Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)
Liberty of the Seas
★★★+
Berlitz’s Ratings
Ship: 390 out of 500
Accommodation: 141 out of 200
Food: 235 out of 400
Service: 283 out of 400
Entertainment: 74 out of 100
Cruise: 267 out of 400
Overall Score: 1390 out of 2000
Liberty of the Seas Statistics
Size: Large Resort Ship
Tonnage: 154,407
Lifestyle: Standard
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
Former Names: none
IMO Number: 9330032
Builder: Kvaerner Masa-Yards (Finland)
Original Cost: $590 million
Entered Service: May 2007
Registry: The Bahamas
Length (ft/m): 1,112.2/339.0
Beam (ft/m): 184.0/56.0
Draft (ft/m): 27.8/8/5
Propulsion/Propellers: diesel-electric (75,600kW)/3 pods (2 azimuthing, 1 fixed)
Passenger Decks: 15
Total Crew: 1,397
Passengers (lower beds): 3,634
Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 42.0
Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 2.6
Cabins (total): 1,817
Size Range (sq ft/m): 149.0-2,025.0/13.8-188.1
Cabins (for one person): 0
Cabins (with private balcony): 842
Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 32
Wheelchair accessibility: Best
Cabin Current: 110 volts
Elevators: 14
Casino (gaming tables): Yes
Slot Machines: Yes
Swimming Pools: 2
Hot Tubs (on deck): 6
Self-Service Launderette: No
Dedicated Cinema/Seats: No
Library: Yes
Onboard currency: US$
This large resort ship is for casual family-friendly cruising
Overview. Liberty of the Seas is a large, Las Vegas-style floating resort city. The facilities (such as public rooms, bars, and lounges) of the Voyager-class ships have been incorporated in this larger version, but with more conference and meetings facilities, Wi-Fi capabilities, and connectivity for cell phones.
The Ship. Liberty of the Seas is a fine ship for families with children. The ship’s ‘pod’ propulsion system virtually eliminates vibration. The ship’s ‘wow’ factor is the H2O Zone, an water-themed play area for families; by night it turns into a colorfully lit sculpture garden. Adjacent is a ‘sports’ pool. Two 16-person hot tubs are cantilevered 12ft (3.7m) over the ship’s sides in an adults-only Solarium area.
There are 16 bars and lounges to enjoy, plus a whole promenade of shops, munching and drinking spots along the Royal Promenade. One deck down from the Royal Promenade is a large Casino Royale, The Catacombs disco, Schooner Bar, Boleros Lounge, and a photo gallery and shop, while the forward section leads into the three-deck-high Platinum Theater.
A regulation-size ice-skating rink called Studio B has real, not fake, ice, with bleachers seating, and good broadcast facilities. Outstanding Ice Follies shows are presented here, but note that a number of slim pillars obstruct clear-view arena stage sight lines.
Almost at the top of the ship is Royal Caribbean International’s trademark Viking Crown Lounge, the cutely named Olive or Twist jazz lounge, and a Wedding Chapel. Other facilities include a cigar smoker’s lounge, conference center, a concierge lounge (for suite occupants only), and a comfortable 3,600-book library.
Liberty of the Seas is an exciting and very comfortable ship, with contemporary decor. However, there are only four banks of elevators (two forward and two aft) totaling 14, so if you have a cabin in the center of the ship, you’ll need to walk in order to travel vertically between decks; and there are only two major passenger stairways - one forward, one aft.
Families. Children are well catered to, with Adventure Ocean (on Deck 12) for kids of six months to 17 years of age (teens get their own chill-out room). Children will love this ship and all the fun activities and sports activities.
Accommodation. There is a wide range of cabins in 14 categories and 21 price grades. There are many family-friendly cabins, good for family reunions.
Presidential Family Suite. Two master bedrooms each have twin beds that convert to queen-size, a private balcony, sofa bed, bar, private bathroom, bathtub, vanity, hairdryer, flat screen TV, and phone. The suite has great views over the ship’s stern, and occupants have access to the Concierge Club lounge and services. There is only one Presidential Family Suite, which can sleep up to 14, though this would be quite cramped. Size: 1,215 sq ft (113 sq m) plus balcony: 810 sq ft (75 sq m), set with lounge area and dining table.
Royal Suite. Features a separate bedroom with king-size bed, private balcony, living room with queen-size sofa bed, and private bathroom. Size: 1,406 sq ft (131 sq m) plus balcony: 377 sq ft (35 sq m).
Royal Family Suite. There are two bedrooms with twin beds that convert to queen-size beds (one room has third and fourth Pullman beds), a private balcony, two bathrooms, and living area with double sofa bed. Size: 588 sq ft (54.6 sq m) plus Balcony: 234 sq ft (21.7 sq m).
Owner’s Suite. There’s a queen-size bed, private balcony, separate living area with queen-size sofa bed, wet bar, vanity area, walk-in closet; bathroom with tub and shower, plus access to the Concierge Club lounge and attendant services. Sleeps up to five. Size: 506 sq ft (46 sq m) plus balcony: 131 sq ft (12.1 sq m).
Grand Suite. Two twin beds convert to queen-size. There’s a private balcony, sitting area (some with sofa bed), vanity area; bathroom with tub and shower. Access to the Concierge Club lounge and services. Sleeps up to four. Size: 381 sq ft (35.3 sq meters) plus balcony: 89 sq ft (8.2 sq m).
Junior Suite. Two twin beds convertible to queen-size, private balcony, sitting area (some with sofa bed), vanity area; bathroom with tub and shower. Sleeps up to four. Size: 285.2 sq ft (26.5 sq m) plus balcony: 101 sq ft (9.3 sq m).
Superior ocean-view cabin. Two twin beds convertible to queen-size, a private balcony, sitting area (some with sofa bed), vanity area; bathroom with shower. Sleeps two (some rooms sleep three or four). Size: 202 sq ft (18.7 sq m) plus balcony: 42 sq ft (3.9 sq m).
Deluxe ocean-view cabin. Same facilities as superior ocean-view cabins, but size is different: 173 sq ft (16.0 sq m) plus balcony: 46 sq ft (4.2 sq m).
Promenade cabin (interior, but overlooking the Royal Promenade). A view of the Royal Promenade with bay windows, two twin beds that convert to queen-size, and private bathroom. Size: 149 sq ft (13.8 sq m).
Promenade family cabin. There are two twin beds that convert to queen-size, and private bathroom. Size: 300 sq ft (27.8 sq m).
Interior cabin. Two twin beds convertible to queen-size; private bathroom with shower. Sleeps two (some rooms sleep three or four). Size: 152 sq ft (14.1 sq m).
Family ocean-view cabin. Located at the front of the ship, it contains two twin beds (convertible to queen-size), sofa and/or Pullman beds, sitting area, and bathroom with shower. Accommodates six and has 48in (122cm) round windows. Size: 265 sq ft (24.6 sq m).
All cabins have a private bathroom (with tub and shower, or shower only), vanity desk with hairdryer, minibar, safe, flat-screen TV, iPod dock, radio, and satellite telephone. A room service menu is provided. Suite occupants have access to a Concierge Lounge, for more personal service - this saves standing in line at the reception desk.
Dining. The main dining room is large and is set on three levels. A dramatic staircase connects all three, and huge support pillars obstruct the sight lines. When you book, choose one of two seatings, or ‘My Time Dining’. Tables are for four to 12. The place settings, porcelain, and cutlery are of good quality.
Other dining options. Promenade Café: for Continental breakfast, all-day pizzas (Sorrento’s), sandwiches, and coffees (in paper cups).
Windjammer Café: this is a really large, sprawling venue for casual buffet-style, self-help breakfast (this tends to be the busiest time of the day), lunch, and light dinners (but not on the last night of the cruise); it’s often difficult to find a table and by the time you do your food could be cold.
Jade ‘Restaurant’ (it’s actually a section of the Windjammer Café), for casual Asian-themed food.
Portofino: this is an upscale Euro-Italian restaurant, open for dinner only. Reservations are required, and there’s a gratuity. Choices include: antipasti, soup, salad, pasta, main dish, dessert, cheese, and coffee (the menu does not change during the cruise).
Chops Grill: an intimate restaurant for steaks and seafood. There’s a cover charge.
Johnny Rockets: a retro 1950s all-day, all-night diner-style eatery that has hamburgers, hot dogs and other fast-food items, and malt shakes, with both indoor and outdoor seating (indoor tables have a mini-jukebox), and singing waitresses. There’s a cover charge.
Sprinkles: for round-the-clock ice cream and yoghurt, pastries, and coffee.
Entertainment. The Platinum Theater is a stunning, well-designed showlounge located at the forward end of the ship, with only a few slim pillars and almost no disruption of sight lines. The showlounge has a hydraulic orchestra pit and huge stage areas, as well as superb lighting equipment.
A performance not to be missed is the Greatest Show at Sea Parade - a 15-minute extravaganza that bumbles along the Royal Promenade; it replicates the parade of stars and animals at a circus of yesteryear. This is when it’s really good to have one of those interior-view atrium cabins. Otherwise, get a position early along the Royal Promenade.
Spa/Fitness. The Steiner-operated Day Spa is large. It includes a large aerobics room, fitness center, treatment rooms, and sauna/steam rooms and relaxation areas. Some basic exercise classes are free, but others cost extra. Active types can go body-boarding, go boxing in the full-size boxing ring, go rock-climbing, in-line skating, jog, putt, swim, surf, or play in the golf simulators.