldn't have a delay. We were boring the rest of the day. Nap, casino, suite lounge, WJ for dinner. DS is in the kid's club, DD is watching TV, and DH is reading. I'm going to bed early for a long day tomorrow. CruzOnBye, MaryS, FireFishII and 2 others 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2023 Round 2! MaryS, asquared17, JohnK6404 and 7 others 8 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCSC Mike Posted November 8, 2023 Report Share Posted November 8, 2023 1 minute ago, melmar02 said: Round 2! I like the taco bar too but don't skip the Snack Shack! PPPJJ-GCVAB and melmar02 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquared17 Posted November 8, 2023 Report Share Posted November 8, 2023 looks like a perfect day!!!!! melmar02 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottD Posted November 8, 2023 Report Share Posted November 8, 2023 1 hour ago, asquared17 said: looks like a perfect day!!!!! It says so right there! asquared17 and melmar02 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2023 We had breakfast at Chops, and then went back to the cabin to change into our swim suits. We had tickets to Thrill Waterpark, and we decided to make the wave pool home base. We chose loungers somewhere in the middle of the pack, next to a tree so we would have a little more shade than the umbrella provided. We headed to Splash Summit and went on the racer mat ride 4 times so we could try each color. Then we did the tube slides. Next we headed over to Daredevil's Tower for a bit. DD and I both went to the Peak and we all did most of the other slides. I finally talked DS into the Slingshot, and I wish I had a picture of his face when we started the big descent! They are making progress on the new green slide - it looks like it may be another multi person slide like the sling shot. Daredevil's Peak had the worst wait time at about 25 minutes. All the other slides were 10 minutes or less with some, like the racer mats, that had no wait. Our legs are beat! asquared17, DDaley, CruzOnBye and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2023 Lunch was at the Snack Shack. Burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and mozzarella sticks. We got a funnel cake to share, but we were so full we each only had a couple bites. PPPJJ-GCVAB, Sweety, MaryS and 7 others 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2023 The kids spent time in the wave pool while DH and I spent time under our umbrella. We decided to call it a day around 1:30 or 2pm. DH and DS went back to the ship, and DD and I headed to the shops in search of a Christmas ornament. On our way out this morning we saw our cabin attendant and asked for a champagne bucket with ice for the bottle we got at Next Cruise. He found the bottle in our cooler and had it chilling for us when we returned. Juggler tonight, not sure of the dinner plans. MaryS, PPPJJ-GCVAB, FireFishII and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2023 780 kids onboard according to the cruise director! Ampurp85, Robert M, FireFishII and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2023 Suite lounge and then DH and I weren't hungry so we took the kids to the WJ. Then we headed to the theater for the juggler, Adam Kario. We enjoyed his show. After the show, the kids ran off and DH and I grabbed a snack from Sorrento's and Cafe Promenade. We returned to the room to find another towel animal and the saddest delivery of all - departure tags. MaryS, Robert M, WAAAYTOOO and 3 others 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquared17 Posted November 9, 2023 Report Share Posted November 9, 2023 37 minutes ago, melmar02 said: the saddest delivery of all - departure tags. this is truly the saddest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted November 9, 2023 Report Share Posted November 9, 2023 I have never had a burger from PDCC but the funnel cake actually looks good. It's sad that the cruise is almost over but you have something to look forward to since you made a stop at NC asquared17 and melmar02 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2023 @Ampurp85 the funnel cake was OK. I think their batter could have used more sugar - it relied heavily on the powdered sugar on top. asquared17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLH Posted November 9, 2023 Report Share Posted November 9, 2023 28 minutes ago, melmar02 said: @Ampurp85 the funnel cake was OK. I think their batter could have used more sugar - it relied heavily on the powdered sugar on top. The trick is to get some carmel sauce on it as well. melmar02 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCSC Mike Posted November 9, 2023 Report Share Posted November 9, 2023 1 hour ago, melmar02 said: @Ampurp85 the funnel cake was OK. I think their batter could have used more sugar - it relied heavily on the powdered sugar on top. Blasphemy! It's delicious! 45 minutes ago, MLH said: The trick is to get some carmel sauce on it as well. Even worse! I'm a funnel cake purest. The only time I have an issue is when you get a thick piece of doughy batter in the center. I like it to be crispy all the way through. WAAAYTOOO and FireFishII 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2023 5 hours ago, OCSC Mike said: Blasphemy! It's delicious! I guess everything is not only bigger, but sweeter in Texas? WAAAYTOOO and OCSC Mike 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2023 Man did I get my steps in today! I was up earlier than usual, and DH usually drinks all the coffee in the room. I wait until we go to breakfast and get a cup from the suite lounge then. Instead I went once by myself, and a second time with DS right at 7 when they were setting out the continental breakfast. Here he is, sadly getting ready to gobble down his last pre-breakfast donut of the cruise. It was gone before we reached the elevator. I brought the second round of coffee back to the room just in time for DD to be ready to go to breakfast. I'm case you were wondering, here is the menu for the suite breakfast at Chops. We could get the same thing at the MDR or WJ, but it is cooked fresh and the service can't be beat. After breakfast we wandered off the ship for our self guided tour. I had Google ready to guide me to the Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle which is really small, but right next to the stairs. We felt fine as a group, but Google took us through a neighborhood that felt a little off the beaten path - not sure I would have walked it by myself. According to the the Bahamas tourism website, the fort admission is free with donations appreciated. That info is out of date as it cost is $3 each plus VAT for a total of $14. Kids 5 and under were $2 plus tax. A warning about the additional VAT tax on 12% was listed on the front page of the Cruise Compass. This fort is small the round exterior with three canons, access to 2 small rooms that were maybe 10' x 14' and a small platform at the top. This was plenty for my kids though. Next we walked back through the neighborhood and on to our next stop thr Pirates of Nassau museum. Admission was $14 for adults and $7 for kids 17 and younger. They had a display of a shanty town and the interior of a ship. Several mannequins along the way to display the various parts of the ship. The mannequins made it a little hokey, but it was a decent 45 minute field trio. DD had quite a bit of reading and writing assignments relating to pirates at the beginning of our school year, and she enjoyed the museum. There are only a few actual artifacts and several replicas. From there we visited the straw market to get a couple souvenirs and then went back to the ship. Google said our trip should have been 1.8 miles from the port entrance and back. We had lunch in the WJ, and spent the afternoon packing. We were able to catch a nice sunset from the suite lounge. Jayson said he is getting some time off in November and December, but will be back on. Liberty starting in January. DD left a small crochet jellyfish for our cabin attendant, and the kids received two towel animals tonight. MaryS, WAAAYTOOO, Lovetocruise2002 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2023 DD wanted to eat in the MDR one last time, but DD wanted to go to bed early. DH went with our son, and I stayed I and ordered room service. Cobb salad, cheese steak with fries, and the fruit plate. They brought me bonus fries. FireFishII, Ampurp85, Lovetocruise2002 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquared17 Posted November 10, 2023 Report Share Posted November 10, 2023 that sunset!! and the bonus fries also i’m loving the towel animals - i don’t think i’ve ever seen either of them before!! sting ray and octopus! FireFishII and melmar02 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2023 We have had a version of the ray before, but not with the curled edges. I think it was one of the kids' first cruises and we got something crazy like 14 animals on a 7 night cruise. DS wanted to see In the Air. To be honest we all did - don't miss it if you are on Liberty. DH went with him and I crawled into bed and watched the end of Mrs. Doubtfire. When the movie ended, I was flipping through the channels and hit the schedule channel at just the right time. The photo gallery hours were at the top of the page. I almost forgot! I ran back downstairs and picked our 10 for this leg. If the Fitbit can be trusted, I've hit 7 miles today. After walking up stairs all day yesterday at the waterpark, my ankles are toast. I'm kind of looking forward to sitting around the airport all day tomorrow. We are all checked in for the flight and are boarding group B26-29. FireFishII, MaryS and asquared17 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.