Liberty after dry dock

[Midwest Cruiser]

We just returned from the first sailing of the Liberty of the Seas after the scheduled dry dock in January.

The ship had several new features added during the week in the Bahamas - Large video screen over the main pool, Cup Cake Cupboard on the Royal Promenade, upgrades to Vintages and the addition of auto dispensing wine machines, Royal Babies and Tots, the DreamWorks Characters, 3D movie capabilities and lots of new carpet and paint in the common areas.

Embarkation took a while due to a large number of construction workers having to be cleared through customs. We always stay in Miami within view of the port and this is the first time that we woke up and our ship was not there. It ended up arriving to port around 8:30am. We arrived at the port around noon and began boarding around 2pm.

The new video screen is a great feature and allows for additional entertainment as well as instant replays for the belly flop contest, etc. My wife liked the ability to try several wines using the wine dispensing machines in Vintages and I enjoyed the new appetizers that they serve. We were anxious to see the DreamWorks characters and were pleasantly surprised with the detail in the costumes. It was their first cruise using them on the Liberty and I feel that they did a nice job of having them accessible but not in your face.

The weather, food and service were all great! We had the same concierge that we had in November and also knew several of the cruise staff, bartenders and people in guest relations which helped when we needed anything. I also had a chance to meet and talk with Super Mario which was nice.

Excursions – We snorkeled at Rendezvous Caye in Belize, did the zip line in Costa Maya and went to the beach in Cozumel.

Disembarkation was very smooth and we were in a taxi within 20 minutes of stepping off the ship. They did customs upstairs before you get your luggage this time and in November they did it downstairs after we received our luggage.

[Wheels87]

Wow, sounds like a great trip. I'm just curious about what beach you went to in Cozumel. My family and I are going there twice in June. We have been to Playa Mia, but that is the only place we have been in Cozumel.

Thanks,

Brad

[Midwest Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Wheels87

Wow, sounds like a great trip. I'm just curious about what beach you went to in Cozumel. My family and I are going there twice in June. We have been to Playa Mia, but that is the only place we have been in Cozumel.

Thanks,

Brad

We went to Mr Sancho's this time. We've also been to Playa Mia several times and both are nice but Mr. Sancho's does not have an entry fee so we decied to try it again.

[Wheels87]

Oh great! So if you have been to both, could you tell me how you think they compare? We will be traveling with our three daughters ages 16, 11 and 8.

Thanks,

Brad

[pink845]

Is Cupcake Cupboard free on Liberty of the seas??

[Midwest Cruiser]

Originally Posted by pink845

Is Cupcake Cupboard free on Liberty of the seas??

Unfortunately not. I beleive they charge $2 or $3.

[Midwest Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Wheels87

Oh great! So if you have been to both, could you tell me how you think they compare? We will be traveling with our three daughters ages 16, 11 and 8.

Thanks,

Brad

I appologize for not giving a direct answer but both are nice places. Playa Mia probably gets a larger crowd depending on the day.

They both have big restaurants, water toys, beach chairs / umbrellas and water sports. Both are very similar to many other beaches in Cozumel and I think that it only matters if you are looking for the all inclusive packages which could vary. I must say that I haven't had a bad time at either one and I'm sure your daughters would have fun at many of the beaches in Cozumel. If you google both (or even the others) you should be able to do a good comparison.