Disappointed with Liberty again

By cruisetarp

• November 12, 2015

After a disappointing cruise on the Liberty last December we decided to give it one more try - mainly because our friends were going and we always have fun cruising with them.

We arrived at Cape Liberty and we were very happy to hear the new parking garage had just opened that morning. This saved

having to take a shuttle bus from the parking lot back to the terminal. This was not a big deal on embarking since we dropped off our

luggage at the terminal first but was a problem at disembarking when you had to take all of your luggage on the shuttle.

If they can embark Quantum in Florida in less than 20 minutes from curb to ship why did it take more than 1 hour to get to the check in desk (and this was using priority boarding) Once checked in it was a pleasure to walk up the gangway and onto the ship rather

than taking the shuttle again.

Windjammer was "jammed" and it took quite some time to find a table. Half of the dishes were empty and most things were cold. This was sadly an omen of things to come.

We were pleasantly surprised when our cabins were ready and we met our Room Steward We had a balcony cabin at the front of the hump on deck 9 which was kept neat and clean by a very over-worked Steward. In December they all had assistants -

that is no longer the case. One person does everything in the rooms and some days, despite being early risers, it was noon or after before our room was done.

With the "all you can drink" packages it is almost impossible to get a drink anywhere without long lines and waits. No more bar

service around the pool and the pool attendants definitely do not enforce the 30 minute rules for unoccupied lounges even after

pointing out to them that the 4 lounges next to us had been empty for more than 2 hours.

Benefits for their Crown & Anchor club upper levels are being taken away at an alarming rate. They used to make you feel so

special but now you are just a number on your set sail card. No more little treats in the cabin - no special C & A parties

for Diamond Plus and the priority departure lounge is now for all C & A members

Now to the dining room - we had early seating which is now 5:30 rather than 6 and arrived for dinner on time every night. Our

Assistant Waiter was wonderful - getting us rolls over and over and filling glasses. Our waiter on the other hand was

so slow. Being seated at 5:30 and getting our appetizers fairly quickly on more than one occasion it was 7PM before we were

served our entrees. We were then rushed through dessert and had to rush to the theater for a 8:15 show.

We had seen most of these productions in December so did not bother with most of them.

As for the Captain and Cruise Director I would not have recognized them if I was stuck in a elevator with them.

As for disembarking we were called off the ship at our promised time 8:15 but a 40 minute wait for a porter and then 4000 people

trying to get through the 3 Custom/Immigration lines made for a long morning

I think it is time to go back to Celebrity and Princess.

Any questions I will be happy to answer for you